Chapter 11

“...I see. So that’s what this was.”

Ironically, it was Cedric’s gloomy voice that pulled Eileen out of the deep mire of her own thoughts.

“Then I suppose you have nothing to say to me.”

His tone was completely different from the relaxed, carefree manner he had shown just moments ago.

Lost in her thoughts, Eileen only then realized that something was wrong with him.

Before she could even ask what the problem was, Cedric suddenly lifted his head and looked at her with determined eyes.

“By the way, Count Cassier said something interesting.”

A chill ran down Eileen’s spine.

When her father was alive, that title had always sounded familiar and reassuring. Now, it felt like an ominous warning.

“He said... that you truly want to become a duchess.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

What kind of absurd lie had that man—who insisted on calling himself her uncle—fed him?

Frustration surged inside her.

Of course, if someone asked, few people would believe that Eileen had no desire to become a duchess.

Most would probably ask why she would throw away such a golden opportunity.

That’s exactly the part I hate.

That was what frustrated her most.

She had no intention of entering a miserable marriage where neither party wanted the other.

What did it matter if she became a woman whose status rivaled royalty in the North?

If the Duke and Duchess could neither trust nor rely on one another, it would all be meaningless.

“And... he also said you wanted a personal knight from the capital.”

“So what? Did he ask you to place one of his acquaintances in the ducal order?”

She didn’t even need to hear the rest.

The moment he brought it up, she knew exactly where this was going.

It felt as though she had been struck hard on the back of the head.

She had expected that someone might try to use her position to approach Cedric.

But she never imagined it would happen today.

And certainly not while she was conveniently absent.

She had never thought they would lie so shamelessly and resort to such crude tricks.

“I told you before, Cedric Lowell. I don’t want to marry you.”

“But Count Cassier told a different story.”

“Can’t you tell just by looking at him that he’s a shameless opportunist? You know it too.”

Irritation finally seeped into her voice.

Cedric was acting like one of those slippery nobles from the capital—dodging the main point and twisting her words into something else entirely.

As their voices rose, nearby guests began glancing their way.

Eileen took a deep breath and lowered her voice again.

“Whatever he told you, don’t believe him.”

“Why not? He’s a Cassier, just like you.”

“Cassier is the family I was born into. It’s a name I was once proud of... but that’s all. I’m still Eileen, but the ‘Cassier family’ is acting on its own now, doing whatever it pleases.”

A name that greedy people had dragged through the mud.

And she lacked the power to stop them.

Talking about this in front of Cedric was harder than she had expected.

If her parents were still alive, none of this would have happened.

No one would have made such outrageous requests.

And the name Cassier would never have been stained with disgrace.

“Is that all?”

She had tried to speak honestly.

She had genuinely wanted to tell him the truth.

Yet Cedric’s expression seemed even colder than when they had first started talking.

“...Would it help if I wrote a statement declaring that Count Cassier’s words have nothing to do with me?”

She honestly didn’t know what she was supposed to do to prove her innocence.

And, if she was being truthful, she was frustrated that Cedric had accepted the Count’s words so easily.

Of course, they hadn’t known each other for very long.

Still, wasn’t a scheme like this painfully obvious?

Hadn’t they at least learned enough about each other’s personalities by now?

“Besides, leaving behind written proof that we intend to break off the engagement wouldn’t be a very good idea, Cedric.”

Eileen sighed in resignation.

Considering how fragile the trust between them still was, she couldn’t exactly demand that he believe her unconditionally.

“So if you’re really worried, then perhaps the only option is to put our agreement in writing—”

“I don’t want some document like that.”

Cedric cut her off sharply.

Then he stared at her for a long moment, unable to conceal his emotions, before turning and walking toward the ballroom doors.

“Then what exactly do you want...?”

Eileen stared at his retreating back in disbelief.

“At least tell me properly. You’re usually so straightforward, so what’s gotten into you?”

Without another word, Cedric left.

Eileen placed her glass on a passing servant’s tray and folded her arms.

Should I follow him? Or not?

“...I guess I don’t have much choice.”

There was nothing for her to do if she stayed here anyway.

In the end, Eileen made up her mind and left the ballroom.

And decided to follow the incomprehensible man named Cedric Lowell.

Walking through the quiet corridor and scanning her surroundings, she finally spotted him ahead.

He was gripping the windowsill so tightly that his knuckles were white, leaning forward as he stared outside.

To anyone who didn’t know him, it looked as though he was contemplating whether to fire the gardener because he found the approaching winter garden unsatisfactory.

Why is he in such a terrible mood?

There wasn’t even much to look at outside.

Winter had arrived.

Everything in the garden was dead.

“Cedric.”

Stopping several pillars away, Eileen called his name.

He didn’t turn around.

But she could see the tension in the hand gripping the windowsill.

“...I won’t betray you.”

She couldn’t tell him everything.

But that much, at least, she could promise.

“How am I supposed to be certain of that?”

Cedric knew he was being unfair.

Twisting her words like this wasn’t normally his style.

He simply...

Wanted her to open up to him.

That single desire was driving him to act this way.

“I told you my story.”

The moment he said it, a strange sense of relief washed over him.

Yes.

I really did try to show you who I am.

“But you... you keep walls around yourself. You tell me to trust you, yet you don’t trust me.”

Eileen.

Why...

Why won’t you trust me?

At last, Eileen understood what he truly meant.

...Ah.

Could it be...?

The frustration lingering in her chest vanished instantly.

It was ridiculous, but—

For some reason, he sounded almost sulky.

“Honestly, I was even thinking of listening to Count Cassier, just to get your attention.”

This time, Eileen was flustered for an entirely different reason.

She didn’t know how she was supposed to interpret that.

Was it a complaint?

A confession?

Or something else entirely?

How am I supposed to take that...?

She let out a long sigh.

She hated showing weakness in front of him.

But...

If she opened her heart only for him to say, That’s not my problem, and walk away—

She knew she would regret it for the rest of her life.

“Cedric. About the Cassier family... I—”

Perhaps.

Just perhaps.

She might be able to tell him.

Everything she had endured until now.

Maybe she could trust him enough to finally say it aloud.

Just as Eileen opened her mouth—

“Tell me later.”

Cedric cut her off coldly.

She hadn’t even managed to say a single word.

His expression was colder than she had ever seen before.

“For now, just leave.”

The firmness in his voice was almost frightening.

Eileen stood frozen for a moment.

When she didn’t move, Cedric stepped forward and gently—but firmly—placed a hand on her shoulder, pushing her back.

“Cedric. Wait. I was trying to explain—”

“I said I understand. So just go.”

Though she had been forced back several steps, Eileen couldn’t shake the strange feeling in her chest.

Was he really trying to send her away without even giving her a chance to explain?

“What exactly do you mean, you understand?”

“You were right. I was acting like a child. So just go.”

Running a hand irritably through his hair, Cedric swept his gaze down the corridor as though the conversation was already over.

He wasn’t even looking at her anymore.

Following his gaze, Eileen glanced around as well.

But the corridor was dark and empty.

Nothing but silence filled the air.

“Cedric, you know I didn’t mean it that way.”

“I know. I know that too... which is exactly why I’m asking you to leave.”

Behind his back, Cedric repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists.

His unease was growing stronger.

The faint presence he had begun sensing a while ago was anything but normal.