OIAR - Chapter 13

Etienne remembered the softness of her body and the spring that had touched him at that moment. Then, strength filled his body.

"...Ha."

He was so pathetic now that he was afraid that someone would see him.

Etienne, who had suddenly risen to his feet, moved with an unsteady gait. His face flushed bright red as he slowly turned toward the lake.

He had to soak in the lake and wash away all his evil thoughts.

...Certainly.

If he didn't cool down, this feeling might one day consume him. He had such an ominous premonition.

***

Martha, who had been busy preparing for her debutante all day, finally visited Shioana.

"You stayed quietly in your room, young lady. You did well."

"Are you talking as if I've ever caused any trouble?"

Shioana shook the water she was holding, pretending not to notice the swing she had been swinging on by the lake.

“You have to be careful, Master Eli is in the mansion. Got it?”

Although she was busy with work and couldn't take care of her properly, Martha's heart was always in touch with Shioana.

"By the way, what is that in your hand?"

Shioana lifted her chin as she looked at the long box that Martha was carrying.

"I'm coming in front of the young lady, so I'm on my way to bring it with me."

"Is this really for me?"

The gift package from Hybel did not contain the sender's name or a small card.

"Isn't that the young lady's name?"

When Martha, who was illiterate, pointed to the writing on the box, Shioana nodded.

To Miss Shioana Evgenia.

It was definitely true that it had come in front of her.

“Open it quickly.”

At Martha's urging, Shioana untied the pure white ribbon, and the box was filled with beautiful flowers and sweet treats.

Just as in the book, white lilies and white miniature delphiniums exuded a strong fragrance. Martha's cheeks flushed with surprise at the precious gift of flowers.

"Oh my! How romantic! Could this have been sent by a gentleman who admires the young lady?"

"Martha, I've never met anyone before. Do you think that's possible?"

Although she received the gift curtly, Shioana's cheeks were flushed as she kept picking at the gift box.

'Maybe it was a gift from my father.'

He sent her a letter a while ago saying that it would be difficult for him to attend this debutante due to business.

'Did you take care of it because you felt sorry?'

Or maybe he kept his promise to bring a gift the other day?

For fear of damaging the delicate petals at her fingertips, Shioana couldn't even bring herself to touch them.

"Miss, please try this quickly."

Martha peeled off the gold foil and held out the chocolate inside. Shioana pouted, looking at the sweetly scented, round chocolate.

"Do you think I'm the kind of person who likes snacks like that?"

"Are you a natural child if you like chocolate? I like this too."

Martha can't tell how adorable it is that Shioana keeps emphasizing that she's all grown up these days. Martha barely managed to suppress a snicker.

***

Several days have passed since the renovation of Evgenia's mansion began.

"...It's finally tomorrow."

Lying in her neatly cleaned bedroom, Shioana felt a little awkward. She'd often fallen asleep gazing at the small art piece perched on the ceiling, but now, no matter how hard she searched, not a speck of dust could be found.

"Can I do well?"

At night, led by Martha's hand, she washed her body in hot water and even made a mask on her face by mixing honey and various powders.

The dress she was going to wear tomorrow was hanging in a corner of the room, and she just had to go to bed, but her heart was pounding so hard she didn't think she could sleep.

"I can't do it."

As Shioana kicked off the blanket and got up, she pressed her hand against her chest, and then heard a strange sound in her ear.

The noise of the window trembling in the wind naturally reminded Shioana of herself and Etienne running through the grass.

"Why would you think that? It's really funny."

She whispered softly, then pursed her lips tightly. But contrary to her words, her mind kept wandering back to the grassy field where the two had been dancing. His hand, gripping Shioana's, was large and warm.

"It was like I could hear music in my ears."

The sound of leaves rustling in the wind, the sound of the lake lapping, and little birds chirping here and there sang for them.

Closing her eyes and raising her arms, Shioana felt like she was dancing. She felt completely relaxed as she twirled her feet in his arms. She felt like anywhere would be okay with Etienne.

"Was Etienne laughing?"

As she was trying to recall her memories, she thought she saw his gentle smile.

It must be an illusion.

Shioana, her eyes wide open, desperately searched the lingering image in her mind. She'd missed it earlier, too busy dancing to notice, but there was definitely a moment when Etienne's crimson eyes narrowed.

"...Did you laugh at me?"

Etienne was always expressionless, so she never saw him smile. And after thinking about it for a while, a sudden, overwhelming fatigue washed over her.

"Why am I thinking about slaves the night before my debut party?"

What does it matter to her whether Etienne laughs or not?

Her heart is pounding right now because she's nervous about her debutante tomorrow. It's only natural.

"So I have to stop thinking like this."

Shioana, who had been grumbling, lay back down and pressed her body against the window. She covered her ears tightly with both hands and closed her eyes tightly. Then she pulled the blanket over her forehead.

To escape the unstoppable music of the wind.

To erase the faces of someone who keeps coming in endlessly.

***

The day of the debutante has finally arrived.

Gentlemen and ladies in their finest attire filled the halls of Regbel.

Neatly dressed maids and servants skillfully greeted the guests. Seeing unfamiliar faces wandering the mansion, Shioana asked. Maintaining so many employees was beyond the means of the Evgenia family.

"Martha, what are all those people?"

"The young master brought them from Highbell. He said they were only hired for the duration of the ball."

“Ah. I see.”

Although Shioana was a brave girl who was not afraid of anything, her body froze involuntarily at the unfamiliar scenery.

"Oh my goodness, your face is pale. Are you okay?"

Martha spoke with concern as she massaged Shioana's hand.

"Yes, it's okay. What's the big deal?"

Shioana, standing in front of the mirror, pretended as if nothing had happened.

Mrs. Hooper's boring lessons were effective, after all. Scurrying around Mount Regbel like a flying squirrel made her look like a graceful lady.

"...Ha."

But contrary to her expectations, her posture quickly became sloppy due to the intense tension.

"The ball will start soon."

Today, Shioana wore a short-sleeved white dress that revealed a bit of her shoulders. She wore a pearl hairpin in her curly brown hair and white lace gloves.

"How wonderful it would have been if my late Madam had seen this."

As she smoothed down the folds of her dress, Martha wiped a tear from her eye. Not wanting to make the atmosphere unnecessarily sad, Shioana changed the subject.

“It’s not strange, is it?”

It was her first time dressing up like this, so looking at her in the mirror felt unfamiliar.

"Of course. Our young lady will be the prettiest at the ball today."

Martha's words are not to be trusted. She's the one who told Shioana that she was just as pretty when she was a mess, drowning in mud.

But her unwavering affection soothed her anxious heart a little.

A moment later, Shioana stood on the stairs, holding Eli's hand. A large crowd of guests awaited her below.

"Stand up straight! I don't want to embarrass myself."

Eli's sharp gaze fixed on Shioana's hunched shoulders. She quickly straightened. He gently stroked her chin with his hand.

"Yeah, that sounds pretty plausible."

Unaccustomed to his compliments, Shioana blushed as she fiddled with her dress.

"Thank you for the dress and gift, brother."

"Now it's time."

Eli, who had completely ignored her thanks, suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled it. Swallowing a small scream, Shioana was dragged down the stairs, having to straighten herself to avoid falling.

As they went down each level, the tension grew more and more.

The unfamiliar heat that filled the hall made her shoulders hunch. Eli clicked his tongue as he watched his younger sister, who still seemed to lack confidence.

"Shioana, straighten your shoulder."

"...Ha."

"Don't forget, just do what you learned today."

The appearance of the Evgenia siblings, who were as beautiful as a picture, caused a stir in the room.

"Oh my, little Count Evgenia, you look so beautiful today."

"Your younger sister is also really beautiful."

Lightly holding Shioana's hand, Eli bowed politely before the guests. He surveyed the room, then slowly pursed his lips.

"Thank you to all the distinguished guests who attended the ball today."

Eli wore cream trousers over his boots, a leather belt cinched around his waist, and a slightly longer coat, which accentuated his lean but well-proportioned figure.

"I hope you eat, drink, and enjoy yourself to your heart's content."

Eli's graceful greetings caused many women to blush here and there.

'Your popularity is really great.'

Moreover, unlike her, who was attending her first-ever ball at the Evgenia House, Eli was generally relaxed.

“And let me introduce you to my sister, Shioana Evgenia.”

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