Chapter 32
It was truly unexpected.
Cedric Angel’s reaction was a variable that had never been part of Count Greenwood’s calculations.
Not only had he never expected him to readily accept the engagement proposal, but it was also hard to believe that the reaction he showed whenever the topic of breaking the engagement was mentioned belonged to Cedric Angel, a man who was always calm and never lost his composure.
And that wasn’t all.
When his daughter injured her leg, he personally came to visit her, went on dates with her, and today he had even publicly declared before everyone that he would present her with his hunting prey.
There was no way Cedric could have been unaware of Ines’s one-sided love, something the entire world already knew.
What in the world had changed him?
‘Well… I suppose it’s not a bad thing.’
Count Greenwood casually shrugged his shoulders.
What mattered to him was the fact that everyone present here had witnessed the affectionate interaction between Ines and Cedric.
The jealousy around them.
The envious gazes.
Those looks directed at Ines, who had once been treated like an ugly duckling, were more than enough to satisfy Count Greenwood.
“Please excuse me for a moment.”
After giving a slight nod to the gathered crowd, Count Greenwood approached Ines.
Then, like a stage actor, he greeted them in a loud voice.
“My, you’ve arrived before us, Your Grace.”
The murmuring of the crowd ceased.
“Ah, Count Greenwood.”
“I thought I had finished hunting fairly early myself, but it seems I still couldn’t compare to Your Grace.”
It was obvious what lay behind her father’s friendly smile.
And just as he intended, everyone was paying attention to them.
“So, Ines. What were you discussing with Duke Angel?”
As if wishing to show everyone what a caring father he was, Count Greenwood placed a hand on Ines’s shoulder and spoke to her.
In response to her father’s behavior, Ines’s lips stiffened.
This was the same father who had stubbornly insisted that she send a letter of concern and visit Cedric when he was injured.
She could not even begin to imagine how he would react if he learned she had received a snow fox as a gift.
Before Ines, who had failed to open her mouth in time, could respond, Cedric answered in her place.
“I was speaking about the promise I made to catch a fox for Miss Ines.”
“Ah. Is that so? A fox, you say.”
Despite already having heard the story, Count Greenwood raised his brows as though hearing it for the first time and pretended ignorance.
Then he looked around, noticed the snow fox lying across the horse’s back, and spoke loudly.
“Now that I think about it, you really did catch a snow fox. How impressive. They’re particularly troublesome animals to hunt during winter.”
As he spoke, Count Greenwood slightly tightened the hand resting on his daughter’s shoulder.
“Ines. Have you thanked His Grace for the gift?”
“No… not yet.”
“That won’t do. Otherwise, others may misunderstand and think the Greenwood family doesn’t know how to be grateful. Surely that’s not what you want.”
Her shoulder hurt under his firm grip.
Nevertheless, Ines concealed it and thanked Cedric as her father instructed.
Only then did Cedric notice the eyes of the people around them.
All attention was focused on them.
Because he had always been the center of attention, he often forgot that Ines was not accustomed to situations like this.
Realizing she was uncomfortable, Cedric took a step back.
“Let’s continue this conversation the next time we meet, Miss Ines.”
Yet once again, it was not Ines who addressed him.
It was Count Greenwood.
“What exactly do you mean by ‘the next time,’ Your Grace?”
People frowned slightly at the sight of the Count involving himself in his grown daughter’s romantic affairs.
However, Count Greenwood’s affection for his daughter was already widely known throughout high society.
Although they regarded it as the overreaction of an overly doting father, no one was bold enough to criticize the brother of the Empress Consort.
No matter that he was her father, questioning the affairs of a man and woman approaching engagement this closely was excessive.
Cedric, too, found it unpleasant and quietly looked at Count Greenwood.
However, he soon changed his mind.
He might not like Count Greenwood, but the man was still Ines’s father.
Making the Count lose face in front of so many people would not be appropriate.
But before Cedric could answer, Ines’s voice rang out.
“I asked Duke Angel to teach me horseback riding.”
“…What?”
The unexpected statement made the Count frown.
The nobles around them reacted the same way.
“You asked him to teach you horseback riding?”
“Yes.”
Laughter could be heard among the crowd.
They were mocking the fact that Ines, a woman, had apparently lacked enough pride to propose the next date herself.
“As expected.”
Whispers like that gradually spread through the crowd.
The Count’s expression hardened.
He had intended to show off the relationship between Ines and Cedric Angel before everyone, but his daughter’s unexpected words were pushing the situation in an entirely different direction.
“Miss Ines.”
Cedric was equally unable to understand her actions.
He had been the one who offered to teach her horseback riding.
Ines had clearly been troubled by the suggestion.
She had not given him a definite answer, and he had been pressing her strongly, making it difficult for her to refuse.
Why was she saying something that wasn’t true?
Unable to understand her intentions, Cedric studied Ines carefully.
The mocking voices around them irritated him immensely.
He was pleased that she had accepted his proposal, but the misunderstanding needed to be corrected.
However, before Cedric could speak, Ines raised her voice further so that everyone could hear.
“His Grace was kind enough to say he would make time for me. Thank you for your kindness, Your Grace.”
Then she deliberately brought up the already well-known story about the hunting prey.
“And for granting my childish request as well.”
“A childish request? What do you mean by…?”
A flustered Cedric trailed off.
“I once heard a story about a fox as white as snow and said that I wanted to see one. I never imagined you would actually catch one for me.”
Glancing around cautiously, Ines continued.
“I was already grateful just for your promise, but to personally give it to me as a gift like this. I don’t know what to do. Thank you so much.”
Her cheeks were flushed red from emotion as she rapidly poured out the words without even taking a breath.
The people watching the situation began exchanging glances while their expressions subtly twisted.
She was not even engaged yet, but she was already acting as though she were the future mistress of the Angel family.
It was utterly ridiculous.
Laughter erupted again from the crowd at the thought that she had pressured Cedric into performing such a romantic gesture as gifting her hunting prey.
The Count’s hand, which had been resting on Ines’s shoulder, withdrew coldly.
Count Greenwood shot a sharp glare at those mocking Ines.
The onlookers quickly managed their expressions with awkward looks, but it was already too late.
“I must be going now to deal with my hunting prey. I hope you continue to enjoy your time, Your Grace.”
After greeting Cedric, Count Greenwood left.
However, the expression on his face as he turned away clearly showed that his mood had soured.
His disappointment was immense.
This had been the perfect opportunity to put the socialites in their place.
After today’s events, even if people witnessed Cedric and Ines acting affectionately together, they would undoubtedly convince themselves that his daughter had been the one pursuing him first.
‘If only Ines hadn’t said such unnecessary things.’
The truth did not matter.
What mattered was how things appeared to other people.
Count Greenwood clicked his tongue.
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After her father left first, the crowd’s interest soon dispersed as well.
Only then did Ines release a sigh of relief.
Cedric could not understand her at all.
“Miss Ines, why in the world did you say such things?”
Seeing the confusion on Cedric’s face, Ines realized her mistake and quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry. Did it upset you? No, of course it upset you. I only said that about horseback riding. If you don’t have the time, you don’t need to teach me.”
“No. I’m not upset. It’s just…”
He frowned.
It took him a moment to find the proper words to express what he was feeling.
“I don’t like other people making assumptions about you.”
Ines had completely distorted the facts.
The thought of those people twisting their lips and mocking her despite knowing nothing of the truth made Cedric’s expression darken.
“Let’s go back and explain everything properly. If the facts are made clear, they won’t dare react like that. I’ll make sure they apologize appropriately.”
Alarmed by Cedric’s reaction, which made it seem as though he would act immediately, Ines grabbed his arm.
Feeling the sudden touch, Cedric turned toward her.
With a desperate expression, Ines spoke.
“Please don’t do that, Your Grace.”
“Miss Ines, but this is…”
“I’ll tell you properly this time.”
Ines took a deep breath and looked at Cedric with an unwavering gaze.
Faced with that look, it was Cedric who became flustered.
“Please stop treating me so well.”
“Especially in front of other people.”
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