Chapter 2

Neidof Hotel.

The hotel had built a huge glass conservatory restaurant in the back, making it a landmark.

Clear sunlight streamed through the transparent glass between the steel beams, brightly illuminating the interior even without lamps.

Neria was busily watching the servers carrying plates back and forth.

She had arrived at the meeting place thirty minutes early out of nerves. Overwhelmed by the lavish decor and the guests, Neria hesitated, then pulled out a mirror to check her face. The look Marie had worked so hard to create was awkwardly stiff.

‘Duke Aaron Denicar.’

According to Marie, he had verbally battered Marquis Beverland’s famous daughter. But something didn’t add up.

Neria had never heard any rumors of Aaron mistreating noble ladies. When she mentioned this, Marie, with a puzzled look, shared one more rumor.

Even if they feel like they’ve been insulted, just looking at his face makes them not angry. They think there must be a reason for what he says. That’s why the ladies who fail at meetings with him never complain.

While waiting for Aaron, Neria’s imagination kept running.

If she married Aaron Denicar, she would name her first daughter after herself, and since the North was cold, she would bring a thick quilt. And……

“Hmm.”

A slight urge caught Neria’s attention.

She glanced at the clock. There were still twenty minutes until the appointed time, so she had enough time to visit the restroom.

“Do you need anything?”

As she rose from the table, a server approached and politely asked. Neria discreetly explained her need, and the server kindly showed her the way.

Following the directions, Neria walked down a quiet corridor. The wall-mounted electric lamps seemed to light the interior even more than the sunlight outside.

Voices, bells calling for servers, and the clatter of dishes grew more distant.

After finishing her business, Neria entered the powder room next door.

Unlike the restroom, the powder room was divided into women’s and men’s sections by partitions.

Perhaps because it was a small, auxiliary space next to the restroom and not a full women’s area, it was empty.

Neria checked her face one last time before leaving.

“……You know the name of your meeting partner, right?”

A strange male voice came from near the corridor, making Neria pause.

“Lady Neria Warwick.”

‘……That’s my name?’

Neria perked up her ears. The sound of two footsteps overlapped, indicating that two men had entered the men’s powder room next door.

“I knew.”

A pleasant, neat, and clear voice answered leisurely.

One of the two men was definitely Duke Aaron Denicar. Hearing the Duke’s voice, which sounded gentle at a glance, Neria’s heart pounded.

‘He knew my name!’

Instead of coughing to announce her presence or leaving the room, Neria unconsciously held her breath.

She was curious what would be said about her.

“I asked because you seemed uninterested.”

The man who had asked the question let out a light sigh and spoke.

“Ah, honestly, I didn’t know.”

‘Uh……?’

“But isn’t it fine since I know now?”

Neria was taken aback by Aaron’s suddenly cynical attitude.

“Still…… she could be a good lady.”

Apparently, Neria wasn’t the only one flustered; the Duke’s aide stammered, siding with Neria.

Tsk tsk, a light clicking of the tongue was heard.

“Dagon, you don’t understand the persistence of noble ladies who are put up on the marriage market. Shamelessly trying to raise their value…… in a way, they’re rather pitiful women.”

And then, a short sigh.

Neria’s expression hardened. She could imagine Duke Aaron, behind the partition, wearing a very bored and annoyed look.

Her heart, which had been fluttering with excitement, cooled instantly at the unexpected gossip. Neria was greatly displeased at being treated as an annoying and persistent woman, even though he didn’t really know her. No, in fact, she was most angry at herself for not having the courage to reveal she’d overheard the whole conversation.

“Hm. I should go. Time to go waste some time.”

There was a light clinking sound of metal. He must have checked the watch at his waist.

“Your Grace, I’ll come to fetch you in about two hours.”

“No need. It won’t take that long anyway. Thirty minutes should be enough.”

“……I’m starting to feel sorry for that lady.”

The aide murmured with sympathy. Neria blushed at receiving pity from someone she didn’t even know.

“In my eyes, she’s just a woman full of vanity. I’ve heard what kind of man Earl Warwick is. His daughter probably doesn’t know the difference in status and just wandered in like a bear chasing honey.”

The two soon left the powder room. The sound of men’s shoes grew more distant. Neria’s legs gave out and she staggered, grabbing the dressing table for support.

“What kind of man talks like that?”

It was truly absurd.

They say people criticize even the king behind his back, but was it really okay to speak so carelessly about a marriage prospect?

Seeing the typical arrogance of high-ranking noblemen and their patronizing attitude, Neria’s fantasy about Aaron Denicar was shattered.

Neria lightly bit her lip.

Her excitement had long since evaporated.

***

Neria returned to the glass conservatory restaurant. The server assigned to her table was nervously waiting at the entrance, and upon spotting Neria, hurried over.

“My Lady, His Grace the Duke has arrived.”

“Oh. Yes.”

With a stiff expression, Neria followed the server to the designated table. 

‘How could someone with such an attitude have no rumors, just because of his good looks? Just how handsome was he?’

She thought bitterly.

A tall, striking man sat against a backdrop of a large vase and a three-tiered screen decorated with lavish floral patterns. He was an incredible beauty, with black hair and vivid blue eyes. Neria almost let out a small gasp.

The Duke slowly rose from his seat. Even above the partition, which was tall enough to surpass the height of an adult man, his shadow loomed large.

“Are you Lady Neria Warwick?”

“Hello, Your Grace. I’m Neria Warwick.”

Duke Aaron did not offer a polite smile, but his expression wasn’t overly stiff or cold either. It was simply formal, indifferent.

Embarrassingly, Neria felt a little intimidated by Aaron Denicar’s looks. Just as people said, seeing him up close made it hard to get angry. She understood that with her head, but her heart refused to accept it.

“Please, have a seat.”

His large, steady hand pulled out the chair.

“Thank you.”

She replied reflexively, and the Duke nodded briefly.

The table assigned for their light meal and tea time was small, making the distance between them closer than at other tables.

If it hadn’t been for the Duke’s blunt and somewhat careless gossip, Neria would have found the proximity quite romantic.

Once he sat down, Neria could smell his scent. It was a gentle and sweet blend of lemon and rose, with a slow undertone of pepper that tickled her nose. The scent of a grown man.

The sharp, fake leaf-shaped shadows danced around the Duke’s eyes. Even in the shade, his blue eyes were vividly clear, but the temperature within them was utterly bland.

The surroundings were filled with lively conversation and occasional pleasant laughter. Neria felt a little sad about her fate. Even at home, she had no place, and it seemed she wasn’t welcome anywhere.

While Neria was wrapped in a strange melancholy, Aaron was meticulously observing his counterpart.

Her chestnut hair was well cared for, but the color and design of her dress didn’t suit her well, and her eyes…… he couldn’t tell what color they were, since she wasn’t making eye contact.

She was so ordinary and rustic that he wouldn’t remember her after today’s meeting. She didn’t seem to have a strange personality or a strong sense of self, so she probably wouldn’t bother him in the future.

‘Well, if I reject her properly, this can be over in ten minutes.’

Aaron absentmindedly fiddled with the metal watch at his waist and spoke.

“Lady Warwick, you may have come with high hopes to pick a stallion, but first I must apologize for not meeting your expectations.”

“……?”

Neria opened and closed her mouth like a fish catching food at the surface, then frowned. The blunt word choice was a little unpleasant, and she felt irritated that the Duke had taken the initiative.

“I know that too. I’m aware this meeting isn’t what you wanted, Your Grace.”

“Aha. If you know, that makes things quicker.”

Having never offered even a polite smile, Duke Aaron finally raised the corners of his mouth slowly. It made him seem even more insufferable.

Neria gazed at the Duke. His arrogant, bored blue eyes met hers. It was clear Aaron thought he was completely in control of this meeting, acting as if all the decisions were solely his.

‘It’s true my family is declining. It’s also true I had a tiny bit of hope. But!’

Neria was not a straw doll to be shaken at will. She still had a shred of pride left.

‘If it was a place for calculated interests, fine. If you hit me once, I’ll hit you once, too!’

With this resolve, Neria summoned a week’s worth of courage and spoke clearly.

“Your Grace, you seem to have a hobby of wasting the time of busy noble ladies.”