So just a little more. Just a tiny bit more, she wanted to hear the man’s pleading voice. Even if it was just a pretense following custom.

At Radilt’s silence, Pendlore also briefly fell quiet. But soon he addressed her back again in a tender voice.

“Would you dare grace me with your beautiful face? I earnestly request the honor of gazing upon you, hearing your voice, and receiving your hand.”

A second partner request, even more respectful. Radilt’s shoulders trembled slightly. But she did not turn around.

Despite this unexpected refusal, Pendlore’s tongue moved smoothly and skillfully. Of course it would. How many women had chosen him, such a fine gentleman, as their partner?

He might not have pursued deeper relationships, having no intention of having children or taking responsibility, but that would be all. So once more.

Radilt closed her eyes deeply. She felt afraid that Pendlore might become angry, but still she didn’t move. No, perhaps it would be better if he truly became angry. Then it would be easier to withdraw this wavering, weak heart.

Just once more. So that she could remain as a woman who had refused him twice, once more.

A third request for this shabby widow.

“Lady Brill.”

Despite the consecutive refusals, Pendlore’s voice remained calm. Still gentle, and smooth like cream swirling into a coffee cup.

“I have sent you the finest dress and the finest jewels. However, none of them could match the light of your deep and vividly clear eyes.”

Radilt’s eyes opened wide. The sunset light wrapped around her green eyes with a reddish glow. It filled her eyes to overflowing, faintly coloring her cheeks as well.

“I sincerely hope that you will allow me to be contained within that beautiful summer point of yours, with all my heart.”

“……Yes, Lord Duston.”

Firmly gripping her helplessly trembling heart lest any of it escape, Radilt slowly turned around. Her verdant eyes faced Pendlore. They fully embraced the soft blue-gray that looked back at her.

“Gladly.”

“It is my honor, madam.”

Two hands met elegantly. Radilt took her first step with trembling feet, like a young girl leaving her small nest for the first time.

* * *

Along the cypress-lined path beside the lake—half dyed deep purple, half bright golden crimson—carriages lined up one after another.

Carriages bearing distinct family crests appeared intermittently between the tall trees. Each was pulled by at least four horses, sometimes six or even eight. Every one a thoroughbred with a carriage meticulously crafted by master craftsmen using the finest materials—true works of art—so that one could say they were essentially pulling small mansions.

The Bofarnin villa was situated at a location with a clear view of the lake. The rose-entwined gold-decorated main gate was thrown wide open to welcome the arriving guests.

Servants dressed as forest nymphs, tree dwarves, and lake spirits to match the Gate of Summer busily moved among the guests. Titles like Count So-and-So and Marquis Such-and-Such echoed loudly everywhere, and the laughter of people greeting each other flowed out even before entering the building.

The main hall of the villa was as bright as daylight. A massive chandelier in the center of the high ceiling hung thousands of fragments of light, while small round glass lamps scattered around it sparkled like stars orbiting the moon.

Wooden vines climbed the hall’s pillars, and summer flowers, forced to bloom early in greenhouses, blossomed fully on every table. Most eye-catching of all was the round lawn in the center.

It was decorated with carefully selected, fresh real grass spread out widely. Without a single bug or imperfection, the stage of soft grass blades was like a meticulously woven carpet.

Around this stage stood ash trees with beautifully twisted and trimmed branches, making it resemble a secret fairy banquet hall in a summer forest.

“Marchioness Bofarnin is indeed very sophisticated.”

“One could dance barefoot like a young girl.”

“It feels like we’ve entered a lakeside forest rather than a villa.”

The guests unanimously praised the banquet’s beautiful decorations. Marchioness Banar Bofarnin received these compliments with an elegant smile.

Since women of the imperial family did not attend the Gate of Summer, today Marchioness Bofarnin stood in the highest position. She sat in the place of honor like a queen, her emerald hair ornament shining as fresh as new sprouts.

By now, more than half the banquet guests had arrived. Though the formal proceedings hadn’t begun, people gathered in small groups to share stories accumulated throughout spring. Between these conversations, short pieces from the orchestra enlivened the atmosphere. Though these were simple performances for tuning, they were by exceptional artists specially invited by Marchioness Bofarnin, and they resonated sweetly throughout the hall.

“Oh, have you heard the news?” 

A lady in a rippling blue dress asked in a lowered voice.

“Today, that widow from House Duston will be attending.”

“Yes, of course I’ve heard. I’ve wanted to meet her for some time, but I couldn’t personally seek out Lord Duston’s lover who hasn’t even made her society debut.”

If Radilt had been a simple commoner widow, it might have been different, but as Pendlore Duston’s lover, social etiquette had to be observed. Barging in without an appointment would seriously damage one’s reputation.

“I was so curious that I requested a meeting at House Duston. I was refused, though.”

“Me too. Lord Duston seems to want to keep her completely hidden.”

“My children said they encountered her in Middle Rivelura once, but even then she declined to join them.”

“My goodness, he must be completely smitten.”

As the biggest topic of recent times, Radilt’s name was whispered here and there. The handsome, young man of means who had rejected all beautiful maidens had finally lost his heart to a poor widow.

How could it not be an interesting story? A shabby woman in an old dress standing shyly in a corner at a widow support party. The young, handsome aristocratic man who appeared before her.

Since there were many witnesses at the Plumen Party, the situation was already well known. The renowned count who fell in love at first sight with the widow huddled alone and snatched her hand. Several people sighed passionately, saying they could never forget the moment when the two left the banquet hall together.

But the central figure among them was,

“I recognized it at first glance,” said Lady Iolet Rizan, the host of the Plumen Party and the contributor who had connected the couple. Lady Rizan was surrounded by numerous people, wearing a pleasant smile.

“That Lord Duston had instantly fallen for Lady Brill! That burning gaze of a young man……”

“To have seen it up close, I’m truly envious.”

“It was indeed a sight I wanted to keep watching. But Lord Duston generously handed over a large donation and requested time alone with her, so what could I do? Even though it was in the middle of the party, I gladly sent them off.”

People gasped in admiration mixed with surprise when Lady Rizan casually mentioned the amount of the donation.

It was at that moment that Radilt entered the banquet hall, escorted by Pendlore.

The carriage waiting for Radilt was more magnificent and enormous than usual. Six horses stood in front of it. Pure white thoroughbreds without a single black hair waited docilely for the signal to depart.

“Please get in, madam.”

Pendlore opened the carriage door himself without relying on a servant’s hand and invited Radilt. She acknowledged her thanks with an elegant tilt of her head and boarded the carriage.

Unlike regular carriages with two rows of seats facing each other, the interior had plush seating arranged in a ㄷ shape. A table was placed in the center, and beneath it was a long metal box. The box was filled with ice. In winter, that ice would be replaced with hot water or heated stones.

“The carriage is very spacious.”

Radilt looked around the carriage in wonder. It was like entering a small room. The plush seat that stretched lengthwise was long enough to lie down and sleep on.

“It was originally built for long-distance travel.”

The carriage started moving with the coachman’s signal. Even though regular carriages had minimal swaying, this one was even more comfortable.

“Now that business is stable, I rarely go far, so I only use it on occasions like today when appearances matter.”

“Did you travel often?”

“In the early days of becoming the head of the family. With few people I could trust, it was safer to move around personally.”

He said that in urgent situations, instead of slow carriages, he would ride horseback for days on end.

“You also plan to open your own workshop someday.”

“Yes. But mine will be a small, modest shop. It can’t compare to Lord Duston’s.”

“Do you have a location in mind?”

“……Pardon?”

Seeing Radilt unable to answer, Pendlore slightly stiffened his lips.

“Surely you’re not planning to open a perfume workshop in that shabby street near your home.”

“No! I just… haven’t thought about it yet. It will take at least 10 years anyway……”

Radilt’s voice grew smaller. She couldn’t be certain she would ever have her own workshop. If she were alone, 10 or 20 years of effort would certainly make it possible. But.

Radilt had not one but three dependents. Her shoulders sagged heavily.

She wasn’t unaware of the reality. The injustice of supporting in-laws who didn’t do any proper work. The fact that as long as she embraced them, her dream of having her own workshop would remain distant.

Unless her brother-in-law became independent and her sister-in-law got married, it wouldn’t be easy.

“……For now, it’s just a distant hope. I also need to learn from Master Philip for at least 2-3 more years.”