Chapter 16
So basically, you’re wondering why I showed up looking like a complete mess all by myself?
I could’ve answered that easily.
Because I didn’t want to catch your eye.
Because I wanted to tell you to go find the one destined for you — someone who isn’t me.
Not that I’d ever say that out loud in front of those cold eyes.
“That’s why I find it interesting.”
“…….”
“You’re the kind of person no one can ever figure out.”
I couldn’t tell if that was meant as a compliment or an insult.
“Please don’t find me interesting.”
I said it as emotionlessly as I could.
Then we stood there in silence for a while, looking down at the garden from the balcony.
I had nothing more to say, and it seemed he didn’t either.
“Bernadette.”
His low voice broke the suffocating silence.
“I was hoping to see you with a more relaxed expression today.”
Hearing that, I quickly looked away from him.
Apparently, he was displeased with my expression — but this was the best I could manage.
How could I possibly look relaxed or at ease, with how tangled my thoughts were?
“I—I just had something personal come up.”
“Something personal?”
“Yes, you know… private matters and all.”
I thought that vague excuse would be enough.
“Tell me. I’ll take care of it.”
Ugh. This man has an overwhelming fixer instinct. Not helpful.
“N-no, it’s really nothing.”
“Then should I look into it myself?”
“W-what? Look into what?”
“Whatever happened to you.”
“No! Absolutely not! Please don’t!”
I flailed my arms in panic, but he just smiled brightly, totally unaware of how frustrated I felt.
Ugh, I should’ve at least worn a protection charm or something.
Something to ward off bad luck or change my fate!
At times like this, fleeing is the best option.
“Oh, come to think of it, I’ve been away too long. Lady Almaz is probably waiting for me.”
I tossed that out while glancing at him, and thankfully, he didn’t seem annoyed.
Ooh, should I take this chance?
I decided it was the perfect time to bring up Leoni.
“Lady Almaz is such a gracious person. Even after waiting so long, she never complains.”
“…….”
“She has a heart as soft and lovely as silk.”
I carefully watched his reaction as I continued.
“And her looks are just as beautiful as her heart.”
Our Leoni — so kind, so sweet, so angelic.
Born and raised in a noble family, showered with love, shining like sunlight.
Maybe, just maybe, my attempt at selling Leoni was working?
“Was Lady Almaz the one with blonde hair?”
I could hardly contain my excitement as I quickly answered.
‘Yes! He definitely fell for her when he saw her at the ball earlier!’
I subtly clenched my fist in victory and went on.
“Yes, that’s right. Her blonde hair shines so brightly, even in the dark.”
“In a bluish dress?”
“Yes, yes, exactly!”
“With a red ribbon?”
“Oh wow, yes! You’ve got it down perfectly!”
Wait, what? How did he notice so many details?
Men really are all the same when a pretty girl is involved.
Well, I can’t blame him. Our Leoni is incredibly pretty. Heh!
At this rate, I won’t even have to work hard to set them up!
I was giggling inside at the thought when—
“Is that her over there?”
“Yes, that’s… wait, what?”
I turned to where he was pointing.
Oh no. It was Leoni.
“Huh? Why is Leoni over there?”
I leaned dangerously over the balcony, staring down at her.
She was strolling through the garden, looking very cheerful — and with someone at her side.
What… is going on?
As I followed her movement in stunned silence, Jerlach said,
“She doesn’t seem to be waiting for you.”
“…….”
What the heck?
Okay, fine. She came to a ball — it’s normal to mingle with others.
“But the man walking with her…”
“…….”
“Wasn’t he at your estate before?”
None other than Adrian.
I was so shocked I couldn’t say a word.
There she was — golden-haired Leoni — walking side by side with Adrian.
‘Why is Leoni with that man?’
I desperately hoped my eyes were wrong or that I’d misrecognized someone.
But even in the dark, her radiant hair was unmistakable.
“…….”
Even from afar, I could feel it.
The way she swayed as she walked, the lightness in her step, the way her delicate fingers tried to hide her smile — all of it.
Leoni looked happy.
“No need to go to her now, right?”
I was speechless.
Leoni. Now’s really not the time to be giggling with Adrian!
There was no way to retreat, and I was too flustered by her smile to think straight when—
“I have a question.”
Jerlach leaned against the balcony, gazing at me.
What was he suddenly going to ask?
I swallowed dryly and stared at the horizon—
“Did you not like the dress?”
Hahaha.
Here it comes.
I had a feeling, even when I chose not to wear it.
That he might ask why.
That a moment like this would come.
So I should’ve just calmly answered as I planned.
But as I said before — I’m not good at hiding how I feel.
I’m the kind who gets caught 9 out of 10 times when lying.
And the excuse I came up with was honestly pretty rude, so it took serious courage to say.
Being rude to someone, being the “bad guy” — it’s harder than you’d think.
Much harder.
“Yes. It wasn’t really my style.”
I replied bluntly and turned my head away.
I tried to sound casual, but my legs were shaking inside the dress.
Jerlach isn’t exactly known for his patience.
How I handled the gift was my responsibility — but being this rude?
The crease between his brows twitched.
“I see.”
“Yeah, well… It looked expensive, but it’s not really the current trend anymore.”
Still, I’d unsheathed the sword — might as well slice something with it.
Since he was acting all obsessed, the best thing would be to make him lose interest.
Though, if he got so turned off that he decided to kill me, that’d be a problem.
Sure enough, when I glanced up at him, his face looked like he’d just bitten into gravel.
I almost panicked and said it was a joke, but held myself back.
Get it together. You want him to hate you, remember?
“Then I’ll have to find a new aide.”
Wait, why are we talking about aides all of a sudden?
“Aide? What does that have to do with anything?”
“The dress — I picked it out myself.”
“…….”
“I’ve never bought a woman’s dress before, so I even asked Lord Orie for advice.”
Just then, a mental image of kind-faced Lord Millen Orie flashed through my mind.
“When I asked if it was the most beautiful dress, he didn’t hesitate to say yes.”
“…….”
“I need someone who can do their job properly.”
“W-wait, Your Grace—”
But before I could finish, he cut me off and straightened up from the balcony railing.
“Almost forgot.”
Oh no. What now?
“I need to punish someone.”
“W-what? Punish who?”
“The one who lied to me about that design being trendy.”
Wow. Did he seriously just say that like it was nothing?
Is he insane?
“Y-Your Grace! Please don’t!”
“My gift failed to bring you joy. Someone has to take responsibility.”
“No, no, wait! What I meant was—”
Should I take it all back? Say everything I said was a lie?
I’d finally mustered the courage to speak harshly, and now I was going to have to say it was all fake and apologize?
Seriously!
You — yes, you — why are you doing this to me?!
