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Chapter : 22
The main designer and owner of the Valenry Dress Shop, “Deborah Valenry.”
She was famous for having excellent intuition and remarkable sense.
“So once someone visits that place, they can’t stop going back,” Siena said.
Deborah Valenry would probably recognize the Marquess the moment she saw him.
“……”
“She’ll realize that you like Lady Violet, Your Lordship. She’s that perceptive.”
“……”
“So this time, instead of trying to win over Lady Violet’s heart, you need to target Designer Deborah Valenry.”
If that happened, Deborah would read Johan’s intentions and help him.
‘The problem is that the designer already knows Violet likes the Crown Prince…’
Still, Siena believed.
No matter how much Violet’s heart leaned toward Castilian, Johan was Johan.
Regardless of who Violet liked, Johan was an excellent man.
And someone as perceptive as Deborah would surely see that.
‘Let’s think realistically.’
An unknown Crown Prince she had never met, versus Johan—who looked dazzling in person and seemed to have a good personality.
‘Who would the designer support?’
Obviously the one standing right in front of her—Johan.
‘People naturally favor what they see.’
Of course, this didn’t guarantee a 100% success rate.
Even if they bribed people and carefully staged the situation, unexpected variables could still arise. This time, Johan would have to control everything from start to finish.
It was, in a sense, a gamble.
‘But I trust Designer Valenry’s judgment.’
Moreover, Deborah Valenry seemed to care for Violet more than her other clients.
“Oh my, I’ll pray every day. Since our Lady Violet wishes so earnestly, I’ll pray that His Highness the Crown Prince will definitely attend.”
Though she called her “Lady,” anyone could see Deborah treated Violet like a beloved younger sister.
‘Or maybe like a second mother…’
Thus, the plan was simple.
‘Johan just has to win Deborah’s favor.’
Then the strict “mother-in-law” would take care of the rest.
“The Valenry designer will surely think highly of the Marquess. She’ll subtly help him.”
“……”
“So Your Lordship only needs to deliver a perfect performance that day.”
After listening to Siena, Johan’s eyes curved gently.
“I can’t say I’m not worried at all. But hearing that from the Center Director reassures me.”
“……”
“As expected of the Center Director. I trust you.”
Siena secretly clenched her fist.
‘Good heavens. Saying lines like that with that face…’
It was a relief Johan wasn’t a cult preacher.
Even non-religious people would be completely captivated by that face.
‘It’s too holy… it’s hard to handle…’
Her cheeks felt warm.
Siena cleared her throat awkwardly and stood up.
“Uh… excuse me for a moment.”
The reason was simple.
‘If I stay here, I’ll unconsciously say something like “I’ll take responsibility” again.’
Johan nodded.
“Ah, please feel free.”
“Thank you.”
Turning away from him, Siena fanned herself with her hand.
‘I need to go to the restroom and calm down.’
With the butler’s guidance, she left the reception room.
Only Johan and Rian remained inside.
“……”
“……”
Several minutes passed.
The suffocating silence showed no sign of lifting.
Rian had been sitting with his legs crossed, arms folded, maintaining an unreadable expression.
Johan occasionally glanced at him.
Of course, it wasn’t because he found Rian bothersome.
‘He’s a staff member too.’
He was simply trying to figure out what to say to break the awkwardness.
After thinking for a moment, he spoke.
“I haven’t properly introduced myself yet. As you likely know, I’m Johan Veloster.”
Rian, who had been staring at the table with a blank expression, turned his gaze.
Johan continued in a tone similar to when he spoke with Siena.
“I’m always grateful to the Center staff who endure so much because of me.”
“……”
“I also wanted to thank you for coming all the way to the mansion despite your busy schedule.”
“I didn’t come willingly.”
A cold remark suddenly escaped Rian’s lips.
The warm smile on Johan’s face faded.
‘…Huh?’
Hesitantly, he asked, “Pardon?”
Rian, who had been silently staring at him, lifted one corner of his mouth.
“It was just a thought. Don’t mind it.”
Johan blinked slowly.
A chill ran down the back of his neck.
For some reason, the room didn’t feel hot or cold—but something felt off.
Maintaining the same posture, Rian tilted his head slightly.
Johan’s blue eyes moved nervously.
‘Was he always like this?’
They had met several times during Johan’s visits to the Center.
But they had never had a proper conversation.
So Johan had only thought of him as “a staff member who doesn’t seem to think much.”
But now, the atmosphere was different.
‘It feels like… he dislikes me.’
What was going on?
‘Did I do something wrong to him?’
Johan began worrying that he might have made a mistake without realizing it.
After hesitating, he asked, “Did I perhaps do something wrong?”
Rian’s gaze slowly moved toward him.
“Please tell me. I would like to apologize.”
The red eyes reflecting Johan remained dry and unreadable.
After maintaining silence, Rian finally replied.
“No, nothing like that.”
“……”
“You haven’t made any mistakes, Marquess.”
Rian added in a tone as sharp as his gaze.
“Simply, I hope you conduct yourself in a way that prevents me from committing any impropriety.”
The words were completely incomprehensible.
Johan tilted his head.
“Pardon? What do you mean…?”
“Until now, neither of us was anything. But no one knows what the future holds.”
“……?”
“I trust you will do well, Marquess Veloster.”
Was that a warning or encouragement?
It was impossible to tell.
Johan inhaled softly.
‘Even though I don’t understand any of it…’
That man definitely seemed hostile.
Even if he said Johan hadn’t made a mistake, the fact that he seemed to dislike him meant something must have happened.
The Johan Violet liked wasn’t foolish.
Though typically, extremely kind characters often came with a “naive” trait.
Johan rolled his tongue inside his mouth.
‘What could I have done to upset him?’
After thinking briefly, his eyes widened.
‘Wait… could he also like Lady Violet Bringer?’
Yes.
Johan wasn’t stupid—but he wasn’t particularly cunning either.
He was certain.
‘He must be annoyed because he has feelings for Lady Bringer.’
Yet another huge misunderstanding began.
Just then, footsteps were heard in the hallway.
Soon, Siena returned to the reception room.
She immediately sensed something strange.
“……Huh?”
Why did the atmosphere feel different?
The room itself hadn’t changed at all.
The half-finished tea and desserts were the same. Johan and Rian were sitting exactly as before.
And yet… something felt different.
‘Did something happen?’
Johan smiled brightly.
“You’ve returned.”
He still hadn’t realized that Rian’s attitude was because of Siena.
Confused, Siena quickly took her seat again.
‘I must be overthinking it.’
Seeing Johan greet her warmly, she assumed nothing serious had happened.
Rian did look slightly sulky… but—
‘That man said earlier that he was acting to be worried about.’
So she decided not to care.
“Then let’s look at the script and discuss.”
“Yes, sounds good.”
“If you look at the first page…”
Siena opened the script, and Johan began reading the stage directions she pointed at.
Their voices echoed in the reception room.
Rian stared at the back of Siena’s head.
Then he sighed softly and turned his gaze out the window.
“Ha…”
The weather today was clear.
Completely unlike his mood.
