Chapter 50
I forced a bitter smile, ignored the hand Pedro offered, and got up muttering to myself.
“You have quite a unique taste.”
“Haha, really? I hear that sometimes. May I have a moment to talk with you, my lady?”
I didn’t want to.
But I didn’t have a strong reason to refuse, so instead of answering, I just looked toward the peacocks.
A relatively modest female peacock strolled past me, followed by a male.
Seeing this, Pedro started speaking again.
“They say it’s the males who have such extravagant tails.”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t that fortunate for humans? In a world where males flaunt beauty, it would be difficult to admire a lady as beautiful as you.”
What was he saying?
I glanced at Pedro’s shameless face and then shifted my gaze toward Arius.
“Well, I’m not sure how different peahens and women are. Women like handsome men, after all.”
The proof was right there—Arius Romero beside Cecilia Bernau.
His face was flawless to the point of dazzling, sometimes making my chest flutter, even if he seemed just like a character from a novel.
Perhaps annoyed by my comment, Pedro forced a smile and blocked my view.
“My lady, you say such amusing things. I was only praising your beauty.”
“Oh… yes, well… thank you.”
“I worry that my gift, given to enhance your beauty, may not have pleased you.”
“A gift? You mean… oh, the opal earrings? Thank you, I appreciate them.”
“If you ever show me wearing them, it would be my greatest honor.”
“Haha. You’ll see them at the ball, then.”
No matter how creepy Pedro was, I couldn’t immediately tell him that I had cut up his clunky opal gift and glued it onto a fan.
I walked quickly with a forced smile, and Pedro matched my pace, asking:
“The ball will truly be a special day. May I look forward to it?”
“Look forward to it?”
Look forward to your opals turned into fan decorations?
I turned around in disbelief. Pedro grinned widely, annoyingly so.
“As the heir of Eskia, it seems my father has certain expectations of me.”
“Ah, I see. But why are you telling me this?”
“It’s something you should know. I need a partner to help make Eskia and Naparo greater.”
He didn’t seem to hide his ambition at all.
I said,
“Naparo’s prosperity is important, but it seems like a matter for the royal family rather than the Dukes, Prince of Eskia.”
It was a warning, delivered while meeting his gaze directly.
I smiled lightly as if nothing had happened.
“Such words might cause misunderstandings, don’t you think?”
“Haha. Perhaps I said something foolish.”
“Yes. You did.”
“What I meant was simply that Eskia needs a Duchess who suits it.”
“Well… wouldn’t your mother be that Duchess, Prince of Eskia?”
I smiled innocently, thinking that he was still a prince and that his father hadn’t stepped down yet.
I had no desire to prolong the conversation.
As I quickened my pace, Pedro grabbed my wrist—ironically, the same one Arius had bandaged yesterday.
Annoyance surged, and I jerked my wrist free.
“Prince of Eskia, I think I mentioned that this is uncomfortable.”
“Lady Maribel Sephardi.”
The sudden tug left a sting.
Looking up, Pedro didn’t even try to hide his irritation.
“I admire you, my lady.”
Haha, that face—so wounded yet calling it a confession?
Of course, since Maribel hated him, he was frustrated.
I held back a grimace.
Since there were people nearby, I lowered my voice.
“Thank you, but I’m a little embarrassed to hear that. Let’s pretend you didn’t say it.”
“No, please don’t dismiss it. One cannot fail to notice brilliance.”
Was Pedro noticing my brilliance—or the shining gold coins I had amassed through Sephardi deception?
“You seem to overestimate me.”
“Not at all. I know more about Lady Sephardi than you might think.”
I’m not the only one.
I gave him a look, and he lowered his voice.
“We actually share the same goal.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Together, some things become stronger. I am confident that you and I are such.”
“I am sincere. Truly sincere—to the point that even your origins don’t matter to me.”
“My origins? Could you clarify? I am Sephardi, nothing else.”
“Haha. No need to get upset.”
He waved his hand, brushing his red hair back. Madness flickered in his eyes.
I let out a hollow laugh, and he spoke again.
“I don’t know if you are aware.”
“Of what?”
“Some fakes can shine brighter than the real thing. I only realized this recently.”
Pedro smiled thinly as he spoke.
He scratched his forehead, continuing.
“There’s a Moro tribe that makes jewels. I bought a ring from one of them. I had it awarded to a minor noble in Eskia, but before it returned to Sephardi, it was returned to me.”
Moro.
My mouth went dry.
I hadn’t yet replaced the jewels properly. I was already busy handling ornaments from all over Naparo.
Moreover, Pedro hadn’t even accessed the items properly.
I pressed down my sharpened nerves and smiled calmly.
“What a considerate noble. But surely, the Duke’s dignity would prevent you from reclaiming a jewel already gifted?”
“Unfortunately, I received it anyway, with no dignity at all.”
“That doesn’t seem like something to brag about.”
“Haha, I had my reasons. The noble pleaded for it to be given to Eskia’s future Duchess.”
“….”
“And I admit I was impatient. I initially thought it might not be necessary.”
His gaze pinned me. It said he knew exactly what this meant.
I swallowed hard, silent. He chuckled.
“The jewel is on its way to Sephardi now. The Moro said they would manage it again, but I’m considering taking it from them first. I recall the jewel shone brightly—so bright, I wondered if it could truly be real.”
He leaned into my parasol, body pressing forward.
Through the shadow, his eyes gleamed with an eerie light.
“I will formally request it at the ball.”
“….”
“I hope you won’t refuse, my lady. Neither you nor Moro would want things to get complicated.”
Damn him.
I swung my parasol back. The sudden sunlight made Pedro squint comically.
I laughed at his expression and turned away.
“I’m a little busy right now. I need to check with the servants to see if the troupe is ready, so excuse me.”
Behind me, Pedro’s chuckling clung annoyingly to my ears.
I felt disgusted.
“Is everyone in the troupe gathered? How was it? Did you explain the sponsorship contract properly?”
“Yes. I got the signatures.”
“You didn’t reveal my name, right? You didn’t call me ‘my lady’ or anything?”
“Of course not. But one of the actors kept insisting on meeting you the whole time they were in Palacio. Quite rude. I told them to be quiet, but they were restless…”
Sounds like Himena. They wouldn’t know my name or that I’m Lady Sephardi.
I smiled lightly at Louisa, who was shivering slightly.
“It’s okay. Was the stage prepared well?”
“Yes. I closed the hall windows and lowered the awnings. Only the stage has light; the audience area will remain dark. Right?”
“Thank you, Louisa. You worked hard preparing on short notice.”
“No problem.”
“Did they like the sponsorship contract? There are a few unusual clauses. Are they okay with that?”
“They said it was fine. They barely read it and signed it anyway, so I read it aloud once for them. But what about that actor? They were nervous entering the Sephardi Palacio. Maybe you could show them your face…”
“They’ll see after the play. Tell them to prepare well and perform. And…”
“What else should I tell them?”
