“What on earth could be happening?”
Seyard tilted his head at Kisa’s question.
“I wonder.”
“The princess’s demeanor clearly changed from the moment she checked the contents of the invitation. Was there some issue with the invitation? Does Seyard have any guesses?”
After closing his eyes and remaining silent for a moment as if pondering, he shook his head.
“I truly don’t know.”
Nevertheless, Kisa continued speaking out of fear and worry.
“You told me to just throw the invitation and leave, so I thought Seyard might know something.”
“That’s not the case. I merely suggested that there would be no benefit for you to stay there any longer.”
“…I suppose that’s true.”
It was obvious even to a three-year-old child that Princess Arta didn’t harbor good feelings toward Kisa, and Seyard’s advice didn’t contain anything particularly special.
Above all, Kisa knew best that there was nothing unusual in the invitation, having read it several times.
“Then why did the princess suddenly change her attitude? Moreover, she said she’d attend the engagement ceremony.”
Although she had been invited out of courtesy, Kisa never dreamed the princess would actually agree to attend.
At least from what Kisa had observed over the years, the princess had a very proud personality.
‘Would someone like that come to celebrate the engagement of a man she lost?’
The speculation that she might come to ruin the engagement ceremony seemed more plausible.
Of course, considering the relationship between the royal family and the Hillan duchy, she wouldn’t commit any blatant rudeness.
“Why would she? Why…”
“Kisa, I’m sorry, but how about setting aside that worry for now?”
Seyard placed his hand on Kisa’s shoulder and gently turned her around.
“Shouldn’t you prioritize this issue over others right now?”
What came into Kisa’s view was the sight of people busily moving back and forth in a large banquet hall.
For reference, the banquet hall where the two were standing was where various events of the Hillan duchy had been held for generations, and the people were servants of the duchy.
Looking at them skillfully decorating the interior of the banquet hall, Kisa answered Seyard’s question.
“…I suppose you’re right.”
The main reason for Kisa’s visit to the Hillan townhouse today was to prepare for the engagement ceremony.
The engagement ceremony of Kisa and Seyard was now just three days away.
“Well, though I say preparation, everything is already so perfect that there’s nothing for me to do.”
Walking through the banquet hall alongside Seyard, Kisa muttered in a somewhat dispirited tone.
Indeed, the great Hillan family. Even though this wasn’t the main castle in their territory but a townhouse in the capital, it had such a large banquet hall attached to it…
‘Even the servants seem different somehow.’
The interior of the banquet hall, which had been mostly decorated, displayed an extremely classic and elegant appearance, neither excessive nor lacking, just perfectly ideal.
All that remained were the fresh flower decorations, which depended on freshness, and the food to be served to the guests?
Embarrassingly, Kisa had contributed almost nothing to the smooth preparation of the engagement ceremony.
At most, she had diligently answered whenever Seyard asked for her opinions regarding the engagement.
In truth, even if she had wanted to take a more active role, she didn’t possess the necessary skills.
Kisa had never experienced hosting a large-scale banquet.
With the Countess absent, managing the Vansfelt family’s banquets fell to Kisa, but how many grand banquets would the frugal Count hold?
Kisa had only organized a few small-scale events.
Today, too, she had come here at Seyard’s suggestion to finalize the engagement ceremony preparations, but in reality, all Kisa was doing was observing.
Until just a little while ago, Seyard had personally guided her around the garden for her first visit to the Hillan mansion.
‘At a glance, it looked at least five times the size of our home garden, and I couldn’t close my mouth in amazement.’
She suddenly realized how remarkable a family she was about to marry into.
The question of whether she could fulfill the role of mistress of such a family weighed heavily on her shoulders.
Noticing that Kisa had become dejected, Seyard tried to encourage her.
“There’s nothing to be done about it this time. It’s still too early for you to be deeply involved in Hillan’s affairs.”
Indeed, it would be strange for a soon-to-be fiancée to take the lead in organizing things.
“At least until the wedding, leave the work to others and be at ease, Kisa.”
“Hmm, should I?”
Feeling embarrassed that her mood had improved so quickly from his comfort, Kisa laughed softly.
Just then, she noticed a person in a corner of the banquet hall who seemed out of place among the servants.
“Hello?”
The man bowed politely upon seeing the two people walking toward him.
“Good day to you both.”
The person standing in front of the music stand organizing sheet music was Gabriel Williams.
He was the genius violinist who had been the star of the concert held at the Darion mansion.
“Is the practice going well?”
“Yes, all thanks to the Duke.”
Gabriel, questioned by Seyard, expressed his gratitude with a face that seemed to feel a sense of responsibility.
“To give me an opportunity to perform at such an important event, I will not disappoint you.”
Yes, he had been assigned the role of adding beautiful melodies to the couple’s engagement ceremony.
The story goes back to a few days ago.
The day after the quartet concert at the Darion mansion, Seyard had first suggested to Kisa that they hire Gabriel as a guest performer for their engagement ceremony.
Since it wasn’t unusual to include a performance during a banquet, and having been greatly impressed by Gabriel’s playing, she gladly accepted Seyard’s proposal.
Actually, she felt good that he had remembered how captivated she had been by Gabriel’s performance during the concert.
Anyway, that was how Gabriel came to be here today.
Apparently, Gabriel’s side had requested to come to the venue beforehand to rehearse and practice.
‘And also…’
At that moment, Seyard suddenly addressed the performer as if remembering something.
“I’m going to have dinner with my fiancée later. Would you like to join us?”
“Me too? Is that alright?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? I might add that my lady very much enjoys your playing. Almost to the point where I’m jealous.”
“Seyard, really!”
Kisa unconsciously slapped his arm.
Until recently, such behavior would have been unimaginable, but it had become quite commonplace in just a few days.
Since they had thwarted Lady Welf’s persistent questioning with their affectionate act during the quartet concert, Seyard had often played such embarrassing pranks.
Gabriel answered with an awkward expression.
“If you’re inviting me, it would be an honor.”
“Then it’s decided. Come to the dining room this evening. If you’re not sure where it is, just ask any servant.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“By the way, is the food here to your liking?”
“Of course. Everything is excellent.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I hope you’ll be comfortable during your stay at this mansion.”
Oh, and Gabriel was currently staying in a guest room at the Hillan mansion.
I’m not sure of the exact reason, but it seems that when he was unable to continue staying at his original place due to unavoidable circumstances, Seyard had coincidentally proposed the performer role to him.
Fortunately, things worked out well, and Gabriel became a guest of the Hillan family before and after the engagement ceremony.
Gabriel, seemingly wanting to repay Seyard’s kindness, asked in a considerate manner.
“I’m planning to practice the pieces I’ll perform at the engagement ceremony. Would you like to listen?”
Having no particular reason to refuse, Kisa and Seyard sat on nearby chairs and enjoyed Gabriel’s performance.
It was still a beautiful and powerful melody capable of moving one’s soul.
Though there was one small concern.
That evening, the three of them had dinner together as promised.
As Gabriel had said, the food at the Hillan mansion was excellent in every way.
With good food and drink, they were able to hear various stories from Gabriel, who didn’t seem particularly sociable.
“Ah, so Gabriel, you’ll be returning to your studies abroad after our engagement ceremony ends?”
The young musician answered Kisa’s question with a slightly loosened tongue.
“Yes, thankfully Duke Hillan has agreed to help me in a way that I couldn’t repay even if I tried for a lifetime.”
“It’s not to that extent.”
Seyard said with an embarrassed expression, but from what they heard, Gabriel’s description wasn’t that much of an exaggeration.
According to Gabriel, he had studied music in the capital of the neighboring country, Octava, which was famous as the homeland of music, until a few years ago.
Unfortunately, a woman fell in love with him, causing him to be misunderstood and disliked by her lover, an influential nobleman of Octava.
Due to that man’s influence, Gabriel could no longer stay in Octava and had no choice but to return to his homeland.
“If it weren’t for the Duke, I wouldn’t have even dreamed of studying music there again.”
So Seyard, who had done various things to ensure Gabriel could stay in Octava, was nothing short of a benefactor to him.
‘He’s really kind.’
After hearing Gabriel’s circumstances, Kisa looked at Seyard with warm eyes, thinking it was wonderful that he had done so much.
Seyard truly is a good person.
‘Huh?’
But suddenly she realized something strange.
Somehow her heart was beating faster—could it be the alcohol?
