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Chapter 43
I was at a loss for words, flustered by Cardin’s remark that he had come because he wanted to see me.
Cardin smiled at my stiff expression and reached out his hand.
“Uh?”
I just stared blankly at his outstretched hand, and he gently took mine first. Holding hands like a couple, Cardin escorted me.
Following his lead, I couldn’t help but rise from my seat and step out of the parlor with him.
I felt like I kept getting carried away by Cardin, so I tried to keep my wits about me. Yet, holding his firm but warm hand, my resolve gradually loosened.
We walked into the garden for a stroll. Cardin seemed in high spirits, smiling as he matched his pace to mine.
Though we exchanged no words, holding hands so tenderly made me feel like we were lovers. Feeling embarrassed at that thought, I spoke up.
“What kind of investment were you thinking of?”
“I was thinking of helping with the dress business, but when I heard your dream of establishing a troupe, something immediately came to mind. If you don’t mind, I’ll give you a building.”
“You’ll give me a building?”
I had assumed that, as the guild master, he would have money, but I hadn’t expected him to offer a building so readily.
“It’s a building in the capital’s busy district.”
His voice, leaning close to whisper as if sharing a secret, made fireworks ignite in my mind.
“A building in the busy district of the capital?”
Unable to dance openly, I subconsciously tightened my grip on the hand I was holding.
Just as he said, the thing necessary to establish a troupe was a building. I had already scouted areas near the marquis’ residence where commercial districts were well-formed.
The result was only that the price of such a building was shockingly expensive. Of course, my father had offered help if needed, but I had refused, wanting to achieve it on my own. Now, the prices made me regret that decision.
Buying it alone would be impossible this year; I’d have to save diligently for next year or the year after to acquire a building suitable for a troupe.
But as if the heavens wanted to help someone with a big dream, a wealthy man had come to me, offering not only himself but also a valuable building.
Lost in thought, I cleared my throat and looked at Cardin, who was staring at me as if I were adorable, trying to figure out his intention.
Nothing in the world comes for free, so he must have something he wants from me. Especially for a building in such a prime location, he would likely request something fitting.
I assumed that, as a big investor, he would willingly take a share of the troupe’s profits and asked:
“What should I give you in return for the building investment?”
I meant to add that no matter how large the investment, I couldn’t give more than thirty percent, but Cardin stopped walking and gazed at me.
“There is one thing I wish for. Would you grant it?”
His smile had vanished, and the polite tone of his question made me nervous. So he did have a request. Yet, giving more than thirty percent would still be difficult…
“Please open your heart to me. I want to get closer to you.”
“Cardin…”
I whispered his name, answering his wish with my heart. Just calling his name made him smile as if he had gained everything in the world.
And then he approached me.
Smack. Something warm touched my cheek and then fell away. It didn’t take long to realize that it had been Cardin’s lips.
May wore the dress she received from Coma and attended a tea party.
At first, modeling felt difficult. Yet, it suited her better than expected, and she gradually made acquaintances with young ladies she met at social gatherings, earning the favor of many noblewomen.
Their greatest interest soon became which dress May would wear next. Understanding this, May gladly presented herself in new and beautiful dresses.
Sexy and cute, innocent and alluring—May flawlessly carried contrasting styles and had become the center of attention in society. After each event, orders for the dresses she had worn flooded Coma’s shop.
The first salary she received, along with Harna’s praise a few days prior, made May’s heart flutter. Even though noble life was declining, her work options were limited. Yet this pay was several times more than anything she had earned before.
At a tea party held in the garden of the Pyenon estate, May sipped tea and smiled casually, unfazed by the glances directed at her.
Today’s dress had a mysterious gradient: pure white at the top, slowly transitioning to black. The black hem sparkled as if stars from the night sky had been sewn in.
Harna named it a fusion of swan and black swan and smiled in satisfaction.
May, wanting to show the beauty of the dress that couldn’t be seen while sitting, excused herself to fix her makeup and rose from her seat.
“If I’m being paid, I should do my job properly.”
Feeling eyes on her, she deliberately walked gracefully. The hem of the dress shimmered with each step, like dancing stars. The young ladies and noblewomen shielding their faces with fans could not hide their fascination.
Heading toward the mansion, May frowned as pain shot through her feet.
“Today, these shoes are especially painful.”
The custom high heels paired with the dress had cut her heels, and she let out a small sigh.
“Just a little more.”
She forced herself to endure the pain but stumbled on the heels. Losing her balance, she began to fall.
“I’m falling!”
Her body tipped slowly, as if time had stopped. Even as she neared the ground, she worried that her precious dress might get torn.
At that moment, a strong arm appeared from nowhere, supporting her falling body.
“Uh?”
Opening her tightly closed eyes at the thought of the impending pain, she saw a man in the knight’s uniform.
“Are you alright?”
The man, with short dark brown hair and a neat appearance, helped her to her feet.
“Ah, thank you.”
Blushing at being held by a stranger, May quickly steadied herself. The man checked for injuries and, noticing something, hurriedly took out a handkerchief from his pocket.
“May I take a look at your foot?”
“Excuse me?”
“There’s bleeding.”
Seeing the concern in his gentle eyes, May couldn’t refuse and nodded.
“Ah!”
He had May place her hand on his shoulder to keep still. Then he knelt on one knee, removed her shoe, and gently wrapped her foot with the handkerchief.
“The wound is severe. You should get treatment when you return home.”
Despite the handkerchief being soaked in blood, he carefully helped her put on her shoe and stood.
“Thank you. What about the handkerchief?”
“No problem. Make sure to treat the wound well. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Thank you.”
Blushing, May thanked him. The man smiled faintly, bowed, and turned away. May watched his retreating figure, her lips parting slightly, then closing.
“I wish I had asked his name.”
The incident had occurred in the blink of an eye.
Cardin had suddenly kissed my cheek, audaciously smiling. Yet his ears were bright red, unlike before.
Unlike him, I flushed immediately as I processed the situation.
Had Cardin just kissed me?
It felt like the gap between us had narrowed.
Cardin had asked me to open my heart, but I already knew—I had begun to open my heart little by little to someone who kept coming closer despite my efforts to push him away. Even now, my worry wasn’t embarrassment but whether he could hear my racing heartbeat.
I gazed at Cardin, who hadn’t averted his eyes. After deliberating what to say, I finally managed to speak.
“Cardin, I…”
At that moment, a man with orange hair stepped between Cardin and me.
“Brother?”
Ignoring my call, he bowed slightly to Cardin.
“Lord Retorno, it’s been a while. During our last meeting, my father and I were discourteous.”
He appeared to greet politely, but his voice was lower than usual, like a growling beast.
“Why are you here? Wasn’t today a day for you to return home?”
“I had something left behind, so I stopped by and happened to see you two being close.”
The mention of “being close” made my face flush again.
“Well, that’s—”
I hurried to explain, but he raised his hand to stop me.
“Lord Retorno, no matter that you are engaged, you are not married, correct?”
“To you, it may seem like a misunderstanding. I merely kissed my fiancée on the cheek as a gesture of affection.”
I closed my eyes, contrasting my angry brother with Cardin’s calm tone. This was the worst situation.
“Ha… so if it’s a gesture of affection, anyone can be kissed?”
“Can’t they?”
In the face of my brother’s raised voice, Cardin calmly responded.
“I also hold you in affection.”
“Why do you keep calling me brother…? Fine. If you hold me in affection, then may I kiss your cheek as well?”
My brother, fuming, leaned toward Cardin provocatively. Cardin stared at him for a moment, then smiled slightly, raising one corner of his mouth, and stepped forward.
“If you wish it, brother, it’s not impossible.”
