SOWD Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Sigh… I’m really sorry. I don’t even know why I’m acting like this lately.

Hmm… Usually, a person knows best why they’re acting that way. You probably have some idea, too, miss.

At those words, Rinia shut her mouth tightly and just looked down at the floor.

If it had been anyone else, they might have sighed and walked away after Rinia avoided eye contact, but Idel didn’t miss the fact that Rinia’s ears had turned bright red.

Is it a man?

Rinia was surprised by that question and quickly lifted her head.

Ah, no? It’s not that?

She had just admitted it, yet Rinia seemed uneasy.

Idel smiled softly.

Until recently, Rinia had seemed uninterested in romantic matters, so it wasn’t hard to guess who might be the source of her sudden concern about love.

It was the son of Count Talon, right? The second son or the third son?

…How do you know all this, Idel? Can you read my thoughts?

Rinia’s wide eyes and her genuine curiosity made her seem so cute that Idel couldn’t help but chuckle.

What’s his name?

I-Ian Talon. He’s the second son. But I don’t really like him or anything. I just met him that day, and we only danced… Besides, he’s the second son, so my brother probably won’t like him. It would be better for me to marry the first son of a powerful family for the sake of the Chirssus family. Of course, Count Talon’s family is also respectable, but if he’s not the first son…

Even though no one had asked, Rinia kept talking on and on, as if preparing herself for an unrequited love.

Did the Count say that?

No. But, you know, my brother doesn’t really talk to me much.

If the Count is as I’ve seen him, I don’t think he’d decide your marriage for the benefit of the family.

That might have been the case before, but isn’t it different now? You said the Chirssus Count’s status is going to change completely.

Idel smiled at Rinia, who spoke with such admiration but also envy.

Rinia’s older brother was someone who was determined to become a central nobleman in the Emperor’s faction, yet his greater goal was to protect his sister’s happiness, which made Idel feel somewhat envious.

Rinia’s marriage partner? Why should I decide that? Rinia should bring him herself.

You don’t intend to use a political marriage at all?

What’s the point of selling my only family member to gain power?

Even though Idel had asked the question on purpose, Rinia’s straightforward response made her feel a mix of envy and admiration.

The Count knows what truly matters. He believes that your marriage and the family’s revival are separate matters.

Is that so?

Rinia’s cheeks flushed even more.

But then, a hollow laugh mixed with a sigh escaped her lips.

But I’m ridiculous. Ian Talon has no interest in me, so why am I even thinking about marriage?

Idel didn’t have any comforting words to offer at that moment. There was nothing Rinia could do right now.

‘She said they just met that day, so Ian Talon is probably just following his father’s orders. Waiting for someone like that to come forward is uncertain, and approaching him first would be too awkward…’

With a sympathetic smile, Idel squeezed Rinia’s hand.

You don’t need to decide your heart yet. Like I said before, many men will ask you to dance from now on. And they will be doing it willingly, too.

Right! This is just because I was excited after getting asked for a dance for the first time. Once I get more used to socializing, I’ll probably forget about Ian Talon completely.

That could be true.

True to her optimistic nature, Rinia quickly shook off her gloom and playfully nudged Idel’s side.

Do you remember who you danced with for the first time? Not with your dad or brother.

Idel awkwardly smiled at the unexpected question.

In fact, she had never danced with her father or brothers—even at weddings.

‘Why did I look at them so coldly? Even though we weren’t close, they were still my father and brothers…’

She quickly pushed the bitter memory aside and thought about her first dance in the social world. However, that memory wasn’t particularly pleasant either.

I remember. It was when I was fourteen, and I was debuting in the social world… My father told me to dance. The man was the eldest son of a now-declining family.

However, that family was once a rising star, receiving great expectations until their downfall during the “rebellion.”

Rinia, unaware of this, asked with curiosity.

Were you excited? Did you feel like you were falling in love?

No. It’s awkward to talk badly about him now, but he wasn’t as handsome as Ian Talon, and he was twelve years older than me.

Twelve years? Well, twenty-six isn’t that old, but I guess to a fourteen-year-old, he must have seemed like an old man?

Yes, it felt like dancing with an uncle.

Unfortunately, the man didn’t feel the same way.

That man, who had danced with Idel, had later made crude jokes, claiming he was the one who had taken Idel’s “first.”

Having learned all the inappropriate jokes in the social world and being quite mature for her age, Idel was uncomfortable with the jokes, but since the surrounding adults laughed, she had to laugh along.

‘Why don’t I have many happy memories…’

But there was no need to share such trivial stories with Rinia. Rinia wouldn’t experience that, and Idel didn’t want to scare her with bad stories.

The next morning, while sorting letters for Laslo and Rinia on silver trays, Idel’s hands suddenly froze.

Ian Talon?

The sender of the letter addressed to Rinia was “Ian Talon!”

Idel, without realizing it, grabbed the letter and hurriedly headed to Rinia’s room, so fast that the other servants stared in surprise.

Miss!

Idel? What’s going on? Is something wrong with my brother?

Rinia, startled, stood up, and Idel suddenly felt embarrassed, realizing she might have overreacted.

Sorry. I thought this might be the letter you were waiting for… though it might not be anymore.

Idel realized she hadn’t even placed the letter on the tray and handed it to Rinia with both hands.

Rinia, still confused about why Idel had rushed with just one letter, saw the sender’s name on the envelope and widened her eyes.

I-Ian… Talon…? Is that really his name?

Yes, it is. The Talon family crest with a swan symbol is stamped on it.

Rinia, repeatedly checking the envelope from front to back, took a few deep breaths before tearing it open. Her fingers were trembling slightly.

It probably isn’t a big deal. Maybe it’s just a letter of thanks for the dance. Or maybe it’s a letter asking for something in return for asking me to dance.

Rinia, in an effort not to be disappointed, was preparing herself for the worst-case scenario as she pulled out the letter.

I don’t think so.

If not that, why would Ian Talon be sending me a letter… Ah!”

“Miss! What’s wrong?”

Rinia suddenly screamed as she skimmed through the letter quickly, which caused Idel to be startled and rush toward her.

Rinia was shaking the letter in front of Idel in a flurry.

“What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?”

“Calm down, miss! If you think carefully, you can handle any situation…”

“He wants to come over for tea! Not with my brother, but with me!”

Rinia’s hands were trembling much more violently than when she opened the envelope.

Idel took the letter from her and read the main part.

“…It was an honor to meet you that day, and I’m truly grateful that you accepted my awkward dance request. I’ll never forget how you smiled like an angel throughout the dance.

I recently received a gift of Elvenya Mountain tea leaves from a relative who just returned from abroad, and if it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to share some with you.

Could you invite me over at a time that’s convenient for you?”

After that, there was a long explanation assuring that he didn’t want to pressure her, and if the invitation was inappropriate, she could refuse without any misunderstanding.

It was clear that it was a letter written by a man who had gathered all his courage, clearly falling in love for the first time.

“Oh, what should I do?”

Rinia was holding onto Idel’s hand tightly, gazing at her as if she were a divine being.

Idel couldn’t help but smile, feeling excited herself at Rinia’s innocent first love.