Chapter 3.3

Andrea Heathridge, however, seemed to have a slightly different perspective. After that day, which was an impulse for some and a calculated outcome for others, Andrea completely stopped attending imperial events. At first, Michael thought it was merely a coincidence. But as it happened repeatedly, he began to suspect it was intentional.

‘Ah, so that’s how it’s going to be?’

Michael spent the day letting out incredulous chuckles. He should have guessed from her desperate attempts to hold onto her mask. But he hadn’t anticipated that she would go so far as to avoid showing her face entirely. That was his mistake.

He attended every event where she might appear, yet all that awaited him were flattery and flirtations from people whose names he couldn’t even remember.  

Weeks passed as Michael was swept up in the emotional turmoil Andrea had triggered. Every day, his judgment of Andrea Heathridge’s actions shifted. Finally, he regained his composure.  

In hindsight, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible. For someone as timid as her, who couldn’t even initiate a simple greeting, that night must have taken every ounce of courage she had. Perhaps, after taking the plunge, she realized she couldn’t handle it and decided to hide.  

Imagining Andrea trembling in fear, pale and shaking, Michael felt his heart soften.  

‘Fine. Let it go. It was just one night. I’ll forget it soon enough.’  

***

Time passed quickly. Michael responded to the endless stream of invitations, smiled warmly at those who approached him, and moved through his daily routine without any notable changes.  

His life thus far had been smooth sailing. Born into the most prestigious lineage, he had been raised with love and attention from all. There was nothing he couldn’t have if he wanted it, and nothing he couldn’t do if he set his mind to it. Without much effort, he achieved everything he desired. Everything came easily to him.  

Objectively, he had everything—looks, status, ability. In every way, Michael was exceptional. His personality… well, he acknowledged that he had a rather twisted side, but fortunately, he also had enough charm to keep it hidden. He knew how others perceived him and how to use his charisma to his advantage.  

Thus, life was inevitably dull. He often sought new thrills to shake off the boredom. But even that became a predictable pattern, no longer bringing him any joy.  

And then—  

‘…What is this?’  

For the first time, Michael encountered something difficult. His pattern had been disrupted. Time seemed to flow as usual, the seasons deepening, yet Michael’s time had stopped on the night he spent with Andrea. Strangely, the memory of that night didn’t fade. Instead, its intensity grew stronger with each passing day.  

Was it the warmth I missed? Should I meet someone else?  

Michael glanced at the young ladies who cast him subtle glances. Dressed in vibrant gowns and adorned with sparkling jewels, they were young and beautiful. Unlike Andrea, their reputations were impeccable. Unlike the woman who had tried to hide her face, these women sought to leave as strong an impression as possible.  

Yet, for some reason, he felt nothing.  

Should I feign ignorance and mingle for a while? Exchange trivial jokes? 

He thought about it briefly, but his gaze inevitably drifted to the corner of the ballroom, near a pillar. There, he would blankly watch nameless people gather and disperse until the event wound down.  

What was this emptiness?  

Michael felt confused by an emotion he had never experienced before. He felt hollow, then suddenly indignant. She had been the one to approach him, to embrace him, to initiate everything. So why was he the only one left yearning?  

‘Did she just have her fun and leave?’  

In Michael’s mind, Andrea gradually became an audacious and shameless woman. The more he felt her absence, the more his resentment grew.  

***

One day—  

“I heard the Marquis of Heathridge has been meeting frequently with Earl Byron lately.”  

“Earl Byron? Is he being considered as a potential husband for the young lady?”  

“That conservative family? Surprising. They must be aware of her background…”  

“They probably think her reputation will improve over time. Besides, Earl Byron isn’t particularly interested in socializing.”  

Michael began to hear Andrea’s name mentioned here and there, often alongside another man’s.  

‘…Seriously?’  

It felt like a hard blow to the back of his head. The nights he had spent brooding alone flashed through his mind like a lantern slide. As his initial shock faded, a wave of heat surged within him.  

She had approached him, stolen a night from him, and left without a second thought, only to meet another man.  

‘Ha, this is unacceptable.’  

His tightly pressed lips twisted into a crooked smile. In the dim light, his vivid green eyes gleamed with an ominous intensity.  

***

“I once accompanied the master to Byron’s estate. It’s a beautiful place. The fruit trees lining the roads were truly a sight to behold.”  

“Really?”  

“I’m sure you’ll love it too, My Lady. Everyone was in awe of its beauty.”  

“Mm.”  

Seated before a mirror, Andrea nodded absentmindedly as her maid, Maria, chattered away, trying to pique her interest. But Andrea’s eyes remained dull.  

Frederick Byron.  

His name was the most frequently mentioned in the Marquis’s household these days. A man the Marquis had kept close ever since his trip to the estate on business.  

Though it wasn’t explicitly stated, everyone knew. He was the most likely candidate to become Andrea’s husband. Many men had been invited to the estate over the years, but this was the first time the Marquis had shown such active favor.  

The estate was about a week’s journey by carriage. Andrea had never been there, but she knew her marriage was being actively discussed there. Yet, her opinion was absent from these conversations, as if she weren’t the one getting married.  

Did Andrea have the right to be angry about this?  

No, she didn’t.  

The day she took the Marquis’s hand in that stinking alley wasn’t a touching reunion between father and daughter. It was more of a transaction. The Marquis provided Andrea with her current environment, and in return, she gave him what he wanted from his “daughter.”  

Though she bore titles like “Marquis’s daughter” and “heiress,” none of it truly belonged to her. People accused Andrea of dreaming foolish dreams, but in this regard, she was more realistic than anyone. Where else but the slums could one learn so painfully that nothing in life came for free?  

Of course, Andrea secretly harbored foolish dreams. Michael Cherleus Hecet, for instance.  

At the thought of him, Andrea let out a deep sigh.  

After that night, she had stopped going to the imperial palace altogether. The timing was perfect, as the Marquis had left for his estate. Continuing her connection with Michael had been a hassle, but severing it had been absurdly easy. Since it had always been one-sided, there wasn’t much to sever in the first place.  

Months passed without seeing him. Andrea tried her best to let go of her feelings for Michael. She avoided revisiting the memories of that night, though she knew she would replay them endlessly in the distant future. For now, she needed to set them aside. Dwelling on an unattainable love while marriage talks with another man were underway would only bring her pain.  

“My Lady.”  

“…”  

“My Lady?”  

She had long been sitting there. Startled by the voice calling her, Andrea turned her head to see Maria’s worried face filling her vision. In her hands was a small tray piled with letters. Andrea must have been so lost in thought that she hadn’t noticed Maria leave the room.  

“These are letters addressed to you, My Lady.”

“Ah, yes. Could you leave it on the desk? I’ll check and reply right away.”

Andrea slowly stood up from her vanity table.