(14) Garden Party (4)
'It would be a problem if the Northern Duke's plans were ruined and the future changed too much.'
Cyrus watched with interest as a flash of wariness flashed across Ariana's blue eyes.
Until now, the women who encountered Cyrus had always shown one of two looks: admiration or fear.
But the emotions in Ariana's blue eyes were different.
Wariness, and a hint of annoyance.
Cyrus had never been a nuisance to anyone, so dealing with Ariana was somewhat enjoyable. He was also anticipating her reaction, how she would react, and what words she would say in return.
"Does the Northern Duke know you're being treated like this?"
A cold chill passed over her small, pretty face, then vanished.
Ariana spoke calmly, staring into the darkness beyond Cyrus's shoulder.
Ariana called her father “a Duke.”
Her calm voice was devoid of any longing or affection.
“You think a lot with your small head.”
What mattered more was whether or not she would become an obstacle in his path.
Cyrus's sword worked equally, regardless of the opponent's age or gender.
When he discovered Ariana's plans to leave the West and seek refuge with the Eastern Duke, he should have killed her.
But he didn't feel like it.
'She's worth using,'
He repeated the thought he'd had many times before.
'She'll be a good tactic for me someday.'
Cyrus remembered her smile, shining like the sun in the dim lamplight.
'It's also fun.'
Victoria threw the water cup to the side of her.
Clang!
The cup shattered with a loud crash.
The maids and servants in Victoria's room gasped.
It was the first time the gentle and polite Victoria had thrown a tantrum like Helena.
Victoria glared at Helena's maids, who had ordered Ariana to be brought in. They were kneeling, their faces pale.
"I'm sure I told you to dress her up and bring her here."
"Ha, but... even so, she's a Princess, how could we..."
"A Princess! Are you saying that kind of woman is of the same blood as me?"
Victoria looked around, looking for something else to throw. But everything nearby had been thrown and broken.
After the party, Helena, who had been scolded by Rachel, went to Victoria, let out her anger, and then left.
It would have been better if she had just yelled and cursed, but she even slapped Victoria in the face.
-“You said we should take her to the party!”
-“Sister, I never said that. I just felt bad for her...”
-“Anyway, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have let her go to the party!”
Helena, who had been scolded harder than usual, was out of her mind, so Victoria’s words didn’t make sense. Rachel, who had heard about their fight and came to visit, spoke to Victoria with a displeased expression.
-“Don’t provoke your sister too much. You’re the younger sister, so you should be patient.”
It was always like this.
Both her mother and father were always lenient only with Helena.
Helena hated both her parents, but the one she hated the most was Ariana.
'It would be a problem if the Northern Duke's plans were ruined and the future changed too much.'
Cyrus watched with interest as a flash of wariness flashed across Ariana's blue eyes.
Until now, the women who encountered Cyrus had always shown one of two looks: admiration or fear.
But the emotions in Ariana's blue eyes were different.
Wariness, and a hint of annoyance.
Cyrus had never been a nuisance to anyone, so dealing with Ariana was somewhat enjoyable. He was also anticipating her reaction, how she would react, and what words she would say in return.
"Does the Northern Duke know you're being treated like this?"
A cold chill passed over her small, pretty face, then vanished.
Ariana spoke calmly, staring into the darkness beyond Cyrus's shoulder.
"He must know this already, but even if he doesn't, it matters little. What happened at tonight's party will spread among the nobility. Should I ever seek his favor, he won't be able to pretend ignorance. Even a Duke wouldn't want to bear the shame of having cast out his own pitiful, abused daughter."
Her calm voice was devoid of any longing or affection.
“You think a lot with your small head.”
Her blue eyes stared into space, fixed on Cyrus’ face.
Her red lips parted, and a refreshing voice flowed out, at odds with the darkness.
“Your Excellency, your head doesn’t look that big either.”
“Are you saying that even someone like me can’t think the same way?”
A smile spread across Ariana’s face.
It was the first genuine smile he had seen in the few days he had observed her. It was a smile as clear as a winter flower blooming on the Graten peaks of the northern ridge, and as beautiful as a lotus blooming in the dark swamps.
Cyrus watched, dazed, as her neat eyebrows gently flared and her cat-like eyes narrowed.
The smile that began dreamily vanished like a daydream.
“Your Excellency, you speak so humorously.”
“You know how to laugh, too.”
“I laugh when I need to. I laugh when I deserve to.”
Cyrus reached through the bars, gently grasped her small chin, and lifted it.
Ariana didn’t seem flustered by his sudden action.
“You’re the first one to laugh because what I say is funny.”
“Of course not. If you were to order them to laugh, wouldn’t everyone laugh?”
The calm reply flowing from her plump lips was tinged with amusement.
That’s why he was curious.
“Do you cry?”
Her red lips parted, and a refreshing voice flowed out, at odds with the darkness.
“Your Excellency, your head doesn’t look that big either.”
“Are you saying that even someone like me can’t think the same way?”
A smile spread across Ariana’s face.
It was the first genuine smile he had seen in the few days he had observed her. It was a smile as clear as a winter flower blooming on the Graten peaks of the northern ridge, and as beautiful as a lotus blooming in the dark swamps.
Cyrus watched, dazed, as her neat eyebrows gently flared and her cat-like eyes narrowed.
The smile that began dreamily vanished like a daydream.
“Your Excellency, you speak so humorously.”
“You know how to laugh, too.”
“I laugh when I need to. I laugh when I deserve to.”
Cyrus reached through the bars, gently grasped her small chin, and lifted it.
Ariana didn’t seem flustered by his sudden action.
“You’re the first one to laugh because what I say is funny.”
“Of course not. If you were to order them to laugh, wouldn’t everyone laugh?”
The calm reply flowing from her plump lips was tinged with amusement.
That’s why he was curious.
“Do you cry?”
He wondered what her crying face would look like.
“I cry when I need to.”
“I want to see you cry.”
“If you order me to, I will.”
Cyrus removed his hand from her chin.
Ariana straightened her posture as if nothing had happened. No matter how she looked, she didn’t look like a young lady who had been confined to her home and had not received a proper education.
Ariana, her back straight and chin slightly raised, carried the dignity of a woman sitting at the highest level of the imperial court.
Cyrus wondered what use Ariana, as the link between the Eastern and Western Dukes, could be to them, and what tactic they planned to use her for.
However, from what he had observed, the Eastern Duke had no interest in Ariana, and Rachel seemed to genuinely dislike her.
'But there must be a reason why she brought this woman with her during the divorce. There must be a reason why the Eastern Duke is pretending not to know that his daughter is being treated like this.'
Perhaps Ariana was being used without knowing anything. However, Ariana's behavior, unusual for her age, suggested she wouldn't be completely ignorant and wouldn't simply be taken advantage of.
In a rare moment, Ariana spoke first.
"Is there anything Your Excellency desires from Bronte Manor?"
"I don't want to answer."
"You ask me countless questions, but you're being rude when you answer them."
"You'll understand if you compare your situation to mine. Anyone can see that you're in a situation where you have to answer."
"Do I look like I'm afraid of Your Excellency's sword?"
She didn't.
Cyrus wondered if Ariana ever felt terrified, but he didn't want to find out by deliberately scaring her.
"You're a woman who fears neither the dark nor your parents, so you wouldn't fear my sword either. But what about hunger? From the last time I saw you, you seemed to be a good eater."
Ariana blushed as she remembered the events in the pantry.
It was fortunate that it was dark.
“I’m used to starving. It’s painful, but there’s nothing to fear.”
“Rachel Bronte was so angry. Wouldn’t that change if you were locked up here for a few days?”
“I cry when I need to.”
“I want to see you cry.”
“If you order me to, I will.”
Cyrus removed his hand from her chin.
Ariana straightened her posture as if nothing had happened. No matter how she looked, she didn’t look like a young lady who had been confined to her home and had not received a proper education.
Ariana, her back straight and chin slightly raised, carried the dignity of a woman sitting at the highest level of the imperial court.
Cyrus wondered what use Ariana, as the link between the Eastern and Western Dukes, could be to them, and what tactic they planned to use her for.
However, from what he had observed, the Eastern Duke had no interest in Ariana, and Rachel seemed to genuinely dislike her.
'But there must be a reason why she brought this woman with her during the divorce. There must be a reason why the Eastern Duke is pretending not to know that his daughter is being treated like this.'
Perhaps Ariana was being used without knowing anything. However, Ariana's behavior, unusual for her age, suggested she wouldn't be completely ignorant and wouldn't simply be taken advantage of.
In a rare moment, Ariana spoke first.
"Is there anything Your Excellency desires from Bronte Manor?"
"I don't want to answer."
"You ask me countless questions, but you're being rude when you answer them."
"You'll understand if you compare your situation to mine. Anyone can see that you're in a situation where you have to answer."
"Do I look like I'm afraid of Your Excellency's sword?"
She didn't.
Cyrus wondered if Ariana ever felt terrified, but he didn't want to find out by deliberately scaring her.
"You're a woman who fears neither the dark nor your parents, so you wouldn't fear my sword either. But what about hunger? From the last time I saw you, you seemed to be a good eater."
Ariana blushed as she remembered the events in the pantry.
It was fortunate that it was dark.
“I’m used to starving. It’s painful, but there’s nothing to fear.”
“Rachel Bronte was so angry. Wouldn’t that change if you were locked up here for a few days?”
“If you knew how many days I’ve been locked up, you’d be amazed.”
“I’m looking forward to it; there’s still something left to surprise me.”
Cyrus said that and disappeared. The lamplight had already gone out.
Ariana stared into the darkness where he had just stood.
The maids in the pantry hadn’t noticed them, even though they were right in front of them.
Was it the same now?
The thought that Cyrus might be hiding somewhere in the darkness made her restless.
“It’s annoying.”
With so many things to worry about and plan for the future, Cyrus’s presence was inconvenient.
“The way the Duke of the North spoke about Rachel, it seemed like he had no good feelings toward her. Maybe he’d be on my side... No, no. There’s nothing good about being entangled with the Duke of the North.”
He didn’t seem to be the cruel man rumored to be, but she still hadn’t fully grasped the character of Cyrus Carr. Throwing in too many variables could ruin everything before it could even begin to truly work.
Besides, Cyrus wasn't as easy to manipulate as Victoria or Helena. Since Cyrus wouldn't act according to Ariana's wishes, it was right to rule him out.
'I have no allies.'
Ariana glared into the darkness.
'Anyone can stab me in the back at any time. I have to walk alone.'
Cyrus sat cross-legged on the top of the East Tower, looking down on the expansive Bronte mansion.
Its numerous ornate buildings and towers, its beautifully landscaped gardens.
There was no place for Ariana in such a vast and luxurious place.
'She'll be running away from here soon.'
Ariana's eyes lacked even a hint of warmth as she spoke of her biological parents. She had no expectations for them either. Even if the Eastern and Western Dukes were planning to use Ariana, he was certain she wouldn't simply give in.
So what was Ariana's ultimate goal? Where were those eyes, filled with unconcealable murderous intent and hatred, directed?
Cyrus had seen eyes like Ariana's.
Long ago, in the mirror.
Cyrus, who had lost his parents at a young age and been manipulated by various forces, had once seen the same gaze.
No, even now, those eyes still lingered within Cyrus. He had simply kept them hidden.
'Everyone came at me with knives. I had to be wary of everyone, not knowing who killed my parents.'
So where did Ariana's hatred stem from?
Parental neglect and abuse?
No, not that. Something far more lurked in the darkness deep within Ariana's eyes.
But what could a sixteen-year-old girl, confined to her mansion, have ever experienced that could have engendered such hatred?
That was what made him wary, and also intrigued him.
'It seems like she's planning to rely on the Eastern Duke...'
Cyrus suspected the Eastern Duke had something to do with his parents' deaths.
Just before his parents were ensnared in an enemy plot and killed, the Eastern Duke married Rachel. After their deaths, Rachel divorced the Eastern Duke and returned to the West.
While Rachel was in the East, the Eastern Duke might have secretly communicated with the Western Duke through his daughter, Rachel.
"I don't know if that woman's connection to the Eastern Duke will be beneficial or detrimental to me."
Should he interfere?
It's hard to fathom her intentions, but if she's armed with a knife, it's safer to keep her locked up in this stubborn mansion. There's no telling what kind of variable Ariana might become in Cyrus's plans.
In other times, Cyrus would have mercilessly interfered with Ariana. No, he wouldn't have interfered, but simply killed her to remove the obstacle in his heart. Whether or not the person had committed a crime against him was irrelevant to Cyrus's killing.
Cyrus said that and disappeared. The lamplight had already gone out.
Ariana stared into the darkness where he had just stood.
The maids in the pantry hadn’t noticed them, even though they were right in front of them.
Was it the same now?
The thought that Cyrus might be hiding somewhere in the darkness made her restless.
“It’s annoying.”
With so many things to worry about and plan for the future, Cyrus’s presence was inconvenient.
“The way the Duke of the North spoke about Rachel, it seemed like he had no good feelings toward her. Maybe he’d be on my side... No, no. There’s nothing good about being entangled with the Duke of the North.”
He didn’t seem to be the cruel man rumored to be, but she still hadn’t fully grasped the character of Cyrus Carr. Throwing in too many variables could ruin everything before it could even begin to truly work.
Besides, Cyrus wasn't as easy to manipulate as Victoria or Helena. Since Cyrus wouldn't act according to Ariana's wishes, it was right to rule him out.
'I have no allies.'
Ariana glared into the darkness.
'Anyone can stab me in the back at any time. I have to walk alone.'
***
Cyrus sat cross-legged on the top of the East Tower, looking down on the expansive Bronte mansion.
Its numerous ornate buildings and towers, its beautifully landscaped gardens.
There was no place for Ariana in such a vast and luxurious place.
'She'll be running away from here soon.'
Ariana's eyes lacked even a hint of warmth as she spoke of her biological parents. She had no expectations for them either. Even if the Eastern and Western Dukes were planning to use Ariana, he was certain she wouldn't simply give in.
So what was Ariana's ultimate goal? Where were those eyes, filled with unconcealable murderous intent and hatred, directed?
Cyrus had seen eyes like Ariana's.
Long ago, in the mirror.
Cyrus, who had lost his parents at a young age and been manipulated by various forces, had once seen the same gaze.
No, even now, those eyes still lingered within Cyrus. He had simply kept them hidden.
'Everyone came at me with knives. I had to be wary of everyone, not knowing who killed my parents.'
So where did Ariana's hatred stem from?
Parental neglect and abuse?
No, not that. Something far more lurked in the darkness deep within Ariana's eyes.
But what could a sixteen-year-old girl, confined to her mansion, have ever experienced that could have engendered such hatred?
That was what made him wary, and also intrigued him.
'It seems like she's planning to rely on the Eastern Duke...'
Cyrus suspected the Eastern Duke had something to do with his parents' deaths.
Just before his parents were ensnared in an enemy plot and killed, the Eastern Duke married Rachel. After their deaths, Rachel divorced the Eastern Duke and returned to the West.
While Rachel was in the East, the Eastern Duke might have secretly communicated with the Western Duke through his daughter, Rachel.
"I don't know if that woman's connection to the Eastern Duke will be beneficial or detrimental to me."
Should he interfere?
It's hard to fathom her intentions, but if she's armed with a knife, it's safer to keep her locked up in this stubborn mansion. There's no telling what kind of variable Ariana might become in Cyrus's plans.
In other times, Cyrus would have mercilessly interfered with Ariana. No, he wouldn't have interfered, but simply killed her to remove the obstacle in his heart. Whether or not the person had committed a crime against him was irrelevant to Cyrus's killing.
What mattered more was whether or not she would become an obstacle in his path.
Cyrus's sword worked equally, regardless of the opponent's age or gender.
When he discovered Ariana's plans to leave the West and seek refuge with the Eastern Duke, he should have killed her.
But he didn't feel like it.
'She's worth using,'
He repeated the thought he'd had many times before.
'She'll be a good tactic for me someday.'
Cyrus remembered her smile, shining like the sun in the dim lamplight.
'It's also fun.'
***
Victoria threw the water cup to the side of her.
Clang!
The cup shattered with a loud crash.
The maids and servants in Victoria's room gasped.
It was the first time the gentle and polite Victoria had thrown a tantrum like Helena.
Victoria glared at Helena's maids, who had ordered Ariana to be brought in. They were kneeling, their faces pale.
"I'm sure I told you to dress her up and bring her here."
“Miss, we did as you commanded. We dressed her and applied her makeup, but Miss Ariana—no, that woman—chased us out, then changed back into her own clothes and came out.”
“Ariana kicks you out, and you just let her? That woman's alone, and there are four of you—you should've dragged her back by her arms and legs to change her clothes!”
"A Princess! Are you saying that kind of woman is of the same blood as me?"
Victoria looked around, looking for something else to throw. But everything nearby had been thrown and broken.
After the party, Helena, who had been scolded by Rachel, went to Victoria, let out her anger, and then left.
It would have been better if she had just yelled and cursed, but she even slapped Victoria in the face.
-“You said we should take her to the party!”
-“Sister, I never said that. I just felt bad for her...”
-“Anyway, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have let her go to the party!”
Helena, who had been scolded harder than usual, was out of her mind, so Victoria’s words didn’t make sense. Rachel, who had heard about their fight and came to visit, spoke to Victoria with a displeased expression.
-“Don’t provoke your sister too much. You’re the younger sister, so you should be patient.”
It was always like this.
Both her mother and father were always lenient only with Helena.
Helena hated both her parents, but the one she hated the most was Ariana.
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