Chapter 4.2

As the quadrille began, Wendy’s partner spoke to her.

“You’re still close with the Duke of Devon.”

“He’s closer to my brother, Jayden.”

“Ah, yes. He’s famously good friends with Sir Jayden.”

From his slow affirmation, Wendy sensed what he truly wanted to ask. She smiled faintly and spoke first.

“Is it the rumor that I followed Lucas around?”

“Oh, that……”

He hadn’t expected Wendy to address it directly, and he tried to cover his awkwardness with a laugh.

“It was when I was young. Didn’t you have a woman you admired as a boy, Sir?”

“Well, I don’t particularly remember, but it’s an experience anyone could have.”

“I’m glad you understand. I just worry that I might have been a nuisance to Lucas with my childish affection. Being the subject of gossip is never pleasant.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“But since Lucas doesn’t mind, we’ve remained close like siblings. And we will continue to be.”

Throughout the dance, Wendy consciously avoided looking elsewhere. She focused solely on her partner, answering his occasional questions sincerely and smiling. This helped calm her heart, which had raced upon meeting Lucas.

‘Not bad.’

When Lucas first spoke to her, her heart had dropped with a thud, causing concern. She worried whether she could act naturally, whether the emotions she had managed to suppress over half a year would resurface.

But she handled it gracefully. At least, that’s what Wendy believed.

She felt relieved that the six months hadn’t been in vain.

***

The day Wendy returned from the villa in haste, she was met with a letter from Karen. It mentioned her leg injury, prompting the Countess to plan a quick trip to the south.

Spring was approaching, a time when sowing began in earnest in the south. Karen, as the wife and hostess of a wealthy southern estate owner, had many responsibilities, and her injury was concerning. Charlotte, who was very active, was also a worry.

However, Wendy volunteered to go.

“But the social season is about to start. Sending you there is a bit……”

“If you’re not there as my guardian, Mother, I can’t attend anyway. Besides, I really miss my sister. And Charlotte too.”

After some deliberation, the Countess reluctantly agreed. Although not as grand as the capital, the southern social circles were quite large, along with the northern ones. While the northern social circles were calm and quiet, the southern ones were free and lively. Karen, who had entered the capital’s social scene where etiquette and formality were crucial, initially struggled to adapt.

Karen managed to settle relatively early thanks to the late Countess Enjet, her mother-in-law. Wendy believed she could take on the role of chaperone in Karen’s place.

“Alright. But Wendy, just because you’re in the south doesn’t mean you should only care for Karen.”

“What else should I do?”

“There are social circles in the south too. They might suit you better.”

“……”

Although she had no intention of engaging in social activities there, Wendy nodded obediently. She was desperate to leave the capital. More precisely, she wanted to go somewhere Lucas wasn’t.

And so, Wendy departed for the south as if fleeing.

“Miss Wendy?”

“Huh? Oh, yes.”

The music had ended before she realized it.

The man she had just danced with had approached her as soon as she entered the banquet hall to ask for a dance. She couldn’t recall his name precisely, but she was grateful to him for ending her conversation with Lucas.

Wendy elegantly held the hem of her dress and curtsied to her partner before leaving the dance hall.

As she returned to the Countess, Wendy spotted Lucas. She hadn’t consciously sought him out, but it happened out of habit.

“……”

Even standing idly, leaning against the wall, he was still conspicuous. Even after deciding to let go, even considering him like an older brother, it was unavoidable.

Beyond the large glass wall, Lucas, who was looking outside, turned his head. Their eyes met briefly before she could avoid it.

“Oh.”

Her heart sank again, inevitably.

Wendy naturally turned her head. She assumed Lucas wasn’t looking at her and that their eyes had accidentally crossed paths.

‘I shouldn’t look.’

The biggest realization Wendy had while in the south was that as long as he wasn’t in sight, she could manage.

Of course, it wasn’t like that from the start. During the journey to the south, everything was about Lucas for a while. As soon as she decided to sort out her feelings from six years, memories flooded her mind—precious memories that Lucas wouldn’t remember, but were dear to Wendy.

Karen, seeing Wendy drooping, put her to work so much that she didn’t have time to adapt. Though it was her leg that was injured, Karen made Wendy do even the trivial tasks as if her hands were hurt too. 

That’s why it became bearable.

Keeping busy made time pass quickly, and at night, Wendy was so exhausted that she fell asleep immediately. Gradually, as she became accustomed to the South, she found herself thinking less of Lucas, only occasionally when time suddenly felt empty or when she was idle.

Time indeed heals, as they say.

Now, after half a year, Wendy returned to the capital and could face Lucas directly. Compared to the past, when her face would flush and she couldn’t look at him properly, it was a significant improvement. She felt proud of herself for being able to smile and talk to him naturally just a while ago.

But she couldn’t be complacent. Even a chance meeting of their eyes led to a myriad of thoughts and a slight flutter in her heart, so Wendy still couldn’t trust herself completely.

Thus, she needed to discipline her heart and thoughts more strictly.

“Miss Wendy.”

“Oh, yes. Hello.”

This time, it was a partner the Countess had introduced, with whom she had promised to waltz. The partner for the final cotillion was already decided, so the banquet would end if she danced without thinking.

That’s fortunate. If she didn’t dance and had nothing to do, she might come looking for Lucas out of habit.

Wendy smiled more brightly and placed her hand on her partner’s.

“……”

Lucas watched Wendy dancing the waltz gracefully. A crooked smile appeared on his lips.

Just a moment ago, their eyes had met. It was certain, yet Wendy turned her head away.

‘Is she avoiding me?’

He thought she had been honest and without any lingering feelings, yet she was smiling brightly at another man, offering her hand, and even the steps they took were light and lively like a butterfly’s wings in spring.

‘They’re laughing?’

Her partner seemed to whisper something, and Wendy burst into laughter immediately. It was probably just trivial chatter to impress Wendy.

Moreover, why was he holding Wendy’s hand so tightly, and why did his hand on her slender waist keep moving?

Though Lucas knew it was inevitable contact for dancing, it bothered him anew. He began to understand why Jayden always slandered those who approached Wendy.

“……”

Suddenly, Lucas wondered why he was being so sensitive.

But it couldn’t be helped. Wendy was precious to him, someone he cherished, like a younger sister, so it was only natural to be concerned when some inadequate man approached her.

Yes, it was natural. After finding an answer to his doubts, Lucas straightened his posture. It was better for his mental health to erase such sights from his view.

***

If one were to name the most talked-about person in recent social circles, it would undoubtedly be Wendy.

Last autumn, she attracted attention with the Queen’s praise and was expected to achieve great things, yet her results were lackluster, skipping even spring and summer. Perhaps to make up for that gap, Wendy was moving actively this year.

As a result, the Earl Rosewood’s residence was bustling with guests and various gifts like never before. There were exaggerated rumors that the threshold of the residence was worn out, or that it was so covered with gifts and flowers that moving around was difficult.

“……I guess the rumors aren’t exaggerated.”

Lucas murmured as he crossed the threshold of the Earl Rosewood’s residence.

Even now, carriages delivering flowers and gifts lined up at the front gate, and inside the residence, hired hands were busy moving gifts or organizing torn packaging under the butler’s direction.

Though he had heard about Wendy’s affairs, seeing them firsthand felt different.

“It’s exhausting. We might have to raise the wages of the hired hands.”

Jayden grumbled beside Lucas.

“I never knew there were so many marriageable nobles in the capital.”

“……”

“Why is there this chaos all at once? What have they been doing without marrying?”

“Perhaps for the same reason as you.”

“I don’t want to hear that from you, of all people.”

Jayden frowned, and Lucas chuckled quietly.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have come. Mother must be busy.”

“Don’t worry. No matter how busy she is, would Mother let you starve? Ah, Butler. Where is Mother?”

“Have you just arrived, Young Master? Your Grace?”

The butler hurried over upon noticing Jayden.

“My apologies. I failed to see you.”

“No, it’s alright. With this chaos, it’s understandable.”

“Madam is in the drawing room.”

“With Wendy?”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing the butler’s answer, Jayden headed to the drawing room with Lucas. They nearly collided with an employee carrying a pile of gift boxes, but Jayden deftly avoided it.