Chapter 82
“I was happy. Hearing that you’d been making all those efforts for me all this time.”
“…”
“I even dared to hope that maybe you felt the same way I do. Of course, it wouldn’t matter if you didn’t. I was prepared for that.”
His face looked relieved, almost lightened, and I stared at him in a daze.
“…Huh? W-what do you mean?”
The same way?
I was about to ask what he meant when the carriage came to a stop.
A knock sounded from outside, and the door opened—there was no longer any chance to continue the conversation.
“Ah…”
“Shall we go?”
Alferen grinned and stepped out of the carriage. I gazed blankly at the hand he extended next, then silently placed mine in it.
My mind was already a complete tangle.
* * *
Adrian waited in front of the mansion where Summer Clopen was staying, tension etched across his face.
He had learned she would be attending the crown prince’s birthday banquet from Alferen himself.
“She’s from rural nobility, so this is practically her debutante ball.”
“Wait—just a moment. Does that mean she’s going without a chaperone or a partner?”
“Most likely.”
It wasn’t uncommon for rural nobles to attend banquets without chaperones.
Most of those with no connections in the capital social scene muddled through their debutante season that way.
Having a partner, at least, would spare them from looking ridiculous.
Attending alone, however, was tantamount to becoming fresh prey for the social circle.
That was when Alferen had casually mentioned it.
“She’s still struggling to find a partner. As you know, Summer Clopen has no connections in the capital.”
The way he emphasized “struggling” lingered in Adrian’s mind.
He couldn’t help feeling a quiet regret that she hadn’t simply asked him.
A few days earlier, after “accidentally” running into Summer at the magic tower, Adrian hadn’t been able to hold back any longer.
“I heard you’ll be attending the birthday banquet. Have you secured a partner?”
“Ah. Well… not yet…”
Summer hesitated, glancing at him uncertainly.
She looked as though she wanted to say something, but Adrian—already nervous—spoke first.
“Um…”
“Actually…”
They spoke at the same moment. When Adrian quickly urged her to go ahead, Summer ventured cautiously.
“You must already have a partner, my lord.”
In that instant, only one thought filled Adrian’s mind.
That he should be her partner.
Delly flickered across his thoughts for a moment, but he reasoned that Alferen would be there, so it would be fine.
“No, I don’t.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If you need one, shall I escort you?”
His tone was calm, as if offering a simple kindness with no personal feelings attached, but his heart pounded furiously inside.
Summer’s eyes widened at the unexpected proposal.
“I’d be grateful if you would… I can’t believe someone as impressive as you doesn’t already have a partner.”
“I’m less popular than you might think.”
That wasn’t true. Every year Adrian received towering stacks of letters offering to be his partner.
But saying so here felt like it might scare her off.
At his brazen reply, Summer visibly relaxed.
“Then I’m the lucky one. May I accept your offer?”
And so Adrian became Summer Clopen’s partner. He had been counting the days until tonight.
Alferen had readily agreed to escort Delly instead, as if he’d anticipated it all.
If this gave the two of them a chance to reconcile, it would be the best possible outcome for an older brother.
Just then, Summer emerged from the mansion.
The sight of her—so different from her usual modest attire—made his eyes widen involuntarily.
The yellow dress that complemented her golden hair bloomed like a fully opened freesia, radiating bright warmth.
Her hair was styled to accentuate her neckline, with delicate wisps falling naturally to highlight her elegant, innocent features.
Adrian stared in silence, and Summer rolled her eyes nervously.
In truth, the dress had been a gift from the Tall Lady.
The crown prince’s birthday banquet was open to any noble who wished to attend.
Originally, Summer had not intended to go.
[Since you’re already in the capital, you should have a proper debutante season.
I’ve sent a dress I think will suit you perfectly—please wear it. It would make me very happy.
—Tall Lady]
After learning the Tall Lady’s true identity, Summer had stopped writing.
It felt a little awkward, and she hadn’t known how to broach the subject.
Then the gift arrived, and it set her heart trembling.
To think she would make her debut wearing a dress he had personally chosen, escorted by him.
Summer felt she had been right to muster the courage to suggest he be her partner, and she spoke.
“Good evening, my lord.”
“Ah—yes.”
Adrian reacted belatedly and extended his hand.
Summer placed her trembling hand in his surprisingly large one, steadying her racing heart.
In that moment, Adrian clasped it firmly.
As they boarded the carriage—
“You look lovely.”
“Pardon?”
“…I mean, the dress suits you beautifully.”
The offhand remark sent heat rushing to Summer’s cheeks.
“Thank you so much.”
It was gratitude for the gift, but Adrian took it as thanks for being her partner.
“It was the least I could do.”
The carriage set off, and an awkward silence followed until—
“One moment.”
Adrian fumbled for something, then gently pinned it into her hair.
“Ah!”
Summer flinched in surprise, shoulders rising, and a flustered Adrian explained.
“I just thought your hair looked a little bare. I happened to have a hairpin I’d bought for my sister…”
In truth, he had chosen it specifically for Summer, but he didn’t mention that.
Summer checked the hairpin in a hand mirror and blushed.
“Th-thank you. I’ll use it well and return it.”
“No need to return it. I can buy another for my sister.”
“Still…”
“Consider it a debutante gift from me. As your partner, it’s the least I can do.”
“…Thank you.”
Receiving both the dress and now the hairpin left Summer confused.
It felt as though she was only ever receiving from him.
She wanted to tell him she already knew the Tall Lady was Adrian Peris, but he seemed to want to keep it secret, so she waited quietly.
Summer fidgeted with the hairpin to calm her fluttering heart.
The cool touch of the metal helped soothe the pounding just a little.
* * *
The crown prince’s birthday banquet was held in the annex palace. Among the annual events, it was the most accessible, so there were many unfamiliar faces.
Seated in a suitable spot with Alferen, I nursed my resentment.
‘I’m not letting Adrian Peris off the hook for this.’
How dare he abandon his little sister to escort another woman.
And of all people, Summer Clopen—the betrayal burned even hotter.
I sat there scowling when Alferen offered me a glass of juice.
“Delly, drink this while you wait.”
He looked oddly pleased. In contrast, I was thoroughly unsettled and kept my sullen expression.
“I’m an adult now.”
“Wine gives you hangovers.”
He was probably referring to that wine battle with Nanael.
Irked that he was bringing up something so old to enforce abstinence, I reached for a glass of wine from a passing server’s tray.
“All alcohol gives hangovers if you drink it.”
“Just don’t overdo it.”
Alferen set the juice down with a resigned air.
Our appearance together after the prolonged cold war drew curious glances.
All my efforts were coming to nothing because of this.
‘It’s all that brother’s fault.’
He’d been unusually quiet lately—and now I knew why: he’d been trailing after Summer like a lovesick puppy.
‘I should have suspected something when she said she kept running into Adrian at the magic tower.’
Every ounce of my anger stacked neatly onto Adrian.
