Chapter 12 – Part 7

His daughter was anxiously awaiting the day she would be free from her father’s arms.

Memories of the past are either glorified or faded, and by the time Debutante arrived, Alaina’s memories of Tenere were extremely glorified.

Her defiance towards her father only grew stronger.

She seemed delicate, like a lily, but had a strong will. Even though she would shrink away when it came to her own affairs, she wouldn’t stay silent when someone else faced injustice.

A girl who was brave, just, and… or any other similarly unfamiliar adjective.

Every time she heard the story of her dead mother, Alaina thought of her.

At some point, she even forgot the exact words she’d said, but the implication that her mother’s death wasn’t her fault remained clear.

And on the much-anticipated day of her debutante ball, Alaina entered the palace with excitement.

It wasn’t difficult to find Tenere among the debutantes, all dressed in white.

Seeing Tenere in her dazzling white dress, Alaina couldn’t help but smile.

‘She’s not very tall.’

She used to be taller when they were kids, but now she seems to be almost the same height as herself. No, maybe even taller.

Whatever the case, her long, flowing dark hair and mysterious light purple eyes were just as they were in childhood. The calm and quiet atmosphere was the same too.

Her manners were impeccable, as was the way she presented herself to the Empress.

Alaina glanced at her with a satisfied smile.

She should talk to her when the party starts. Compliment her excellent manners and ask if she remembers meeting her before.

And when Tenere finished her turn, she turned to her. When their eyes met softly.

And when she spoke.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Salvatore. I’m Tenere Evan.”

At that moment, Alaina felt a sense of betrayal that she didn’t remember her.

Alaina had never met anyone who didn’t remember her.

She was the heiress of Marquis Salvatore, and after her debutante ball, she would officially be engaged to the crown prince. Shouldn’t everyone she met want to talk to her, even if it was just a brief acquaintance?

It was no wonder, then, that the mention of meeting her for the first time stung her pride.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Lady Evan.”

Never mind the first time. At her cold stare, Tenere gave a small shrug. She was an eyesore, as always.

Alaina watched her for a moment, then turned away sharply.

She was about to turn down a dead end.

“Excuse me, Lady Salvatore.”

Alaina stopped in place at the sound of a calling voice.

Does she remember now? It was a long time ago, so maybe she was just confused.

Alaina turned her head with a very generous face.

Tenere looked at her, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“I heard you’re engaged to the Crown Prince, and I just wanted to say congratulations…….”

“…….”

Alaina clamped her mouth shut.

‘What now? Congratulations? That’s really all you have to say? ’

“…Is that all?”

“It’s ……?”

“Are you done talking?”

“…….”

A frightened face was in front of her. Alaina looked at her, not hiding her displeasure.

A forced smile broke out on her embarrassed face.

“Uh, well……, if you don’t mind, I’d like to see you this week…….”

“I’m busy.”

Alaina replied briefly and turned away again.

Tenere just stood there, not knowing what to do.

* * *

Looking back, it was truly an inappropriate feeling of betrayal.

Even though she knew that among those who approached her, there were few with pure intentions.

She understood why she had received so many invitations to parties and why noblemen whose names she didn’t recognize had befriended her on the eve of her debutante.

‘Why was I so disappointed? Why did I think it shouldn’t be like that? ’

Tenere had been talking to her at every party.

She’d start talking to her about fencing, something she had no interest in, and when she’d say a few words back, she’d look barely relieved.

Every time that happened, Alaina secretly gritted her teeth.

She would rather just call her name once. She might have let it go if she had done that and pretended not to know.

She might even throw out a cheesy line like, “Don’t we know each other from somewhere?”

She was seventeen, able to act like a child as much as anyone, even though she was praised as a perfect lady, the flower of society.

Why did her pride matter so much? Was it because she still hadn’t gotten over being the child she thought she’d gotten over with?

She wondered why it had taken her so long to realize that she’d been glaring at her when she wouldn’t approach her.

“We’ve arrived, My Lady.”

The coachman’s voice snapped her out of her reverie.

The door opened, and she quickly stepped out of the carriage and gave the coachman a gold coin.

A maid, waiting with an umbrella, quickly opened the side door for her.

“And my uncle?”

Alaina asked, brushing the snow off her robe.

“He went to bed two hours ago.”

“Ask him if he’ll have time for me tomorrow when he wakes up.”

“Yes, My Lady. Should I escort you to his room?”

“No.”

Alaina shook her head. She remembered Leonard’s words of silence.

She knew that the method he suggested would not only disgrace her but also her deceased mother’s honor.

If word got out that she had a secret relationship with her brother-in-law, even the faintest sympathy for her mother would be withdrawn.

But Alaina was a person who valued her own life more than the honor of the dead.

Wouldn’t her mother prefer to see her father, who cheated on her, executed in this manner rather than set free?

“Escort me to my mother’s room.”

Whatever happened, simply waiting quietly was not Alaina Salvatore’s style.

Wouldn’t it be better to involve oneself in creating rumors rather than being exempt from them?

‘He’s telling me to take my uncle as my farher’

Alaina stared at the dark mansion before stepping away.

The snow-melted ground made a squelching sound with each step.

* * *

When she returned to the palace with the box Alaina had given her, Laura was reading in her study.

When Tenere opened the door and entered, she jumped to her feet in surprise.

“Oh, my, what are you doing here, Your Majesty?”

“Where’s Josie?”

“He’s asleep in his room. He woke up once earlier, and I put him back to sleep.”

Joshua was a gentle and well-behaved child, but after always sleeping in the same room with his mom, he had a little trouble sleeping alone.

Sometimes he would wake up in the middle of the night looking for his mom, and Laura, who was in the next room, would rush over to soothe him.

Of course, there were some nights when Joshua would have to ask for her mother, but it was usually resolved in Laura’s hands.

“Thank you for your hard work as always, Laura.”

“It’s nothing, the crown prince sleeps soundly, so it’s not too much trouble.”

For Laura, who was used to dealing with fussy younger siblings, Joshua was a breeze to care for.

Moreover, since Tenere or Leonard often personally took care of their child, she could have personal time quite frequently.

“Isn’t it difficult to study?”

Tenere asked, glancing at the open book.

“At first, there were many unfamiliar words, so it was difficult, but as I read, I realized that I knew a lot. I’m reading because I think it would be nice to show off if I memorize it.”

Laura jokingly replied, glancing at the box Tenere had brought.

“What’s that, anyway?”

“It’s chocolate. It was a gift from Lady Salvatore.”

Tenere opened the box and showed her the contents.

Inside the small box were a few finely wrapped chocolates and a small card.

She’s not sure if she’d like it yet.

Laura’s eyes widened at the card. She peered into the box suspiciously.

The shiny, round chocolates had a lollipop stick on each one, making them look like lollipops.

“….Do you like chocolate?”

“I didn’t eat much when I was older, but… didn’t everyone like it when they were young?”

“Ah, I… tried it for the first time at my aunt’s house around my debutante ball.”

Laura scratched her cheek awkwardly.

Tenere twirled the chocolate-covered stick this way and that, then looked up.

“Do you want to join me? It’s snowing.”

“Oh, it’s snowing?”

Surprised by Tenere’s words, Laura looked out of the window. Flurries were falling from the dark sky.

“Just when the weather seemed to be getting better, it’s snowing again. I’ll warm up some milk.”

Soon, Laura returned with a mug of hot milk and a silver teaspoon.

Tenere wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and perched on the window sill.

She stirred the chocolate into the mug with a stick, and the white milk darkened in color.

“…….”

Watching the chocolate slowly melt was an odd sensation.

Tenere stared into the mug.

Laura, watching her carefully, spoke up.

“Are you afraid it might be poisonous? I’ll try it first, just in case.”

“It’s just that it’s been a while since I’ve had this drink. It’s hot, so I’ll drink slowly.”

‘Maybe I’ll check the poison myself.’

Tenere remembered the strange faces looking at her.

When their eyes met, there was a face that seemed to be on the verge of tears. Like there was something to say…

“And I’m just saying this just in case… Laura, if this is poison, you too will die.”

“Well…… that’s true.”

Tenere gave a small laugh at the casual answer.

She clutched her warm mug tightly and stared out the window at the snow falling.

“Josie would like it if the snow piled up.”

The thin snowflakes disappeared without a trace as they touched the slushy ground. Tenere watched for a moment before taking a sip from her mug.

As she took a hearty gulp, the rich sweetness spread in her mouth.

“It’s delicious. It’s still too early to give it to Josie, isn’t it?”

“I’ll brew it lightly for him. In a small cup.”

At Laura’s words, Tenere nodded slowly.

Her gaze drifted out the window once more. She leaned the side of her head against the cold window, then took another sip of hot chocolate.

She stared blankly at the white flurry, then suddenly…

“……ah.”

“What’s wrong?”

Laura asked, startled by the short sigh. Tenere quickly shook her head.

“It’s nothing. Just… reminded me of something from the past.”

With that short answer, she raised the glass to her mouth once more. A soft sweetness filled her mouth.

“I should send some tea leaves in return.”

“What? Oh, yes.”

Laura nodded hesitantly. It was getting late at night.