I felt my face heat up at the sudden sensation of his cheek and chin being touched.
“I wasn’t nervous.”
“Give a lot of strength to your shoulders and neck.”
“This happens automatically without me even knowing.”
“I don’t need to see other people. All you have to do is look at me and follow where I go.”
That was the problem. Kaian was so dazzled that I couldn't see him.
Until this morning, I was able to laugh and talk as if nothing had happened, looking into his bright red eyes.
Fully dressed from head to toe, he was clad in the aura of a ruler and even looked divine.
When I roughly nodded, Kaian withdrew his hand as if he was bored.
Don't you usually feel this nervous as you do during your debutante?
In my memory, the three years since I spent my time at Castle de Valmonde were a time I could not remember.
Dad and Mom disappear, and I end up living in a strange place.
It is difficult to eat the oily food of a castle chef using plenty of luxurious spices rather than the simple and light food of a mountain village filled with the taste of a mother's cooking.
Because I couldn't sleep at night, others thought that there was something wrong with my mind, but in reality, I often felt blank and couldn't think of anything, as if my mind was empty.
I made my debut in northern society when Irena, two years my senior, made my debutante at the Castle de Valmonde on my fourteenth birthday.
This is because the Duke of Vermont wanted to show off me, whom he had already enrolled as his Princess, in thr family, to the public, as he had a large army.
Until then, the Duchess, who had been concerned about my health and had not forced me to do anything, stepped forward and assigned Irena tutors to me as well.
As a result, as I did not move other than eating and sleeping, several of the people came to talk to me, taught me manners and dance, and forced me to move, sending me back to the outside of the world. Made me come out.
So, looking back, I am grateful to the Duchess of Vermont, who also paid attention to me while preparing for Irena's debutante, but on the other hand, I lacked understanding of aristocratic society, so other than wearing a pretty new dress and dancing in front of people, I was very grateful to her. There are no memories left to commemorate it.
I learned from books how much girls usually look forward to their debutantes.
This is because, in the romance novels Hannah brings, the fateful first meeting is often at the debutante ball.
Looking back, it was a shame that what could have been a good time in my life passed away like that.
The debutante, which could have been prepared with excitement, and my wedding.
I looked at Kaian blankly.
'Did he wear a fur-trimmed cape on his shoulders with his uniform on our wedding day?'
It seemed like the clothes he was wearing now were more flashy than then.
'No way. What is the importance of those memories? Now is what matters.'
Regret was a feeling of being full.
When life is at a loss right now, you don't have time to think about the past and think 'It's a shame.'
But it was true that I didn't remember much.
“Kaian.”
His sinful handsomeness looked at me.
“Hey. On the wedding day. What were you wearing?”
His eyebrows rose slightly toward the sky at my words.
“It felt more plain than what you wore today, right? It looks like you were wearing a furry cape.”
"That's right. Valmonde was definitely cold. Why are you suddenly asking that?”
“I don’t really remember.”
I added a word to express my regret.
“It would have been so cool.”
“Does that mean that’s not the case now?”
"No. It can’t be.”
“I am heartbroken.”
Kaian reached into the hem of my dress and moved to sit next to me.
“I owe you an apology.”
Madame Marcel's makeup, which she had worked on for over an hour, was in jeopardy.
When I was careful not to spread my rouge, I kissed his lips almost touching them, and I smiled as if Kaian was amazing.
“Now I understand better.”
At that time, the carriage that had been climbing the slope towards the royal castle stopped.
"Your Excellency, I'm here."
It was the beginning of the prom.
***
The royal castle, which looked like a single building from afar, had walls surrounding the inner castle.
When I got off the carriage, there was a fairly large garden between the main castle and the gate, but it was decorated with short flowers, probably due to the lack of sunlight due to the high castle walls.
'It's the second time something like that catches my eye.'
It rained on the day we first arrived at Oberon Castle.
I couldn't look around the outside properly because I got off the carriage close to the castle entrance and went right in, but I felt like I had peace of mind that day.
As I placed my hand on Kaian's arm and slowly headed inside, the sight of the castle, which had been decorated beautifully in a few days, was incomparable to when I left to attend the hunting party.
'It must be really hard for those working in the palace.'
I can't believe the castle was decorated to this extent in the three days I stayed at the Duke of Temnes' mansion.
Flowers and ribbons were placed here and there to create a bright atmosphere, and old-looking tapestry hangings were hung here and there on the high walls. They were embroidered with gold and silver threads, giving them a dignified yet gorgeous look.
When I looked at the hanging painting for the first time, it seemed to have been embroidered with the history of Oberon's founding. Then, in a scene from the tapestry, I saw two lions fighting behind the King with their claws raised and scratching each other.
The one with a red body with black fur patterns and the one with a white body with blue fur patterns were going crazy as if they were going to eat each other.
'I think it symbolizes Temnes and Vermont.'
Historically, the founding families, Temnes and Vermont, were both historic and prestigious families.
But our relationship wasn't this bad from the beginning.
Perhaps by the time that tapestry was produced, they had already established a reputation as enemies. Even though it wasn't the time to fight, they did it like that.
While I was distracted, we arrived at the venue where the ball was being held.
There was a small commotion as Kaian and I walked inside.
I tried to look elegant and confident.
'I can't embarrass Kaian.'
Although Vermont was not active in the capital's society, Temnes was the name that dominated the capital's society over the years. How awesome is it that the former Duchess of Temnes is the Queen's younger sister?
Those who wanted to join the most influential people in the kingdom were in an uproar, and I was also worried about that. This was because I could not immediately step forward as Madame Elise had done before.
“Do you think we get along pretty well?”
“I heard it was so crazy even in the theater.”
“I thought we wouldn’t enter next to each other.”
The mouths of the luxury people were moving busily.
As people were gathered in one area of the spacious venue, my eyes naturally fell, and the people standing there were none other than the Duke and Duchess of Vermont and Irena.
“Claudel!”
As Irena smiled brightly, the young male nobles who were surrounding Vermont to make a mark gasped in surprise.
Then, following her gaze, they turned their head and saw the girl they called 'Claudel', and once again they gasped and widened their eyes.
I smiled and walked slowly, paying more attention.
'You shouldn't walk too quickly and your legs will hurt.'
I went to see a doctor as recommended by Kaian, but there was no major problem with my leg.
Still, I stayed at the mansion for three days, doing steaming and massaging, and resting without going out. Today, the pain was completely gone.
A minor incident was that due to the maids' complaints, Kaian fired them all and complained to Salon Arvo.
For that reason, Madame Cronach rushed to the capital, thr mansion, to apologize, and personally took care of my needs for half a day until Hannah and Madame Marcel arrived.
Kaian personally steamed my legs.
When I asked him how he knew something like this as his hand gently rubbed the painful spot, I got goosebumps when I heard that he had once used his hand to heal the broken or twisted bones of his subordinates on the battlefield.
Anyway, thanks to that sincerity, I have improved, but I will have to dance in front of the nobles today.
Irena approached me with wide strides that showed her joy and hugged me in a welcoming hug.
"I miss you, Claudel.”
"Me too."
It has been a month and a half since Irena visited Rowen.
On her way back to Valmonde, I learned that she was staying in the capital at the King's invitation, but since she was so interested and I was due to arrive at the beginning of the event, I had no intention of meeting Irena yet. I couldn't.
This is because when the invitation to eat in the public garden became a hot topic, the Duke of Vermont forbade Irena from going out in order to make her dramatic appearance.
"Hello, Duke of Temnes.”
Irena smiled gregariously and bowed to Kaian.
“I didn’t know I’d see you again.”
Irena spoke casually to his cold response.
“I am taking good care of the roses you gave me when I left. Suddenly I found myself staying in the capital.”
“The roses are having a hard time. It is my wife’s heart, so take care of it.”
"Yes. Okay."
The nobles around her made a fuss, saying, 'It's Vermont and Temnes,' but Irena didn't seem to mind.
“Duke of Temnes. To meet again like this, I guess we are meant to be.”
The Duchess of Vermont was active in the capital's society when she was young and married Valmonde, so her rejection of Temnes was less severe. Although her husband was uncomfortable, the Duchess of Vermont greeted Kaian quite warmly.
“It’s nice to see you in the royal castle, Duke of Temnes.”
Kaian gave a slight nod to the Duke of Vermont and only politely greeted the Duchess.
Kaian said as his eyes met the Duke of Vermont's.
“Your face looks better than before.”
“Does it look like that?”
“I’m glad that the food I sent was helpful.”
"Huh.”
Whenever Valmonde's drought was mentioned, the Duke of Vermont felt uncomfortable.
As he said, the weather is up to the heavens, but it sounded like Kaian was blaming him as if this happened because he mismanaged the estate.
Even though he knew that he dared to bring it up in a place like this. As expected, Temnes!
It was a time when interest was focused on what the Duke of Vermont would do.
"Hmm. Are you very generous to Vermont's daughter? Isn’t that necklace a keepsake of your mother?”
My eyes widened.
'This necklace is Madame Elise's?'
'I can't embarrass Kaian.'
Although Vermont was not active in the capital's society, Temnes was the name that dominated the capital's society over the years. How awesome is it that the former Duchess of Temnes is the Queen's younger sister?
Those who wanted to join the most influential people in the kingdom were in an uproar, and I was also worried about that. This was because I could not immediately step forward as Madame Elise had done before.
“Do you think we get along pretty well?”
“I heard it was so crazy even in the theater.”
“I thought we wouldn’t enter next to each other.”
The mouths of the luxury people were moving busily.
As people were gathered in one area of the spacious venue, my eyes naturally fell, and the people standing there were none other than the Duke and Duchess of Vermont and Irena.
“Claudel!”
As Irena smiled brightly, the young male nobles who were surrounding Vermont to make a mark gasped in surprise.
Then, following her gaze, they turned their head and saw the girl they called 'Claudel', and once again they gasped and widened their eyes.
I smiled and walked slowly, paying more attention.
'You shouldn't walk too quickly and your legs will hurt.'
I went to see a doctor as recommended by Kaian, but there was no major problem with my leg.
Still, I stayed at the mansion for three days, doing steaming and massaging, and resting without going out. Today, the pain was completely gone.
A minor incident was that due to the maids' complaints, Kaian fired them all and complained to Salon Arvo.
For that reason, Madame Cronach rushed to the capital, thr mansion, to apologize, and personally took care of my needs for half a day until Hannah and Madame Marcel arrived.
Kaian personally steamed my legs.
When I asked him how he knew something like this as his hand gently rubbed the painful spot, I got goosebumps when I heard that he had once used his hand to heal the broken or twisted bones of his subordinates on the battlefield.
Anyway, thanks to that sincerity, I have improved, but I will have to dance in front of the nobles today.
Irena approached me with wide strides that showed her joy and hugged me in a welcoming hug.
"I miss you, Claudel.”
"Me too."
It has been a month and a half since Irena visited Rowen.
On her way back to Valmonde, I learned that she was staying in the capital at the King's invitation, but since she was so interested and I was due to arrive at the beginning of the event, I had no intention of meeting Irena yet. I couldn't.
This is because when the invitation to eat in the public garden became a hot topic, the Duke of Vermont forbade Irena from going out in order to make her dramatic appearance.
"Hello, Duke of Temnes.”
Irena smiled gregariously and bowed to Kaian.
“I didn’t know I’d see you again.”
Irena spoke casually to his cold response.
“I am taking good care of the roses you gave me when I left. Suddenly I found myself staying in the capital.”
“The roses are having a hard time. It is my wife’s heart, so take care of it.”
"Yes. Okay."
The nobles around her made a fuss, saying, 'It's Vermont and Temnes,' but Irena didn't seem to mind.
“Duke of Temnes. To meet again like this, I guess we are meant to be.”
The Duchess of Vermont was active in the capital's society when she was young and married Valmonde, so her rejection of Temnes was less severe. Although her husband was uncomfortable, the Duchess of Vermont greeted Kaian quite warmly.
“It’s nice to see you in the royal castle, Duke of Temnes.”
Kaian gave a slight nod to the Duke of Vermont and only politely greeted the Duchess.
Kaian said as his eyes met the Duke of Vermont's.
“Your face looks better than before.”
“Does it look like that?”
“I’m glad that the food I sent was helpful.”
"Huh.”
Whenever Valmonde's drought was mentioned, the Duke of Vermont felt uncomfortable.
As he said, the weather is up to the heavens, but it sounded like Kaian was blaming him as if this happened because he mismanaged the estate.
Even though he knew that he dared to bring it up in a place like this. As expected, Temnes!
It was a time when interest was focused on what the Duke of Vermont would do.
"Hmm. Are you very generous to Vermont's daughter? Isn’t that necklace a keepsake of your mother?”
My eyes widened.
'This necklace is Madame Elise's?'
Comments
Post a Comment