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~Chapter 20~
“Quick, call the doctor and take the Count to his room!”
Aveline was left speechless as Count Herolds suddenly collapsed and was carried off by the servants.
Did I do that?
She’d just tried to faint to escape the situation, but it was her father who actually passed out.
Aveline followed her father to his room and caught the doctor just as he finished examining him.
“Um, how’s my father?”
“It seems he fainted from overwork. He just needs rest—there’s nothing to worry about.”
Only after the doctor left did Aveline finally breathe out in relief.
“Thank goodness.”
She wasn’t sure if her father’s collapse was her fault or just a coincidence, but she couldn’t help feeling guilty.
“He’ll be touched when he wakes up.”
“What?”
“Look at your face. People might think you’re the one who knocked Father out.”
“….”
“I didn’t know you cared so much about him. You hardly ever see him, so I thought you didn’t like him.”
“That’s not…”
“That’s not?”
When Ares repeated the words, Aveline stopped talking.
“Never mind. I’m going to rest in my room. Sorry, Logan. I’ll see you later.”
Back in her room, Aveline lay on her bed.
“It’s not that I don’t like him.”
She stared up at the ceiling and finished what she hadn’t said earlier.
“It’s because he doesn’t like me, idiot.”
You’ve got it backwards.
She grew annoyed with Ares for not understanding, even though they were twins.
Someone knocked gently on her door.
“Emma?”
Emma entered, holding a tray of warm cookies.
“I brought snacks. I heard you were alone, so I came. The chef let me make these myself today.”
“Smells nice.”
“I used only good ingredients, so please eat lots!”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll go now!”
Emma blushed and hurried to leave.
Just then, Aveline realized she’d forgotten to clear up Emma’s misunderstanding about something that had happened before.
How could I forget something so important?
Blaming her poor memory, Aveline quickly called Emma back.
“Wait!”
“Yes?”
“Sit here for a second.”
Emma hesitated.
“No, I can’t. I’m just a maid, I can’t sit with you…”
“I have something to say. Please sit.”
Aveline’s serious tone made Emma nervously sit down.
“Emma, listen carefully to what I say.”
“Yes, miss.”
Gulp.
Emma swallowed, tense.
“Done.”
Aveline finally cleared up Emma’s misunderstanding.
Emma hadn’t believed her at first, but once reminded that Aveline had been shut in at home all this time, she finally accepted it had all been a mistake.
—I’m sorry, miss!
—It’s okay. Just bring me delicious snacks from now on.
—I promise! I promise!
Aveline smiled, satisfied with Emma’s promise.
Knock, knock.
Someone tapped softly on the door.
“Who is it?”
“Miss, it’s me.”
It was the butler.
“The Count has woken up.”
Aveline hurried after the butler to her father’s room.
“Father!”
“Be quiet.”
Count Herolds pressed his forehead as if he had a headache.
“This is a problem. I have to attend the imperial banquet soon.”
“Imperial banquet?”
Ares, standing in the corner, looked surprised.
“Tsk. Did you forget? Tomorrow is the Emperor’s birthday! The banquet starts at midnight, like I told you. Anyway, I have a problem. Each family must send at least two people, but I’m not feeling well…”
He sighed and turned to Logan.
“Is the Duke of Casey attending with you, Young Lord?”
“No, my mother is going with my father this time.”
“So your parents will be looking for a suitable match for you at the banquet, I suppose. From the news, it sounds like you may already have a young lady in mind, though.”
Logan, next to Ares, just gave an awkward smile.
“Ares. Get ready for the banquet.”
“Yes. Should I tell His Majesty you can’t attend because you’re sick? I’m sure he’ll understand.”
“Nonsense. It’s the Emperor’s birthday banquet. Our family will send two people.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“I’m not okay.”
“Then…”
Count Herolds, still lying down, pointed across the room.
“Aveline.”
“Yes? Me?”
“You’ll go in my place.”
“Ugh…”
“It can’t be helped. Let’s just show our faces and leave early.”
Aveline leaned her head against the carriage window, only half-listening to Ares try to comfort her.
She thought back to what had just happened.
—I can’t go!
—How long are you going to act like a child? You’ve gotten away with enough. Now do something for the family.
—But I don’t even have anything to wear!
That excuse worked for a moment, and Count Herolds told the butler to look for any dress Aveline could wear to the banquet.
She let him search—she truly had nothing suitable for such a grand event.
The only new outfit was the one Logan had given her, but it was just for casual outings.
A little while later, the butler returned with a dress.
—There’s one dress that could work, but…
He hesitated.
—What is it?
—Well…
Pressed by Count Herolds, the butler just showed them the dress.
It was the white debutante dress Aveline’s mother had sent four years ago.
—Huh.
—Madam had this made for you.
—Lilia did?
At the mention of his wife, Count Herolds was lost in thought as he looked at the dress.
—Yes, but it arrived two days late and was a bit too big, so the young lady never wore it.
Everyone in the room fell silent as they looked at the dress.
No one mentioned the word “debutante,” but it was clear what they were all thinking.
Ever since the incident, “debutante” was practically a forbidden word in the house.
It was a bad memory for everyone.
And now, after hiding away all this time, Aveline was being sent out wearing the debutante dress.
It was sure to draw attention.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the banquet hall.
Because it was being held at the palace, security was strict.
Though it was evening and dark outside, the banquet hall glowed with light and music.
“Get out.”
Ares got out first and offered Aveline his hand.
“I’m really nervous.”
Aveline whispered to Ares so no one else could hear.
She’d only come because her father told her to, but after four years away, returning to a banquet felt overwhelming.
“If anyone messes with you, just stare them down. They’ll all run away.”
“That’s not funny.”
“I’m not joking. You haven’t been to society events in a while, so you don’t know—these days, it’s all about attitude, not words.”
Ares actually looked serious.
If only Logan were here.
If Logan was around, she’d know if Ares was teasing her or not.
Logan had gone home earlier to finish a paper for an upcoming academic festival.
“…I’m trusting you, okay?”
Aveline realized Ares was her only support right now.
“Suit yourself.”
His calm reply left Aveline even more unsure.
When they reached the entrance, Aveline could hear every beat of her own heart.
Her hand on Ares’s arm was cold, and she felt nauseous as if she hadn’t eaten, cold sweat breaking out.
“Can I hide behind you when we go in?”
As they waited in line, some people were already glancing at her.
“That’d make you even more of a sensation.”
“…Never mind.”
She couldn’t come here to fix her image, only to become a laughingstock.
The people ahead of them entered, and an attendant approached to check the guest list.
“Let me check. Lord Ares Herolds and…?”
“Aveline Herolds.”
When Ares answered, the attendant stopped writing and looked up sharply.
