Chapter 1.3

“All anyone talks about is your engagement. I bet Brienne Ford is crying quite a bit, isn’t she?”

A man with dazzling silver hair, as if woven from threads, lifted his teacup with a light smile. Kaiden, sitting across from him, frowned slightly.

“It seems there are still a few hours left until your welcome party starts. You rush over to see me right after returning to the country, and the first thing you talk about is my engagement. What’s your real intention?”

“What intention? I really did come to see your face. How could I possibly hold back, when I’m so curious about what kind of expression my precious friend would have after giving an interview about an engagement he doesn’t even want?”

“…Herace Belif.”

“Well, at least you’re not sobbing like you used to. That was entertaining, but this is better.”

“Enough with the jokes. I’m not in the mood.”

“Did I say anything wrong? What about Miss Ford?”

Herace shrugged lightly, as if he meant no harm. Kaiden let out a sigh as if his head hurt.

“Brienne is… just a friend, after all.”

“Ah, ‘friend’?”

Herace gave a short laugh, exaggerating the word. His tone was sharper than usual, as if he was angry. Kaiden could not have missed such a clear change, since he and Herace Belif had been like brothers since childhood.

Kaiden, who had been staring at the tea leaves with his eyes lowered, finally looked at Herace.

“…Yes, friends like us.”

“Is that so? It didn’t seem that way to me.”

As if he had been waiting for their eyes to meet, Herace whispered teasingly, his words lilting.

“Miss Ford likes you, you know.”

His bright smile was so beautiful. Just like the nickname people gave him based on his looks, he seemed like a holy angel without a hint of malice.

Kaiden unconsciously furrowed his brows. Unwanted attention was always unpleasant. He didn’t like a single thing this guy, who barged in and scratched at his nerves, had to say.

“And even if that’s true, what does it have to do with you?”

Wasn’t this matter already settled without any trouble?

He believed he had done his best, and there was no reason to be criticized like this.

Every time Brienne tried to cross the line, he had stepped back twice as far.

“What does it have to do with me?”

With a mischievous smile, Herace tapped the table with his finger. Soon, a smooth answer flowed from his lips.

“It would be troublesome if you still had lingering feelings for my future fiancée.”

“…What?”

No sooner had Herace finished speaking than Kaiden’s eyebrows twisted. Seeing an unfamiliar expression on Kaiden’s face, Herace let out a soft laugh, as if he was amused.

“I mean Brienne Ford. If you hadn’t been the great Young Master Bannon, she would have been engaged long ago. Do you know how many men have suffered in silence because they couldn’t even speak to Miss Ford?”

It wasn’t as if Kaiden didn’t know this. When young men of this age, so interested in women, gathered, their conversations were always predictable. But to think that Herace Belif of all people was one of them—Kaiden felt as if he’d been struck.

“Well, to be honest, future fiancée is just my wish…”

Herace slowly set his teacup down on the table. Kaiden stared at his face, now devoid of its usual smile.

He always smiled, but no one could tell what he was thinking.

Herace Belif was a man shrouded in mystery. Despite having the same status as Kaiden as a Young Master, he rarely appeared in public. It was as if he had no interest in politics or his own family.

Then, suddenly, he left to study at the academy—already four years ago. Kaiden had no idea what whim had taken Herace in that time.

“For now, let’s just say I’m one of those men too. I’ve always been curious about Brienne Ford. What does she think about with that head of hers, and what does she like besides you, Kaiden Bannon?”

“If it’s just a passing interest…”

“Who knows. Even if it is, you’re not the one to talk.”

Herace cut off Kaiden and lightly stood up. Kaiden gave a small, bitter laugh at his arrogant attitude, which didn’t allow for even a single reply.

“…For someone who claims to have just come to see my face, your words are pretty sharp. Even so, it’s not as if Brienne, who doesn’t even know you exist, will be moved if you shows up.”

He finally realized. Herace Belif had come to give him notice. From the start, he hadn’t cared about Kaiden’s opinion at all.

“We’ll see about that. Starting today, I intend to pursue Miss Ford’s hand in marriage with all my heart. So I sincerely hope you don’t change your ‘just friends’ story.”

“…”

“Once is enough for a precious friend to become a rival in love, don’t you think?”

Herace’s stormy gray eyes cooled as he asked coldly. For someone who was always smiling to look this serious meant he was truly sincere. Kaiden took a sip of his now lukewarm tea with a bitter smile.

A rival in love, he said.

“…All this time, I thought we were friends. I’m more surprised that you saw me as a rival.”

“I guess you wouldn’t know. You’ve always only cared about yourself. Even now.”

At that candid reply, Kaiden gave a faint smile. Herace slung the jacket draped over his chair onto his shoulders.

“Well, if that’s all you have to say, I’ll be going. Like you said, I skipped my own welcome party for this. Ah, and…”

“…”

“If you really care about Brienne, then you’d better look after that Melosi Brandy or whatever, just like you always have. Now that it’s even made the news, don’t think about interfering.”

A clean smile reappeared on Herace’s face. Kaiden, staring at that unreadable expression, gave a slight nod of his chin.

“…Fine, I sincerely hope your plan succeeds too.”

If nothing else, at least this much was genuine. Kaiden swallowed his words along with the lukewarm tea, watching Herace’s back as he left the room.

* * *

As soon as the banquet ended, Olivia Ford went to Brienne’s room. But instead of her daughter, she was greeted by the maid, Marie.

“Madam, I’m sorry, but Miss Brienne said she wants to be alone. She also said she doesn’t want anything to eat…”

Marie’s gaze landed on the tray in Olivia’s hand. Olivia, looking down at the piece of strawberry cake that Brienne liked, let out a sigh.  

“She doesn’t want to eat anything. Is she still not feeling well? Brienne probably hasn’t eaten all day….”  

It was already late, the day having faded and night approaching. Olivia had wanted to end the banquet early for Brienne’s sake, but it hadn’t been as easy as she hoped. That was because everyone attending the welcome party kept asking about Kaiden Bannon’s engagement.  

And at the center of them all was none other than the Countess Harrington.

<Really, you never know what will happen with people. Who would have thought Young Master Bannon would get engaged to Lady Bailey? Poor Miss Ford, she’s the one caught in the middle. That’s why you shouldn’t be too transparent with your feelings. Just look at what happened last time with Miss Ford and my son….>  

<Anyway, please give Miss Ford my regards. Though, I’m not sure if that will be of any comfort.>  

Recalling that sneer disguised as concern, Olivia felt as if she might cry. She knew Brienne didn’t fit in well in society, but if even Countess Harrington, who maintained a political alliance with the Ford family, said such things, then what people said about her daughter behind her back was obvious.  

It was frustrating, knowing all of this yet being unable to easily show anger. No matter how honorable their marquis family was, the Ford family’s influence had long since waned.  

‘All the more reason I should be a source of strength for Brienne at times like this….’  

Olivia couldn’t even say that things would be okay, or tell Brienne not to worry. She had no idea how to comfort her daughter. Guilt washed over her, thinking it was partly her and her husband’s influence that made Brienne dream of marrying Kaiden.  

“Olivia.”  

Just as she was lost in self-blame, Marquis Ford, who had climbed the stairs at some point, approached her side. The quick-witted Marie immediately took the tray from the Madam’s hand and stepped back.  

“Damon…! You’re only just getting back?”  

“Yes, things ran late today. Where’s Brienne? Seeing you here, I guess she’s in her room?”  

“Yes, what should I do? She locked herself in and won’t come out…. She hasn’t been this sad since she lost her pet bird as a child. I really don’t know how to comfort her….”  

“Don’t worry too much, Olivia. Finding our daughter who’s hidden herself away is my specialty.”  

Damon gently placed his hand on Olivia’s slumped shoulder. Olivia’s eyes widened in surprise.  

“What? Don’t tell me you… again….”  

“As soon as I saw the article this morning, I figured this would happen. I requested a leave from His Majesty. He told me to take a whole week off.”  

“My goodness, is that really true?”  

Olivia embraced her husband with a joyful face.  

“Thank you, dear. Brienne will surely be happy too.”