Chapter 3.4

“At first, it was nothing special. I met him at a party, he said something rude, and I just asked for an apology. But then Kaiden…”

Brienne, forcing a smile, put down her fork. Memories of the party from a few weeks ago floated over the unfinished cake.

<Oh, Brienne Ford…! What brings you out to the garden alone? The one who never goes anywhere without Kaiden Bannon, all alone.>

<…Excuse me, but who are you?>

<What, you don’t know me…? Ah, right. Well, how many men could you possibly know? All you ever think about is Young Master Bannon. So devoted!>

Only after listening closely to the slurred voice did Brienne remember who the man was. Every time she ran into him at parties, Derrick Harrington was always drunk on medicine and alcohol.

<How rude. I never gave you permission to speak with me. Please move aside.>

<Hey, acting all stiff isn’t going to do you any good. If you keep this up, you’ll be the only one left on the marriage market. Use your head! What do you think will happen if Kaiden Bannon gets engaged to someone else? What will become of you?>

<…….>

<No one knows how many men you’ve fooled around with, so who would give you the position of Madame just for your pretty face?>

<…Ha, that’s quite something coming from a second son who won’t even inherit a title. Maybe you should spend your time finding yourself a marriage instead. Though, I wonder if there’s anyone who’d willingly take you as a husband after hearing you say things like that.>

<What…? Ha! Fine, whatever. But you’re not getting a title either! Still, I’m a man. You’re just a useless woman, right? Women are only good for warming a bed after getting married.>

<Excuse me…! How can you say something so rude?>

Brienne, angry, took a step toward him.

It was when Kaiden Bannon, who had followed Brienne out, punched Derrick Harrington in the face.

<Why don’t you keep those kinds of words to yourself in your own room? I can’t stand to listen to any more of it.>

<Y-Young Master Bannon…?>

It was truly something, that things only got resolved when a man showed up. Upon seeing Kaiden, Derrick crawled over, almost begging for forgiveness. It was a sight too pitiful to watch, but in the end, Kaiden did not accept his apology.

<Don’t even think about apologizing to Brienne with that filthy mouth of yours. You’re not even worth that much. Get lost.>

With that, Derrick hurriedly left the party. But strangely enough, from the very next day, the only one who was insulted everywhere was Brienne. Thanks to Earl Harrington, Derrick, who had connections all over, pleaded with tears in his eyes.

He claimed that Brienne had hurled harsh words at him. That when the argument escalated, she hid behind Kaiden.

It was an absurd claim, and it made her angry, but there was nothing she could do. At that time, Shylo was at the academy, and if she told her parents, they would surely be hurt as if it were their own problem.

Besides, the Ford family was receiving help from the Harrington family.

Derrick Harrington must have known that well. His pride was hurt, and he needed to vent. He couldn’t go after the future Duke Bannon, so he picked the easy target—her.

And since it happened in the garden, there were no witnesses…

“…Brienne?”

“Ah… It’s nothing. Now that I think about it, it’s not even worth mentioning. It’s not like it was anything good.”

Some wounds hurt more when spoken aloud. If one keeps them hidden in the heart, it’s as if they never happened, but the moment they’re voiced, the wound finally takes on meaning. Brienne smiled faintly. At least, she wanted to believe that.

“It looks like we’ve finished eating. Shall we get up now?”

After a moment’s thought, Herace nodded and stood up. When he offered his hand to Brienne, her small hand landed gently on top of his.

That small hand made Herace want even more. The fact that Kaiden’s name came from those lips, and the great significance that name held.

Kaiden surely knew as well.

‘…If you have no intention of telling me.’

Now there was one more thing he had to do in the capital. He decided he would look into Derrick Harrington as he held Brienne’s hand tightly.

It was happiness he had waited so long to finally hold in his hand. He had no intention of ever letting go of Brienne’s hand, not now or ever.

* * *

Painful times pass slowly, but good times always seem to fly by. Another day passed, and Ford Manor was busy preparing to send the family off.

“Father, where’s Herace?”

At Shylo’s question, Marquis Ford lifted his head. The Marquis, who had been sorting the luggage among the servants, handed him a long box.

“He left earlier while you were still sleeping. Here, this is a gift for you, apparently.”

“A gift?”

Shylo’s eyes went wide as he received the gift box from the Marquis. Who would have thought he’d ever get a gift from Herace Belif.

“What is it, wine?”

“He said he was passing by on business for the merchant group. It’s wine made from grapes, a specialty of the Belif estate. He must have remembered you like to drink.”

“Oh…”

A bright look spread across Shylo’s face. Maybe he was a better guy than he’d thought. Tucking the wine under his arm, he peered among the boxes.

“What did you get, Father?”

“Are you curious?”

“Of course!”

The Marquis looked around, then took a gold pocket watch from his coat. Shylo’s eyes immediately sparkled.

“That’s expensive!”

“Ahem, of course!”

“Wow, Herace Belif… What a good guy! No, no… What a bad guy! Why did I get wine!”

Shylo, glaring at the wine, shouted in frustration. Brienne, watching him, shook her head. As she passed by, she gestured toward the Marchioness, who was already in the carriage.

“You gentlemen, let’s wrap things up. Mother is waiting.”

“Oh, Mother! What did you get, Mother?”

Shylo, trotting over, climbed into the carriage and asked. Olivia, who had recovered her spirits over the past few days, smiled and shook her head.

“Well, seeing how curious you are, I suppose I’ll have to keep it a secret.”

“Ah, why…!”

“No matter how much you beg, I won’t tell you.”

When it became clear Olivia wouldn’t say, Shylo poked his head out of the carriage window, grumbling.

“Brienne, what about you?”

Receiving his intense gaze, Brienne awkwardly pointed to the luggage cart behind them.

“…Cake. It’s in that carriage.”

“What? Cake? Why cake?”

Shylo frowned, glancing back in confusion. Brienne, pushing Shylo’s head back inside the carriage, shrugged.

“Who knows.”

She remembered leaving a note at the cake shop. 

‘Well, still…’

It didn’t seem like an absurd gift. She had left the cake behind because of the story about Derrick Harrington.

‘He even thought about something like that.’

Brienne let out a small laugh and looked back at the manor. It had been a pretty good week. She’d made memories she never expected in this place.

‘Somehow, I even gained courage.’

She thought she’d be fine alone, but maybe she’d actually been afraid.

“Let’s go! Brie, get in!”

The Marquis, already seated in the carriage, beckoned Brienne to get in. Brienne smiled brightly, taking in the faces of her family one by one.

“I’m coming.”

* * *

The cheerful voices of well-dressed nobles. The sound of clinking glasses after hearty laughter. The orchestra playing, the footsteps of servants refilling empty glasses.

Kaiden Bannon never liked noisy places. But today, there was no avoiding such a noisy place.

“Do you think she’ll come today?”

“Oh, you mean Miss Brienne Ford?”

“She probably won’t! As soon as the engagement was announced, she ran off to her estate. Why would she come here?”

“I’ll bet fifty gold coins she shows up. She’s always wherever Kaiden Bannon is.”

“Then I’ll bet a hundred she doesn’t! Miss Bailey is at Young Master Bannon’s side, isn’t she? There’s no way she’d show up with that pride of hers.”

Leaning against the railing, Kaiden leisurely surveyed the spacious hall below. The simple party held before the engagement ceremony was in full swing.

Boring. He already knew everyone here, so there was nothing new, not even today.

So why was he looking down at them?

He wasn’t even sure where his gaze was going. If he had to admit it, it felt like he was desperately searching for something.

That was…

‘Brienne Ford.’

Kaiden took a sip of wine with a bitter smile.

The way she would chatter sweetly and follow behind him. The way her cheeks would flush whenever their eyes met. The way she’d catch her breath in surprise if he came any closer. The way her light green eyes always sparkled with anticipation.

Is that what I was looking for now? If so, why? 

The question that had circled his mind countless times each day over the past week rose up again.

<If you get married, who will it be with?>

There was no way he could not know why she asked that, with that face and those words. She was so obvious about her feelings, he wasn’t clueless enough to miss it.

Love.