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Chapter 16
“Are you all right?”
“You must be careful, my lady.”
From behind, Rai steadied her by the shoulders, while in front, Claude supported her by the waist.
Honestly, I’d rather just fall. Falling would be a hundred times better—so could you both just go away?
Trapped between the two men, Iva’s eyes wavered in embarrassment. As she quickly tried to regain her balance, Rai’s hand quietly withdrew.
He stepped back, watching Claude and Iva. The sight of the two of them together, their silhouettes matching so perfectly it made his chest ache, had him biting his lower lip.
“Are you hurt?”
With Rai gone, Claude pulled her closer, meeting Iva’s gaze.
“No, I’m fine.”
Iva hurriedly stepped out of his embrace and stood straight.
“I was careless. Thank you for catching me, Your Highness.”
“As long as you’re not hurt. But with how frail you are, can you really walk alone?”
“It was only a slight misstep. Then, I’ll take my leave first.”
With a polite bow, Iva left the garden, pressing strength into her steps to make sure she wouldn’t stumble again.
Once more, only the two men were left.
Claude looked down at the hand that had been on Iva’s waist, while Rai gripped his sword more tightly.
Both of them were lost in their own thoughts about their moments with Iva.
“Rai.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“What do you think of that young lady just now?”
“…I don’t know.”
Rai avoided looking at Claude, dodging the question.
“Really? I quite like her.”
“……”
“You heard her say earlier that I should go to the countryside to get married, right? I thought she was just cheerful, but she’s also determined and quick-witted.”
At the word marriage, Rai felt his breath catch, though he hid his feelings.
“She’s an interesting young lady. I can’t predict where she’ll go next.”
As Claude’s eyes sparkled more and more while talking about Iva, Rai’s expression only darkened.
“Did Lady Iva ask you to go to the countryside with her, Your Highness?”
Rai’s voice dropped lower, as if to hide the tremor in it.
Claude, still looking toward where Iva had gone, replied,
“Yes, quite boldly.”
Claude’s current expression felt just like Rai’s own when he had been planning a date with Iva, which only unsettled him further.
“Even though she wore a mask when we met, I recognized her right away.”
Unaware of Rai’s thoughts, Claude continued,
“I’d have known her even if she had covered her whole body. Every little thing she does is unique.”
Iva, who had told him she only felt burdened by him, had suggested to Claude that they run away to the countryside—practically a proposal.
Not knowing the details of that day, Rai’s heart throbbed painfully and his brow furrowed.
“Do you love her?”
“…What?”
“Do you really intend to marry her?”
Claude covered his mouth with his hand before answering—a habit Rai knew well, one he often did when he wanted to hide his expression, whether from sadness or joy.
“I do think I’d like to keep seeing a lady as unpredictable as her. But marriage isn’t something you decide alone.”
Even as he denied it with words, everything in Claude’s manner spoke of wanting Iva.
Rai forced himself to act as if he didn’t notice.
“For now, I’ll focus on the party. But if the party turns into a disaster…”
Just as Iva had said, maybe he’d try being the youth president.
Even imagining it briefly brought a bright smile to Claude’s face.
“Taking her hand and running away wouldn’t be so bad either.”
“Your Highness should remain in the palace. Running off to the countryside doesn’t suit you.”
Claude finally glanced at Rai, surprised by the icy tone. Even though it had been just a joke, Rai’s face was not only stiff—it looked a little angry.
“Rai? Do I really seem like the type to run away?”
“…No. I know you’re not.”
“You’re the one who knows my jokes best, so why are you upset?”
Rai averted his eyes, running a hand roughly through his hair.
“…Forgive me.”
The image of Claude holding Iva’s hand and fleeing played unbidden in his mind, leaving him conflicted.
“I know that preparing for the party is the priority right now. I won’t run away, so don’t worry.”
Thinking Rai was just worried about losing a friend in the palace, Claude patted his shoulder and walked ahead.
After calming his own turmoil, Rai followed.
Five days before the party, West Hall Garden.
For the first time, all members of the preparation team for welcoming the Pene delegation gathered.
Ten knights sent from the Order, and fifteen support staff.
Standing on a small platform so everyone could hear, Iva raised her voice.
“I’m Iva Blanche. I’ve been put in charge of this party. Pleased to meet you all.”
Her polite greeting drew everyone’s attention.
“With about five days left, we have to prepare a party that will be remembered for a lifetime. For that, I need your help.”
Pell handed out sheets Iva had worked hard to prepare.
“This is the concept and schedule for the party I’ve planned. Read it, and if you have any good ideas, please speak up anytime.”
The members, unaccustomed to receiving such a document, looked puzzled as they read.
“Lady Blanche… why are you giving us this?”
“Hold on—starting now, don’t call me Lady Blanche. And no ‘my lady’ or ‘Lady Iva’ either.”
“Then what should we call you?”
“Excellent question!”
Iva swept her red hair back.
A gold name tag pinned to her chest gleamed in the light. The bold letters on it read: Captain.
“From now on, call me Captain.”
It was a title that didn’t suit a young noblewoman at all. Everyone stared at her in disbelief.
“I won’t just stand by and give orders. I’ll be hammering nails, moving tables, working alongside you.”
A count’s daughter doing manual labor? Everyone knew nobles usually brought servants and never lifted a finger, so they didn’t believe her.
But that only made Iva smile more confidently.
“I’ll take responsibility for all your work, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes. But there’s one thing you must follow.”
She held up her pinky finger.
“You must not get hurt. This may be a party for the delegation, but those preparing it are just as much the main characters. Don’t let yourselves get injured.”
No one in the palace had ever heard such words before, and it left them awkward.
“Let’s all do our best for the remaining days!”
Finishing her speech, Iva went around shaking everyone’s hands.
Pell, watching with admiration, quickly placed his hand over hers.
His example prompted the others to hesitantly stack their hands as well.
When all their hands were together, Iva called out,
“For the success of our party!”
“…For the party!!”
Even though the members followed halfheartedly, thinking it strange for a noble, they soon found themselves impressed.
Iva proved her sincerity through action—wearing work clothes like everyone else, carrying tables without fuss, not minding dust, and ignoring dirt smudged on her face.
If someone was hurt, she gave them lighter tasks, and she strictly kept the nine-hour work limit.
“It’s already six o’clock! Drop everything and go home!”
“But we haven’t finished yet—”
“It’s fine. We can do it tomorrow. Go home!”
How could they not open their hearts after seeing that?
“Captain, I’ll handle this.”
“I think yellow flowers would suit better here, Captain.”
“Captain! How are you so smart?”
Before long, everyone was calling her Captain and following her lead eagerly—asking for more tasks. In no time, she had won them over.
Everything was going exactly as Iva had planned.
It felt like, for once, the story was flowing her way, but she couldn’t relax yet.
“Captain, here’s the list of party attendees.”
Pell handed it over cheerfully.
Iva accepted it with a slightly tense face.
“This is the list His Highness Claude ordered you to send invitations to, right?”
“Yes! I’ve also written down the names of the Pene delegation.”
She slowly read through the names.
Most were minor extras in the original story.
Then, her eyes landed on one name.
Count Evera Lawrence.
The very man who had adopted Julianne as his daughter. But the number of attendees was listed as only two.
“Why only two? Shouldn’t there be three?”
In the original story, Julianne had attended with both her adoptive parents, holding both their hands tightly on her first appearance in high society so she wouldn’t be nervous.
She couldn’t possibly forget—it was the opening scene of the novel she had loved most.
“Pell.”
“Yes?”
“Have you heard any rumors about one of the Lawrences being ill?”
“Oh, I did hear that Lady Lawrence hasn’t been feeling well lately.”
So, Count Lawrence and Julianne would attend together.
Whether two or three, the important thing was that Julianne would be there.
In her previous life, Iva had met Julianne after Rai had broken off their engagement. But this time, she would meet her at her very first appearance.
The story had twisted once again. Iva’s grip on the list tightened.
“At last… it begins.”
Julianne Lawrence—the true heroine—was about to make her entrance.
