Chapter 52
Leo cautiously asked after staring at the troubled Cecilia for a while.
“Do you like that man?”
It was a blunt question, with no attempt at subtlety.
That one careless remark struck Cecilia’s heart like a heavy stone, stirring it violently.
She snapped her head up and glared at Leo.
His eyes slowly widened as he met hers.
Her stubbornly shut lips trembled slightly, and her flushed cheeks looked ready to burst at the slightest touch.
Unable to withstand his gaze, Cecilia turned her head and pressed her cheeks with the back of her hand.
“…It’s not like that. It’s just ridiculous.”
Leo swallowed the question he couldn’t bring himself to ask.
If it’s really nothing, then why are you so upset? If you don’t have feelings, then why are you so shaken?
But he couldn’t push further. He was afraid she might come to realize her own feelings.
He silently clenched his fist and spoke in the calmest voice he could manage.
“Then just forget about him. He lives in a completely different world from us anyway.”
“…I know.”
Even if it’s not said aloud, she knows.
And that makes it all the more painful.
Knowing it doesn’t stop her heart from aching or her chest from sinking.
A brief silence passed between them.
A cold breeze swept by, and Cecilia’s shoulders trembled slightly.
Then, from far away, Moa came running toward them, waving her arms.
“Miss! A letter came for you!”
“A letter?”
Cecilia rose absentmindedly.
She spotted the parchment Moa was holding.
It wasn’t an ordinary letter.
An elegant crest was delicately pressed into the high-quality parchment.
A flicker of anticipation passed through her eyes.
As Cecilia instinctively stood, someone lightly tugged at her arm from behind.
“Leo?”
When she called out softly, Leo flinched and let go of her hand.
“Just… don’t go tripping and falling.”
“You think I’m a child or something? Anyway, I’m off.”
She smiled lightly and ran off.
Leo stood still, watching her excited figure retreat into the distance.
He couldn’t stop her. He couldn’t hold her back.
* * *
“Thank you for accepting the invitation, Miss Cecilia.”
“I should be the one thanking you for inviting me, Miss Laon.”
Cecilia politely greeted her and took a seat.
Today’s meeting was prompted by a letter Laon Castner had sent a few days ago.
“Things have settled down a bit. Would you care to drop by?”
It was a brief and concise message.
Cecilia had responded, unable to fully hide her disappointment, and a few days later, she found herself at the Castner estate’s greenhouse.
The mansion was, as expected, luxurious, and even the guest greenhouse reflected noble dignity.
The warm air made her forget the season, the plants were meticulously tended, and a neatly arranged three-tiered tray of tea snacks was prepared.
“Is lemon tea alright? I heard it’s trendy these days to add honey or syrup to tea. Do you like sweet things?”
“Yes, I do.”
Laon signaled to the maid to bring the tea, and soon, fragrant tea and treats were placed gently on the table.
As Cecilia casually scanned the tray, her eyes fixed on one item.
Brioche.
“The pastry I used to eat often at the house of Piernne…”
The familiar scent and shape naturally drew her gaze.
Laon caught her expression and smiled quietly.
“It’s brioche from a famous patisserie. Do you like it?”
“Oh, yes. I’ve had it a few times and really liked it.”
“I see. Please, help yourself.”
Cecilia smiled awkwardly and nodded, but her hand only went for the teacup, never toward the snacks.
Laon, silently observing, set down her cup and straightened up.
“A lot has happened lately, but let’s skip the small talk and get to the point. Please forgive me if I’m not being particularly noble about it.”
“Pardon?”
“I heard Grand Duke Cardinande is pursuing a marriage arrangement. You know, right?”
Cecilia’s expression stiffened.
She fiddled with the cold handle of her teacup, trying her best to stay composed.
“…Yes.”
“Can you tell me what’s going on?”
Laon’s expression turned serious as she asked.
Cecilia hesitated, lowering her eyes.
How much should she say?
No matter what, their pretend partnership under a contract should remain secret.
It wasn’t just about her dignity—it was about protecting Pierre’s reputation too.
After gathering her thoughts, Cecilia forced a smile.
“It’s as you heard. From the beginning, His Grace and I weren’t that close.”
Laon listened quietly.
“Just because we acted as partners doesn’t mean we were truly in a relationship. Considering our positions, we realized our paths were different, that’s all.”
Cecilia tried her best to sound unaffected. Thankfully, the noble speech techniques she had learned from Pierre helped.
“Saying it out loud makes it seem even more trivial. I hope I didn’t waste your time, Miss Laon.”
“Do you really think that?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m asking if you really believe it was nothing.”
Laon’s calm but pointed question struck her like an arrow.
Cecilia almost lost the composure she had painstakingly built.
She barely managed to lift the corners of her mouth into an exaggerated smile.
“Of course.”
“Is that so? Then I’m glad.”
Laon raised her teacup again, her face unreadable.
“Actually, I’ve received a marriage proposal for the position of Grand Duchess myself.”
“……”
Something dropped heavily in Cecilia’s chest. Her throat tightened, and her stomach throbbed faintly.
“It’s not the first proposal I’ve received. But both His Grace and I have never shown much interest in marriage, so they were easy to dismiss. This time, though, it was an imperial command.”
“…I see.”
“Given the circumstances, it’s hard for me to refuse. A marriage between two of the seven great houses is considered a great honor.”
Laon gently set her cup down, her face solemn.
“So let me ask one last time. Would it really not bother you if I became the Grand Duchess?”
Cecilia held her breath.
Laon’s eyes were deep and unwavering.
She had to smile. She had to laugh it off.
Because the moment she opened her mouth, her feelings would be exposed.
Emotions are like rivers flowing to the sea. Once they start, they can’t be stopped.
But in the end, she couldn’t say a word.
Cecilia simply lowered her head and pressed her lips tightly together.
“…The tea will get cold. Please, drink.”
Laon pretended not to notice her confusion.
* * *
The meeting ended much sooner than expected.
Saying she had an urgent matter, Laon apologized and stood up.
Cecilia reassured her that it was fine, and Laon insisted on giving her a bundle of brioche to take with her.
As she left the estate with the brioche in her arms, the sun still hung high in the sky.
Cecilia pulled out her pocket watch.
‘Leo should still be in town.’
Due to the recent unrest, Cecilia had brought Leo with her to the capital instead of Moa.
He had protested all the way, and though she had barely managed to drag him to the city, he absolutely refused to enter any noble residences.
So, they agreed to meet later in town at a set time.
Fortunately, the Castner estate wasn’t far from the town, so she could return quickly.
When Cecilia arrived at the meeting spot, she saw she still had two hours to kill.
‘Where should I go to pass the time…’
Just then, she spotted a familiar tearoom.
It was the place she’d once visited with Pierre.
But in front of it, noble ladies were gathered in a crowd, and Cecilia took a step back to avoid any unwanted attention.
She continued walking toward the outskirts and came upon a quiet alley.
Simple street vendors selling snacks and trinkets lined the road here and there.
As expected of the royal capital, everything looked far more refined than her hometown.
While browsing absentmindedly, Cecilia’s eyes stopped on a bracelet.
A simple silver bracelet.
In the center, there was a small red gem.
‘It would suit Leo…’
Since she had dragged him here, she thought she should at least buy him something.
As she approached, the vendor greeted her warmly.
“Take your time, miss. I’ll give you a good price.”
“How much is this bracelet?”
“It’s usually two silver coins, but for a pretty miss like you, I’ll give it for one.”
“That’s too expensive. How about three copper coins?”
“Oh dear, miss. If you haggle like that, how am I supposed to eat? Let’s settle for nine coppers.”
Cecilia narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing the bracelet.
It was cleanly made, but didn’t look high quality.
She was about to give up and turn away when suddenly a hand reached out beside her.
“I’ll take that one. I’ll pay two silver coins.”
It was a familiar voice.
Cecilia turned her head—and froze on the spot.
A middle-aged man stood before her, leisurely smiling with light golden hair brushed back.
In one hand he held silver coins, and with the other, he pointed at her.
“Knew it. Cecilia.”
It was none other than Uncle Valdir.
