Chapter 84
Julia was still a mystery in many ways, but I could tell that her kindness toward me was genuine.
“Do you think Lady Miranda was lying?” I asked directly.
Julia glanced sideways toward Jessica.
“Well, people who feel guilty tend to talk more. And besides, she’s one of Nanael’s personal maids, isn’t she? Her motives are obvious.”
As expected of someone seasoned in high society — her judgment was sharp and precise.
I no longer needed to defend myself, and I felt lighter because of it.
“Honestly, if you hadn’t stepped in first, I was planning to go to that table myself.”
“Oh my, you’re bolder than I thought.”
“Well, I’m sure they were hoping I’d run away instead.”
Jessica darted a quick look at me and then quickly hid her face behind her fan.
“Did I overstep by interfering?” Julia asked with a light tone.
“Not at all. I’m just a bit curious — why are you so intent on recruiting me?”
“Ah.”
Julia chuckled as though she found the question amusing.
“There’s no real reason. I just like people who are honest and fun — like you, Lady Rodelia.”
I hadn’t exactly gone out of my way to entertain her, so that didn’t sound like the most convincing reason.
It seemed she had no intention of giving me a real answer.
And just when I was about to let the topic drop, she suddenly said,
“I saw you come in with Alperen today. Have you two made up?”
It was a subtle probe, but there was no reason to lie.
“Well… it’s complicated. My brother stood me up.”
The mention of Adrian made my irritation flare up again — but Julia’s next words stopped me cold.
“Oh? If you mean Lord Adrian, I saw him earlier — he came in with a woman who looked like a fairy.”
“What?!”
I shot to my feet instantly.
I’d been planning to give that brother of mine a piece of my mind the moment I saw him, and this was the perfect chance.
“Excuse me, Lady Julia. Thank you for the conversation — I’ll be going now.”
I thanked her briefly and hurried toward the ballroom.
A waltz was already in full swing, with couples gliding gracefully across the floor.
And right at the center of everyone’s attention were Adrian and Summer.
Adrian was wearing an expression I’d never seen on him before.
His eyes were soft, dreamy even, as he gazed at her.
Summer, wearing the dress I had sent her, was focused entirely on the dance.
It was obvious she was nervous — probably her first time dancing in public.
Every time their eyes met, she would flinch slightly and lower her head shyly.
It was… honestly adorable.
“…They look good together,” I admitted inwardly.
I couldn’t deny it.
Just like in the original story, Adrian and Summer looked like a perfect match — a butterfly and the flower it loved.
They simply fit together, like they belonged in the same painting.
“And that dress…”
It was the one I’d asked Lottie to make, based on the novel’s description.
It wasn’t meant to be worn today, but I’d given it to Summer early so she wouldn’t fall prey to the bullies at her debut.
All that effort — gone in a flash.
Of course, my brother’s timing was impeccable.
Typical main-character behavior — everything worked out perfectly for him without even trying.
But… where was Alperen?
“Did he leave again?” I muttered under my breath.
He was probably avoiding Summer again. Typical.
Still, that wasn’t the important part right now.
“He really likes her…”
I looked at Adrian, and my thoughts tangled.
Even more than in the novel, his gaze was deep and sincere.
As his sister, I could tell — this was real.
Adrian truly, honestly liked her.
“…Is this what Alperen felt back then?”
Naturally, my thoughts drifted to Alperen.
When I first read the original story, I’d never understood how he could give up so easily.
Choosing friendship over love had seemed weak and passive to me.
But now I saw it differently.
Because of that decision, Adrian hadn’t lost either his friend or his love.
Even after learning Alperen had feelings for Summer, Adrian had continued to treat him with the same warmth.
And if Summer had chosen Alperen in the end, Adrian would’ve accepted it.
“If it were Alperen, he’d probably let go the moment he saw that expression on a friend’s face.”
Now that I understood what kind of person Alperen was and how he’d grown up, it all made sense.
He wasn’t a weak, regretful second male lead like I’d once thought.
He probably told himself it was just a light crush —
until he saw those two together and realized his feelings were anything but light.
“So that’s why he started avoiding her.”
Come to think of it, Adrian’s first meeting with Summer and Alperen’s sudden avoidance had happened around the same time.
If things kept going this way, Alperen might end up walking the same regretful path as before.
“But I’ve never seen my brother this smitten before,” I muttered.
It was… troubling.
I’d long since taken care of my own survival — that was no longer my main concern.
If I was safe, then I could at least hope for my brother’s happiness.
But still…
“If those two end up together, what happens to Alperen?”
He probably wouldn’t make the same impulsive decision to marry Princess Nanael this time, but…
I couldn’t picture what came next for him.
My head started to ache just thinking about it.
And then suddenly — someone grabbed the dance card hanging from my wrist.
Startled, I looked up to see Prince Cesare writing his name on it without asking.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I demanded.
“What does it look like? I’m asking you to dance. You don’t have a partner, do you? Don’t act so high and mighty.”
The smell of alcohol was strong on him.
His eyes were cold and sharp — probably from the humiliation Adrian had put him through recently.
At least he was still speaking politely; that was something.
“I’m not planning to dance,” I said flatly.
I turned to leave, but he blocked me — and before I could react, he pulled me forcefully onto the dance floor.
With so many eyes on us, struggling free would only cause a scandal.
“Ugh, how annoying.”
Last time, he’d at least pretended to be a gentleman.
Now, he wasn’t even trying.
As the uncomfortable dance began, Cesare leaned in far too close and muttered,
“You’ve got a nasty habit, you know.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“Using Lord Ferris to humiliate me.”
His eyes flashed sharply, cold enough to make me tense.
But I kept my voice calm.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Which was true — I really didn’t.
Apparently, my brother had been giving Nanael and Cesare a hard time lately.
Not that I felt even a speck of guilt.
Maybe he should’ve tried being a better person if he didn’t like being treated that way.
“Well, let’s say you don’t know,” Cesare sneered, pressing even closer.
“So when are you going to go on that date with me?”
Oh, not this again.
I steadied my expression and replied coolly,
“I believe I told you before — Your Highness is not my type.”
“You can’t know that without trying. Maybe I’m actually your type.”
Ugh. I hated men like this — arrogant, pushy, and completely full of themselves.
I forced a polite smile.
“I’m sorry, but I have absolutely no interest in you — not even a single hair’s worth.”
I didn’t bother softening my words; someone like him wouldn’t understand subtlety anyway.
His hand suddenly tightened around mine, making my fingers sting.
I winced as he hissed through his teeth,
“I don’t get it. What makes you think you’re so special, huh?”
“Your Highness, please let go.”
“It’s not like I’m asking you to marry me — just a few dates. Is that so hard?”
He was clearly drunk. His restraint was gone.
A creeping sense of danger ran down my spine.
“This is bad,” I thought. “He’s completely lost it.”
