TBKU 09

Chapter : 9

“Damn it.”

Lennon muttered a curse under his breath as he looked at the pile of congratulatory cards and countless invitations instead of marriage proposals.

Donovan desperately suppressed the urge to tease him with, Didn’t you expect this?

“It seems everyone is going crazy trying to invite Your Grace now that the season is drawing to a close.”

“They just want to see what’s going on.”

The intentions behind their actions were so obvious that he found them laughable.

Lennon curled one corner of his mouth into a crooked smile and beckoned with his finger.

Donovan quickly handed over several envelopes he was holding.

They were invitations to various banquets and formal dinners sent by prominent figures in Castleknock.

“If possible, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to attend all of them.”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“……If you make some time.”

“I don’t have time to make.”

“If you reduce the amount of time you spend working.”

“I don’t even have time to reduce it. I’ll only go here.”

Cutting Donovan off, Lennon picked up an invitation with a gold-trimmed border and waved it from side to side.

There was no better place than House Duff to make a public appearance.

Except for royal balls, the most magnificent banquet of every season was held there, and it attracted just as much attention.

“Just one place……?”

“You should be grateful I’m even going to that one.”

That was true.

But when Lennon stubbornly insisted, there was nothing Donovan could do.

“Yes, yes.”

“Is the rumor still the same?”

“If you mean the rumor…… Ah! Yes, it’s still going around.”

All sorts of theories and speculations about the Duke’s marriage were running rampant.

It was as though someone had deliberately spread them. The rumors had spread throughout the capital the very day after the priest’s visit.

Since the ducal family had made no active effort to suppress the rumors, even the most absurd stories were circulating among the public as though they were facts.

Lennon decided that, rather than saying anything more, he would personally show people the affectionate relationship between the Duke and Duchess.

And so, the day of the banquet approached.

Once the time when they should have departed had already passed, Lennon gradually began to grow irritated.

“Why isn’t she coming?”

“I told her to hurry…… I suppose she’s taking so long because she’s getting ready in a rush.”

Same as always.

At those words, Lennon remembered his mother.

His mother loved dressing up and always spent a long time getting ready before going out.

As a result, his father and he would always finish preparing first and wait for her.

It had been a boring and tedious wait.

And now, more than a decade later, he was going through the same thing again.

It was absurd.

“Oh, there she is.”

Donovan, who had been standing outside the carriage for quite some time, watching the entrance of the mansion, shouted as though he were delighted when he saw Sheyla.

Lennon had been making it painfully obvious with his entire body that he was displeased because she was late for their appointed time.

Lennon, who had been sitting lazily with one leg crossed over the other, merely tilted his head slightly while keeping his arms folded, despite Donovan’s meaningful glance.

At least get out and escort her! If you can’t do that, could you at least relax your expression?!

Donovan secretly looked into the carriage and was horrified.

How could they possibly fool perceptive aristocrats like this?

Where exactly did these two look like an affectionate married couple?

“Have a good time!”

Kate, who had accompanied Sheyla outside, tidied the stray hairs around her face one last time and warmly sent her off.

She also bowed her head toward Lennon inside the carriage.

His expression looked unusual, and Kate couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

“Please get in. We’ll depart immediately.”

Instead of the motionless Lennon, Donovan held out his hand.

“I’m a little late, aren’t I? Did the Duke wait for a long time?”

Perhaps because she found it difficult to speak directly to Lennon, Sheyla quietly asked Donovan.

Thanks to his steady support, she easily climbed into the carriage.

“He came out early.”

“Ah…….”

She hadn’t been that late, but Lennon had come out so early that it seemed as though he had been waiting for a long time.

She had hurried more than usual, too.

Feeling sorry, Sheyla didn’t know what to do and awkwardly sat down beside him.

“Your Grace, I’m sorry for being late.”

“Yes.”

At her cautious apology, Lennon merely nodded without much interest.

“……Then, have a pleasant evening, both of you.”

With Donovan’s farewell, the carriage door closed.

The two of them were left alone in the confined space.

An awkward atmosphere pressed down on Sheyla’s shoulders.

It was suffocating.

She couldn’t pinpoint whether it was because of the corset she had tightened in a hurry, because Lennon was ignoring her, or because of the hot summer weather.

Perhaps it was all of them.

“Madam.”

After arriving at House Duff, Lennon stepped down from the carriage and approached her one step at a time.

He looked like a dark, moonless night sky.

Dressed in a dark tailcoat, he was absolutely perfect.

If she had encountered him at one of the many banquets she had attended in the past, she might have unconsciously turned her eyes toward him.

Sheyla stood there blankly, then flinched when she realized how close Lennon had gotten.

His distinctive forest-like scent was even stronger up close.

“We should go together.”

Lennon’s large hand enclosed Sheyla’s slightly trembling one.

Her blue eyes, filled with surprise, turned toward his face.

“Let’s go inside.”

Lennon smiled gently and took the lead, guiding her forward.

The irritated expression from before had vanished completely, replaced by an entirely different attitude.

Sheyla was speechless and could only stare at him.

She could hardly move her feet.

When she hesitated even while following him, Lennon turned around.

Pull yourself together.

His lips were clearly saying those words.

His dark gray eyes had also regained their usual temperature and were looking at her calmly.

Only then did Sheyla remember what she was supposed to do.

The Duchess of Higgins.

That was the role she had to play tonight.

Sheyla clasped Lennon’s warm hand in return.

“Let’s go inside.”

At the surprisingly convincing tone of Sheyla’s voice, Lennon gave a small laugh, and his face once again filled with perfectly convincing warmth.

“Oh my! You really came!”

“My goodness, doesn’t the Duke look even more handsome than before?”

“Have you ever seen a married couple walking around holding hands like that?”

“They’re newlyweds, after all.”

As the two entered the ballroom, the voices of the people gathered around the room grew even louder.

Those attending the banquet could barely contain their excitement at finally getting to meet the mysterious Duchess.

“The Duchess looks more ordinary than I expected.”

“I think she’s prettier than I imagined.”

“She has such an ordinary appearance…….”

“What kind of charm could she possibly have……?”

Sheyla kept hearing conversations she had no particular desire to hear.

As always, she wanted to hide herself in a corner of the ballroom, but now that she was standing beside Lennon, she could no longer do so.

“You two look wonderful together.”

“How did you ever come across such a connection?”

“You must have had a very grand wedding, didn’t you? It’s such a shame we couldn’t see it ourselves.”

What kind of stories had these people heard?

Even when faced with ridiculous comments, Sheyla simply smiled brightly beside Lennon.

No one particularly addressed her directly, so she didn’t need to answer.

“Huh? Higgins!”

At someone’s cheerful call, Lennon frowned for the first time since entering the ballroom.

“……Kael.”

“Wow, look at that! I actually get to see the Duke, whom it’s so difficult to catch sight of, here! How have you been?”

“Fine.”

The man’s brown hair, which seemed almost reddish at first glance, went exceptionally well with his bright green eyes.

Unlike the blunt Lennon, he greeted him cheerfully with a face full of smiles.

This is the first time I’ve seen someone treat the Duke so casually.

Sheyla’s eyes blinked rapidly as she watched him.

The man called Kael smiled pleasantly and turned his attention to her.

He looked at their tightly joined hands, then raised his head and greeted Sheyla.

“So I finally get to meet the Duchess I’ve heard so much about. I’m Kael Ratten.”

“Yes, hello. I’m Sheyla Hi, Higgins.”

Saying her name aloud for the first time felt awkward.

A ticklish sensation spread from the tips of her fingers where they touched Lennon.

She quickly withdrew her hand and held it out to Kael.

His lips descended lightly onto the back of Sheyla’s hand.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard about me, but I’m this Duke’s only friend.”

His green eyes, resembling the leaves of early summer, sparkled innocently.

Perhaps because they were friends, even their voices seemed somewhat similar.

Having found someone to talk to for the first time at the banquet, Sheyla smiled faintly.

“I see.”

“Didn’t Lennon tell you about me? I’m hurt, Higgins. We practically grew up like brothers.”

“……I didn’t have time to talk about you.”

“Oh, is this because you’re newlyweds?”

“Nonsense.”

Unlike Lennon, who appeared completely unaffected, Sheyla blushed whenever the subject of being newlyweds came up.

She looked exactly like a shy new bride, so everyone agreed that they must be enjoying the happiest time of their lives.

With the atmosphere appearing harmonious at first glance, several gentlemen approached the Duke again.

Even if the conversation began lightly, it would soon become more serious, so Sheyla decided to step away for a moment.

Her hand, covered by a thin glove, gently tugged at Lennon’s sleeve.

“Your Grace, I’m going to get some fresh air for a moment.”

“Go ahead.”

Leaving Lennon behind after his brief reply, Sheyla headed toward the balcony whose doors were open.

She should have mingled with the other ladies, but she found it difficult to insert herself among people who were already close to one another.

Besides, so many people were looking for Lennon that even standing beside him and merely smiling had become exhausting.

I’ll rest for just a little while…….

A space where she could be alone.

Only then could Sheyla finally breathe comfortably.

The lukewarm night air clung to her skin, but it was still better than the curious gazes filling the ballroom.

Before long, the music stopped and another piece began.

It was the first dance signaling the beginning of the ball that would continue until dawn.

Lennon, probably the highest-ranking person at the banquet, would likely have the first dance with the hostess, Countess Duff.

I should go out.

But her feet wouldn’t move.

If she could have it her way, she wanted to sit here alone until Lennon came to tell her it was time to leave.

At least until she had enough strength to lift the corners of her lips again.

Knock, knock.

While she was lost in thought, the sudden sound of someone approaching made Sheyla straighten her posture.

Who would come onto a curtained balcony like this……?

“It’s Kael. May I bother you for a moment, Madam?”

Sheyla, who had secretly worried that it might be a stranger, let out a relieved breath.

However, being alone on a balcony with another man was hardly appropriate, so she opened the glass door and stepped outside.

“What is it?”

“Nothing serious. The ball has just begun, and I thought you might want to join us. Lennon has already been claimed by Countess Duff.”

Over Kael’s shoulder, Sheyla could see the people dancing.

She immediately spotted Lennon moving gracefully to the rhythm, wearing a picture-perfect smile.

“Let’s go together. I’m quite good at dancing myself, but I don’t have a partner.”

Kael held out his hand toward the hesitant Sheyla.

The lively four-beat quadrille music rang in her ears as though urging her on.

It would be better to dance than just stand around.

Sheyla gently placed her hand in his.

His grip was neither too strong nor too weak, just enough to guide her.

Kael naturally slipped into the formation among the dancers moving in coordinated patterns.

Standing opposite him, Sheyla wore an expression of admiration at his skill, which was clearly not something he had practiced only once or twice.

“This is nothing.”

As he came closer to Sheyla, Kael spoke in a lighthearted, boastful manner.

She spun around with her arms linked with his and burst out laughing.

“But haven’t we met somewhere before?”

“Yes?”

When Kael, who had moved away and then come close again, said that, Sheyla looked bewildered.

If she had ever met someone like Kael, there was no way she wouldn’t remember him.

She tilted her head in confusion and spun around once more.

At that moment, the partners in the quadrille changed.

Standing before Sheyla was Lennon, his expression calm and unreadable.