Hazel’s eyes widened momentarily at the name of Daniel’s ex-fiancée that came from his mouth.
Whether he noticed Hazel’s reaction or not, Daniel, who had been smiling slyly, suddenly furrowed his brow. He glared at the letter in his hand.
“……Richard Atson? Who is this guy?”
After narrowing his eyes for a few seconds as if searching his memory, he let out an “Ah.”
“I wondered who it was, but it’s Count Vansfelt’s secretary.”
“What kind of letter is it that makes you react like that?”
In response to Hazel’s question that she couldn’t hold back, Daniel first dismissed the servant and then plopped down on the sofa he had been occupying until a moment ago.
“It seems the haughty and dull Miss Vansfelt has finally realized her situation.”
He summarized the contents of the letter from Countess Habertz.
“It’s not even funny. How dare she look for me now when she had no problem humiliating me before without knowing her place.”
Though he said this, a smile of assured victory played on Daniel’s lips.
“If she had just rushed to me directly, sincerely apologized, and begged me to take her back, I would have generously given her a chance……”
He tossed his aunt’s letter, which had come to him via the Marquis Lowens family, onto the low table.
“Being a lady raised in comfort all her life, I suppose her pride won’t allow that. Does she think I’ll reach out first, blinded by jealousy, if she shows up at the banquet with another man?”
Though he didn’t particularly expect an answer, Hazel chose her words carefully.
“Well, I don’t know what kind of person that lady is.”
“She seems to be using her brain these days, but she’s quite predictable. She doesn’t know how to go against her father’s wishes. Queen of Chamal, really? She doesn’t even realize she’s dancing to her father’s tune while jumping into a fire pit of her own accord.”
“……So what are you going to do now?”
“I should take her back, if only for old times’ sake. But I won’t forgive her easily.”
“Then what do you plan to do?”
“That’s something I need to think about from now on.”
With those words, Daniel picked up his outer coat that was messily strewn near the sofa.
“Hazel, I’m sorry for imposing on you without notice.”
“It’s fine. Between us. Are you thinking of going home now?”
“I dislike the old man’s nagging, but what can I do? Kisa is bringing another man as her partner out of pride, so I have no choice but to find a woman to accompany me to the banquet. Partner accompaniment is such a hassle.”
Hazel responded a beat late to his grumbling about the inconvenience.
“Yes, it is.”
“By the way, have there been any suspicious characters lurking around your house like last time?”
“Not recently. Thanks to your various interventions. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. Since you were troubled because of me in the first place, that much is only natural.”
After standing in place for a moment and exchanging affectionate glances with Hazel, Daniel headed for the doorway.
“Let’s resume our gatherings soon. Well then, I’ll be off.”
“Um, Daniel.”
“What is it?”
Looking at Daniel who had turned around, Hazel moved her lips. Then, instead of what she had originally intended to say, she said something else.
“It’s nothing. Just take care on your way.”
“Yes, I’ll be going then.”
After Daniel opened the door and left, only Hazel remained alone in the quiet tea shop.
“…….”
She stared blankly at the sofa that her dear friend had occupied before suddenly coming to her senses.
“What am I doing? I should hurry and prepare.”
It was almost time to open the shop.
****
Inside the swaying carriage.
“Um, are you really alright?”
“I’m fine, I tell you. How many times do I have to say it?”
Kisa gave the same answer to Richard’s question from the opposite seat. Nevertheless, his complexion still didn’t look good, as if he was still anxious.
“I’m sorry. I’ve rarely attended such a grand banquet as a guest, only as Count’s attendant, so I can’t calm myself down.”
It was already the day of Countess Habertz’s charity banquet, so the two were currently riding in the Vansfelt carriage heading to the Habertz townhouse, where the banquet was being held.
“There’s no need to be afraid, Richard. I’ve been to this banquet a few times, and it’s relatively relaxed – only those who want to dance do so.”
“I-I see.”
“If you’re that nervous, just stay by my side. If someone approaches us, I’ll respond appropriately. Would that be alright?”
“……No, that’s the main problem.”
“Why?”
He clutched his stomach as if he had abdominal pain.
“For an ordinary fellow like me to be the partner of someone as beautiful and noble as you, Miss – everyone who sees us will surely gossip. Just imagining it makes me uneasy.”
“Come now, you flatter me.”
Though she said this, Kisa actually understood Richard’s feelings to some extent. She had overdone her preparation.
She glanced down at the dress newly purchased for today. The lavender dress, made full and voluminous with several layers of chiffon, was probably the most expensive among her dresses.
An expensive dress from a renowned atelier using high-end materials. Additionally, due to the time constraints, she had paid extra for custom tailoring.
Count Vansfelt had spared no expense, probably thinking his daughter would soon be married off anyway.
The makeup was excessive as well. The most skilled maid in the Vansfelt mansion had been attending to Kisa almost all day.
Looking at the finished appearance, even she had to admit she looked prettier than usual. Perhaps it was because her skin had become glossy after being confined at home for several days following the broken engagement, causing the makeup to set well. Kisa’s face truly sparkled with vitality.
However, that splendor seemed to be poison to the somewhat timid Richard. Despite being a fairly handsome young man who had dressed up nicely for today, standing next to the elaborately dressed Kisa made him look more like an attendant than a partner.
He had been working as the Count’s secretary since he had just come of age, making him and Kisa acquaintances of nearly ten years, but this was the first time seeing her like this.
“Take it easy. Nothing will happen.”
At Kisa’s consolation, Richard nodded weakly.
“Indeed, the role Count expected of me is simply to fill the seat beside you.”
That wasn’t wrong. To be frank, even if the two entered the banquet hall together like this, no one would think of Richard as Kisa’s new match.
Among those who knew the Count, quite a few knew that Richard was his secretary, and even if they didn’t, they could tell at a glance that he wouldn’t be the kind of son-in-law that would please the Count.
There was no way that Count Vansfelt would give his carefully raised daughter to a man from a family whose name wasn’t well-known.
Most likely, everyone would think that Kisa had brought along a suitable companion to comply with the banquet’s rules. In fact, Kisa herself had never seen Richard in that light, except perhaps as a brotherly figure like a cousin.
“Alright. I’ll just focus on my duty.”
Richard, who knew this fact well, finally calmed his anxiety and spoke in a composed voice.
At any rate, it was fortunate that he seemed to have calmed down. While Kisa was feeling relieved, the carriage reached its destination.
“Here, Miss.”
“Thank you.”
Richard, who had alighted first, extended his hand, and Kisa got off the carriage with his escort.
Looking around, despite there still being quite some time before the banquet began, several carriages had already arrived. Kisa joined the procession of guests heading to the banquet hall with Richard.
“Hey, look over there.”
“What is it?”
“Isn’t that Lady Vansfelt?”
“What? The one who recently broke off her engagement?”
Though she wanted to enter quietly, Kisa’s presence drew attention even before entering the banquet hall.
“Didn’t they say she had suspended her social activities?”
“I guess she decided to resume them.”
People immediately began to gossip while glancing at Kisa. They scrutinized her and Richard beside her with eyes tinted with interest.
“Who is that man?”
“Could it be Daniel Lowens?”
“No, it’s someone else.”
Upon learning that Kisa’s partner wasn’t Daniel, their gazes took on an even more intrigued light.
Yes, this would be interesting. A topic of conversation who had been in seclusion for a while brings a new man to a banquet where her former fiancé would surely attend. It was no different from a third-rate romance novel.
Kisa had intended to ignore whatever people said about her, but some comments crossed the line.
“Even so, that’s too much.”
“Right, it’s disrespectful to Young Master Lowens.”
“And how soon after breaking off the engagement to bring a new man already……”
Why should she have to hear such things when that bastard Daniel had been attending various banquets and flirting with all sorts of women since the day after their broken engagement?
With rising indignation, her mouth moved before her head.
“Gentlemen over there.”
The group that had been criticizing her until a moment ago turned to look at her.
“Do you have something you wish to say to me?”
When she asked while looking them straight in the eyes, they awkwardly said it was nothing and averted their gaze. Some even blushed.
‘All talk behind my back but can’t say anything to my face.’
As she reached the entrance of the banquet hall, Countess Habertz, who had been outside with her husband greeting guests, spotted Kisa.
“Miss Kisa?”
She rushed over with short steps and brightened.
“Oh my, how beautiful. It’s been so long!”
“How have you been?”
She was acquainted with Countess Habertz, Daniel’s aunt. But they weren’t close enough to receive such a warm welcome.
“I’m fine, of course. Kisa has come all this way with our Daniela, after all.”
Before Kisa could respond to that absurd remark, he appeared.
“Welcome, Kisa.”
Daniel, standing behind the Countess, smiled intensely at Kisa.
“Did you dress up like this to see me?”
