Chapter 10

“Make the menu a little more refined. Pay attention to the main course, and keep the dessert light.”

After the long, long night passed, morning dawned. From early dawn, the Marquis’s estate was busy preparing to receive guests. Lavinia in particular was busy giving this and that instruction to the servants and thoroughly checking even the smallest details.

‘Neris will decorate that child suitably enough.’

Although Lavinia cared greatly about appearances, she was indifferent when it came to Lizette herself. Lavinia let Lizette pass through her mind for a moment, but as always, she eventually erased Lizette’s existence from her thoughts without concern.

In the end, the one who looked after Lizette today as well was, as always, her nursemaid Neris. While Lavinia busily went around all corners of the estate, Lizette sat upright before the dressing table.

“Neris, how much longer do I have to sit here?”

It must have already been well over an hour. With an utterly serious face, Neris had already changed Lizette’s hairstyle for the third time. Just as much as Lavinia poured her zeal into receiving guests, Neris was equally passionate about dressing Lizette.

“Miss, today is a special day. Please bear it just a little longer.”

A sense of excitement showed on her nursemaid’s face. Ever since Killian had sent Lizette the letter of proposal, Neris would sometimes make that expression.

‘So this is the face Neris makes when she isn’t worrying about me.’

Her nursemaid’s excited face felt unfamiliar, but she liked it. Lizette smiled faintly as she felt Neris’s hands gently tending to her hair.

“Neris, somehow, I feel like everything is going to be alright now.”

“……Miss.”

Neris’s hands paused for a moment. She looked at Lizette with a face filled with many emotions crossing through it, then carefully adjusted her hair ornament and added,

“I hope you become happier than anyone else, Miss.”

Playfully, Lizette leaned back slightly against Neris, who was standing behind her.

“Yes, I will.”

At Neris’s warm encouragement, Lizette somehow felt a little braver. With a much lighter heart, she stood before the mirror and slowly turned around once.

“What if it looks like I dressed up too much?”

“Oh, not at all, it suits you beautifully.”

Lizette looked awkwardly at herself in the mirror. A splendid dress wrapped around her body, and her silver hair was elegantly pinned up. At her neck, the ametrine necklace she had received from Killian sparkled in the light.

Knock knock.

A knock sounded from beyond the door.

“Miss, Duke Cedric’s carriage has arrived in front of the estate.”

“Alright, I’m coming down.”

There had not even been time to grow used to the weight of the unfamiliar dress. Now it was time to step into the heavy air along with the weighty gown.

“Miss, don’t be nervous.”

Perhaps habitual worry could not be helped, because Neris clasped Lizette’s hand tightly and gave one final reminder. Lizette lightly squeezed that hand back with a smile, then started walking.

Pausing for a moment before the door, Lizette steadied her tense breathing. It felt as though the deep breath she drew reached the very ends of her lungs. The fingertips clutching her dress trembled a little, but there was no hesitation in her steps.

* * *

“Welcome to my home, Duke Cedric.”

“Welcome, Your Grace.”

Graham stood beside the Marquis and Marchioness, who were welcoming Killian without having any idea what was in his heart. He hated standing here now more than death itself.

Last night, he had even thought that he would rather fall ill and take to bed.

Whatever his true feelings were, he could not show them outwardly. With a face darkened by the fatigue of a sleepless night, Graham reluctantly greeted Killian.

“……You must have had a tiring journey.”

“I never expected that you yourself would come out here to welcome me, Young Master.”

For some reason, Graham felt that the smile Killian gave in response to his greeting was cold.

‘What an unpleasant bastard.’

In any case, Killian had already seen him treating Lizette carelessly. Graham did not think that just because Killian was speaking gently, it meant he had any good feelings toward him.

Was that why? Even now, though a cool breeze was blowing, it felt as though cold sweat were running down his back.

‘Back then, I should have cooled my head a little more.’

Graham regretted the time not long ago when he had lost his reason and grabbed Lizette by the throat. It was not that he was reflecting on whether the action itself had been right or wrong. What irritated him unbearably was the fact that he had clumsily grown agitated and needlessly roused Killian’s suspicion.

‘I can still get her back.’

Graham had no intention of handing Lizette over to anyone. For a long time, he had carefully cut Lizette off from the world.

Only now had he finally managed to keep her solely by his side. He did not know how much Killian knew, but at the very least, he judged that for the time being he had to behave himself. Graham was furious enough to go mad at that fact, but barely suppressed his anger.

Rustle. Click.

Along with the sound of a dress brushing the ground came the clicking of high heels. Graham’s gaze naturally sought the owner of the sound. Lizette was walking elegantly toward them.

‘What?’

Graham was flustered when he saw Lizette. It was not because Lizette was far more beautiful than usual.

What drew his eye was Lizette’s expression. The expression of his younger sister, who had always been anxious and uneasy in front of him, was firm. The Lizette before his eyes now was both familiar and unfamiliar.

“I greet you, Duke Cedric.”

Lizette smiled faintly toward Killian. The moment Graham saw that, it felt as though his insides were twisting. Without realizing it, strength filled the hand he had clenched into a fist.

“You’re late.”

Marquis Aberdeen said a word upon seeing Lizette. His voice was cold. Lizette usually wore only simple, neat dresses, so now that she had on a splendid dress and high heels as well, her steps had naturally slowed. Even if the Marquis scolded her in a stern voice, it could not be helped.

“I apologize for being late. I ask for your generous understanding.”

Lizette greeted Killian properly with all due courtesy. She placed her left hand near her chest, and with her right hand lightly lifted the hem of her dress as she was just about to incline her head slightly.

“Lizzie.”

The name of Lizette that came from Killian’s lips was tender beyond measure. To anyone listening, it was a voice carrying a quiet affection for a lover. Even though it was not the first time, the name still made her heart tingle anew.

Lizette soon realized that she was not the only one reacting to that name. No one present here was ignorant of the meaning behind calling someone by name. Graham jerked his head up sharply, and Lavinia parted her lips without realizing it. The Marquis too was plainly flustered, though he was trying to smooth over the expression.

“There is no need for you to bow your head to me. Not only to me, but to anyone.”

When Killian clearly stopped Lizette in a firm voice, everyone froze at once. They were not even truly husband and wife yet, but Killian had no hesitation in cherishing Lizette.

“……Since you have honored us with your presence, Duke, let us slowly move inside.”

The Marquis’s voice split through the stillness. There was still a trace of shock left in his eyes, but the speed with which he regained his composure even in such an awkward situation was worthy of praise in a family head.

“I don’t know whether the food will suit your taste, but we prepared it with great care.”

Lavinia also added a word from the side.

“……”

But Graham said nothing, merely putting strength into the tips of his feet and turning his body in an awkward manner. The moment he took a heavy step, a creeping sense of discomfort seemed to spread through him, slowly twisting his insides. Graham did not join the conversation, did not properly meet anyone’s gaze, and only walked in silence.

Stop.

Killian, who had been following slowly behind, suddenly slowed his steps further and whispered.

“Lizzie, are your shoes uncomfortable by any chance?”

‘Was it obvious?’

Her feet did hurt a little because the heels were especially high, but she had never imagined he would notice so quickly. Lizette blinked in surprise for a moment.

“……How did you know?”

“You haven’t forgotten that I’m a knight, have you. If your movements lose their balance, it’s bound to show.”

“That’s true, I suppose.”

“Wait here a moment.”

Leaving Lizette standing there for a moment, Killian walked toward the Marquis and Marchioness ahead of them with long strides. As Killian approached the Marquis and Marchioness and began saying something, Marquis Aberdeen, who had been walking ahead, slightly turned his body toward where Lizette was standing.

When Marquis Aberdeen cast a glance back toward that spot and then gave a light nod, Killian returned to Lizette as though nothing had happened.

“Killian, what did you say to them?”

“I asked them to go on ahead. I told them that if you force yourself to walk too quickly and get hurt, my appetite will vanish far into the distance.”

Though she knew in her head that it was a joke, because Killian said it with such a serious face, Lizette almost ended up believing him.

“How can you make a joke like that so calmly without changing expression at all?”

“Has your tension eased a little?”

“……Thanks to you. Though your refined sense of humor almost gave me indigestion before I even ate.”

“Lizzie.”

At Lizette’s playful remark, Killian’s voice calling her was quite serious.

“Today, if there is even a single moment when your heart feels uneasy, do not forget that you are not alone. And do not forget who the man is that you have standing beside you.”