Chapter 35

“You don’t seem curious today either?”

Even at the sight of Chris coming personally to the Crown Princess’s palace, Bersha turned away without replying and drew up her knees. Since he knew why she was acting that way, he did not rebuke her for it.

Her body, curled into a small round shape, looked especially tiny.

“You didn’t say anything to him, did you?”

It was directed at him, though he had sat on the edge of the bed without saying much.

“As if he’d listen even if I did.”

He wore an aggrieved expression. That too was true. While Raon followed any order given to him as Commander of the Imperial Knight Order without complaint, when it came to other matters, he did not bend his will easily.

‘If you and I are often seen together, we will frequently become the subject of people’s gossip, Your Highness. It would be best for us to refrain from it from now on.’

Those were the words he had said to Bersha when she had welcomed him happily. His expression had been so firm that it hurt. Though she understood in her head that he was right, the hurt did not easily fade. It felt as though his heart was not the same as hers.

As she rested her forehead on her knees, Bersha’s long hair slipped down as though to cover her face.

He had not thought Raon would really say that. 

Ruthless bastard.

Chris thought so as he looked at her, dispirited.

‘It failed.’

Kina was an insignificant woman, but the title of Duchess was certainly attractive enough to make men covet it. And if she was a woman who did not receive her husband’s love, then it was easy for her eyes to wander.

Chris knew that many men were lying in wait, aiming for her, because if they could only win over such a woman, they might be able to catch even the smallest crumbs from the Dukedom of Graize.

And even aside from that, there were surely those who would prod at it for the vicarious satisfaction of conquering Kina, now the Duchess, thereby taking what belonged to Raon, a man stronger than anyone else.

Whatever the reason, it did not matter to Chris. What mattered was that Kina should not forget her place and role because of the endless ridicule and treatment she received.

Because Lady Kina of the Sennet Viscounty was no more than a word for the eternal love of Bersha and Raon.

‘Deputy Commander Seorin helped her.’

They had succeeded in luring out a man too drunk to think clearly, but at the crucial moment, Seorin had interfered. In the first place, success or failure had not been what mattered to him, so there was no reason to feel regret over the failure.

It had only been an unexpected new variable. Recalling the sight of Seorin and Kina together, Chris realized that one more option had presented itself to him. And of its own accord, at that.

Judging from nothing more than the looks and atmosphere the two had exchanged, it did not even seem as though he needed to lay a hand on anything himself.

Chris, his mood improved somewhat, stroked Bersha’s hair.

“He must have done it because of the circumstances.”

Bersha lifted her head slightly and met his eyes.

“You know what kind of person he is, even if he has accepted this situation. The fact that someone like him is enduring it at all is something to be grateful for.”

“……Do you really think so?”

Chris did not answer and merely gestured toward her with the palm of his hand. Whether she believed it or not was her choice. Chris had merely broadened the range of choices available to Bersha.

After thinking it over deeply, Bersha soon nodded.

“You’re right. I don’t think there’s any need to take it only in a bad way.”

Her face looked lighter, as though she had reached a conclusion.

“That’s right.”

As a variable had arisen, Chris too decided to wait and see a little longer for now.

* * *

The first ball Raon would attend was a couples’ ball hosted by Earl Jun, to be held soonest. Inside the carriage heading toward the Earl’s residence for the event, Raon looked at Kina, who sat across from him. She was looking out the window, and there seemed to be nothing in particular to worry about.

‘I will go as well.’

The voice of Seorin, who had answered the moment the first schedule was decided, rose reflexively in his mind. He truly could not understand what there was to worry about. While thinking that, the carriage had already arrived in front of the Earl’s residence and came to a stop.

When Raon got down first and escorted Kina, the gazes of the nearby nobles concentrated on them. Under the burdensome eyes following her, Kina tightened her jaw so as not to show that she was nervous.

“It is an honor that have attended, Your Grace.”

“It is only I who should thank you for inviting me.”

They exchanged concise greetings without excess. With words of thanks for the invitation, they entered the ballroom.

At the appearance of the two of them, the noise briefly died down. This was the first event the Duke of Graize, who had not set foot in a ballroom since his break with Bersha, and the Duchess, who seldom appeared unless it was for events related to the Imperial Family, had attended together.

“It has been a long time, Your Grace.”

As they approached through the now-quiet nobles, one of the nobles who had only been watching for an opening naturally stepped forward to speak.

“It has indeed been a long time, Earl Winders. It has also been a long time, Madame.”

Abil, standing nearby, greeted Kina as well. Kina was startled by Abil’s words, remembering her, but outwardly she did not show it and only gave a slight smile. Raon stared at him.

“I once supported the poorhouse.”

Sensing the gaze, Abil added that explanation. Raon nodded, saying, “I see.” The reason he did not ask more was that the chain of memories that followed after the vanished poorhouse was not particularly pleasant.

Still, it was a little unexpected that Kina had been familiar enough with the much-rumored Abil to exchange greetings.

“I have always only seen you at Imperial balls, but seeing you here gives a different feeling.”

“To be honest, it has been a long time for me as well, so I am still adjusting. Please understand.”

Soon the surrounding nobles gradually inserted themselves into their conversation. It was not a bad beginning.

Moreover, as expected of someone who had drawn attention since childhood, Raon quickly took hold of the crowd. He spoke naturally with each person, neither too much nor too little.

It almost gave the illusion that he had maintained friendly ties with them for a long time. The host of the event, Earl Jun, stood closest to Raon, his face full of pride.

Kina tried not to ruin that atmosphere and matched it as appropriately as she could.

“I heard you are very interested in hunting.”

“Ha ha. It is only a small hobby, yet has word spread that far?”

Raon naturally turned the topic toward the Earl Jun. The man looked pleased that Raon was showing interest.

“Compared to you, Your Grace, it is child’s play.”

As a Knight of the Estin Empire carrying out orders, there had been countless times when Raon had to cross steep paths and dense forests. Because of that, he had simply learned ways of survival naturally.

“You flatter me.”

Raon answered as if it were nothing, but Earl Jun knew very well that even hunting as a hobby became difficult as soon as the path was a little rough or the trees thick.

“I heard you even have a room furnished only with tools for hunting. If it is all right, may I ask to see it?”

As Raon, who possessed the finest skill in both war and hunting, showed interest in his hobby, color rose in the delighted Earl’s face.

“Of course.”

His raised voice proved it. After telling Kina he would be back in a moment, Raon followed after the Earl.

Watching Raon’s back disappear together with the Earl, Kina parted her lips as though she had something to say, then stopped. Instead, she gripped the champagne glass in her hand tightly in unease.