“She was indifferent to expensive and beautiful jewelry or accessories. But she liked this.”
“Ah… It’s very pretty, but since only shiny things are gathered, it’s actually hard to look at. It’s hard to choose.”
“I see. Next time, I’ll have them bring a few select pieces.”
“I think there are already enough.”
“That can’t be. Trends always change quickly.”
“…Yes.”
“And next time, I’d like to choose together. It seems quite enjoyable.”
“What?”
“I’m saying I enjoyed today.”
“Oh. I… really enjoyed it too. Thank you for taking the time to bring me.”
At my thanks, he shook his head, as if to say such gratitude wasn’t necessary.
“I don’t want you to get hurt. Of course, I hope you don’t get injured either.”
“Yes.”
I nodded in response, though the sudden change in topic puzzled me.
“Now I understand the joy of spending time like this, and I want to make sure you can be as comfortable and happy as possible.”
“You’re already considerate enough.”
“That’s good to hear, but I’m not good at reading people’s minds. So, if I don’t notice something, please tell me. Anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you dislike.”
Raynen paused and stretched out his arm to wrap around my back. As I felt his strength, I leaned into him and found myself in his embrace.
“And anything you like.”
The words “anything you like” made my heart race.
“Renee, you need to answer.”
Raynen urged me to respond. Unable to speak immediately, I buried my face in his chest.
In that moment, I felt his body tense slightly. I was about to lift my head, wondering if I had made a mistake, when Raynen’s hand touched my hair.
It seemed like he wanted me to stay, so I relaxed further and leaned into him comfortably.
“Renee, will you do that for me?”
“…Yes. I will.”
Hearing my answer, he tightened his hold. Even though we were already close, I felt even closer to Raynen.
After holding me for a while, Raynen slowly released me, as if reluctant to let go.
“Just hearing you say that makes me feel at ease. Isn’t that strange?”
“Ah…”
Raynen’s words were sincere. He had a relieved smile, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
That smile was so captivating that I was left speechless.
“Make sure to keep your promise.”
“Yes.”
I replied, still mesmerized by Raynen’s smile. Yet, he seemed satisfied and smiled even more brightly.
As his face drew closer, so did his smile. When his lips touched my forehead, I held my breath for a moment.
Fortunately, he didn’t linger long. Soon, he pulled back enough for me to see his entire face.
“It suits you well.”
Raynen looked back a few times before leaving the room with those words.
My heart was pounding wildly, as if I had run a long distance.
Without thinking, I touched my forehead. At the same time, a warm sensation spread throughout my body.
But my hand didn’t move as I wanted. It moved to the hair he had been touching for so long.
I could feel the strands of hair sticking out without even looking.
“Why did he have to…”
He could have just given it to me. Why did he have to tie it for me…
My heart, which I thought couldn’t beat any faster, raced even more, feeling like it might burst.
“I need to call Austin tomorrow.”
I had to. As soon as I woke up, I needed to call Austin for a check-up.
It’s not that I didn’t trust Carson, but with how I was feeling, there had to be something wrong with my health.
“If my body is fine despite this…”
There must be something wrong with my heart.
****
I did fall asleep, but it felt like my mind was still awake the whole night.
Raynan’s face kept appearing in my thoughts, and his voice echoed in my ears, making it impossible to sleep deeply.
I definitely needed to call Austin for a check-up. But I had no time for that.
Today was the day of the party that had kept me so busy.
Only Raynan and I were attending, but the entire mansion was bustling from early morning.
“Where on earth is Erin?”
Even Cecile, who rarely lost her patience, complained with frustration. She seemed a little tense because of how busy things were.
“We don’t have time for that! One of the earrings is missing. Go find it now!”
“Understood.”
Amelia’s sharp command instantly silenced Cecile’s complaints. Even she was moving around in a hurry, something unusual for her.
Both Amelia and Cecile were unusually enthusiastic today.
“All those late-night meetings were worth it.”
Amelia said in a pleased voice, and Cecile responded just as excitedly.
“Exactly! This dress is perfect. There’s no way Lady Rene won’t stand out the most.”
“Isn’t it a problem if I stand out too much?”
I tried to point it out, but they didn’t seem to hear me.
They were too focused, determined to match the perfect accessories with the dress. There was no stopping them.
“By the way, when did you two even have time for these late-night meetings?”
Fortunately, this time, I got an answer.
“We used every spare moment.”
“Yes, time is all about how you use it.”
“Haha… You two are really passionate about this.”
Their confidence wasn’t for nothing.
Even when Erin joined in, she barely got a chance to speak. Amelia and Cecile worked together so smoothly that everything flowed naturally.
When everything was finally ready, I stood in front of the mirror—and saw a woman I didn’t recognize.
The pale blue dress flared out from the waist, sparkling with tiny gems. From a distance, it looked as if it had been dusted with stardust.
My hair was elegantly pinned up, highlighting my bare shoulders, with a few soft strands framing my face.
The jewelry, which had seemed overwhelming when seen all together, now felt just right—adding brightness without being too much.
But the biggest surprise was my face.
I instinctively reached up to touch it, but Amelia and Cecile panicked and stopped me.
“Do you know how much effort we put into this?”
“Exactly! A bolder look would have been easier, but this subtle style takes real skill!”
Worried that my touch might ruin the makeup, they urgently emphasized their hard work.
“Ah, sorry.”
The makeup wasn’t flashy, yet it made me stand out more. It created a natural, graceful look that kept the dress from overwhelming me.
“You two… are experts. You’ve completely transformed me.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off the unfamiliar reflection.
Dazed, I muttered, and the two of them beamed with pride.
“Oh, not at all! You’re just bringing it to life so well that we feel proud.”
At that moment, another figure appeared in the mirror—Raynan.
His fitted uniform and neatly styled hair made him look even more refined and dignified.
I saw him every day, yet today, he looked different.
I forgot to blink, staring at him in a daze.
Then, I realized—Raynan was looking at me the same way.
He was watching me, just as I was watching him.
His gaze lingered on my face. As soon as our eyes met, I realized I hadn’t even greeted him yet and tried to turn to him.
But he was faster.
“You have very skilled attendants. They’ve brought out all of your charm.”
Raynan’s fingers brushed against my exposed neckline.
At his touch, memories of last night flooded back—
His firm chest filling my vision, his deep scent, his quiet breaths tickling my hair…
The way his fingers had lightly brushed my neck before pulling away.
Maybe it was the touch itself. Maybe it was the memory.
Either way, suddenly, even breathing felt difficult.
Whether he noticed or not, Raynan’s fingers moved slowly, resting on my shoulder.
“There’s no one else who could be as elegant and adorable at the same time as Lady Rene.”
Amelia’s proud voice filled the room, and Raynan nodded in agreement.
“The jewelry is subtle but well chosen. But what I like the most is…”
He paused, lowering himself until his face was right beside mine.
His breath brushed against my cheek.
His hand, which had been on my shoulder, moved again.
Slowly, almost leisurely, his fingers traced down my arm and stopped at my hand.
I couldn’t think straight.
His breath against my skin, the warmth of his touch—it all made my head spin.
“This ring.”
At his words, I looked down—so stiffly that I could almost hear my own movements.
His gaze and fingers rested on my ring finger.
The same ring gleamed on his own hand as he played with the one on mine.
“We considered gloves, but… your hands are too beautiful. I thought leaving them bare would highlight both the ring and your delicate fingers.”
“Good choice. I like it.”
Raynan praised Amelia without a single complaint, his satisfaction clear.
Then, he turned to look at me—not in the mirror, but directly.
He gazed at me with that same warm, affectionate look he always gave these days.
The same look that had been confusing me so much.
We were both looking at each other, yet our eyes never met.
For a while, neither of us moved.
It felt like time was flowing differently, just for the two of us.
“It’s time to leave.”
It was Roman who pulled us back to reality.
Raynan straightened and stood in front of me.
“So it seems.”
He reached out his hand, and I took it as I stood up.
Just before our hands touched, I noticed my own was trembling.
Even after holding his hand, the shaking didn’t stop.
I really should have insisted on seeing Austin for a check-up.
I regretted not being more stubborn about it.
Because this nervousness…
It didn’t seem to be because of the party.
