CHAPTER :08
“Ah, yes. Eva, greet the two gentlemen.”
Baron Biti Jr. said to Eva with an awkward expression. It wasn’t the situation she had wanted, but at this point, there was no way to back out. Forcing herself to maintain a polite expression, Eva grasped the hem of her skirt with both hands and bent her knees in a graceful curtsy.
“Hello, Count, and Sir Rus. My name is Eva Bell Turner Maysis.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. If it’s not too rude of me to ask, are you perhaps related to the Maysis Count family, the former lords of Veil Castle?”
Rus returned her greeting with a gentle smile and asked the question.
“…Yes. I am the daughter of Count Maysis.”
Why was it?
The moment she spoke of her father, her throat tightened, and tears threatened to fall.
It was the moment she truly felt the collapse of her family’s former glory—and her own current situation. Perhaps it was because introducing herself in front of others, while recalling her proud family and beloved father, felt so pitiful. As a child, she had never realized that such a simple greeting could feel so precious—and so painful.
“So you are the daughter of the Count Maysis, whom I deeply respect.”
Seeing her eyes glisten with tears, Rus lowered himself onto one knee. Gently taking her limp hand, he looked up at her as if asking for permission.
“It is an honor to meet you, Lady Maysis.”
Then, he softly kissed the back of her hand.
A heavy silence instantly fell over the room.
Everyone froze, holding their breath—but the most shocked person was Eva. She couldn’t understand why he would draw everyone’s attention to her and place her in the spotlight like this.
Rus remained kneeling, still holding her fingertips. As Eva nervously lowered her gaze, she noticed that he was staring at her wrist—the reddened marks left by Todd’s grip. His gaze made the spot feel both hot and cold.
Embarrassed, she quickly pulled her hand away. Only then did Rus rise, his expression calm as ever. She wished he would simply pretend not to notice, but instead, he glanced over the stunned onlookers and deliberately spoke:
“It seems there is a vicious beast living in this house.”
No one understood what he meant.
Only Eva flushed red with embarrassment. The more she tried to avoid getting entangled, the more it felt like she was being drawn in.
“So, Count, what I’m suggesting is this—how about turning the Veil Forest behind the castle back into a hunting ground? It would benefit you, of course, but it would also greatly help the economy of Crox Field.”
The baron spoke carelessly, chewing his meat as he talked, trying to persuade the Count to reopen the forest that the animal-loving Count Maysis had once protected.
“And we would love it if you could host a ball at Veil Castle. Ever since it became like a ghost castle, the lesser nobles have lost their social center.”
“I hope you don’t take offense, but the previous Count didn’t seem very interested in the changing world. He didn’t pay any attention to the circumstances of local nobles.”
Now the baron’s wife and Pamela eagerly joined in, encouraging the Count. This had always been their complaint about the former Count Maysis—that he had no interest in social affairs and focused on strange priorities, blocking their family’s advancement.
They weren’t entirely wrong.
The era when lords held absolute power had passed. About thirty years ago, authority began to centralize under the Emperor. Local lords lost the right to govern their territories, and the centralized system eliminated private armies and knights. Power, wealth, culture, and art all shifted to the capital. Naturally, influential social gatherings and opportunities to build connections with powerful figures also became concentrated there.
For wealthy high nobles, staying in their mansions in the capital and attending parties was easy. But for lesser provincial nobles, it was difficult. That’s why gatherings hosted by high nobles returning to their estates after the social season were so important—it was a rare chance for them to meet influential figures and build connections, perhaps even secure a good marriage.
Even so, this family was being far too blatant.
“I see your point. I will do my best to bring life back to Veil Castle.”
Count Holland responded politely with a refined smile. Unlike his earlier indifferent attitude by the river, he was now maintaining a composed and elegant demeanor.
‘Why do I have to sit here and listen to this?’
Sitting awkwardly in the corner, Eva felt like she might choke. Their words were polished on the surface, but their greed was obvious.
It was true that Count Maysis hadn’t paid much attention to the local nobility—but he had never neglected the common people. He charged low fees to tenant farmers, helped the poor, orphans, and widows, supported local artists, and opened the castle once a year for a festival for the common folk. He had contributed the most to regional development funds.
Yet all of that was dismissed—only what he hadn’t done was criticized. And by the very people who had benefited the most from him.
‘How did I end up sitting here…?’
It was all because of Rus.
He had naturally escorted her into the dining room, forcing Baron Biti’s wife to give Eva a seat.
Whether he noticed her resentment or not, Rus sat calmly across from her. With perfect posture, he ate slowly, savoring each bite. Whenever her wandering gaze passed over him, he would offer a faint, almost invisible smile. His elegance and ingrained courtesy only made her more uncomfortable.
“Hm. As I understand it, Count, you’ve acquired not only Veil Castle but also several nearby territories.”
“That is correct.”
“In that case, how about entrusting me with managing your lands in Crox Field and Veil Castle? I used to oversee the Maysis estate, and there was never a single problem under my management.”
“I see… I will consider it once I return.”
Count Holland replied slowly, forcing a smile. He seemed to be growing tired, his tone lacking sincerity. Occasionally, he glanced at Rus with irritation—but Rus completely ignored him.
“Thank you so much, Count. Does the food suit your taste?”
“It’s excellent. Thank you for your effort.”
Even though it was clearly a polite response, the baron was already acting as if he had secured the job. His wife, equally pleased, raised her arm to call for more wine.
That was when Eva’s face turned cold.
More precisely, it was the moment she saw a familiar bracelet on the baron’s wife’s wrist.
It was the only keepsake her mother had left behind.
A simple platinum band, adorned with small sapphires and diamonds—elegant and precious. It wasn’t as valuable as the jewels her father had sold, but to Eva, it meant everything.
She had hidden it deep in her wardrobe.
Yet the baron’s wife had found it, secretly taken it from her room, and now wore it as if nothing had happened.
Rage surged through Eva. Her hand trembled as she gripped her glass. Everything she had endured all day felt like it was about to explode. She wanted to march over and demand her bracelet back.
But then—
She felt a gaze on her.
Turning her head, she saw Rus watching her intently, his narrowed eyes studying her.
Only then did she regain her composure.
‘Right… I need to endure this. Focus on what matters most.’
Biting her lip, she swallowed her anger.
When everything is chaotic, you must pick the most urgent and important thing. If you let yourself be overwhelmed, you lose yourself entirely.
The food suddenly tasted awful. The meat was tough, the salad dry, the wine bitter, and even the water felt unpleasant.
She just wanted the meal to end.
But then the baron’s wife and Pamela spoke again—
“Oh, Count, thank you for escorting Pamela earlier today. We really troubled you.”
“Not at all. It was my honor to accompany such a beautiful lady.”
The Count seemed to have perfected his polite smile, bringing it out whenever needed. Eva even began to feel sorry for him—especially since Rus sat silently, offering no help.
“Oh my, how kind of you. By the way, Count, you don’t seem to be married yet. Do you perhaps have a fiancée?”
“I do not. My mother is currently searching diligently.”
“I see. Still, while arranged marriages are common, love is the true foundation of marriage. Isn’t it wonderful when fate brings two people together?”
It was obvious she was referring to Pamela.
Although the Count responded politely, he showed no particular interest in her. Still, they eagerly pushed the idea forward.
“Indeed. If I ever meet such a person, I will hold on to them.”
A subtle silence followed.
His words implied he had not yet met such a person—meaning, perhaps, not Pamela.
“What about you, Sir Rus? Are you not planning to marry? Or is there someone already in your heart?”
The baron’s wife quickly shifted the topic to him.
At that moment, Eva’s attention sharpened.
She didn’t know why she cared so much about his answer.
Even if he were the Crown Prince, she didn’t expect a romantic answer. When their engagement had been broken off, she was fifteen, and he was twenty. They had never even met—it had never been a love match.
But still…
She wanted to know.
What had that long engagement meant to him?
What did he think of his vanished fiancée, who had fallen to ruin?
And perhaps—
Whether there had ever been a woman he truly loved.
