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Chapter 23
I hadn’t expected much. Having heard everyone talk about Duke Valoran, I figured he wouldn’t agree to my request.
Considering Anna’s words that he had no interest in high society, and the Roeby Princess’s remark that he formed no connections with anyone, there was no reason for him to grant my request.
When it was finally time to leave, I finished getting ready and stepped out of the room.
I was so lucky I had gotten a dress made at Sorbeuil. I hadn’t expected to be suddenly invited to a royal banquet. The hem of my dress brushed the floor with a soft swish.
“Miss, the Duke won’t be coming, right?”
“Of course not. Even I see no reason for him to come.”
The weather was beautiful. The sky was blue, just as it is in the modern world and here in the Etherian Empire alike.
As I opened the door, a warm breeze greeted me. Pleasant sunlight fell across my forehead, and the perfume I wore today was my favorite: ylang-ylang.
Maybe that was why.
I felt good, the weather was perfect, the scent was lovely.
“Miss Troid.”
Not in a hastily thrown-on shirt, but in a properly fitted uniform.
“The Duke?”
His smile in my direction almost made me believe it was sincere.
“I didn’t expect you to come.”
Surprised, I tried to act nonchalant, greeting him with calm composure. Of course, I hadn’t expected him to show up, so seeing him right there left me scrambling for where to look.
“Didn’t you send a letter asking me to accompany you?”
Standing before him with a dazed expression, my hand was naturally taken by his in a proper escort gesture, and I followed without thinking.
Anna, seeing me get into Duke Valoran’s carriage, muttered, “Miss, I approve,” in her usual odd way. I told her, that’s not what this is about, Anna.
Duke Valoran always carried a sharp scent of cologne. Sitting across from him awkwardly, I fiddled with my fingers, having nothing to say.
He rested his chin on his hand, looking out the window, and I took the chance to stare at his absurdly handsome face. I almost forgot to breathe.
“Am I handsome?”
“…Excuse me?”
His amused expression turned toward me from the window, and my heart skipped a beat as I met his ocean-like eyes.
“I said you’re handsome.”
“Did I say that?”
“I’ve been waiting to live with this handsome me, you know.”
A fragment of memory resurfaced.
‘When I become rich in this empire, I’ll take you, handsome one, to live with me.’
I recalled my tongue-tied, teasing words from the night we drank together, and he smirked in memory. Being reminded of that night trapped in a carriage like a mouse was infuriating.
“I have a long way to go before becoming rich, so you’ll have to wait a while.”
“I hope it’s sooner rather than later. I’m very much looking forward to it.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. If a more handsome man appears in the meantime, I might waver.”
He raised an eyebrow, challenging me. I had no intention of losing a wordplay battle to him.
“I can’t wait in fear.”
“Oh? I’m such a fickle woman, after all.”
I gave a triumphant smile. I wouldn’t let that sneaky man, bringing up our drunken night, get the upper hand.
After our light teasing, silence settled again.
Even though the ride from the Troid mansion to the palace wasn’t far, time seemed to drag as I tried to anticipate what he might say next.
“I heard you don’t usually attend such banquets. Are you all right?”
“Did you send a letter knowing full well that I wasn’t?”
Again… why wouldn’t he say a single word?
He smiled as if he had regained control of the conversation.
“If it were inconvenient, you didn’t have to come.”
“Then the lady would have been uncomfortable.”
What? How does he know that?
His eyes gleamed with something unreadable. I nervously wondered if he had somehow already learned the lie I told the Roeby Princess.
Would he punish me, or laugh at the absurdity of it?
The expression “the thief feels guilty” fit perfectly. I was flustered by his words and couldn’t speak until we arrived at the palace.
“Relax and step down, Lady.”
The palace was magnificent, more grand than anything I had ever seen.
I glanced at the Duke as he extended his hand to help me down, knowing it was best not to offend him. I gently took his hand.
“What would it feel like to live here? Truly beautiful.”
Having only seen my old, dilapidated home, the palace was breathtaking. Endless gardens, countless statues, grand fountains, and the marble walkway leading to the palace—all immaculate.
Escorted by the Duke, we made our way toward the ballroom. Guards lined the entrance.
“Are you sure it’s really okay for me to enter?”
“You wanted to accompany me, so yes, it’s fine.”
With that enigmatic answer, the announcement of our arrival echoed throughout the ballroom.
“His Grace, Duke Hayden Valoran, and Lady Serna Shube Troid!”
The orchestra and piano played in harmony, and the once-bustling crowd fell silent for a moment.
“Who?”
“Duke Valoran? Really, that Duke?”
“Is this for real?”
“And Lady Troid?”
“Lady Troid of the empire, the one called the Goddess of the Empire, and Duke Valoran?”
The quiet allowed me to hear their whispers clearly.
The recent incident had already drawn attention, and the Duke’s appearance amplified it, making us the center of the room.
“That’s Duke Valoran? Unbelievable!”
“Is it true? They say he’s blind in both eyes—how can I be seeing him?”
Especially the ladies in the room turned red and were captivated by his presence.
I understood. Even to me, the Duke was undeniably handsome. This long-rumored man now made his grand debut in high society, with me clinging to his side like a parasite.
It was quite the spectacle. My only worry was that the Roeby Princess might somehow discover my deception, but otherwise, I didn’t feel bad.
Perhaps, like a cicada clinging to an old tree, I was finally being given the chance to leave a proper impression on high society.
“Why is she with Duke Valoran?”
“Seeing them together, could it be…?”
“Don’t speak nonsense. No matter how uninterested in society the Duke may be, Lady Troid is—”
“Oh, don’t you know how famous Lady Troid is these days?”
“They say if you don’t know about her jewelry business, Serenade, you’re not really a citizen of the empire.”
Whether I wanted it or not, we walked toward the Roeby Princess amid the curious stares.
We passed the center of the hall and climbed the high steps. She saw us and greeted us with an innocent, radiant smile.
“Serna!”
“Your Highness.”
“Eh, I don’t like those formal titles. We promised to use ‘Roeby,’ remember?”
“But…”
I realized she was a princess, raised in this grand palace, not merely a marquess’s daughter as I had thought.
“Nope, no. I won’t accept your greeting until you call me Roeby.”
She pouted, dissatisfied with my formal greeting.
“All right, Roeby. Please accept my greeting.”
Delighted, she bounced around with her pink hair flying. Her twin pigtails looked impossibly cute.
She wore the orange sapphire earrings I had made.
“I gave the necklace to my mom as a gift. I lied and said it was from Dad.”
Noticing my gaze, Roeby smiled mischievously. I realized I had pulled off quite a stunt.
Roeby laughed, but when she met the Duke’s gaze, her expression stiffened.
“Haiden. How long has it been?”
“Forgive my rudeness for not visiting sooner.”
“Cut the formalities. But Haiden’s even more handsome now. Is it because of Serna here? Hmm? The ladies here won’t know what hit them!”
Roeby often acted in ways that didn’t suit her, like leaning on the wall before, or now, giving sly, uncle-like comments.
As their conversation dragged on, I worried my tail might be noticed, so I abruptly joined in.
“R-Roeby, thank you for the invitation. It’s my first time at the palace—it’s so beautiful.”
“Once you live here, it’s not impressive anymore. Other things become more fun.”
She glanced between me and Duke Valoran, smiling mischievously.
Why was she smiling like that?
“Let’s enjoy ourselves today! It’s on me!”
“An honor.”
“By the way, Serna looks stunning today. That’s a Sorbeuil dress, right?”
“Yes. Does it suit me?”
“Of course. The jewelry matches perfectly too. And Haiden, don’t you agree? Serna’s beautiful today.”
We looked at each other, hearts pounding. I feared she might mention words like ‘love,’ ‘engagement,’ or ‘bride.’
The Duke, towering over me, slowly examined me from head to toe, then finally looked away. My ears turned red.
“Always the same,” I muttered.
Seeing him remain expressionless, Roeby grinned even more mischievously.
“What’s that dripping from Haiden’s eyes? Honey~?”
Anna and Roeby… where on earth did they get the idea that honey was dripping from somewhere?
I hastily grabbed the Duke’s arm, pulling him away before any more ridiculous comments came from him.
We excused ourselves to let the other nobles greet Roeby and descended the stairs.
Even as we walked, all eyes remained on us, making it impossible to eat or drink.
“I need to go see His Majesty. Will you wait?”
“What? You’re going now?”
“I believe it’s best to face the hawk quickly. Then.”
Whether he was oblivious or pretending not to notice, all those gazes felt like arrows piercing my back.
The Duke left with his knights, and as soon as he disappeared, countless shadows fell behind me.
It seemed that, in place of the Duke, it was the easygoing Serna who had won the curiosity of the crowd.
