chapter 28
“Hahaha, does Lady Inoheter really have that side to her?”
Regan burst out laughing. He quite liked the man before him who resembled Sereret so much. And he enjoyed listening to Jeremy’s stories about Sereret.
“Since childhood, she’s been stubborn. Once she latches onto something, she only sees that. Everything else disappears.”
“I see.”
“When I heard she was engaged to His Grace the Duke of Frectuster, you can’t imagine how shocked I was. I thought—ah, Sereret has finally achieved her dream.”
“Her… dream?”
At Jeremy’s words, Regan tilted his head curiously.
“Sereret has liked His Grace since she was a child. She insisted over and over that it wasn’t like that, but you could tell just from her face. No matter how much she denied it, it was obvious.”
“So for Lady Inoheter, Yuan is her first love.”
A faint bitterness spread across Regan’s face. He felt as if he’d been dealt a heavy blow. And he couldn’t help but envy Yuan.
There were plenty of things about Yuan he already envied, but this was on another level—Sereret Inoheter’s first love.
What kind of man could be luckier than to hold the title of first love to such a beauty?
What must it feel like to receive Sereret’s purest affection? If those clear eyes looked only at him, perhaps he could paint the most beautiful picture in the world.
“…But it seems His Grace may have someone else in his heart.”
A shadow of worry crossed Jeremy’s face. He had spoken ill of Sereret in front of Regan, but he was still concerned for her.
He had once overheard people whispering—gossip that Duke Frectuster and Lady Elliot were passionately devoted to each other, inseparable.
The moment Jeremy heard that, his mind had gone blank. Was that why Sereret had suddenly declared she would break off the engagement? He felt crushing guilt toward his sister.
“You mean Yuan?”
Regan looked puzzled.
“I’ve heard he and Lady Elliot are… close. You don’t have to hide it from me.”
Jeremy gave a sheepish smile. Regan, being both Yuan’s friend and Lydia’s cousin, would of course avoid speaking plainly, he thought.
“Ah, that rumor.”
Regan laughed awkwardly. Society was always ablaze with talk of Yuan and Lydia. It was natural.
After all, Yuan Frectuster—the Empire’s most sought-after groom—and Lydia, the flower of high society—what better topic for endless gossip?
When they had first debuted, rumors abounded that Yuan and Lydia harbored feelings for each other.
They had grown up together, and though Yuan rarely danced, he often partnered Lydia. Naturally, tongues wagged.
But when time passed and Yuan became engaged to a provincial noblewoman, the story changed.
People claimed Yuan and Lydia had been each other’s first loves, but the Emperor had opposed their union, so Yuan, in spite, had gotten engaged elsewhere.
“You don’t need to worry about that matter.”
Regan rubbed his temple and spoke carefully.
“As Sereret’s brother, I can’t help but worry.”
Jeremy’s face fell. He had forced his sister to stay in this engagement when she had wanted to call it off. His heart had never sat right since.
He felt as if he had pushed her into unhappiness.
“I understand. But Yuan will conduct himself properly.”
There were words Regan swallowed back. He felt guilty for not being able to reassure Jeremy fully, but he had no choice. He cherished Lydia too.
“…Yes. I suppose I must trust His Grace.”
Jeremy gave a faint smile.
He prayed earnestly that Yuan would treat Sereret with respect, that he would honor his promises.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
“What’s the purpose of this?”
On her way back to the ballroom, Sereret muttered to herself.
Was all this scheming… to force a broken engagement? She had only planned to “borrow” him for a year before returning him peacefully. If it came to this, it would be troublesome. Sereret let out a sigh.
For a flawless divorce, she herself had to be spotless, without the tiniest blemish. Property division would inevitably end up in court, and that meant it was bound to be a nasty battle.
All the fault had to fall squarely on Yuan alone. Only then could she defeat the Frectuster family’s powerful lawyers and claim her rightful share.
“I can’t afford to show a single crack.”
“Sereret.”
How should she cut Jack off? Deep in serious thought, Sereret turned at the sound of Yuan’s voice.
“Your Grace.”
Dealing with this man was exhausting enough. Sereret stared straight at him.
“Seems you’re just returning from somewhere.”
“I couldn’t see Jeremy. I was looking for him.”
“He was with His Highness the Archduke.”
“With the Archduke?”
If Jeremy was with Regan, that was a relief. Regan wouldn’t deceive him.
“That’s good.”
Sereret murmured, turning to step back into the ballroom.
As she reached for the door handle, Yuan’s hand came over hers, enveloping it as if embracing her from behind.
The warmth of his presence at her back made Sereret stiffen. His voice brushed against her ear.
“A gentleman would never let a lady open a door.”
Sereret slipped her hand away from the handle and stepped aside.
“I’ll give you the chance to play the gentleman, then.”
She glanced at him.
“It’s my honor.”
Yuan smiled faintly and opened the door for her.
Sereret walked gracefully back into the ballroom. She was about to rejoin the young ladies she had been conversing with when she stopped.
Across the room, Jack was wandering, searching for someone.
Is he looking for me? It certainly seemed that way. Quickly, Sereret turned back.
Her gaze collided directly with Yuan’s.
Sereret walked to his side and slipped her arm through his. Yuan looked down at her in surprise.
What are you staring at? It’s not like I’m enjoying this either.
Sereret grumbled inwardly at his expression.
She hated pretending intimacy with Yuan more than anything, but letting Jack approach her was worse.
At Yuan’s side, Jack wouldn’t dare come too close.
She couldn’t afford any unnecessary misunderstandings. Being the subject of unsavory rumors was something she absolutely had to avoid—for the sake of the perfect divorce.
“Would you mind if I stayed by your side until we leave?”
If she clung to Yuan, Jack wouldn’t approach.
Yuan’s expression didn’t change, but he gazed quietly into her face, his eyes full of questions.
“If you dislike it, I’ll go to Jeremy instead.”
If Yuan refused, Jeremy was still an option. Either would keep Jack at bay.
“…No. Stay here, Sereret.”
Yuan placed his large hand over the arm she had linked with his, gripping firmly as if to shield her.
His nature might be cold, but his hand was warmer than anyone’s. The contrast pulled a complicated smile from her. If only he were as warm as his hand.
“There you are, Lady Inoheter.”
At that moment, Lydia approached, beaming. At her side stood Jack.
Jack’s lazy grin as he looked Sereret up and down was anything but gentlemanly.
“Lady Elliot.”
Sereret straightened her posture and lifted her lips in a poised smile.
“You two look lovely together.”
Lydia’s radiant smile shone. How much twisted malice lay hidden behind it?
Wishing to see that smile falter, Sereret gently rested her head against Yuan’s arm.
“I suppose it’s because the wedding is near. Yuan has been smiling a lot these days.”
Sometimes to the point where she wondered if he’d gone mad. She smiled up at Yuan as she said it.
Their eyes met. Yuan’s face was puzzled, but Sereret gave him a bright smile.
“Really?”
Lydia’s smile faltered for a split second. Sereret caught it instantly.
“And who is this gentleman?”
Sereret turned to Jack, addressing Lydia.
“Jack Clarke.”
Before Lydia could answer, Jack introduced himself.
Yuan’s indifferent eyes shifted toward him. Though his expression gave nothing away, it was clear Yuan thought him rude.
“So you’re someone special to Lady Elliot? Pleased to meet you. I’m Sereret Inoheter.”
Sereret deliberately played dumb, pushing the idea that Jack and Lydia were involved. She smiled sweetly.
“Special? How could I possibly be involved with such a vulgar man—”
Lydia snapped. Clearly, she was furious Sereret had insinuated such a connection in front of Yuan. But even so—calling a man vulgar to his face?
“Vulgar…”
Jack, suddenly branded as such while standing quietly, froze.
“No, that’s not what I meant… Forgive me, Mr. Clarke. It just slipped out, don’t take it to heart.”
Lydia turned back to him with a smile, then shot Sereret a sharp look.
Her lips smiled, but her eyes were fierce. She turned to Yuan and quickly explained:
“Mr. Clarke and I are nothing of the sort. We only met at Madame Huor’s salon. He’s a poet, you see—Madame Huor has deep appreciation for literature.”
She spoke fervently, trying to clear herself. Yuan nodded slightly and extended his hand to Jack.
“Yuan Frectuster.”
“Your Grace, it’s an honor.”
Jack bowed, shaking Yuan’s hand respectfully. Straightening, his gaze shifted toward Sereret.
“Lady Inoheter, would you grant me the honor of kissing your hand? Your radiant golden hair is like sunlight itself.”
It wasn’t unusual to kiss a lady’s hand while offering flattery, even without romantic intent. But Jack’s intentions were transparently improper.
Did he think it wasn’t obvious? Or was he simply reckless? To act this way even with Yuan present—it was astounding.
At that moment, Yuan spoke in an even but cutting tone.
“No.”
Sereret looked up at him in surprise. In his gray eyes, she caught the flash of anger.
“I am not generous enough to allow another man’s lips on my fiancée’s skin. The very thought is offensive.”
Yuan’s cold voice echoed in the air.
