She swallowed a sigh inwardly and spoke firmly.
“Let’s go back now.”
“Why? It’s your first time in a place like this. Enjoy it a bit more.”
“We didn’t come here to have fun in the first place. And could you step back a little?”
He leaned in closer. His ticklish breath brushed past her cheek and stopped at her ear.
“No. I like this position.”
“Do you want a scandalous article written about you? I thought you avoided those because you like to keep things clean and all.”
“Who knows. Maybe I’ll experience my first scandal this time.”
Emilia’s eyes dimmed. She let go of his shoulder as if she had no other choice. When she pushed against his chest, he fortunately raised his head willingly.
“I have to leave early tomorrow. Unlike the people here, I need to work hard to prove my worth.”
While she was always struggling and trying her best, the ease with which situations changed with his every word made her heart weary. Even though she had somewhat anticipated and prepared for this when she signed the contract with him, she couldn’t help how she felt.
Emilia maintained her composure, not letting her emotions show, and gently grabbed his arm. As she pushed his hand away from her waist, she escorted him off the floor.
Enrico looked down at her quietly. Beneath the white mesh of her mask, her lips were curved upwards, as if painted. Though he had ordered her to smile, something about her doll-like, emotionless expression bothered him.
A strange silence flowed between them, and soon people’s gazes followed behind them. However, unlike the cold outside air, the heated atmosphere quickly drew away their attention.
Only one person, Alessandro, kept his gaze fixed on them until they completely disappeared. A spark flickered in his pale purple eyes.
* * *
Sunday morning dawned. Emilia raised her tired body and stretched out of habit.
‘His Highness the Crown Prince said he would contact me today, right? But how will he do it?’
Feeling her stiff body loosen a bit, she slowly walked toward the window. Pulling the curtain aside slightly, she saw the gloomy sky.
“Is it going to rain today?” Emilia murmured to herself. She blinked as she saw someone riding a bicycle from afar. As the person quickly approached, she saw it wasn’t a mail carrier.
However, when he stopped in front of the house and took out an envelope, she guessed he was a personal courier delivering a letter.
‘Is he someone sent by His Highness?’
Thinking of Alessandro, Emilia put on a blue gown with a fancy pattern and left the room. She could hear Zaveta speaking with the courier.
“Who should I say this letter is from?”
“She’ll know once you open it. Well, then goodbye.”
As she reached the living room, Emilia briefly watched the courier leave and then met Zaveta’s eyes as she turned around.
“Miss, you’re awake? Didn’t you want to sleep more?”
“I woke up early. What’s that?”
“Oh, this letter? It’s for you, but the sender said you’d have to open it to find out who it’s from. Should I check it first?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Emilia shook her head and extended her hand. Zaveta handed over the letter cautiously and headed to the kitchen to quickly prepare breakfast. Watching Zaveta’s retreating figure for a moment, Emilia moved to the sofa and opened the envelope.
As expected, it was from Alessandro. The letter briefly stated that he had something important to discuss and that he would send a carriage at noon to take her to the Maison Grande restaurant.
Emilia sighed as she put the letter back into the envelope. She was going to that difficult-to-access restaurant again. It was indeed known for its privacy among the nobility, seeing as both the Duke and the Crown Prince suggested meeting there.
‘At least there’s no worry about rumors spreading.’
She had no idea what he wanted to discuss, but she just hoped the conversation wouldn’t be too long. Meeting Alessandro so often, when they had no reason to encounter each other before, made her feel like her life had been further twisted since meeting Enrico.
All she hoped for was that the truth about her parents’ death would come to light. Otherwise, all this would be in vain.
Another sigh escaped Emilia’s lips.
Alessandro, being discreet, sent an inconspicuous carriage. Dressed in an outing gown and a hooded cloak, Emilia took the carriage to the Maison Grande restaurant.
The staff, seemingly pre-informed, immediately led Emilia to a private room. When the door opened, she saw Alessandro rise from a table near the window. As soon as the cloak was taken off and the staff left, Emilia gave a slight curtsy.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Emilia, there’s no need for such formality. We’ve met a few times now; it feels too distant.”
But we’ve only met as children, so isn’t that distant? Emilia wondered inwardly but outwardly agreed politely. She sat down as he courteously pulled out her chair, waiting quietly.
He sat across from her, smiling slightly with a hint of regret.
“This is our first meal together, yet the weather is not good. I hope it doesn’t rain when you return.”
“Yes, the weather is a bit gloomy, but I think it won’t rain until evening.”
She wished he would skip these pleasantries and get straight to the point. Even as Emilia responded, she kept wondering why she had been called here.
“Do you dislike any particular food? I’ve booked a seafood course, but it can be changed if you prefer.”
“It’s fine. I don’t have any food preferences.”
“That’s a relief. Seafood tends to be a hit or miss for people, so I was a bit worried.”
Perhaps because she had never heard such questions from Enrico, this felt somewhat refreshing. Enrico had a habit of ordering a variety of dishes as if his only aim was to ensure she ate, without caring much about her preferences.
Thinking back, even during meals at the Duke’s residence, Enrico’s table was always lavishly adorned. The dishes seemed more focused on appearance, and he ate like someone merely consuming nutrients without caring much about taste.
“Do you drink alcohol?”
“No.”
“Oh, do you not enjoy it, or can’t you drink it?”
Ah, he had asked about alcohol once. After she told Enrico she couldn’t drink, he never offered it again.
He was thoughtful enough to provide other beverages, but she realized he never asked why she didn’t drink. Realizing this now made her think that it was just like him. He might have asked about the alcohol because it was right in front of him, but he didn’t care about the reason, focusing only on the surface and not delving deeper, much like his personality.
“I haven’t tried, so I don’t know if I can’t drink, but I definitely don’t enjoy it.”
“I see. If you ever get curious, start with a low-alcohol drink. There are plenty of sweet drinks where you can barely taste the alcohol.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Emilia nodded and continued.
“But may I ask why you wanted to meet with me?”
She wondered if he, like Enrico, planned to discuss the matter only after the meal, so she asked first.
“Oh, I got a bit sidetracked. First, thank you for responding to my invitation.”
Thankfully, Alessandro didn’t seem intent on dragging things out, much to her relief. As he got to the point, Emilia leaned forward slightly, feeling a sense of relief.
Alessandro’s eyes softened at the sight of Emilia’s evident curiosity.
With his classical handsome features, he might have seemed stern, but Alessandro usually wore a kind expression, making him not seem particularly cold.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect to meet you at the masquerade ball, especially as my uncle’s partner.”
“Oh… that was due to some circumstances.”
“I’m not prying. I just found it curious. But I noticed you seemed more interested in Count Vallemont than in my uncle, which is why I approached you.”
He noticed my attention to Count Vallemont in that brief moment. I must have been too obvious.
“I’m not sure if this is what you’re curious about, but I can tell you that Viscount Giorgio Este and Count Sebas Vallemont have met before.”
“With my uncle?”
TL/N: WAY TO SUS BRUH:/ HOW TF DID HE KNOW SHE WAS INTERESTED IN HIM AND SUDDENLY DIVERTING THE INTEREST TO HER UNCLE?!! (NOT A SPOILER JUST SHARING MY THOUGHTS ABT THIS CUNNING FOX, AS I SAID B4 I HAVEN’T READ THE NOVEL B4:)
How did someone from a rural area become acquainted with a count who lived exclusively in the capital? Emilia furrowed her brow.
“Yes. It was a long time ago, but I saw Count Vallemont and Viscount Giorgio Este talking. It was just in passing, and I didn’t think much of it at the time. But yesterday, your conversation reminded me that the Este couple invested in automobiles, which stuck with me.”
“How do you know that…”
“You visited the palace with your parents when you were young because of that investment. They were already investing in automobiles and discussing patents.”
“Oh…”
* * * *
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