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“You don’t know how happy I am to have you here.”

“I just did what I was supposed to.”

“Did you know that our engagement is in the fall? It’s before your knight exam.”

“I’ve heard this from my father, my Lady.”

“I know you won’t fail your exam, so we can celebrate our engagement together.”

Hearing her, he wondered what would happen if he were to flunk the knight exam. Then he saw the necklace hanging around Olivia’s neck. It was the necklace that Ercella wanted to have. The crystalline accessory was shining akin to the sea basked in sunlight. Almost like the color of his mother’s eyes. He heard Olivia’s voice amidst his thoughts.

“I hope it snows on that day.”

It doesn’t snow much in Grania.

“They say good things happen whenever it snows.”

There was indeed such a myth in Grania, however, he thought it was something a young girl would believe in, not a woman who had just reached adulthood. She’s sixteen, so she’s probably still a girl.

“Do you have any wishes?”

“I want to marry you.”

Vicente was at a loss for words.

However, Olivia didn’t care. “And become the Duchess.”

“…”

“I want to live as the noblest woman.”

The silence grew louder. The words uttered by a woman who just came of age were preposterous². He did not expect her to be so straightforward.

‘I’d rather it rained instead.’

“If you really want to live as the noblest woman, you should aim to be the queen instead.”

However, apparently noticing the futility of his hidden suggestion behind his words, Olivia expressed disapproval, “If you’re talking about His Highness prince, who’s about to turn two, please don’t say this. Aside from the royal family, isn’t the noblest position next to you, my Lord? You will become a respectable knight, just like His Excellency Duke Bernhardt, and will become the future Lord of House Bernhardt. Thereby, I will be the Duchess of Bernhardt, which is enough for me.”

“Why do you wish for that?”

“I’m a lady of a ducal family. My value is second to only the princess in the marriage market. It’s only natural for me to become a duchess.”

There was no shame in the face of a lady who treated herself as a commodity, as if she wondered why he’d ask such an obvious thing. To her, it was a natural fact that she had learned since her birth.

“You and I are mere goods owned by our families. Both you and I know they would sell us for the highest price.”

“…”

“In the current situation, where there is no princess, I am the best bridal candidate for you. Isn’t that right, my Lord?”

Suddenly, he remembered Ercella, who did not want to have him marry like that. Was Father the reason Mother did not want me to partake in politics? Did she have an unhappy marriage? As far as I know, they both never had any affairs. If so, how did Mother feel? Since she lacks nothing.

“I don’t think any different from my Lady,” Vicente nodded briefly. He didn’t want to deny it nor did he want to exhaust himself by denying it.

Olivia was pleased with his answer. “I can’t be any happier since the Lord and I are of the same mind.”

They weren’t meant to but somehow, her words oddly ticked him off. The back of his neck became stiff. It wasn’t that he hated or had ill feelings toward Lady Garten. But he didn’t like her either. Still, what does it matter? What’s so special about a love marriage? Vicente thought.

“I am well aware of the poor/rough relationship between Garten and Bernhardt. But it won’t be like that anymore, from now on. After we’re engaged, may I often visit Bernhardt to see you?”

It was a polite request with a strong justification. Vicente found no reason to refuse. Yet, at the same time, he wondered why he even thought of refusing.

“Please do as you wish.”

“Thank you, my Lord. I’ll visit with a tea the Duchess might like. Oh, before that, I wonder if the Duchess would be so kind as to invite me to tea.”

“Mother will…” Vicente glanced at Ercella, “…be delighted to have you for tea.”

She didn’t seem to be too fond of her earlier. Vicente replied while not understanding why his eyes were stuck on Ercella.

“I’m grateful.”

Vicente was unable to respond, even though her voice was clear. All his senses were focused on Duke Garten, who was leering at Ercella. It was a distinctly different look from his usual sly³ glance. He looked like a gentleman on the outside, but his eyes clearly betrayed his mind. And sure enough, Duke Garten reached out to Ercella.

‘His wife is beside him, but he’s asking her to dance with him.’

His stomach churned. Ercella’s fingertips were also showing a faint hesitation.

Meanwhile—

“As far as I know, you haven’t danced yet. Would you ask me for a dance, my Lord?” Olivia asked shyly while spreading her skirt. However, contrary to Olivia’s expectation, Vicente’s gaze was glued to Ercella. Olivia was waiting for his answer, but Vicente couldn’t afford to worry about it. Ercella raised her hand and it was about to touch Duke Garten’s.

“I’m afraid I still haven’t learned to dance. Please forgive my insolence towards you, my Lady.” He said that unable to think straight.

* * *

Silence spread.

A voice that was neither loud nor small engulfed the hall. It was delivered not only to Ercella, but also to Olivia, Duke Garten, the Duchess, and to the people around them.

The banquet hall stirred. However, the stir soon turned into mocking sarcasm.

Mrs. Tran took the lead, “I suppose manners aren’t taught at Bernhardt. How can a grown-up Young Lord come to a banquet without learning a single dance? That also at the Coming-of-Age party of his soon-to-be-betrothed woman. This is an insolence towards her. How rude!”

People around them also chimed in with Mrs. Tran. As if they had found a point to criticize, they furtively glanced at him.

“Surely, this is discourteous to the Lady.”

“That’s right. She’s a lady that has come of age today… She must feel very upset.”

The entire ballroom was distracted by criticism. Ercella was frozen stiff, looking dazed. Never learned to dance? That’s not true. According to the butler’s report, Vicente has already been trained in etiquette. I heard he had learned some basic dance songs, too. Up until we came here, Vicente never said a word not knowing how to dance. Above all, Vicente would never do such a thing. Then why suddenly…

“For a family with a long history, no less, to do this,… I just can’t believe it. They didn’t teach him even the basics of how to treat a lady. Young Duke Bernhardt is not a little child, he’s fifteen!”

Ercella could not hear what people said. She merely stared at Vicente. Despite all the harsh criticisms, Vicente was unperturbed. He even looked a bit bored/tired. People interpreted it as an even more contemptuous attitude toward the Lady.

‘…Vicente.’

He must’ve been hurt by people’s words. Rather than why Vicente said that, at the moment, she was more concerned about why he said that. He may look calm but he could not be okay. People were reproaching him, for disrespecting the woman who was soon-to-be his betrothed. It became a controversy because he was a Bernhardt, not anyone else.

It could have been interpreted as disregarding the other family. Whatever Vicente’s intentions were, they would have been distorted. Even now, the gazes befalling Vicente were not good. Ercella was startled by Duchess Garten.

“I’m a little…” She frostily stared at Ercella, “…baffled/speechless. I didn’t know the Duchess would care so little.”

She felt choked out of breath. She was being criticized for failing to properly educate her child as a mother.

“Sigh… I wonder if Duke Bernhardt knows about this.”

Ercella bit her lip at Duke Garten amusedly mentioning Harsen. Seeing him rush like a hyena that found its prey, he seemed to have no intention of easily letting the matter go.

Social dominance could also be determined in small ways. Even if it was childish, there was no way around it. People use the norms of this small world to demean, denounce, and despise others.

But she came here under the name of Bernhardt. Although she could express her regret, she could not diminish the prestige of her family by bowing in front of Garten. They would surely be aware of that, too. This was just a petty trick to make Bernhardt indebted.

She hated to beg for Duke Garten’s grace, but the priority was to turn over the present moment. The stabbing words were too sharp for Vicente to hear. Ercella spoke with a gentle smile, “It’s inevitable that my child would display such discourtesy. He merely wanted to treat Lady Garten with the utmost sincerity, so please understand his good intentions.”

Duchess Garten, however, bellowed coldly, “What do you think you’re doing? All I want is an apology! Not an excuse!”

Her mind dazedly drifted away. She didn’t expect Duchess Garten to demand an apology. Looking at the Duke, he also frowned as if he were feeling uneasy at the Duchess’s remark. Nevertheless, the Duchess raised her chin and did not retract her statement.

“I’m sure you know how special an event the coming-of-age party is for a lady.”

Ercella was disconcerted. What a tenacious family. Did she really need to come out at me like this? Confused, she suddenly remembered that Duchess Garten thought poorly of one of her children. And the fact that the mother and daughter were not completely treated as part of House Garten.

The real power of House Garten belonged to Duke Garten and his son from his ex-wife. Given the situation, the Duchess must have thought that Vicente had ignored Olivia. Even though she was at loss, it wasn’t that she could not understand where the Duchess was coming from.

Ercella pondered between pointing out the Duchess’ excessive demand or expressing her apology. Choosing the former would protect her pride, but it could heat up the air even more, because of which, she feared Vicente would end up hearing harsher things.

However, by choosing the latter, this situation could be avoided by abandoning her pride and slightly bringing down her family name. In fact, this choice alone was as good as the answer. Vicente was more important to her. It’s a social event, so it won’t affect Harsen much. Feeling relieved, Ercella suppressed her emotions.

After somewhat bracing herself, she walked before Duchess Garten. The Duchess stiffly looked down at Ercella. She was looking at how Ercella would try to fix ruining her daughter’s Coming-of-Age party. After making brief eye contact with the Duchess, Ercella lowered her gaze. Then she bent down and bowed her head in front of everyone.

“My son has been rude to the Lady.”

“Oh, my God…!”

The commotion grew louder.

I feel a bit dizzy. Ah, as I thought, I’m not used to this kind of matter. I never thought a day would come when I would have to bow down to Duchess Garten. Even if it wasn’t the Duchess for the matter. But it isn’t as unbearable as I thought. Ercella decided to just think about getting out of here.

“…But, my son wasn’t in the wrong. All of this is due to my inadequacy as a mother. So please blame me, and regarding this relationship beyond this moment, I ask for your benevolence, Your Grace. I will also do anything to apologize for leaving you with such upsetting memories on your daughter’s one and only Coming-of-Age day. Please show your magnanimity.”

She was clearly acting on her own to anyone who saw. Vicente tried to approach with a stiff face but Ercella stopped him with a glance.

Vicente looked at her as if he couldn’t understand her.

Duchess Garten, who looked at the two in turn, smiled coldly, “I feel completely/utterly embarrassed. I didn’t mean such a grand apology… Raise your head, Your Grace. It’s not like Young Duke Bernhard disobeyed a military order, nor did he defy a royal command. He was simply not educated, so he was rude to a lady. Of course, the Young Duke is obviously fifteen, and at that age, he should know how to treat a lady. But he did not, so I can’t even call it a big mistake.”

“…”

“Even if it happened at my daughter’s Coming-of-Age party.” Her elegant voice was as hard as stone. In fact, Duchess Garten could not hold Ercella accountable. The boundaries of her fault were too ambiguous to hold her accountable for her son’s mistake.

Bernhardt’s name being slightly diminished and the situation becoming serious was in part due to her entourage that exacerbated the situation, hoping Garten would play along, her husband, who sneakily/slyly mentioned Duke Bernhardt, and her daughter, who simply observed the situation without thinking to check the mental health of those involved.

Ercella, who knew well how the social world worked, couldn’t have not known this. However, despite being aware, Ercella calmly apologized.

Duchess Garten somehow knew why. Ercella wanted to get over this situation quickly. Had she stalled, she could’ve protected her pride, but in the meantime, many stories would be brought up in the ballroom.

All kinds of groundless rumors would be brought up, like her beating her son. In the end, she was afraid that such rumors would wander into her son’s ears.

But the Duchess of Garten had no sympathy for Ercella. Olivia’s Coming-of-Age party, which should have been more perfect than ever, was now ruined. She didn’t want any conspiracies or plots hatching here, as it was the happiest day of her daughter’s life.

She did not like Bernhardt’s Young Duke, who at this moment was the cause of this situation, her aides who escalated it, or Ercella, who was being complaisant.

“And anything, did you say?” Duchess Garten was sarcastic. “What if I said I want the ‘Edelian’s necklace’ that you own as a token of apology? It is only right to not say things you can’t take responsibility for.”

Edelian’s necklace. Ercella’s eyelids trembled at the two words. A treasure that could neither be recklessly given nor demanded.

It was an heirloom of Bernhardt, that was found in Bernhardt and must remain in Bernhardt; should I give it away, I would be lucky to die even as a handful of ashes. Everyone here would agree that it is too much to ask for.

Duchess Garten knew that, as well. Nevertheless, mentioning it was merely an act to erase Ercella’s further sense of indebtedness.

“…I think I was very surprised that I acted rashly. However, my apology is sincere and I never intended to make a fool of Your Grace. Please don’t misunderstand.”

Her fingers, gathered neatly in submission that she had never experienced before, trembled. Her head was fine, but even if it looked fine, her body reacted. At the sight of her trembling fingers, Duchess Garten scoffed, “How could I misinterpret the Duchess’s sincerity? Let’s just say something interesting happened today. My daughter would think the same. Right, Olivia?”

Duchess Garten called Olivia softly. Olivia approached Ercella and clasped her hand. “I’m all right, Your Grace. The Young Duke didn’t do that on purpose. I wasn’t even offended. You don’t have to push yourself too much.”

“…Lady.”

“Oh dear, I didn’t expect to escalate like this. I’m really embarrassed. Isn’t that right, Father?”

As Olivia looked up at him with innocent eyes, the Duke cleared his throat, “Hmm, you’re right.”

Then he shouted, spreading both his arms, “I’d like to inform all the distinguished guests here! Although there was a bit of a commotion, the party shall proceed as planned! Everyone go back and enjoy yourselves!”

There was an order in his cheerful cry. Glancing at each other, the people dispersed leisurely. As if to warm up the cold hall, a more colorful melody began to play, and people quickly found their partners and danced around. Only their footprints were left, as if nothing had happened.

All of a sudden, Olivia tightened her grip on Ercella’s hands. Ercella looked at her delicate hands, which were painlessly firming their hold. The young girl spoke brightly, “I think today’s events will further strengthen our relationship.”

“…”

“I really like Young Duke Bernhardt. So, I hope everything goes smoothly from our engagement to the marriage, without any problems.”

Olivia beamed, sweeping her fingers on Ercella’s hands as if she were handling something precious, “I shall visit your mansion from time to time. I hope you’ll welcome me wholeheartedly.”

It was an innocent smile, yet Ercella’s mouth felt acidic as if she had bit on unripe fruit.

“…Of course, Lady Garten.”

“Just call me Olivia. That would—”

Tak.

“Please excuse us for leaving first.”

Vicente suddenly appeared, grabbed Ercella’s arm, and interrupted Olivia. “I’m very sorry about this, My Lady.”

Olivia frowned. Vicente did not care and left with Ercella without so much as a smile on his face. Tsk. He heard a tongue clicking behind him.

“I wish it would end there.”

The Duke was looking at her mother with contempt. “Thanks to your stupid mother, now I have to bend my back.”

“What do you mean, Father?” Olivia asked, but the Duke only gave her a look of disgust and kept mum.

* * *