TAJ 06

6.

Claire refilled her glass and asked,
“Was there something different about Russell compared to Max?”

At Claire’s question, Isabel paused to think.
“Hmm. So, earlier, you said we should come back next time and have lamb pie together. But honestly, I was thinking I wanted to come back next time with Russell.”

Isabel spoke candidly.
“I hadn’t even thought about Max until you mentioned him. Maybe Russell sent this wine because he felt the same way I do?”

Isabel smiled shyly. My sister has always been pretty, but now her sparkling eyes made her even more beautiful.

So this is what someone in love looks like.

Claire drained her glass and grumbled,
“I was happy just thinking about eating lamb pie with you, but you were thinking about some guy instead. I’m so disappointed, I probably won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

“I’ll eat lamb pie with you, and have roast duck with Russell. He’s never been here before, after all. Or so I thought?”

The sparkle of love quickly faded from Isabel’s eyes, replaced by a flash of betrayal.
“Right. Who did he come with?”

Her emotions spread to Claire, who suddenly felt a strange sense of betrayal toward Russell—despite hardly knowing him.

The sisters shifted in their seats, craning their necks to get a better look at Russell’s companion—but that darn flowerpot!

Because of it, they couldn’t even tell if the person sitting with Russell was a man or a woman.

“Claire, drink up.”

The implication was clear: let’s finish the bottle, go thank him, and see who he’s with.

Claire, reading Isabel’s intent, nodded seriously.

To be fair, unless Russell was an absolute scoundrel, he wouldn’t send wine to one woman while on a date with another.

But Claire and Isabel had no time to think that far. Their cheeks were already flushed.

“By the way, this is really good. It’s sweet, but still delicious.”

“You like it too? Russell must know his wines.”

As if they’d never felt any betrayal, the two happily drank their wine like water.

“Sis, anyone who treats you to something delicious is a good person.”

“Russell’s a good person.”

“I’d be sad not to live with you anymore, but if it’s Russell… I’d approve.”

“We’ve only been on two dates.”

“True. Can’t give your heart away so easily. Max might treat you to something even better, right?”

At Claire’s serious face, Isabel burst into laughter.

Russell and Max both knew about each other. They knew they were both courting Isabel, and they knew she was dating them both.

Because it was their idea. They both had said it was fine even if she didn’t choose them in the end—as long as she gave them a chance.

To think this kind of woman is my sister—though I did nothing myself, I still felt proud.

Claire giggled to herself.

“What’s so funny?”

Isabel giggled too. Then, almost at the same time, they both snapped out of it.

We almost forgot our mission.

The wine was nearly gone. Thankfully, Russell was still at his table.

“Let’s drink.”

“Yeah.”

Looking back, they could’ve just taken the rest of the wine with them, but as if hypnotized, they called over the server, paid the bill, finished the wine, and stood up.

While sitting, they hadn’t realized how tipsy they were. Claire felt dizzy but managed to stay upright.

Isabel, who held her liquor slightly better, blinked a few times and then started walking. Claire followed behind.

It was late, and many tables were now empty.

Russell turned to look as he sensed someone approaching.

“I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Isabel greeted him with a radiant smile. She looked that happy.

As Claire watched her sister’s sparkling eyes, she turned to see who Russell was with—and froze when she saw a familiar face.

Thankfully, the man was looking at Isabel, so Claire quickly averted her gaze and focused on Russell and Isabel.

“This is my younger sister, Claire.”

Determined not to look at the other person, Claire kept her eyes on Russell as Isabel introduced her.

Russell stood up. He was so tall Claire had to look up at him. With his height and broad build, he looked like Isabel’s bodyguard.

A nobleman would probably scoff at such a thought, but even wealthy merchants sometimes hired guards.

Though the sisters were far from wealthy themselves.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Russell MacDowell.”

Oh. His voice wasn’t bad either.

“Hello, I’m Claire Doherty.”

Claire wasn’t one to judge people, but since this concerned her sister, she couldn’t help assessing him.

Despite looking a bit like a ruffian, Russell behaved with polite manners toward them.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Isabel. It’s nice to finally meet.”

Claire wanted to ask what he’d heard, but Russell continued. Not that she had the courage to speak up anyway.

“This is my friend, Clive.”

Isabel, who had been focused solely on Russell, turned and recognized the man seated with him.

“Oh! Captain of the Guard!”

She had met him once earlier, but was it really necessary to greet him so warmly? And hadn’t he disliked being called that?

Maybe Isabel didn’t know what else to call him. But Claire, now flushed from the wine, felt her blood run cold.

She subtly nudged Isabel with her elbow.

“You are the Captain of the Guard, right?”

But the message didn’t get through, and Isabel repeated the question.

“Clive Norton. I’m not here tonight in my role as Guard Captain.”

It was the gentlest tone Claire had ever heard from him, though he still clearly separated public and private matters.

Claire forced her wine-clouded mind to think clearly.

What did Russell do again? Actually, had Isabel ever told her?

She’d only said they met at the Rom Book Salon, and that he’d asked her out.

His age? His job? Where he lived? None of that had come up.

Now that she thought about it, it was suspicious. How could he be friends with Clive Norton, the second son of the Earl of Norton and lord of Shudehill?

Was he a noble?

MacDowell. It wasn’t a name Claire knew, but most commoners don’t know many noble names, so he could very well be one.

If so, why?

Why would a noble ask Isabel out? Nobles dating commoners wasn’t unheard of, but it was rare.

Was he planning to date Isabel for fun and marry a noble lady later?

Claire’s thoughts spiraled toward tragedy, when Isabel’s cheerful voice interrupted her.

“Seeing you twice in one day makes it even nicer.”

Thanks to Russell and the wine, Isabel was in too good a mood. Claire had to rein her in.

“Sis, it’s getting late. Let’s go.”

She whispered in Isabel’s ear.

“If you don’t mind, would you like to sit for a moment?”

Russell dropped the bomb.

“Of course.”

Isabel eagerly embraced it.

Russell moved to sit next to Clive, and Isabel floated over to the seat across from him.

It all flowed so naturally, but Claire hesitated, unwilling to accept it.

“Please, have a seat.”

At Clive’s invitation, Claire reluctantly sat next to Isabel, across from him.

Clive’s gaze met hers immediately. Claire gave a shy greeting.

“Hello.”

“We meet again.”

His sudden use of formal speech startled her, but she didn’t show it.

A quick-witted server brought two fresh glasses, filling them with wine.

Claire glared at the red liquid in her glass. This was all because of that wine.

Damn wine. It made rational thought impossible.

No—she admitted it. She didn’t want to cling to reason anyway.

From now on, I’ll only drink at home.

While she stared into the swirling red, Russell asked,
“When did you meet Clive?”

He was, of course, looking at Isabel, who opened her mouth to answer—but Claire jumped in instead.

“How did you two become friends?”

She regretted it the moment the three men’s eyes turned toward her. Maybe it had sounded too confrontational.

“Clive and I studied together at Havon Academy.”

Havon Academy, located in Baylis in the north of Kaliva, was open to nobles, commoners, even foreigners.

It was where crown princes, princesses, and other royals studied—so prestigious that ordinary excellence wouldn’t get you in. It was known for being a place where everyone was equal.

Claire had no academic interest, but she knew of Havon—it was too famous not to.

So they became friends in a place where everyone was equal, which explained their continued sense of equality.

So Russell is smart too.

Claire awarded him extra points. Points neither Russell nor Isabel would care about.

With her curiosity satisfied, she had nothing more to say.

“He bought a book earlier from the Rom Book Salon,” Isabel explained, breaking a brief silence.

“He chose a romance novel, so I figured it was a gift. Was it for your sweetheart?”

“It was at my younger sister’s request.”

Claire tried to recall Eleanor Norton, Clive’s youngest sister. Did she look like him?

She’d only seen a blurry black-and-white photo and hadn’t paid much attention.

Still, Claire had spent her whole day stressing to deliver cookies to match Eleanor’s tea time.

The servants likely carried fine teas, set tables in the garden, and brought five kinds of cookies.

Maybe they even stood with parasols to provide shade.

Maybe it was an indoor tea party—but that wasn’t what Claire pictured.

And now, that very same person who had felt so far away… was sitting just across from her.

It made her uncomfortable.