He looked even more radiant than usual.
His perfectly tailored suit was adorned with intricate patterns and luxurious details.
As always, he seemed to like wearing fancy clothes, particularly dark colors, which went well with his black hair.
Despite the suit’s extravagant design, his broad shoulders, tall frame, and muscular build ensured it never looked overwhelming or excessive.
It seemed as if the clothes were made for him from the beginning.
What mattered most, however, was that his clothes were always outshone by his face…
Most people didn’t even notice how fancy his clothing was.
His face was more captivating than the clothes.
“Oh, have you already taken off the bandages already?”
Lizelle, who had been staring at Chase’s clothes, ran over in surprise when she saw the bandages that should have been wrapped around his hand were gone.
Chase opened the carriage door, holding back the urge to hug Lizelle as she ran towards him.
“What if the wound gets worse?”
Before getting on the carriage, Lizelle had to check on his wounds first.
“I got rid of it.”
What does that mean? Lizelle grabbed his hand to inspect it, confused by his cryptic words.
“Got rid of it? The wound should be… gone?”
The wound that should have been on his palm disappeared.
Thinking she might have checked the wrong hand, she examined the other, but it was also uninjured.
She looked up at Chase with a questioning gaze, as if demanding an explanation.
“I used a regeneration potion.”
He said, lightly squeezing her hand that was holding his arm.
“A regeneration potion?”
The wound was gone entirely, without even the faintest scar. It was as if his hand returned to before the injury.
“I got rid of it because you seemed very concerned about my injury.”
“When was I ever that worried…”
Embarrassed, Lizelle quickly let go of his arm.
She realized too late that she’d run to him and immediately checked his wound as soon as she saw him.
“Let’s hurry up and go! We’re going to be late.”
She quickly climbed into the carriage.
It wasn’t just Chase who was acting strange lately.
Her own behavior, fussing over him so much, felt strange too.
Lizelle decided to compose herself and be more cautious. She couldn’t let her feelings become genuine.
After all, he didn’t have any special feelings for her.
* * *
“We’ve arrived.”
The carriage carrying them came to a stop in front of Count Humphrey’s estate.
The area in front of the mansion was bustling with carriages, many nobles already arrived.
Chase removed something from his pocket before getting out of the carriage.
“My lady.”
“Yes? Aren’t we getting out?”
“May I have your hand for a moment?”
“My hand?”
Startled by the unexpected request, Lizelle widened her eyes and held out her hand.
Chase took her slender hand and slipped a ring onto her ring finger.
“What is this?”
Lizelle stared at the spot where his warm touch lingered.
A ring, set with a diamond about the size of a pinky nail, now adorned her finger.
“It’s an engagement ring.”
“An engagement ring? Oh…”
Lizelle nodded in understanding.
Today was the occasion she would formally be introduced to many people as Chase’s fiancée.
Naturally, she was expected to wear an engagement ring.
She thought he was just being thorough.
He even paid attention to the little things.
This attention to detail was surely what convinced her parents of his sincerity during their performance.
“I see.”
“I’ll make sure your wedding ring is even better.”
Chase had already entrusted the pink diamond for her wedding ring to a jeweler.
There was only one reason he put a ring on Lizelle.
To publicly declare their relationship in front of everyone.
It also served as a mark, warning others to keep their distance from her.
Rohan, who had been watching him as he prepared this ring, shook his head and asked.
‘When are you going to confess?’
Chase didn’t have an easy answer to that question.
Even today, he wished he could express his true feelings right that moment.
But he was afraid. Afraid that if he revealed his feelings before they were married, she might feel burdened and leave him.
No matter how seriously he treated their contract marriage, he knew she didn’t feel the same way.
Chase needed assurance, even if it was just some small sign that she was interested in him.
Because Lizelle was someone he never wanted to lose.
That’s why he was cautious, waiting for the right moment.
For now, it wasn’t the time. Not yet.
Chase stepped out of the carriage first, waiting for Lizelle to join him.
Then, Lizelle, holding the gift she brought in one hand, accepted Chase’s escort as she stepped down.
“Shall we?”
Lizelle briefly glanced at his outstretched arm before linking hers with his, and they began walking side by side.
“Oh my… Could that young lady be…?”
“So, the rumors about the Duke’s engagement were true!”
As the two entered the large garden, nobles heading toward the mansion began murmuring.
Although they tried to whisper discreetly, Lizelle could hear.
‘Wow… the stares are intense.’
Feeling the weight of countless eyes on her like arrows pointed in her direction startled her.
She expected some attention walking alongside the Duke of Halos, but she hadn’t anticipated that every single person would stare at them.
She couldn’t hear what everyone was saying, but they all were whispering to whoever was next to them.
Lizelle broke out in a cold sweat.
The pressure was overwhelming.
She became tense all over.
It was her first time appearing in society in this role, so she felt pressured not to make even the smallest mistake.
She attended this banquet as Chase’s fiancé after all.
This meant that each and every one of her actions could have an impact on the Halos name.
As they got closer to the mansion the burden Lizelle felt grew even greater.
She glanced at Chase to gauge his reaction.
Unlike her, he appeared completely unbothered.
As if it was second nature, he maintained his usual unshakable composure, without even the slightest flaw.
If there was anything different, it’s that his expression seems a bit colder than usual.
‘So, I’m the only one nervous.’
This realization only made her more anxious.
The palms of her hands became damp.
As they walked across the garden, they soon arrived at the gates of a magnificent mansion.
The moment Chase opened the door, and they were about to enter, Lizelle suddenly froze.
“Are you all right?”
Noticing her sudden pause, Chase turned to check on her.
“Could you go in ahead? I’d like to wash my hands first.”
“I’ll wait.”
“No, it’s fine. Please, go in ahead.”
Lizelle insisted, refusing his offer to wait.
She needed a moment alone to compose herself.
This is what it meant to marry him, to stand by his side.
It meant bearing the weight of constantly being the center of attention and attracting people’s interest, whether positive or negative.
While such situations were normal for Chase, they were unfamiliar and burdensome to her.
“Alright.”
Though he was worried about how pale she looked, Chase didn’t press her and entered the mansion first.
“Phew…”
Alone, Lizelle let out a deep sigh and followed a servant’s guidance to a restroom.
Unlike the banquet hall, the restroom area was quiet and empty.
Lizelle turned on the faucet, letting the cool water rinse her damp hands.
Then she looked into the silver framed mirror.
Her long, thick, wavy brown hair lay in a neat ponytail.
Lizelle carefully examined her appearance and made a resolution.
“I have to do well.”
Just as he had performed flawlessly in front of her parents, she resolved to make no mistakes tonight.
After a few deep breaths, she left the restroom and bumped into the shoulder of a maid who was hurrying down the hall. The maid was in such a rush, she wasn’t paying proper attention.
Clatter.
Fortunately, neither of them fell, but a small bottle the maid had been holding dropped to the floor.
“Oh no! I’m sorry! I’m really sorry!”
The maid quickly checked Lizelle’s attire, bowing repeatedly.
The noble ladies attending the event today were most likely from prestigious families. If there was any trouble, things could become difficult.
“It’s fine. Are you hurt?”
“No, no! I’m fine. I sincerely apologize again. I’m sorry.”
As the maid apologized profusely, Lizelle reassured her and picked up the bottle from the floor.
Inside the tiny glass bottle, which looked like a perfume bottle, was a pinkish liquid that was sloshing around.
