CHAPTER~19
As If It Were Salvation
Derrick Glaston let out a cold, faint laugh.
“Right.”
“Out of all these seats, and you just happen to sit next to me.”
“What a coincidence.”
He responded casually to Cedric Glaston’s remark, but there was a pointed emphasis on the word ‘coincidence.’
The subtle tension between the brothers was cut short by the echoing bell.
It signaled the start of the opera.
Cedric turned first.
“Then please enjoy the performance.”
He dipped his head politely toward Yvonne and entered the box seat with Nadia.
Derrick watched his brother’s retreating figure with cold eyes before asking Yvonne for her hand.
Yvonne, who had also been watching Cedric and Nadia, stepped inside with Derrick.
The box was separated from the neighboring seat by a partition wall, forming a completely enclosed space.
Had she only seen the structure, she might have felt intimidated.
But recalling that someone familiar sat on the other side eased her somewhat.
Although she couldn’t be sure whether that person felt friendly toward her.
As soon as the two sat down, the curtain rose, revealing the stage.
The lights dimmed, and only the performers shone brightly in the darkness.
The conductor stepped into the center of the spotlight and bowed to the audience.
Applause followed, and the opera began.
The story was about a commoner girl who went to watch a village festival and fell in destined love with a mysterious man.
Music filled the grand hall, and the prima donna’s voice captivated the audience.
Yvonne, experiencing an opera for the first time, was instantly drawn in.
She was so absorbed she didn’t even notice Derrick watching her.
Thanks to that, Derrick could gaze at his fiancée without resistance.
Beautiful.
Just as his friends always said, Yvonne Leroy was beautiful—undeniably so.
And the elegance of her posture, the purity in her expressions, only heightened her charm.
Every small reaction of hers fascinated him.
But Derrick held himself back.
If she were a courtesan, he would have acted on impulse as he usually did.
But this was his fiancée.
The only daughter of the noble Leroy House.
“So, Derrick.”
“When are you actually going to sleep with the lady?”
“Saving her until the wedding night doesn’t suit your style, does it?”
His friends’ teasing echoed in his mind.
His patience had limits.
A part of him wanted to take this refined lady and brag about the experience.
But his gaze drifted to the partition wall beside Yvonne.
Behind that wall sat his half-brother.
Suddenly, he wondered what expression Cedric would make if he heard Yvonne’s frightened breathing or trembling voice.
The thought was an unpleasant thrill.
Derrick slowly reached for Yvonne’s hand.
Lost in the opera, she startled and turned to him with wide eyes.
Her innocent reaction stirred a dark amusement in him.
“Your hands are quite small.”
He traced her palm lightly.
“And soft.”
The unfamiliar touch made Yvonne flinch.
She didn’t fully understand the intention, but an instinctive discomfort ran through her.
Especially in his expectant gaze.
She quietly tried to pull her hand away.
But Derrick tightened his grip.
“Please… let go.”
He acted as if he hadn’t heard her.
Yvonne let out a small, shaken sound.
Only then did Derrick let out a low chuckle.
“Sensitive, aren’t you?”
“Why? It feels nice, doesn’t it?”
“No.”
“I don’t like this.”
“Women always say that even when they don’t mean it.”
Before Yvonne could protest, Derrick suddenly pulled her arm.
She leaned toward him, the distance closing in an instant.
Derrick moved as if to kiss her.
Yvonne quickly lowered her head, avoiding him.
Her heart raced, and her whole body trembled in fear.
“Please… Sir Derrick…”
“Yvonne.”
He sighed sharply and lifted her chin.
Her tear-rimmed eyes only fueled his persistence.
“This is what people come here to do.”
“You knew that much, didn’t you?”
Derrick leaned in again, holding her still.
Yvonne twisted desperately, but she couldn’t cry out.
She wanted help, but at the same time, she couldn’t bear for anyone to witness this humiliation.
She squeezed her eyes shut—
“Derrick Glaston.”
A cold voice cut through the partition behind them.
“You must be quite desperate.”
“If you’re going so far as to force yourself on a lady.”
“…What?”
“Do whatever you want with your own affairs.”
“But at least focus on the opera while you’re in a theater.”
It was salvation.
Only a voice—but the sharp tone alone was enough to stop Derrick in his tracks.
He let out a humorless laugh and muttered curses, but couldn’t continue.
Yvonne finally slipped free, breathing shakily as she stared at the partition.
Cedric didn’t speak again.
But knowing he was right there behind the wall steadied her trembling.
The prima donna’s song came back into focus.
The opera had reached its climax.
The opera ended.
Before Derrick could offer his escort, Yvonne hurried out of the box.
She couldn’t pretend nothing had happened.
But before she made it far, Derrick caught up and grabbed her hand.
“Did you enjoy the opera?”
He asked pleasantly, as if nothing had occurred.
The act made her stomach churn.
She tried to pull her hand away.
He didn’t let go.
At that moment, the door to the neighboring box opened.
Cedric and Nadia stepped out.
Their eyes met.
Cedric’s gaze dropped to where Derrick still held Yvonne’s hand.
A chill flickered in his eyes.
But the tension dissolved as other audience members began walking into the corridor.
Yvonne, not wanting to cause a scene, followed Derrick quietly.
Cedric called out to her only when the four of them reached the entrance.
“Lady Yvonne.”
He gestured toward the Glaston carriage waiting outside.
“Please take my carriage first.”
Derrick’s expression twisted.
“What are you doing?”
“Yvonne is my fiancée.”
“Why are you—”
Cedric ignored him.
“If only for the sake of my younger brother’s pride after being refused.”
At the mention of the scene in the box, Derrick shut his mouth.
But his eyes burned with fury.
Yvonne looked between the brothers and finally spoke firmly.
“Please let go, Sir Derrick.”
Her voice left no room for argument.
Derrick closed his eyes briefly and exhaled, releasing her hand.
Yvonne bowed lightly to Cedric and Nadia, then boarded the carriage.
It departed at once.
Only after her carriage vanished did Cedric look at Derrick.
“You’re going straight home, right?”
“Then I’ll ride back with you.”
His tone was calm, almost casual.
“Ha?”
“It’s been a while.”
“Let’s be good brothers tonight.”
“Mother always said so.”
“You— you lunatic…”
“Complain later.”
“There are too many eyes here.”
A sharp glint passed through Cedric’s blue eyes.
Derrick finally became aware of the surrounding stares.
Even Nadia was watching him.
Raising his voice here would damage his noble reputation.
He muttered curses and climbed into the carriage first.
Cedric, relieved the situation was contained, finally addressed Nadia.
“I hope tonight’s opera pleased you, Lady Lopez.”
With that, he turned to board the carriage.
“S-Sir Cedric!”
Nadia called urgently.
He turned, his gaze cool.
“I have something to tell you.”
She hesitated, swallowed hard, and spoke.
“It’s about Yvonne.”
A topic that could hold him.
