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Chapter 14
Britia’s face turned bright red as she fumbled helplessly.
What had he just said? That he missed her? Who? Me?
Impossible!
And yet, the way he said it—his cheeks faintly flushed—didn’t seem like a lie.
They hadn’t met many times, and nothing had happened between them that would justify such feelings.
“Britia.”
The voice calling her name, Sig’s voice, sounded unusually solemn.
Britia’s lips parted slightly. She was so flustered that not a single sound came out in response.
“I would like you to accept this.”
He reached into his coat and pulled something out. The moment she saw it, something about it flashed through her mind.
A ring?
Was he proposing already? Weren’t they moving too fast? They barely knew each other!
Even in arranged marriages, wasn’t there usually some process—courting, conversation, at least a few dates?
But they had none of that. They barely knew anything about each other.
Britia’s mind spiraled out of control.
“Will you accept it?”
Sig’s voice was tense, rigid with nervousness. His eyes held both expectation and anxiety.
Britia opened and closed her mouth uselessly.
If she accepted it… would that mean she was agreeing to marriage?
Marriage? Just like that?
She had only briefly thought his tail was cute—surely that didn’t lead to marriage!
“Britia.”
Sig called her again, noticing her panic.
“Are you refusing?”
His expression darkened slightly. His tail drooped.
Let’s just accept it first. Think later.
Britia took a deep breath and accepted the box he offered.
“I finished it last night.”
“Huh?”
Finished it?
Not “it’s done,” but “I made it”?
Did he mean he made it himself?
Now she was seriously afraid she might not be able to refuse.
“What were you going to do with it today, so I waited for you to arrive.”
“Huh?”
All she could do was repeat herself like a broken machine.
Since when had he been planning something like this?
“You said you would be attending this party—I heard it from Count Lockhart.”
“Oh… ohh.”
At least she managed a different sound this time, but it didn’t matter.
“Won’t you open it?”
Still dazed, she fumbled with the box.
“I’ll open it.”
This was the most nerve-wracking moment of her life. She swallowed hard and lifted the lid.
But there was no ring.
No metal. Nothing like that at all.
“A handkerchief?”
Inside was a beautifully embroidered white handkerchief.
“A handkerchief!”
Realizing her misunderstanding, her face burned hot.
“Do you not like it?”
Sig’s voice was careful, though his expression barely changed.
“N-no! I just… I—”
Britia suddenly burst into laughter at her own ridiculous misunderstanding. She tried to stop, but it only came out more awkwardly.
“Britia?”
Sig blinked in confusion.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace, I just—hahaha…”
How could she have thought it was a marriage proposal?
She wanted to scream from embarrassment.
Thank goodness she hadn’t actually said the word “ring” out loud. That would have been unbearable.
“Thank you… Your Grace…”
She finally managed to breathe out and steady herself.
“So you kept your promise.”
Britia gently took the handkerchief from the box.
“It’s beautiful.”
The embroidery was delicate and elegant. Far more refined than the one she had seen before.
“Does this mean you forgive me?”
Sig asked cautiously. His tail was stiff with tension.
Britia looked up at him slowly.
“I’m sorry. Actually… I lied before.”
His eyes widened slightly.
“You won’t forgive me?”
If this wasn’t enough, then what was?
Should he stand holding a bucket for half a day like his aunt once told him?
“If that is what you want, I will accept it.”
Sig said grimly.
“I should borrow a bucket from the Duchess of Rovelli.”
“A bucket?”
Britia grabbed his arm before he could leave.
“Why are you suddenly talking about buckets?”
“Let go, Britia.”
But she couldn’t overpower him. He was too strong.
“I will earn your forgiveness today!”
“Wait, Your Grace—why are you so strong?!”
He walked forward, dragging her slightly.
“There she is.”
He turned toward the Duchess who was speaking with others.
“Your Grace!”
Britia shouted desperately.
Sig stopped.
It was like scolding a dog that had done something wrong.
“Please listen when I speak!”
The entire hall went silent.
“Britia?”
Sig looked shocked.
“I told you to wait!”
Her raised voice caused everyone nearby to turn.
“What’s going on?”
“Did she just shout at the Duke of Turos?”
“Is she insane?”
Whispers spread quickly.
“Let’s move somewhere else.”
Britia pulled him away.
Sig followed silently, his tail tucked between his legs.
They reached the rose garden before she finally stopped.
“Your Grace.”
He flinched at her tone.
“You misunderstand things very easily.”
She sighed.
“I was going to explain, but you wouldn’t listen.”
Sig fidgeted nervously.
“What I meant was… I already forgave you back then.”
“…What?”
Sig didn’t understand.
“I only said I would forgive you if you gave me the handkerchief because… I wanted it.”
“…You wanted it?”
“Yes. It was so beautiful that I lied about it.”
“I didn’t think it was anything special.”
Sig frowned. To him, it was just something simple he made himself.
But Britia shook her head.
“It’s not that I forgive you now—I already did.”
She extended the box back to him.
“I can’t accept this.”
Sig froze.
“I spent all my time thinking about you.”
Every stitch. Every meal. Even while eating.
“I kept wondering what you would like.”
Flowers, colors, details… everything.
“I never expected you to refuse it like this again.”
His voice cracked slightly.
Britia quickly shook her head.
“You didn’t really get rejected that badly.”
But Sig had already stopped listening.
“You are quite difficult to please…”
He exhaled deeply, looking defeated.
“I misunderstood your feelings.”
“I’m sorry…”
“No. It was my mistake.”
He gave a faint, tired smile.
Then—
Rustling came from beyond the rose bushes.
“Oh my god… Did Britia Lockhart just reject the Duke?”
“Shh! He’ll hear you!”
Excited voices whispered nearby.
