Chapter 25.
I Came to Pick You Up
A few days earlier, at the Dmitri Count’s estate.
Crash! Clang—!
Harsh noises echoed from the countess’s drawing room.
Along with them came a scream of rage.
“I absolutely won’t stand for this—!”
For the past week, the servants of House Dmitri had felt as if they were walking on thorns.
Whether Camilla had quit her post as the duchess’s lady-in-waiting of her own accord, or whether she had been dismissed, no one knew for certain. But ever since that day, she would suddenly fly into fits of anger, unable to control her temper.
“I’m the one who helped her adjust to northern society, and now she casts me aside like some worthless rag?”
The Twin Dukedom was the family most closely connected to the Imperial House.
Which meant that they had the fastest and most accurate access to the Empire’s stance on the Demonic Goods Futures Exchange.
As the duchess’s lady-in-waiting, Camilla had slipped in and out of the Twin Duchy, secretly gathering valuable information to aid her investments.
It was thanks to that that she and her lover, Henry, had been able to make a handsome profit while traveling about other provincial exchanges under the guise of a honeymoon.
I was supposed to grow my fortune in the futures market, divorce my husband, and marry Henry…
But all her plans had gone up in smoke, ruined by Rebecca’s sudden change of heart.
And to think—she humiliated me in front of that lowborn half-demon girl, no less!
Fury surged through her again. With a snarl, Camilla hurled a vase at the door.
Crash!
Just then, the elderly butler—who had been about to step inside—stopped dead in shock.
“M-Madam…”
“What? What is it?!”
Camilla snapped irritably. The butler flinched but approached cautiously.
“It’s just… the finalized invitations for the upcoming ball you are hosting have all been prepared.”
These “finalized invitations” were reminders traditionally sent out a week before a gathering to confirm the guests’ attendance.
Camilla snatched the stack from his hands with a scowl.
Naturally, the first name on the list was that of Rebecca, Duchess of the Twin Dukedom.
“Shall we… omit the one for the duchess’s household?” the butler ventured hesitantly.
It was unthinkable not to invite the hosts of the North. But he was desperate to placate Camilla.
Alas, he had only earned himself another outburst.
“Are you stupid? If we don’t send it, the gossip will only get worse! The whole society is already buzzing about me quitting my post—do you want me to make it worse?!”
Camilla flung the invitations to the floor.
“No matter what it takes, make sure the duchess receives her invitation! I’ll use this ball to wipe out every rotten rumor about me!”
She glared at the poor butler as he scrambled to collect the scattered invitations, then sank back into her chair with a heavy sigh.
Pressing her throbbing temples, she sat in silence until, at last, her fury ebbed and a sly thought crossed her mind.
Yes… it won’t be hard to turn the duchess into a laughingstock at one little ball.
And if she used Rebecca’s own husband, Cedric Twins—who despised his wife—the task would be easier still.
Camilla’s lips curled upward in a thin, sinister smile.
“Just you wait, Your Grace… At the ball, I’ll repay the humiliation you gave me in full.”
The invitation from Camilla was enough to surprise me.
To think she would still send me one, after what had happened.
But in truth, given the nature of noble society, she had little choice.
As long as she isn’t planning some foolish revenge, I could even play along for appearance’s sake…
And so, the day of the ball arrived.
The House of Darkness bustled from morning until night. Bianca was to dress for the ball alongside me today.
By early evening, I had finished my preparations and waited for her in the drawing room.
An hour later, the door to the dressing room opened, and little Lady Bianca appeared.
“Your Grace!”
She beamed and ran straight into my arms.
She wore a fluttering light-green pannier dress with braided hair tied in green ribbons. She looked like a tiny Tinkerbell.
“My Bianca was always pretty, but today you look especially beautiful.”
“Hehe, but I could never be prettier than Your Grace!”
I gazed down at her with eyes full of honey. But then I noticed her hairpin dangling loosely.
“Hmm? Bianca, I think your hairpin isn’t fastened properly.”
Her nanny quickly stepped in to fix it.
“Oh dear, you’re right. Shall we head back to the dressing room just once more, my lady?”
I watched fondly as Bianca marched off beside her nanny, holding her hand.
Just then, Mina came up to me with sparkling eyes.
“By the way, Your Grace, you look absolutely stunning tonight!”
“…Hm?”
The other maids nodded eagerly.
“She’s right! Truly beautiful!”
“I agree completely, Your Grace!”
Turning toward the mirror, I studied my reflection.
The light makeup made my skin glow, my cheeks luminous with health. The Indian-pink satin gown billowed richly over its panniers. My coiffed hair, adorned with flowers and feathers, the gloves and the fan—all in all, I looked every bit the noble lady.
“…Haha, do I?”
I let out a sheepish laugh.
That was when a gentle baritone sounded behind me.
“Yes. You are truly beautiful, Your Grace.”
I turned—and found Adrian at the doorway, smiling softly.
“Oh? Adrian, tonight you…”
I blinked in surprise.
Right. He, too, was invited as the heir of House Monter.
His honey-blond hair gleamed above a white evening suit, accented by a pale lilac cravat. Formal, yet carrying a subtle artistic air—it was the perfect choice for him.
For a moment, he simply stood there like a painted figure, gazing at me.
Then he stepped forward, knelt on one knee before me, and looked up.
“Tonight’s true star… will be none other than you, Your Grace.”
He lifted my gloved hand and pressed his lips to the back of it.
Gasps echoed around the room.
I glanced at the maids—every single one of them was staring at Adrian in a daze, enchanted.
This time, I had to agree with them.
I always knew Adrian was handsome… but was he really this striking?
I stared down at his smiling face, my heart skipping—
Knock. Knock.
The sound cut through the charged silence between us.
I turned my head toward the door—and froze.
Leaning casually against the frame, arms crossed, stood Cedric.
How long has he been there?
Dressed in a black evening suit, he looked sharper than ever. The high nose bridge, faintly reddened lips, strong jawline, and slanted eyes that radiated a subtle pressure…
It was all the same, and yet strangely different.
Gone was the warmth I had started to feel from him recently. Instead, a faint chill lingered in the air.
Flustered, I withdrew my hand from Adrian’s and slowly walked toward Cedric.
“Cedric, what brings you here at this hour? Did you come for Bianca?”
We had agreed to meet in front of the estate thirty minutes later.
But Cedric only gazed at me in silence.
At last, his lips parted, his voice low and commanding.
“No. I came for you.”
The heavy baritone seemed to press down on the very air around us.
Lifting my head, my eyes locked with his unwavering gaze.
The intensity in those eyes made my breath catch.
Then slowly, his gaze traveled down—from my nose to my lips, to my chin, my exposed collarbone, the soft shimmer of the gown, and lower still…
Finally, it stopped on the back of my hand.
“That glove doesn’t suit you.”
His large hand took mine, turning it gently. Blue veins traced faintly beneath my pale wrist.
“That’s not something that belongs on you.”
His fingers brushed along the inside of my wrist, tracing lightly.
A shiver of cold excitement tingled over my skin.
Then, with practiced ease, he slipped the glove from my hand.
It was only a hand, yet the feel of his eyes on my bare skin sent my heartbeat racing.
Why is it suddenly so hot…?
Heat rose in my breath. His touch was warm, but it was nothing compared to the fire spreading through me.
I turned away, trying to calm myself—
“Oh! Your Grace!”
Bianca had returned.
Spotting Cedric, she rushed over. I quickly pulled back my hand and stepped away.
Cedric’s gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he scooped Bianca into his arms with ease.
“Did you come to pick up both me and Your Grace?” she asked brightly.
“That’s right,” he answered.
“Don’t I look beautiful today?”
“Yes, you’re lovely, Bianca.”
But Bianca only pouted and turned his face toward me.
“No, not me! Look at Your Grace, Duke! Isn’t she gorgeous?”
“Bianca, th-that’s enough…” I stammered with an awkward laugh.
But Cedric’s eyes returned to me.
“Ignore Bianca if it means saying something you don’t mean,” I muttered, embarrassed.
Lately he had been playing the part of the doting husband far too convincingly.
He’ll just make another one of those shameless comments… and this time, I won’t be able to hide my blush.
Yet, contrary to my expectations, Cedric simply stood there with Bianca in his arms, gazing at me.
“…You’re right. There’s no need for false words.”
His tone was calm.
For some reason, disappointment pricked at me.
But then, his lips curved into a slow, devastating smile.
“Because the truth is, out of all the times I’ve seen you… tonight, you are the most beautiful.”
