Chapter 53
No one paid attention to Alicia. Calypso and Catherine sighed quietly, as if they had expected this all along.
“Now then, allow me to introduce today’s star.”
Ignoring Alicia completely, Serena spoke daintily and led the group to the center of the banquet hall. Alicia trudged behind them with slumped shoulders.
“Soyer.”
Finally! Catherine’s face lit up uncontrollably. Her heart felt like it was about to burst. This was the first time she’d be formally introduced to the young lord.
Soyer, who had been chatting with people his age, turned around at Serena’s call. He had ash-gray hair like his mother’s and golden eyes that sparkled like sunlight.
“Mother.”
“Come greet our guests from House Erenst.”
“Hello, I’m Soyer de Aiberg. Your Grace, Your Highness.”
Soyer smiled brightly and bowed politely. As soon as she saw his face, Catherine blushed.
Aicelle glanced up and peeked at his face.
He looked like someone straight out of a romance novel. With gentle eyes and a soft smile that could melt any woman’s heart—it was no wonder Catherine was so obsessed with him.
Catherine tugged slightly on Diana’s dress hem, as if urging her to introduce her first.
Diana let out a small laugh and brought her two daughters forward. Catherine raised her chin slightly, assuming she’d be introduced first.
But instead, Diana wrapped an arm around Aicelle’s shoulder.
“We should start with the eldest daughter.”
Then she glanced at Catherine and added,
“Isn’t it curious?”
She gently stroked Aicelle’s platinum-blonde hair and said softly,
“My adopted daughter Aicelle and Catherine share the same birthday.”
What? Catherine involuntarily frowned and twitched her shoulders.
It was true. Her birthday wasn’t real. Technically, Aicelle’s birth date was the correct one. Catherine had been born first, but her mother had swapped the two after Aicelle was born later.
Only she and Alicia knew the truth.
Coincidence? No, it had to be.
She forced a strained smile, unaware of the rising flush in her face.
“But since Aicelle was born a bit earlier, she’s officially the eldest daughter of House Erenst now.”
Diana observed Catherine’s changing expression with amusement, deliberately exaggerating.
Aicelle saw Catherine’s lips twitch and let out a small chuckle. With a bright smile, she stepped forward.
“I’m Aicelle de Erenst, eldest daughter of House Erenst. Happy birthday.”
Catherine let out a dry laugh. Since when was she not the eldest?
But Aicelle didn’t back down. She smiled radiantly at Soyer.
“Pleasure to meet you, my lord.”
‘Is she seriously trying to flirt with him?’ Catherine pursed her lips, waiting for her turn.
“This is my second daughter, Catherine. Go on, Catherine.”
“I’m Catherine de Erenst. I’ve heard much about your fame, my lord.”
Catherine spoke shyly, unable to even look Soyer in the face.
“Oh my, both young ladies are simply delightful.”
Serena seemed quite pleased with Catherine and Aicelle’s greetings. She smiled warmly at them.
“Then Soyer, would you kindly show the ladies around the estate?”
It was an obvious setup. From Serena’s point of view, Aicelle or Catherine—it didn’t matter. Both were backed by the powerful Pèreshet Marquisate.
And above all, Serena deeply trusted Diana. She believed that truly kind people like Diana were rare in the world.
Of course, she had no idea what Diana had gone through, or how she had changed.
“Yes, Mother.”
Though slightly surprised by the suggestion, Soyer quickly agreed.
“Please follow me, ladies.”
Aicelle and Catherine followed Soyer.
Once they left the crowded banquet hall, Catherine glanced at Aicelle and said,
“Sister, didn’t you say you prefer quiet places?”
Was she trying to play a trick? Aicelle narrowed her eyes. It was obvious Catherine wanted alone time with Soyer.
But if Aicelle were someone to let that happen quietly, she wouldn’t have ended up as the Duke’s adopted daughter.
“Hmm?”
As Soyer was about to lead them to the terrace, his gaze landed on Aicelle.
She blinked rapidly and lowered her lashes sadly as if embarrassed.
Then she whispered just loud enough for Soyer to hear,
“…I wanted to see the terrace too…”
Aicelle gave a melancholy smile and raised her head.
“But no, I shouldn’t impose as the adopted daughter. Go ahead, Catherine. I’ll look around alone.”
“Well thought, sister.”
Catherine, not catching on, smirked in excitement at the thought of time alone with Soyer.
‘Ugh, Catherine!’
‘What?’
‘You idiot. Look at his face.’
Catherine realized she had messed up again.
Soyer’s eyes were now filled with sympathy for Aicelle.
“How did you become an adopted daughter, my lady?”
He approached Aicelle with a soft gaze.
“As the granddaughter of the Marquis of Pèreshet, surely you didn’t need to join House Erenst.”
“…Grandfather gave me plenty of love, but I still wanted to experience a mother and father’s love too.”
Tears welled in Aicelle’s lashes like glass beads. Soyer fumbled in his coat and pulled out a white handkerchief with the Aiberg crest.
“I’m sorry for asking something I shouldn’t have…”
In the Edith Empire, offering a handkerchief was symbolic—usually exchanged only between lovers.
But Soyer had no time to think of that. He had touched a fragile part of her past with careless curiosity.
“It’s fine, my lord. I hear it often.”
Catherine’s jaw dropped. Aicelle dabbed at her tears with the handkerchief, and Soyer looked at her with concern—like they were lovers already.
Catherine felt invisible.
She clenched her fists, then cleared her throat.
Only then did Soyer glance at her.
“Oh—my apologies. Shall we continue? I think it’d be best for both of you ladies to come along.”
“…Sure. I just…”
Soyer seemed to misunderstand her. Well, technically, it wasn’t a misunderstanding—it was the truth.
Catherine tried to explain, but Soyer had already turned away.
She glared daggers at the back of Aicelle’s head.
Just then, a maid rushed up and called for her.
“Lady Catherine of Erenst!”
“What is it?”
“Her Highness the Duchess urgently requests your presence.”
“…Now?”
Catherine looked at Aicelle and Soyer ahead of her. They didn’t even notice her, already chatting closely.
“She said it’s extremely urgent and wants you in the hall right away…”
“…Understood.”
Catherine’s face showed clear regret. But she couldn’t refuse Diana’s call. A single misstep could cost her everything. This wasn’t the time to test Diana’s patience.
“…I’ll go greet my mother and return.”
“Yes. Take care.”
Soyer replied with a blank face and turned back to Aicelle.
“Um… My lord.”
“Yes?”
“Please don’t misunderstand. A lot happened between Catherine and me since coming here, but she’s still my sister.”
“A lot happened?”
Aicelle glanced at Catherine fading into the distance and sighed.
“I can’t say much, but…”
The old story of the rolling stone and the embedded one—it was obvious enough without explaining.
Soyer nodded.
“I have a sister too.”
“You do?”
This was news to Aicelle. She widened her eyes.
“My father was widowed and later remarried. My sister is from his first marriage.”
So her mother had known all along. Now Aicelle understood why Diana mentioned marriage even before meeting Soyer.
Diana had been certain.
People are drawn to those who share their pain. It makes them let down their guard.
And just as Aicelle reached that thought, Soyer spoke.
“For some reason, I feel a sense of kinship with you, my lady.”
He smiled wryly and lowered his gaze, then added in a shy tone,
“If it isn’t rude… may I call you by your name?”
His golden eyes, bright like the sun, dazzled her. He truly looked like a classic beautiful boy.
Aicelle hesitated. Soyer scratched his head awkwardly.
His smile felt like sunlight breaking through the clouds. Aicelle smiled faintly too. Who could dislike such beauty?
Though she didn’t know much about him yet, he seemed kind, gentle, and shared a bond with her.
If Aicelle were just an ordinary girl, she might have fallen for him like Catherine had.
But she didn’t feel anything for him.
“Of course.”
She smiled brightly and added a suggestion.
“Then, may I call you by your name as well, my lord?”
There was only one reason she allowed Soyer to call her by name.
Because Catherine liked him.
If it was a man Catherine liked, she wanted to take him. Just like Catherine took her place, her mother, and her father.
“Of course, Aicelle.”
Soyer answered cheerfully with a smile as refreshing as a green apple.
Sorry, Soyer. If you’re useful, I’ll use you as much as I need.
“I’m glad I’ve made such a good friend like you, Soyer.”
Aicelle coyly covered her lips and let out a gentle laugh. Soyer smiled softly in return.
He had no idea the innocent-looking new friend standing beside him was already planning to use him.
