Chapter 6.2

If she screamed, she’d be discovered.

She quickly covered her mouth and turned around to find Lucas standing there.

“What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing, Lucas?”

“Grandmother asked me to see you off. Hmm? Isn’t that Seira and Joel?”

Oh no.

Wendy’s heart skipped a beat.

She couldn’t let Lucas witness a scene where a woman about to be engaged was arguing with another man.

Hiding their relationship from Lucas was also troubling, but she felt she had to wait until Seira sorted out her feelings or decided to reveal them herself. That was the right thing to do.

“So? What do you want to do?”

“Don’t ask me first; tell me honestly what you think. Joel, you…”

Oh, it’s dangerous. It seems like something decisive will be said.

Wendy, anxious and restless, quickly covered Lucas’s ears with her hands.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s rude to eavesdrop on others’ conversations.”

“…”

Lucas was silent for a moment. It seemed Wendy thought he knew nothing.

Whether Seira loved Joel or still did, it wasn’t a big issue for Lucas. He didn’t care about the past before marriage, and having a lover after marriage was acceptable as long as it didn’t disgrace the Devon Ducal Household. For example, having an illegitimate child before an heir.

As long as she fulfilled her responsibilities and duties as the Duchess of Devon, it wouldn’t be much of a problem. He didn’t intend to make it an issue. It might even be better than clinging annoyingly, seeking affection and attention that he wouldn’t and couldn’t give.

Therefore, what bothered Lucas now was Wendy. He knew she was fond of Seira, but she should prioritize him, not try to hide the situation.

“Then what about you?”

“Well, I mean…”

“You like those two, don’t you? You wouldn’t want to be rude.”

Lucas reached out and covered Wendy’s ears. His large hands covered not only her ears but her cheeks, even pulling her closer to him.

His face, which Wendy liked so much, was right in front of her with a mischievous smile. Nervous about Lucas noticing Joel and Seira’s relationship and being so close to Lucas, her heart was about to burst.

If her heart were to fail and she died, it might be worth being rude.

‘Is it not over yet?’

Wendy tried to glance behind Lucas without meeting his eyes. But with her face held by Lucas, she couldn’t move, and she didn’t know what was happening.

Lucas pulled her forward a step, and her heart began to race so much it felt like her head was pounding.

Lucas’s bright blue eyes stared intently at Wendy. Holding her face more firmly than before, Wendy couldn’t avoid his deep, ocean-like gaze.

“…”

Lucas persistently met Wendy’s eyes.

Her body seemed frozen, stiff and unmoving, yet her eyes, neither green nor blue, or perhaps both, kept trembling slightly.

Her soft, tender cheeks gradually flushed, and her small, red lips kept moving.

Ah, yes. You still blush when you look at me, Wendy. You act as if you don’t like me anymore, as if you’re unaffected by me being with another woman, but there’s still something left.

Finally, Lucas let Wendy go. He took her hand and led her away from the spot.

She stumbled along, and when she came to her senses, she tried to wriggle free from him. But Lucas didn’t intend to let her go easily this time either.

Perhaps when separating her from Joel to put her in the Ducal carriage.

***

Two weeks before Christmas, a banquet was held at the Devon Ducal Household.

It was usual not to hold large banquets in winter, but this time there was a special purpose.

The engagement announcement of Duke Lucas Devon and the young lady Seira of Marquis Brighton Household.

Most of the invited guests already suspected the purpose.

“This day has finally come.”

Escorting Wendy as she got out of the carriage, Jayden murmured. He had expected it since the day Seira arrived in the capital, but the fact that his friend, who was always with him, was soon to be married felt quite unfamiliar to Jayden.

“Brother, you’ll be lonely now.”

“Then you should start thinking about marriage too, Jayden?”

With teasing from Wendy and the Countess, Jayden frowned. He wondered why they hadn’t said anything until now, but he ended up hearing it.

Well, it might be better than Karen. Instead of coming up from the South, she sent more than two pages filled with teasing in her letter.

“Everyone seems mistaken, but Lucas isn’t my only friend, you know?”

“That’s a bit disappointing.”

Lucas, who had come to greet them, joked.

After exchanging a brief handshake with Jayden, he bowed to the Earl and Countess of Rosewood and exchanged simple pleasantries.

“Welcome, Wendy.”

“Hello, Lucas. Where’s Seira?”

“Probably in the guest room on the second floor.”

“Can I go see her?”

Lucas nodded lightly, and Wendy scurried up to the second floor.

Earl Rosewood’s Household arrived at the manor earlier than other guests. The Countess hurried, thinking there might be something to help with, although the Dowager Duchess ensured there were no issues with the banquet preparations.

She had been helping with the household affairs for the unmarried Lucas since he inherited the dukedom.

“So, is there anything to help with?”

“I’d appreciate it if you could do the final check. Grandmother seems a bit tired.”

“Alright, I will.”

Then the butler and head maid, who had been waiting with thick documents, quickly approached.

Important matters had already been decided by Lucas and the Dowager Duchess, but for the smaller details, advice from someone experienced was needed to ensure a perfect banquet.

Lucas also followed the Countess’s decisions without question, so the butler and head maid began asking her various things.

“So, how do you feel?”

“What feeling?”

“The feeling of soon being a man with a family. Nervous or excited?”

“Not at all.”

“You might not realize it now. But having a family to be responsible for feels heavier than you think.”

The Earl put an arm around both Jayden and Lucas’s shoulders.

“Then, since we have nothing to do, shall we have a light drink? Lucas, don’t you need advice?”

“If you drink, Mother will scold you.”

Recently, the Countess had been nagging the Earl to reduce harmful things like alcohol, worrying about his health due to his busy schedule. Although today was a banquet and a drink or two might be inevitable, Jayden subtly expressed his opposition, as per his mother’s wishes.

“That’s why I’m speaking secretly. And Jayden. You’ll have fewer chances to drink with Lucas now. It’s a nuisance to call him out like you used to.”

“Marriage is still far away.”

“Spring next year, isn’t it?”

“That’s just Grandmother’s wish.”

“A long engagement period isn’t good. It’s better to do it quickly if you’re going to do it anyway.”

Chatting away, the Earl led Lucas and Jayden away from the Countess.

***

In front of Seira’s room, Wendy steadied her breath.

Today, just for today, she couldn’t show any signs of sadness, gloominess, or lack of energy.

If she showed such an appearance in front of the many people attending the banquet, who knew what rumors might circulate, as if someone had spread past gossip to Seira.

So right now, Wendy’s feelings didn’t matter. The uncomfortable disappointment in a corner of her heart could be faced and dealt with after today.

If she caused any trouble for Lucas and Seira, that would be a problem, so Wendy firmly kept a smile on her lips.

“Seira.”

“Wendy.”

Seira, almost ready, was sitting at her vanity when she saw Wendy reflected in the mirror and smiled.

“Wow, you look so beautiful today.”

“You’re beautiful too, Wendy.”

Wendy beamed and approached Seira.

“Aren’t your family coming?”

“Father is busy with work.”

“Still, today is an important day.”

Seira’s mother had passed away early, so her only family was her father, the Marquis of Brighton. However, he was strict about work and considered leaving his post for just an announcement, not even an engagement ceremony, excessive.

Instead, a distant relative was to act as her guardian, but family would have been more comforting than a barely acquainted relative.

“I’m here too, Seira. I’ll stay by your side so you’re not lonely.”

“Thank you. But are you sure it’s okay?”

“Of course, it’s fine. I don’t have anything else to do or anyone to meet.”

That wasn’t what she meant.

Seira looked at Wendy with a subtle gaze. Wendy knew what Seira was concerned about but pretended not to understand and smiled brightly.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“Help with…”

Seira’s expression darkened. She bit her lips, painted with a lovely red, repeatedly in distress.

“What do you plan to do about Sir Joel?”

“What, what do you mean?”

The question Lucas had asked at the villa had left Seira stuttering in surprise.

But Lucas merely looked at Seira leisurely.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t know? It’s so obvious.”

“…”

“To be honest, it was unexpected. I didn’t think you were someone who would be swayed by such tender emotions, Lady Seira.”

Seira clasped her hands tightly. They trembled. She thought she had hidden it perfectly so no one would notice.

Lucas chuckled at Seira, who was biting her lips.