“…Yes, Father.”
Kisa barely restrained herself from asking what had happened. Since there was much to discuss with Seyard alone, getting him to a private place was the urgent priority.
“Take him to the garden.”
After giving this instruction to his daughter, Count Vansfelt briefly explained his reason to Seyard.
“Though it can’t compare to the ducal garden, Vansfelt’s garden is worth seeing.”
Of course, this was merely a superficial reason. The Count’s office had a clear view of the garden. In other words, he intended to keep watch to prevent any inappropriate behavior between Kisa and Seyard when they were alone.
“Thank you for your kindness. I’m curious to see how lovely it is.”
The intelligent Seyard must have noticed this too, but he graciously accepted the Count’s suggestion.
“This way, Your Grace.”
After exchanging glances with her father, Kisa guided Seyard.
“Oh, Miss. Where are you going?”
“To the garden.”
“…Ah, yes. Have a good time!”
They encountered several servants on their way to the garden’s back gate, and each one gave a quick glance at Seyard before bowing respectfully. The Count must have thoroughly controlled everyone’s tongues, as none seemed to recognize his identity.
‘So that’s why he came in an unmarked carriage.’
By the time this thought occurred to her, they had reached the garden. Seyard took in the sight of various spring flowers welcoming them.
“It truly is a splendid garden, Kisa.”
Kisa, not Lady Kisa. Unlike before, this indicated he was no longer acting. After confirming they were alone, Kisa looked at him.
“How did the conversation with Father go? Did he give permission for our marriage?”
Seyard’s lips curved into a gentle smile at her question.
“I’ve dangled the bait, but it’s hard to guarantee how your father will respond.”
“Bait?”
“There is such a thing.”
Though she asked several more times, he skillfully deflected the topic each time. Perhaps Seyard had offered something beneficial to the House of Vansfelt as a condition for approving their marriage? Land or money, perhaps. Once this occurred to her, it bothered her tremendously.
“Can’t you tell me?”
“It’s really nothing extraordinary. I simply suggested that Hillan might offer some assistance to the House of Vansfelt’s business ventures.”
Some assistance, he says. If Seyard put it that way, it must be so. From his perspective, there was no need to offer too great a price for a political marriage. After all, it was a relationship for mutual benefit.
“In any case, let’s wait and see. Your father seemed to be considering it.”
Did that mean there was hope? As Kisa felt relief wash over her, the man suggested they take a walk. He said they should look like they’re really taking a stroll so the Count wouldn’t be suspicious.
The two walked side by side along the garden path.
Now that her most pressing question was answered, Kisa became curious about more fundamental matters.
“How did all this happen? Could it be that Seyard… no, I’m sorry. Your Grace…”
“Please continue calling me Seyard, as before.”
“R-really?”
“Yes, I’d very much prefer it. To be honest, I’m not yet used to the grand title of Duke.”
“Ah, that makes sense. Anyway, I never dreamed that Seyard was the Duke of Hillan.”
He lowered his gaze apologetically.
“I’m sorry. However, I had no particular intention to deceive you.”
“I know. You were just playing along since I wanted to hide my family background.”
“Yes, and additionally, I worried that if you knew my position and detailed circumstances, you might not accept the marriage proposal.”
“Me?”
“I heard you were close to the Princess.”
Ah, he must have thought Kisa might prioritize her friendship with the Princess over breaking off her engagement. Well, there was no real possibility of that.
While Kisa quite liked her and served her as royalty, she had never once felt they were true friends. Friends should be somewhat equal, shouldn’t they?
But their relationship wasn’t like that, and the Princess had even exposed Kisa’s vulnerabilities at the tea party without permission.
She wasn’t sure of the exact reason why the Princess did that. She might have truly believed it was for Kisa’s benefit, or there could have been other hidden intentions.
The only thing Kisa knew for certain was that she would never again feel the same vague affection for the Princess as before.
“It’s fine. To get what you want, you have to accept some losses.”
Currently, her most important goal was breaking off her engagement with Daniel. For that purpose, she would set aside other considerations for now.
“Still, when I saw Seyard at our house today, I thought my heart would stop.”
“I feel quite ashamed about that.”
“By the way, how did you find out about our family? Did I leave some clue?”
“Well, actually, on both days I met you at the library, I noticed the Vansfelt carriage waiting nearby. Since few nobles spend much time at the library, it caught my attention.”
“Ah, I see. Looking back, I was quite clumsy about it, which is embarrassing.”
Why hadn’t it occurred to her that he might have seen the carriage with their family crest prominently displayed? Feeling her face flush, she quickly changed the subject.
“More importantly, did you have today’s events in mind from the moment you first gave me the opera tickets?”
“Yes, proposing marriage without ever meeting would be strange no matter how you look at it. I wanted to create an appropriate point of contact.”
Seyard stopped walking abruptly and smiled at Kisa.
“Isn’t it quite plausible? A rookie duke who happens to visit the opera house, encounters the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen in his life, falls completely for her, and ends up proposing.”
“What?”
“It’s quite an impulsive and reckless decision, but considering my background, it’s not incomprehensible. Many people don’t think I learned noble etiquette at the monastery. Moreover, throughout time and place, there are countless cases of men making hasty decisions when enchanted by beauty…”
No, that wasn’t the issue. Didn’t he just say something incredible about her being the most beautiful? He said it so naturally that for a moment she thought he was talking about someone else.
“What’s wrong, Kisa?”
Seyard tilted his head curiously when Kisa didn’t respond.
“Just now…”
“Just now?”
Kisa opened and closed her mouth before shaking her head.
“It’s nothing. Please forget it.”
She couldn’t bring herself to ask. Just remembering what he had said made her want to hide in a mouse hole.
If Seyard had shown obvious interest like countless men before him, it wouldn’t have been so disconcerting.
But his tone when saying Kisa was the most beautiful person he’d ever seen was utterly matter-of-fact.
Occasionally, there were those who tried to seduce naturally, as if adding water to water. However, in such cases, the persuasive words usually had metaphorical aspects, but his earlier statement was too direct and even obvious. If the speaker had been anyone but Seyard, Kisa would have sneered internally.
“Is that so? Well, shall we continue walking?”
Looking at the back of the man who walked ahead with such composure, she wondered what his intention was in saying such things. Not that watching his back would reveal his true thoughts.
They exchanged a few more words after that, but they were all about the contract marriage, and there was nothing that could be called romantic tension.
“Kisa, shall we first establish some basic principles regarding our contract?”
The principles they agreed upon after discussion were as follows:
First, the two would maintain their marriage for a mutually agreed-upon period.
Second, after that period, if either party desires divorce, they can terminate the relationship.
Third, as long as the marriage continues, both will faithfully perform their roles as spouses.
Fourth, however, these spousal roles do not include sexual activities such as conjugal relations.
They decided to meet separately later to draft a contract and discuss the details together.
How much time had passed? Suddenly checking his pocket watch, Seyard said he should leave.
“If we take too long, your father will send someone.”
“Ah, then let me escort you to the main gate-”
“It’s fine. The wind is quite chilly.”
He insisted that Kisa should go inside first.
“Kisa, don’t worry. Everything will work out.”
Those were Seyard’s final words as he watched her head toward the mansion entrance. She returned to her bedroom thinking how wonderful it would be if things went as he said.
Then she watched through the window as the black carriage carrying her visitor departed. For a long time.
****
It had been three days since Seyard’s secret visit. No particular changes had occurred at the Vansfelt townhouse.
Daniel was still Kisa’s fiancé, and the Count showed no sign of revealing his thoughts to his daughter.
Once during a shared meal, she tried to subtly probe his thoughts, but there was no luck in getting the Count to open his tightly sealed lips.
If there was one positive sign, it was that as Seyard had said, he seemed to be intensely considering something.
Kisa prayed fervently to God that these considerations would conclude in her favor.
However, there was someone interfering with her prayers.
“Miss! How long do you plan to ignore Young Master Daniel’s gift?”
It was her nanny who had been pestering Kisa for the past few days to try on the dress Daniel had sent.
She sighed, “Oh my!”
“What if your measurements have changed and it doesn’t fit? We need to try it on early to decide whether it needs alterations or replacement.”
“It doesn’t matter. I won’t wear it anyway.”
“Again! You’re being so stubborn like a child! I really don’t understand why you’re suddenly acting like this.”
The nanny crossed her arms firmly.
“Well then, I’ll have to tell the Count.”
“What?”
“The Count needs to know that you’ve been acting strange lately.”
“No!”
Kisa hurried after her nanny who was heading out of the room. It would be problematic if she disturbed the Count who had much on his mind about important matters.
Unfortunately, the Count was walking in the corridor right outside Kisa’s bedroom.
“Count! Please listen to me. You see, Young Master Daniel sent a dress, but Miss…”
The Count quietly observed the nanny as she spilled out details before Kisa could stop her. After she finished, he responded flatly.
“Let the child do as she pleases.”
“Yes, let Miss do as she… ”
At that moment, the nanny’s eyes grew as big as saucers.
“W-what did you say?”
