The brim of the worn hat shifted, and the man’s face came into view.
From a distance, I had taken him for an old man — but he turned out to be a middle-aged gentleman, somewhere in his early to mid-fifties. His features, now that I could see them clearly, were striking in a way that defied his age. His skin was pale as milk, entirely without blemish or spot.
‘He reminds me of those handsome, distinguished fathers you always find in novels — the dashing middle-aged patriarch of some great family.’
“No, I’m not married yet!”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yes.”
I gave an awkward smile. Technically true — I had no husband.
“In that case, would you consider meeting my son?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“My eldest boy is about your age. I think the two of you would suit each other very well.”
“Ah… I’m sorry, but I do have a fiancé.”
The man raised both eyebrows and blinked.
“What does that matter?”
“Pardon?”
“Between a man and a woman — you never really know how things will go until the wedding itself.”
“That may be, but we have made a promise to marry, so…”
He wasn’t wrong, technically. And yet one simply could not go meeting other people while engaged.
I was in the middle of searching for a polite way to decline when he pressed on.
“Then just meet him once, with no pressure. What do you say?”
“I’m sorry?”
“I only bring it up because my boy happens to be just your age. Tall fellow, takes after me — quite the fine figure!”
His sea-bright eyes sparkled as he spoke.
Now that I looked more closely at his face, he was genuinely handsome for a man of his age. Skin that fair, and not a single blemish on it.
I could only manage a stiff smile in return, and he resumed his campaign.
“It’s not just his looks, mind you. Wealthy beyond measure — I’d wager he’s among the richest men in the empire. Though, I’ll admit… the boy has somewhat of a temperament problem.”
‘Sir. Character is really the most important thing, you know.’
“Hmm. Cold and utterly ruthless — the sort who wouldn’t bleed if you stabbed him. He can kill a man without batting an eye, but—”
“……”
The man scrunched his brow and stared off somewhere into the distance, apparently conjuring a mental image of this unsentimental son of his.
“He never does it without reason, at least.”
“I… that’s all right. I can’t go meeting other people when I have a fiancé. It wouldn’t be proper.”
“Hmm.”
“I’m sure your son will find a wonderful woman.”
“What a shame. Truly. Still — a very upstanding young lady, aren’t you.”
“You’re too kind.”
‘People don’t generally agree to meetings when they’re engaged.’ I cast about for a safer topic.
“So what brings you to a place like this? Do you not have a home to go to?”
“Of course I do. A perfectly respectable manor.”
“Then why are you lying here with a newspaper over you…?”
I gestured toward the newspaper still draped across his legs. He swept it aside and crossed one ankle over the other.
“Travel is a hobby of mine. I’ve been touring the empire for a year.”
“My goodness, you’ve been on a grand tour? That must have cost a fortune.”
A year traversing the whole empire — that was practically a world journey.
I had assumed he was a solitary drifter with no one depending on him, so it was a relief to hear otherwise.
“Indeed it did. Spent every coin I had on me. It so happens my son has a birthday coming up soon, so I’ve just made my way back to the capital.”
“Ah, is that so? The son whose temperament is a little… fearsome?”
“The very same. I’d have loved to match you with him, really. There aren’t many young people like you anymore.”
“Haha.”
A compliment, at any rate.
‘He has good instincts, this man.’
I laughed openly and asked, in a good humor:
“What is it about me that you liked so much?”
“I’ve been lying here for a full day. Looking like this — a complete state.”
“And?”
“Not a soul acknowledged me — commoner or noble alike. Which is almost a blessing, compared to what some of them did.”
“Oh no…”
“One fine lady pointed at me and told her child, ‘See that? That’s what happens if you don’t study.’ Clicked her tongue right in front of me and walked off.”
He mimicked her voice as he said it.
I felt it so keenly on his behalf that my own eyebrows drooped in sympathy.
“Oh my. That must have been terribly hurtful.”
“It wasn’t just one or two. I lost count after ten. A pack of young noble boys came and threw stones at me.”
“Goodness, children are frightening these days. That’s absolutely dreadful.”
“And the young ladies walked by saying ‘ugh, the smell.’ Do I smell, young lady?”
I leaned in slightly and took a careful sniff in his direction.
“Not at all. If anything, you smell rather pleasant. Clean and deep — a musky sort of scent.”
“Naturally. It’s my signature cologne. Even when I’m lying in wait like this, I have my standards.”
“Lying in wait?”
“The truth of the matter is—”
He raised one finger, the way a person does when they’re about to reveal something momentous. I found myself leaning forward.
“—I was selecting a daughter-in-law candidate. While looking suitably pitiful.”
“A daughter-in-law? In the middle of this square?”
“Quite. I have no interest in judging my future daughter-in-law by rank or wealth. I only want someone kind-hearted and decent. My son is rich enough — what good would a rich daughter-in-law do?”
“That’s a fair point. A person of good character is the rarest thing of all.”
I rested my chin in my hand and thought about it.
‘He’s right. Character is everything.’
What did it matter if a man was rich, and handsome, and physically impressive — like Kael — if his conduct was what it was? I thought of the atrocities committed by the dark family in the original novel and found myself nodding with great feeling.
“Quite. What a pity.” The man heaved a deep sigh and smoothed his beard slowly. “You struck me as just right.”
I smiled softly back at him.
“Your daughter-in-law will be very lucky to have you. You’d make a wonderfully warm father-in-law.”
“Without a doubt.”
His utterly unapologetic confidence made me laugh.
But Emily gave my sleeve a quiet tug and murmured beside me.
“My lady — I think we ought to be heading back soon. I’m starting to worry about leaving Kayrin on his own so long.”
“Oh, you’re right! I forgot.” I turned back to the man. “I’m afraid we must be going.”
“Off you go, then. If we happen to meet again someday, I’d be glad of it. And if the engagement falls through — don’t take up with any other fellow. Come meet my son first.”
“…Haha, I’ll keep that in mind! Please get home safely!”
I waved goodbye to the man and quickened my pace. It had been quite a while, and I was worried about Kayrin being left alone.
* * *
“What a genuinely fine young lady.”
Carson watched Ivelina’s retreating figure and clicked his tongue, feeling the loss of it keenly.
Even on reflection, it was a shame.
He had never met a noble girl quite like her.
‘She’d have been absolutely perfect as my daughter-in-law.’
‘If Kael brought home a woman like that, I’d give the man anything he asked.’
“Pity I didn’t even get her name.”
* * *
“You have a visitor, my lady!”
“A visitor?”
The moment I stepped through the front gate, a very young-looking maid came running toward me, breathless and flustered.
“Yes! She’s waiting in the receiving room — p-please, I think you ought to go right away!”
The way she kept glancing toward the main house made it clear the situation was urgent. She was stammering; that told me everything.
“I wonder who it could be. I’d better go quickly!”
I entered the receiving room of the main house — and stopped short.
“…Madame?!”
My visitor was none other than Katherine — the woman I had met at the dessert café just days ago. She was sitting upright, spine perfectly straight, tea cup poised with effortless elegance.
“Oh my, you’re home sooner than I expected.”
Katherine brightened at the sight of me.
“Goodness! How did you find me here?”
“I know Duke Hardeion quite well.”
“Oh my — really? Our duke?”
“…’Our’ duke?”
The corner of Katherine’s mouth twitched. Then one side curved all the way up to her cheek.
“Hoho. That’s right. I’m on very intimate terms with Ivelina’s duke.”
“Oh, that slipped out — I didn’t mean—”
“Not at all. It’s lovely to see. You two must be even closer than I thought.”
Just then, Kael appeared in the open doorway of the receiving room.
“Kael! Madame here is a friend I’ve only just made — I met her a few days ago. And she says she knows you too. Isn’t that the strangest coincidence?”
Kael and Katherine regarded each other in silence. Not a word passed between them.
‘…The atmosphere feels a little strange.’
“It really is such a small world, isn’t it? How could it possibly be that—”
“You’ve come sooner than expected, Mother.”
* * *
