Chapter 17
“Estelle, we have similar tastes. I dislike winter and prefer spring as well.”
“I’m glad we like the same season, Liliana.”
Inside the carriage heading to the Aslan Marquisate, they shared quite a few conversations.
“Oh, by the way. The maid who tidied my hair earlier—she’s quite skilled. My maid has been researching ways to style me lately, so maybe I should send her to learn from yours.”
“…You must be quite close with your maid if she goes to such lengths to enhance your appearance.”
“Oh, she’s the daughter of my nanny. We grew up together, so she’s practically my sister.”
Liliana was lively and adept at leading conversations, making her an easy companion.
‘I used to think she disliked Melody just because she was adopted, but… is there something more to it?’
It puzzled Estelle. Liliana regarded a mere maid as a sister, yet she openly rejected Melody. If it was about social status, Melody, despite being a commoner by birth, was still a beloved daughter of the Duke of Winchester.
Even if she looked down on her in private, there was no reason to be openly hostile.
“Liliana, may I ask you something?”
“Of course! Feel free to ask.”
“Did something happen between you and Melody in the past?”
She hesitated for a moment, scratching her cheek and shifting her gaze.
“I’m sorry. If it’s uncomfortable, you don’t have to answer.”
“No, it’s not that… I was just thinking. About when things started going south with her. I think it was during my debutante ball.”
She shrugged before continuing.
“I was walking alone in a corridor when I found a shawl on the floor, all dirty. So, I picked it up.”
“A shawl?”
This was starting to sound like one of those situations where she’d be mistaken as the culprit.
“Just then, the owner came looking for it and immediately accused me of soiling it. My friends arrived later to help, but that girl—Melody—just stood there quietly and then, of all things, smirked at me! It was infuriating!”
Liliana clenched her chest, still fuming at the memory.
‘She must have decided there was no need to hide her true nature from Liliana anymore.’
That explained why Melody had never bothered to conceal her personality in front of her.
“Ugh… I got worked up just talking about it. I hope I didn’t upset you.”
Liliana suddenly paused, gauging Estelle’s reaction.
“Not at all. If anything, I should be the one apologizing. I’ve been through the same thing before.”
Of course, she wasn’t upset.
That quiet, mocking smirk—she had experienced it herself.
“She did that to you too, Estelle? Honestly, girls like that aren’t worth keeping close… Oh? It looks like we’ve arrived. Estelle, we’re here.”
The carriage gradually slowed before coming to a complete stop at the front gates of the Aslan Marquisate.
“They had to repair the mansion, so the location changed. But the garden here is actually more enjoyable to explore.”
Liliana stepped out first and extended her hand to Estelle.
‘She’s Olivia Aslan’s cousin, after all. No wonder she seems so familiar with this place.’
Smiling slightly, Estelle accepted her hand and stepped down.
“Thank you, Liliana.”
Liliana, still holding her hand, stared at her unabashedly. Feeling slightly uncomfortable, Estelle tilted her head awkwardly.
“Liliana?”
“It just hit me again… You’re really beautiful, Estelle. I think I might be falling for you all over again. Did I ever mention that one of the reasons I wanted to be friends with you was because of how pretty you are?”
“That’s too generous. You’re the prettier one, Liliana.”
It was the first time Estelle had ever received such a compliment, and it made her feel self-conscious.
‘I never thought of myself as beautiful, nor has anyone ever told me so…’
A sudden headache struck her, making her head pound violently.
‘You’re beautiful, Estelle.’
A deep, pleasant voice.
‘Who…?’
A calm, velvety voice caressed her ears.
“Estelle? Are you feeling unwell? Your expression doesn’t look good.”
“I just felt a little dizzy. You go ahead. I’ll follow slowly.”
Liliana, still concerned, led the way toward the garden.
Just as Estelle was about to recall the face belonging to that voice, a bitter scent reached her nose.
‘…Tobacco smoke?’
She followed the scent and looked up.
On the balcony above, a man stood, staring into the distance with empty golden eyes, a cigar between his fingers.
‘I thought we’d only meet at the masquerade ball, but we’re crossing paths sooner than expected.’
Michael swept his jet-black hair back, his expression dark with thought.
‘Is he troubled by something?’
The smoke he exhaled drifted lazily, blending with the air before dissipating completely. It felt as if time was flowing more slowly in that space.
Sensing her gaze, Michael leaned against the railing and looked down at her.
His golden eyes, now filled with awareness, widened slightly.
Then, as if caught red-handed, he stiffly removed the cigar from his lips and quickly hid it behind him—like a guilty child.
It was like a child sneaking a forbidden candy, only to get caught and anxiously await the consequences.
‘Michael, you’ve been smoking again, haven’t you? I told you to quit—it’s bad for your health.’
‘…Don’t come near me. The smell will cling to you.’
A scene flashed through her mind.
Just like now, Michael had been standing alone on a balcony, smoking. And then, a woman had taken the cigar from him.
That woman was ‘her’.
‘Was our relationship close enough that I would nag him about his health?’
He had been the only one to weep for her death. He had written something in her invitation that only lovers would say.
What was their relationship?
And why couldn’t she remember any of it?
A sharp pain shot through her skull. Every time she thought of him, a dull, pounding ache followed, as if someone was deliberately blocking her memories.
‘I need to ask him directly how he knows me.’
Estelle looked back up at the balcony.
But Michael, who had been there just moments ago, was gone.
‘Did he go inside already…?’
The balcony doors were firmly shut.
For some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment.
“Estelle, why are you just standing there? Are you still feeling unwell? If your headache is bad, we can always reschedule.”
“…I just saw a bird fly by and got distracted. I’m coming now.”
As she followed Liliana into the garden, she noticed a group of young ladies gathered together.
“Vivi!”
“Lili, you’re here?”
Olivia responded with an affectionate nickname but only gave Estelle a subtle nod of greeting.
‘She must be the quiet type. Or maybe she’s just shy around new people?’
Though Olivia resembled Liliana in appearance, her demeanor was completely different.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Estelle Winchester.”
The young noblewomen offered her a respectful bow.
Though they had only exchanged brief encounters before, Estelle recognized most of them.
As the highest-ranking noble present, she was technically due this level of formality—but she disliked being treated with such stiffness.
“Please, there’s no need for such formality. Just speak comfortably with me.”
“Please, have a seat, Lady Estelle. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you!”
She smiled gently, and the young ladies, previously hesitant, quickly warmed up and invited her to join them.
“Liliana has never invited anyone to our sorority before, so we were surprised to hear you were coming.”
“Yes, and now that we’ve met you in person, we’re delighted!”
Everyone treated her warmly, and she soon found herself at ease among them.
“Thank you for welcoming me.”
As she responded politely and lifted her teacup, a thought crossed her mind.
‘Does Michael spend more time here at the Aslan Marquisate than at the imperial palace?’
At that moment, Michael’s face suddenly reflected on the surface of the tea.
‘…!’
Startled, her grip faltered, and she dropped the teacup.
“Estelle!”
“Oh my! Lady Estelle, are you all right?”
“It wasn’t hot, so I’m not hurt. My apologies for the clumsiness.”
The spilled tea had soaked into her dress, making it uncomfortably damp, but fortunately, it hadn’t burned her.
“Vivi, should we lend Estelle a dress to change into?”
At Liliana’s suggestion, Olivia shifted her gaze to Estelle.
“I hadn’t thought of that. You can’t stay in those wet clothes—let me lend you a dress.”
“Would that be too much trouble…?”
Estelle hesitated, reluctant to impose.
“Come on, Estelle!”
“Yes, please change into something comfortable.”
Encouraged by Liliana and the others, she found it difficult to refuse any longer. She carefully rose and followed Olivia inside.
As they climbed the stairs and walked down the hallway, neither spoke, making the silence feel somewhat awkward.
‘She’s so different from Liliana. I don’t know how to talk to her.’
Upon reaching a room, Olivia handed her a pale yellow dress.
“Shall I call a maid to assist you?”
“No, that’s all right.”
“Then take your time. I’ll wait downstairs.”
With that, Olivia closed the door behind her.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Estelle examined the dress.
“Pale yellow… I haven’t worn this color since ‘that’ day.”
The Duke of Winchester had once told her it was ‘too much’ on her, and ever since, she had unconsciously avoided it.
‘As if he even cares what color I wear.’
She began to change, lowering her dress past her shoulders when a sudden knock came—followed by the door opening.
‘Did she forget something? But I said I didn’t need a maid…’
Naturally, she assumed it was Olivia.
“Olivia, I’m right he—”
But the one who stepped inside was not Olivia.
It was Michael Valderman.
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