Chapter : 42
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
The one who opened the door was none other than Emma.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes, I’m listening. Go ahead.”
“It’s just that there’s only a week left until the Starlight Ball. I thought you should start contacting the Young Marquis to decide how you’ll attend together.”
“Ah…”
It was the first time in nearly two months that I had heard Lawrence’s name again.
“I suppose I should.”
“Shall I bring the stationery?”
“Yes, please.”
It wasn’t until Emma returned with the stationery that I realized I had fought with Lawrence and parted ways.
“Ah…”
Honestly, it wasn’t that I still held resentment toward Lawrence.
Of course, Lawrence Gerhardt had been the one to get angry first, but my own sensitivity due to feeling guilty about Carlos had escalated the situation.
“Hmm.”
A lot of time had passed since that day, and above all, I clearly remembered the day he willingly offered me a room when I was kicked out of my house.
It was just that I wasn’t sure how to start the first greeting after such a long time.
“Your Highness, what are you pondering?”
Emma tilted her head in curiosity, seeing me staring at the paper without touching the pen.
“I’m just thinking about how to begin the letter.”
Since I hadn’t met the Young Marquis and had been busy, I had forgotten about our quarrel.
It was November.
The hot summer days were gone, and in a few days, it seemed autumn would end as well.
Father was still trying to be gentle with me, and my brothers cautiously avoided me.
I had never expected things to turn out this way. The jeweled dress I had chosen to save money arrived last week.
The fencing instructor the Duke had hired was dismissed, and Carlos’s fencing instructor was newly hired personally.
I had quit fencing that day, and Carlos had grown five centimeters taller in the meantime.
He had said his legs hurt, but it seemed it was just a growth symptom.
At this rate, he would soon be about the same height as me.
About a month ago, I realized I couldn’t perform social dances, so I hurriedly found a teacher and took lessons.
I still occasionally stumbled over steps, but it wasn’t terrible.
It had been a fairly busy two months.
Scratch, scratch.
After much deliberation, the sound of the pen finally began.
The contents of the letter were rather ordinary, making my long hesitation seem unnecessary.
Polite greetings, inquiries about well-being, and then the main point—just like that.
There was no mention of the fight that day, nor any apology.
Judging by the silence since, Lawrence Gerhardt had probably forgotten about it too.
There was no need to bring it up.
Knock, knock.
“Your Highness.”
Simon carefully opened the door to the study.
“…A letter has arrived.”
He hesitated for a moment after meeting Lawrence’s eyes, then spoke.
Was it after returning from the Gerhardt Duchy? From that time onward, Lawrence had been in this state.
His expression revealed nothing of what he was thinking.
A blank face, an emotionless gaze.
“Shouldn’t you handle the invitation yourself?”
“Yes. Then I’ll take care of the invitation. But this one…”
Simon handed Lawrence an envelope.
It bore the seal of the Heraleila family.
“It’s from Princess Heraleila.”
For a moment, Lawrence’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
He glanced at the calendar, then opened the envelope.
Flap.
He read the letter quickly.
“She’s asking how we should meet at the Starlight Ball.”
“…What will you do?”
“We don’t need to leave together as partners. Let’s meet at the ballroom and enter together.”
“Will you reply personally?”
Lawrence pushed the stationery and envelope to the edge of the desk and shook his head.
“Please do it.”
“Yes. Then I’ll send the reply.”
Lawrence quietly nodded.
Simon looked at him for a moment before speaking again.
“I’ll take my leave, then.”
Thud.
Simon closed the study door and let out a small sigh.
“Why is he like that?”
It had been better when Patricia visited the Gerhardt estate every day.
At least then Lawrence had shown annoyance or anger.
Now, he was so detached that it was almost hard to believe he was human.
Simon sighed softly and turned to leave.
The day of the Starlight Ball.
The room was filled with the clatter of heels and the busy rustling of small footsteps.
“Your Highness, let me help you with the shawl. Make sure your hair is perfect too.”
The maids hurriedly moved, seemingly trying to buy a little more time.
“Your Highness, will you change into your shoes now?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure you want to wear just these necklace and earrings?”
“The dress is already extravagant, so the accessories don’t need to be too flashy.”
Finally, the maid nodded and hurried to put on the necklace.
Hair pinned high, makeup carefully applied.
It was astonishing that this perfect face belonged to me.
Minimizing accessories, even with the extravagant dress, I didn’t look overdone.
My pale, flawless skin and slightly upturned eyes sparkled more than usual today.
A sharp nose and lively lips.
Perfect, with no further adjustments needed.
“Your Highness, you’re ready.”
All the maids seemed satisfied with today’s preparations.
Except Emma, who had been excluded by the Duke’s order.
She still looked displeased at not being allowed to help with my preparations.
“Here, let me put on your shawl.”
A maid draped the shawl over my shoulders, which were exposed by the dress.
Emma, who had been standing silently in a corner, cautiously approached.
“Your Highness, you’re so beautiful. Especially today.”
“Thank you.”
“But just your side hair…”
Smack.
Emma reached out as if something were missing, but the maid standing beside her firmly swatted her hand away.
“Emma, the Duke clearly said you were not to assist. Are you trying to ruin the princess’s hair like that day?”
“U-understood.”
Emma pouted slightly, clearly disappointed, but withdrew her hand.
I wanted to look away from her disappointed face, but I couldn’t let her distract me.
Today, with all the socialites present, I couldn’t afford to rely on Emma.
“Your Highness, among all the ladies at the ball, you will surely be the most beautiful.”
“With such beauty, I’m sure the Young Marquis will fall for you too.”
The maids, who had chased Emma away, quickly diverted the conversation.
Thanks to that, I was able to turn my gaze from Emma’s sulky face.
Knock, knock.
Just as their praise continued, the butler knocked at the door.
“Your Highness. The Duke is waiting.”
“I’ll go now.”
Lawrence Gerhardt.
It would have been ideal if I could go to the ball with him.
He said we would meet in front of the ballroom, so I had to travel with the Duke and my brothers in the same carriage.
I could have gone to his residence if I were busy…
“…The Duke is waiting in the entrance hall.”
The butler spoke slowly as I opened the door.
I nodded lightly, and he moved ahead.
Click, clack.
The sound of heels echoed through the quiet corridor.
Descending the stairs, I saw the Duke’s wide-eyed gaze and my brothers’ scowls.
“Patricia, you look stunning today. Not even a forest fairy could surpass you.”
For some reason, I felt a little uneasy at the Duke’s compliment.
“Truly, you’re beautiful. The Young Marquis is lucky to have such a partner.”
I raised my lips politely, as I always had.
“Thank you, Father.”
“Alright, you’re meeting the Young Marquis in front of the ballroom?”
“Yes.”
“Then Patricia, you’ll ride in the carriage with Morgan and me. Let’s go.”
Millum and Barber glanced at each other, apparently displeased we would travel separately.
I wanted to say it wouldn’t be bad if we all went together, but I simply followed the Duke’s escort.
“Patricia, be careful upstairs.”
“Thank you.”
With the Duke’s help, I climbed into the carriage. A maid followed briefly to adjust my dress.
“……”
The night was dark, without a single moonbeam.
I clutched my shawl against the chilly air.
Once the Duke and Morgan climbed in, I turned my gaze to the window.
The darkness outside was absolute; nothing was visible except the carriage’s interior reflected in the glass.
The carriage departed, but the awkward atmosphere inside remained unchanged.
The Duke stared at me, as if trying to start a conversation, while Morgan merely glanced at us.
Whiiish.
The carriage left the Duke’s estate and entered the square.
