Chapter 8
Khalid’s face contorted as his proposal was promptly rejected, leaving him visibly upset. I shrugged, saying, “I have no idea who gave him the authority to make such remarks.”
“He doesn’t even try to choose his words carefully. Are you suggesting a fight now?”
“Do you remember that I have a gun?”
“Haha, Renata, you’re more formidable than you appear. Threatening the crown prince so openly.” Despite the unpleasant atmosphere, Khalid chuckled.
Indeed, considering the difference in status, I should never engage in such behavior. However, Khalid and I had been companions since childhood, so there was a certain level of familiarity. Khalid knew this well, choosing to laugh it off rather than respond seriously.
I glanced at Khalid, as if teasing him, then abruptly turned away. “You offered to take me. Can’t you at least make yourself heard?”
“I’m not sure how to repay the prince’s kindness. But I’ll manage, so please leave.”
“Mocking me.”
Khalid was no different from a stubborn frog. When we went to meet him, he readily accompanied us, but upon expressing his dislike for the sight, he stubbornly trailed behind me. Throughout the carriage ride, the sound of his footsteps persistently echoed in my ears.
However, I didn’t once turn around, fueled by a sense of pride or something similar.
* * *
“Welcome, miss.”
As soon as I entered the mansion, the housekeeper, Kaya, greeted me. With familiar gestures, she helped me remove the cloak I was wearing.
“Oh, your clothes are dirty. Did something happen?”
“Nothing happened, really.”
“Is that so? Ah, the master and the young master are in the study.”
I nodded in acknowledgment. I had expected Renak to leave for another country as soon as the funeral was over, but surprisingly, he seemed to linger in the mansion for a while.
As I tried to pass Kaya without saying much, her voice stopped me.
“And when you return, they want you to go up right away.”
Having gone to see Khalid, there must be many things my father and Renak are curious about. I glanced briefly at Kaya before turning towards the direction of the study.
Knock, knock.
“I’ve come, Father.”
“Come in.”
As I opened the door with a handle made of gold, the scent of ink and books filled the study. The smoke from the premium cigar my father was smoking at that moment also lingered in the air.
I stepped into the study, closed the door, and stood there. In my line of sight, I could see Father’s large desk cluttered with documents.
I raised my eyes a bit. Father, sitting at the desk, turned his gaze from the window to me.
“Just returned, I see. By the way, both of you seem busy?”
“Always, Father.”
In response to my question, Renak spoke on behalf of my father. I approached Renak, and he playfully greeted me, bumping shoulders with a teasing smile. Then, he looked down, focusing on the wine stains near the edge of my sleeve.
“Renata, you should attend Madame Sinaba’s salon opening tomorrow.”
“Alone?”
“The invitation arrived for you.”
As Renak’s gaze lingered uncomfortably on my sleeve, my father, who had been rummaging through a drawer, extended a violet-colored invitation with silver-mixed ink towards me. Passing by Renak, I stood in front of my father’s desk.
Seeing the invitation with Madame Sinaba’s seal, I felt a bit awkward. Even when I was engaged to the Crown Prince of Ithar, Madame Sinaba had never invited me to her salon, not even once. It wasn’t an ordinary lady’s salon; Madame Sinaba was the widow of the deceased brother of Emperor Icalis II.
She had once been the Crown Princess, but her husband was frail at the time, eventually leaving the world, leaving her with only a daughter. Due to her late husband’s will and the fact that she was a member of the imperial family, Emperor Icalis II granted her a small palace.
Madame Sinaba came from a prominent family, and she didn’t hide her pride as a member of the imperial family. That’s why she was one of the individuals who strongly disliked me. Yet, she was now inviting me to her salon. What could be the underlying reason for such a change?
Was it just my perception that her intentions seemed rather impure? My father appeared somewhat expectant.
“Setting that aside, have you met Prince Khalid?”
“Um, yes.”
“Any progress between you two?”
“Father, I was his brother’s fiancée. It’s not like he can treat me as his fiancée overnight.”
“Hmm.”
Upon hearing my words, Father either had nothing else to say or chose to stay silent, emitting a low cough. I hurriedly added, “But he’s trying. Today, he even offered to escort me back when it was time for me to leave.”
“Oh, really? Well, it’s not exactly what I envisioned, but it’s a valid point.”
Although it stung a bit, I decided to say only pleasant things that would be music to my father’s ears. I didn’t want to hear another lecture.
Father seemed satisfied, nodding slowly. Then, he didn’t bring up any other topics, as if that was the end of what he wanted to say to me.
“I’ll take my leave then. If I’m going to Madame Sinaba’s salon tomorrow, I should get a massage from now on.”
“If you need anything, just let me know.”
After bidding farewell to my father, I was about to leave the study. However, as I passed by the carriage with Renak, he grabbed the edge of my clothing. I hesitated and looked at him.
Whispering in my ear, Renak said, “Wait. I have something to tell you later. Go to your room and wait.”
Today, it seems Renak will be lecturing me instead of Father. I momentarily relaxed the tense expression on my face and nodded. Then, I went back to my room, changed into indoor clothing, and waited for him.
* * *
“What’s on your clothes?”
It took quite a while for Renak to finally come to my room. It seemed like there was a lot to deal with, just like with my father. In Renak’s hands, stained with ink almost as much as my father’s, was a square velvet box in a wine color. I nonchalantly asked, “Is it bad?”
“Doesn’t want to talk about it? Alright, I won’t pry.”
“What’s that in your hand, anyway? What did you buy again?”
“It’s a gift for you. I meant to give it to you, but the timing never seemed right.”
With a small laugh, Renak extended the box to me. Whenever he went on business trips abroad, he would always bring various items and label them as gifts for me.
So, where was it that he visited last time? I untied the cream-colored ribbon on the box. When I opened the lid, inside was a set of vibrant blue gemstone necklace and earrings.
“They say these gems can only be harvested from the deep sea of Astanthe Island. I thought it would be perfect for you when you go to the salon tomorrow.”
“Hmm, it’s pretty.”
“Why does it seem like you’re not that happy about it?”
Well, I’ve received so many gifts from Renak in this manner that it’s not particularly exciting anymore. Being overly thrilled every time is tiresome.
Nevertheless, I did like the jewelry set sparkling under the chandelier’s blue light. It was much better than the strangely shaped giant coral from his last business trip.
“Wow! To obtain such high-quality craftsmanship amidst the war, Young Master, you are truly remarkable! These gems must be worth a fortune, right?”
Due to my lack of reaction, Renak seemed subtly deflated. At that moment, Laura, who had been watching us from the doorway, raised both hands to her cheeks and exclaimed, “Miss Renata, to showcase the sea jewels, it would be best to wear a light-colored dress tomorrow. Oh, I envy you so much. You have the best big brother!”
“Hehe.”
After listening to Laura’s enthusiastic reaction for a while, Renak finally laughed as if his mood had lifted. Looking quite satisfied, he wiped under his nose with his fingers and stood up.
“Well, I have some places to check out. Thank you, sis. I’ll cherish it.”
Closing the velvet box, I said my thanks. As Renak turned to leave, he gracefully approached me and lightly patted my head. After a brief gaze with his playful eyes, he left.
* * *
Exiting the mansion, Renak arrived at the bar with elegant antique-designed partitions. He received greetings from the usher.
He quickly scanned the surroundings with his red eyes. The usher, bowing, spoke, “Your party has arrived first.”
Leading him, she took Renak to the innermost seat at the bar.
“Sorry, am I a bit late?”
“A bit? What kind of ‘a bit’ is that?”
As soon as the usher left after taking Renak’s order, he wearily ran his hand through his hair and sat down in the chair.
