BGFV 141

Chapter 141

“I only said I was thinking about it. I never said I’d actually do it. So please, calm down.”

After the commotion, Hestia decided to explain the situation to her parents and close people like Kenneth first.
She moved to a quiet place to avoid rumors spreading if she tried to explain in the middle of a crowded hall.
Only then did they nod in understanding, but their reactions split into two sides.

The first group was the disappointed but supportive side.

“If you’re thinking about it, it means you’ll probably do it eventually. Don’t bother explaining anything to others. Just let it be.”
“Have you thought about where you’ll hold the wedding? If you want, we’ll gladly lend you the imperial palace.”

Anna and Sylvester were clearly in this camp.

The second group was against the marriage.

“What nonsense! No one knows for sure until you actually walk down the aisle!”
“Hmm… Forget what everyone else says. Only move forward when you’re truly sure. It’s not that Sir Luciard is a bad match, but it’s better to decide when you’re confident.”

Naturally, Derrick and Kenneth were in this group.

So she managed to calm things down for now with those closest to her. But figuring out how to explain things to people who didn’t know the whole story was giving her a headache.

“Sir Luciard, Frost House is fully on your side. If there’s anything you need, just say it! Oh, what a fine son-in-law you are. I used to worry whether we’d ever marry off our eldest daughter.”

Anna practically clung to Luciard’s arm, smiling ear to ear.

“Hey, what are you saying?! I haven’t agreed to this marriage yet! It’s not even a real engagement— Mmph!”

“Oh ho ho, darling, why don’t we step aside for a private talk?”

Since Sylvester and Kenneth didn’t know the engagement was fake, Anna quickly dragged Derrick away before he could say too much.

“Well, if talk of marriage has already come up, it’s probably going to happen. Two people I like forming a family? That’s the best news I’ve had all year!”

“However, using the phrase “this year” gives the impression that half of the year has already passed. It’s still the first day of the new year, Your Majesty.”

Sylvester laughed heartily while Kenneth muttered beside him, unimpressed.

“It’s just a joke. That’s how happy I am. And the two of you make a great pair. Honestly, if you get married, there’ll be lots of heartbroken people. Even I’ve heard how popular you both are.”

“That’s too generous, Your Majesty. Nothing’s been decided yet.”

“You know what they say — well begun is half done. Once you make up your mind, the rest happens quickly.”

“Then perhaps, Your Majesty, it’s time you find a suitable lady for yourself.”

At Kenneth’s comment, Sylvester froze, still smiling, and looked at him in disbelief.

“Your coming-of-age ceremony isn’t far off. Wouldn’t it be good to have a strong empress by your side when you begin ruling in full?”

“Hm… I feel like I forgot something important. I’ll just—”

“Your Majesty? Where are you going? You haven’t answered me yet.”

Even an emperor dreaded marriage talk. Sylvester was caught and dragged back into a lecture.

“Tia, since we’re on the topic, why don’t we talk more about this marriage thing?”

“Uh-oh.”

And Hestia, just like everyone else, wanted to avoid marriage nagging.

“I’m just going to get something to drink real quick!”

Before Anna could grab her, Hestia bolted out the door. She briefly caught Luciard looking at her like “What about me?”, but survival came first.

Unfortunately, even outside, there was no escape.
The hall was full of gossips curious about what had happened.

Seeing all the sharp eyes watching her, Hestia hurried to a nearby terrace.

The cold air brushed her cheeks — but at least she could finally breathe.

“Haah… Marriage, really? I can’t believe this.”

Why did Luciard have to say something so unnecessary?

“No, if we’re being honest, it’s not Luciard’s fault. Wasn’t it the Duke who brought it up in the first place?”

He was the one who’d mentioned marriage out of nowhere.

“Why is he so interested in us anyway? Could he… actually like me—?”

Hestia snorted and waved the thought away.

“No way. He wouldn’t… I mean, he shouldn’t like me.”

“It hurts to hear you deny it like that, Lady Frost.”

She jumped, startled by the voice behind her.
And there he was — Gabriel.

The moment she heard his voice, goosebumps shot up all over her skin.

“Your Grace… what are you doing here?”

“I saw you slip away and got curious about what you were talking about with your family. Then I heard you saying my name.”

He stepped closer, smiling in a way she couldn’t read.

“It seems you have no intention of marrying Luciard, do you?”

“…Why do you think that?”

“Well, if the marriage had been agreed upon, you wouldn’t have acted so flustered.”

She’d been so focused on calming everyone that she hadn’t thought about how it might look.

“More than anything… I know the truth.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I know you and Luciard are faking your engagement.”

Her eyes flickered. Her lips parted slightly, and silence stretched for a moment — then Gabriel chuckled.

“So transparent. You’re not a good liar, are you, Lady Frost? Amazing how you’ve fooled everyone until now.”

‘Damn it, I let my guard down…’

Realizing she’d made a rare mistake, Hestia bit her lip.

Gabriel hadn’t guessed she was lying.
He’d already known.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Are people still spreading that fake engagement rumor?”

She smiled politely, pretending not to understand.

Gabriel’s smile widened as he reached forward, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

The unexpected touch made her flinch.

“You don’t have to hide from me. I’m on your side.”

“…I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Didn’t you just wonder if I might have feelings for you?”

She’d hoped he hadn’t heard that.
The very topic made her want to flee.

“That’s not what I meant. If that upset you, I apologize—”

“I am interested in you.”

Gabriel cut her off with a firm tone. Hestia was left speechless.

“I’m very… interested in you.”

His fingers brushed lightly along her neck. She tensed instantly.

“Does that mean… you admit it?”

On paper, the Duke and the daughter of a baron were an unthinkable match.
Normally, nobles would never admit to liking someone of lower status.

Yet Gabriel showed no hesitation.

Some might call it romantic.
But to Hestia, it was terrifying.

“Honestly, I thought I’d shown plenty of signs. But you never responded. Or rather, you pretended not to notice.”

His casual tone only made her more nervous.

“Was it because of your fake engagement? Were you avoiding other men because of it?”

“…Of course not. And please stop saying it’s fake. People could misunderstand.”

“You don’t need to pretend with me. But if that’s what you prefer, I’ll play along.”

His confident eyes gleamed, like he held her in the palm of his hand.

“Did you ignore my feelings because of that engagement? Engagements are just public announcements. If you change your mind, they can be broken.”

“You make it sound like I’m using the engagement as an excuse to avoid you.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. If that wasn’t the case, there’s no reason you’d pretend not to notice my feelings.”

He looked so certain — like no woman could possibly reject him.

“True, breaking off an engagement can bring shame. But if you leave Luciard and come to me, no one will dare say a word against you.”

“You seem to misunderstand. I don’t share your feelings. Even if my engagement ends, I would never come to you.”

“Why not? There’s no one better than me.”

His genuine confusion made her lip tremble slightly.

“…I know you’re an exceptional person. But my heart simply isn’t moved.”

“Oof. That hurts my pride. I’m not used to being turned down, you know.”

The look in his eyes — bored, dismissive — made her scoff internally.

‘Is that what someone who’s in love looks like?’

There was no love in his gaze. Only something dark and possessive.

“You must have a strong sense of duty, Lady Frost.”

“…Duty?”

“Your duty to keep your engagement intact. You suppress your feelings and avoid other men, all to protect your reputation.”

So basically, it’s not that you don’t like me — you’re just too bound by duty.
That was what he meant.

“Lady Frost… No, Tia.”

He casually dropped a nickname she never gave him permission to use. She frowned.

The cold glint in his eyes softened into a warm, love-struck gaze.

And before she realized it, his arm had slipped around her waist.

“I can treat you better than Luciard ever could. Power, wealth, respect, looks, personality — I have it all. Leave him, and I’ll give you whatever you want.”

As he reached to tilt her chin and leaned closer, Hestia shoved his shoulder hard.

“That’s incredibly disrespectful! You’re completely mistaken. I don’t see you as a man at all!”

His expression hardened briefly as he stepped back.

“Even if the world ends, I’d never choose you. So stop wasting your time.”

She looked up — and froze.

Gabriel was staring at her with a cold, unreadable gaze.
But then he smiled again, as if she imagined it.

“…I was too hasty. But Tia, one day, you’ll choose me.”

Disgusted by his smug tone, Hestia turned and walked away.

Left alone on the terrace, Gabriel smiled — a smile that said he’d already decided how the story would end.