Chapter : 25
“What’s going on?”
Now that I noticed, the room was bustling. Yurienne pulled me by the hand.
“My lady, please come over here.”
To my online-shopping-trained eyes, glamorous dresses made from incredibly high-quality fabric entered the room. The maids brought in a rack and began hanging them earnestly.
“What is all this?”
“The Grand Duke sent them for you to choose from for tonight’s party.”
As I approached the rack and touched the fabrics, one of the maids came up to me.
“The accessories the Grand Duke ordered for you have arrived downstairs. Should we bring them all up? Or would you like to select them yourself?”
I glanced around the room.
“When would all that even get here? Let’s just go get what we need.”
Hearing my words, Yurienne followed the maid out.
“I’ll pick out what suits you, my lady. Please stay here.”
Such welcome words! I waved her off and sat on the sofa. But comfort was brief—strangers kept walking in and out of the room, and I felt unbearably awkward.
I also wondered what kind of accessories had arrived. So I stood up and said,
“Maybe I’ll go choose some accessories myself?”
My voice echoed through the quiet room, and a maid arranging the clothes quickly offered to guide me. I waved her off.
“I can find it myself. You’re all busy—keep working.”
She stared at me with a worried expression, but I smiled and slipped out the door.
And a few minutes later, I was completely lost.
I thought I knew the way. But this mansion, huge even from the outside, was a labyrinth within.
‘Should’ve just asked for help…’
I beat my chest with regret and tried to retrace my path, but every hallway looked the same.
In the end, I decided to simply walk forward. In a house this large, I’d run into someone eventually.
After a while, I heard voices. I sped up, planning to ask for help. When I got close enough to hear what they were saying, I stopped dead in my tracks.
“It’s the young master’s first time hosting a party… will he be all right?”
“There you go calling him ‘young master’ again. He’s the Grand Duke!”
“Oh, sorry. Just not used to it.”
“Still, the man who hated parties is holding one because of a guest. Unbelievable.”
“When’s the last time a guest even came? Back when the late Grand Duke was alive…”
“It’d be great if this becomes a habit—more parties, more guests…”
Realizing I was eavesdropping, I stomped loudly and coughed.
Ahem.
The voices stopped. A face peeked out between the door crack. I smiled awkwardly.
“Hello… Could I maybe get some directions…?”
With the kind guidance of the kitchen maids, I finally found my way back—only to be met by Yurienne’s icy stare as she anxiously paced at my door.
“Haha… Sorry…”
She said nothing—just stared. I avoided her eyes.
“Got it. Next time I’ll ask for directions…”
“……”
“…Sorry.”
I flopped sideways onto the bed and watched Yurienne as she organized the clothes. Her mood had brightened; she was unusually excited today.
The girl who always responded calmly and maturely to everything was now waving dresses and talking endlessly.
“I think this one’s satin. I’ve only ever touched it before. Oh my…! I’m pretty sure those are real gemstones. Fake ones are much lighter.”
“Really?”
“It’s heavy to wear, but it sparkles completely differently under a chandelier.”
“Oho.”
“Oh—this color would suit you too… but the design on this one is prettier… Ugh, I can’t decide! If only Ruri were here—”
“True.”
“This one is gorgeous. Lady, come on, get up and try it on!”
I slipped deeper under the blanket.
“That one would look better on you than me. Why don’t you take it?”
Yurienne froze, eyes wide.
“My lady! This isn’t something I could accept!”
“Why?”
With only my face poking out from the blanket, I asked. She approached and whispered seriously.
“The Grand Duke gave them to you. If you give them away carelessly, he might think you’re disrespecting his intentions.”
“If he gave them to me, they’re mine, right?”
“I heard it’s rare for the Grand Duke to give personal gifts. That makes them even more special.”
My curiosity flared.
“Special?”
“Of course. He’s a Grand Duke despite not being related by blood to His Imperial Majesty.”
“That’s impressive?”
Sitting beside the bed, Yurienne explained how Sirinu became Grand Duke at such a young age and how many monsters he’d hunted.
I listened eagerly. Sure, I called myself a fan, but all I knew came from guidebooks.
I was too embarrassed to ask locals for real information—someone might discover I liked him. But Yurienne already knew, so it felt safe.
“The Grand Duke hardly interacts with others. He’s never attended a party. They say he meets monsters more often than people.”
Listening to her, I realized Sirinu was far more incredible—and probably far lonelier—than I imagined.
Night fell, and the butler announced the party was ready. I headed to the ballroom. At the entrance, the butler bowed.
“The Grand Duke is waiting inside.”
“Thank you.”
I smiled; wrinkles formed into a kind expression.
“Enjoy your evening.”
The door opened. Gentle strings—the sound of violins—filled the hall.
Worried that I might be surrounded by strangers again, I hunched my shoulders and stepped inside.
The hall was completely empty.
As I stood bewildered, Sirinu approached and held out his hand. I took it and looked around. He glanced down at me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Um… isn’t anyone else coming?”
He looked genuinely confused.
“Why should there be?”
“…Sorry?”
Were we talking about the same thing? Was communication broken?
“Don’t parties usually have attendees?”
“You and I are here, aren’t we?”
He answered plainly, then led me to the center of the hall. Releasing my hand, he placed his own over his chest.
He was asking me to dance.
Thanks to brutal hours of practice, I instantly lifted my skirt and bowed in reply.
Sirinu took my hand gently and pulled me close by the waist. For someone who supposedly never held a party, his touch was surprisingly smooth.
As we took position, the music swelled, and Sirinu began to lead.
I let him guide me, admiring his handsome face up close. His sculpted jawline, perfect lips—neither too full nor too thin—looked like they were carved by heaven.
His tall, elegant nose framed those violet eyes fixed on me. And somehow, beyond his eyepatch, I felt like I could see the red eye beneath.
When I stared too long at his eyepatch, his lips parted slightly. I half-believed the music filling the hall might spill out from between them.
“You. Does your heart beat strangely when you look at me?”
“Yes. …Huh?”
Caught in an angelic gaze, I blurted the truth and immediately tried to cover it up. But Sirinu didn’t let me.
“When you see me, does your face heat up, your breath turn ragged?”
Avoiding his eyes desperately, I squeaked,
“N-No? It doesn’t?”
“Really? Then why look away?”
“Just…”
“Just?”
My lips dried—my excuse felt unbearably embarrassing.
“No, I was just admiring the decorations. The hall is pretty.”
“I asked about your face heating up and breathing harder.”
His hand tightened on my waist. I turned lightly, following his lead.
The shift brought me closer against him. His broad chest was warm; he smelled nice. Woody? Musk? God, do handsome men smell good on purpose…?
I inhaled—not too indecently—just enough. Sirinu tilted his head, waiting. My face burned as I answered.
“Well… face? Yeah, maaybe a little… But I’ve never breathed hard.”
“When you look at me?”
“When I look, when I don’t look…”
I felt my cheeks burn and peeked up at him. Sirinu looked serious—like he was thinking hard. His low voice rolled out.
