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chapter: 25
It was surprising enough that he danced, but to dance twice with a young lady? Prince Ian’s unusual behavior sparked various interpretations among the guests.
“Perhaps the prince really… enjoys romance novels,” someone murmured.
“Could it be that he truly has feelings for your sister? Of course, it sounds absurd,” another whispered.
The Baroness muttered in a daze, and Dorothy chimed in, though she soon realized it was ridiculous, adding a joking remark about how mere country nobles like themselves could hardly understand the ways of the highborn.
Dorothy had grown more warmly disposed toward Natalie after realizing that all these miraculous events were thanks to Prince Ian being a fan of David.
“It’s not as if he’s trying to find a weakness. Surely, the prince must be curious about ‘David.’ He’s the kind of person who wouldn’t care what it means to dance twice with the same partner at a ball.”
Most came to the same conclusion as Dorothy. In fact, the guests at Duchess Horace’s Catherine’s gathering gradually realized that Miss Natalie Daws was the ‘David’ in question, and they couldn’t hide their curiosity about how she had ended up attending the Duchess’s event.
‘If anyone’s weakness was exposed, it’s me, little brother,’ Natalie thought.
Just yesterday, she had joined the absurd plan because she had overheard the highborn talking. Only ten hours earlier, she had signed a series of documents after receiving a quick explanation from the prince’s secretary, Sir Marcus Pible.
“By the way, don’t expect the newspapers to hold back. Don’t be too shocked by the morning papers,” the prince had said to her before leaving the ball early this morning. Judging by his gleeful expression, her real name and ‘David’ would surely appear in some form in the press.
‘Should I open it… or not?’
Natalie stared at the stack of newspapers, torn. Luckily, her mother and Dorothy seemed preoccupied with other matters and showed no interest in today’s papers. Dorothy even got up and wandered around the breakfast room, leaving Natalie free to deliberate.
Then, Donna appeared, face flushed with excitement, coming to the three ladies. It was still Donna’s duty to attend to them personally, though there were other maids at the side building. The three women preferred Bianca’s maid, who understood the baronial household’s circumstances.
“Lady Warfield! Ladies!”
“Oh, Donna. What news do you bring?”
The Baroness jumped up expectantly, and after catching her breath, Donna announced loudly:
“Miss, you have guests—suitors have arrived!”
“Suitors? Plural?”
The Baroness’s voice rose without realizing it. She had been secretly worried that no one might call for Dorothy.
But there was no need to worry. It was only natural that a young lady backed by the Horace household would be the highlight of the season.
“Dorothy! Our girl, how wonderful!”
The Baroness looked at Dorothy as if she had aged ten years in that moment. Dorothy leaped up, ran to her mother, and embraced her. Simultaneously, they let out cries of joy.
‘My goodness… Dorothy actually has suitors now,’ Natalie thought.
Yet Natalie could not feel pure joy. Watching her mother and Dorothy embrace happily, she picked up one of the newspapers with a resolute expression. Now that she had seen the price of her actions, she felt capable of reading anything calmly.
Shock! Prince Ian’s Lover. The Lucky One: David?
“Prince Ian publicly wooed, and the lady in question is none other than Miss Natalie Warfield, the former author ‘David,’ who once caused a scandal with her romance novels…”
Thwack.
The resolve she had gathered evaporated after reading just a single line. Lover? Wooing?
The article was far more explicit than she had imagined, clearly opening the door to scandal.
Alarmed, Natalie instinctively glanced at her mother and Dorothy. At that moment, Donna presented a silver tray with a small note atop it. Seeing the maid’s friendly smile, Natalie realized it was indeed for her.
Nesbell Park. 1 o’clock.
The note was succinct. Natalie let out a long sigh through her lips.
“First suggesting a walk…”
While Dorothy attended a tea party with Catherine, Natalie unexpectedly took her mother for a stroll in the park.
“To think she would pick such a crowded place. I may never understand you,” the Baroness muttered, gazing at the throngs of young men and women buzzing like a swarm at Nesbell Park.
The park had become the center of the social scene in Dwan, close to the upscale West Side housing overlooking the Shaun River and connected to the bustling Eren Street, frequented by the trendiest youth. After breakfast, those without special appointments flocked there.
“How has Dwan changed… utterly uncivilized,” the Baroness whispered, shocked by the modern world she witnessed after twenty-five years. When she saw couples whispering closely, she instinctively covered her eyes.
The park extended to the east with vast fields for horseback riding, while the west had a large lake at the start of the walking trail. Picnic gatherings along the lakeshore were fashionable among the young crowd.
Nesbell Park was a wild place of romantic exploration. Even witnessing couples waltzing made the Baroness uneasy.
Natalie, too, would not normally venture here. She glanced around warily like a prey animal sensing a predator.
‘If not for the note… or cursed royal ball!’
She felt like a mischievous child, overwhelmed by the excitement and tension of a day in which she had resolved to do nothing.
“Oh, dear. Let’s return to the duke’s residence. This place is… so overwhelming, I don’t know where to look.”
With the sweet laughter of couples carried by the warm breeze, the Baroness finally suggested leaving. Everywhere she looked seemed unsightly, and even her daughter seemed restless, walking with her hat pulled low and glancing around nervously.
“Yes, it’s about time we head back,” Natalie said, relieved.
The Baroness nodded, thinking she would likely never understand her daughter.
As the two began to retrace their steps to the carriage, someone called out:
“Miss Daws.”
Natalie froze at the sight of a man appearing before her, an unexpected confrontation unfolding.
“What a coincidence,” he said, approaching her with clear delight.
Natalie almost believed it was truly by chance.
“Lady Warfield, we meet again.”
Prince Ian, accompanied by only one secretary, lightly kissed the back of the Baroness’s hand before turning to Natalie.
“My dear Miss Daws.”
Natalie admired the prince’s audacity and acting skill. She bowed briefly and quickly assessed the situation.
The prince appeared awkward and shy, as if in a secret romance, and behind him, Marcus looked extremely uncomfortable. Natalie realized this meeting had been arranged solely at the prince’s discretion.
“Ah, you wanted to enjoy a walk in Nesbell Park after all… I suppose it was to meet you,” the prince said with a radiant smile.
Squinting slightly against the dazzling sunlight, Natalie involuntarily frowned. The prince’s smile shone more brightly than the spring sun.
“Shall we walk together for a while, Miss Daws?”
The thought of walking beside such a man was daunting. His peacock-like display only made it worse.
Natalie was poor at controlling her expression, and her carefully raised corners of her lips quickly fell.
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
She suspected he had misheard something.
The prince found her sulky, unenthusiastic response amusing and chuckled quietly. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy the situation, further dampening Natalie’s spirits.
Prince Ian drew attention wherever he went. Adding to that, he had made the morning paper headlines. The park visitors’ eyes naturally followed him.
After reading the morning edition, they likely scoffed: How dare they pair anyone with our angel? They probably cursed the journalists, and in passing, criticized the ‘lady of shame, Miss Daws.’
Yet, despite their strong belief in the angel, the angel herself—Natalie—made the story all the more credible. Onlookers stared, witnessing what felt like a catastrophe, observing the prince strolling leisurely and Miss Daws lowering her gaze.
Natalie endured the curious and sometimes hostile stares.
Glancing back, she saw her mother being escorted about ten steps behind by Marcus, who seemed to have calmed her down with his eloquence.
Glancing forward again, she stole another look at the man walking beside her. After hesitating a hundred times, she carefully asked:
“Um… may I ask why you called me out today…?”
“Didn’t we agree to meet every day? Did you forget?”
The prince furrowed his brow and appeared genuinely disappointed.
Natalie knew even this expression was an act.
