Chapter 19

For a while, Yvonne spent her days wandering various places in Aerondo with Ethan. As a result, the media’s attention focused on them, and the citizens of Aerondo gathered wherever they went, wondering if they would become a new couple.

At first, Yvonne felt burdened, but as she spent more time with Ethan, she gradually became indifferent. It was only natural—when she was with Ethan, she unconsciously acted according to his lead.

They had just finished a meal at a restaurant overlooking Parkside on Long Avenue.

Since the weather was nice, the two stopped by a nearby park and sat on a bench facing the river. Ethan lightly spread a handkerchief on the seat and held out his hand.

“A lady first, please.”

“I’ve always known, but your manners toward women are impressive.”

“They’re said to shine most when I have the honor of accompanying a beautiful lady.”

He truly was a man with exceptional social skills. The more time Yvonne spent with him, the more she realized he was the complete opposite of Carlisle, and she was quietly amazed.

Just as she was about to sit down, she saw several women entering the park. Their sharp navy uniforms caught everyone’s eye.

“Hey, those are Windfog Ministry of Military Affairs female soldiers.”

“They look cool.”

Yvonne’s gaze flickered as she belatedly noticed the women’s uniforms, prompted by the admiration of passersby.

Among neighboring countries that had adopted voluntary enlistment, Windfog uniquely maintained conscription, and the Ministry of Military Affairs had always wielded strong authority, but it was also open-minded. That openness extended to women: daughters from military families could enlist. Since only noble families qualified, female soldiers were seen as a privileged elite by the public.

They were admired in social circles, so seeing female soldiers in uniform on the street drew looks of longing.

“What’s wrong, Lady Yvonne?”

Ethan called out, as Yvonne didn’t respond and simply stared blankly at the women in uniform.

She sometimes showed puzzling reactions, so Ethan gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Ethan?”

One of the female soldiers, who seemed about to pass by, suddenly widened her eyes and then looked at Yvonne standing next to him.

“So the rumors were true?”

“Ah. Sonia.”

Ethan smiled lightly, recognizing the woman who called out to him. But the woman whose name he spoke shuddered with humiliation.

Suddenly, she strode over and slapped Ethan’s cheek. Smack! The loud sound echoed. The woman’s hand had struck his cheek in an instant.

Passersby gasped in shock. Yvonne’s lips parted in surprise.

No matter how great the female soldiers’ families were, who could dare injure Marquis Inglebert?

In the frozen air, the woman shouted.

“Sonia? What kind of man are you, calling someone else’s name as you please? My name is Sally!”

“Ah… Sally. My mistake.”

Even more surprising was Ethan’s calm voice. He touched his left cheek with his index finger as if nothing had happened, then tilted his head curiously.

“But I don’t think I’ve done anything to deserve getting hit by you.”

“What… what did you say?”

The woman glared at Ethan in disbelief, then asked meaningfully.

“The information I gave you. You approached me because of that from the start, didn’t you?”

“Ah, I did.”

Amazingly, Ethan admitted it easily. The woman was so stunned by his quick admission that her mouth dropped open.

“You really…”

Unable to hold back her anger, the woman raised her hand again, aiming to slap Ethan’s cheek once more, but this time Ethan caught her hand. The woman tried to pull her hand away, gritting her teeth, but couldn’t free herself.

Ethan, staring at her coldly, spoke to Yvonne.

“Sorry, Lady Yvonne, could you step away for a moment? I don’t want to startle you…”

“Ethan!”

Even while struggling with the woman, Ethan kept an eye on Yvonne, revealing his cold side. The woman shouted.

Ethan narrowed his eyes and looked at her with contempt, then released her hand.

“I didn’t expect you to be so rude. You’re quite troublesome.”

His face, which had been smiling even after being slapped, now showed no expression, and looked downright cold. The woman faltered.

“I did do something to deserve one slap from you, Sally, but not two.”

Only then did the woman realize that Ethan had let her slap him once on purpose. Her face flushed with humiliation, and she bit her lip, about to lunge at him, but her companions held her back.

“Sally, people are watching. Stop it.”

“But, Lieutenant, that man…”

“I get it, but settle it somewhere else. Not here.”

Unable to resist her senior’s words, the woman relaxed her grip, aware of the attention. If she disgraced herself in uniform, she could be disciplined for damaging the military’s reputation.

Still, she didn’t seem ready to back down, glaring at Ethan as if she wanted to kill him.

“Ethan, if you keep looking down on people, you’ll pay for it someday. I guarantee it.”

After spewing her curse, the woman looked back at Yvonne standing alone.

“You should be careful with this man. No matter how sweet his words, they’re all just tricks to fool women.”

She gave Yvonne a warning, then left at her companions’ urging.

Once the situation ended, the passersby who had been sneaking glances hurried away, pretending to be busy.

Yvonne, seeing Ethan adjusting his slightly disheveled hat, asked cautiously,

“Are you alright? Do you need to see a doctor?”

“Ha…”

Ethan let out a light sigh, surprised to hear the question he usually asked.

“I showed you something unpleasant, Lady Yvonne. Were you shocked?”

He asked, worried that the scene might have disturbed her, but Yvonne looked strangely calm. She showed no reaction, as if it wasn’t her first time seeing someone get hit.

Ethan felt puzzled, but also a bit disappointed.

“Why aren’t you asking why I got hit?”

“Is it alright if I ask?”

Ethan felt a bit empty seeing her cautious blue eyes. He was used to women falling for his looks, but Yvonne’s clear gaze showed no curiosity even after seeing him involved with another woman.

“You really aren’t interested in me.”

Yvonne was puzzled by Ethan’s disappointed face. She’d held back out of concern for his feelings, thinking he might be embarrassed to be struck in front of others.

“It’s not that I’m not interested. I think I know the reason. You’re a bad man. That’s probably why.”

“You’re a good judge of character.”

“I’m not bad at it.”

“Then why did you marry such a man?”

A strange silence settled.

Yvonne’s face looked as if she’d been struck, and Ethan smiled wryly. He felt pathetic for trying to win every argument, but didn’t dislike seeing her flustered.

Suddenly, a white cloth pressed against his cheek—a pure white handkerchief.

“You should wipe it down with this. What if it swells?”

He accepted it, wondering when she’d taken it out, and saw Yvonne pull a small ointment from her purse.

“It probably won’t bruise, but it’s better to apply something.”

“You carry medicine too?”

Ethan praised her for her preparedness, looked at the ointment, and pulled Yvonne to sit beside him. He leaned his face toward her.

“Since you’re offering, could you apply it for me?”

“…Here?”

Yvonne glanced around. It was after lunch, so most people had returned to work, and there were fewer people, but it wasn’t empty.

“Go ahead.”

The blond man presented his cheek, his eyes curved attractively.

It was a smile that would make any woman fall for him at first sight, but Yvonne, having seen him deliberately act this way for days, finally faced him.

She dabbed a little ointment on her pinky and gently rubbed it onto his cheek. Ethan leaned in closer.

A gentle floral scent wafted to his nose. Feeling her soft touch, Ethan gazed into her blue eyes, clearer than the river.

Her eyes resembled someone he knew—calm, yet shining.

Sensing his persistent gaze, Yvonne looked at him.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“How am I looking at you?”

“With eyes that seduce women.”

“Lady Yvonne, you’re not going to fall for it, are you?”