Chapter 42
Raon spoke calmly, a faintly bitter smile on her lips.
“I’m fine. But I’m worried about Miss Niberius. I have friends who will take my side, but she just debuted in high society—she must be all alone.”
A moment of silence fell among the young ladies at that. Then, one of them, seemingly touched by the word “friend,” hurriedly spoke up with an emotional expression.
“Don’t worry, Miss Raon! I’ll help make sure Miss Niberius isn’t wronged!”
“Me too!”
“I knew I could count on you all.”
With just a few light words, she had turned the atmosphere around. Her elegance and restraint perfectly embodied the grace of a true noble.
From the balcony above, Cecilia watched this unfold and murmured in admiration.
“Lady Raon is truly amazing.”
“Yes, she’s always had that elegant charisma. People have naturally gravitated toward her since she was little.”
Since she was little?
That short phrase conveyed an intimacy that couldn’t be ignored.
Cecilia felt an unexpected pang in her chest.
‘…Why?’
While she was still flustered by this confusing emotion, Lady Raon came upstairs to the third floor.
As she approached, she gave a light greeting to Pierre.
“Wonderful speech, Lady.”
“It’s not polite to eavesdrop on the ladies, Your Grace.”
“And yet you chose the terrace seats to make eavesdropping easier?”
“I figured Your Grace, ever the suspicious one, would come spying.”
Raon responded smoothly with a soft smile, and Pierre shook his head slightly.
The two looked like a painting.
The perfectly handsome Pierre, and Raon, whose beauty was just as striking—anyone could see they made a well-matched pair.
Cecilia felt a sharp sting in her chest again for no reason.
Then, sensing a gaze, she turned her head.
Lady Raon was looking straight at her.
Cecilia quickly rose, lifted her skirt, and bowed.
“Ah, my apologies for the late greeting. I’m Cecilia Niberius.”
“It’s our first time meeting face to face, isn’t it, Miss Niberius? I’m Raon Castner.”
Unlike Cecilia, who was awkward and stiff, Raon responded with the grace of someone used to receiving formal greetings.
Embarrassed, Cecilia quickly offered her thanks.
“Thank you for your help. I’d like to offer some form of gratitude—”
Raon gently shook her head.
“I’ve already been compensated more than enough.”
“Pardon?”
“His Grace promised me. That the Border Duke will face justice. I’ve always wanted to see that wretched pig fall.”
Cecilia blinked in surprise at the harsh words that slipped out from beneath such a bright smile.
Raon, realizing her slip, covered her mouth and laughed.
“Oh dear, that was rather unladylike of me. Sorry. But I’m sure you understand, don’t you, Miss Niberius?”
Cecilia couldn’t help but laugh.
“Of course. I think of him as an old perverted pig myself.”
“Thank you. You’ve been through a lot, getting caught up with such a vile man. If you have the chance, come visit my salon sometime. I think we’d have good conversations, given our similar circumstances.”
Surprised by the unexpected invitation, Cecilia stared at her.
But Raon’s serene expression showed it wasn’t an empty offer.
Cecilia glanced at Pierre.
He gestured with his hand, as if to say, “It’s up to you.”
‘…Ah, I see. This was all part of Pierre’s plan.’
Quelling rumors by associating her with the most influential lady in high society, and establishing a natural connection between them—truly, a man who left no gaps.
Still, Cecilia bowed politely.
“Thank you for the invitation, Lady Raon. But I can’t accept.”
“Oh? I didn’t expect to be refused.”
Raon looked visibly disappointed, and Cecilia quickly waved her hands.
“It’s not because I don’t want to! I’m just worried.”
“Worried?”
“After what happened just now, if people see me getting close to you, you might become a target of suspicion as well.”
Cecilia paused for a moment, then continued shyly.
“With what’s going on in my family and with the Border Duke… being associated with me might hurt your reputation. So, once everything is resolved, could you invite me again then?”
Raon looked slightly surprised, then smiled warmly.
“You’re very considerate. Just as His Grace said.”
“…?”
Cecilia glanced at Pierre. He turned his head slightly, avoiding her gaze.
“Lady Castner, that’s enough.”
“Oh my, how shy.”
He ended the conversation with a displeased expression, and Raon replied with a playful smile.
At that moment, a maid approached Raon and whispered something in her ear.
“I have to go now. I hope we can meet again, Miss Niberius. I wish you peace as well, Your Grace.”
“Take care, Lady Castner. Thank you again for today.”
“Please, call me Raon. May I call you Cecilia?”
Cecilia beamed.
“Of course.”
For the first time in high society, Cecilia had made a female friend.
* * *
“What a disgrace!”
Back at his mansion, Gilgurk threw his coat violently to the floor. The jewels on it scattered everywhere.
Dunken rushed in and quietly began gathering the coat and jewels, masking his troubled expression.
“Is something wrong, my lord?”
“I went to the party today, and the nobles acted like I was invisible! Bastards! I memorized all their faces! I won’t let this slide!”
Gilgurk stormed around the room furiously. A maid who had accompanied him to the party stood frozen in fear in the corner.
Dunken cautiously approached her and whispered,
“What happened?”
“Well…”
The maid, her voice trembling, recounted the day’s events.
At the social party, something had happened.
Gilgurk had entered flaunting expensive jewels, clearly trying to draw attention.
But the nobles barely glanced at him and made no effort to acknowledge him.
In the past, people would rush to refill his glass, bowing deeply. Even the young ladies would eye him nervously, hoping to catch his interest.
But today, their reactions were ice-cold.
“Oh my, isn’t that the Border Duke? I heard you were terribly busy, but I suppose not.”
“You don’t look well. Perhaps you should take it easy and leave early?”
Though their words sounded polite, their meaning was clear: “Take the hint and leave.”
Worse still were the whispers from the younger noblewomen.
“Oh my, he actually showed up. Isn’t he embarrassed?”
“Seriously. I wonder which girl he’s trying to seduce this time.”
“Didn’t Miss Niberius reject him too?”
“It’s laughable. With Lord Cardinand by her side, why would she bother with the Duke? Even if he offered a fortune, he can’t change that face.”
Their hushed giggles stabbed at his ears like knives.
They whispered and laughed openly, just loud enough for him to hear.
His hand shook as he gripped his wine glass.
Unable to take it anymore, he turned his head—and locked eyes with Lady Raon.
Her doll-like face showed no warmth as she stared at him.
A lady beside her grabbed her arm in alarm.
“Raon, let’s leave. Who knows what the Duke might do.”
But Raon continued to stare at him steadily, then turned away.
He saw it clearly.
A mocking smile at the corner of her lips as she turned.
That was the moment his sanity snapped.
“Grrrgh…!”
Even now, back at the mansion, he couldn’t forget that smirk.
Gilgurk kicked his desk in rage.
Bang!
Papers and ink bottles flew as the room descended into chaos.
“Raon Castner. That damn woman planned all of this! She and Cardinand stirred the nobles up against me! It’s them, I know it!”
“My lord, please calm down—”
“Calm down? Do I look calm to you?! They all think I’m finished! How dare they mock me?!”
His eyes bloodshot, Gilgurk shouted in rage.
Dunken tried desperately to pacify him, but Gilgurk looked utterly unhinged.
“My lord, there’s a visitor outside—”
And then—
“That’s enough of your tantrum, Gilgurk.”
A calm voice came from beyond the door.
Gilgurk froze.
Creak. The door opened slowly.
As he turned his head, he saw a familiar face standing there.
“Richmond…!”
He gritted his teeth, spitting the name like venom.
