Chapter 20

But for some reason, being with Yvette was different.

It had been the same at his mansion last time, and it was the same now.

This moment alone with her was not as unpleasant as he had expected.

That was when it happened.

Yvette, who had shown no sign of coming any closer, moved at some point.

As the rustling of the blanket grew louder, Noel unconsciously held his breath.

‘……I’m not a child. Why am I holding my breath?’

Noel scolded himself, yet he could not bring himself to open his mouth.

At last, Yvette’s face came close enough that their noses almost brushed.

‘Bolder than I expected.’

He had assumed she would back away, saying she couldn’t do it.

For a moment, Noel felt a strong urge to open his eyes. He was terribly curious what kind of expression Yvette was making right now.

But Yvette did not allow him even that brief opening.

Smack.

Soft skin touched and left—not his lips, but his cheek.

At the sensation that brushed past like wind, Noel furrowed his brow. For a moment, he could not quite grasp what had happened.

“After a hug, it’s a cheek kiss, of course.”

Before he even opened his eyes, a smug voice sounded above his head.

When he lifted only one eyelid, Yvette, beaming brightly, came into view.

Noel let out a hollow laugh.

‘I’ve been had.’

He opened his eyes the rest of the way and muttered in a somewhat curt voice.

“Anyone would think we were the same age as that boy we met earlier.”

“Why. Holding hands or hugging—those are all things children do too.”

Yvette answered confidently and shrugged.

Seeing her look so thoroughly pleased, he suddenly felt the urge to tease her.

“……There’s one fact you seem to be forgetting.”

“Huh? What am I forgetting?”

Yvette asked back with wide eyes.

Her expression said she had no idea what he meant.

Instead of answering, Noel leaned toward Yvette again.

Startled by the distance that suddenly shrank, Yvette’s eyes went wide.

Noel took in the sight of her and smiled brightly.

“That the one in charge of physical contact is me, not you.”

With that brief murmur, he kissed her cheek and pulled away.

At the unannounced contact, Yvette could not say a word and only worked her mouth open and shut.

Perhaps she was so shocked that even her voice would not come out.

‘What just happened?’

Yvette hurriedly covered her face with both hands.

Her face was already burning red, so pretending she was not flustered would have been pointless.

She had kissed his cheek, thinking she would fluster Noel for once.

She never imagined she would get it back like this.

“My fiancée seems rather stiff.”

Only after she heard his low laugh was she finally able to collect herself.

“Wh-who wouldn’t be startled when you suddenly kiss them?”

“I wasn’t startled, though?”

Noel tilted his head shamelessly.

It was obviously a lie, but Yvette, with no way of knowing that, pressed her lips firmly together.

‘How infuriating.’

She vowed that someday, without fail, she would fluster him, and sprang up from her seat.

“……If we’re done here, let’s go now.”

When she turned her head sharply and spoke, Noel wore a deliberately hurt expression.

“That’s too much. Did you meet me just to do this from the start?”

As he recited the line like an actor, Yvette lifted her chin haughtily.

“You knew everything and met me anyway, didn’t you? Don’t play dumb now.”

Even as she grumbled, she played along, and a faint smile settled on Noel’s lips.

“You’ve gotten much better at acting since I last saw you.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Noel.”

Yvette answered primly and gestured toward the door with her eyes.

“Let’s go out now. If we stay too long, Filia will get the wrong idea.”

“She’s already got the wrong idea, hasn’t she.”

Noel retorted lightly and came to Yvette’s side.

“Come to think of it, there’s something I haven’t told you.”

Just before leaving the bedroom.

Noel leaned casually against the doorframe and blocked Yvette’s path. As he kept dawdling and drawing things out, Yvette furrowed her brow slightly.

“What are you trying to say now?”

“There’s a party hosted by the Marchioness Theron in two weeks. Will you come with me?”

“……Just like that, all of a sudden?”

When Yvette asked in a flustered voice, Noel tilted his head as if to ask what the problem was.

“Two weeks should be plenty of time to prepare, shouldn’t it?”

“That’s true, but.”

She was not mentally prepared yet.

Yvette swallowed the rest of her words and bit her lip hard.

Since possessing this body, she had never once attended a party.

Forget dancing—she did not even properly know how to converse with other nobles.

‘And it’s not as if I can call for an etiquette teacher at this point.’

What if she went and only embarrassed herself? Her worries were anything but small.

“You don’t need to think about it so seriously. If anyone gives you trouble, I’ll handle it myself.”

Perhaps he knew she was worrying, for Noel muttered in a gentler voice than usual.

At that, Yvette reluctantly nodded.

“……All right, then.”

Yvette let out a deep sigh inwardly.

It seemed she would have to study etiquette on her own for the time remaining.

* * *

“……I’ll be sure to repay the money by next month. So, for the sake of our friendship, won’t you help me just this one last time?”

Inside a room where darkness had fallen thick.

Baron Larishi sat kneeling on the floor, looking more haggard than before.

And across from him sat Viscount Magnus, his expression unreadable.

“That’s the third time you’ve said that. I sympathize with your situation, but I can’t simply help just because we’re friends.”

Viscount Magnus let out a sigh and stroked his chin. Even in the darkness, his yellow eyes gleamed brightly.

“I heard your younger sibling left behind a fortune. Am I mistaken?”

“That money all went into my niece’s hands. The child came of age this year, so…….”

Baron Larishi bowed his head deeply.

Originally, he had planned to find Yvette and take back the Blanche fortune.

But because Yvette had gotten engaged to Noel Averon, all his plans had fallen apart.

If it had been anyone else, perhaps not.

But engaged to the Duke of Averon, whom even the emperor could not treat carelessly.

No matter how desperate he was, touching Yvette in this situation was no different from suicide.

“Ahh. Come to think of it, you did have a niece. Her name was Yvette Blanche, was it?”

Viscount Magnus nodded slightly, as if he had only just remembered.

“I hear the child is engaged to the Duke of Averon.”

“That’s right. The Duke of Averon is a man you know well too, isn’t he? I’ll find a way to talk to my niece and get the money, so if you could just give me one more chance…….”

Baron Larishi clung to Viscount Magnus, seizing the moment.

He had held out somehow until now, but as time passed, his gambling debts were growing at a terrifying rate.

Soon he would not be able to feed even himself, let alone pay his servants’ wages.

The only person around who could lend him such a large sum at once was Viscount Magnus.

So by whatever means, he had to secure his help.

“I’ll do anything you want. So just once…….”

Viscount Magnus quietly looked down at Baron Larishi, who was pleading desperately.

He seemed to ponder something for a moment, then reluctantly opened his mouth.

“……Since you put it that way, there’s nothing to be done. This really is the last time.”

At those words, Baron Larishi smiled brightly. Relief spread across his haggard face.

“Thank you! Truly, thank you. I will never forget this kindness for the rest of my life.”

“Though it feels odd to call it a condition, there is something I’d like you to help me with.”

Viscount Magnus slowly walked toward Baron Larishi.

As he approached, Baron Larishi flinched and drew back without realizing it.

“Wh-what is it…….”

“It’s not difficult. You just need to do as I tell you.”

A low whisper reached Baron Larishi’s ear.

Baron Larishi shuddered and trembled.

What had been a man’s voice just a moment ago was now strangely distorted.

Then black darkness swallowed the two of them.

* * *

Time passed, and the day of Marchioness Theron’s ball arrived.

“Wow, it suits you so well!”

Filia, who had been carefully styling Yvette’s hair, exclaimed in admiration as she looked at the mirror.

Yvette had not pinned her hair up, but braided it here and there and let it hang long.

It was a choice made in case others noticed the flower on her nape.

Fortunately, the dress covered her back completely, so unless she deliberately pulled her collar down, the tattoo would not show.

“If you go to the ball, everyone will surely admire the Countess’s beauty.”

“……I’d rather be as inconspicuous as possible.”

Yvette muttered, swallowing a sigh.

She would already draw attention because of her engagement to Noel, and she did not want to do anything that would draw even more eyes.

‘But what can I do. Yvette Blanche has a face that stands out.’

As Filia said, Yvette’s appearance was not something one saw every day.

Just her snow-white hair was enough to give her a strong presence, and on top of that, her face was pretty. Not just pretty—very pretty.

‘Though not to the point of comparing with Noel Averon.’

Still, for an extra, this much was a good showing.

“This dress the designer made suits you so well too, Countess!”

At Filia’s praise, Yvette glanced down at the dress she was wearing.

There had been exactly two conditions she had given Veri.

Comfortable and pretty.

She had thought it an unlikely combination, but Veri had made a dress more wonderful than she had expected.

Made of a light, soft material that flowed like water, the dress did not cling to her skin yet subtly revealed the lines of her body.

The hem, reaching the top of her feet, fluttered and scattered whenever she moved.

It was a dress that was not flashy, yet every small detail had been carefully considered.

“Perhaps because the dress is deep navy, the Countess looks even whiter.”

“Does it.”

Yvette answered lightly and turned her gaze back to the mirror.

With her hair done, all that remained was choosing accessories.

Yvette looked through the few accessories Filia had brought and paused at one spot.

The earrings Noel had given her had caught her eye.

“I think this would suit you best!”

It seemed Filia had looked at the same place.

When she pointed to the earrings Noel had given her, Yvette blinked slowly.

She had originally planned to wear different earrings. But hearing Filia say that, those seemed like a fine choice too.

‘……Well, he did give them as a gift, so I suppose I’ll wear them.’

“Then let’s go with those.”

“Yes!”

When Yvette nodded, Filia carefully took the earrings from the jewelry box.

The sky-blue gem set in the center sparkled in the light.

Yvette did not forget to slip the ring Noel had given her onto her fourth finger as well.

Perhaps because she did not usually wear it, it felt quite awkward.

“It seems it’s about time the duke arrives.”

Filia, who had been giving Yvette’s appearance a final check, looked out the window.

When she let out a small “Oh my,” Yvette asked curiously.

“What is it?”