‘Surely not. It can’t be.’
I shouldn’t jump to conclusions based only on looks or expressions.
Kisa deliberately denied the possibility that had appeared in her mind and cautiously approached Gabriel to speak.
“Um, good morning.”
“Ah!”
Though she had merely greeted him, he jumped as if he’d seen a ghost.
“Oh, Lady Vansfelt.”
Having calmed down shortly after, he scratched his head with flushed cheeks.
“I apologize for overreacting.”
“No, I’m sorry for startling you.”
“It was because I was lost in thought, that’s all.”
“…If you don’t mind me asking, what were you thinking about?”
Perhaps her question was too direct, as Gabriel avoided her gaze and gave an evasive answer.
“Nothing significant. Just concerns about my performance, I suppose.”
Kisa looked at his profile for a moment before speaking again.
“Speaking of performances, may I ask you something I’ve been curious about?”
“Yes, if it’s something I can answer, gladly.”
Perhaps due to his great debt to Seyard, Gabriel was relatively favorable toward Kisa as well.
“Are you perhaps troubled by matters of the heart?”
“What? Why would you…”
“It’s an extremely personal matter, so you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. But during your last concert, and yesterday as well, whenever I listen to Gabriel’s performance, I can’t help but think that.”
Kisa tried to find the right expression.
“How should I put it, your performance sounds sorrowful. Both times, the pieces weren’t particularly about the sorrow of love, but as I listened, I couldn’t help but envision the feelings of someone suffering from unrequited love.”
Although she said this to draw information from him, it wasn’t exactly a lie.
What had been just a vague feeling at the concert became much more intense when she heard his rehearsal at yesterday’s reception.
She never thought she’d be asking the question she’d been wanting to ask someday like this.
“…”
Gabriel silently looked down at the floor.
The already melancholic man now looked so dejected that Kisa’s conscience pricked her.
“I’m sorry.”
Just as she was about to apologize for asking something inappropriate, his previously tight-lipped mouth opened.
“To think I played such a pathetic piece for a joyous engagement ceremony.”
“Pathetic? It was wonderful!”
Though the mood was a bit sad, there was no doubt it was an excellent performance.
“Still, it’s not appropriate for an engagement ceremony, is it?”
After saying something she couldn’t deny, he stared blankly at the cloudy sky for a moment.
“Actually, the Lady is right.”
Kisa drew in a breath at his sudden confession. He was honestly revealing his inner feelings.
“There is someone I hold dear in my heart. But this is a love that can never be fulfilled.”
His voice was immersed in calm sorrow.
“That person is in a place I dare not reach, nor can I even look up to. A place so high.”
Kisa immediately voiced the question that came to her mind.
“Is this person a noble?”
“…”
“If so, perhaps you shouldn’t be too pessimistic? Sometimes there are cases of marriage across social classes, though extremely rare.”
But the man shook his head weakly.
“It’s not simply that kind of issue. I can only tell you that they are truly someone I dare not aspire to. I’m sorry. If these feelings became known, it would only be a burden to them…”
“Haha, it’s alright. These things happen.”
Not simply that kind of issue—did that mean there were barriers to his love beyond social status?
Such as gender, perhaps…?
‘No.’
That was too hasty a judgment. Was Seyard the only high-ranking noble in this world worthy of causing Gabriel such burden?
Sorry as she was to Gabriel, Kisa wanted concrete evidence that the person in Gabriel’s heart was not Seyard.
Otherwise, the engagement ceremony would become very uncomfortable.
Having to get engaged while listening to music performed by a man who was secretly in love with her fiancé.
Even if Kisa could somehow bear it, it would be nothing short of torture for Gabriel.
Who in the world would want to perform a congratulatory piece at the engagement ceremony of the person they secretly loved?
‘If that’s really the case, I should cancel the performance even now.’
It was highly likely that Seyard had recruited Gabriel because of Kisa.
He knew very well that Kisa was quite fond of Gabriel’s performances.
And unfortunately, for a performer whose study abroad plans had been thwarted, it would have been difficult to reject Duke Hillan’s offer, regardless of his feelings.
Even if Seyard didn’t offer direct help, performing a solo at Duke Hillan’s engagement ceremony, which many influential people would attend, was an excellent opportunity to gain fame and connections.
In other words, it meant that Kisa might be one of the reasons pushing this poor Gabriel into pain.
With unexpected guilt, Kisa’s heart grew indescribably anxious.
“Um, by the way.”
To the point of blurting out such a sudden question.
“What do you think of Seyard?”
How could this be? Kisa was most startled by her own question.
She had intended to probe his feelings much more indirectly, but her mouth moved of its own accord.
“Pardon? Duke Hillan?”
Gabriel also looked visibly perplexed.
“No, I just… wanted to get another man’s opinion.”
Kisa tried to salvage her mistake, albeit belatedly.
“With the engagement ceremony being the day after tomorrow, I find myself having all sorts of thoughts. Whether I can really manage well, that sort of thing…”
“Ah, I see.”
Thanks to her desperate floundering, Gabriel seemed to accept Kisa’s explanation.
“I understand. It’s natural to feel unsettled at such a time.”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“But please don’t worry too much. From my perspective, the Duke is a very good person. Kind, generous, manly, and exceptionally capable. He deserves to be loved by many. Whereas I…”
Somehow, his voice, which had been praising Seyard, gradually began to droop.
“Compared to him, I am so insignificant that I dare not…”
“Um, Gabriel?”
At that moment, Kisa froze.
She had witnessed moisture forming in Gabriel’s eyes, glistening in the sunlight.
Having quickly wiped it away with his sleeve, he turned his head sharply to avoid Kisa’s gaze.
“I’m sorry, Lady. I just remembered something urgent, so I must go now. I hope you enjoy your walk.”
“Wait a moment—”
“I’ll see you again later.”
The man hurried away without giving Kisa a chance to speak.
Urgent business? Anyone could see that he was fleeing because he didn’t want to talk anymore.
Kisa remained there for a while, staring in the direction Gabriel had disappeared.
She didn’t know what to do about this. It seemed Gabriel really did have feelings for Seyard.
…Until about an hour ago, she had felt excited whenever she thought about the engagement ceremony, but now her heart felt heavy.
****
“What? Gabriel Williams?”
Seyard’s eyes widened at Kisa’s question.
It was already evening. Seyard, who had returned from the palace late in the afternoon, invited Kisa to dinner just like yesterday, and Kisa accepted his invitation without much thought, also like yesterday.
The only difference from yesterday was that today, only the two of them were seated at the table.
“Why do you suddenly ask about him?”
Kisa had tried to bring up Gabriel’s name as naturally as possible after observing him during the meal, but it seemed awkward to Seyard.
“…No, just curious.”
“My thoughts about him?”
“Yes, something like that. Anyway, what do you think of Gabriel?”
Kisa added a flimsy excuse.
“Seeing as you’re helping him study abroad, I was curious if you liked him quite a bit.”
“Well. I think he’s a talented fellow.”
Despite the sudden question, he answered with a serious attitude.
“And objectively speaking, it’s certainly a shame that his talent hasn’t blossomed due to petty jealousy.”
But, Seyard continued.
“I don’t have any special feelings that could be called fondness for Gabriel Williams.”
“…I see.”
Thinking it was a colder response than expected, Kisa took small bites of her food.
“Kisa.”
Suddenly, he whispered in a subtle voice.
“At the concert and elsewhere, you seem quite concerned about that man.”
A crooked smile appeared on his lips.
“I’m feeling somewhat threatened. I might even get jealous.”
“…”
“Kisa?”
When there was no response from Kisa, Seyard erased the playful expression he had been wearing and looked at her with worried eyes.
“Did something happen?”
He seemed surprised that Kisa, who would normally react with alarm or slap his hand at such teasing, was silent.
After a moment of silence, she called his name.
“Seyard.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think that aspect of you is good.”
“Which aspect do you mean?”
“The way you captivate people at any time, without warning.”
“Me?”
“And if we’re deciding who should feel threatened, I think it should be me.”
Seyard just blinked, as if he didn’t understand.
It was quite a fresh look for someone who usually seemed to see through everything.
With a sigh, Kisa exhaled deeply.
“You know, about the performance Gabriel was supposed to do. It’s too late to cancel it now, isn’t it?”
“That would be difficult indeed. We’ve already sent invitations to guests mentioning his performance.”
Kisa’s sigh only grew deeper.
