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Chapter: 73
It Doesn’t Look Good
Classie was momentarily at a loss for words. Until Dernick returned from Greengal City and began treating her with hostility, the two of them had at least been on vaguely friendly terms. She hadn’t thought the Grand Duchess Siwil would know that.
But if she tried to brush things off here, it would become obvious what she had been trying to attempt. Ignoring her pounding heart, Classie kept her face calm and replied as if nothing was wrong.
“Close? Not at all, Your Grace. He’s not a stranger, but I could never say we’re close. If anything, Sir Dernick absolutely hates me. He glares at me every time we meet—it’s scary.”
Classie deliberately shuddered, but when she saw the Grand Duchess’s displeased expression, she quickly pretended to be startled and apologized.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make Your Grace uncomfortable.”
However, it seemed the Grand Duchess wasn’t displeased because Classie shuddered at the mention of Dernick.
“Dernick hates you and glares at you?”
Her eyes lit up with interest—an interest pointed in a completely unexpected direction.
“Yes. I don’t know why he dislikes me so much. He’s friends with my husband, and even my niece, but when it comes to me he acts so cold.”
“Oh my. He’s not the type to act like that toward someone he has no interest in.”
“!”
For some reason, the Grand Duchess seemed prepared to shift her interest not toward Merran—but toward Classie herself.
‘As expected, the Grand Duchess is no pushover.’
Feeling she should retreat for now, Classie hurried to change the subject.
“I think Kishin should be back by now.”
* * *
On the carriage ride home, Classie replayed her conversation with the Grand Duchess over and over, analyzing where the flow had gone wrong.
Had she praised Dernick too obviously? Or praised someone she claimed not to be close with, as if he were some random stranger?
Or was it something else…
Just then, she felt a strong gaze from across the seat and turned her head. Kishin was staring at her without blinking.
“What is it?”
His gaze looked as though he had something to say. When Classie asked, Kishin parted his lips. But after a moment of hesitation, he shook his head and instead asked,
“Nothing. Did you enjoy the party today?”
“Of course. I danced a lot, the food was great, and I got along well with everyone.”
“Yes. Then that’s good.”
Whatever Kishin had originally intended to say, it didn’t seem to be that. But he said nothing more, turning his gaze to the window—just as Classie had earlier.
Classie almost asked why he was acting like that, but knowing how stubborn Kishin was, she figured that if he’d chosen to keep his mouth shut, he would keep it shut. So she dropped the question.
* * *
And just like that, her daily routine returned to normal.
Classie once again followed the Marchioness of Gosville around, making sure to leave a good impression on the Grand Duchess Siwil, and took every opportunity to praise Dernick for being admirable and gentlemanly.
And whenever someone asked when she had last seen Dernick, she would answer, “Merran brought Sir Dernick over once, and I happened to see him briefly by chance.”
After keeping up this strategy, one day the Grand Duchess finally said,
“Classie, the son you describe doesn’t sound like my son at all. My boy is an incorrigible rascal, you know. I suppose he must really put on an act whenever he’s around Lady Merran?”
Classie quickly denied it.
“That can’t be true. I’m sure he’s always been a gentleman. It’s just that people act more playful when they’re with their family.”
At her words, the noble ladies stifled their laughter.
They all seemed to think Classie was spouting nonsense without knowing anything, but since they were in front of the Grand Duchess, no one dared openly contradict her.
Classie knew perfectly well why they were laughing, but she pretended not to and awkwardly tucked her hair behind her ear.
Then one of the noble ladies asked,
“By the way, Sir Dernick always seems to be with Lady Merran whenever you see him. Are they very close?”
Classie deliberately joked,
“No way Sir Dernick is always with Merran. It’s just that I only ever see him when she’s around.”
The noble ladies burst into giggles.
A quick glance showed that even the Grand Duchess didn’t seem displeased. Relieved, Classie lifted her coffee cup to her lips.
* * *
As she busied herself from day to day, December 31st arrived before she knew it. Every year, the palace held an all-night New Year’s celebration from the evening of December 31st until January 1st. Last year, it had been on this day that Kishin briefly showed up at the party before leaving to see her.
This year, Classie had been invited to the party as the Duchess of Hayward.
When she first received the invitation, she had been so thrilled that she immediately began preparing her dress. It was her first palace party, after all.
But perhaps because she had spent so much time trailing after the Marchioness of Gosville, meeting people constantly, once the party day actually arrived her enthusiasm evaporated—she didn’t feel like going at all.
And if she went, she would inevitably run into the Empress and Princess Memoa.
Classie had no desire to face either of them.
So that morning, before the party began, Classie quietly visited Kishin’s guard unit to ask him if it would be acceptable to show her face at the party only briefly and leave.
“Duchess Hayward, welcome. You’ve come to see the vice-captain, haven’t you?”
Even though it had only been about three months since the wedding, the guard posted at the checkpoint recognized her instantly and greeted her warmly.
The guards were famous for their stiff expressions, cold attitudes, and unfriendly demeanor. The fact that they smiled the moment they saw her made the passersby glance in surprise.
Feeling embarrassed under the sudden attention, Classie quickly nodded.
“Yes. Should I wait?”
“Please wait inside.”
The guards led her into their break room.
‘I could’ve walked there myself… I know the way now.’
Classie thought this inwardly, but followed them so they wouldn’t feel awkward.
Once inside, one guard brought her a warm cup of coffee. She had drunk about half when Kishin’s aide, Phils, rushed in, panting.
“Your Grace, you’re here.”
He hurriedly removed his hat, bowed to her, and stepped aside, gesturing toward the hallway.
“I’ll escort you.”
He guided her to the door of Kishin’s office, knocked to announce her arrival, and stepped away.
When Classie entered, the only red in his clean, monochrome office immediately caught her eye—Kishin’s hair. Then she noticed the lone pink cushion sitting in the center of the sofa.
It looked just like a small trace she had left in his heart, and the thought embarrassed her for no reason.
Unable to step forward right away, she hesitated. Kishin walked over first, pressed a kiss to her forehead, and helped loosen her scarf.
“Weren’t we supposed to meet directly at the party later?”
Right. Kishin had work today, so he would be coming straight from the guard unit to the party. That was why she had come here—to talk to him before attending the party, since she wanted to ask about showing up only briefly.
“It’s about the party today…”
“Tell me anything.”
“Is it okay if I only show my face for a moment and then leave?”
Classie hesitated over mentioning Princess Memoa and instead gave a different reason.
“I… want to spend the New Year just the two of us.”
She had braced herself for the possibility that he might look troubled. But unexpectedly, delight flickered across Kishin’s lips.
He gazed at her warmly, nodded, and took her hand.
“Of course. I’ll explain it to my mother.”
Relieved, Classie leaned her forehead against his shoulder and rubbed gently.
“Thank you.”
Kishin placed a hand on her back and pulled her tightly into his arms.
“You’re always thinking about other people’s weddings. It makes me happy that today you’re focusing on me.”
Feeling calm, Classie rested against him—until his words made her lift her head with a pout.
“I always focus on you. What are you talking about?”
Kishin gave her a meaningful look, then picked up the pink cushion and placed it in her arms as he turned away.
“Hand on your heart and think again. That’s not true.”
“!”
“You’ve been preoccupied with other people’s marriages lately. Ever since your niece got badly hurt.”
Kishin walked back toward his desk with his usual expression. But it didn’t seem like he had mentioned this casually or as a joke.
Classie recalled the day she returned from the Grand Duke’s party. Back then, Kishin had seemed like he wanted to say something but swallowed his words.
Was this what he had wanted to say?
Holding the cushion, Classie approached him cautiously.
“Kishin… do you think I’ve been neglecting you?”
“May I answer honestly?”
“Of course.”
Kishin studied her eyes for a long moment, his gaze so sharp that Classie couldn’t help glancing away. He watched her like that for quite a while before speaking.
“To be honest… I don’t think it’s good for you to be so involved in Dernick’s marriage.”
* * *
