Chapter 37
“What brings you here? I told you we no longer needed lessons. And at this hour, no less.”
Unlike Yulia, who stood up pleasantly surprised to see her music teacher, the baroness spoke curtly. She had been the one to fire the music teacher without even informing Yulia once the engagement was finalized.
“It is quite early, isn’t it? I apologize, madam. I just couldn’t wait to deliver some good news to the young lady…”
“Good news? What is it?”
“Before that—have you had breakfast, Mr. Stevenson?”
“I have, thank you.”
“Then… Lucy, would you bring some tea to the drawing room?”
“Yes, my lady!”
No matter what the baroness said, Yulia led the music teacher to the drawing room. The music teacher, already known for his cheerful demeanor, looked especially excited as he sat down.
“What kind of good news brings you here so early in the morning?”
Yulia smiled as she took the seat across from him, and the teacher got straight to the point.
“I heard you once played in front of His Majesty, the Emperor?”
“Pardon? …Oh, yes. Briefly, at the last imperial party.”
“Apparently, His Majesty liked your performance. He mentioned to the head of the imperial musicians that he’d like to hear you play again.”
“Really?”
Even though she hadn’t been prepared and stopped halfway due to Cayente injuring his hand, it seemed the Emperor had taken it well. Yulia was grateful just for the praise, but the music teacher wasn’t there just to compliment her.
“Yes. So when the head asked if he should invite you… the soon-to-be Count Clu reportedly refused, saying he cherishes you too much to let you out of his sight.”
Yulia responded with an awkward smile.
People really were something else. Since Cayente never openly introduced Yulia as his fiancée, it seemed they interpreted it however they pleased. Just like the rumors about the former Count Clu—Yulia was now certain they were all fabricated.
“With someone so beautiful, it’s understandable he’d want to keep you close. In any case, since Count Clu is quite… spirited, the director hesitated to reach out. But His Majesty still wishes to hear your cello again, so I was asked to come speak to you directly.”
“Directly?”
“You’re not married yet, so the decision is yours, right? What do you think, my lady? Would you consider visiting the palace sometime to play for His Majesty? I remember you once hoped to continue performing even after marriage, if the circumstances allowed it.”
Of course she had. When she first heard of the marriage, the only thing she wished for was that her future husband would support her cello playing.
Yulia didn’t answer, but smiled softly, and the teacher caught her unspoken agreement.
“I thought you might.”
She hadn’t had time to think about it in the chaos that followed, but it still bothered her that she hadn’t been able to show her full ability back then. She no longer dreamed of becoming a professional performer, but she still wanted her talent to be recognized.
“Yes.”
“There won’t be any trouble if you play in front of His Majesty without informing the Count, will there? I mean—would it cause him any issues?”
“I… don’t think so.”
Yulia playing the cello without telling Cayente wouldn’t cause any problems. The rumor about him being too protective was false anyway, so there was nothing to worry about.
Still, she hesitated. She wasn’t sure whether she should inform Cayente beforehand or not.
“Are you hesitating because you’re worried about the Count? Perhaps we can say you were invited to a tea party by His Majesty and happened to play. His Majesty does often invite young ladies who are recently engaged during the social season.”
“I see. Then… I’ll prepare for it.”
“I knew you’d say that. I’ll go deliver the message right away—that the lady is happy to perform whenever summoned.”
Cayente hadn’t even tried to deny the rumors of a premarital pregnancy, so it was clear he didn’t care much about her actions as long as they weren’t scandalous.
“But I’m not sure when I’ll be able to play… May I contact you this afternoon? I injured my hand a little, so I need to see a doctor to confirm.”
“Oh no! How did it happen? I must have been too eager—I didn’t even notice the bandage. Is it serious?”
“No, a light injury. A light bulb shattered near my hand… I was told it should be fine, but I want to be sure—just to check if using my hand might worsen it.”
“Of course. Then I’ll wait to hear from you.”
Thanks to Lucy keeping the baroness busy, Yulia was able to finish the conversation and see the teacher out without interference. Though dazed by the opportunity, unease slowly crept in.
Like before, the timing couldn’t be worse.
“To injure my hand now, of all times…”
She looked at the back of her hand with a sigh, but then Cayente’s words came to mind, chasing the worry away.
—That, too, has its own solution.
It was the first time Cayente had said something encouraging without explicitly tying it to her being a future countess. That’s why it lingered in her heart—and now, it gave her comfort.
Even if it wasn’t just about her hand—even if she missed this chance—maybe another would come.
With that thought, Yulia stepped back into the house, her steps light.
Cayente rarely had a full night’s rest and often skipped breakfast. Still, he couldn’t work on an empty stomach, so after handling urgent matters in his office, he’d stop by a nearby tea house for a late breakfast.
“Welcome, my lord. Shall I prepare the same as last time?”
Lately, he’d taken a liking to a coffee shop two blocks left of his office.
“A new batch of beans arrived this morning—the aroma should be richer. I’ve paired it with a turkey sandwich today. I hope it suits your taste.”
Of course, the Principality of Esacudia had coffee too. But unlike the coastal Empire of Luscican, the landlocked principality had less fresh beans by the time they arrived inland. Over there, coffee was just to wake up a foggy brain—but here, the aroma and flavor could be enjoyed. The food pairings were good, too.
He thought that once Clu Trading was fully established, importing coffee beans directly might be worthwhile. As he enjoyed his coffee from a terrace seat, a familiar man approached with a cheerful face.
“You never seemed to have a moment to breathe in the Principality, but you look well. Is it because you’re getting married?”
Though he was neatly dressed, the quality of the fabric was far too low—he didn’t look like a noble at all. The man was a journalist from Tabl, Esacudia’s top gossip magazine.
“Lovely morning, isn’t it? It’s starting to get warm by midday. Perhaps that’s why you’re rushing to marry—before it gets too hot.”
Cayente didn’t bother to look at him. He just focused on his coffee, watching the carriages and passersby near the fountain.
“There’s quite a buzz back in the Principality. People are wondering what kind of woman managed to win the heart of the notoriously picky Count Clu. So I rushed over. It’s a journalist’s job to satisfy public curiosity, after all.”
“You’ve lost your mind.”
Still not sparing him a glance, Cayente finally responded. He couldn’t ignore the man talking about digging into Yulia’s past. This journalist had once come dangerously close to uncovering the truth about his father’s death—if he got near Yulia, the entire plan could fall apart.
“Did you forget you’re not allowed within 500 meters of me, my family, or my business?”
“That law only applies in the Principality. It won’t hold in the Empire. After all, it was a ruling made by your homeland’s sovereign.”
Most of all, Cayente hated that smug smile, even when the man knew he was being unpleasant. He was good-looking and could appear kind if you didn’t know better. Cayente and the sharp-eyed Isabelle had always been wary of that empty smile—but Aila had fallen for it and spoken of their father to him.
“You call yourself a journalist, but don’t know I’m as close to this Emperor as the Grand Duke himself?”
“Oh, I know. That’s why I’m trying to act quickly—before you get a restraining order from the Emperor, too.”
Yulia might be more naïve than Aila. Imagining her smiling back at that man, chatting without caution, made Cayente’s blood boil.
“What do you want?”
“Sorry?”
Just as Cayente was considering meeting the man in advance to warn him off, he spotted Yulia walking briskly on the other side of the fountain.
