Chapter 46. Always Be Wary of That Woman

Even from a distance, I thought she was quite beautiful. Up close, Angela Besnard was indeed strikingly beautiful.

Not as dazzling as Penelope Ashwood or Iris, but unlike those two radiant women, Angela’s charm lay in her calm and serene demeanor.

She had the aura of a perfect, angelic lady.

Moreover, her melodious voice was the finishing touch.

“Now that I think about it, it’s been a long time since the three of us were together. Right? We used to play together quite often when we were young… I miss those days.”

Angela began speaking in a nostalgic voice, and Julian scoffed loudly. Despite his harsh reaction, Angela continued in a calm tone.

“I am so glad to see both of you… Especially you, Enoch. I came up from the territory just yesterday, so I haven’t had the chance to see you yet. At the Spring Ball… I wanted to dance with you.”

Am I the only one feeling a strange discomfort? I think I understand a little why the ladies warned me to be cautious of Angela Besnard.

“We didn’t get the chance at the Spring Ball, so I hope we can share at least one dance today… But he kept refusing, saying he absolutely didn’t want to. Miss Lopez, do you think it’s because of you?”

Suddenly, the question was directed at me, and I was quite taken aback. What should I say here? I glanced at Enoch. His face, staring expressionlessly at Angela, revealed no emotions.

In the end, I gave the most plausible answer I could think of.

“Actually, while dancing earlier, I stepped on Enoch’s foot a few times. Maybe it was because his foot hurts?”

It was a joke. Rather than saying something embarrassing like, ‘Yes, it’s because he likes me so much,’ this seemed a better way to change the strange atmosphere.

And as soon as I finished speaking, a big laugh erupted right next to me. The owner of that hearty laughter was, of course, Enoch.

Julian Berstein looked at him as if he were truly mad, and Angela Besnard… stared at Enoch in disbelief, as though she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Like someone exhausted from laughing, Enoch lowered his head and rested his forehead on my shoulder. As his laughter-tinged breath fell on my skin, I flinched and swallowed hard. The spot where his breath brushed felt like it was burning.

Then his hand seemed to brush my abdomen before he wrapped his arms tightly around my waist. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I lightly held onto his arm around my waist and glanced at him. This… isn’t this too much physical contact? Is this also part of the act? It doesn’t seem necessary to go this far.

“As expected of my fiancée.”

Enoch murmured as he lifted his head. His voice still carried traces of laughter. He seemed to really like my joke.

“You never disappoint. Thanks to you, I’m quite amused.”

“…I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

He chuckled and rested his chin on my shoulder. As he rubbed his cheek against mine like a languid cat, he reminded me of a large black panther unaware of its own strength, snuggling up to its keeper, which was a bit frightening.

I glanced around to check the others’ expressions. Angela Besnard, with a pale face, looked as if she had received a great shock, and Julian Berstein seemed lost in thought, his face stiff.

And the ladies gathered near me… their eyes were filled with excitement, like the audience of a romantic play.

…Well, it is a play. A scam pretending to be a love story of the century.

Enoch Bayern was surprisingly good at performing this scam.

I whispered in a small voice that only he could hear.

“Um… Enoch?”

“Yes, my fiancée.”

“Could you let go of me? I don’t think it’s necessary to go this far. People’s eyes are on us.”

“I’m tired.”

He made an unbelievable claim in an uncharacteristically whiny tone. The great Enoch Bayern, tired? Anyone would know that was a blatant lie.

“I told you before. I don’t like crowded places.”

“…Yet you regularly attend social events, don’t you?”

“For business.”

“How diligent of you.”

“Yes, annoyingly so. Life is so tiresome, I could die…”

He let out a soft laugh, as if something amused him. Before I knew it, I found myself stroking his hair, petting him. Oh dear, have I gone mad? I quickly withdrew my hand.

“Why stop? It feels nice.”

…Is he serious? Sometimes he really did remind me of a big cat. His unpredictable and prickly personality also reminded me of a cat.

“If you’re tired, shall we leave?”

“Are you sure? You need to socialize more with the people in the social circles.”

“Someone has already made allies for me, so I think it’s okay to relax a bit today.”

Enoch chuckled and lifted his face from my shoulder. In his golden eyes, which I met unintentionally, I could see his deep weariness.

“We seem to get along quite well, Ellenore.”

“Yes, that’s fortunate.”

I didn’t really agree, but I nodded. Enoch finally released me and straightened up, then slowly scanned the people who had been watching us in a daze. With a mischievous smile, he spoke.

“My fiancée and I must take our leave. As you know, we’re in the prime of our love.”

Julian’s expression as he looked at Enoch was indescribably strange. And Angela… surprisingly, had returned to her perfect complexion and was smiling warmly.

…Impressive. Almost immediately, she spoke in a kind tone.

“Yes, you both look tired, so go rest, Enoch. Oh, and Miss Lopez, it was nice meeting you today.”

…Maybe it’s just my sensitivity, but it sounded like she was saying, ‘I know Enoch is tired without him having to say it, and I know him so well.’

But with Angela’s angelic smile, it could only remain my suspicion.

As we left the Count of Verbille’s residence and got into the carriage, it wasn’t long before the loud neighing of horses signaled our departure.

In the silence, broken only by the sound of wheels rolling on the well-paved road and the horses’ hooves, I glanced at the man sitting across from me.

He sat there with his eyes closed, not moving an inch, looking like he was really tired.

Was he asleep? I hesitated for a moment, then asked something that had been on my mind.

“…Are you still angry?”

“Angry?”

The response came surprisingly quickly. It was more of a question. Enoch was now looking at me intently. His eyes, when looked at too closely, always gave me a strange feeling, so I pretended to look out the window and added.

“Because of Duke Berstein… I thought you were angry.”

“Oh.”

Finally understanding, he nodded slightly without much enthusiasm. Then his eyes seemed to flash, and a fierce smile appeared on his pale lips.

“My time is too precious to waste on dealing with that insignificant b*stard.”

…That insignificant person is your brother. I swallowed dryly, refraining from voicing my thoughts. Why is this man so much like a dangerous predator? An overwhelmingly strong and menacing beast that would tear apart and devour any annoying opponent with its fierce fangs.

“…You don’t get along with Duke Berstein, do you?”

“Neither bad nor good. Just like any other siblings. Siblings are supposed to fight like mortal enemies.”

…Isn’t that a hasty generalization? Besides, he seemed to get along well with King Henry… Or maybe it’s because this time the other was Julian Berstein. When dealing with a troublemaker, one tends to pick up a switch.

“Come to think of it, you haven’t met Roelyn yet.”

“No. I heard she’s recuperating in a separate palace due to poor health…”

Roelyn Frederick was Enoch’s half-sister and the full sister of King Henry and Duke Berstein. In other words, the only princess of this country. At least until King Henry has an heir.

“Sooner or later, you’ll have to meet Roelyn too. She… requires a lot of caution. And to tell you in advance, Roelyn and Angela are quite close.”

That was dreadful news. My instincts told me so. A woman who acted strangely around my fiancé and my future sister-in-law being close? It felt like a disaster.

“Always be wary of that woman, Ellen.”

“…Princess Roelyn?”

“No. She’s too frail to be a threat. Just a bit finicky. The real problem is Angela Besnard.”

When that name, which I had feared, came out of his mouth, a strange sense of unease surged within me. Enoch continued in a sharp tone.

“That woman is crazy.”