Chapter 23
The conversation naturally flowed to recent social events, and then reached the victory ceremony held at the royal palace yesterday.
Since everyone there was a girl in their early to mid-teens, none of them had attended the ceremony personally, but they seemed to have heard the news quickly.
“During this ceremony, the son of the Dierne Duke came with the Duchess! Young Master Darius!”
“I heard that rumor too!”
When Darius’s name was mentioned, my ears, which had been listening half-heartedly, perked up.
“They say he is unbelievably handsome. His facial features are more perfect than a god’s sculpture!”
“Ah, isn’t that too exaggerated?”
“No, it’s true! When sunlight touches his hair, it shines like golden flames. And his eyes look like refined pure gold. My mother once met the young master and was so shocked that she dropped her fan and froze!”
The enthusiastic praise from one young lady made everyone burst into laughter.
Yes, everything was correct.
While those who had never seen Darius in person were letting their imagination run wild, I nodded in strong agreement.
I felt proud. It was like discovering a future world superstar during his trainee period.
“However, I heard his marriage partner hasn’t been decided yet.”
When another young lady lowered her voice and whispered, everyone’s expectations became heated.
“Then maybe… one of us…?”
“No way! We haven’t even had our debutante ceremony yet. Besides, do you think someone like him would even look at girls like us?”
“Who knows? He is still a military academy student. Maybe in a few years, there might be a chance for us.”
Once again, the shrill excitement of teenage girls shook the backyard.
In the gap, I felt a sense of superiority knowing Darius’s future partner.
Sorry, girls, but that amazing man will fall in forbidden love with a mere maid.
At that moment, Lady Kien suddenly turned her head toward me and changed the topic.
“I heard Lady Ries’s older brother, Sir Simon, also attends the Royal Landerst Military Academy. And I heard he is the top student of his year.”
She glanced at the place where my brother had stood earlier. Her cheeks were slightly reddish like her hair.
“…That’s correct.”
I answered briefly since I wasn’t interested in the topic.
“Oh my! That’s amazing.”
“He was tall and very handsome even though today was our first meeting.”
The two girls sitting opposite me leaned forward with excited faces.
“Yes, I talked with him earlier. He was very gentlemanly and manly.”
“Right. He was very polite even to us younger girls. After graduating from the academy, will he join the royal army later?”
“Well, probably.”
I answered while recalling the content of <Golden Oath>.
“Having such a wonderful older brother must be very reassuring, Lady Ries.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
There was no point in criticizing my brother here, so I just agreed casually.
Darius praise was pleasant to hear, but when the subject shifted to my blood relative, I felt slightly uncomfortable.
“Does Sir Simon also have no fiancée yet?”
“Yes.”
The eldest-looking young lady asked a very direct question with shining eyes, and the atmosphere suddenly changed after my indifferent answer.
From then on, the young ladies asked me many things with bright eyes or tried to flatter me.
“Now that I think about it, isn’t it rare for the Brant county family to send invitations? I am deeply honored to receive it.”
“That’s right. To think the young lady of such a splendid family had been hiding until now! Lady Ries, let’s keep in touch often.”
“We were somewhat distant before, weren’t we? Let’s become closer from now on.”
Even Lady Kien spoke in a cute, friendly tone.
“Next time, I will invite you to our house. This year, we hired a retired royal palace chef.”
The bribery campaign that followed made my lips twitch.
Ah. Now I understand why they came to my birthday party even though they barely knew me.
They were more interested in our family and especially in Simon, who would become the heir of the family.
Since they knew my brother had no engagement partner yet, their attitude changed to be excessively friendly.
Compared to the Duchess position, which was like climbing an impossible tree, the Countess position was more realistic.
Even though I knew that social circles and networks were originally like this, feeling it directly made me a little empty.
Was it because my expectation of making a friend who matched my personality was shattered?
Or was it because it was sad that young girls were already calculating practical benefits?
Even though being welcomed as a noble child with a good family background was good, I couldn’t fully enjoy it.
When I played with Kyle, I felt like I had returned to a childish child who knew nothing.
Even though we only fought by competing with each other, at least my heart was at ease.
After becoming close, I didn’t have to wear the mask of a polite noble girl like this.
I shook my head slightly to push Kyle’s memory away.
“Thank you, everyone. Let’s get along well from now on.”
I smiled and met their expectations.
Yes, social life and human relationships are always like this.
Give and take. Swallow the sweet and spit out the bitter. What else could I expect?
While talking about such bland things, Millie approached me as if trying to tell me something.
I raised my eyebrows and put my ear closer.
Then an unexpected name came out of Millie’s mouth.
“Miss, there is a guest. Young Master Darius is here…”
……What?
“Really?!”
My voice cracked because of the name I heard in her whisper.
“Yes. We guided him to the inner reception room first…”
Millie’s eyes moved quickly left and right.
It meant it might not be appropriate to call him here.
Everyone stopped talking and looked at me.
I stood up and cleared my throat.
“I have some business, so I will go inside the house for a moment. Please enjoy yourselves even without me.”
When the birthday girl declared escape, everyone exchanged confused looks.
But like young ladies who learned etiquette, they quickly removed their disturbance and told me to go and come back.
Turning around, I entered the mansion.
From a slightly distant position, my father watched me and grabbed me in confusion.
“Ries, what about the party?”
“Big brother Darius is here! I’ll go for a moment!”
I informed him quickly like a rapid-fire gun and ran toward the reception room.
My favorite character came to my birthday party. How could such a thing happen?
My pulse quickened in this unreal situation, and my steps became faster.
I opened the reception room door and found Darius sitting inside.
“D-Darius! …Brother.”
I barely controlled my stunned emotions and added “brother” to the address.
The favorite character I hadn’t seen for about two months smiled brightly when he saw me.
Ahhhh. That long-lost smile is attacking my heart.
“Are you okay, Lady Ries? You could have come slowly.”
Thinking I was out of breath from running, Darius stood up from the sofa and walked toward me apologetically.
He was too dazzling to look at properly.
He seems even more beautiful after only two months. Did he grow taller? His body looks more solid too…
“Wh-what brings you here…?”
“What do you mean? I forced myself to show my face to personally celebrate your birthday.”
I felt strong displeasure from the voice coming from beside me.
Turning my head, I saw my annoying older brother sitting cross-legged on the opposite sofa where Darius had been, drinking tea.
Because Darius was the only clear figure, I didn’t notice his background.
Why are you sitting here? I want to talk with him alone.
While I was glaring at the intruder in frustration, a warm feeling touched my finger joints.
Turning my body forward, Darius was holding my hand as if escorting me.
“It’s been a long time. How have you been?”
His singing-like soft voice fell into my ear.
I bit my lower lip tightly to avoid screaming and nodded violently.
Darius smiled lightly and led me toward the sofa in the reception room.
‘…I feel like I’m going to die from happiness.’
