Chapter – 08
Exhausted from both the royal audience and the encounter with the crown prince, Aiden felt particularly drained by evening.
He tried to soothe his weary mind and headed toward the café Midday Garden, known to have been visited by his brother before his death.
By the time he neared it, the sky was slowly painted with a reddish sunset. Knowing that the café would close around this time, Aiden quickened his pace.
As he reached the front entrance, he saw, just as expected, crowds of customers streaming out.
“I’ll wait nearby until everyone leaves and then meet the owner,” he thought.
However, Aiden’s plan quickly fell apart—the moment the crowd noticed him, his presence was immediately recognized.
“Oh my! The Duke of Hill!”
“Are you Aiden Hill, Duke of Hill? What brings you here?”
Even though Aiden kept his distance from social circles, he attended the annual ball hosted by the Hill dukedom without fail.
Thanks to appearing there, his striking appearance was a common topic among both nobles and gentry women.
Moreover, after being expected to remain at a provincial university indefinitely, the intelligent young lord was now in the capital as the head of his house—even if under unfortunate circumstances.
It was no surprise, then, that women of marriageable age were excited.
“Duke, I’m Miss Blenheim. I sent a formal proposal, but have you not seen it yet?”
“Oh, I sent one too! I hope this isn’t first-come, first-served!”
Bold confessions from these young ladies drew a series of cheerful laughs from the group. Of course, some could not hide the seriousness of their feelings.
Aiden bowed politely, then finally spoke, his elegant lips parting after having remained straight.
“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of marrying. I will respond to your proposals with proper etiquette.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than sighs escaped from all around. Questions asking if he really meant it, pleas for him to reconsider—they all came pouring in, anchoring Aiden to the spot.
Octavia, standing by the doorway with Brielle, declared decisively:
“I’m going.”
“Suddenly?”
“Didn’t you hear just now? Aiden Hill, Duke of Hill, just declared he’s not marrying! This is a scoop. Front-page news for The Berkshire Times.”
Brielle frowned sharply at her friend.
“We were supposed to have dinner together tonight. I had things to ask you…”
“Oh, right. Well, I’ll just go there and come back. I’m serious—right now, all of Berkshire’s attention is on that handsome duke. So his statement will definitely cause a stir.”
“Why is everyone so interested? Because of your brother’s incident?”
Brielle’s speculation twisted Octavia’s face into disbelief. She pointed a finger at Aiden Hill, towering among a circle of women in the distance.
“It’s not about the incident… Look with your own eyes. A man this handsome, capable, and now head of a ducal house. And yet… still single!”
Only now did Brielle properly notice the tall man among more than a dozen people. His dark hair was neatly tied back, making his forehead and nose stand out more sharply. His hazel eyes were deep and horizontal, and his facial features altogether striking.
His skin tone is unusual… I wonder if it’s natural or from outdoor activity. Slightly darker than most.
Every nobleman Brielle had ever seen had pale, almost ghostly skin—a trait considered a mark of privilege. Her father, the Earl of Taylor, and her younger brother Austin were no exception.
It wasn’t just his face that drew Brielle’s attention.
Judging by his athletic build and skin tone, he likely played tennis or golf regularly… or maybe rowed?
“Are you analyzing him again? That’s not just admiring a handsome face.”
Octavia, noticing Brielle’s eyes moving up and down like glass beads, accurately called her out. Without waiting for an answer, she moved her legs.
“Anyway, I’ll be back later. Wait here.”
“Got it.”
Brielle tilted her head slightly. She hadn’t realized that the new Duke of Hill was such a captivating figure, enough to move even the usually lazy Octavia twice in one day.
I wonder… what does he think about my brother’s incident?
Watching Octavia quickly disappear, Brielle recalled the case of Bradley Hill, Aiden’s late brother.
Bradley Hill had been shot by a robber and died a few days later. The perpetrator remained unidentified.
There aren’t that many people with firearms in Berkshire… This shouldn’t be so hard to solve.
Naturally, Brielle assumed the police would quickly catch the culprit—it was a major case, after all.
Yet, for some reason, the investigation had stagnated.
Suspicious, indeed. The fact that such a powerful duke could die so abruptly from a robbery, yet the authorities hadn’t reported any progress…
And now, this new Duke of Hill is rumored to meet the king frequently… Is he planning to let my brother’s death slide?
Her suspicious gaze fell again on the large man, still surrounded by women.
What a shady person.
Her short remark slipped from Brielle’s lips. Just then, as she spotted Aiden moving toward the café while seeking consent from those around him, she quickly tried to turn away.
She had almost forgotten someone’s voice stopping her.
“Oh? Where did our cute little marigold go?”
“…Your Highness, you are still here?”
It was the twelfth prince of Berkshire, Bernard Allen Walter, looking puzzled as he searched for Octavia. Brielle explained that she had gone home. The prince’s delicate face twisted as if about to cry.
“She left without telling me? My sweet angel wouldn’t forget me like that…”
“Well…”
Brielle couldn’t bring herself to explain honestly, given her usual disdain for royalty. Admitting the truth would make her feel like the villain.
Meanwhile, Bernard’s solo performance reached its climax:
“No, you must be mistaken. I will wait here like this tree, rooted, until Miss Wood blooms, bears fruit, and the seasons pass…”
Unable to bear it any longer, Brielle finally spoke.
“Your Highness, Octavia is your sun. Without the sun, the tree can’t root or bloom. So it’s best if you go back now…”
“Ah, yes, but if Octavia returns later and I am gone, she will be disappointed…”
“Your Highness, the goddess Octavia is said to be infinitely generous. She won’t be disappointed!”
Unaware of what she was saying, Brielle rambled, turning the formalities she had picked up from nobles back on him.
Unexpectedly, her words worked. Bernard, accepting her explanation, walked away with his dejected attendants in tow.
When the royal carriage finally disappeared, raising clouds of dust, Brielle noticed how unusually quiet the area had become. She moved her neck, which had stiffened from the tension.
What? Where did everyone go?
Where had all the women gone, leaving Aiden alone, standing a distance away from Brielle?
A gentle breeze swept through the space between them.
