Chapter 8.1 (Part 6)

“…”  

When Lady Bartol met Sellakia’s eyes, she smiled and nodded politely. She seemed regretful that she couldn’t approach Sellakia to greet her directly because she was with her companions.

She then glanced at Lashley and left a gentle eye greeting. Her expression conveyed a sense of kindness and elegance.  

She seemed like a good person. Sellakia could understand why Tenus had kept her as the ‘longest betrothed.’  

Sellakia returned her smile and whispered to Lashley.  

“It seems Lady Bartol doesn’t dislike me, unlike you, Lady Lashley.”  

“What? I don’t dislike you either, Madam.”  

“Hmm. Really? That’s strange. Your attitude towards me on the first day wasn’t like that. You were so fierce. I couldn’t even straighten my shoulders that day.”  

“That was…!”  

Lashley pouted her tiny lips and confessed.  

“It wasn’t because I disliked you. It was because I didn’t want to be ignored. Adults never listen to what I say because I’m young.”  

“Did Countess Sov do that? She didn’t seem that way. Ignoring the words of such a cute and smart young lady. What a terrible person.”  

“N-no, she’s not that terrible. My sister is just busy. But she does respond well when I talk about the Duke!”  

“What?”  

Sellakia deliberately widened her eyes, feigning surprise.  

“Does that mean you’re saying things you don’t mean to get a reaction? Lady, have you been using the Duke?”  

“Ah…”  

Lashley was struck dumb, her lips parted, unable to say anything.  

Her large eyes clearly showed her agitation. Sellakia struggled to suppress the mischievous urge rising within her.  

She had to genuinely reciprocate Lashley’s sincerity, who had finally opened up and shared her true feelings.  

“So that’s how it was. Now I understand your feelings, Lady.”  

Sellakia grasped the small, warm hand of the child.  

“I, too, tried to win my brother’s favor when I was young. Although I only watched from afar and didn’t approach with courage like you.”  

Lashley, at a loss, mumbled and asked.  

“You, Madam? Why didn’t you approach?”  

“It seemed like my brother wanted it that way. So I didn’t approach him as he wished. I didn’t want to be hated more.”  

Even though it was a long time ago, a part of her heart still stung. She thought she had completely let go of her regrets, but perhaps not.  

Her voice lost its strength and drooped without her realizing it.  

“Madam…”  

Lashley shifted her eyes, examining Sellakia’s face. She had intended to encourage the child, but instead, she had ended up worrying her.  

Sellakia hurriedly gathered up the sadness that had leaked out and plastered a bright smile on her face.  

“But I shouldn’t have done that back then. Now I always regret not approaching my brother more actively and expressing my desire to be close. If I had, at least I wouldn’t have this lingering regret.”  

“If you’re regretting it so much, why not tell him now? Your brother might feel the same way.”  

“There’s a timing for speaking up. It’s already too late for me. But it’s different for you, Lady. Why not be honest with Countess Sov before it’s too late? Instead of talking about marrying the Duke, share your deep feelings.”  

Sellakia squeezed the hand she held as if to pass on courage. Lashley hesitated but faintly nodded.  

“Then… promise me something instead.”  

“What is it?”  

“If my sister refuses to spend time with me, please promise to play with me instead.”

“…What?”  

“I really enjoyed the tea time I had with you. Can’t we have such a meeting again?”

“Oh. That’s…”

Unlike before, she couldn’t readily answer.  

Sellakia also enjoyed the time spent with Lashley. However, it was uncertain whether she would still be here when the child visited the Ducal residence again.  

“Unlike me, Madam, you must be very busy, so if it’s difficult to make time, exchanging letters would be nice too.”  

Lashley’s eyes, offering a compromise out of consideration for Sellakia, were more earnest than ever. It was a gaze more stirring than the hostile looks she had received.  

Unable to outright refuse, yet not affirming either, Sellakia only bit her lip when suddenly she sensed someone beside her.  

“It’s not a difficult request, so why hesitate?”  

Tenus nonchalantly interrupted the conversation, answering on Sellakia’s behalf.  

“Do that, Lady Sov. The Madame will always be here.”

Sellakia naturally turned to look at the man who had taken his place beside her. Tenus met her gaze and tilted his head slowly.  

“Why? Am I wrong?”  

That smooth face, feigning ignorance, seemed ready to turn her insides upside down.

Sellakia clenched her fist for no reason and sighed.  

“Yes, Lady Sov. Although Countess Sov would never refuse your request, I would welcome having tea time with you anytime. Of course, letters too.”  

Relying on the condition that Countess Sov might refuse was the best she could do now. Sellakia was confident that the Countess wouldn’t do so.

“Ah… Oh…”

Even though permission was granted, Lashley’s reaction was not very positive. Her face was stiff, and it didn’t seem like she had truly listened to Sellakia’s words.  

Lashley only glanced at Tenus, who had appeared suddenly.  

“I-I should go now… I think my sister, Countess Sov, is looking for me. I’m sure she is. Have a good time.”

Bowing her knees in a farewell, Lashley hurriedly retreated, her back like a small rabbit fleeing from a predator. She was clearly holding onto Sellakia’s question about using the Duke in her heart.  

It was fine even if she did…  

Sellakia watched the child hurriedly disappear, feeling regretful.  

“She doesn’t seem like someone who wants to marry me. Countess Sov must be relieved.”  

Tenus murmured leisurely beside her. Sellakia looked at him with an incredulous face.  

“Because of you, Lady Lashley left. I wanted to talk more. Why did you come?”  

“It’s time for the first dance. You must fulfill your duty as the Duchess.”  

When he told her not to die, it was one thing, and now he was listing all sorts of duties.  

However, as the host of the banquet, opening the dance was a natural duty. It was something she had been considering since preparing for the banquet, but she felt like finding fault without reason.  

“…You shameless person.”  

When she suddenly spat out the insult, Tenus raised his eyebrows as if he were taken aback.  

“You said you didn’t mean it.”  

“I mean it now.”  

“Why?”  

“Just because.”  

“Just because?”  

Tenus looked at her persistently, as if probing for a reason. Sellakia shrugged lightly.  

“Maybe it’s because I’m a troublemaker, just like you said. I don’t even know myself.”  

“…”  

Despite the noise of the banquet, silence fell between them.  

Sellakia realized for the first time that she had such a long-lasting grudge. She was surprised that she didn’t even want to hide it.  

Tenus’s expression, with his lips tightly sealed, was unreadable. Whether he was displeased, bewildered, or had no thoughts at all.  

Seeing Tenus so dry, she wanted to elicit some reaction from that smooth face.  

Narrowing her eyes, Sellakia scanned him and then looked around aimlessly.  

“I’m not the only one who thinks so. Look, most of the young ladies here probably feel the same way.”  

It wasn’t a made-up statement. Indeed, when Tenus appeared, everyone nearby glanced at him.  

Some young masters looked at Tenus with eyes mixed with admiration and envy, while quite a few young ladies cast uncomfortable or uneasy glances at him. They were likely those who had been broken off by Tenus before.  

Of course, even so, there were young ladies blushing and eager to approach him.  

In the midst of such gazes, Tenus spoke with a calm face.  

“What does it matter? I don’t care.”  

He seemed like someone who truly didn’t care.  

It was a composure that made one want to click their tongue. Perhaps it was strange for her mood to be so low just from hearing the words ‘troublemaker’ and being restricted from entering the Long Gallery.  

Sellakia whispered like a sigh.  

“…Must be nice to be so indifferent.”  

She wished she could be as indifferent to everything as he was. She was increasingly displeased with her own petty self.  

Why had he said such things? What part of herself did he find unsatisfactory? Suppressing the urge to question Tenus about each point, Sellakia focused on the duty approaching her.

“The dance will be a basic waltz…”  

At that moment.  

A servant standing at the door opened the door to the banquet hall wide. Sellakia’s head naturally turned in that direction as she was about to head to the center of the hall.  

The door opening during the banquet meant a new guest had arrived. However, all the vassals were already present in the hall, and all of Sellakia’s guests were also seated.  

…No, not ‘all.’ There was still one person who hadn’t arrived, despite being informed.

Sellakia stood frozen, watching the door open in bewilderment.  

She knew it was impossible, but her heart pounded with the thought of ‘what if.’  

As the servant raised his voice, a tall man entered.  

“Entering, Young Master Chester Pyregen, the third son of the Pyregen Earl family.”  

Chester? Why is Chester… appearing here?  

Sellakia almost lost her balance and fell.