TCBCVF 51

~Chapter 51~

The party ended successfully.

The Ansi family’s ballroom stayed lit until late at night.

By the way, the Duke returned to the hotel before the party ended.

“You could stay at our mansion, Your Grace.”

“No. Eva is already causing enough trouble here.”

He said this while glaring sharply at the princess.

“Humph.”

The princess stuck out her tongue and hid behind me.

“Anyway, since things turned out this way, please take care of Eva just for today.”

The Duke’s cold gaze was still fixed on the princess.

“I’ll come pick her up tomorrow.”

“Ugh.”

The princess, who was suddenly forced to leave with the Duke the next day, looked up at me with teary eyes.

“Well, Lady Ansi, you haven’t been home in a while. You should spend a few days with your parents.”

Then she tried to act as if she wasn’t upset.

“I’m not that heartless, you know.”

Her slender, pretty hand crept up and held mine gently.

“But don’t stay too long. I’ll be lonely. Okay?”

“Of course.”

I smiled softly at her.

After sending off all the guests one by one, I finally returned to my room.

“Lady Ansi, you’re late!”

The princess, already in pajamas, looked up at me.

She was probably opening the gift her brother had given her.

The bed was covered with ribbons and wrapping paper.

“Wow, that’s pretty.”

I opened my eyes wide.

The turquoise bracelet sparkled under the light.

“This time my brother actually put in some thought. But…”

She looked at me suddenly.

“What’s that?”

“Oh, this? The Duke gave it to me as a gift.”

I carefully showed her the small gift box I was holding.

“He said he bought it while buying your gift.”

Feeling my face grow warm, I fiddled with the edge of the box.

“I’m really grateful, but I don’t know how to return the favor…”

“Oh?”

The princess’s eyes sparkled.

“My brother gave you a gift?”

“Yes, but…”

“Wow, that insensitive man, what’s going on with him?”

She scooted closer to me.

“As his sister, I hate to admit it, but my brother has zero sense.”

“R-Really?”

“Of course! The only reason he brings me gifts when he travels is because I nagged him into it. He’d never buy anything on his own. But~”

She grinned slyly at me.

“Looks like he bought something for you all by himself, huh~?”

“That’s just because I’m your friend, right?”

“Well, maybe, but…”

She shrugged.

“At the very least, my brother clearly likes you.”

“Eh, that can’t be true.”

I tried to laugh it off, but the princess suddenly looked serious.

“I’m telling the truth. If not, even if I had sent him letters, he wouldn’t have bothered coming to the party…”

She quickly shut her mouth, realizing she said too much.

But my sharp gaze was already focused on her.

“Princess, did you send more letters to the Duke behind my back?”

On the day she publicly announced the Ansi family’s party to Seraphina and the other ladies, I had caught her sending a letter to the Duke.

“Princess, you know how busy the Duke is.”

“He’s probably finished with work by now, anyway.”

“Still, you shouldn’t.”

Although she had pouted, she eventually promised me she wouldn’t send another letter.

But…

“Did the princess ask the Duke to attend our party?”

The Duke’s tired expression at the time…

“Well… I can’t exactly deny it.”

And that weary voice!

“Even if Eva begged, I wouldn’t attend a party I didn’t want to.
I came because I wanted to.”

Of course, he had added that kindly, but…

Now the flustered princess only moved her lips.

“Uh? No, I mean!”

“I told you not to send any more letters, didn’t I? But you still…”

Before I could start nagging, the princess dove under the blanket.

“I-I’m sleepy! I’m going to bed now! You should wash up and sleep too!”

She shut her eyes tight and pretended to sleep.

‘Sigh.’

I let out a long breath.

Really, being cute was a powerful thing.

Even though she was obviously saying “I don’t want to be scolded!” with her whole body, I still found her lovable.

“I’ll go wash up. Good night.”

I shook my head and stood up.

Click.

The sound of the door closing was heard.

‘…Lady Ansi is gone, right?’

Evangeline peeked out from under the blanket and looked around.

Then she spotted the gift box Larit had left on the table.

She crawled out of bed and peeked inside.

A pair of soft pink earrings caught her eye.

‘These don’t look like something chosen carelessly.’

The delicate craftsmanship and the color matching Larit’s eyes perfectly…

It was clear he had chosen them carefully.

‘Even if Lady Ansi is close to me, would he really go this far?’

Her blue eyes narrowed with suspicion.

I returned to the bedroom later.

‘The princess… oh, she’s asleep.’

She was sprawled out on the bed, sleeping soundly.

I gently arranged the golden hair scattered on the pillow and tucked the blanket over her shoulders.

Then I turned my gaze.

The rose quartz earrings shimmered under the moonlight streaming through the window.

‘I really owe the Duke a lot today.’

He had attended our family’s party on purpose, put Count Gusto in his place, given me the first dance, and treated my parents with respect in front of everyone.

And…

‘If it weren’t for the Duke… I might have been stuck with Gregory much longer.’

The Duke’s words echoed in my ears.

“Enduring others’ rudeness isn’t always the answer.
At the very least, make sure people know they can’t treat you poorly.”

“You’re not someone who deserves that.”

That firm voice…

I let out a bitter smile.

‘I’m jealous, Seraphina.’

In the past, I didn’t even dare feel jealousy toward her.

I only looked up to her, thinking she was someone I could never compare to.

But now, things were different.

I was determined not to be swayed by her anymore, and I was working hard to change.

Even so…

‘There are still people I can never reach.’

The Duke, along with the princess, was the first person to acknowledge my abilities.

But thinking about how he would someday fall in love with Seraphina…

‘Enough. I should stop thinking about it.’

I collapsed onto the bed.

Next to the peacefully sleeping princess, I tried hard to fall asleep too.

But it was strange.

Even though my body was exhausted from the party all day…

…I just couldn’t fall asleep.