Chapter 129
“It’s enough. The purpose of this tea party is to show everyone that I’m still strong.”
Delani frowned as she watched the twins lurking nearby like they were spying on her. Then she headed to the main seat. Among the invited nobles were Ebony and Joanna.
Delani’s gaze lingered on Ebony with a strange look.
She knew very well about the scandal between Ebony and Dedrick. She planned to use it to show everyone that his love life was messy.
Meanwhile, Somerset kept staring only at Joanna, making the contrast clearer.
Hiding her true feelings, Delani tapped the teacup with her teaspoon to draw attention.
“I’m glad to host you all at this summer tea party. Please enjoy yourselves.”
Delani greeted the nobles naturally and approached Ebony.
Ebony was clearly looking for Dedrick, though she tried to hide it.
“Miss Ebony, are you enjoying the tea party?”
Ebony startled and looked up.
“Ah, Duchess…”
Delani smiled kindly but looked at her with pity.
“By the way, have you heard the news? Dedrick now has a fiancée…”
“Oh…”
Ebony couldn’t believe it right away. Dedrick suddenly having a fiancée was shocking.
She had even heard that the sickly fiancée was brought to the duke’s castle for personal care. She almost wanted to confront him but held back.
Despite being harshly rejected at the jewelry shop, Ebony found it hard to give up.
Delani spoke bitterly as she watched Ebony’s face darken.
“Personally, I feel a bit disappointed.”
Ebony hesitated and trailed off.
“But the engagement between you and Dedrick…”
“Is that the rumor? Oh no, it’s not. I actually supported your engagement idea… but due to some family circumstances…”
Delani deliberately left the sentence unfinished, smiling awkwardly.
Hearing it was due to family matters, Ebony didn’t ask more, but her face brightened.
“So we really could have been engaged.”
Even though Dedrick had refused the engagement, Ebony concluded it must have been because of ‘family reasons.’
“I was hoping you would get back together someday… but suddenly the fiancée appointed by His Grace appeared…”
Delani muttered, just loud enough for Ebony to hear.
Ebony fell right into the trap.
“So, Dedrick didn’t decide it but it was His Grace who chose the fiancée?”
“Oh yes. I even gently suggested Dedrick bring his fiancée to this tea party, but he didn’t want to come. He still hasn’t appeared, so that says it all.”
Ebony’s face lit up.
“So it’s not love but just an arrangement! I still have a chance!”
She blushed, excited.
“Well, about those family matters… oh, I shouldn’t say too much.”
“Please, I won’t tell anyone! Tell me!”
Ebony urged eagerly, and Delani hesitated before speaking carefully.
“Dedrick was actually looking forward to being engaged to you. But then he got greedy for the heir’s position and refused to become a son-in-law.”
“What…!”
Sohe, who had been quietly listening, was shocked. Who would believe such a lie?
Sohe quickly grabbed Ebony’s hand.
“Miss…!”
Delani’s eyes hardened. Sohe flinched and lowered her shoulders.
“Seems like you cares about your maid. How dare she interrupt a conversation between nobles? Dedrick values noble etiquette and hates such rudeness…”
“Sohe, apologize right now.”
“I-I’m sorry, Duchess.”
Sohe bit her lip hard. She wanted to shout that if Delani really cared for Dedrick, she wouldn’t have sent him to Herba Academy, but Delani beat her to it.
“People say I drove Dedrick away to Herba Academy, but that’s not true.”
“Really…?”
“It was the Aulus family’s doing. They always wanted to get rid of him because of his low birth.”
“Unbelievable…”
Before Delani could said anymore to Ebony, Gemma hurried over and whispered quietly to Delani.
“Madam, you should go to the garden. Axel and Sir Arnold are there now…”
Hearing this, a bad feeling ran down Delani’s spine.
Ebony called her carefully.
“Duchess…?”
“I have urgent business and must step away briefly. Is that alright? If you want to see Dedrick, go to the main hall. I’ll allow it. I’m sure Dedrick will be happy to see you.”
After saying that, Delani quickly turned away.
‘Meeting Axel alone? How dare he?’
Delani’s anger surged fiercely as she headed for the garden.
“Make sure no one can enter the garden.”
The twins exchanged looks as Delani and Gemma disappeared toward the garden.
***
While the tea party went on, we waited inside.
Delani didn’t invite Somerset this time. I thought she’d at least call him for a moment, but she didn’t, so the party wasn’t really for Somerset.
‘I heard Somerset’s leg is beyond help now.’
She was looking everywhere for doctors to treat his leg.
‘Well, it’s not my concern.’
Right now, we just had to focus on our tasks.
A knock came, and a servant entered.
“My lord, Pavle said you should come to the garden.”
After the servant left, Dedrick hesitated and quietly asked me,
“…Can I hold your hand?”
My heart wavered, but I quickly corrected myself and shook my head.
“No. I have to stay a delicate and lovely fiancée wrapped in mystery. And I don’t know what the Duchess might do if she finds me.”
I wouldn’t let her find any weaknesses.
“You won’t even touch my fingertips.”
He looked at me cutely, like a cat wearing boots, but when I hid my hands behind my back, he sighed and walked away empty-handed.
It was so sad to see him upset like that.
Was it really that painful not to hold hands?
***
The nobles invited to the tea party wandered the garden, closing their eyes to enjoy the soft scent of flowers.
“What a lovely fragrance. Where do you think it’s coming from?”
“Probably the garden. The Duke’s garden is famous for its beauty…”
“Since we’re here, shall we visit the garden?”
The waiting maids naturally led them toward the garden.
They were arranged by Dedrick’s side, so the route was smooth.
‘The Duchess probably tried to block access to the garden, but Dedrick could handle that easily now.’
Dedrick naturally joined the twins.
“My lord.”
Milos noticed him first, and Pavle and others approached.
They all headed to the garden, glancing at Dedrick.
“Oh, I thought you’d leave without seeing it…”
“Doesn’t he look softer than at the founding festival?”
“Must be thanks to his fiancée.”
As they talked, Ebony stepped out from the group and approached Dedrick.
“Dedrick!”
Dedrick didn’t bother to hide his frown.
Milos clicked his tongue.
“She’s really delusional…”
“Milos.”
Pavle gave him a sharp look, and Milos pouted.
“Why are you only like this with me?”
Ebony seemed unaffected or deliberately ignored Milos and nervously spoke to Dedrick.
“L-long time no see, Dedrick. If you don’t mind, could we talk alone? Just for a little while?”
“No.”
He passed by coldly. I glanced back, and Ebony bit her lips but quietly followed him.
“P-please, Dedrick!”
“Miss, please! The Marchioness’s fiancée is here. This is disrespectful!”
Sohe pleaded to stop Ebony. Joanna glanced at them and then looked away.
‘No matter how much she tried, Ebony wouldn’t listen.’
But Ebony didn’t give up.
“Well, then how about we all go to the garden together? Everyone’s going to see the flowers there…”
