Chapter 54
“Sir Fedwin.”
Heivan’s voice dropped a tone. Only then did Fedwin stop joking around. With an awkward chuckle, he quietly backed away, saying he’d take his leave. Of course, Heivan made sure to hold onto the documents Fedwin had handed over.
Click.
Once Fedwin closed the door behind him, Heivan let out a sigh. He’d almost let his personal guard see his flushed face. Rubbing his hands over his face, Heivan turned to look out the window.
The rain still showed no signs of stopping.
Silence filled with only the sound of rainfall. As he lingered in that quiet, the memory of having tea with Roze a few days ago resurfaced.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Heivan was drumming his fingers on the desk without realizing it, until he furrowed his brows.
‘…What kind of man was he, for her to miss him so dearly, for so long?’
The question struck him again. In truth, it had surfaced countless times since that day.
Even when he had fireworks delivered for Plita, his gaze lingered on Roze standing by the child. While lighting fireworks in the garden, his eyes had never left her.
“I’m insane… utterly insane.”
Heivan felt a wave of embarrassment at his own thoughts and shook his head vigorously.
“Hayang! You’re going to tear the dress!”
“Woof woof!”
Despite Plita’s scolding, the puppy remained excited, circling around her, barking and wagging its tail. After seeing her try on one sparkling dress after another, the dog seemed utterly fascinated.
“This won’t do, Lady Plita. I’ll put Hayang in the wardrobe for a while.”
“Huh? Hmm… okay.”
Plita hesitated briefly, then let out a sigh and nodded. Even she realized it couldn’t go on like this.
Creak, creak.
Perhaps sensing its fate, the puppy began to whimper pitifully. But Roze was unfazed, gently placing it into a basket and tucking it into the wardrobe.
“Woof!”
“Be still, now.”
As the puppy stood on its hind legs in the basket, Roze tapped its black nose with a finger and gave it a stern warning. Not that the dog could understand—Hayang responded by scratching at the basket’s side with another bark.
“Just wait a little bit, alright?”
Roze spoke once more before half-closing the wardrobe door. Shutting it completely might scare the puppy with darkness, but leaving it wide open could tempt Hayang to escape and watch Plita change.
Cough!
As she resumed changing into a dress without the puppy’s interruptions, Plita suddenly coughed. It was the third time already. Roze, who had been preparing a light, elegant gown, turned to her with concern.
“You don’t have a fever, but…”
“I’m not sick. The physician checked me earlier, remember?”
Trying to reassure her, Plita shrugged. But Roze still looked troubled and then shook her head.
“This won’t do, Lady Plita. Let’s pick a different dress.”
“A different one?”
Plita blinked in surprise. Roze pushed aside the thin, decorative dresses she had prepared for the banquet and instead pulled out a warm, thick one. Plita’s eyes grew even rounder.
“Can I wear that? You said other nobles would be at the banquet. My nanny told me to always wear something fancy for those.”
“You have to dress like that to cover up your lowborn blood, don’t you!”
She didn’t repeat the nanny’s words aloud, but Roze must have sensed them. She knelt in front of the girl and spoke firmly.
“Looking pretty is important, of course. And I know you need to dress formally for an event like this. But, Lady Plita…”
Roze took the girl’s hands in hers, her gaze warm and kind.
“Not wearing a fancy dress doesn’t make you any less beautiful. You shine just as you are, Lady Plita.”
“Just… as I am?”
Plita echoed her words, eyes wide. Roze smiled and nodded.
“Yes. And more importantly, your health comes first. Since you keep coughing, I think you’ll feel better in something warmer. What do you think?”
“I like it too. Actually… I was a bit cold.”
It was a chilly day with rain falling outside. Plita had held it in until now. Roze, seeing her honesty, smiled and began helping her change and brushed her hair afterward.
“Next time, if you’re cold or hot, please tell me. I might not notice right away.”
“Okay.”
Plita swung her legs back and forth while seated, then suddenly turned to Roze with a thought.
“There’ll be a lot of other kids today, right?”
“Yes, I heard all the nearby noble children will be attending.”
“Hmm…”
The child hummed as if singing, then mouthed some words silently before hesitating. Roze noticed and gently prompted her.
“Are you excited, Lady Plita?”
“…A little.”
Plita squirmed shyly in her seat, replying in a tiny voice. But then she frowned.
“What if they don’t like me? Adela didn’t want to be friends with me either…”
“I don’t think she disliked you. Maybe she just wasn’t used to you. You get shy around new people too, don’t you?”
“I guess so…”
Plita’s lips pouted. Just then, a crashing noise came from the wardrobe, and Hayang burst out of the basket.
“Woof woof!”
“Ah! No, Hayang! Not now! You’ll ruin my dress!”
Startled, Plita scrambled onto the chair. But the puppy, tireless, tried to jump up after her.
A bit of chaos followed. After finally calming Hayang down, Plita plopped back into her chair with a sigh, the dog panting and wagging its tail in her lap.
“You know, there’s one thing I’m sure of.”
“…?”
Roze tilted her head at the unexpected remark. Plita wrinkled her nose, gesturing at Hayang.
“He doesn’t hate me. Actually, he likes me way too much. That’s the real problem.”
“Woof!”
The puppy let out a sharp bark, tongue out, as if to answer. Roze laughed, relieved to see Plita smiling again.
‘I hope everything goes well at the banquet too…’
Roze quietly whispered to herself.
“Nervous?”
Just before entering the banquet hall, Heivan asked Plita, who was trembling at his side. She flinched and whispered softly,
“A little.”
“No need to be. No one here outranks you—well, except…”
“Except Dad?”
Plita replied, trying to lighten her nerves. Heivan smirked.
“Exactly. So hold your head high. No need to be nervous.”
“…Okay.”
Plita lifted her head as he said. But after a few seconds of glancing around, she turned and asked,
“Roze isn’t coming in with us?”
“No. The Count’s maids will assist us if needed.”
“Hmph…”
Her lips puffed out slightly, though she didn’t protest.
“I’ll be waiting right here, Lady Plita.”
Roze, standing behind them, comforted her with a soft voice. Plita turned back.
“Here? The whole time?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Roze nodded with a gentle smile. Reassured, some of the tension on Plita’s face eased. Heivan noticed the change and gave Roze a grateful look.
Just then, the butler approached and bowed respectfully to Heivan. When Heivan gave a nod, the butler turned to the hall and announced:
“His Grace the Grand Duke and Lady Plita have arrived!”
A stir spread through the room. Dresses rustled, and voices whispered as people stood to greet them.
It was a familiar sight wherever Heivan went. But for Plita, it was her first time seeing such a scene.
“Plita.”
He held out his hand. She stared forward nervously for a moment, then turned at the sound of his voice. Seeing his hand, she quickly took it.
Heivan grasped his daughter’s tiny hand, her whole palm fitting neatly in his. Matching her pace, he began to walk slowly.
“Your Grace, it’s an honor to have you here.”
The count and countess approached, bowing politely. Heivan returned the gesture with a slight nod and spoke.
“I appreciate the hospitality you’ve shown these past few days. I’m glad to meet you before we depart.”
His blue eyes swept the room. The nobles who met his gaze quickly bowed, while the ladies curtsied.
Then, from one corner of the hall, the musicians began to play, signaling the start of the banquet.
