Episode 6

“Is the carriage ready?”

“What about the young master and the little lord? And Miss Aria…”

“Hey! Go and get new cushions for the carriage! How could you make Miss Aria sit on these?”

Even before reaching the front gate, I could hear the bustling commotion. The servants were rushing around, preparing for the duke’s family’s outing.

I stepped out, wearing my usual ostentatious robe over the fur shawl. The situation was so hectic that the servants noticed me only belatedly.

“Is that…”

“…Is she going too?”

Amid the puzzled murmurs, the duke’s family appeared, ready to board the carriages. Additionally, there was an external guest for the first time in a while.

‘Countess Claire.’

Countess Claire and her husband were quite renowned in the capital.

Being close to the royal family and holding significant business ventures, they often managed investments required by the royal family or proposed specific ventures to the nobility.

Some whispered that she was behaving more like a merchant than a noble by directly involving herself in various businesses. However, no one showed such sentiments openly.

Receiving her proposals often led to successful investments.

The fact that the countess was here meant…

‘She’s to be Aria’s chaperone.’

Though it was expected that Aria would be taken to the banquet to ease her introduction to society, it was surprising that they had arranged a chaperone so early.

‘This banquet is undoubtedly meant to highlight Aria.’

I wasn’t surprised. Knights from all over had gathered, likely to serve as a backdrop to make Aria and the crown prince shine. I smiled slightly and approached the duke’s family.

There were two carriages prepared. One for the men of the duke’s house and the other for Aria and the countess.

‘So, my place is already decided.’

“Aria, are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m so excited.”

“My, who would have thought the returned daughter of the Reinhardt duchy would be so lovely…”

The amiable conversation ceased as soon as they noticed me.

“Oh, hello, Countess Claire!”

My greeting chilled the atmosphere.

“You.”

“Why are you here…”

Servi was the first to speak up. Seth, too, looked like he was about to hurl some harsh words my way but clamped his mouth shut, obviously mindful of the countess.

“Don’t you remember? The duke permitted me to attend the banquet.”

“…Ah, right.”

The duke glanced at me without a change in his expression and then looked away.

‘He can’t take back his words now, not in front of the countess.’

It was the expected reaction. I turned to Aria and raised my voice.

“Aria!”

“Mindia, come here!”

“…Lady Mindia, it’s been a while.”

Countess Claire greeted me with an awkward smile.

“Is Lady Mindia joining us?”

“Yes! I’ve been longing to visit the temple again!”

A fleeting expression crossed the countess’s face. She likely assumed I was more interested in the high-ranking noblemen attending than the temple itself. Regardless, I smiled at Aria.

“I can come with you, right, Aria?”

“Of course! Father, you’ll allow it, won’t you?”

Though I had already secured permission, confirming it wouldn’t hurt.

“…Very well. It’s a request, after all.”

“That’s great, Mindia!”

Aria’s bright smile was truly charming.

She cheerfully climbed into the carriage first. The other members of the duke’s household glared at me, worried I might have a negative influence on Aria.

Countess Claire, who followed me into the carriage, gave a slight grimace at my flamboyant robe but said nothing. Instead, she found a conversation starter in the embroidery on my robe.

“The embroidery on your robe is exquisite.”

“Thank you. It’s a cherished robe…”

“Speaking of which, Aria, how is the embroidery piece you mentioned you were working on?”

The topic smoothly shifted to Aria.

I kept silent, feeling no need to join the conversation.

“Yes. I’m still a bit clumsy, but I tried embroidering a handkerchief as you suggested.”

“That’s wonderful. Friezias, I see.”

“Yes, they’re my favorite flowers!”

“Oh, the Mother Empress also loves those flowers. Perhaps you should consider gifting her that handkerchief.”

“To the Mother Empress? Is she attending?”

“Yes, members of the royal family, including His Highness the Crown Prince, will be present at the banquet.”

“The Crown Prince too?”

Aria’s eyes widened. It was information I already knew. I had no interest in the Crown Prince.

‘But considering my usual image, I should act surprised here.’

“Oh my, the Crown Prince? I didn’t know that!”

The Countess looked at me with a raised eyebrow, as if she saw through my feigned surprise, but she said nothing, choosing instead to focus on Aria’s enthusiastic response.

“Yes, it’s quite a significant event. The Crown Prince’s presence adds to the importance.”

Aria’s excitement was palpable, her face glowing with anticipation. I leaned back in my seat, feeling a sense of satisfaction. Everything was falling into place.

As the carriage started moving, I looked out the window, the city passing by in a blur. The banquet would be a crucial event, not just for Aria but for me as well. And somewhere in the midst of all this, Chris would be there.

The time to act was drawing near.

Mindia Reinhardt had a penchant for obsessing over ideal suitors. The higher a man’s status, the more interested she was.

“I’m so excited!”

My sudden interruption made the countess smile awkwardly. Feigning excitement, I checked the order of the banquet.

‘I’ll need some cooperation there.’

As I mentally reviewed the seating arrangements, I soon found myself in front of the grand cathedral.

“We’ve arrived!”

The carriage smoothly came to a halt. Aria was the first to step out.

A man, whose family I couldn’t identify, rushed to offer his escort to Aria.

“My Lady, please take my hand.”

“Oh! Thank you!”

All eyes were on Aria as she made her entrance.

The attention on Aria was intense. The real duchess, returning to the duke’s house after more than a decade. She was kind, beautiful, and pure-hearted.

‘Quite the perfect topic.’

Watching Aria receive praise, I slowly took off my robe inside the carriage, revealing the dress she had given me.

“Aren’t you going to get off…?”

The duke’s carriage driver, about to urge me, peeked inside and stopped mid-sentence, looking startled and dazed.

‘Of course.’

It was probably the first time he’d seen me in such a calm dress without any flamboyant decorations.

Marie had done an excellent job dressing me up, making me presentable anywhere. The light makeup, unlike my usual heavy and bold style, surprisingly suited my face.

My current look wasn’t that of a typical villainess, but that of a noble lady with a pure and modest appearance.

Thankfully, first impressions mattered.

‘Not that the Grand Duke Chris would care about appearances.’

I calmly addressed the driver, still standing at the door.

“Could you move aside? You’re in the way.”

Startled, he quickly stepped back. I slowly descended from the carriage.

“…….”

“Who is that?”

“Could it be?”

As expected, the atmosphere turned peculiar. Many hadn’t anticipated my presence here.

“Mindia Reinhardt?”

“She’s here?”

I heard voices openly expressing disdain. I chose to ignore them lightly.

‘In the past, I would’ve caused a scene.’

I might have rushed over and grabbed their hair or poured wine on them.

‘Then I’d have been dragged away by Seth, beaten like a dog where no one could see, and sent home.’

Pretending not to hear anything, I put on a joyful face and scanned the area where the young men from high-ranking families, known for being ideal suitors, stood.

I could sense their prideful stances as they focused on my gaze.

‘But today, none of you matter.’

I glanced towards the crowd, and the moment I spotted the person I was looking for, my heart pounded loudly.

“…Chris.”

The instant I saw his indifferent, cold face, echoes of his voice that had once answered me flashed through my mind.

—

‘…I am here.’

‘…’

‘I am here…’

—

My heart fluttered momentarily.

Facing him directly, his face resembled an exquisitely carved ice flower.

When I saw his portrait, I wondered if it was real or just flattery. But seeing him in person made me think the painting didn’t do him justice.

‘How could such kind words come from such a cold face?’

It hurt to think that this familiarity I felt might be one-sided.

He hadn’t yet glanced my way.

It was natural. After all, the relationship between the Grand Duke’s house and the Duke’s house wasn’t amicable. Even if they met, they wouldn’t go out of their way to greet each other.

As the Duke’s house arrived, the only ones who consciously spoke to the Grand Duke were his bodyguards. I saw them leaning in, whispering something into Chris’s ear.

“……”

The next moment, Chris slowly turned his gaze towards the Duke.

I tried not to look away from his piercingly cold eyes. I could read the contempt in his gaze. That disdain was directed at the Duke’s house, and it would be the same when he looked at me.

Aria was too small to be seen, hidden by the young noblemen gathered around her.

Chris looked away before the Duke noticed. In that brief moment, our eyes met.

“……”

His gaze was emotionless, devoid of any feeling.

That look quickly disappeared.

I felt conflicted, wanting to see more of his eyes yet dreading the coldness they held. I was relieved it wasn’t contempt, but if I kept seeing that indifferent look, it would hurt.

‘I still have to do this.’

I wasn’t going to abandon all my plans just because of one gaze.

Chris turned completely and began to walk somewhere, likely to greet a familiar noble.

His bodyguards glared at the Duke’s family, following the Grand Duke as if they had seen something distasteful. Just as I was about to quickly follow them, someone approached me.

“Lady Mindia.”

“…Hello, Lady Helena.”

It was Helena Steins and her friends.

“What brings you here in such attire? Not trying to capture the young nobles’ attention with revealing dresses like you usually do?”

Sharp words quickly followed.