Chapter 34
Trying to hide her flustered feelings, Elle pulled out a letter.
“Shall we read our letters?”
“Hm.”
Kalen’s gaze was still suspicious, as if he was certain she had attended the party. Elle had to keep denying it—if she wanted to continue with this charade. She deliberately ignored Kalen’s stare and began reading the letter aloud.
“Uhm, this is a letter from the Marchioness of Grien. To the Duke I longed for even in my dreams, I was overjoyed to receive your last reply. For the first time, I felt my true feelings reaching you, and I stayed awake for several nights, unable to sleep. Thank you for kindly inquiring about my well-being.”
Kalen didn’t take his eyes off her even as she read. His courage to blatantly avoid his gaze seemed almost adorable.
The scarf still caught her attention, but seeing her brave composure was reassuring.
Why does it reassure me? And why was I so angry before?
Seeing the scarf around her neck still made him slightly irritated. He realized he needed to understand why—and the only way was to keep observing Elle. How could he keep her close? Despite pretending to be indifferent, Kalen’s mind was racing faster than ever.
“But it is truly regrettable that you refused the gift. I was so upset that I stayed awake for several nights again.”
Elle tilted her voice at the period. Then she shot Kalen a suspicious look.
“What did you write in reply that made the Marchioness of Grien stay up all night?”
Kalen stared at her intently. Elle, remembering Lisa’s special instructions, did not flinch. Holding her gaze like a silent duel, she forced him into answering in a strictly professional tone.
“I returned the rose-scented perfume she sent, unable to accept it.”
That was so typical of Kalen. When it came to etiquette, he was a perfect model of nobility, but when it came to romance, he was careless and lacked consideration for the other person.
“Duke Kalen,” Elle began.
“Yes?”
“It may be presumptuous to intervene, but couldn’t you just accept it with a ‘thank you’ in moments like that?”
“Why?”
“Because the other person put thought and effort into the gift. It’s not just an object, it’s their feelings. Saying ‘thank you’ shouldn’t be so difficult, right?”
“It isn’t.”
“Eh?”
Kalen’s firm answer slightly upset Elle. The ladies who had sent letters clearly liked Kalen. If they had been rejected and had their gifts returned, she would have felt hurt too.
But Kalen continued firmly.
“If it’s just a thing, I can accept it. But I refused the gift because I had no intention of accepting their feelings. To take it otherwise would give them false hope.”
“But it’s embarrassing, isn’t it?”
“That is why I refused honestly. To give the wrong impression without any interest would be disrespectful.”
He thought he was being considerate, but the recipient was likely hurt. There was probably a gentler way to refuse.
Elle rubbed her forehead, puzzled.
“Duke Kalen?”
“I’m listening.”
“Would you like me to help with your replies from now on?”
“Why?”
“After all, these are people you will continue to see in society. Even if you refuse, being gentle means you won’t have awkward encounters later.”
Kalen studied her quietly. She had offered the perfect solution for keeping her close.
“All right, ten silver per letter, then.”
“Ten silver? Should I give you ten silver?”
He made a face with a slight upward curl of the lips, almost like a smile. Elle’s heart skipped.
Was that… a smile?
She doubted her eyes, but it was unmistakably a smile. His usually expressionless face had faintly softened, and it brightened the room, making Elle smile shyly in return. She quickly composed herself, though, still wondering what had prompted that smile.
“All right, let’s do that.”
Kalen’s agreement left Elle slightly flustered.
“I have a question.”
“Ask anything.”
“Why did you attend the party?”
The same question again. She thought she’d gotten past it, but he clearly still wondered. Elle opened her mouth to dodge, but Kalen raised a finger before her.
“Truthfully, sincerely.”
Elle slumped, resigned.
“I went to see which ladies you would interact with at the party.”
“Your mother requested it, I assume.”
“Please understand. She cares deeply for her son.”
Elle quickly defended Ruena, not wanting Lisa to seem unkind. Kalen didn’t frown.
“I understand your mother.”
Relieved, Elle smiled. Kalen’s mouth hardened slightly—he was certain she had attended the party, and that the injuries were indeed from Randol’s actions. Clenching his fist to calm himself, Kalen looked at Elle. Seeing her smile without shadows, his hand slowly relaxed.
“All right, then,” Elle’s voice grew serious.
“Speak.”
“Do you have feelings for Princess Ruena?”
Kalen furrowed his brow at her question. Tilting his head slightly, he realized she had misunderstood.
Did I ask the wrong question?
“What did it look like?”
“Well… I’m not sure. I was hiding so you wouldn’t notice me. But you two looked very compatible.”
“You probably weren’t.”
“No, really. Princess Ruena is beautiful, and you are also remarkable. Naturally, you look great together.”
Her honest words made Kalen tilt his head. He heard similar things often, but coming from her, it felt unexpectedly pleasant.
“Beautiful, you say?”
“Have you not looked in a mirror? Countless letters from ladies say it too. To the handsome Duke, the dazzling Duke. You really are handsome.”
“Hm…”
He did not deny it, which made him seem sincere rather than arrogant.
“You are truly handsome. When you are usually expressionless, then sometimes show another look, it makes hearts flutter. So please date some ladies—Princess Ruena is fine too.”
Being called handsome felt good—but why bring the princess into it? Elle’s thoughts were unpredictable. Kalen shook his head.
“So, how did I look at the party? Would I have done well dating the ladies?”
“Of course. You were a bit stiff dancing, but that’s quite acceptable. Next time, dance even more.”
Kalen’s positive response delighted Elle. If she could get him to go on a real date and start a romance, nothing could be better.
Meanwhile, Kalen had another calculation forming in his mind.
“I will need to practice dancing a bit.”
“Excellent choice.”
“Will you be my partner for practice?”
“Me?”
“Then who else?”
“Well…”
Elle hesitated. Without a dance teacher, she had no other partner. But considering Kalen’s status, it would be awkward to hire one.
“All right, I will be your partner. Don’t worry.”
Kalen’s lips curved into a clear smile. Seeing it, Elle felt her face warm, unaware of what lay behind that expression.
In the capital, at the Hillie Marquis estate—a mansion rivaling the royal palace in grandeur—guests had gathered.
Though it appeared to be a simple tea gathering, Count Boil Edgar, Baron Vuor Saen, and Marquis Roan Ember were present—supporters of Princess Ruena’s succession.
After taking a sip of fragrant tea, Jere set down his cup. Boil looked at Leo across from him.
“How is Princess Ruena faring, Baron Hillie?”
“Don’t worry about her.”
“Rumors say otherwise… At the last party, the nobles were buzzing over the Duke Elias dancing with the Princess. Aren’t you aware?”
Leo’s face stiffened briefly, then he maintained a smile.
“I am aware. I attended that party myself.”
“What is Duke Elias thinking?”
Boil asked, looking at Jere. Everyone was curious.
“At the Crown Prince’s breakfast, he advised on the king’s duties. Then at the party, he danced with the princess. Who is he supporting, exactly?”
Some nodded in agreement. Kalen rarely mingled even with other nobles. When the king was ill and the Crown Prince acted as regent, Kalen seldom made statements.
Though rumors circulated that the king considered Kalen, not Randol, for regent, there was no verification. Outwardly, Randol held the Crown Prince’s position, but in reality, Ruena and Kalen ruled the kingdom together.
The balance was delicate. If it tipped even slightly, the crown’s authority would shift. At the center of that balance stood Kalen.
