Wow...
Erencia was speechless.
The first reason was that Euclid, whom she expected to refuse, had asked her to be his partner.
The second was.
'He's so cool!'
His posture, standing with his hand outstretched, was perfect. Polite yet confident. Although he bowed his waist and head slightly, he looked immeasurably tall.
This look should be made into a statue.
It must be preserved for generations to see.
Erencia could not take her eyes off Euclid.
"Oh. My goodness, I didn't know you two were this close."
As Erencia froze, Andre intervened. Agnes quickly nudged Erencia in the side.
Inadvertently, Erencia grabbed Euclid's hand.
Erencia and Euclid's eyes met in mid-air.
With their gazes firmly locked, Erencia could not say a word.
"I assume you two have something to talk about, so I will go get some tea."
Andre discreetly left.
"Hmm, I will look for a formal dress suitable for Your Excellency."
Frederick left too.
"I need to look for jewelry that matches the young lady's dress."
Agnes also went out.
Silence settled calmly like dust.
Euclid's eyes slowly returned to their natural look. Eyes devoid of a smile were handsome in their own way.
"Are you going to keep holding hands?"
A curt voice was heard, as if he had never spoken kindly.
Erencia was startled and let go of his hand. Erencia distanced herself and glared at him.
She realized belatedly that she was ruined.
This plan also failed.
It felt far-fetched to think that Euclid accepted her partner request not because he had feelings for her, but simply because he wanted to thwart her plans.
“You hate me?”
You might mistake accepting a partner request for a crush, but far from it!
His behavior was far from what one would do to a woman they liked.
On top of that, there's no affection in your eyes right now!
But why do you keep accepting? Whether it's a marriage proposal or a partner request.
If you don't like it, just say so!
"No, it's just that I don't like it."
Isn't that what it means?
"But why did you ask to be my partner? You could have just declined."
"That is what I want to ask. Do you want to humiliate me? You boasted in front of others that you asked me to be your partner, and did you expect me to refuse? Did you consider how low your reputation would drop if I turned down?"
The things Euclid was pouring out were strange.
Are you saying you asked me to be your partner when you didn't mean it, just for the sake of my reputation?
'I don't need that kind of consideration.'
Erencia straightened her back, which had been slightly bent forward. She also naturally lowered her hands from her hips.
Erencia crossed her arms in front of her chest, looked Euclid up and down, and let out a nasal hum.
You're so considerate, aren't you?
You're being so considerate of me when you've never even met me? Do you act like this for just anyone?
“You’re a flirt.”
“What?”
Euclid's eyebrows curved like waves.
Lady, you're dazzling.
"You were born with a talent for seducing women."
Ha. Euclid let out a sigh.
Erencia racked her brains and deliberately spoke meanly.
It was because his handsome looks and boundless thoughtfulness made her feel as if someone were tickling her solar plexus with a feather.
What Erencia needed was an enemy, not an object of affection.
"Or is it because you don't like me for not liking you? You know, like that. Trying to seduce me while saying, 'You're the first woman to reject me.'"
Euclid rubbed his forehead.
"That’s probably why he asks a woman he’s not interested in as a partner."
Erencia muttered to herself while avoiding Euclid's gaze.
Unaware that Euclid's expression was growing increasingly menacing.
"Well, if you need someone to just have fun with and then cut ties cleanly, I’d gladly do it. Anyway, if I need someone to draw, well..."
"I'm sorry, but it's not that I don't have feelings."
Erencia's mouth stopped.
Euclid lowered his voice. His pleasant, high-pitched voice became so terribly low that it sent shivers down her spine.
He approached quickly.
A shadow fell in front of Erencia.
Erencia slowly raised her head. The blue eyes and the black eyes met.
Euclid noticed when he saw Erencia's eyes trembling slightly.
The piercing words this woman spits out are not sincere.
He didn't know why she spouted words that won't benefit her at all, but...
As soon as he realized that, he felt a strange sense of stubbornness.
He was angry at the woman's attitude, who spoke as if she wished he would get fed up and back off after hitting on her, and he also felt a competitive spirit to draw out her true feelings.
“What is it?”
As Euclid closed the distance, Erencia's jaw lifted high.
Euclid fixed his gaze on Erencia's eyes, not her lips.
Because the eyes tell the truth.
"Whether I like it or not, you are the first woman I’ve ever taken an interest in."
Euclid's lips slowly curled up.
"And this is the first time a woman has tormented me this much."
"When did I bother you?"
Erencia wanted to make an excuse that it was absolutely not true.
However, Euclid's gaze was fixed on her. Once captivated by that gaze, she could not move an inch.
"From the looks of it, you don't seem to dislike me either."
His face suddenly came right in front of Erencia's face.
“Would you like to check?”
"What, what? What?"
"I don't know if I need a woman to play with and discard, if I'm a playboy, or if I'm interested in you or not."
The tone was sarcastic, but the attitude itself was calm and gentle. Erencia bit her lip tightly.
Can't you just do some self-reflection on that at home and come to a conclusion on your own?
Erencia swallowed hard.
"I was curious, too."
He smirked, raising the corners of his mouth.
It was a sinister smile.
***
The inside of the carriage was quiet.
It was the usual silence, but today was a little different.
Euclid continued to tap on the windowsill. The rhythmic tapping made Frederick uncomfortable.
'You look just like you do when you're heading off to a war you don't want to go to.'
At times like this, it would be best to just keep quiet, but Frederick couldn't stand the curiosity. So, when the rhythm of his fingers slowed down a little, he quickly asked.
"Shall I send a carriage to the Novellita mansion for the banquet?"
"No."
Ah...
So, you rejected the partnership offer as expected. The true value of being completely finished with Lady Erencia.
Frederick felt somewhat disappointed.
The active courtship shown by Erencia was distinctly different from that of the existing noble ladies.
That looked pretty cool, you know, full of energy.
Above all, it was worth watching Euclid being flustered by her bold attitude.
Frederick let out a faint sigh.
"If you can't find a suitable partner, you'll have to hire a theater actor. I heard there's an agency that arranges decent unknown actors..."
"I didn't even think about finding a young lady from a suitable family in the first place."
This is because the majority of people would act as if they have a great connection with the Gredelus family just because they were partners once.
“I will go myself.”
“Yes? What?”
A good aide does not question his master's words, but he had no choice.
Frederick couldn't believe what he had just heard. He quickly picked his ear and adjusted his posture.
Euclid muttered as he looked out the window.
"I am going to personally escort Lady Erencia."
Clack, clack.
Euclid tensed his jaw as he spoke, pausing between each word.
Frederick inwardly rejoiced but kept his mouth shut. This was a situation where he couldn't even let the corners of his mouth twitch.
***
The sunlight is taut, the grains of sand sparkle.
It was absolutely fantastic weather.
On days like this, if you torment others, the expression of pain is revealed even more starkly.
In a word, it is a really good day to do bad things.
"Are you really going to wear this outfit?"
When Agnes asked for exactly tenth time, Erencia raised her eyes.
"If you ask me one more time, I’ll leave wearing only the corset you’re holding."
Agnes's eyes widened at Erencia's threat.
Recalling Erencia, who had gone out on horseback instead of a carriage not long ago, Agnes quickly shut her mouth.
'It is entirely possible for a young lady these days.'
Why had the young lady, who used to strive to maintain her aristocratic dignity, changed so much?
Riding a horse and wearing a dress that clearly revealed her figure were things the old Erencia could never have imagined doing.
"What are you doing?"
Erencia urged Agnes on.
Agnes had no choice but to take off the corset. Then she draped the dress over Erencia's slender body.
The dress, which had little lace or decoration and did not require a separate petticoat, was a design that was easy to put on and take off.
And it revealed Erencia's curvy figure very well.
Honestly, it is stunning.
"But are you really allowed to go wearing something like this?"
"Why? Is it not good?"
"No, young lady, you are very beautiful, but..."
"But?"
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment