Chapter 12
Once Amelia’s birthday banquet officially began, the servants of the estate moved more busily than ever.
Bella, who had been assigned to the banquet hall without exception, carried leftover food and dishes back to the kitchen.
When she received the maid uniform meant for banquets from the head maid, Bella had hesitated for a moment. It was her first time being assigned to the banquet hall.
The dowager disliked crowded places and parties, and whenever a banquet was held at the count’s estate, Bella had always been shut away in a storage-like room.
Arriving at the hall with a heart full of worry about whether she could do well, Bella found it dazzling.
Fresh flowers arranged overnight by the maids decorated the wide space beneath a large chandelier. On one side stood a five-tier cake prepared for Miss Amelia, along with gifts displayed like exhibition pieces.
The servants moved there like shadows, making as little noise as possible.
“Please take this too.”
As Bella stepped aside to avoid couples dancing in extravagant dresses, a silk-gloved hand suddenly extended toward her. She quickly tucked the cloth she was holding into her pocket and reached out to take the glass from the noblewoman.
At that moment, slender fingers lifted her chin.
“My dear, have we met somewhere before?”
Bella stiffened at the soft touch of silk and, despite the impropriety, looked up at the noblewoman.
The lady had glossy red hair braided elegantly. Bella had never seen her before. Of course. This was the first time Bella had ever served nobles outside the Everett family.
Bella hurriedly shook her head.
“No, this is our first meeting.”
“Oh, really? You look familiar. Perhaps I was mistaken. I’m sorry to trouble you when you must be busy.”
The red-lipsticked mouth curved into a gentle smile. Caught off guard by the apology, Bella lowered her gaze without answering.
Just then, a familiar voice sounded behind her.
“Is something the matter, Lady Risely? Did one of our maids offend you?”
Amelia approached gracefully and stood in front of Bella, naturally facing Lady Risely.
“No, nothing like that. She just looked familiar. I thought I knew her.”
“Is that so? She’s lived at my grandmother’s estate since childhood, so she’s never been to the capital…”
“Then I must be mistaken. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her.”
“I understand. Sometimes you see someone who looks exactly like another person. Almost like twins.”
Amelia smiled brightly and subtly pushed Bella aside, as if she were in the way.
“Anyway, my brother even invited a famous magician from the capital for today. Let’s go watch together!”
She linked arms with Lady Risely and walked toward the stage.
After following Amelia for a few steps, Lady Risely turned back briefly. At the end of her gaze stood Bella, clearing a table.
‘He stayed at the count’s estate for a week. They must have crossed paths.’
Even the neatly tied long hair reminded her of someone she missed, and she naturally thought of her cousin. The pitiful man who pretended to have overcome everything, yet still could not escape the shadows of his past.
Just then, the banquet hall doors opened. The lively noise of music and voices fell silent.
Every noble and servant alike turned their attention to one place.
“His Grace, Duke Logan Fraser, and Young Master Vincent of the Everett family.”
The two gentlemen entered side by side.
Even their simple black suits without decoration looked striking on their tall figures and flawless posture. With each step they took, an invisible tension settled over the hall.
Like many others, Bella looked at them.
Then the man’s sweeping gaze landed on her.
‘Again.’
The moment her eyes met the duke’s, she nearly dropped the glass in her hand. Her heart pounded wildly, and her legs felt frozen.
Logan walked toward her, his gaze fixed. The closer he came, the louder her heartbeat seemed. Afraid he might hear it, Bella lowered her head deeply.
“Your Grace.”
But the man who had been walking straight toward her passed by without even greeting her with his eyes.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“Thank you for coming, even if it’s late, Your Grace.”
Logan had stopped in front of Amelia.
***
With the arrival of the Duke of Fraser, another central figure of the banquet, the hall regained its energy.
Gentlemen with flushed faces clinked glasses to lively music, and young ladies danced.
Among them, the most noticeable sight was the long line of nobles waiting to greet the duke.
“I never imagined I would see Your Grace in Rosedale.”
“I have a business idea I’d like to discuss…”
“It’s an honor—an honor—to meet the empire’s greatest businessman!”
Logan smiled lightly as he accepted greetings one by one. Even amid enthusiastic reactions, he remained composed. He spoke evenly with everyone but ended conversations smoothly when they dragged on.
“Would you let go of my fiancé now?”
Amelia appeared naturally through the crowd surrounding him and stood by his side. In her jeweled dress with a voluminous skirt, she looked beautiful enough to stand beside Logan Fraser, a man known not only for wealth and power but also for his striking appearance.
“Would you dance with me, Your Grace?”
The perfect gentleman and the dazzling young lady. She extended her hand, and he accepted.
Envious and admiring eyes turned toward the couple.
‘After today, no one will doubt us.’
Holding onto Logan’s firm arm, Amelia enjoyed the attention.
Today was her birthday, but it was also the day she would imprint upon the world that this perfect man belonged to her.
As the crowd parted, they stepped into the center of the hall, and the waltz began. Their movements were flawless as they moved as one to the melody. Each time Amelia turned, the jewels on her dress sparkled brilliantly.
“Was everything settled well in Bellington?”
Leaning her face against Logan’s chest, Amelia asked.
“It will be in tomorrow morning’s paper.”
“You can speak casually. It’s just the two of us.”
At her slightly pouty tone, Logan answered with a faint smile. Though his arm circled her waist, his gaze was elsewhere.
A maid moving busily through the hall again and again. Under the bright lights, Logan, accustomed to standing at the center of attention, followed the shadow-like figure moving quietly.
Normally he should have looked only at his fiancée and played the role of a devoted partner, but his focus kept wavering. A dangerous pull unsettled him.
“Thank you for coming before the banquet ended.”
As the music stopped, Amelia suddenly embraced him.
At that moment, murmurs of envy rose around them, and Bella’s attention briefly shifted to the couple.
The strong scent of perfume reached Logan’s nose as he looked down. Amelia lifted her face and smiled with her eyes.
“Vincent insisted we had to return today, so we hurried.”
After pausing briefly, Logan calmly removed Amelia’s arms from him and lifted his head, searching for the maid.
But in that brief moment, the maid who had been there was nowhere to be seen.
