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Chapter 38
“…What?”
Since there were only the two of them, the surroundings were quiet.
That’s why Dylan’s small voice struck her ears so clearly.
What did he just say? Did he mean he was going to kidnap me?
She had been so focused on failing the quest because of Aidan that she had forgotten the fact that, conversely, her favorability with the other capture targets had risen.
And at this moment, the one with the highest affection was Dylan standing right in front of her.
Realizing that belatedly, she quickly wanted to pull away the foot he was holding.
But she couldn’t show it openly, so she tried to act as nonchalant as possible. Then Dylan lifted only his eyes to meet Fleur’s gaze.
“Since your engagement was made when you were so young, don’t you sometimes feel like breaking it?”
“……”
“If you ever come to think that way, I’m saying I’ll take responsibility for you.”
“…Why would Dylan do that?”
“Because I’m your aide, Lady Fleur.”
Then why do his eyes look as if he were my husband instead?
He was a character who waited for an opportunity to break with Aidan and seize the family for himself. She couldn’t afford to show another opening. Firmly, she shook her head.
“There’s no need for that. I’ll handle matters with Aidan myself.”
“When you’re in trouble, it will be too hard for you to bear it alone.”
“Even if it comes to that, I’ll solve it myself.”
“No, rather than struggle alone, why not use me—”
“Enough.”
Fleur drew back the foot that had been resting on Dylan’s knee. He looked at it regretfully, but then politely placed her shoe within easy reach for her.
She slipped on one shoe properly and then held out her hand.
“Hand me the handkerchief.”
It meant she would clean the other foot herself and not entrust it to Dylan. He instantly understood, gripping the handkerchief more tightly.
“I’ll do it for you.”
“I’ll do it myself.”
“Your dress is heavy—it will be difficult for you.”
“Dylan Bonn.”
She deliberately emphasized his false surname.
“You say you’re my aide. So why do you keep making me repeat myself?”
She was reminding him again of their hierarchy. If he ever tried to cross the line, she would draw it back before him again and again.
Dylan understood the meaning immediately. He glanced at her other foot, then stood up and reluctantly handed her the handkerchief he had been holding.
Taking it, Fleur casually leaned against his shoulder as if it were just a wall and roughly wiped the dirt from her foot. She was showing that his touch meant nothing to her.
She struggled on her own, so some dust remained, but she simply put the shoe back on.
Dylan stared down at that foot with a dissatisfied look.
Ignoring his gaze completely, she began walking ahead. He bit his lower lip hard and followed.
“When we return to the banquet hall, I’ll give the closing remarks. Inform the staff in advance to escort the guests properly to their carriages.”
“…Understood.”
“And don’t worry about cleaning up the hall tonight. Everyone should rest early.”
Without even glancing at him, she went back to the banquet hall.
Colin, who had been chatting with young ladies, spotted Fleur first. Excusing himself, he left them and approached her.
“The host who leaves the hall twice during their own party—this is a first.”
His face looked kind, but his voice was completely different.
“…I’m sorry. Something came up suddenly.”
“Was it that childish fiancé again? Even in such an important moment, he must’ve tried to get your attention with some petty jealousy.”
She didn’t want to admit it was her fault, but to smooth things over she had no choice but to nod.
This is bad.
Colin’s affection has dropped.
Current favorability with Colin Martin: 15% → 13%.
Since it involved money, it was only natural he reacted more sharply.
Still, given that she had accidentally raised it by 10% before, a drop was almost welcome.
“…I actually went to scold him and tell him not to behave like that again.”
“That’s how it should be. If my business suffers one more time because of him, I’ll use my money to break that worthless engagement myself.”
With a stern warning, he walked away.
Honestly, she wanted to ask him right then to annul the engagement immediately.
But she didn’t want to see two men entangled over her and their families dragged into conflict.
For now, she had to finish the party. Forcing a smile, she maintained her composure.
She then went around to every guest, thanking them personally and handing out the business cards for her soon-to-open dessert shop, announcing the end of the party.
“Today was so delightful. When did you say your shop opens?”
“Next week. We’ll be holding events for three days, so please come by.”
“Will the desserts we had today be on the menu?”
“Of course. And there will be even more, so please look forward to it.”
“I’ll definitely visit.”
Thanks to the good response to the desserts, the evening ended without incident.
Though the annulment hadn’t come, at least she had seen the party through to the end.
She kept smiling until the last guest left, then gave her final goodbye to Colin.
“Today’s party was just for showcasing desserts. The real beginning will be the shop’s opening.”
“I know that.”
“Don’t make even the smallest mistake then.”
He left her with unwanted advice before exiting.
“Haa…”
At last, alone, she let out a long sigh and collapsed into the nearest chair.
She had been juggling both the party and the quest, burning through twice—no, ten times—her energy.
She didn’t even have the strength to return to the mansion, so she sat there blankly.
“Young lady, are you all right?”
Jeanie hurried over to check on her.
“Yes, I’m fine. I’ll rest a bit before heading back.”
“If walking is hard, shall I ask Sir Dylan to carry you to your room?”
“Why would Dylan carry me? An aide should only handle business matters.”
She shook her head firmly, meaning absolutely not. Realizing her mistake, Jeanie’s shoulders shrank.
“You two usually seem to get along so well, I just thought… please don’t take it the wrong way. Then let me at least escort you to your room.”
“No, Jeanie, you’ve been standing all day for the party. You must be exhausted. Let me sit a little, then I can go by myself. Don’t worry.”
“Understood. But if you need me, call anytime.”
Sensing that Fleur wanted to be alone, Jeanie quietly slipped away.
“My dear.”
“Wha—!”
The sudden voice from behind startled her so much that she nearly leapt out of her chair.
She hunched up, brimming with wariness, and turned around. There stood Kyle, the Emperor’s shadow.
“W-What are you doing here? Didn’t you already leave? Your acquaintance is gone.”
“I know. I stayed because I have something to say to you, my dear.”
“…Could you please stop calling me that?”
“You liked it, didn’t you?”
He smiled lightly yet lingeringly, as if to say there was no way she could dislike it.
His shameless attitude was absurd, yet that dimple of his somehow made her laugh despite herself.
“That was because of the situation then. But not anymore. So stop calling me that.”
“Hmm, is that so? Well, if you dislike it, I can’t help it.”
He accepted it more easily than expected, making her regret not saying so earlier.
“Then how about… ‘darling’?”
The even more cringe-worthy nickname made her gag instinctively.
“Ugh…”
At her raw reaction, his eyes narrowed.
“I see, you love it so much it makes you gag.”
“…As if! If you’re going to keep talking nonsense, just leave already.”
“I told you, I have something to say.”
“What is it?”
“To meet me in the palace, you’ll need a password.”
“A… password?”
She tilted her head. Kyle put a finger to his lips and lowered his voice.
“My being the Emperor’s shadow is a secret, even in the palace. So it won’t be easy for you to reach me.”
“Then I’ll just go to your mansion instead.”
“My house? I’d welcome that.”
He smiled in a crescent, his eyes brimming with mischief.
“If we met secretly, late at night, just the two of us, wouldn’t it be more fun?”
“N-No. In broad daylight, in the crowded palace, that’s when we’ll meet.”
She quickly shook her head, desperately correcting him.
“Well, if that’s what you want, so be it.”
“So, what password should I use?”
“I’ll send you a letter with my alias, along with the time and place. Tell the palace guards that name. I’ll have them instructed to bring you to me.”
Since it didn’t sound too difficult, she nodded.
“But… there won’t be any chance of me running into His Majesty, right?”
“You don’t even want to brush past him?”
“After the warning I got, of course I’m terrified of facing him.”
At that, Kyle stared at her incredulously.
“You look like someone who would stand up to him without hesitation.”
“Not at all. I bow my head deeply when I need to.”
“Was it someone else who grabbed me by the collar just a while ago?”
“That was because everything was on the line for me.”
“Hmm. Now I’m tempted to make sure you do run into His Majesty, just out of curiosity.”
Fleur glared sharply, and he teasingly brushed his finger along her chin as if stroking a pet.
Her face scrunched even more, which only made Kyle’s grin widen in amusement.
“Then until next time, dress warmly. My lady.”
