Episode 9
If she told the Grand Duke, he would pass on her refusal to attend the party to the Count.
It was well known across the Empire that the Grand Duke’s heir never attended any parties. Rumors were even going around that the Grand Duke’s son might be dead, since he didn’t even appear at major imperial events.
The Grand Duke strictly prohibited Theodore from going outside, using his young age as an excuse.
Rayna found that part a little odd, but she figured he was just one of those overly protective parents who adored their children too much.
After speaking with the Grand Duke, Rayna agreed with his decision.
‘How terrified must he be that his angelic son might get kidnapped?’
She even began worrying about Theodore’s innocent personality.
He was so soft-hearted that Rayna would’ve felt more relieved if he had been one of those rude, arrogant noble brats. But instead, Theodore had a personality as fluffy and soft as a cotton ball.
If he ever were kidnapped, he’d probably just whimper and wouldn’t even be able to say, “Please don’t…”
“Absolutely not.”
Rayna’s eyes blazed with determination—she was firmly against Theodore leaving the house.
She entered the study as guided by the butler and handed the invitation she’d prepared to the Grand Duke.
“This is Princess Her Highness’s birthday invitation, given by the Count. I heard it was addressed to both His Grace the Young Lord and myself.”
At her words, the Grand Duke took off his glasses. The sharp sound of them being placed on the desk made Rayna silently pray he would reject the invitation.
Surely, he’d be angry—asking if the ducal family was being made a joke of.
Rayna braced herself for harsh criticism and swallowed hard.
“We’ve been engaged for quite some time. It might be necessary to show that the engagement is still valid—at least on the surface.”
It sounded like he was granting permission. Did I mishear?
While she questioned herself, the Grand Duke confirmed her doubts.
“That would reassure the Count. And it’s a good opportunity for the two of you to grow closer.”
“…But it’s a party, isn’t it? I’ve heard the Young Lord has never once attended a social gathering.”
She had brought the invitation herself and was now begging him to refuse it—her logic was a bit of a mess.
Trying to say it as indirectly as possible, she watched the Grand Duke scan the invitation before turning to her.
“Was this your idea?”
“No, sir.”
“I was going to praise you if it was.”
“…What do you mean by that…”
Still dazed, Rayna couldn’t make sense of the situation. Why was the Grand Duke suddenly allowing Theodore to go out? And his reasoning didn’t seem genuine.
If he were the kind of man who cared about appearances, he wouldn’t have arranged such a bizarre engagement the day the child was born.
“I’ll handle the preparations on my end. Who knows what kind of spectacle you’ll present this time after the leather shoes.”
Her stiff body lost all tension. She didn’t even have the energy to object to his teasing.
And so, their first appearance at a party together was set.
“A very good opportunity indeed,” he added with a strangely meaningful tone.
Since the confirmation that Theodore would attend the princess’s birthday party as her partner, he had once again vanished from the mansion. More precisely, he was hiding from Rayna somewhere out of sight.
The problem was—it was obvious. Since he was just a child, he couldn’t get far, and he kept appearing at the edge of her vision.
His hiding was so clumsy that he was found quickly, but even then, the young fiancé refused to give up on hiding.
One time, he hid behind a large tree but failed to hide his shadow.
“…Where has the Young Lord gone this time?”
Rayna asked the butler with a forced casual tone, pretending not to see him. The butler simply laughed awkwardly.
“Is he really the Grand Duke’s son? He’s so obvious.”
She had clearly assumed that the child of a war hero would be different from the start.
Rayna continued the act and spoke again to the butler.
“I really must speak with the Young Lord today.”
Theodore flinched behind the tree, his shadow twitching along with him.
He looked like a frightened little squirrel, and Rayna couldn’t help but smile.
“What message shall I deliver for you?”
The butler played along, much to her relief—speaking to herself would have been embarrassing.
“Regarding the princess’s birthday celebration. I want to make it clear I’m not attending because I want to. I really needed to say that, but unfortunately, His Grace the Young Lord seems to be away.”
“I see, that’s unfortunate.”
“And please also tell him that I will stay by his side the whole time. If he feels uncomfortable, I’ll even let him hide behind my back.”
Rayna could feel Theodore’s intense gaze on her back—it practically burned.
That gaze seemed to be asking, “Really?” and it was endearing.
“I’m worried he might refuse to come. If he doesn’t show up that day, I’ll have to attend the party alone, without a partner.”
Her voice sounded like a poor bride abandoned on her wedding night.
Even the butler’s eyes widened at Rayna’s heartfelt performance.
He thought it was impressive how quickly she’d learned to handle someone younger than her—despite being a child herself.
“Oh dear, I’ll be so lonely and miserable.”
She muttered dramatically, loud enough for Theodore to hear.
His expression turned serious as he clutched the tree tighter.
While Theodore’s gaze dropped to the ground in contemplation, a maid named Sally walked over and began making hand signals.
She touched her forehead, then her brows, and finally drew a small circle above her head.
Rayna guessed it meant Theodore was about to accept.
She and the butler exchanged a secret smile.
On the day of the princess’s birthday party, Rayna saw a dress more extravagant than any she had ever seen.
Though she thought she’d grown used to lavish royal outfits after working in the palace, the one sent by the Grand Duke was by far the most beautiful.
So beautiful, in fact, that she didn’t feel worthy of wearing it.
“At least I have proper shoes this time.”
Rayna chuckled, recalling the day of the engagement ceremony when she had to wear leather boots because she had no matching shoes—and got scolded by the Count and caught by the Grand Duke.
That memory helped ease her nerves a little.
“Well, let’s put it on.”
Just as she lifted the dress, a small note fluttered out from inside.
[Wear the dress and shoes provided. The accessories will be given to you when you arrive at the mansion.
P.S. You may wear your knight uniform if you prefer.]
— Right-aligned
A knight’s uniform? The unexpected postscript from the Grand Duke warmed her heart. But was it really okay to wear a uniform to a party she was attending for the first time with her fiancé?
Even if she had permission, she couldn’t ignore what others might think.
She didn’t care what people said about her—but it might be different for young Theodore.
So Rayna wore the dress and slipped on the shoes.
Apparently, the Grand Duke himself was attending the party too. He was already in the garden, dressed in a splendid navy suit.
Rayna, now in heels, stumbled forward like a half-possessed monster. Her unsteady steps made everyone watching nervous.
“Eek!”
One maid screamed as Rayna twisted her ankle.
Fortunately, she didn’t fall, but the sharp ache in her ankle made her frown.
“Oh dear…”
The Grand Duke let out a troubled sigh.
“You really showed up looking like that?”
His sharp features matched his cold words, but the phrase “looking like that” sounded particularly harsh.
“Yes. Do I look… strange?”
“Very. Extremely. Incredibly.”
Rayna regretted asking.
The Grand Duke stared at her without blinking.
From the moment she stepped out of the carriage, Rayna had been moving strangely—so unnaturally it looked like her joints were broken.
Her walking pace was like a baby crawling, and she flailed her arms for balance like a drunkard.
Her sweat-soaked hair clung to her cheeks messily, and the tight bun she wore clashed with the dress and made her flushed face stand out even more.
The Grand Duke added, “You move just like a monster I caught in the north once. It had the strangest movements—exactly like yours.”
“…That was a joke, right?”
“You want it to be a joke. Sorry—it’s the truth.”
He spoke seriously, then gestured to the butler.
Even the butler looked unsettled.
“I can’t entrust my son to someone who looks like that. Will you change clothes?”
Rayna nodded with a devastated look on her face.
The Grand Duke whispered to the butler, “Bring her something else to wear.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The butler signaled the maids, who led Rayna away.
