Chapter 38
A Tedious Victory
“Sorry. Listening to how you two were so mismatched earlier… it’s a bit unfortunate.”
His gaze was fixed on Yvonne, the faint smile from before gone.
As Derrick’s expression stiffened in the unspoken tension, a familiar voice suddenly cut through the three of them.
“Gentlemen, may I join you here if it’s alright?”
It was Nadia.
She took a seat directly behind Yvonne and next to Cedric.
Derrick welcomed Nadia’s presence.
“It’s truly an honor to have you at the same table. Please, make yourself comfortable, Lady Nadia.”
However, Yvonne could not outwardly welcome Nadia. With her arrival, a strong perfume scent enveloped Yvonne.
‘The smell…’
Her stomach churned violently. Perfume that normally didn’t bother her now felt overwhelmingly pungent.
Yvonne patted her chest to avoid vomiting in front of everyone.
Seeing this, Nadia’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“What’s wrong, Yvonne?”
Fortunately, the nausea subsided quickly. Though she still felt queasy from the perfume nearby.
“…Nothing.”
Once Nadia had settled, a racetrack attendant approached the four of them.
“Ladies and gentlemen, would you like to place a bet on today’s winner?”
Hesitating, Nadia looked between Cedric and Derrick.
“May I ask for your advice, gentlemen? You likely have more experience at the racetrack than we do.”
“Barring any surprises, betting on horse number 2 is likely the safest choice.”
“May I ask your reasoning, Sir Cedric? Knowing why could help with future races.”
“All of them are excellent horses and riders, but past victories cannot be ignored. Number 1 has the most wins, and number 3 is an emerging ace. Both have chances.”
“Then shouldn’t we choose number 1 or 3 instead of 2?”
“Number 1 is racing for the first time since parting with a long-time horse, and number 3, though promising, is still inexperienced.”
“And number 2?”
“That horse has raced the longest at this track and holds the second-highest record. Being experienced, it won’t miss this opportunity.”
“What do you think, Sir Derrick?”
“My analysis is similar, but I would trust number 1’s record.”
“Then I’ll go with number 2.”
The attendant placed Cedric’s and Nadia’s votes on number 2, Derrick’s on number 1, and turned to Yvonne.
“And you, milady? Which horse will you bet on?”
Hesitating, Yvonne met Cedric’s eyes. Her gaze wavered for a moment, but it was fleeting.
She averted her eyes and placed her vote.
“I’ll bet on number 3.”
Nadia’s eyes widened in surprise, and Derrick’s expression stiffened.
Nadia had assumed Yvonne would choose the same as Derrick, just as she chose the same as Cedric.
The attendant noticed Yvonne’s hesitation but she did not change her answer.
“Yes, let’s proceed as is.”
“Then good luck, ladies and gentlemen.”
With the votes collected, the attendant stepped back. At the same time, a commotion arose on one side of the racetrack.
Looking that way, King Robert V, the queen, Crown Prince Arthur, and the rest of the royal family entered the track.
With a single starting gunshot, the race began.
Initially, all the horses were neck and neck, but soon numbers 1, 2, and 3 began to stand out. The excitement in the track gradually intensified.
As the race progressed, number 2 edged ahead, just as Cedric predicted.
“Oh my. Number 2 is winning, just as Sir predicted.”
Nadia whispered excitedly, and like her, the crowd’s faces lit up with anticipation.
But Cedric, who had expected number 2 to win, felt no thrill from the race’s outcome.
His eyes remained on Yvonne.
Even amid the cheering, Yvonne was nodding off. Despite the horse she chose, number 3, falling behind.
‘She really isn’t feeling well.’
Her normally fair face looked pale today, and her slender figure seemed even more frail.
Watching the precarious Yvonne, her head suddenly leaned onto Derrick’s shoulder. Derrick noticed and turned to look at her.
Normally, a woman would have startled awake, but she remained still, even seeming comfortable on his shoulder. A satisfied smile appeared on Derrick’s lips.
Watching this, Cedric absentmindedly recalled the cigar. Nadia’s voice intruded between his thoughts.
She pointed at the sleeping Yvonne leaning on Derrick and leaned subtly toward Cedric.
“I’m really glad. It wouldn’t do to have a bad relationship with the man you’re going to marry.”
As if she had completely forgotten her hostility toward Yvonne that day at the opera house. Or perhaps she assumed Cedric had a poor memory. Either way, it was not a pleasant assessment.
Cedric’s lips curled in a cold smirk.
It was easy to read someone whose emotions were transparent. No need to cut her off hastily. A pest that would crumble on its own need not be crushed with dirty hands.
So he had no intention of interfering with the woman. Not today, at least.
Quietly observing Yvonne’s small head resting on Derrick’s shoulder, Cedric spoke.
“Lady Nadia.”
Hearing her name, Nadia leaned slightly toward him.
With the strong perfume that had bothered him from the start, her tightly laced dress exposed her chest. A blatant attempt to entice.
Cedric removed any trace of amusement and whispered quietly.
“You should change that perfume.”
“…Yes?”
“I’m a bit sensitive to scents.”
Nadia’s eyes, previously full of anticipation, flickered uncertainly.
Cedric, expressionless, ignored her gaze and turned his attention back.
Number 2 was crossing the finish line. At the same time, cheers and applause erupted from the stands.
A tedious victory.
After the race, a garden party was held in the pavilion near the expo grounds.
King Robert V distributed Brück mountain wine to those who had successfully bet on the race, and the winners happily shared it with others.
Everyone enjoyed the party, except Yvonne, who could not enjoy the atmosphere.
‘I feel so unwell…’
The perfume mixed with alcohol now churned her stomach further.
She wanted to go home, but Logan wouldn’t allow it.
For nobles, social events were a chance to show the enduring influence of their families.
Yvonne, waiting quietly in a corner of the garden until the party was lively enough, quietly slipped outside. She planned to rest in the indoor lounge until Logan returned.
At that moment, a voice suddenly caught her attention.
“Yvonne.”
It was Nadia, holding a glass of wine.
“Not drinking today either? It’s wine gifted by His Majesty the King.”
“I’m not feeling well. Since it’s precious, I’d rather someone who enjoys it more drink it.”
“Still, it’s more fun to enjoy it together. Such a pity.”
Her expression showed no regret, but Yvonne gave a polite smile.
“Sorry. I guess I haven’t fully recovered from last time. I’ll rest a bit and be back.”
“Shall I call Sir Derrick?”
At the mention of his name, Yvonne froze. Nadia probably assumed that things between them were fine after the racetrack incident.
Yvonne decided it was time to clarify her thoughts. Judging from Nadia’s behavior so far, it was likely she would try to connect Yvonne and Derrick in some way.
