“You declined, I presume.”
Countess Rustin’s clear disdain for Irene confirmed my guess. Her expression mirrored the one she wore when she tutored me as the crown princess.
As expected, she nodded coolly.
“Teaching a deaf person would be more productive.”
Her assessment was harsher than I anticipated, but not incomprehensible. As she said, teaching Irene etiquette was harder than training a monkey. For someone as exacting as Countess Rustin, it went without saying.
“It seems things are going as you planned, my lady,” she whispered, scanning the hall.
Though gathered to celebrate Marquis Retan and Levina’s wedding, the nobles moved toward their own interests. Masked with polite facades, their clustering proved the social tides were shifting as I intended.
“But Lady Daysha is a concern.”
“Is she?”
“She’s not a problem on her own, but her Daysha background will make her a social centerpiece.”
The crowd around Duke Daysha and Irene was so thick it was hard to tell who the real stars of the event were. Nobles swarmed, desperate to exchange even a word with them.
Countess Rustin’s worry wasn’t baseless. Left unchecked, Irene could derail my plans.
“I’ll keep watching for now.”
“It could spiral out of control,” she said, looking at me curiously.
I turned from Irene to meet her gaze.
“As you’ve seen, Lady Daysha thinks differently from typical nobles.”
An unripe pimple is hard to root out completely; a clumsy attempt leaves scars. But a ripened one is easier to pluck cleanly.
“Few notice now, but the longer she’s in society, the more her peculiar mindset will stand out.”
Their unity was fragile. They fawned over her now, but they’d soon tire themselves out.
A shaky foundation crumbles easily. Acting rashly to suppress them would only solidify their bond.
“Lady Daysha won’t give them what they want.”
“…I see.”
After a moment’s thought, Countess Rustin nodded, understanding.
“Unless her personality changes, their relationship won’t last.”
Despite her delicate, tearful appearance, Irene was selfish and stubborn.
In any society, especially among women, tact and occasional white lies were necessary. Even insincere compliments, like calling an unattractive woman cute, served as a social lubricant.
But Irene, whose worldview revolved around herself, would never offer such courtesies. She spoke her feelings bluntly, oblivious to how they hurt others.
And she doesn’t heed advice.
Nobles moved for their own gain. They flattered her now, hoping for scraps, but the moment they saw no benefit, they’d turn on her.
Just like they did to me back then.
Irene, now separated from her father, was surrounded by noblewomen. Things were different now. Her former strengths were no longer weapons.
This time, I won’t let it happen.
After parting with Countess Rustin, I stepped onto an empty balcony for a break.
Cool air brushed my skin. Spring would soon give way to summer’s heat. I wanted to savor this moment’s freshness.
“The breeze is nice.”
“…!”
“Sorry if I startled you.”
I spun at the sudden voice. Duke Daysha approached, shrugging.
“No empty balconies, you see.”
“I’ll leave. Rest here.”
“That’d make me feel guilty.”
He grabbed my wrist. His golden eyes glinted dangerously.
“I already owe you quite a debt.”
I twisted my arm to free myself, but he didn’t budge.
“Let go.”
“I will, if you don’t run.”
“Why would I run?”
“I wouldn’t?”
“No.”
His lips curved into a smile. He released my wrist and stepped back.
“My mistake, then. I apologize.”
He raised both hands, as if to show he meant no harm.
“But…”
He glanced around, as if searching.
“I don’t see His Highness.”
“He’s busy.”
“Is he? I thought he’d attend, always glued to your side. My mistake.”
Sys was running himself ragged chasing the First Prince’s killer. Daysha surely knew that. I narrowed my eyes, glaring.
“You didn’t come to see him. Do you have something to say to me?”
“If I do?”
“Speak.”
I stared, daring him to try. He sat in a chair provided for guests to rest, crossing his legs leisurely, as if he wouldn’t speak until I sat.
Unable to read his intentions, I reluctantly took a seat.
“Say what you have to say.”
“You seem uncomfortable.”
“I’m not.”
“Oh? I thought we’d gotten close.”
“You’re mistaken.”
He only shrugged at my bluntness, unfazed, a soft smile playing on his lips.
“I’d like to be close to you.”
“I decline.”
“Why?”
“No reason, but if you insist, I don’t like you.”
“Pfft.”
He burst into laughter, wiping tears from his eyes.
“Talking to you is always a delight.”
His amusement faded, and his imperial golden eyes fixed on me. Unlike Sys’s warm, starry gaze, Daysha’s was barren, like the desert he hailed from.
“Seems I’m not the only one you dislike.”
“Oh, really?”
He reached for me. I flinched back, but he caught a lock of my hair.
“She’d scream curses at me every time she saw my face.”
His wrinkled lips twisted into a smirk.
“You remind me of her, somehow.”
“I don’t know who she is, but I understand her feelings.”
I slapped his hand away with a sharp smack. He let go easily. My action was rude, but he’d been rude first.
He chuckled, watching my wariness.
“Not curious who she was?”
“Not at all.”
