At my words, Rowan’s eyes widened.
“They didn’t let you go outside?”
“Yes. The first time I ever left the Kleene estate without an escort was when I went to meet you both for the interview.”
If the maid hadn’t told me that a noble family was searching for someone whose appearance resembled mine, I never would’ve had the courage to leave the manor on my own.
‘It really does feel like I’m going on an adventure.’
Well, it was an adventure. Leaving behind the life I’d always known in search of something new.
I gazed out the window, my heart full of anticipation. Rowan glanced at my side profile, her brows subtly furrowing.
“…Still, I don’t get it. Even if there wasn’t much reason to go outside, your debutante wouldn’t have been held in the Kleene estate, right?”
She tilted his head and asked again.
“Even if not the capital, wouldn’t it have been held at the Eastern Alliance’s regional banquet, where the Kleene estate belongs? Don’t tell me… you never even had a debutante? But you’re a noble, aren’t you?”
Is that true?
‘Come to think of it… I’ve never even considered my debutante.’
There were no daughters in the Kleene household, so even the word debutante had always felt unfamiliar. Plus, I didn’t know when my birthday was, so I never knew exactly when I was supposed to come of age.
‘I wonder… would Pepe know when my birthday is?’
I’ll ask him when we get a moment alone later.
With that thought, I tilted my head and smiled faintly.
“I’m not sure. Other than small tea parties, the Countess never really introduced me to anyone. The Eastern Alliance, you said…? Now that you mention it, I think the Kleene couple and Emil used to attend the New Year’s festival held at the Hamann Ducal House.”
What did I do during New Year’s? As long as I had my knitting basket, I could spend hours alone in my room, so I’d never really paid attention. But thinking back now, I vaguely remember being alone while the Count and Countess were away. And at some point, even Emil stopped showing up…
‘Wait, who did Emil attend the New Year’s ball with? Was Rossiane already his partner back then?’
The thought of Emil spread through my chest like spilled ink, staining my heart with sorrow. My face darkened, and Rowan clapped her hands lightly, as if to lift the mood.
“I see. Then you must be looking forward to your trip to the capital.”
“Yes, I am!”
“But don’t get your hopes too high. I’d hate for you to be disappointed—it’s not all that special, really.”
“There’s no need to worry about that. Everything’s new to me, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.”
She broke the wave of sadness so naturally. We hadn’t known each other long, but I could already tell—Rowan was a good person.
Fidgeting with my fingers, I said softly,
“I’m not sure what’s expected of me yet, and to be honest, I hardly know anything. I didn’t even realize we needed an ID to leave the estate. I’ll study hard, so please don’t think I’m a bother.”
Rowan was taken aback and quickly waved both hands.
“I’d never think that! Don’t worry.”
I fidgeted with my fingers and stole a glance at Dante. For some reason, ever since the debutante conversation came up earlier, he had been sitting with his arms crossed, looking thoroughly displeased.
‘Is he bored with what I’m saying?’
If Dante was uncomfortable, I’d rather just talk to Rowan… but there was only one carriage, so that wasn’t exactly an option.
‘Maybe I should just keep quiet.’
Just then, our eyes met with a sudden snap. Dante scowled deeply and quickly turned his head away, muttering gruffly.
“You’re better than all those idiots who think they’re clever.”
It was a blunt compliment. I gave a small laugh and shrugged my shoulders.
Rowan elbowed him in the ribs and gave him a playful scolding.
“Ugh, can’t you say something nicer?”
“Hmph.”
This time, he turned his head in the other direction. But it didn’t seem like he was upset, it felt more like a natural kind of bickering between friends.
My eyes sparkled with curiosity as I carefully asked, “So… what kind of relationship do you two have? Are you two married?”
At my question, both of their faces contorted at once.
Rowan forced a smile, her lips twitching with disbelief.
“Please don’t even joke about that. Could you not imagine such a thing?”
Dante chimed in loudly,
“I second that.”
“Ah…”
Even if they weren’t a couple, I had assumed they shared some kind of… noticeable relationship.
I’d been completely wrong. Embarrassed, I shrank back, pulling my shoulders in. Rowan clapped her hands together like holding a tray, then jabbed a finger at Dante.
“This here is Dante Christopher. The actual head of the Veil Merchant Guild. Would you like to greet him properly?”
“W-What? Dante Christopher?”
My eyes widened, and I instinctively raised a hand to my ear.
“…Wait. You don’t mean the Black Wing of the Imperial Knights?”
At my stunned question, Dante’s thick eyebrows arched slightly.
“For someone who claims to know nothing, you sure know that name.”
“How could I not? He’s the most famous knight in the entire empire!”
I was so thrilled I nearly jumped out of my seat.
Dante Christopher. Commander of the Imperial Knights, a man so powerful his martial prowess earned him the title The Empire’s Black Wing. Not only that—he was also Duke Christopher, one of the only four dukes in the entire country.
Oh my goodness! I’m sitting right across from a duke? One of only four in the whole empire?!
I was so stunned that my lips parted soundlessly. Dante frowned and asked,
“You’re a strange one, miss. You didn’t even know who I was, yet you used honorifics with me? For all you knew, the head of the Veil Merchant Guild could’ve been just a commoner.”
“But you’re my employer! It’s only proper to speak respectfully.”
To me, it wasn’t about status—it was about the position.
“And besides, even if I were a noble in name, that’s all it is—just a name. I don’t have anything. No wealth, no rights.”
At that, Rowan’s eyes widened slightly, but then she tilted her head in confusion at my mention of having “nothing.”
“Didn’t your parents leave anything behind when they passed?”
“No. I was too young back then. I barely remember anything.”
“You don’t remember your parents at all?”
“Not a single thing. It’s a bit embarrassing.”
As the conversation continued, both Rowan’s and Dante’s expressions gradually darkened.
‘I feel like I’m burdening them with heavy stories even though we’ve just met…’
I gave a small shrug and added with a light tone,
“But really, don’t look so worried. I’m fine. Countess Kleene treated me like her own daughter. I was never lonely.”
I had hoped those words would be reassuring, but strangely, their expressions grew even more somber.
‘Maybe telling them the Countess was kind only makes it sound sadder…’
I figured it might be better not to say anything at all. With my heart trembling, I closed my mouth.
Just then, Dante—who had been frowning deeply—suddenly spoke in a strangely sharp tone.
“Did you say your fiancé was the heir to the Kleene family?”
“Ah.”
The moment Emil’s name came up, a familiar ache rose in my chest. I forced a smile, trying to look unfazed.
“Yes. My fiancé was Emil Kleene. We were supposed to hold our engagement ceremony soon… but now, well…”
As if grumbling to himself, Dante, still frowning, muttered,
“Fiancé, huh. More like a pre-fiancé, really. Now that it’s over, he’s just a stranger.”
“You’re the one who called him a ‘fiancé’ first.”
I wanted to point that out, but honestly, it felt kind of satisfying to hear him say it, so I just laughed.
What a strange thing. I had been so furious at Emil that I left, and now that we’re just strangers, all the good memories are starting to come back one by one.
“The engagement might be over, but Emil was a good person. He was just pushed into it by the Count and Countess. I’m sure now that I’m gone, he’ll find someone he truly—”
Dante cut in bluntly.
“Then he’s the bad guy.”
Rowan agreed with a firm nod.
“That’s right, miss. If he were truly a good person, he wouldn’t have cheated with your friend—he should’ve come clean first. Whatever the reason, deceiving someone’s heart is wrong. There’s no excuse for it.”
“That’s…”
I was at a loss for words and fell silent. Dante added flatly,
“He’s the bad one. Not you.”
Only then did I realize why I had been so eager to defend Emil.
Because if Emil was a bad person, then it meant I’d been deceived by someone like him, and that made me a fool.
Dante was right. I wasn’t the one at fault—Emil was. There was no reason for me to see myself as foolish.
“… Thank you.”
I replied in a small voice. Dante frowned again and turned his head away sharply.
