Chapter 1.4

“So, the Marquis has taken leave…”

After leaving the Bannon residence, Herace looked down at the note he received from a messenger. For Marquis Ford, a key figure in the Emperor’s faction, to take leave only meant one thing: he would be going down to his estate with his family.  

‘…For his daughter’s recovery. If I want to meet Miss Ford, I’ll have to use some tricks.’

Herace, who had been about to head straight for Marquis Ford’s manor, changed his plans. Ever since hearing about Kaiden’s engagement, he had been acting too hastily. At least when it came to meeting her in person, he needed to be more careful—he would have to plan every detail.  

He first organized the rumors circulating in society in his mind.  

‘Brienne Ford is cold, they say.’  

That was something any noble of the Rontiano Empire would know. He recalled the party he had attended a few months ago, following Kaiden.

<Miss Ford made Count Harrington’s second son cry this time, didn’t she? How can someone be like that every time? She doesn’t know how to speak indirectly, it’s as if she was born just to embarrass someone.>  

<How could someone like that come from the gentle Ford family? If it weren’t for her father, with that temper, she’d never have set foot in society!>  

A Ford bloodline who could never utter a sugar-coated word. Brienne, who couldn’t easily let even a small slip of the tongue pass. A cold woman who, even in public, had to point out anything wrong before she could rest easy.  

That was how people saw her.  

<Shh, stop it. Someone might hear!>  

<So what if they do? Are we making things up? Now, whenever she shows up, everyone goes silent. The most respected ladies in society say they’re nervous around a girl so much younger, worried they’ll say something wrong. Why is Young Master Bannon even close to a woman like that?>  

But Herace’s opinion was a bit different.  

She was rational, logical, as knowledgeable as most scholars, and even skilled in arguments.  

Among nobles full of pretense and hypocrisy, Brienne stood out for her elegance, even without considering her looks.  

So, didn’t that make her all the more intriguing?  

Everyone knew that she became as meek as a lamb only in front of Kaiden.  

‘…Well, that’s not the only reason, but still.’  

Herace tucked the note into his pocket and approached the carriage waiting for him. Aaron, his bodyguard, who had been standing back, opened the carriage door and bowed his head.  

“Young Master, are we going home now? It’s quite late. The Duke is still waiting….”  

“No, since I’m already late, let’s head to the merchant guild. If I don’t show up until the end, Father’s expression will be something to see.”  

“Pardon?”  

Aaron looked at Herace in surprise at the sudden decision. But Herace simply got into the carriage and threw the curtains wide open.  

Just how long had he waited for a moment like this?  

He was going to meet Brienne Ford.  

With feelings he no longer needed to hide.  

Just that thought alone made even the gloomy weather, threatening rain, seem not so bad.

* * *

The rain that had started pouring showed no sign of letting up. The Ford couple, hurrying their daughter’s convalescence, exchanged glances, watching Brienne for any sign.  

With a cough, it was Damon Ford who finally spoke first.  

“Ahem, how long has it been since our last trip together? It’s so nice to have the whole family together for a journey.”  

“Indeed. With Shylo finally home, just as Brienne had hoped, it’s so lively and wonderful.”  

Olivia smiled warmly at Brienne. The couple’s awkward efforts would have moved even a stranger, but they couldn’t ease Brienne’s heart.  

Brienne, who had been staring at the floor of the carriage since their departure, let out a sigh.  

“Mother, Father… I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but it was unnecessary.”  

Brienne’s gaze shifted to Damon.  

“…Especially you, Father. If you take leave for something like this, His Majesty may think poorly of it. You need to hold your seat in the council.”  

“Brie, ‘something like this’—this is all for you….”  

The Marquis Ford, about to make an excuse, closed his mouth. Even with the Emperor’s permission, it was true he had left his duties and hurriedly departed.  

“And there was no need to bring Shylo, who just got home, along as well. Now he’s just sulking at me.”  

Brienne looked at Shylo as if to say, ‘Isn’t that right?’. Shylo shrugged and replied right away.  

“Why are you picking on me? You’re just worried you’ll look pathetic for running away as soon as Kaiden’s engagement was announced.”  

“Shylo….!”  

At Shylo’s sullen tone, Olivia frowned. Shylo, who had canceled plans with friends and been dragged on this family trip because of Brienne, simply leaned back, acting as if he knew nothing.  

Brienne furrowed her brow and turned her gaze outside the window. The sky, pouring with rain, looked just like her heart.  

A whole day. Brienne had holed up in her room, thinking only of Kaiden.  

If her feelings would have faded easily, she would never have held onto them this way. She felt it was unfair—after all this time, she’d never even managed to confess.  

A shadow fell over Brienne’s face. She lowered her gaze, looking troubled.  

“Yes, Brother, you’re right… I always just assumed I’d eventually marry Kaiden.”  

“…Brienne?”  

At last, even Shylo, who had expected his sister to get angry as usual, realized the seriousness of the mood and sat up straighter.

He wore quite a serious expression.  

“I can’t stand it, should I go beat him up for you? Where do you want me to hit him so you’ll feel better, his stomach? His solar plexus? Or maybe, that oh-so-proud face of his?”  

At that, Olivia groaned and shook her head. Damon, watching Brienne’s reaction, cautiously opened his mouth.  

“Brie, I’ve been wanting to ask you for a while… Is there a reason you like Kaiden so much?”  

Brienne’s light green eyes wavered. If she had to name reasons, it would be Kaiden’s personality, his voice, his face. Everything about him was a reason. She couldn’t help but like him. He was the first friend she ever made, and the one who always found her and comforted her among people who disliked her.  

“……”  

As Brienne’s silence dragged on, Olivia offered a bitter smile and took her hand.  

“You must have a lot of memories. He always spent your birthday at our house. Every summer, you practically lived at the Bannon family’s lake. I remember too, just how close you two were….”  

“…That’s right. Everywhere I go, all I have are memories with Kaiden.”  

Brienne’s room, the Ford family’s garden, even the capital’s plaza. Kaiden’s traces were everywhere Brienne’s eyes could reach, not just at the Bannon estate. As a hint of moisture appeared in Brienne’s eyes, Damon, looking at his daughter with pity, let out a troubled sigh.  

“Then, did you at least ask Kaiden what happened?”  

“No, I… I thought it would be disrespectful to Melosi Bailey.”  

After forcing a smile, Brienne shook her head. She had written letters several times, but couldn’t bring herself to send them. Contacting a man who now had an official fiancée would only be a bother, and she was also afraid of what sort of reply she might get from him.  

“In that case, let’s wait and see if he contacts you first. If there’s still no word by the time we return to the capital, I’ll ask Duke Bannon myself to arrange a meeting.”  

At her father’s words, Brienne nodded carefully. The thought that he would even contact Duke Bannon directly for her, even if it was just a comforting gesture, made her feel a little better.  

“…Thank you, Father. And Mother.”  

After that, conversation turned little by little to more ordinary topics, and the carriage carrying the Ford family sped on through the rain without stopping.  

When the carriage entered the marquisate and passed through the gates, the servants who had been waiting in advance all came out to greet them at once.  

“You’ve arrived.”  

“Yes. Please prepare bathwater immediately, before dinner. The weather is so humid, it seems the rain won’t stop for a while.”  

“Yes.”  

The steward at the front bowed and stepped back. Brienne, following her family, suddenly turned as if remembering something.  

“Um, I have a favor to ask….”  

“Yes, Miss.”  

“…If Kaiden comes looking for me, could you let me know right away?”  

For a moment, the steward’s face showed a troubled expression. With the news that had caused such a stir in the capital, it was no secret why the family had come down.  

“…Understood.”  

The steward, having composed his expression, bowed his head. After making that request, Brienne never looked back again.