Chapter 9

Several small pleasure boats bobbed with the waves on the lake, its surface shimmering like scales.

Victoria Park bustled with merchants who didn’t want to miss the first day of the summer festival and with nobles eager to join the crowd.

“ ‘I heard there’s a festival in Victoria Park on Friday— I’d like to go. I’m curious what a capital-city festival is like.’ ”

The morning after she had attended the ball as Jaden’s partner, Rosalie had been quietly sipping tea when she made the request, hesitating for a long time before she spoke. From the way she supplied reasons she didn’t need to, Lana guessed her purpose was something more than simple curiosity.

“A date request, isn’t it?”

When the keen-eyed Baroness Whitman made her guess, Rosalie had no choice but to nod. The identity of the gentleman needed no explanation. Since coming out into society, this was the first time Rosalie had asked for anything. Remembering how she used to leave balls after only making an appearance and then hide away in her room, the change felt monumental. Countess Kinson, overcome with emotion, had to wipe away sudden tears with her handkerchief when no one was looking.

***

While Rosalie was browsing the stalls lined along the lakeside, an all too familiar voice called to her.

“Lady Cailon.”

Jaden, catching his breath, stopped in front of her.

“I kept you waiting because I was a bit late. I’m sorry.”

Behind him, a handful of ladies watched with regretful eyes. Given Jaden’s kindness and popularity, Rosalie could imagine his walk here hadn’t been smooth.

“No, Lord Segrington. I arrived only moments ago, so you really don’t need to apologize.”

She closed her parasol and shook her head, then lifted her gaze to Jaden. The moment she met his eyes, it felt as if someone were strangling her— she couldn’t breathe.

Blue eyes— the man who had killed her beloved family and herself— Kenneth Vinzetten.

Those words spun in her mind, sealing off her reason and shutting out every other thought.

“Lady Cailon?”

Seeing her expression tighten the instant their eyes met, Jaden looked down at her in concern. When he called her name a second time, Rosalie finally broke free of the shackles of the past and was able to face him properly.

“Ah, I just felt a little dizzy. I’m fine now.”

Jaden asked if she was really okay, and Rosalie gave a big nod to reassure him. Only after seeing her smile did Jaden feel at ease.

“Shall we go then?”

Rosalie took a step forward to follow him, silently reminding herself that Jaden wasn’t Kenneth. Only their eye color was similar—Jaden was a completely different person. She told herself not to project the hatred she had for that man onto him and tried to calm her racing heart. With that, she felt her chest lighten noticeably.

Jaden adjusted his pace to match Rosalie’s small steps, and watching her wide eyes dart around in excitement at the festival made him smile without even realizing it.

“The Miley Gazette is out!”

A small boy, his arms full of newspapers, ran all around the park. He stopped in front of Rosalie and Jaden and held out a paper.

“The Miley Gazette, miss!”

Jaden handed the boy a coin, and the child gave him the paper with a deep bow before scampering away.

The Miley Gazette was popular not only in the capital but also in other regions. People took its few printed words as gospel and judged the world accordingly. When it came to entertainment, the truth of the articles didn’t really matter.

For that reason, Rosalie didn’t particularly like the gazette.

The tragic carriage accident that struck House Cailon—

That unforgettable day of sorrow had been summed up in just a single line for the world to see.

“Shall we see what happened this time?”

Jaden opened the paper. As expected, with the social season just barely underway, the gazette was filled with stories of lovers.

“There’ll be a lot of weddings to attend as guests this year.”

As they smiled and scanned the articles, their eyes stopped at the same spot.

[Rosalie Cailon, who outshined Celetina Bellure to become this year’s social season flower, and the man she chose—Jaden Segrington]

The article featured Rosalie and Jaden as its main subjects. It even threw in Celetina Bellure’s name, making it far more provocative than the others.

People began openly staring at the two of them, standing side by side, reading the paper. Jaden gave a small, awkward cough and closed the paper even though there were pages left.

“Please don’t let this kind of article bother you, Lady Cailon. They’re just trying to create gossip however they can.”

Rosalie nodded, fully agreeing with him.

“If I act offended, it’ll only fuel the rumors, right?”

“It’s all the more important to look confident in times like these. But…”

Rosalie looked up at Jaden as he trailed off and tilted her head curiously, as if asking what was wrong.

“Are you… uncomfortable being with me because of the article in the gazette?”

His cautious voice and expression made him look like a dejected puppy.

It seemed he thought her mention of discomfort was directed at him.

Rosalie quickly waved her hand, eager to clear up the misunderstanding that had taken root in his heart.

“No, Mr. Segrington. Not at all. So please don’t think that.”

Seeing Rosalie’s firm denial, Jaden immediately brightened up. The two resumed their walk.

After a short while, they saw Celetina Bellure walking toward them with a group of young ladies.

Rosalie noticed the familiar gazette in Celetina’s hand.

Even though she hadn’t written the headline, for some reason it felt awkward to face her.

Their eyes met briefly, and Rosalie thought she sensed a chill—

But Celetina soon smiled radiantly and offered a polite nod, as if to erase the negativity.

Not long after exchanging greetings and continuing on their way, Jaden’s cheerful voice rang out.

“Duke Vinzetten!”

Rosalie, unable to slip away in time, had no choice but to greet Kenneth.

She let out a silent sigh and slowly lifted her head.

Seeing a woman linked arm-in-arm with Kenneth made Rosalie’s eyes widen slightly.

It was Carindia Vinzetten, the former duchess.

Aside from the faint wrinkles on her face, she was still just as beautiful as in Rosalie’s memories.

Carindia looked at Rosalie beside Jaden and offered a graceful, formal smile.

Assuming the duchess didn’t recognize her, a pang stirred in Rosalie’s chest.

But contrary to her assumption, Carindia had recognized Rosalie immediately.

Her eyes grew soft with affection.

However, since they hadn’t had any contact in years, Carindia restrained herself from expressing any familiarity, worried it might cause discomfort.

“What a coincidence to meet everyone here, Jaden.”

“We were on our way to go boating, Aunt.”

“How perfect—we are too. Let’s go together.”

At the dock, nobles were lining up for their turn to board the boats.

Rosalie and Jaden’s turn was drawing near when a servant rushed up and whispered something urgently into Jaden’s ear.

Jaden looked troubled, glancing back and forth between the servant and Rosalie.

“A sudden matter has come up, hasn’t it?”

Rosalie was the first to speak, sensing his hesitation.

Jaden, clearly reluctant, could only nod.

“I’m sorry, my lady. I was the one who asked you to make time…”

“It’s all right. There are still a few days left before the festival ends. You should go.”

Just then, Carindia, who had been quietly listening to the conversation behind them, carefully added a word.

“In that case, how about taking the boat with the Duke of Vinzetten? We’ve waited quite a while because of the crowd.

If you turn back now, you might end up wasting just as much time again waiting to board.

So I thought it would be nice if the two of you shared the ride.”

She looked at Rosalie as she spoke.

“Is that too much to ask?”

Jaden also thought that riding with Kenneth would be better than with any other man, and agreed with Carindia’s suggestion.

Rosalie was flustered by Carindia’s proposal, but she couldn’t bring herself to firmly refuse.

In the end, she had no choice but to accept.

“Shall we, Lady Cailon?”

Kenneth, already on the boat, reached out his hand.

Rosalie forced her stiff arm to lift and took his hand.