Kisa was so stunned by Seyard’s impulsive behavior that she couldn’t speak for a while.
The other party seemed equally surprised; Lady Welf who had asked the question, as well as Lady Clifford were both plunged into embarrassment.
Even the other guests who had been watching the situation with interest when Duke Hillan appeared were now wide-eyed with undisguised surprise.
For someone of Duke Hillan’s stature to behave so foolishly in public, especially in response to a sensitive question about the princess.
Even though they had read in the newspapers about him being deeply in love, seeing it firsthand was quite different, and understandably shocking.
Only Seyard Hillan, who had thrown them all into astonishment, didn’t even raise an eyebrow as he twirled Kisa’s hair between his fingers.
“You look lovely today too, Kisa.”
Even going so far as to say such outrageous things.
When he brought her hair to his lips once again, Kisa momentarily felt her face flush with heat and almost pushed Seyard away.
For someone who had grown up in a conservative environment and who hadn’t even properly heard the words “I love you” from Daniel, her fiancé of ten years, this was too much stimulation.
However, just before shouting “Stop that!” aloud, rational thought returned.
‘Wait.’
To the outside world, Kisa and Seyard were passionately dating lovers.
If Kisa were to forcefully push him away for showing affection, how would it look to others?
The problem wasn’t simply that their image would be compromised.
In fact, the malicious rumor that Seyard had forcibly taken Kisa against her will might be perceived as truth.
That absolutely could not happen. She couldn’t harm him when she hadn’t been much help to begin with.
Firmly resolved, Kisa desperately tried to calm her racing heart.
‘Right, it’s nothing. Seyard’s declarations of love are just an act anyway.’
He was merely playing the role of an affectionate lover in front of people.
And that was the correct answer. Lady Welf’s bold question mentioning the princess was a topic that would inevitably lead to gossip no matter how sensibly Seyard might respond.
If that was the case, it seemed wise to avoid the question entirely by pretending to be too blinded by love to understand.
Considering all this, Kisa’s required reaction was clear.
“Oh, Seyard, really…”
Having barely managed to force the words out of her throat, Kisa awkwardly leaned her body against the man standing closely beside her.
“I get embarrassed in front of others…”
She truly was embarrassed to the point that her face felt like it would explode, but thinking that this was to clear Seyard of false accusations made it somehow bearable.
“Please save such words for when we’re alone. Okay?”
Kisa could only hope that they wouldn’t notice how abnormally her facial muscles were twitching.
“……”
Then came silence. Strangely, not only the others but even Seyard showed no reaction to Kisa’s words.
‘Could it be?’
A terrifying question flashed through her mind.
Was her acting so terrible that even Seyard was left speechless?
As Kisa anxiously tried to check the expression of the person beside her, he finally spoke.
“I was thoughtless, my love. You’re right. Let’s save such things for when we’re alone.”
Having said this, the man turned his gaze back to Lady Welf and Lady Clifford, so Kisa couldn’t see his face.
“I believe that’s a sufficient answer to your question, and we’ll be taking our leave now.”
Before the dumbfounded Lady Welf could respond, Seyard walked quickly toward the direction of the concert hall.
Since his arm was still around her waist, Kisa had to move her feet rapidly to keep pace with him.
Looking back, she saw the two women looking at each other with startled eyes, as if they had just regained their senses.
But what could she do? They had already missed their best opportunity to confront Kisa.
As they headed toward the concert hall, Kisa suddenly noticed something strange.
“Um, Seyard. We’re going the wrong way.”
Having visited this place just a few months ago to attend a recital featuring the Duchess of Darion herself, she knew well where the concert hall was.
“I know.”
But rather than turning back, Seyard stopped at a dead end where no one else was around and turned to Kisa.
“Kisa, did anything happen?”
“Happen?”
“Did those people try to harm you in any way?”
At his worried tone, Kisa hurriedly waved her hands.
“They were confrontational, but they didn’t harm me.”
“Did they say anything harsh to you?”
“Well… harsh might be the word. They said things that I found quite unfair.”
“What did they say?”
Kisa was about to tell him about her conversation with the two women but closed her mouth.
From the incident of her being left out of visiting the princess, to the absurd accusation that she had fallen out with Melissa because of Seyard—there was too much to say.
“I’ll tell you on our way back. If we talk here, we’ll be late for the concert. Let’s head to the concert hall first.”
Seyard looked like he wanted to know immediately, but he agreed with Kisa’s suggestion.
“Alright. Let’s go back.”
“Ah, wait a moment.”
Actually, Kisa had something she wanted to ask too.
It might not be appropriate to bring it up right after suggesting they leave, but this topic would only become more difficult to broach as time passed. Because it was embarrassing.
“Seyard, you know…”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Just now, was my acting that strange?”
“Acting?”
“You know, when I said I was embarrassed…”
As shame rose up again, causing Kisa to bow her head deeply, he made an “ah” sound.
“No, not particularly.”
At those words, Kisa looked up immediately.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Then why were you so quiet at that time?”
“That’s…”
He absently scratched his cheek.
“I was momentarily taken aback because I didn’t expect Kisa to play along with me.”
I see. That was somewhat reassuring, and Kisa let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, it seemed she hadn’t made a fool of herself in front of everyone.
But in the next moment, unexpected words came from Seyard’s lips.
“And I was hoping that perhaps it wasn’t acting.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind.”
Without giving Kisa a chance to inquire further, he took her hand and led her back the way they had come.
“Now, the concert will be starting soon. Let’s hurry.”
His face wore its usual sociable smile, making it difficult to read any particular emotion.
His demeanor was so ordinary that Kisa wondered if she had misheard.
****
After entering the concert hall, the two exchanged brief greetings with the Duke and Duchess of Darion before taking their seats. They had barely avoided being late.
Having been unsettled by the encounter with the two women at the entrance, and further troubled by Seyard’s problematic remark just now, Kisa found it difficult to concentrate on the performance.
However, before long, the beautiful melody of the string quartet began to gradually envelop Kisa’s consciousness.
Unlike the previous solo recital, which was closer to the Duchess of Darion’s personal hobby, this concert featured invited active musicians.
The Duke and Duchess of Darion often arranged such events to introduce young talents to the world.
Kisa became completely absorbed in the music.
While all four performers were excellent, there was one in particular who captured attention.
The first violinist, a man named Gabriel Williams.
Though her own skills were limited, Kisa occasionally played the violin, so she could tell how dynamic and technically brilliant his performance was.
She wasn’t the only one who felt this way; before the concert began, Gabriel’s name was one of the most frequently mentioned among the guests.
After the final movement ended, listening more closely to people’s conversations, she learned that he was apparently a popular figure who had recently gained fame and was being invited to perform everywhere.
But the secret of his popularity wasn’t just his outstanding musical talent.
“He’s as handsome as I heard.”
“Indeed. His appearance is as delicate as his playing.”
Gabriel’s beauty was eye-catching enough to make some people more interested in his looks than his performance.
With his large eyes and fine features, he gave off a boyish impression despite being an adult, they said.
Strictly speaking, Kisa preferred a more masculine appearance, so she wasn’t particularly interested in Gabriel’s looks, but from what others were saying, he seemed to be undeniably handsome.
So much so that even Seyard teased Kisa during the concert for staring too obviously at Gabriel.
Though she knew it was just his joke, Kisa earnestly explained that she was merely impressed by the performance.
For some reason, she didn’t want Seyard to harbor any such misunderstanding.
In any case, the evening was pleasant in many ways.
At least, it was until she returned home and found a letter addressed to her.
[My dear Kisa,
I wish to see your face, which I haven’t seen for a long time.]
Instead of replying to her greeting letter, Princess Arta had invited Kisa to a new tea party.
Here it comes. That was the first thought that crossed Kisa’s mind as she unfolded the invitation.
She recalled what Seyard had said in the carriage on their way back.
[I think the princess will definitely call for you at least once before the engagement ceremony.]
Just as he had predicted, the date written on the invitation was one week before their engagement ceremony.
