Chapter 28
“Milady, are you all right?”
“Mm… I’m fine.”
You don’t look fine at all.
Asha, who was walking behind me, grumbled quietly. She kept muttering encouraging things—saying things like I definitely shouldn’t be left alone, or that I was a hundred times more suited to be called a lady than anyone else.
Tap, tap.
As I walked, leaning on my cane, I turned my head slightly toward her.
“Asha, does my face really look that serious?”
“You look like you just came back from a funeral.”
That won’t do.
I lightly slapped both cheeks with my palms, trying to relax my expression. At the very least, I didn’t want to show a frown or look shaken in front of my sister.
“All right. I think we can go in now.”
Asha’s voice sounded tense, and it made me nervous too. I nodded and carefully opened the door to the dining room.
The first thing that greeted me was the aroma of roasted turkey.
It smelled so savory and tempting that my mouth watered before I realized it.
With every cautious step I took—tap, tap—the air was thick with the scent of cinnamon-dusted pumpkin pie, and beneath that, the irresistible smell of freshly baked bread.
Even someone who hadn’t eaten for days due to illness would feel hungry just breathing it in.
They must’ve prepared a feast because my sister arrived.
Considering how sudden her visit had been, it was quite an extravagant spread—especially given the situation in the North. The kitchen staff must have had a rough time preparing this in such a hurry.
Following Asha’s guidance, I sat down, still relying on my cane.
Anyway, I need to send my sister back to the Lucianos’ main estate as soon as possible.
Should I tell Russell that my sister’s aiming for him? That she covets the title of Grand Duchess—nothing more than a puppet role?
If I lose that puppet’s position, what will become of me? Will I return to that mansion and live like a lifeless plant again?
After mulling it over, I finally opened my mouth.
“Lord Russell.”
“Fianna, my lady—”
We spoke at the same time, and an awkward silence fell. Russell didn’t respond right away, perhaps startled; I was no better.
I cleared my throat.
“You should go first—”
“No, after you—”
Our voices overlapped again, and discomfort flooded the air. Thankfully, the silence that followed didn’t last long.
“It would be better if you spoke first,” Russell said kindly.
I felt a brief flicker of gratitude. I was just about to speak again when an unwelcome voice interrupted.
“Lord Russell, I—”
“Sorry for interrupting your meal! I’m late, aren’t I?”
Bang!
The door swung open, slamming against the wall. Everyone in the dining room drew in a sharp breath.
Someone even turned away as if witnessing something indecent.
I was confused.
So many sensations rushed in at once that my head started to spin.
I quickly called out to Asha.
“A-Asha, what’s going on?”
“Ah, Milady! It’s… it’s your sister…”
Just hearing the hesitation in her voice filled me with dread. She fidgeted, then leaned close and whispered in my ear,
“Your sister… she’s wearing a torn dress.”
She seemed reluctant to even say that much and quickly stepped back.
My mind went blank.
Someone had seen us together earlier—if my sister showed up like this, I’d be the one blamed.
It would make it look like we’d fought—and that I’d hurt her.
When I focused my hearing, I could clearly make out the whispers of the attendants far away.
“Lady Lena’s dress…”
“Didn’t Anna say earlier that Lady Fianna and Lady Lena seemed to be arguing?”
“But Lady Fianna can’t even see. And she wouldn’t have had time to change her clothes…”
“Maybe they’re both acting.”
I could already hear the suspicion in their voices.
Cold sweat dampened my palms. My head burned with embarrassment and panic.
Out of all those breaths… only Russell’s is steady—calm, as always.
What was he thinking right now?
Through the frozen air, I heard the sound of heels clicking across the floor.
Other sounds blurred together until my head throbbed.
“Th… thank you.”
Scrape.
A servant pulled out a chair for my sister. Her voice trembled as she thanked him.
That servant must’ve fallen for her instantly—his retreating footsteps were fast and flustered.
By now, everyone must be doubting me.
“Oh! Oh my!”
Crash!
The sharp sound of crystal shattering filled the room.
My sister had done it on purpose—pretending her hand slipped while picking up the glass.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry! I’ll pick it up—ah, ouch!”
So obvious. So shallow.
But in this situation, it was a perfect move to draw sympathy—and suspicion toward me.
“I’ll take care of it, Lady Lena. Please, don’t worry yourself.”
“But Lady Lena, your dress—”
While everyone fretted, Russell finally spoke.
“Prater. Escort Lady Lena.”
His voice was cool and impersonal—like he was simply stating procedure.
Immediately, Prater stepped forward.
“Yes, Lady Lena. I’ll prepare a change of clothes and bathwater.”
My sister’s voice softened in relief. I heard the faint sound of her removing a coat—perhaps one someone had draped over her shoulders.
But knowing my sister, she wouldn’t stop there.
“You’re all so kind… but what I really want…”
Click, click.
Her heels echoed clearly across the floor. I didn’t need to see her to know which direction she was going.
“…is for you to come with me, Russell Glacies.”
She’d approached him—at the far end of the dining room. Her damp, trembling voice caught everyone off guard.
The scent of mint and her heavy perfume mingled in the air. They hadn’t touched, but the fragrances overlapped so closely it made me nauseous.
My head hurts…
My stomach turned. That wasn’t even her usual perfume.
Let’s see… rose as the dominant note, then navivara blossoms, lotus, and statirium flowers…
All of them are known for their overpowering sweetness. I remembered the scents well—I used to collect and sell those flowers on days I failed to beg properly in my previous life.
But Russell said nothing. I couldn’t sense any hostility or discomfort.
Normally, he would’ve spoken plainly, showing his emotions without restraint. Yet now, there was no reaction at all.
No color, no scent… I can’t read him.
His breathing, his heartbeat—steady and unchanged. He was still there, I could feel it. So why wasn’t he reacting?
“You should leave.”
His voice cut through the silence—flat, cold, emotionless.
“Wh-what?”
“I told the lady to leave. And I specifically told Prater to accompany her.”
He rose abruptly, the air around him turning icy, the meal forgotten.
“Take the young lady away.”
“Yes, sir.”
My sister froze, stunned by his sudden rejection, before finally retreating out of the room.
She won’t disappear quietly. Not her.
As soon as I sensed her presence fade beyond the door, I stood and moved quickly, tapping forward with my cane.
Then—
I gently caught the hem of Russell’s coat between my fingers.
“Lord Russell, I have a favor to ask.”
His reply came, hollow and emotionless—emptier than I’d ever heard it.
“Speak.”
And for some reason, that voice—so devoid of warmth—pierced straight through my chest, leaving my heart aching.
