STLECM 31

CHAPTER 31

Etisha didn’t give up. She kept thinking hard, determined to find the perfect gift for Kaiyen. Just then, a knock came at the bedroom door. Marin had returned.

“Come in.”

“Lady Etisha, the head maid said she’ll personally accompany you.”

Next to Marin stood Head Maid Gerta. Gerta bowed politely.

“I’m Head Maid Gerta. I hear you’re going out today. I’ll accompany you.”

“Oh, yes. I was planning to browse around the shopping district.”

“Then you’ll need a few knights to escort you. I’ll make sure everything is properly prepared.”

The head maid and now even escort knights…

Things seemed to be getting a bit more serious than she expected, but Etisha figured this must be what life as the Duchess of Wintel was like.

Outside, a carriage and four knights stood ready to accompany them. It was only a short outing, but she had four guards.

Etisha boarded the carriage with Head Maid Gerta and Maid Marin, heading out of Wintel Castle. After crossing the drawbridge and heading down the road, a village and shopping district came into view.

“Even from afar, the buildings look clean. And the roads are well maintained too.”

“That’s thanks to Duke Kaiyen’s yearly orders for regular maintenance. Public property is repaired free of charge, and private property is partially subsidized in cases of aging or natural disaster. During the snowy season, snow is cleared regularly to prevent icy roads.”

“Is that so…?”

Etisha was impressed. At first, she hadn’t realized it, but from the way Gerta spoke, the northern roads seemed even better managed than the capital.

‘The environment here is much harsher, yet it’s managed so much more efficiently.’

During the carriage ride, Gerta explained a lot about Duke Kaiyen’s rule over his territory. Etisha listened attentively, deeply moved.

But suddenly, the carriage came to a stop in the middle of the road.

“…!”

The horses neighed loudly in panic.

“What’s happening?”

“I’ll go check.”

Gerta opened the carriage door. Outside, the knights were facing off against a lone man.

Silver hair. Red eyes. A stunningly handsome man, like something out of a poet’s song.

“You dare block a carriage bearing the Wintel crest?!”

“Move at once!”

The knights confronted the silver-haired man aggressively, their hands near their swords, fully ready to use force.

“Oh dear, you’d think I was an assassin or something. Relax, I just happened to pass by and thought I’d say hello.”

The silver-haired man casually brushed the knights’ shoulders. Immediately, they tried to subdue him.

“Step back. You won’t be warned again.”

“Haha, how troublesome.”

The silver-haired man smiled charmingly. Despite claiming he was troubled, his gaze wasn’t on the knights or their swords.

His crimson eyes were locked on someone deep inside the open carriage—Etisha.

“I really only wanted to say hello…”

His voice dropped low. Something about it felt unsettling.

Etisha stepped out of the carriage, holding the knights back.

“Wait. Everyone, stop.”

At her word, the knights halted, though they continued watching the man warily.

Etisha looked toward Gerta, needing confirmation.

Gerta studied the silver-haired man’s face closely, then nodded and whispered,

“Yes. Without a doubt. That is Marquis Hexion.”

Marquis Hexion?

What was a marquis doing out here in the middle of the road?

And his outfit was far from noble—plain clothes and a black cloak.

‘Without guards and dressed like that, no wonder the knights didn’t recognize him.’

Etisha stepped forward and greeted him.

“Marquis Hexion. What a surprise to see you here. I’m Baroness Etisha El.”

“Ah, I had a feeling. I thought it might be you, Baroness Etisha.”

“…Pardon?”

“There are only three people who could ride in a Wintel-crest carriage—Duke Kaiyen, Lady Cyrilége, and Baroness Etisha. With odds like that, it was worth jumping in.”

What?

So he wasn’t even sure it was her when he jumped in front of a moving carriage? He could’ve been trampled!

Etisha couldn’t hide her bewilderment.

“What are you saying?”

“It’s nothing important. Now that I’ve confirmed it’s you in the carriage, that’s enough.”

“…?”

“I just wanted to see you.”

“…??”

“Don’t you remember me?”

At this point, Etisha had no idea what was going on.

Marquis Hexion appeared out of nowhere, dressed like a commoner, without guards, and now saying he missed her?

‘Wait… is he talking about the tea party?’

Come to think of it, Marquis Hexion had invited her to a tea party, and she declined.

‘So when he said he wanted to see me, he meant at the tea party. And when he asked if I remembered, he meant the invitation.’

Etisha lowered her brows slightly, finally understanding—or so she thought.

“You’re talking about the recent tea party, right? I’m sorry I couldn’t attend. I’m still not familiar with the North.”

She offered the most appropriate response.

But Etisha overlooked one important thing—would someone really risk jumping in front of a moving carriage just because of a declined tea invitation?

Hexion stared at her intensely, as if trying to bore a hole through her face.

“……”

He kept his gaze locked on her clear blue eyes. He read every emotion within them.

Surprise. Confusion. Discomfort.

“…I see.”

“Marquis?”

“So that’s how it is.”

Marquis Hexion shook his head with a hint of disappointment.

“That’s a shame. You’ve forgotten me.”

“Pardon…? Have we met before?”

“No. We’re nothing to each other.”

He pulled his hood up, covering his face. Etisha blinked in confusion.

“Um… Are you sure you’re not mistaking me for someone else? This is the first time we’ve met…”

“Yes, perhaps I am mistaken.”

“Are you angry, Marquis?”

“Not at all. My apologies for suddenly jumping in front of your carriage, Baroness Etisha.”

“…?”

“Well then, someone’s eagerly waiting for me, so I’ll be off.”

Just as abruptly as he appeared, Marquis Hexion disappeared.

Etisha stood frozen, unable to make sense of what had just happened.

“…Lady Etisha, are you acquainted with Marquis Hexion?”

Gerta asked, and Etisha shook her head, bewildered.

“No. This was my first time meeting him. We’ve never spoken before.”

“That was… odd.”

“Very odd…”

Etisha stared at the spot where he’d stood, then got back into the carriage.

‘Hexion… Marquis Hexion…’

Did she really know him? She racked her brain trying to remember. But no matter how hard she tried, nothing came.

‘If I’d met someone so striking, I wouldn’t have forgotten.’

That silver hair that almost glowed, those ruby-red eyes. A stunning man you couldn’t look away from…

As the carriage continued toward the shopping district, Etisha found her mind stuck on Marquis Hexion.

By the time they arrived at the salon street, she suddenly snapped out of it.

‘Wait, why have I been thinking about him this whole time?’

Today was Kaiyen’s birthday, yet her mind had been completely distracted by Marquis Hexion.

‘We barely exchanged a few words. He just passed by. So why…?’

Etisha took a deep breath, feeling dizzy from the shock.

‘Wow. That was intense.’

Marquis Hexion.

Rumored to be a dangerous man who enjoyed toying with women—Etisha had nearly fallen for it.

‘That was seriously risky. I almost got completely fooled.’

All the women who got involved with him supposedly ruined their lives. Now, that warning made sense.

A few strange words. A bold stunt. And suddenly, she was questioning if they had a hidden connection.

‘I’m glad I figured it out in time. If Duke Kaiyen hadn’t warned me, I’d never have realized. I’ll be more careful from now on.’

Etisha resolved to keep her distance from Marquis Hexion—and never believe a word he said.

‘Now then… What should I get the Duke for his birthday?’

Snapping out of that mental spiral, Etisha continued shopping with Gerta and Marin, visiting several salons in search of the perfect gift for Kaiyen.

It took a long time to find something just right, but in the end, the effort was worth it.

The Tower of Stars.

Inside, Dité paced nervously, clearly anxious.

The moment she heard footsteps outside the door, she bolted out.

“What took you so long? I’ve been waiting forever!”

A man in a black cloak silently entered the tower. It was Marquis Hexion.

“You were waiting? Sounds like you missed me.”

“As if! Just look at this. Countess Montmad sent me a real gift!”

Early that morning, a gift had arrived for Dité. She was eager to show it off.

She brought out a large box, already opened—clearly she’d peeked before he arrived.

“Here. Look at this. Isn’t it gorgeous? It’s a dress!”

Hexion looked at the dress Dité held and couldn’t suppress a laugh. He recognized the design.

“Yes, a dress indeed.”

A bright red gown with rosebud-shaped sleeves.

It closely resembled the dress Hexion had once given Lady Montmad at a tea party.

It wasn’t exactly the same—it had a few alterations—but still unmistakably rose-inspired.

‘My, my… the lady really does go overboard sometimes.’

This dress wasn’t just a gift for Dité—it was a message for Hexion.

But he didn’t say that. Instead, he simply complimented Dité.