Episode 17
Lady Iris was also Jeria’s aunt by marriage. When she first became Jeria’s aunt, Jeria had been so proud of it. She wielded significant influence in society, especially among married women.
“If the eldest sister, remains secluded in the house, it can have a negative influence on Jeria as well. Please consider Jeria’s feelings, which are both anxious and compassionate.”
Lady Iris subtly mentioned my shadow while making her plea.
“And someone as splendid as Lord Vincent , isn’t he an outstanding match? Acting this aggressively toward him, how can anyone else approach Lady first?”
Her voice sounded almost like she was instructing.
A glance that was saying, ‘Do you really need to scrutinize the matter from these four perspectives?’
People who sympathized with her strange words began to emerge.
“That’s right, it was just an attempt to help, there was no ill intent. We’re all one big family living in the same mansion, did Young lady Sierra really need to be humiliated in front of others?”
“Exactly, where else can you find a partner like Lord Vincent? I don’t understand…”
“Young lady Jeria is still young, I think she didn’t quite understand…”
“Pfft.”
I let out a small chuckle, and everyone’s attention focused on me.
Lady Iris narrowed her eyes slightly.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Jeria recently graduated from the academy with distinction. She’s not a clueless five-year-old child.”
I deliberately stated the obvious, speaking in a measured tone.
“And if someone as splendid as Lord Vincent is indeed interested, it’s more than I deserve, so I’d rather yield to Jeria.”
“…”
In response to my words, Lady Iris subtly narrowed her gaze.
I didn’t avoid those sharp eyes and spoke with a sly smile.
“Jeria seems to be full of embarrassment, probably just an excuse to approach Lord Vincent …”
As I skillfully changed the direction of the conversation, Vincent reflexively turned to look at Jeria.
“Is that true?”
His overly hopeful expression seemed particularly pathetic, considering his shared lineage with Ludwig.
Despite being born into such a prestigious family, everyone in high society knew about Vincent ‘s scandalous lifestyle. This was one reason he still didn’t have a fiancee. While he might become the official heir to the Kardashian family, he wasn’t yet a man willing to propose on his own.
‘Trying to hand over a ticking bomb from society to someone else.’
Furthermore, he had a strong tendency to become obsessed, to the point of getting bored with anyone he became interested in.
‘He’s determined to stick to his prey, but that’s not how it works.’
“Then why did you reject me when I wanted to date you last time… Ah! I guess I didn’t know Young lady’’s feelings back then. Honestly, you werejust embarrassed!”
When Vincent spoke with a sarcastic face, Jeria’s face turned red with embarrassment.
“Oh my, so did you like Lady Jeria then, Lord Vincent?”
“You asked me out, why didn’t I know about it until now?”
Well, probably because Jeria wanted to keep it a secret.
To ensure her own reputation didn’t tarnish.
“That’s right. To be honest, if I confess, it was just to provoke your jealousy, Jeria, to make you interested in Lady Sierra!”
It was a strike of remorse.
Vincent quickly changed his stance, probably thinking that it would never work with me anyway. It seemed like he was being pressured by his family, as he might soon become a confirmed bachelor.
There was even a hint of desperation in him now.
People’s voices grew louder as they responded to Vincent ‘s words.
Now, I probably wouldn’t even be visible to them.
They were all just watching this intriguing confession scene.
With all the attention focused on them, Jeria didn’t know what to do and blushed before eventually running away in embarrassment.
“Where are you going, Jeria!”
Vincent quickly followed, and as the two protagonists left, the now chaotic and cramped drawing-room turned into a scene of confusion.
Rumors of an unprecedented affair between a man and a woman in high society began to spread like wildfire.
Observing this, Lady Iris, the dowager of the household, froze in place.
She seemed to have lost a way to intervene in the atmosphere that had changed so suddenly.
I had heard that Jeria had been bustling around in all directions recently, trying to find out about Sierra’s whereabouts. Half of it must have been in vain.
If I let this pass easily, the same thing would happen again.
I knew Jeria better than anyone else.
Thinking that I had finally completely distanced myself from Jeria, a memory from the past suddenly came to mind.
When I was twelve, a necklace that I had cherished more than anything else since childhood went missing.
It was the only heirloom left to me by my mother.
Jeria, who had always secretly coveted it, eventually took the necklace from my room to play with, but ended up losing it somewhere.
For the first time in my life, I became furious.
The mansion, which had never seen such a commotion, eventually reached my grandfather’s ears.
Grandfather told Jeria to come and properly apologize to me, and she was led to my room by her aunt.
‘Sorry.’
Jeria, embraced by her aunt, muttered with a guilty face.
‘Is it over now? It was just a trifle, really.’
‘You’re lucky you have a mother who can hug you. That necklace was my only keepsake.’
‘I know. That’s why I said I’m sorry.’
‘She’s already apologized, Sierra. Stop it now, you’re her sister.’
A superficial apology.
That wasn’t going to be the end of it.
When I was a child, I didn’t have the means or strength to deal with situations like this.
‘But now, it’s different.’
I had changed too much to just stand there and take it.
Seizing the opportunity while people were still in confusion, I approached Ludwig and took his hand.
“First, let’s get out of here.”
I whispered, and he obediently followed my lead, allowing me to guide him.
We exited the drawing-room, avoiding the curious gazes of the people.
Even so, there wasn’t a place inside the mansion with a small number of people.
“There are people everywhere.”
“If you’re looking for a place without people, I can guide you.”
Ludwig took the lead, and we arrived at a small garden behind the castle.
Whether it was someone’s private garden or not, it didn’t seem to be frequented by anyone as Ludwig had mentioned.
I finally felt like I could catch my breath.
“Are you okay?”
Ludwig glanced at me as I let out a small sigh.
“Oh, my wrist? I’m fine.”
It left a bruise where Vincent had gripped me tightly, but I was used to bruises healing quickly, and by tomorrow, it would likely have faded completely.
Thanks to Ludwig striking Vincent ‘s face with his fist, I felt relieved.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner.”
“No, why are you apologizing?”
Even though I said that, Ludwig looked at me with a perplexed expression, lowering his gaze like a defeated puppy.
It seemed like he was about to apologize, thinking that he had caused a disturbance.
“Why are you apologizing?”
My words seemed to confuse Ludwig even more. He didn’t understand why I wasn’t upset.
“He’s someone I won’t let go easily.”
Judging by the fiery determination in his eyes, he wasn’t just saying it lightly.
He had just fought Vincent and seemed a bit disappointed that he couldn’t finish him off.
“Sorry for causing such a scene. I’ll make sure to handle him properly.”
Seeing the intensity in his gaze, I realized he wasn’t saying it casually.
If I hadn’t stopped him earlier, he might have seriously hurt someone.
‘Was he always this irrational?’
I wondered if he had always been this impulsive. In the original story, he was careful and considerate even in minor matters.
It was hard to understand why he had knocked Vincent down like that.
It could potentially give the council an excuse to interfere.
“I showed an ugly side in front of you earlier. I lost my composure for a moment…”
“I’m fine. Actually, it was rather satisfying. I had to use my ability to protect myself, but…”
It didn’t matter if Vincent was on the receiving end, but it could lead to trouble for Ludwig.
For some reason, Ludwig seemed even more shadowed than I was.
His sharp, purplish gaze seemed like it could cut through veils.
Even though I knew it wasn’t directed at me, it still felt intimidating.
I intentionally changed the subject to lighten the mood.
“More importantly, the garden here is really beautiful.”
It was much smaller compared to the grand garden I had seen earlier, but it exuded a simple and understated beauty.
Being here made the tension that had built up in me finally dissipate.
Ludwig’s sharp aura softened, and he spoke.
“This is the garden my mother personally tended to.”
His mother tended to this garden?
It was hard to believe, considering how well-maintained the flowers and trees were. It looked like someone had taken care of them until just yesterday.
But his mother had surely passed away ten years ago…
“She enchanted a preservation spell. Even though my mother is no longer here, she wanted to leave behind the touch of her hand.”
The night breeze blew refreshingly.
Ludwig looked at the garden as if reminiscing about the past.
In this place, the two ostracized individuals from their families must have found solace in taking walks.
I had that thought for a moment.
“Shall we take a short walk? It’ll be a change of scenery.”
“Of course.”
Ludwig readily agreed to my suggestion.
As and I strolled along, we admired the garden. It was small, but you could feel someone’s heartfelt care in every corner.
Then, there was a flower that caught my eye.
“This flower looks unusual.”
I had never seen a flower like it before. It was a brilliant golden color that didn’t lose its radiance even in the dark night.
“Oh, that’s an Edelweiss from my mother’s hometown. It blooms only once a year.”
A flower that blooms only once a year?
“Is this flower also preserved by magic, so it stays in full bloom?”
“No, not this one. It seems the magic doesn’t work on Edelweiss among many other flowers.”
So, today was indeed the day this flower fully blossomed.
Being a flower that blooms only once a year, its radiant appearance was enchanting.
“People here planted this flower to commemorate special occasions.”
“So, today must have been a special day for your mother. I wonder what day it is that she planted this flower.”
“It’s my birthday.”
“Ah, Ludwig’s birthday… Huh?”
Did he just say it’s his birthday?!
Buy me a cup of noodles 🍜 😋
