CHAPTER 05
“That foolish Iola girl.”
Too easy. Too naïve. At just a few sweet words, she flushed pink and wavered so readily. With only a few more “coincidences,” she would surely fall right into his hands.
‘Without even realizing that I’m the snare tightening around her neck.’
Dominic recalled those green eyes that had gazed at him and inwardly sneered at the young Lady Iola, who still seemed more like a child than a woman.
Elaine Iola. A proud noblewoman of Hermanda, carrying the bloodline of the Carta imperial family that ruled the entire continent. The delicate flower Fernando Iola had cherished and raised for over a decade.
She was called the most noble lady in all of Hermanda—more so even than Vanessa, the queen’s own daughter.
Perhaps that was why. Raised in love and admiration, she wavered delicately before the temptation of a stranger, yet never lost her elegant and dignified bearing. The moment Dominic recalled her strikingly beautiful features—so dazzling they made him want to crush them in his grasp—his whole body tensed.
In truth, ever since that night, Dominic had been thinking about Elaine Iola constantly. Just imagining that naïve, foolish girl made the corners of his lips curl into a faint, twisted smile.
“You look like you’re in a good mood, Dominic.”
A woman suddenly approached him and spoke. Her originally brown hair, rough and dry, had been poorly dyed red, leaving it patchy and cheap-looking. It resembled Vanessa’s hair—but far inferior. Still, the mere resemblance was enough to momentarily catch Dominic’s attention.
If only this imitation of Vanessa were the real one…
“…Hmm.”
Having momentarily forgotten her presence, Dominic let out a quiet laugh and loosely tugged at her hair. Pulled along, the woman spun around to face him.
“Yes… I am in a good mood.”
How could he not be? Fernando Iola and Vanessa—people he despised with all his being. And the innocent girl they cherished so dearly would soon fall into his hands.
“So, what’s Lady Iola’s schedule this weekend?”
The woman, momentarily dazed by Dominic’s radiant smile—the first she had seen since their reunion—quickly regained her senses.
“At noon, she’ll have lunch with her family at the Iola estate, then visit Madame Sharon’s dress shop. Vanessa’s birthday is coming up, so she’s probably planning a surprise gift.”
“…I see. So it’s Vanessa’s birthday soon.”
A faint crack appeared in Dominic’s previously relaxed expression.
Vanessa Herdian Iola. The woman he once loved enough to give everything for—and the witch who ultimately drove him into ruin. His poor sister, Liliana, had died alone, abandoned—because of that woman’s vile selfishness.
“This year, I’ll give Vanessa a truly wonderful gift.”
Dominic thought of Elaine, who had already begun to waver after just two meetings.
“Did you say she likes freesias?”
“Not freesias—daffodils.”
“Ah, daffodils.”
He wasn’t particularly interested in what flowers Elaine liked, but such information was invaluable when it came to seducing a girl who had only just come of age.
“Seems like things are going quite well with winning her over?”
The woman leaned closer, whispering. She had always desired Dominic, but he remained indifferent even to her cheap attempts at seduction.
Growing annoyed, she warned him,
“But be careful, Dominic. The Crown Prince of Turner has had his eye on her for a long time. He’s the only crown prince of Hermanda—definitely not an easy rival.”
Dominic merely scoffed. Ignoring her outstretched hand, he stood and picked up a random jewel from a box on the table, tossing it to her.
Though the gem was worth more than a wealthy mansion in the capital, he felt no regret. It was simply payment for the information she had provided. After all, she was an excellent informant.
“You know that’s not what I really want.”
“Then leave it.”
“How cruel, Dominic. But you only became this cold because of that wretched Iola couple.”
What nonsense.
He had always been like this, even since they were ten years old. To romanticize the past and cling to fleeting emotions—how foolish.
“I’ll complete your revenge for you. Fernando and Vanessa—those two…”
Ignoring her faint resentment, Dominic mulled over her warning. The thought of that noble-blooded prince stirred an unpleasant feeling within him.
The Crown Prince of Turner… Just a foolish boy who could do nothing but watch him dance with Elaine at the ball.
Erasing that brief irritation, Dominic slowly curled his lips into a chillingly beautiful smile.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Sir Cheshire…?”
In Sienne, the capital of Hermanda, the voice he had been waiting for stopped Dominic in his tracks before the central fountain.
Pretending indifference, he slowly turned. There stood Elaine Iola, who had just moments ago been sitting on a bench, fanning herself impatiently while waiting for her carriage. Now she had sprung to her feet, hands clasped as if in prayer, staring at him.
Like a young girl who had received an unexpected gift, unable to hide her joy and surprise.
“Lady Iola…?”
Dominic widened his eyes slightly in feigned surprise, then approached her with a gentle smile.
“What brings someone as noble as you to a place like this?”
He stopped a few steps away and greeted her with a graceful bow.
Elaine, still looking as if she couldn’t believe it, slowly broke into a smile. Unlike at the palace ball, where she had been guarded, she now openly showed her delight.
“Oh my, it really is you, Sir Cheshire! What an incredible coincidence.”
Elaine had come to the city herself to prepare a birthday gift for Vanessa in secret. Normally, she would have summoned Madame Sharon to her estate rather than visit the busy streets filled with commoners.
After placing her order and browsing for herself and Fernando, she had come outside—only to find her carriage missing.
Suppressing her irritation, she had sent Anna to find the coachman and sat waiting by the fountain.
And then—she spotted him.
Ever since that night, she had promised herself that if they met again, she would be kinder. But she had never expected such an unexpected reunion.
To Elaine, it felt incredibly romantic.
“So you came out to buy a gift for someone too?”
“Yes, my lady. But may I ask why—”
“I came to buy a gift for Vanessa! Oh, Vanessa is—”
“Vanessa Herdian Iola.”
Dominic’s low voice cut her off.
“The only princess of Hermanda and mistress of the Iola household. Of course I know her.”
“Oh… right. I suppose that was obvious.”
Instead of feeling embarrassed, Elaine laughed lightly.
“You’re very kind, my lady,” Dominic said softly, his voice rich with amusement. “You were simply being considerate, in case someone as lowly as I might not know.”
His quiet laughter fell over her like a whisper.
Again—that contradiction. Calling himself lowly, yet speaking like someone who ruled above all others.
Elaine swallowed nervously and changed the subject.
“It really is strange. That both of us happened to come out today for someone’s gift.”
“Would you be surprised if there were more coincidences between us?”
“More similarities?”
“I intend to find out, if you’ll allow me.”
“What do you mean?”
She laughed softly at his answer.
“Do you like summer?”
“No, I prefer winter.”
“Then how about waking early on a winter dawn and walking alone across fresh snow?”
“Oh, I love that. You too?”
“Yes. That makes two coincidences.”
Elaine found this simple exchange—finding shared preferences—strangely enjoyable.
