CHAPTER 37
Cayen responded to Etisha without even realizing what he was thinking.
“Miss Etisha. What do you mean by that?”
“Huh?”
“If it’s a party under the guise of a spring festival, it’s only proper that you have a new dress tailored for the occasion.”
“…What?”
“I’ll instruct Valdefram to bring in a designer.”
“Wait, Duke, hold on a minute…!”
Etisha hurriedly tried to stop him, but Cayen was already out of the study, calling for Valdefram.
She rushed after him in a panic.
“Duke! I appreciate the thought, but you can’t just spend money like that!”
“And what grounds do you have to call it wasteful?”
“Well, obviously…”
“Didn’t you agree to attend the party? In that case, dressing appropriately is a matter of common sense.”
“But I still have so many unworn dresses!”
“Then you can wear those to another party.”
“Another party? There’s going to be more?”
“If not, then you can host one yourself.”
“What? Me, host a party…?”
“Don’t worry about the cost.”
“No, that’s not…”
Etisha was left speechless mid-stride as she followed Cayen.
She had only meant to politely decline a single dress, but now it seemed she was being gifted an entire party.
“If you don’t like parties, then perhaps you could host a festival in the Wintel territory instead.”
Now it wasn’t just a party — it was a festival?
The more she tried to say no, the more he tried to give her.
Silently, Etisha wondered what kind of financial sense the Duke even had. She could only close her mouth and walk in resignation.
From noon on, the Montmadre Count’s estate bustled with guests.
Normally, parties began in the evening, but since this one was themed after a spring festival, it started during the warmest part of the day.
Bright music filled the hall, and honeyed wine was being served. Upon closer inspection, a few guests were already drunk.
However, the hostess — Countess Montmadre — was nowhere to be seen. She seemed to have stepped away for a moment.
“How is it going? The lyrics? You’re sure you’ve memorized them all?”
On the second floor of the mansion, Countess Montmadre was meeting someone in secret.
Standing before her was a young lady clutching a sheet of paper with long song lyrics.
“Yes, Madam. I’ve memorized everything, perfectly.”
It was Dite, dressed in a form-fitting black dress and adorned with gifts she had received from attendees at past masquerade parties.
She recited the lyrics again and again, diligently.
“The key to the spring festival is the ‘Song That Opens Spring.’ It’s so long, it’s hard to sing solo. But it must be memorized. Whoever sings it becomes the star of the festival.”
“Don’t worry. I stayed up for days to learn it. I’m confident.”
“…Good, Dite. Just sing the song without incident. Leave the rest to me.”
The Countess hid a cold smile behind her fan.
Ever since she received Etisha’s RSVP confirming her attendance, the Countess hadn’t been able to sit still.
‘This is the perfect opportunity.’
The perfect chance to humiliate Etisha in front of everyone.
Once a reputation is damaged, it’s not easily repaired. For now, Etisha had Cayen, Madam Cyrilleze, and the Wintel name behind her. But if she were publicly disgraced even once, they’d find a moment of weakness.
‘All I need to do is prove that Baroness Etisha is nothing special in front of the high society figures.’
And the Countess had a plan.
“The Song That Opens Spring.”
As mentioned, it was the core of the festival. Whoever sang it became the center of attention.
Countess Montmadre planned to humiliate Etisha by pushing Dite — rumored mistress of Cayen — into the spotlight, overshadowing the future duchess.
‘I’ll make sure she’s remembered as a wife inferior to a concubine for the rest of her life.’
The Countess fanned herself slowly.
In front of her, Dite continued muttering the lyrics under her breath.
Her golden hair and radiant face were stunning. So beautiful, in fact, that even the Countess found her gaze lingering.
‘…Let’s hope this girl proves to be a useful tool.’
She removed the shawl from her own shoulders and draped it gently over Dite’s.
“Madam Montmadre…?”
“Your shoulders are a bit too exposed. Wearing such dresses makes one appear lacking in dignity. Didn’t Madam Cyrilleze teach you these things?”
“Ah… I’m sorry.”
Dite’s expression twisted instantly. At the mention of Madam Cyrilleze, she reacted like a wounded animal.
‘Hmm?’
The Countess expertly noted that response, gently adjusting the shawl and offering kind words.
“Oh dear… how pitiful.”
“…”
“It’s okay. Madam Cyrilleze is famous for being cold. Anyone in her care is bound to get hurt. Many noble daughters in society have cried because of her. Dite, you’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Thank you… Madam.”
“If she’s ever too harsh on you, you can always come to me. Our first meeting might not have been pleasant, but I’ve come to think of you like a daughter now. That’s why I entrusted the ‘Song That Opens Spring’ to you.”
The Countess carefully coaxed Dite.
Hexion Marquess was right. Even if Dite was a commoner, she had grown up in Wintel Castle under Madam Cyrilleze’s care.
If pressed, she might eventually spill something useful.
“Hmm? Don’t be shy. Speak freely.”
“I… I don’t really know.”
“It’s truly okay.”
“I just thought… the Madam was always kind to me, but maybe she wasn’t. Oh no… I shouldn’t cry.”
“There, there. I see.”
“If I cry, my throat will tighten. I have to sing, so I’ll hold it in.”
Dite squeezed her eyes shut.
The Countess took out a handkerchief and gently pressed it into Dite’s hand.
“Alright then. I’ll pretend not to notice today. But if you ever want to talk about Madam Cyrilleze, come to me.”
“…”
“Oh, and the handkerchief — it’s a gift. Please keep it.”
The Countess patted Dite’s shoulder a few times and stood up. As hostess, she couldn’t leave the hall unattended for too long.
“Well then, Dite. I look forward to a beautiful performance soon.”
With a smile, she left the room.
Left alone, Dite opened the handkerchief in her hands and swallowed back tears.
It was embroidered with the Countess’s initials in lace.
She felt genuinely grateful for the Countess’s kindness.
‘Our first meeting wasn’t the best… but maybe she’s actually a good person.’
Wounded and vulnerable, Dite needed someone to lean on.
And just then, Countess Montmadre reached out to her — and Dite opened her heart more than she realized.
‘She was the first to send me a gift. And now, she’s given me a chance to be the star of the spring festival. She must be a good person.’
Dite tucked the handkerchief into her dress and wrapped the warm shawl tighter around her shoulders.
Ironically, the Countess’s black shawl — meant as a manipulation — felt truly warm.
“Oh my…”
Countess Montmadre gasped the moment she returned to the hall.
It was a remarkable sight.
Nobles surrounded the center of the hall in a circle. And at the heart of that crowd stood Baroness Etisha — and Duke Cayen.
‘Duke Cayen actually came?’
He was known for being nearly impossible to spot even in the North — and he never showed up at events like this spring festival party.
She had read in Etisha’s reply that Cayen would accompany her, but she hadn’t believed he’d actually attend.
‘I thought he was just putting on a show of formality. But to show up as her partner…’
Yet, the surprises didn’t end there.
Only after catching sight of Cayen did the Countess finally notice Etisha’s attire.
‘That necklace…’
Around Etisha’s neck hung a radiant piece.
At the center glistened a teardrop-shaped pink diamond, surrounded by dozens of sapphires arranged like waves.
‘The Angel’s Heart…’
The first in a seven-piece series supposedly created by the Black Crown Prince for his fiancée.
Seeing that necklace made the Countess’s head spin.
She had never imagined Etisha would appear in such a commanding way.
She thought Etisha would be an insignificant minnow — but now she looked every bit the future Duchess of Wintel. Even just arriving with Cayen — who never came to these things — was a statement.
Still, the Countess wasn’t deterred.
‘If anything, this might work in my favor.’
If her plan succeeded, Etisha would be publicly humiliated right in front of Cayen.
The Countess snapped her fan shut and stepped into the center of the hall.
“It looks like everyone’s gathered. My dear guests, thank you for attending today’s party.”
It was time to begin the festival.
At her signal, the music in the hall shifted. The new tune had a calm rhythm, like an accompaniment to a song.
“As you all know, the spring festival must begin with the ‘Song That Opens Spring,’ correct?”
She made her way to the center, naturally placing herself near Etisha and Cayen.
She smiled pointedly at Etisha.
“Allow me to introduce the one who will sing the Song That Opens Spring — Lady Udite.”
At that moment, Dite appeared at the top of the central staircase. Clad in a black, form-fitting dress and a black shawl, she looked as regal as any noble lady.
“Surprised? There was an anonymous recommendation. It said Miss Dite sings like a canary… and looking at her now, she certainly resembles a golden canary.”
Guests murmured and clapped.
A commoner appearing at the party was surprising enough — but for Countess Montmadre to make her the star of the festival was beyond understanding.
However, those in the know were already chuckling to themselves.
‘Countess Montmadre herself is legitimizing that girl’s position. Udite — she really must be Duke Cayen’s mistress.’
Especially since Cayen himself was at the party today — a rare occurrence.
He may have come as Etisha’s partner, but whether he was there for her… or for Dite’s song, no one could say.
