In fact, there wasn't much to investigate regarding the Evgenia family.
All they had was the desolate plains of the north, and although they once produced great knights and occupied the place, that was merely the past.
Moreover, decisively, the woman named Shioana herself did not meet his standards at all. As soon as she arrived, she fell ill and committed the disrespect of not even asking him for a separate greeting.
What reason could there be to insist on taking in a woman as a nephew's wife when she lacks manners and doesn't seem likely to bear a son?
'I heard the Viscountess died giving birth to, didn't she?'
She could not just sit by and watch her precious nephew take such an unsuitable wife.
"So, does the food suit your taste, miss?"
“Ah. Yes.”
“Then that’s a relief.”
Shioana spoke up without even being able to look at the old woman wearing small silver-rimmed glasses.
“Humbled yourself.”
"We aren't even that close, so wouldn't that be a bad idea?"
Marilyn acted coldly, as if she would not give Shioana any breathing room. As the atmosphere at the table froze again, Count Noah stood up and tapped his hand.
"I have specially prepared a small play for today."
Viscount Evgenia, slightly tipsy and slurring his words, shouted excitedly.
Thanks to the Count and Madam, we are witnessing a rare sight today.
Marilyn had barely managed to have a meal at her nephew's request, but she had absolutely no intention of watching a play with such low-class people. Just as she was about to adjust her glasses, Eli approached and held out his hand.
"Will you grant me the honor of serving a beautiful lady?"
"...Hmm."
Marilyn, who was about to lean on her cane, looked up at Eli's face and swallowed a groan.
She absolutely did not want to get along, but it was hard to refuse Eli, who was wearing a pure white suit that suited his bright blonde hair.
"Beautiful? Are you making fun of this old woman?"
"Mrs. Veil, I have never been that serious in my entire life."
It was an obvious lie, but Marilyn secretly held onto Eli's words as a pleasant compliment.
"How much does it cost to install marble flooring?"
Viscount Evgenia, who had been spouting nonsense as if under the influence of alcohol, staggered, followed by Eli and Lady Veil. Now, only Count Noah and Shioana remained.
"So this is how they became groups."
He gripped the backrest of the chair where Shioana was sitting tightly and let out a hushed voice. Today, Count Noah was dressed in black from head to toe, exuding a dignified charm.
He twisted his sharp jaw and looked around at the stiff back of Shioana. You have no idea how cute a face looks when it is flustered by an unfamiliar environment.
"Miss Shioana, do you not like this place very much?
"...That, that..."
Pierre whispered as he lightly traced his finger over Shioana's back, who was at a loss for what to do.
"If you allow it, all of this will be yours."
Shioana's thickly powdered cheeks flushed as if she had scarlet fever. She was not unaware of what his whisper meant. He seemed ready to propose immediately if she said he liked him.
"...Count."
The voice calling him trembled endlessly.
'Maybe it's okay.'
As she bit her lip, Count Noah smiled.
"It seems I have caused you trouble again. Please do not feel burdened. All I want to do is be your friend."
He took a step back as he saw the evident look of embarrassment on Shioana's face.
"Shall we go? I think everyone will be curious about what we're doing..."
"Yes."
Shioana, standing with her arm in his hand, trembled slightly. Pierre Noah felt such excitement for the first time in a long while. Shioana Evgenia was a woman who continued to reveal new charms every time they met.
'It looks like they're about to cross over any moment.'
The fact that she remained unfazed by his ceaseless barrage of gifts and expressions of affection stimulated a strange competitive spirit.
After the debutante ball at Regbell, there were quite a few gnats showing interest in Shioana.
'I'm telling you, everyone has similar tastes.'
Her lake-like, calm blue eyes symbolized her purity, and her reddish-brown hair would signify her hidden passion.
'Just as her cheeks have turned red, I wonder if her skin underneath is like that too.'
He looked down at Shioana's face and smiled wryly.
***
The carriage returning to Regbell was in a festive mood. A heavily intoxicated Viscount Evgenia chattered away about a new business venture, while Eli kept smiling as he pleased his father.
'What is making everyone so happy?'
Despite the lavish hospitality and the enjoyable performance, Sina felt nothing but a heavy heart. As she rested her forehead against the window, it pricked at her just as if a cricket had crawled right into her head.
Just then, Father glanced at Shioana, who had her eyes closed, and spoke.
"Yeah, I guess cold autumn would be better."
"Looking at Count Noah's face, it seems like it wouldn't matter even if it were winter."
"I know, that's right. He was very straightforward."
The two of them were very excited as they mentioned Count Noah's wealth.
"It will probably be of great help to my father's business as well."
"When did I ever wish for such a thing? It's enough that young people live well."
Father, who had been laughing heartily as usual while pretending to be a good person, gave her a meaningless smile.
Although she lay down in bed without even eating dinner, Shioana's headache grew increasingly worse. Martha walked back and forth by the bedside with a worried look on her face, sighing.
"The medicine just isn't working at all."
"Martha, I wonder if I have a serious illness."
It was the first time she had felt a headache like this, and she was worried that it wasn't getting better for too long.
"Please don't say such things. They say words become reality, so please don't say such things that bring bad luck. It is normal for young ladies about to get married to all be like that. Even the late madam was the same. It is natural to be anxious and nervous, unable to sleep well."
"...Yes."
Martha spoke loudly, intending to cheer up Shioana, who had a gloomy expression.
"Count Noah, how magnificent his estate is! My head was spinning, and I almost fainted. Did you see the clothes the servants are wearing?"
After visiting Highbell, looking around this place, it had a strong sense of being old and worn out.
Martha wholeheartedly wished that Shioana would become the mistress of a wealthy and fine mansion.
"I'm telling you, it's the perfect flower for you, young lady. I'm going out to take care of some business, so please rest for now."
"Martha, thank you for taking care of me."
"That's just my job, so why are you thanking me? When I see you like this, I really tell you our young lady has grown up so much."
Martha wiped away her tears, hurriedly tidied up, and left the room.
Left alone, Shioana immediately opened the window and looked outside. She couldn't find the reason for her chest tightness and headache, but she knew what she wanted to do.
'...I want to see him.'
She hasn't been able to see Etienne since she saw him at the restaurant a few days ago.
Although she had resolved to keep her distance from him, she felt strangely uneasy. She kept thinking about him, and whenever that happened, she felt a ball of fire in her chest.
Wanting to cool down her burning heart, she leaned out without even wearing a shawl when she made eye contact with someone.
It was clearly Etienne leaning against the stone statue in the garden.
Dressed in a thin shirt, he was looking up at Shioana's bedroom on the second floor.
“Why are you there?”
Shioana asked, "You probably won't hear me."
He raised his hand and swept back his fluttering black hair.
The way he appeared in the valley was like a distinguished gentleman, yet he exuded a dangerous aura like a wild horse.
Shioana's heart pounded whenever his tall body moved.
"Did you come out to see me?"
Etienne still just stared at her without saying a word.
Mesmerized by the vivid red eyes even from a distance, Shioana ran her hand over her face. Facing the face she had desperately longed to see, even from afar, only intensified her thirst.
How she wishes she could touch him right now.
"Etienne, did you miss me too?"
A trembling voice crossed the window, carried by white breath. Etienne, who had been quietly watching the movement of her lips, slowly rose to his feet.
"Where are you going? Can't you stay there just a little longer?"
However, it was still a shame to just watch like this. After all, she knew all too well the warmth his embrace gave off.
'Etienne, do you feel this way too?'
Suddenly, a strong wind blew, causing her pajamas to rustle.
"...Ah."
Long, unkempt brown hair fluttered in all directions over the chemise that was transparent in the moonlight.
'I can't believe I was out dressed like this!'
Shioana blushed as she hurriedly put on the robe placed beside her.
And as she tied the knot of her gown and looked at Etienne, she realized that her headache had disappeared.
"...Huh?"
When she leaned out the window again, Etienne was not there. She looked around beside the statue and in the desolate garden, but he was nowhere to be seen.
As if it never existed from the beginning.
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