Chapter 7

“It’s been a while, Miss Myles. You haven’t shown your face at a party for two years, so I thought you wouldn’t come this time either. I was very surprised when I heard you’d come. Thank you so much for coming. I really wanted to see you.”

The host of the party, Lady Owen, smiled as she held April’s hand. She wasn’t particularly close to April, so her overly enthusiastic greeting seemed suspicious.

April quickly realized why. She spotted Vivian Dallas subtly watching them from behind Lady Owen.

‘Why didn’t I think that Lady Dallas would attend?’

April and Vivian were rivals, or rather, Vivian, who had a crush on Kyle, disliked April unilaterally, but others saw them as enemies.

“I should be the one thanking you for inviting me. To be honest, I was really nervous since it’s been so long since my last party, but your warm welcome means a lot.”

“I hope you enjoy yourself today without any worries.”

“Yes, and I hope you have the best birthday.”

April wrapped up her greeting with Lady Owen and tried to move with Kyle to a corner of the ballroom. But Vivian approached first.

“We’re all here, Miss Myles.”

“Yes, we are.”

“I sent you so many invitations because I wanted to see you, but you never came to my tea parties. I worried about you a lot. I’m glad to see you looking well today.”

Vivian’s overly enthusiastic greeting seemed very suspicious.

Apparently, April wasn’t the only one who felt that; people nearby were glancing at them. Whenever the two attended the same party, they always drew attention.

Besides, today was Kyle’s first official appearance since returning from war. She’d expected this much attention.

She hadn’t expected Vivian, who was usually difficult, to act this way.

April tried to shake off her sense of unease and smiled back.

“I declined all invitations because I wasn’t in the right state of mind. You were very considerate, but I’m sorry I couldn’t attend.”

“No need to apologize. I just wanted you to know I was worried.”

“Thank you for caring.”

After April politely excused herself, Kyle exchanged formal greetings with Vivian. Vivian’s eyes still showed her feelings for Kyle, but April pretended not to notice.

Still, the constant glances made her uncomfortable. Whenever she met someone’s eyes, they seemed startled and quickly looked away, which didn’t seem to be just because of Vivian.

Layla’s voice, which had echoed in her mind since the carriage ride to the party, suddenly came back.

‘There’s a rumor going around society that Sir Landen lost his memory.’

When she told Layla she was fine, she thought the rumor hadn’t spread much yet. But judging by the situation, more people knew than she’d guessed.

Maybe today would be exhausting…

‘Well, whatever. It’s not like anyone can interfere between me and Kyle.’

…she thought at the same time.

April was exactly right. After greeting Vivian, she tried to spend time alone with Kyle, but people kept coming over to ask after them. The attention was too much to be just because Kyle had reappeared after a long time.

“Um, Kyle.”

In the end, April decided to tell her lover what she’d heard.

“Kyle, it’s been so long!”

“How could you never show your face to us?”

But before she could speak, Kyle’s friends suddenly appeared and interrupted. Seeing friends from his school days, Kyle’s expression softened.

“Keep on talking with them. I’ll go fix my makeup.”

Kyle had been tense lately, so he probably needed time to relax and talk with his friends.

April smiled gently at Kyle, who tried to stop her, and left the ballroom. She needed a break herself.

“Is the rumor true?”

On her way to the lounge, April stopped at the sharp voice behind her. Turning around, she saw Vivian staring at her with eyes as sharp as her voice.

April instantly realized Vivian knew the rumor about Kyle. But she had no intention of answering honestly or playing along.

“What rumor?”

“Are you going to pretend not to know? Let’s just be honest. It’s not something you can hide forever. The rumor is already everywhere.”

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“The rumor that Sir Landen had an unfortunate incident.”

“An unfortunate incident… That’s not a word to describe my fiancé, who returned safely from a fierce battlefield. And whether the rumor is true or not, it’s not something you need to worry about. This is between Kyle and me.”

“How could—”

Vivian, who’d raised her voice without realizing, lowered it again.

“How could it be just your problem and Sir Landen’s?”

“Then whose problem is it?”

April’s calm question made Vivian hesitate. April pressed her.

“If it’s not just our problem, whose problem is it?”

“As someone who cares about Sir Landen, can’t I at least give advice?”

“No. That’s overstepping.”

April spoke firmly.

“I don’t know what you’ve heard, but nothing’s wrong with Kyle. Thank you for your concern…”

“Liar.”

Vivian spat out each word as if chewing them, stepping closer to April. The sound of her heels was sharp.

“There’s a limit to deceiving people. I saw it with my own eyes today—how can you lie so shamelessly?”

“You keep making no sense. What did I lie about, and when did I deceive you? I find this unpleasant…”

“Sir Landen really lost his memory, didn’t he?”

Vivian’s sudden question left April speechless. Vivian grew even more triumphant.

“I don’t need an answer. His gaze toward you isn’t the same as before.”

“……”

“Miss April, aren’t you being too selfish?”

This time, April couldn’t answer at all. Vivian had pointed out exactly what April had been trying to ignore.

“The Kyle I know is very responsible. Even if he lost his memory, if he knew about the engagement, he’d try to keep it up.”

“……”

“But is that really what’s best for Sir Landen?”

While April was sorting out her thoughts, Vivian delivered the final blow.

“Isn’t this just your selfishness?”