Chapter 57
The end of her voice sagged unconsciously, losing its strength.
“Madam…”
Rashley rolled her eyes around, examining Selakia’s face. She had intended to cheer up the girl, but it seemed she had only caused worry instead.
Selakia hurriedly composed the sorrow that had briefly slipped onto her face and plastered a bright smile on her lips.
“But back then, I shouldn’t have acted that way. I always regret it now. I should have told my brother that I wanted to approach him more, to get closer. If I had, at least I wouldn’t have this lingering regret.”
“If you regret it so much, why not tell him now? Your brother may feel the same way.”
“There is a proper time for everything. For me, it’s already too late. But you, young lady, are different. Why not speak honestly to Count Sove before it’s too late? Not about a marriage with some duke you don’t care for, but your true feelings.”
Selakia squeezed Rashley’s hand to encourage her. Rashley hesitated but faintly nodded.
“Then… promise me something.”
“What is it?”
“If you refuse to spend time with me, madam, you’ll spend time with me instead.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I enjoyed tea time with you very much. Couldn’t we have such moments again?”
“Oh… that’s…”
Unlike before, she couldn’t answer readily.
Selakia had also enjoyed the time spent with Rashley. But if the girl returned to visit the duke’s household again, there was no guarantee that Selakia would still be here.
“Madam, unlike me, you must be very busy. If it’s difficult to find the time, exchanging letters would be fine too.”
Rashley’s eyes sparkled more than ever, even offering a compromise for Selakia’s sake. It was a gaze more stirring than any hostile look.
Unable to refuse, yet unable to agree, Selakia bit her lip. Suddenly, she sensed someone nearby.
“It’s not a difficult request, so why worry?”
Tenus naturally joined the conversation, answering on Selakia’s behalf.
“Very well, Lady Sove. Madam will always be here.”
Selakia naturally looked at the man seated beside her. Tenus tilted his head slowly, meeting her gaze.
“Why, isn’t that right?”
What did he mean by that? That smooth face of his seemed ready to turn her insides upside down again.
Selakia clenched her fists and sighed.
“Alright, Lady Rashley. Count Sove would never refuse your request. I would welcome tea time with you anytime. Letters too, of course.”
If Count Sove refused, this was the best clue she could rely on. Selakia was confident he wouldn’t.
“Ah… um…”
Even after receiving permission, Rashley’s reaction was far from happy. Her face was stiff, and she didn’t seem to register Selakia’s words.
Rashley only kept glancing at the suddenly appearing Tenus.
“I-I should… go now. My sister… Count Sove will probably look for me. I’m sure of it. Have a good time, then.”
Bowing her knees and retreating in haste, Rashley’s small figure looked like a rabbit fleeing a predator. She clearly kept Selakia’s unspoken question about whether she had used the duke in her heart.
That’s fine, really…
Selakia watched the hurried child with a slight pang of regret.
“Not the kind of person who wants to marry me. Count Sove can breathe easy now.”
Tenus muttered idly beside her. Selakia looked at him in disbelief.
“Because of you, Lady Rashley left. I wanted to talk more. Why did you come?”
“It’s time for the first dance. A duchess must do her duty.”
He was lecturing about duties now, after previously telling her not to die.
But as the host, opening the dance was natural. She had considered it while preparing the banquet but felt a sudden urge to nitpick.
“…You scoundrel.”
Cursing at him, Tenus raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“That’s not serious, right?”
“Now, it is.”
“Why?”
“Just.”
“Just?”
Tenus stared at her, probing for a reason. Selakia shrugged lightly.
“Maybe because I’m a ‘problem’ like you said. I don’t even understand myself.”
“….”
Amid the banquet’s bustle, a silence fell between them.
Selakia realized for the first time that she held grudges so deeply—and was even surprised she didn’t want to hide it.
Tenus’s expression was unreadable. Was he upset, shocked, or thinking nothing at all?
Seeing his dry demeanor, she wanted to elicit any reaction from that smooth face.
Narrowing her eyes at him, Selakia glanced around.
“I’m not the only one who thinks that. Look. Most of the young ladies here probably feel the same.”
She wasn’t making it up. When Tenus appeared, everyone nearby had glanced at him.
Some young ladies looked at him with admiration mixed with envy, while others cast uneasy or uncomfortable glances. Some had likely been jilted by Tenus before.
Even so, some blushed and fidgeted, wanting to approach him.
Tenus, at the center of all these gazes, spoke plainly:
“What does it matter? I don’t care.”
He truly didn’t seem to care. Perhaps it was silly to feel so low just because he called her a “problem” and restricted her from the long gallery.
Selakia whispered with a sigh:
“…Good to be so indifferent.”
How she wished she could be as indifferent to everything as he was. She disliked her own petty behavior.
Why had she said those words? Which part of herself was displeased? She suppressed the urge to question Tenus and focused on her upcoming duty.
“The dance will start with a basic waltz…”
It was then.
A page at the door flung it open. Selakia, heading toward the center of the hall, naturally turned to look.
For a door to open mid-banquet meant a new guest had arrived. But all the attendants and Selakia’s guests were already present.
…No, not all. One person who had been sent an invitation had not yet arrived.
Selakia froze, staring at the opening door.
Even though she knew it was impossible, her heart pounded at the mere thought.
As the page announced loudly, a tall man entered.
“Please welcome the third son of the Piregen family, Chester Piregen.”
Chester? Why… was he here?
Selakia nearly weak-kneed at the sight.
She had secretly hoped the Marquis Lenshi would come, so Chester’s arrival felt just as incongruous.
“Can’t take your eyes off me, huh?”
Startled, Selakia didn’t even notice the large hand supporting her or the low voice beside her.
Chester scanned the hall and then walked straight toward Selakia. He approached like a racehorse charging headlong, focused on the finish line.
“Sel…”
Suddenly, Tenus stepped in front of her, blocking Chester. He took a step forward, shielding Selakia from Chester’s sight.
Chester faltered, recognizing Tenus for the first time.
“Lord Seidon… Young Marquis. It’s been a while. I hope you’ve been well.”
“You seem well too, Young Piregen. Attending a banquet you weren’t even invited to.”
Selakia, dazed, snapped back to reality at the broad back and sharp voice occupying her view.
To respond rudely to such a formal greeting—no wonder Tenus always treated Chester antagonistically.
Selakia quickly moved beside Tenus to defend Chester.
“I already spoke to Young Piregen. He said he probably couldn’t come, so I didn’t send an invitation…”
Her expression turned sour, but Chester shrugged off the silent reproach with a careless smile.
“The troupe’s work finished earlier than expected. I couldn’t miss the chance to enjoy the banquet with you.”
“Wow… that’s… very thoughtful of you.”
Selakia forced a smile. She hadn’t expected such a backhanded approach from Chester. If Tenus hadn’t been there, she might have smacked him.
As she swallowed her frustration, Tenus reminded her:
“Selakia. No time to delay. We must go.”
“Right. The dance.”
The dance was the highlight of the banquet. Only after the host’s first dance could the guests dance freely. Only then could the banquet truly begin.
“Then, Young Piregen, we’ll talk properly later.”
With a stern gaze and warning words, Selakia was almost dragged to the center of the hall by Tenus.
