Chapter 58
“By any chance… have we met before?”
“Pardon?”
“I mean, it’s strange. We haven’t known each other long, and our first meeting wasn’t exactly pleasant… but you’ve been so kind to me.”
“No, we’ve never met before.”
“Really?”
“It’s because you’re a good person, Lady Sienna.”
He smiled softly as he said it.
Under the blazing sunlight, his silvery hair shone even more brilliantly than gold, and his faintly flushed face made him look bashfully adorable.
What is this? Such a pure and refreshing reaction… How cute.
And that was exactly the problem.
It was… how should I put it… a guilty feeling, like dipping your feet into a crystal-clear stream you shouldn’t disturb.
Trying to seduce such an untainted man felt like something that might invite divine punishment.
“Hyperion, you’re the better person here. Much more than me.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Animals can sense it, you know. In fact, Leonardo is normally very wary of strangers. I had a hard time with him myself. But with you, he rolled over and showed his belly from the start.”
Hyperion blushed again in embarrassment.
Sigh. If he keeps making faces like that, I’m in trouble.
I was supposed to be actively raising his favorability, but my conscience kept pricking me like a needle.
“Would you invite me along next time you take a walk?”
“I’d love to, but wouldn’t it be a hassle for you?”
“To be honest… I have a terrible sense of direction. I couldn’t even find the places you mentioned without help.”
Hyperion rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed.
“I thought that if we walked together, I’d naturally learn the way.”
“Oh, I see. Then let’s do that. I’d be happy to.”
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
“See you next time.”
I stepped inside the gate, but the leash went taut, yanking me back.
Leonardo was sitting squarely in front of Hyperion, refusing to move.
“Leonardo, time to say bye-bye to Hyperion.”
“……”
“Be good, Leonardo. Listen, okay?”
But Leonardo didn’t budge, as if my words meant nothing.
Well, well. Have you fallen for him or what?
I gave the leash a gentle tug, but he didn’t even glance my way.
So you don’t want to part with him that badly? Honestly… neither do I.
Well, this worked in my favor.
I’d been worried about leaving Hyperion alone too much anyway, so I decided to use Leonardo as an excuse to make progress.
“Hyperion, sorry, but could you help me out?”
“Of course.”
Hyperion scooped Leonardo up with ease.
I was surprised—Leonardo was on the lean side, but still quite a big dog.
“You’re strong. Leonardo’s pretty heavy.”
“I handle a sword. This much is nothing.”
Hyperion seemed a bit hurt by my comment, so I quickly waved my hands in apology.
Leon was right—his swordsmanship was unique and impressive, but because of his gentle looks, I often forgot how skilled he really was.
“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
Hyperion started walking ahead.
Following him, I noticed Leonardo glancing back at me.
The dog had nestled completely into Hyperion’s arms, resting his head on his shoulder.
Leon will be jealous if he sees this.
And honestly, so was I.
Leonardo had never acted that affectionate toward me—how could I not feel a little hurt?
After washing Leonardo’s paws, I handed Hyperion a cool drink as he sat at the table.
Though it wasn’t his first time in my house, he kept glancing curiously around.
“It’s messier than last time, isn’t it? Well, with one more member in the household, that’s inevitable.”
“Not at all.”
In truth, Leonardo’s belongings had multiplied noticeably.
I had bought some, and Leon had brought others.
Several large cushions just right for Leonardo to lounge on, a variety of toys, chew blankets—the living room floor was practically covered.
Slurp, slurp, slurp.
Leonardo drained almost an entire bowl of water before lazily flopping down beside Hyperion.
“How’s work? Keeping busy?”
“Yes. It’s gotten much busier lately.”
“Oh dear. Being busy isn’t always a good thing, is it?”
“In my case… no, it isn’t.”
Hyperion’s expression grew serious—then suddenly, he looked up to meet my gaze.
“Have you… noticed anything strange?”
“Strange?”
“Like, for example…”
It happened right then—the prickling, spine-tingling sensation on the back of my neck.
This time, it was close.
The fine hairs on my body stood on end, and a shiver ran from the crown of my head down my spine.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Both of us—and Leonardo—turned our heads in unison toward the same spot.
In broad daylight, I could see it clearly this time—
Something small, black, and softly billowing in one corner of the living room.
“Lady Sienna, what’s wrong?”
“What?”
I was sure he had looked at it too, but Hyperion’s voice was as if he’d seen nothing at all.
Staring blankly between him and the living room, I forced a laugh.
If I said I was seeing something no one else could, he’d think I was strange.
“Oh, nothing. Maybe it was a bug? I hope not.”
Turning back to Hyperion, I noticed Leonardo yawning widely as if nothing had happened before resting his head on the floor.
“Would you like some more?”
“Yes, please.”
Taking his empty glass, I stood up—
And glanced quickly toward the living room.
But there was nothing there, as if I’d imagined it all.
“Do you understand, Sienna?”
“Yes, I understand.”
My halfhearted reply clearly displeased the count, but when the countess tugged his arm, he swallowed his irritation.
From the moment we’d gotten into the carriage, he had been lecturing me.
I’d tried to let it wash over me, but in the cramped space, there was nowhere to escape, so I had no choice but to hear it all.
He had said many things, but it all boiled down to one point—
Behave yourself as a future member of the imperial family.
No more outbursts or mischief like before.
I guess I’ll just keep my head down today.
I wore a light lavender dress according to the dress code.
The count and countess were in green—
The count in a green shirt with an ivory suit, the countess in a green dress with white silk draped at the front, adorned with a large emerald necklace.
I’d never seen that necklace before—no doubt she’d bought it just for today.
She did have a weakness for big, flashy jewels.
“It’s a pity Prince Aiden is in poor health. It would have been nice to make an entrance together—it’s good for appearances.”
“Well, nothing to be done. Best to let go of such expectations. Who knows when he’ll recover.”
I glanced at the count, and he cleared his throat to cover himself.
As I thought—he didn’t believe Aiden would ever become emperor.
In other words, despite marrying me off to him, he was firmly on the empress’s side.
“We’re here.”
At my mother’s words, I straightened up from my seat by the window.
Before stepping into the banquet hall, I took a deep breath.
I could already picture the scenes that would unfold inside, but there was no running away.
“Let’s go in.”
Since I was engaged, I couldn’t bring anyone other than my family as a partner, so I entered with my parents.
The banquet, hosted by Count Cherat, was being held in the garden rather than the mansion.
As we passed under an ivy-covered archway, guests’ names were announced loudly.
The moment the Hargreaves name was called, the nobles’ attention sharpened like knives.
“They’re finally here.”
“I heard she was kicked out of the count’s house, but she looks healthier than ever.”
“Well, of course. She’s set to become the crown princess. Bold of her, and apparently she accepted without hesitation.”
Hah. I’d expected it, but their gazes were even sharper than I’d imagined.
Cold eyes, mocking smiles, twisted lips, and murmuring mouths.
No matter how prepared I was, facing it directly made me want to run away.
Should I just brazen it out like before?
For a moment, I almost missed the reckless courage the “old Sienna” had.
Back when the game had gone haywire and treated me like a puppet, it would have been easy to act without hesitation.
“Sienna, we’re going to greet some people. Stay put.”
“And don’t you dare lose your temper. Remember—you’re soon to be royalty. Understand?”
After one last reminder, the count and countess left my side.
Alone now, I felt the stares grow even more blatant.
Even though my engagement to Aiden hadn’t been officially announced, everyone knew—
Yet no one approached to greet me.
They all kept their distance, sneaking glances while making no effort to hide their disdain.
It felt like standing alone in an isolated world—uncomfortable and frankly infuriating.
“Lady Sienna.”
The first person to speak to me was Lily.
