Chapter 2 – Something That Comes To Everyone (Part 5)

The first to break the silence that had settled over the table was Lorraine.

“…Considering Kendrick Douglas’s personality, he’s held back a lot.”

Marianna and Kendrick had been bickering since their academic days and were still the same after five years of dating.

Except for occasional arguments, their relationship had no major ups and downs. However, there were significant changes outside of that.

Most notably, Kendrick had dropped the surname Duncan four years ago.

He had left behind the comfortable name of Duncan and was now living as Count Douglas.

What prompted this change was a single remark from Marianna’s father.

「What remains of you if we take away the name Duncan?」

That day was the first time Kendrick, who had never tasted failure, experienced it.

Louise, sipping sangria to wet her lips, wiped her mouth with a napkin and said.

“Is someone who becomes the youngest commander of the Royal Knights just to maintain an engagement even human?”

She shook her head as if weary of his persistence.

“He’s been that annoyingly persistent since our academic days….”

Still the same. After finishing her sentence, Louise rolled her wine glass with a bored expression.

Marianna, unable to tolerate seeing her fiancé criticized by others, spoke up.

“If he wants to marry me, he should at least do that much!”

“You just said you wouldn’t marry him.”

When Lorraine pointed out the fact, Marianna, who had quickly softened, mumbled.

“…I meant not right now. And….”

As if choosing her words, she opened her mouth, and Lorraine looked at her kindly while Louise, unable to wait, urged her.

“And?”

“…It wasn’t a lifetime rejection.”

Lorraine nodded as if to say, “Is that so?” and Louise—.

“…Did you hear that? A lifetime.”

She pulled on Lorraine’s shirt with a half-dazed look, as if struck by the word “lifetime.”

Lorraine gently brushed off Louise’s hand and asked with a smile.

“But that’s not the only reason, right?”

The interesting part starts now.

She was sure that Marianna was circling around the most important topic.

As if urging her to spill the secret, Lorraine nodded.

After rolling her eyes for a while, Marianna finally closed her eyes tightly and spoke.

“He told me to change my position. Preferably to a safer one without any dangerous work.”

Then Louise raised her hand cautiously.

“…Can I leave first?”

Louise looked as if she might throw up her well-eaten meal due to the sudden wave of fatigue.

But despite her desperate gaze, Lorraine was firm.

“No. Sit.”

“I feel like I’m going to throw up if I stay here….”

As Louise clutched her chest and complained, Lorraine shook her head even more firmly.

“Sit down.”

“Yes.”

Lorraine alternated her gaze between Louise, who looked ready to cry, and Marianna, who still had a serious face.

Lorraine took the spoon she had in her mouth out and spoke.

“…So.”

“What…?”

She pointed the spoon at Marianna and said.

“So, what do you want to do?”

Lorraine continued, stirring the melting ice cream leisurely.

“I think what you want to do is the most important thing in this situation.”

“…….”

“Marriage, well, it’s important… but.”

When Lorraine stopped speaking, Marianna, who had been listening with a serious expression, nodded vigorously.

“I think marriage is about two people making compromises.”

Handing the ice cream bowl to the server who came to clear the plates, she continued.

“That doesn’t mean you should give up your job.”

“Then?”

“After all, he’s the person you’ll be living with for the rest of your life. You should talk it over.”

“…….”

“Don’t just say no outright.”

Lorraine wiped her mouth with a napkin and clapped her hands.

“If we’re done eating, let’s get up. I’m suddenly tired because of you guys.”

***

Lorraine was sitting on a sofa on the second floor of the banquet hall, looking down at the bustling floor.

Since it was the day before the party, everyone was busy with the final preparations.

“Bring more tablecloths here!”

It was the first time she saw the banquet hall with the lights on.

Since Edwin wasn’t one to enjoy parties, and Monica, who was supposed to oversee the preparations, spent most of her time at the Astia main castle in the Duchy of Duncan.

Moreover, it took the efforts and sweat of many people to create this beautiful scene.

“How can you step there? Don’t you see the footprints?”

At the shrill cry, the naturally tense people’s gazes turned toward the commotion.

Despite the pouring gazes, the maid was focused on shouting at the chandelier technician. Her finger pointed at the freshly waxed floor.

The technician frowned and grumbled.

“I didn’t do it on purpose, you’re being really strict.”

“What did you say?”

The maid’s eyes sharpened even more at his snide tone.

At that moment, Paul, the butler who had been observing the atmosphere of the bustling banquet hall, approached.

“Now, now, we don’t have time. If you’re going to keep fighting, please leave.”

Paul was smiling kindly, but his gesture toward the exit was firm.

The two, still fuming, knew that Paul’s words were as good as a dismissal.

The only option they had was to return to their places.

“No, sir.”

“We’re sorry.”

“Then please return to your places quickly. Time is of the essence.”

At Paul’s urging, the two bowed their heads and returned to their places.

It was then.

“Looks like the party preparations are going well.”

At the voice from behind, Lorraine turned around with a surprised face.

“…When did you arrive?”

“Not long ago.”

He replied nonchalantly, loosening his cravat as he plopped down on the sofa next to her.

It might have seemed impudent, but-.

“…Why?”

“Nothing.”

His calm face made it impossible to criticize him.

“By the way.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Lorraine put down the cracker she was holding and dusted off her hands.

“Is the dress okay?”

‘Suddenly?’

At the unexpected question, Lorraine, who had been chewing on a cracker while watching the floor, turned her head.

Edwin was resting his elbows on the table, looking at her.

“Oh, yes… it’s fine.”

As she avoided his gaze and answered reluctantly, he said.

“If you don’t like it, I can change it now.”

“I’ve already had the fitting done….”

“You looked quite serious.”

Following his gesture, Lorraine unconsciously moved her gaze.

Then she saw the busy floor with employees moving around.

It must have shown. Feeling like he hit the mark, she carefully answered.

“…The dress was beautiful.”

“But?”

At his counter-question, Lorraine rested her chin on her hand and looked at the floor again.

It was already quite splendid, but it would be even more dazzling on the day of the event.

First, that large and splendid chandelier will light up….

Then the quartet will continuously play light dance music, and people will eat, drink, and dance in their finest attire.

“…It’s just.”

She pictured herself standing there.

It didn’t seem right.

Like a puzzle piece forced into place, like wearing clothes that didn’t fit, it was uncomfortable.

She tried to manage her feelings and muttered.

“…It feels like it’s not a place I should be attending.”

“What makes you think you can’t attend?”

Edwin’s face showed a hint of displeasure. He rubbed his frowning brow and continued.

“Have you been thinking that all this time?”

“…….”

“Lorraine.”

When she didn’t respond, Edwin urged her.

“I just….”

Lorraine opened and closed her mouth several times.

She felt like an idiot.

Where had all the rhetoric she learned at the academy gone? Lorraine was angry at herself for being like this.

But despite that, Edwin was still looking at her with a serious face.

After a long while, Lorraine slowly continued.

“…I’m just not used to such events. The only party I’ve ever attended was my graduation party, and suddenly….”

The level jumped too high.

She didn’t bother to add that part.

“Don’t worry. Even if it’s a party hosted by the Duncan family, I’m not the host.”

“But you’re the Duke.”

Lorraine muttered, breaking the cracker with her head down.

Then Edwin called her in a much lower voice.

“…Wiig.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

And then, what he said was-.

“…Did you steal the invitation?”

-He asked if she stole the invitation. Lorraine’s blue eyes were filled with astonishment.

“What?! What are you suddenly….”

“If not, then there’s nothing to worry about, right?”

Shrugging his shoulders, he put the most intact piece of the cracker she had been breaking into his mouth.

While Lorraine was dumbfoundedly watching him, the door suddenly opened.

There stood Philip, his face flushed.

“Your Grace! How could you be here? I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

Philip, who seemed overheated, flapped his shirt as he approached. Lorraine, slightly bowing toward Edwin, whispered softly.

“Have you been hiding all this time?”

There was no answer.