IYWHM Chapter 60

Now that the gift exchange was over, it was time to listen to Gabriel’s violin performance.

Seated in her designated place separate from the guest seats, Kisa gazed absently at her wrist.

‘A bracelet.’

She wondered how much money Seyard had spent on this exquisite diamond bracelet with its dazzling stones.

Knowing his spending habits, Kisa was almost afraid to ask.

From their few dates, she knew Seyard wasn’t particularly someone who enjoyed the act of shopping itself, but he never hesitated to spend money.

Just as he had once said himself, it was as if he was determined to drain the Hillan family fortune.

‘Well, seeing how his secretary Gilliam doesn’t try to stop him, I suppose there’s no real danger of that happening.’

Perhaps the one that should be afraid was the vast Hillan fortune itself.

Kisa glanced sideways at Seyard’s left arm, which rested on the armrest to her right.

The black cufflinks she had prepared as her gift stood out strikingly against the white cloth.

‘They really do suit him well.’

When she had first seen those cufflinks while shopping for his gift, she immediately felt they were made specifically for Seyard.

Although they were top-grade black diamonds, and despite the generous budget that Count Vansfelt had provided quite uncharacteristically, she still had to add her carefully saved pocket money to afford them…

But seeing them now, showcasing their noble appearance just below Seyard’s face as he rested his chin on his hand, they were more than worth their price.

Oh dear, had she been staring too obviously? As he turned his head sideways, their eyes met.

“Kisa.”

Speaking softly, he reached out and took her right arm that had been resting on the armrest.

Looking at her wrist adorned with the bracelet he had given her, Seyard smiled and asked:

“Do you like it?”

Embarrassed at being caught staring at him, Kisa replied somewhat curtly:

“You asked me that before.”

They had checked what gifts each had prepared before the engagement ceremony.

At that time, Seyard had also asked if she liked the bracelet, and Kisa had said yes.

“However, until now, I have never once seen you wearing a bracelet.”

She was a bit surprised. Could he really have remembered such a detail?

“You’re right. Actually…”

After a moment’s hesitation, Kisa admitted honestly:

“I’ve never been comfortable wearing bracelets.”

Necklaces, rings, earrings were all fine, but uniquely with bracelets, she felt confined when wearing them.

To exaggerate a bit, it was like feeling like a prisoner in shackles.

For that reason, Kisa had naturally stopped wearing bracelets altogether.

She never bought them with her own money, and even when receiving them as gifts, she would only wear them a few times in front of the giver before storing them away.

To be honest, when she confirmed that Seyard’s gift was a bracelet, she had been quite troubled.

She hadn’t shown it, not wanting to disappoint him after he had carefully chosen a gift for her.

“I thought as much.”

Seyard silently stroked the bracelet he had given her with his finger.

Worried that he might be truly disappointed, Kisa didn’t even notice that he was still holding her arm.

“Are you disappointed?”

“Disappointed? It’s my fault for giving you something you don’t prefer.”

“Seyard.”

Kisa couldn’t help calling his name.

In fact, since he had asked about the bracelet earlier, there was something that had been puzzling her.

“But why did you give me a bracelet? Didn’t you know? That I don’t wear bracelets.”

At Kisa’s question, a faint smile appeared on Seyard’s face.

“That’s exactly why.”

“What?”

“I gave it to you because you seemed to dislike bracelets.”

What does that mean? Just as Kisa was about to ask, Seyard placed his index finger on his lips.

Shortly after, the sound of violin music flowed through the hall.

Gabriel, having completed his preparations and taken his place on the stage, had begun his performance.

His skill was as excellent as ever, but even after a considerable amount of time since Gabriel’s performance began—a performance she so loved—Kisa couldn’t fully concentrate on it.

Seyard’s last words kept bothering her.

About an hour later, the scheduled performance ended.

People responded with even more thunderous applause than they had given when Kisa and Seyard exchanged gifts.

Waves of emotion flowed across many faces.

Some said it was the best performance they had ever heard from Gabriel.

“That was quite good.”

Even Seyard, who hadn’t offered any particular evaluation during the quartet performance and rehearsal, claiming to know little about music, gave such praise.

…While someone had barely managed to properly hear the performance only toward the end because of him.

Could he possibly imagine that this performance was Gabriel’s farewell, given while sorting out his feelings for him?

“Kisa?”

Puzzled by her lack of response, he tilted his head.

“Is something wrong?”

Is he really asking because he doesn’t know? Feeling a twinge of resentment, Kisa asked sullenly:

“What you said earlier… what did you mean?”

Thanks to Gabriel’s exceptional performance, the guests were busy sharing their impressions with each other, and the conversation between the two was lost in the commotion.

“What did I say?”

“You said you gave me the bracelet because I dislike them.”

Seyard wouldn’t know how many thoughts had bloomed and withered in Kisa’s mind while Gabriel played his violin continuously without an intermission.

Deliberately giving something she disliked as a gift—it couldn’t possibly be interpreted in a positive way.

Had he grown to dislike her? If so, why?

Was it because she only received help without being able to help in return? Was he tired of her frustrating personality? Or had she unknowingly made some mistake?

If there was a reason, she wanted to know it. If it could be fixed, she wanted to fix it.

If possible, she didn’t want to earn his dislike.

“Ah, you mean that.”

Whether aware of her anxious feelings or not, Seyard began to speak in a relaxed manner.

“Don’t worry about it. There wasn’t any profound meaning behind it.”

“…I still want to know.”

Muttering that it was really nothing, he asked in a lowered voice:

“Then shall we exchange? Like the gifts.”

“Exchange what?”

“I’ll tell you what you’re curious about, and you’ll tell me what I’m curious about.”

“Is there something you’re curious about regarding me?”

“Of course.”

After his brief answer, Seyard glanced at the person still on the stage.

“For instance, that personal concern Gabriel Williams shared with you?”

“What?”

“I’m quite curious.”

He met Kisa’s eyes again.

“Will you tell me, Kisa?”

No emotion could be read in his reddish-brown eyes.

After a long silence, Kisa suddenly answered with a constricted voice:

“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you that. It’s Gabriel’s private life.”

“You’re quite loyal.”

“It’s not about loyalty. I simply don’t want to be someone who carelessly gossips about others.”

Otherwise, she would be no different from Melissa, who had disappointed Kisa so much.

However, apart from that, she was still sorry that she couldn’t hear what was on Seyard’s mind.

But then, Seyard spoke in an ordinary tone, showing neither disappointment nor anger.

“I’ll tell you anyway.”

Kisa looked at him with surprised, round eyes.

“You’ll tell me?”

“Yes, I said it’s really nothing. That can be the answer.”

He grasped Kisa’s wrist with the bracelet.

“Even if you disliked it, I thought you would continue to wear the bracelet like this.”

“…What does that mean?”

“It means exactly what it sounds like. Kisa is a kind and loyal person. I could predict that if it were an engagement gift, you would faithfully wear it even if it was a bracelet you disliked.”

“Is that a reason?”

“Such a bracelet is unique, isn’t it? No one else has given you one, and likely no one else will in the future—a one-of-a-kind, special gift.”

After saying this, Seyard showed an awkward expression.

“Well, that doesn’t mean I want you to wear that bracelet all the time. No matter how shameless I might be, I couldn’t ask for that. I would just be happy if you occasionally let it adorn your wrist.”

Kisa looked at him with a dazed feeling.

He was the Seyard she had always known.

Standing up, the man said with a familiar smile:

“It’s time for the delightful reception.”

****

Right after the reception began, Kisa returned to her room to change into her third dress.

Since the early part of the reception was just a time for guests to dine freely with each other, she could change more leisurely than before.

The dress she was about to wear was apricot-colored, contrasting with the modest atmosphere of the first dress and the elegant atmosphere of the second, giving off a lively feel.

Lily, who helped her dress, complimented her again, saying it suited her perfectly.

“Thank you. Let’s go back.”

On her way back to the banquet hall with Lily, Kisa organized her thoughts.

To be honest, she didn’t fully understand Seyard’s explanation.

If it were Kisa, even if she wanted to give a special gift, she wouldn’t have thought to give something the recipient wouldn’t appreciate.

‘But well, I guess that’s possible too.’

How could everyone’s values be the same?

As long as he wasn’t lying, what mattered was that he still held goodwill toward Kisa.

Seyard remained as kind and affectionate as ever.