<Chapter 2> Quiet Ripple (Part 1)

When the weekend came, the Duke returned. The Duke had been traveling frequently due to trade with the Kingdom of Brittany. Among the great nobles, Duke Agaphel was the quickest to read the trends of the times and expand his business. Thanks to this, every venture he undertook succeeded and reached an unignorable level of wealth. The Agaphel family, which possessed honor, power, wealth, and strength, could not be easily dismissed even by the royal family.

Stella, who had accompanied the Duke on his trip, unpacked and said, 

“Ellie, how about this? Isn’t it really pretty?” 

She showed off accessories and dresses she had bought in the Kingdom of Brittany with an excited voice. The amount was more than expected, and Elizabeth’s eyes widened.

“How did you buy so much? There’s no space in the wardrobe.”

At Elizabeth’s scolding, Stella pouted her lips. 

“Don’t be so harsh. I even bought something for you, and you’re like this?”

It seemed Stella thought Elizabeth was sulking because she hadn’t brought anything for her. Feeling sorry for the apparent disappointment, Elizabeth sighed deeply and said, 

“That’s not what I meant, Mom.”

“Anyway, it’s too much. All you do is nag at your mom who hasn’t been back in a while. I even bought you a present thinking of you.”

“Yes, I’m sorry. Show me again. Oh, that one looks good on you.”

When Elizabeth complimented the scarlet dress, Stella got up and held it in front of her, smiling bashfully. 

“Right? I like this one the best too. The Duke picked it out for me.”

“Did you go with the Duke?”

When Elizabeth asked in surprise, Stella replied nonchalantly, 

“Yes. We stopped by while passing through. His shirt got dirty, so we dropped by a clothing store for a moment.”

“I see.”

“The Kingdom of Brittany was really sophisticated. It would have been nice if you had come too.”

“What would I do there?”

“Anyway, you’re the daughter I gave birth to with pain, but how can you be so uninteresting?”

Stella lost interest and began organizing her suitcase. From the amount of things she brought, it seemed she had gone on a trip rather than accompanying as a maid. Knowing Stella liked to flit around, it wasn’t incomprehensible. As Elizabeth helped organize the luggage, Stella scolded her this time.

“Your face is pretty like mine, but you’re so slow in what you do. I wonder if you’ll ever date properly.”

“Dating? I just like being with you like this, Mom.”

“Don’t be like that. Show some interest now. Why do you think I put you in Ingrid? It was all to meet a good man.”

“Mom.”

Elizabeth frowned as if to say enough, but Stella didn’t stop. 

“If I were you, I wouldn’t miss that opportunity.”

“I’m not interested.”

“Try to make an effort at the upcoming ball. What’s the use of a pretty face?”

Stella draped the scarlet dress over Elizabeth as if offering it generously. It was a gesture showing she’d let her daughter wear the new dress first for the sake of her love life. Elizabeth gently pushed her hand away. No matter who attended the ball, there was no one who could make her heart flutter. Her heart was already full with just one person, leaving no room for anyone else.

“If you like it so much, why don’t you do it, Mom?”

“You’re really no fun.”

Stella snorted and returned to organizing the luggage. Even when she subtly said, 

“Tell me anytime if you change your mind,” 

Elizabeth didn’t respond.

* * *

On the anniversary of the Duchess’s death, the atmosphere at Agaphel Castle was gloomy. The Duke and Kiern visited the Duchess’s grave. Elizabeth and Stella stood behind, quietly observing the scene. Thinking of the kind Duchess made their noses tingle. Still, she wished the Duchess knew that so many people remembered her every year.

The grass on the grave seemed to wrap around the mound to shield the Madam inside from the glaring sunlight. Well-maintained flowers of various colors were placed on the grave. Elizabeth placed the red roses the Duchess loved in life and prayed.

At that moment, a sniffle was heard beside her. Stella was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, perhaps missing the Madam. Her slender shoulders trembled pitifully. Elizabeth was about to comfort her when the Duke of Agaphel patted Stella’s shoulder.

“My wife won’t be sad thanks to you.”

He seemed to sympathize with the woman who had lost a friend, as a husband who had lost his wife. Elizabeth watched the scene without any particular thought. Then she noticed Kiern, standing beside her, clenching his fist. It was unusual for him to show emotion in front of the Duchess’s grave, so Elizabeth was a bit puzzled.

The visit to the grave ended quietly. The Duke left immediately after, saying he was busy with work. Stella also left, having received an errand. Missing the Duchess, Elizabeth moved to the place where the Duchess’s favorite tree was.

When she arrived near the tree, Elizabeth realized she wasn’t the only one missing her. Kiern was leaning against the tree trunk with his eyes closed. He didn’t react even when she approached, as if he was asleep.

His black hair fluttered in the breeze. A slight frown creased his brow, as if he were in a bad mood. Without changing his clothes, his jacket was thrown carelessly on the ground. Elizabeth picked up his jacket, folded it neatly, and placed it beside him.

His cravat was nowhere to be seen. Seeing his exposed skin through a couple of undone buttons, Elizabeth turned her gaze away. She hesitated about leaving but steadied her mind and naturally sat beside him, knees upright.

Missing someone means you’re very lonely now. She thought she’d stay by Kiern’s side so he wouldn’t feel lonely. Only then, sensing her presence, Kiern slowly opened his eyes and looked at Elizabeth.

“Why are you here?”

Kiern mumbled weakly with empty eyes. Elizabeth replied nonchalantly, 

“Probably for the same reason as you.”

“I have no reason.”

“Then I must have come for no reason too.”

Elizabeth made a silly joke and smiled bashfully. Kiern’s expression turned subtle. 

“You say such things so casually.”

“I think I learned it from you.”

“Don’t blame me.”

Kiern replied insincerely and turned his gaze away. Elizabeth rested her face on her arm and quietly observed Kiern’s profile. She traced with her eyes from his forehead to his straight nose, lips, and chin.

“Why do you keep staring?”

“Aren’t you going to see Lady Prairie today?”

It was a remark about how he had been meeting her frequently these days. When Abigail was mentioned, he met her gaze and stared intently at Elizabeth. He seemed dumbfounded by her answering a question with a question. Tilting his head to the side, he replied, 

“I’m supposed to see her in the evening.”

“I see.”

Elizabeth felt discouraged and lowered her head. Then Kiern touched her cheek. Surprised, she looked up, and he said calmly, 

“Why? Do you want to come along?”

“Why would I join someone else’s date?”

“I asked because you looked like you didn’t want me to go.”

“Of course not.”

Elizabeth felt as if her feelings had been exposed and pushed his hand away. Kiern, indifferent, fiddled with Elizabeth’s red hair. He seemed to be in a better mood than earlier. She felt both happy and sad when Kiern treated her comfortably. She knew she was just a friend to him.

But when he gave her such kind looks, she wondered where his heart was headed. Perhaps he felt the same as she did, she thought, indulging in such futile thoughts. Elizabeth spoke up.

“I’ve been curious for a while, why do you keep playing with my hair?”

“Just because it looks like a rose.”

“A rose?”

“Yes. A rose.”

Kiern gazed steadily at Elizabeth. His words, spoken clearly, held many hidden meanings. When he saw her red hair, he felt ambivalent. It made him angry because it resembled that woman, yet he missed the roses his mother loved.

To be precise, his feelings for Elizabeth were ambivalent. His heart had long lost its direction, so Kiern was just living as he pleased. Hurting when he wanted to hurt, being kind when he wanted to be kind.

And now, he wanted to hurt Elizabeth. Because he knew her mother would be rolling in the sheets with his damned father again today. Thinking of the two who were acting melodramatic in front of his mother’s grave, Kiern’s lips twitched with anger.

No decent person would do such a thing. He knew his father was trash, but the fact that the other party was Stella made him feel filthy. No, the very thought of “of all people” was laughable, pathetic, and disgusting. 

It would be better if Elizabeth weren’t so kind. Kiern felt uncomfortable being with Elizabeth. The engagement was almost like an escape. An escape to cut off this ominous feeling.

‘At least Madam wished for you, her son, to marry someone you love.’

What did she know to say such things? If she had heard what the Duchess said to him before she died, she would never have given such advice. Elizabeth had no right to say such things to him.

“Ouch. It hurts, Kiern.”

Elizabeth frowned as she grabbed Kiern’s hand. He had unknowingly gripped her hair tightly. But Kiern didn’t let go and muttered coldly, with eyes determined to wound.

“That’s why I want to grab your hair whenever I see it. I want to cut it off so it doesn’t look like a damned rose.”

“Are you complaining now that you don’t like my hair?”

“Yes. I don’t like it.”

“…….”

“I don’t like you.”

Elizabeth was at a loss for words at his cold remark. Kiern released her hair and said, 

“So stop hovering around for no reason.”

Disappear far away. 

“I don’t need your pathetic sympathy.”

Tears filled Elizabeth’s eyes at Kiern’s sneer. Not wanting him to see her cry, she turned her head and said, 

“Fine. I was worried for nothing. I should have left you alone.”

Then she got up and ran away without looking back. Kiern watched her red hair disappear and cursed softly. Hurting her because he wanted to, yet feeling even worse seeing her tears. Kiern felt like his insides weren’t his own and tousled his hair.

If only he could really break it. Then he wouldn’t feel this filthy.