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Chapter 14
In front of the green-roofed mansion at the end of the capital’s main street.
A sturdy, solid black carriage came to a stop in front of the mansion.
As soon as the carriage halted, I flung open the door roughly and leapt out.
I thought I was going to die! I swallowed a sigh of relief inwardly, then turned back and smiled warmly again.
“Dale, thank you so much for bringing me here.”
“…I’ll come to pick you up at four in the afternoon.”
“Got it.”
Old man Dale spoke in a hoarse voice, almost scolding, then turned away. The carriage soon disappeared from right in front of me. As soon as it left, I relaxed my expression and let out a deep sigh.
“Phew, that was so awkward, I thought I’d die.”
It was truly a suffocating moment.
For some reason, it’s always hard to talk to Old man Dale. I can’t help but watch my words.
Normally, I would have refused Samara’s help rather than ride in Dale’s carriage, but…
“Hmm, that won’t do.”
Shaking my head, I turned back and stood in front of the mansion again.
Even if it meant enduring this awkwardness, I absolutely had to come here today.
Clutching the wedding invitation tightly in my hand, I stood before the main gate with a determined expression.
The emblem engraved on the gate was the same as the one printed on the invitation.
Taking a deep breath, I pressed the doorbell firmly.
“This is black tea flavored with a mix of lavender and orange zest.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Even though all I had to show my status was an ID badge, the Morelli family graciously let me in. This was thanks to the highly competent butler working in this house.
Caroline, a butler famous for her skill in the capital.
Despite my suspicious appearance, she immediately greeted me as someone here to see Lady Wildenbiston. She then guided me straight to the parlor and prepared tea and snacks.
Truly a capable butler.
I expected that having my ID badge would at least prevent me from being snubbed, but I didn’t expect to be taken directly to the parlor like this.
Thinking about it, it’s hard to believe there was a time before I was born when women were vehemently forbidden from becoming butlers.
I was sipping my tea when a soft voice came from behind me.
“Who’s this?”
I quickly put down my teacup and stood up.
“Maria!”
“My goodness, what are you wearing?”
Maria quickly walked toward me with a bright smile. Every time she hurried, her short, loosely tied brown curls bounced along.
She was dressed in green indoor attire, over which she wore a black gown embroidered in gold.
“It’s been three years, and you’re still like this. Always wandering around in such a sloppy men’s outfit!”
She opened her arms and hugged me tightly, then let go. Her kind green eyes carefully examined my face.
It really had been a long time. Three years, in fact, since my unrequited love ended, I had refused all visitors and ignored all letters.
It was a moment when all my social bridges were cut off. I really didn’t want to see anyone.
Even Maria, who had been a very close friend since childhood and attended debutante balls with me, had been cut off.
I smiled, pretending to pout playfully.
“So what if I’m dressed like a boy?”
“Don’t you get it?”
Maria frowned slightly, a bit embarrassed, and smiled. Huh? She wasn’t joking? Feeling unfairly accused, I adjusted my outfit and made a sulky face.
“Well, at least nothing has happened so far.”
“That’s not because your disguise is perfect, it’s because you’ve been absurdly lucky. Do you know how dangerous the world is these days? Wandering around like this could get you into trouble with ruffians.”
“Really? I just… thought our country’s security wasn’t that bad.”
I hesitated, recalling my outings. Many times I had gone out without letting my family know, sometimes without a chaperone, but nothing ever happened.
I never saw a drunken passerby collapse in my path, and I never ran into gangs lurking in dark alleys.
So I always thought, “Ah, the capital police really work hard.”
But Maria seemed to think differently. She shook her head while looking at me.
“If no one’s been secretly following you to protect you whenever you were in danger, then your luck is truly unmatched.”
Who would be secretly following me? Does a whole army trail behind me? Ridiculous.
I frowned lightly, and Maria gently caressed my cheek to soothe me. She whispered softly with her lips.
‘Adorable Ayra.’
Her meltingly gentle smile made me feel embarrassed for some reason.
“What does it matter if someone’s watching my back or if my luck is unmatched? The important thing is that I got to see you.”
Feeling awkward, I spoke softly and blinked at her.
Maria’s signature smile was still as powerful as ever. Quiet and gentle in speech, yet impossible to refute.
Whenever she smiled like that and shared her opinion, everyone listened. Perhaps only Lenny could logically argue with her.
She gave me a small smile in response to my words.
“Also, seeing you dressed like this, you must have been under a strict stay-at-home order… If anyone finds out, your ‘Ayra Record’ will be updated again.”
“You still remember the ‘Ayra Record’?”
“How could I forget?”
The ‘Ayra Record’ was the nickname Bianca gave me before she married.
In short, it was a record of all the trouble I had caused so far.
The ‘Ayra Record’ included: youngest to be grounded, most times grounded, longest allowance cut, first and youngest ever fined by the palace guard…
I glanced around briefly, then laughed again at Maria.
“It’ll be fine if you keep it a secret.”
She smiled and nodded.
“Of course. You’re a friend willing to take penalties just to see me. I’m so glad you came. It’s been far too long, Ayra.”
“But I had no choice… Ah, that’s right!”
I suddenly remembered the reason I came and jumped on the spot. Yes, the reason wasn’t just to reunite with Maria.
I hurriedly waved the wedding invitation still in my hand in front of her.
“Wait, wait! Maria Morelli, you’re… you’re getting married?!”
“Haha, yes.”
“To… Timothy!”
I shouted out loud.
“The Timothy written here… it’s that Timothy?!”
“Hahaha, yes! The same Timothy we met at the palace when we were fifteen. You really gave him a hard time!”
Maria laughed heartily, but I couldn’t.
Timothy Horton!
The only son of Viscount Horton. Such a rude brat!
The reason I first got fined by the palace guard!
“I’m against it!”
I shouted furiously on the spot. Absolutely opposed. I would never let such a brash, arrogant fool near our sweet, kind Maria.
To explain my anger, I must tell the story of my bad blood with this wretched Timothy Horton.
Timothy Horton.
The only son of Viscount Horton, a child born of the worst possible upbringing.
The Horton family originally had no lands and barely scraped by. They were given a minor viscount title by helping other viscounts in their territories.
However, the current Viscount Horton became fabulously wealthy from business in the lands he served, and everything changed.
The Hortons, now rich, proudly moved to the capital, following the trend of every other wealthy provincial noble family.
Until now, there’s no real problem. Whether they earned money or not, it didn’t matter. But the Hortons retained the worst flaws of land-owning nobles.
They had a terribly outdated view of women. They preferred sons and emphasized one-sided devotion and service from women to the family.
The entire family centered on that one son. “Our son… Our son…” as if worshipping him as an idol!
Of course, a logical person might say that their family matters don’t concern me. But the moment I witnessed the family myself, everything changed.
I was fifteen. The palace held an annual New Year gathering for nobles.
I was in a great mood because my seat was right next to Prince Rubellus’s table.
Despite the hunting hat incident, I was still smitten. I had joined the New Year’s preparations committee, securing a seat next to the prince to look good.
I had even had several new outfits made to appear as elegant as possible.
But all my careful preparation went to waste when, near the end of the New Year event, I saw how Timothy Horton treated his mother at his table.
It was an absolute spectacle. Timothy’s table was far from mine, but by chance, directly in my line of sight.
