Chapter 8
“The Ice Prince Who Became a Cat”
“Shall we go have some tea now? Some high-quality Eastern Mountain tea leaves just arrived.”
I hurriedly tried to change the subject and lead Lawrence inside, but his gaze was already fixed on Arthur, who was approaching from this side.
“Hmm. Is that Adele’s new valet? Looks sturdy enough.”
His tone dripped with sarcasm. The fact that he deliberately used the word “valet” suggested that he was slightly annoyed.
Arthur came up to the bench, removed his hat, and bowed politely.
He was wearing a white cotton shirt with a vest over it, paired with brown cotton pants—apparently, the jacket was in his hand because of the warm weather.
“Have you eaten, my lady? This is…”
“Lawrence Jeffrey Lidenhart. Lady Adeline’s fiancé. Polite manners aren’t his strong suit, probably because he’s of common birth.”
I looked at Lawrence in surprise. The playful, cat-like manner he’d shown just a moment ago, trying to gain his master’s attention, had vanished, leaving only the cold, ice-prince demeanor.
“Lawrence… why are you speaking like that? Arthur hasn’t even finished talking yet.”
Lawrence seemed slightly surprised by the valet’s striking appearance. Broad arms, tanned skin. Gentle, downturned eyes with soft brown hair. Sure, he had muscles, but Lawrence felt… different, more refined in comparison.
‘These days, ladies seem to like men built like that… Could Adele too? No, she’s liked me since we were children… Hm… but lately she seems distant… Could it be?’
Lawrence’s mind was on the verge of bursting. Come to think of it, Adele had subtly seemed to side with the valet earlier.
‘If I were to pick a fight and drive him away… would she dislike it?’
As Lawrence glared coldly at Arthur, seeking any reason to challenge him, the valet suddenly lowered his head, his deep, resonant voice ringing out.
“Greetings, Sir Lawrence. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Arthur Morris. I have been employed as Lady Adele’s valet and personal guard. I understand you are her fiancé—an honor to meet you.”
‘Wait… his voice is impressive too?’
Adele glanced briefly at Arthur and smiled slightly—the kind of smile she hadn’t shown me since the incident.
My chest boiled with jealousy, but showing envy toward a commoner would not suit a noble.
“Arthur, I hope you continue to serve Adele well in the future.”
With his chin slightly lifted, Lawrence delivered his words with subtle sharpness, then rose and offered his arm to Adeline.
“Shall we try some tea from the East? Just the two of us.”
Lawrence looked oddly proud as he did so. I took his arm and got up, glancing at Arthur.
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes.”
I smiled kindly at Arthur. Good—he seemed to be taking care of himself.
“I’ll go inside first; you get to work.”
I left Arthur bowing slightly and stepped into the mansion. Lawrence’s profile revealed a slightly sulky expression.
Once, Mary, who raised a cat, came home with scratches all over her hand.
“Mary, what happened to your hand?”
“It’s my cat. I petted a stray cat on the street, but when I got home, it sniffed my hand and scratched me. It’s so jealous.”
That memory flashed through my mind now because Lawrence’s gaze in the tea room reminded me of that cat.
Even as he lifted his teacup, his eyes were fixed on me, full of curiosity and jealousy. I deliberately lowered my gaze, putting down the cup, and spoke.
“This is nicer than I expected. Eastern Mountain tea really is excellent.”
Truthfully, I knew little about tea—only that a book mentioned Eastern Mountain tea as the finest. Lawrence peered into his cup, tilting his head slightly before speaking.
“How did you end up hiring a valet? Do you know what he did before?”
“Still that question? I told you before, didn’t I?”
Lawrence lifted his eyes from the cup to study me.
“Well… I just found it strange that Adele, who’s been unusually cautious lately, made such a sudden decision.”
“I just needed a valet. And at the time, the right person appeared—simple as that.”
Seeing me slightly annoyed, Lawrence rubbed his teacup with his finger while subtly gauging my reaction.
“…Are you angry? I’m just curious…”
Like a cat who’s made a mistake but is still watching for your reaction.
Thankfully, he didn’t scratch my hand like Mary’s cat had. The thought made me smile.
Finally, Lawrence set the cup down and relaxed with a satisfied smile.
The day before Lorienne’s birthday party, I set off for the Adrian Duke estate with Sophia, who had kindly come to the Drayton mansion to escort me herself.
Sophia wore a deep green Gibson-style dress, tightly laced at the waist. The wide neckline and mermaid-style skirt accentuated her shoulders and hips beautifully.
Her red hair was styled up to highlight her elegant neck and shoulders. Around her neck hung the ruby necklace Lorienne had given her last time. I smiled and pointed to it.
“It suits you perfectly. Lorienne really has an eye for this, doesn’t she?”
“Adele, your necklace suits you too. How did she pick one that matches your eye color exactly?”
This morning, I asked Lenore to help with styling for the first time.
‘I want this necklace to show well… How should I wear it?’
Lenore’s eyes sparkled. Every black dress I had previously ordered was spread across the bed, vanity, and sofa.
In the end, a classic lace dress with a deep neckline was chosen.
“The lace sleeves will highlight the bracelet Lady Lorienne gave you. I’ll add some shirring at the back, so stay still!”
Mary busily helped with my hair. Lenore, holding a pin in her mouth, explained that classic dresses needed classic hairstyles.
She styled my hair inward at the shoulders to mimic a short bob. Mary’s nimble fingers handled Lenore’s requests flawlessly.
“Next holiday, I want to try a fully pinned-up style. I know a friend who’s excellent at hair—I’ll learn from her!”
Dressed in black with black hair and the emerald necklace, I admired how my eyes and the necklace sparkled. I thanked them and headed downstairs.
Lawrence was visibly upset that I wouldn’t be accompanying him to the party, but I declined, claiming I’d go with Sophia.
Arthur accompanied me as my valet and guard, and Lenore followed to attend to me. Mary couldn’t come along, but Lenore promised to give her a detailed account later.
“The next time I return, I’ll describe everything in detail, so don’t be disappointed! I’ll bring you something tasty too!”
The Adrian estate was vast. At the iron gates, a guard checked invitations and identities before allowing entry. On either side of the main path, forests stretched out.
“You’ll get along well with Duke Adrian, I think. He’s quite the hunter—has a private hunting ground in his estate! I need to learn from him.”
Sophia excitedly explained the terrain’s suitability for hunting and the rarity of some animals, though I only understood half of it.
After a long ride, the carriage arrived at the garden entrance. The steward opened the door for us.
I stepped down carefully, escorted by Arthur, while Sophia followed.
“Welcome, Lady Sophia Marianne Theoder and Lady Adeline Beatrice Drayton. Miss Lorienne is waiting for you at the entrance.”
Sophia and I nodded slightly, walking across the stone path to the grand entrance.
Lorienne ran out and hugged me before Sophia even reached us. I almost fell backward, but Arthur quickly steadied me.
“Adele! Sophie! I’m so happy you came!”
“Lorienne.”
A woman who looked exactly like Lady Lorienne spoke in a firm, commanding voice. One word, yet full of dignity. It was undoubtedly the Duchess of Adrian.
The duchess wore a luxurious ink-blue dress with a slightly puffed back. Her platinum hair, like Lorienne’s, was tied up elegantly at the nape of her neck.
I wanted to bow and greet her, but Lorienne held me tightly.
Sophia went first.
“Duchess of Adrian, it’s been a long time. I’m Sophia Marianne Theoder. Thank you for inviting me—it’s an honor.”
Sophia’s manners were flawless, befitting the daughter of a prestigious marquess family.
I… on the other hand…
“Lorienne? Can you let me go so I can greet her properly?”
Only then did Lorienne release me. I slightly held my black silk dress and performed the countless practiced curtsies.
“Duchess of Adrian, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Adeline Beatrice Drayton. The honor is mine.”
“Lady Sophia, it has truly been a long time. Lady Adeline, despite your mourning period, you still attend our Lorienne’s birthday party—words cannot express my gratitude. The Duke is away on business; please forgive me for greeting you alone. I hope you rest comfortably and enjoy tomorrow. I’ll leave guidance to the steward and Lorienne. See you this evening.”
The duchess’s words were perfectly elegant, flawless in etiquette.
Lorienne spun around like a delighted little puppy, unable to contain her joy.
“Watson, guide the staff to Adele’s and Sophie’s rooms so their luggage can be moved in advance.”
The Adrian steward, sporting a fine mustache, bowed deeply and led our attendants away.
Lorienne held us by each arm and pulled us toward the hall.
“Let’s have tea first, then walk in the garden! The roses in the courtyard are so beautiful. Oh! Should we even have tea there? Ah! What to do?”
In her excitement, Lorienne suddenly touched her forehead, losing her balance and collapsing.
“Lorienne!”
Her body went limp. Her rosy cheeks paled, and the constant chatter of her lips fell into soft murmurs. Sophia and I were too shocked even to scream.
