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Chapter 29
“Teacher.”
At the bright voice that came from behind her, Heidi turned around.
“…!”
Her eyes widened.
A strikingly beautiful woman was looking down at her.
She was tall, with long, elegant limbs that perfectly complemented her refined features. Dressed in a deep violet gown, she possessed a breathtaking beauty.
So this is…
Heidi swallowed hard.
The moment she saw Anastasia, an instinctive fear gripped her. A chill ran down her spine.
She had seen portraits of Anastasia many times before, but there was an undeniable difference between a painting and the real person. A portrait could never capture someone’s true presence—or the way they looked at you.
“…”
After silently examining Heidi for a moment, Anastasia shifted her gaze to Desion. Tilting her head slightly, she smiled with her eyes.
“It’s been a long time. Have you been well? You haven’t contacted me at all…”
“I’ve been doing well. I trust you’ve been keeping well yourself?”
Desion’s voice was calm and composed, but there was an unmistakable distance hidden beneath his polite tone.
Anastasia’s smile deepened ever so slightly.
“Of course. Thanks to you. I wanted to thank you for helping me the other day—for lending me the Rotem estate.”
Her words were gentle, but the meaning beneath them was razor-sharp.
Without the slightest change in expression, Desion replied,
“I’m glad it proved useful. Were you able to accomplish your goal?”
“I was. I managed to obtain the dress I’ll wear at my coming-of-age ceremony. Well… I can’t say I achieved everything I wanted, though.”
Their lips remained curved in pleasant smiles, but their eyes clashed like crossed blades.
I can barely breathe.
Just then, Anastasia slowly turned her gaze toward Heidi.
In an instant, the hairs on the back of Heidi’s neck stood on end. That icy stare felt as though it could freeze her solid.
Yet the next moment, as if the tense atmosphere had been nothing more than an illusion, Anastasia greeted her with graceful elegance.
“I don’t believe we’ve met before, have we? It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
With trembling hands clutching the hem of her skirt, Heidi bowed.
“The honor is mine.”
“Do you truly mean that?”
Caught off guard by Anastasia’s sharp response, Heidi blinked in confusion.
“…Pardon?”
Anastasia let out a soft chuckle and lightly took hold of Heidi’s arm.
“Why are you so startled? You’re making me feel awkward.”
Still smiling brightly, she gave Heidi’s arm a gentle squeeze.
“I’d love to chat longer, but my father is about to make his entrance. Let’s be sure to talk again later, all right? Promise me.”
With that, Anastasia turned and walked away without a trace of hesitation.
“Breathe, Heidi.”
The quiet voice beside her made Heidi flinch.
Only then did she realize she had been holding her breath.
Desion lowered his voice.
“She won’t approach you again today, so you don’t need to worry too much. At the moment, she knows nothing about you. For a while, she’ll simply gather information quietly.”
“…That’s a relief. I was incredibly nervous just now. Was it obvious?”
“A little.”
…That wasn’t good, was it?
Seeing the serious expression on Heidi’s face, Desion let out a quiet laugh.
“I doubt anyone but me noticed. Relax your expression.”
At that moment, the grand sound of trumpets echoed through the ballroom.
“His Majesty the King enters! Everyone, cease your conversations and show your respect!”
Every eye turned toward the staircase.
Heidi raised her chin and followed the crowd’s gaze.
A moment later, a man wearing a magnificent golden crown slowly descended.
His hair was golden, like sunlight itself, though streaks of silver had begun to appear here and there.
The passage of time had left its mark, yet his handsome features remained firm and dignified.
His high nose, tightly pressed lips, broad forehead, and strong jaw all spoke of unquestionable authority.
At the same time, however, the king seemed like an exceptionally sensitive man.
The light in his eyes had sunk into profound depths, and the faint lines on his face cast shadows that suggested not serenity, but melancholy.
Though he wore the crown—the very symbol of authority—there was unmistakable loneliness etched across his face.
Heidi’s lips parted slightly.
So… that’s my…
Even in her thoughts, she couldn’t bring herself to call him Father.
Do I resemble him?
Ever since learning that she had been adopted, Heidi had often imagined the day she would meet her birth parents.
What would it feel like?
Would she recognize them at first sight, just as people said blood called to blood?
Reality was nothing like her imagination.
No overwhelming emotions surged within her.
It was strange.
After wondering about this person for so long, she was finally seeing him with her own eyes, yet none of it felt real.
If he’d simply been a poor tenant farmer, maybe I could’ve accepted it much more easily.
She stared blankly at the solemn man as he surveyed the assembled nobles.
“May this new year bring blessings upon our kingdom. May peace dwell within your houses, and may the justice of the gods stand firm upon this land.”
His deep, clear voice resonated throughout the banquet hall.
“On this blessed night, eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves.”
The nobles responded respectfully to the brief opening address.
Following what she had practiced beforehand, Heidi performed an elegant curtsy.
When the king’s speech ended, music once again filled the hall.
Laughter and conversation gradually returned, but Heidi remained seated with her shoulders tense.
Then a quiet voice brushed against her ear.
“Would you like something to drink?”
As Desion’s warm breath grazed her ear, the tension in Heidi’s body eased, and she nodded.
“Then please wait on the balcony for a moment. I’ll bring you something shortly.”
Desion quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Carefully leaving the ballroom, Heidi made her way toward the balcony.
The cold yet refreshing night air brushed against her skin, easing the tightness in her chest.
“Ah…”
She took a deep breath and leaned lightly against the railing.
Rustle.
At the faint sound of someone’s presence, Heidi turned her head.
A stranger stood there.
“…!”
He looked like an angel who had stepped out of a sacred painting.
His silver hair shimmered beneath the moonlight, falling softly across his forehead and making his brilliant sapphire-blue eyes stand out even more. Long, thick eyelashes cast delicate shadows over those crystal-clear eyes, lending him an almost ethereal beauty.
Seeing him, Heidi stared in surprise.
The silver-haired man inclined his head politely.
“My apologies. I didn’t realize someone was already here. The curtains were half open.”
Heidi hurriedly waved her hands.
“It’s quite all right. I simply forgot to close them.”
But instead of leaving the balcony, the man remained where he was.
His deep, clear blue eyes rested on Heidi for a long moment.
“…?”
Why does he keep staring at me?
As though he had read the question written plainly across her face, the man smiled.
“It’s because I don’t believe we’ve met before.”
With impeccable grace, he bowed.
“My name is Lawrence Evan Pretium. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
