Chapter 44
Sevish was in a state of emergency.
Out of nowhere, just a few days before the wedding, a message arrived an hour ago that Duke Ian would be visiting the Sevish estate.
The brief message read something like, “I’m sending this ahead before arriving. I have something to convey, so I’ll drop by briefly. Please forgive me for any breach of etiquette.”
But could anyone remain calm in such a situation?
Every servant in the mansion, regardless of rank, was frantically cleaning as if a war had broken out, and the kitchen was in chaos preparing desserts and tea to serve Duke Ian.
Among all this commotion, the most flustered person was Hezene.
She had met the Crown Prince briefly at a wedding, but it had been only for a very short time.
Although it wasn’t the first time for Hezene herself, she had assumed she wouldn’t see him again until the day of the wedding.
Yet, receiving such a sudden message during a leisurely time just past noon made her heart leap wildly.
“No, miss! What are you doing right now?!”
Betty, rushing aimlessly up and down the hallway, suddenly noticed Hezene standing dazed and approached her in alarm.
“You can’t just stand here like this! You need to go downstairs!”
She circled Hezene several times, scanning every corner with the eagle-eyed precision of someone searching for trouble.
“All right! Perfect. Your future husband will be very pleased to see you like this!”
Hezene remained silent, keeping her mouth tightly shut so as not to cause further commotion, while Betty looked at her like a mother proudly presenting her child.
“Betty! Escort the lady downstairs! The carriage has arrived!”
At the loud voice of the maid from the floor below, both Hezene and Betty flinched.
With a gentle push from Betty, Hezene finally began to move, slowly taking her first steps.
“This… It is truly an honor for Your Excellency to visit such a humble place.”
Despite the Sevish estate being unusually large and lavishly decorated, Baron Sevish’s words sounded self-deprecating, and Ian smirked inwardly.
“The abrupt visit was my own fault, so there is no need to apologize.”
Though spoken politely, the indifferent tone caused Baron Sevish’s previously elevated smile to twitch slightly.
From behind, Edgar stifled a chuckle, but Ian chose not to point it out.
“Please, come inside. We have all been awaiting Your Excellency’s visit eagerly,” said Baron Sevish, breaking the tension with a timely invitation.
Ian nodded slightly and strode into the Sevish residence. Baron Sevish quickly followed, guiding him to the drawing room, with the baroness and others trailing behind.
As Ian sat on the sofa, tea and desserts were promptly brought to the table, as if prearranged.
“We hoped to serve something appropriate for Your Excellency, though we are unsure if it will meet your taste,” said the baroness, presenting a box of luxury chocolates worth roughly a month’s wages for an ordinary worker. Ian quietly chuckled at the ostentatious display.
“He’s not particularly picky,” Ian said, ignoring the chocolates and taking a sip of tea.
“Oh my, children, what are you standing there for? Come and greet him properly!”
The baroness waved to her two daughters, Ariana and Helen, who had been trailing behind with flushed faces.
At her signal, Ariana swiftly stepped forward, holding her skirt and slightly bending her knees in a formal greeting.
“I am Ariana. It is an honor to meet Your Excellency.”
Helen followed belatedly, but Ariana didn’t move aside, smiling brightly at Ian.
“Pleased to meet you. The baron’s daughters are both strikingly beautiful,” Ian said casually, showing no particular emotion. Ariana blushed, unsure how to respond.
Ian’s attention quickly shifted away from Ariana as he spoke again.
“However, for some reason, I do not see Miss Hezene, my bride-to-be.”
Hearing this, Ariana stepped back, pouting slightly.
The baroness turned to a maid in the drawing room. Her expression shifted instantly from cheerful to stern.
“Did you not tell Hezene to come down?”
“I did… She should be coming shortly,” the nervous maid stammered.
The baroness’ smile returned as she explained, “She is a young lady who wishes to make a good impression on her future husband. Please forgive her slight delay.”
Ian regarded the baroness quietly, noting her skillful handling of the situation. The red-haired baroness, who had raised Claire’s daughter as her own even before marrying Baron Sevish, had an undeniably charming presence.
Ian raised an eyebrow.
“Do not worry. I am not so narrow-minded as to take offense at that.”
The baroness bowed gratefully.
At that moment, heavy footsteps approached from outside the drawing room.
Ian’s gaze followed the sound.
At the same instant, a small figure was ushered in, almost tumbling into the room. Ian’s eyes softened at the sight.
Ah, that was the face.
Unconsciously, a smile appeared on his lips.
Betty, unable to wait any longer, pushed Hezene forward.
“Ugh…”
Losing her balance from the sudden push, Hezene stumbled into the room, immediately drawing everyone’s attention. Her surprised face showed an awkward expression.
“Hezene, a young lady about to become a duchess should conduct herself with more decorum,” a gentle voice scolded, though its tone was extremely kind.
Most people in the room recognized that this was the baroness’ subtle act, intended to protect Hezene.
The baroness approached Hezene, gently guiding her closer.
“Hurry, go greet your future husband properly.”
With a gentle push and kind words from the baroness, Hezene turned her gaze toward Ian.
Feeling his curious eyes upon her, she finally snapped back to reality.
Lowering her gaze, she clutched her skirts and slowly bent her knees.
“I… I greet you, Your Excellency, the Duke.”
