Chapter 15

Ethan felt a tinge of displeasure at those words.

It was common knowledge among Aerondo’s citizens that Yvonne, who married Carlisle right after her coming-of-age ceremony, had never had another man as a lover. Yet, for the past year, rumors had spread that she frequently visited Valley Lane and secretly met young men.

Was she acting like a proper lady now?

Or did she look down on him that much?

“Then try holding it as much as you want right now.”

Ethan, feeling unsettled by her unpredictable attitude, interlaced his fingers tightly with hers. When she tried to pull away again, he held her hand firmly, finding her startled, trembling gaze somewhat amusing.

Reading the embarrassment and awkwardness on Yvonne’s face, he let out a soft laugh.

“Think of it as practice. Wherever we go from now on, we’ll need this much physical affection if we want rumors to spread.”

Luckily, she didn’t forcefully pull away anymore. Still, he slowly understood her intention to act innocent in front of him, and it made him smile.

An innocent lady.

Women who easily flirt by making men believe they’re the only one they care about.

Just days ago, he’d seen her crying so sorrowfully, and now she was carefully managing her image in front of a man. It was obvious, but it was cute, so he decided to play along.

They arrived at Federation Square quickly. As the two got out of the car together, attention immediately focused on them. 

“That article must be true. Isn’t the divorce not even finalized?”

“She submitted the papers, so what does it matter? Everyone’s just enjoying the spectacle.”

Yvonne clenched her trembling fingers at the flood of stares. The murmurs around her made her face flush hot.

Despite her inner turmoil, Yvonne skillfully controlled her expression and straightened her back. Ethan tilted his head toward her, giving her a look of encouragement.

“Trying too hard makes it look unnatural. Just act as usual.”

“I am, but it’s harder than I thought.”

“Pretend there’s no one else around.”

Yvonne took a deep breath and cast her gaze forward to avoid being conscious of others. It worked well enough that she felt much better than before.

“Let’s go, then.”

She gently placed her right hand on Ethan’s raised left arm, and they walked side by side.

Federation Square, the heart of Aerondo, was surrounded by districts with completely different atmospheres.

The Luthers River divided the area, with one side being the upscale shopping district Sandiewood and the other the cultural street Luna Street.

At the end of Luna Street was the grand opera house.

Yvonne, who had heard that couples’ first dates were usually at the opera, gazed at its magnificent appearance.

She assumed they were headed there, but blinked as Ethan strode past the opera house.

“Where are we going?”

“Where else? I told you we’re on a date.”

“Weren’t we going here?”

Ethan looked at the building Yvonne was gazing at and shook his head.

“Oh, Lady Yvonne, you don’t know me well yet. I hate cliché places.”

“So where isn’t cliché?”

“…Hmm… Do you like plays?”

* * *

They arrived at Parkside, an outdoor park. More precisely, it was the open-air theater in the middle of the park, with a dome-shaped, tiered stone seating area already crowded with people.

Apparently, Ethan had reserved tickets, and they were guided to the central front seats with the best view of the stage.

“Have you ever seen street performances? Like plays.”

“No. I’ve never watched one, just glimpsed them while passing by.”

Yvonne shook her head, having never attended a play or even the opera house they passed earlier. Ethan clicked his tongue, looking at her as if it was a pity.

“Then try it once. It’s much more fun than formal opera.”

He pointed to the small stage and smiled brightly, which surprised Yvonne.

She’d assumed Ethan Inglebert, with his flashy appearance and refined demeanor, only frequented luxurious places.

“Do you usually come to places like this?”

“Sometimes? Watching from a box seat is less fun. It’s good for clearing your head. You’re the first I’ve come with.”

“…Box seat.”

She’d heard upper-class nobles boast about watching performances from private rooms on the second floor, though she’d never been herself.

She wanted to try it once, but this was her first time here, so she secretly glanced at the audience. Most were couples, holding hands in a relaxed atmosphere.

When they entered the square, the stares from nobles who recognized them felt burdensome, but here, the mixed crowd seemed uninterested in others.

Of course, when the two eye-catching newcomers entered, some whispered, wondering if they were the rumored couple, but they soon lost interest, thinking high nobles wouldn’t come here.

Yvonne watched the couples gently stroking each other’s hands and chatting affectionately with a sense of unfamiliarity.

She glanced at the trees surrounding the theater, where some children, unable to afford tickets, peeked in from afar.

As she watched, warmth settled in her calmly lowered hand.

Ethan met her gaze and smiled. Perhaps thinking she was uncomfortable in the unfamiliar setting, he held her hand, but there was nothing suggestive about it.

“It might be uncomfortable since it’s your first time here, but it’ll be worth watching.”

Soon the bell rang, and the man who seemed to be the troupe leader bowed, announcing the start of the performance.

With lively music, actors came on stage. Performing before over a hundred spectators, they gave their all, captivating the audience.

The play was a love story about a married couple, and as she watched, Yvonne became increasingly engrossed.

“Mary, your skirt is too short. Who are you trying to meet dressed like that?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Margaret saw you on a date with another woman last week.”

“She must have seen wrong. Are you going to accuse another innocent person?”

“Who do you think you’re fooling? She’s right over there.”

At that moment, an actress descended the steps from the stage and approached Yvonne’s seat, suddenly speaking to her.

“You went on a date with my husband last week, didn’t you?”

“Pardon?”

Yvonne’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden question, never having seen the woman before, and surprised by the actress coming into the audience during the show.

Startled, Yvonne instinctively squeezed Ethan’s hand.

The woman pressed further, her tone sharper.

“You’re the one. The woman who dated my husband Marcus at Barbo Square last weekend looks just like you.”

The firmer accusation made Yvonne’s eyelids flutter. She glanced at Ethan, feeling wronged, but he seemed unfazed, as if expecting her reaction, even smiling meaningfully.

“I…”

Just as she was about to speak, hoping for help, a large hand wrapped gently around her shoulder.

“You’re mistaken. My wife hasn’t left the room all day, so she couldn’t have had time to see your husband. We’re quite passionate.”

Ethan’s playful remark drew laughter from the audience. The actress, who had worried about the response, seemed delighted by the reaction and responded loudly to the crowd.

“What do you do to keep her from leaving the room? I’m jealous. I must have mistaken someone else.”

The actors, seeing the lively response, continued acting and moved to the next row.

“Then it’s you!”

From nearby, another voice accused another audience member. Yvonne realized the scene was a planned show and gave Ethan a light glare, to which he just shrugged.

“How about it? Isn’t this more fun than a stuffy opera?”

* * *

A gentle river breeze blew across the wide balcony overlooking the Luthers Bridge.

On the table at the center, silverware sparkled in the midday sun. The balcony tables at the restaurant Great Ocean, boasting an open view, were fully booked as always.

Carlisle set aside his utensils after cutting a lamb steak marinated with herbs and sipped his whiskey.

Across from him sat a young man with soft wheat-colored hair.

Hugo Freud. He had been Carlisle’s close friend since childhood, attended military school together, and even served in the same unit.

When Carlisle finished his whiskey, a staff member refilled his glass. Hugo, who had ordered sparkling water with lemon, glanced at the murmuring crowd.

Since Carlisle had taken his seat, the noble ladies’ eyes hadn’t left his friend’s face.

He was popular himself, but whenever he was with Carlisle, he felt invisible. It had improved somewhat since Carlisle’s marriage, but now he felt the old sensation again.

Head of the noble Polshared Dukedom of Windfog, and the unrivaled director of Rein Kleint, dominating the central continent.

Not only was he handsome, but his marksmanship was top-notch, and he possessed a sharp mind, showing extraordinary insight in any emergency. He was so impressive, there was no time for self-doubt.

Yet even such a remarkable man had blind spots, and Hugo was the only friend who knew them.

“Are you alright?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”