Chapter 92
An Unexpected Kindness
“Widro, why are you here?”
“It’s been a while. Have you been well, Sienna?”
The Empress, bristling with irritation, demanded sharply, but Widro ignored her and walked straight toward me.
Over his black shirt, he wore a soft brown suit that carried the mood of autumn. Unlike usual, his aura was oddly calm.
Even the smile he directed at me.
“……Hello. Yes, I’ve been well, thanks to you.”
I thought he was supposed to be in seclusion. Why had he appeared?
Judging from the Empress biting her lip to keep from lashing out, it was clear he hadn’t received permission to be here.
“I heard you wouldn’t be attending today.”
“How could I not come, when I knew you would be here?”
It was our first meeting since he’d thrown me into such trouble, and yet he greeted me as though we were long-lost friends.
So brazen and casual—it made me want to slap that smug face.
“I was so bored, locked up in my chambers all the time. Don’t I look miserable?”
His skin was radiant, his face perfectly clear—he looked as though he’d enjoyed himself quite well.
With the Empress watching, I couldn’t be sharp with him, so I forced a doll-like smile.
Widro stared intently, then leaned in close.
“Your complexion is good. I suppose you’ve been well? How unfortunate for me.”
“Widro!”
The Empress raised her voice but quickly fell silent.
Apparently, she had no desire to scold him in front of me.
“I thought you weren’t feeling well. Shouldn’t you be resting longer?”
“I’m fine now. I didn’t want to remain an unfilial son who keeps worrying my mother, so I forced myself to recover.”
Then he boldly stepped between the Empress and me, edging me aside.
When I looked up at him, he didn’t even glance at his mother—he just gave me a grin.
“It’s been terribly dull. No friends, and you weren’t there either.”
“Why didn’t you call for Lili? You seemed close to her.”
“Ah. Well, she’s…….”
He frowned faintly, then shrugged.
“She’s not boring, but I wouldn’t want her too close.”
“I don’t know why you think that, but please don’t say such things. I’ve only got one life, after all.”
“You joke so well.”
Widro burst into hearty laughter.
The Empress shot him a glare, then turned that same displeasure on me.
But if she was annoyed, I was no less so.
How on earth can I get this bastard away from me?
Should I ask Leon to break all his legs?
Such thoughts flitted through my mind as I forced a smile.
“Since you’re here, behave properly, Widro.”
“Don’t worry, Mother. You know I’m well-behaved as long as no one provokes me.”
There was a sharp barb hidden in his words—too pointed to dismiss lightly.
It seemed even the Empress struggled to rein in her unruly son, which only made me more uneasy.
Based on past experience, I knew that simply humoring him would not protect me from his “games.”
“All right. I understand. Just act like a proper prince. Ah, it’s time.”
With a picture-perfect smile, the Empress turned to the entrance. I straightened like a doll, nerves tightening.
Guests were beginning to enter one by one.
The banquet turned out to be more bearable than I’d feared.
Course after course of beautifully prepared dishes was served. Though delicious, I barely touched them, and my stomach still felt heavy.
I want to eat Leon’s cooking.
It was only natural that I missed it—his food always comforted me.
“At least your training seems to have paid off. Your manners don’t offend the eye.”
“They must have drilled it into her. Think how much money Count Hargreaves must’ve spent.”
While I idly pushed around my salad, a whisper slid into my ear—perfectly clear.
Of course. I’d thought it suspiciously quiet today.
Still, that level of gossip was hardly wounding. If anything, it amused me.
Especially since they’d admitted that I wasn’t offensive to watch.
I have Demian to thank for that.
It was his presence that had pushed me to drill etiquette until it became second nature.
I doubted even he foresaw that it would shine here.
Now that I think of it, he’s been acting strange today.
I glanced at Demian. He was quietly eating, responding only minimally when the Empress or even Lili, seated at his left, spoke to him.
He still seems very upset.
Ever since he’d entered and found the Empress, Widro, and me together, he had been like this—openly displeased.
Normally, Demian hid his feelings well. But today, he made no attempt to disguise his irritation.
Even Lili kept sneaking nervous looks at him.
What on earth set him off?
Nothing truly troublesome had occurred.
Was it me?
After all, he hadn’t spoken to me, hadn’t even looked my way.
Once, I’d wanted him to ignore me. But now that he acted as though I were invisible, it stung.
My gaze lingered too long, and I accidentally locked eyes with Widro beside him.
“……”
He actually turned his body toward me, winked, and even waved his hand with exaggerated cheer.
I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t hide my disgust.
Seeing my face, Widro ducked his head, chuckling.
Demian, who had been calmly cutting his food, frowned. He followed my line of sight—and saw.
Our eyes met for the briefest instant. He froze, then quickly turned away, resuming his meal as though nothing had happened.
Widro tried making small talk with him, but Demian gave only curt replies.
Receiving no interest, Widro soon grew bored and went back to eating.
When the long, tedious dinner finally ended, nobles broke off into groups to chat.
With no close friends to linger with, I wandered the grand hall, hunting for a chance to slip away.
“Haa.”
Stopping mid-step, I let out a sigh.
Everywhere I went, I heard whispers.
That I was shamelessly overstepping, or laughably clinging to the Empress.
If you all have so much to say, why not say it to my face? At least then I could grab someone by the hair.
Thanks to Leonardo’s relentless training, I was strong enough now.
I could easily flatten a few delicate young ladies of the nobility.
“Don’t say such things. Lady Sienna isn’t that kind of person.”
How laughable.
Lili—the one who’d repeatedly cornered me—defending me with a voice so sweet it made me sick.
But in society, her reputation and mine were worlds apart.
Even if I spoke the truth, no one would take my side.
“Yes. I agree. She doesn’t seem like that kind of person.”
But then—Arriana spoke up.
That, I hadn’t expected.
So much for pretending not to hear.
I turned around despite myself and met her eyes.
“No matter what you whisper, Lady Sienna doesn’t even blink. So why waste your time?”
“Wh—what, Arriana?”
“Hearing the same thing over and over has made my ears ache. Excuse me.”
Then she looked at me directly.
“So, Lady Sienna. Would you spare me some of your time?”
“Ah, I don’t mind. But are you sure?”
I glanced past her.
The faces of the other young ladies were priceless—shocked, flustered, utterly at a loss.
And Lili—her face had gone icy cold, unable to mask her outrage.
“Do you not wish to?”
“No, I’d love to. Their pronunciation was so sharp it practically tickled my ears. I needed a break.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Though really, they lacked imagination. Same old insults, over and over—so dull. This is much better. Let’s talk.”
I grinned, shrugged my shoulders. Arriana immediately moved to my side, as though she had been waiting for it, and started walking.
“Then let’s go. I have something I want to say to you, Lady Sienna.”
