“I’ve decided not to break off the engagement immediately.”
At his side, the aide who had been waiting beside the horses, Cassel, raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“That’s good to hear. Though it seems the confidence overflowing from you yesterday has disappeared.”
Cassel had never expected Cedric to suddenly ride off to the Cassier estate. Even when he heard the news and hurried after him, he had assumed he would have to clean up the situation himself.
What surprised him even more was how long Cedric had taken to return.
“What did you discuss with Lady Cassier?”
Cedric recalled the calm green eyes that had looked up at him.
The fresh shade of green was uncommon in the North, making them all the more memorable.
“We didn’t discuss much. I simply came to understand something. Cassel, she said exactly what you told me.”
“Then she must be a very sensible young lady.”
“I still don’t like her.”
She had not been rude, nor had she spoken in a scolding tone.
Yet the way she patiently explained everything, as though he were someone incapable of understanding it himself, still irritated him.
More importantly, he had failed to achieve what he wanted.
“With time, you may discover her good qualities. She is destined to become the Duchess one day, so try not to treat her unfairly from the beginning.”
Cedric swiftly mounted his horse.
For a moment, he considered telling Cassel about the agreement he and Aileen had reached—that they would eventually dissolve the engagement.
No.
He immediately discarded the thought.
If I tell him, Cassel will probably go to Lady Cassier and try to persuade her otherwise.
Cassel was like a mentor to him.
That was why Cedric usually respected his advice.
But when it came to the person who would stand beside him, he wanted to make that choice himself.
I’ll prove myself with my own strength and earn my position with my own hands.
He had to protect Diana, the childhood friend who had grown up with him, as well as the Northern territory itself.
He needed to become stronger.
But he did not want anyone saying that he had succeeded because of someone else’s help.
Especially not if that help came in the form of a political marriage.
“Let’s go.”
Before leaving, Cedric glanced back at the Cassier estate one last time.
Just as he was about to turn his horse toward the duchy, he suddenly paused.
“It wouldn’t be strange to send a gift to my fiancée, would it?”
The unexpected question caught Cassel off guard, but he quickly answered.
“It would be stranger not to.”
A faint smile touched Cassel’s lips.
He assumed Cedric had begun to develop feelings for Lady Cassier.
Of course, he was mistaken.
It had nothing to do with affection.
Cedric remembered that morning.
Aileen standing in the chilly early-autumn air, trembling with only a thin shawl draped over her shoulders.
She had clearly rushed out because he had pressured her into meeting him so urgently.
The image lingered stubbornly in his mind.
“Then I’ll send her a small gift.”
He had no desire to go and apologize in person.
They had only just met recently, and seeing her again so soon would feel awkward.
Still, since he had appeared at her home without warning, he wanted her to know that he had not intended to be rude or thoughtless.
That was all.
Or so he told himself.
Several days passed after Cedric Lowell’s storm-like visit.
Then, quite unexpectedly, a gift box arrived for Aileen.
“My goodness. It’s absolutely beautiful. It looks just like freshly fallen snow.”
The pale sky-blue dress, decorated with white lace, perfectly matched the latest fashions in the capital.
Beyond the open doorway, maids peeked inside every chance they got.
Aileen deliberately allowed it.
After all, there was nothing better for showing off than a lavish gift.
What she still could not understand, however, was why Cedric had suddenly sent it.
“Why on earth would he send something like this?”
“Isn’t it obvious? The young master fell in love with you at first sight, my lady. He’s trying to express his feelings.”
Without even setting down the book she was reading, Aileen rested her chin on one hand.
To be honest, that theory was probably as far from the truth as possible.
Still, seeing Mary’s dreamy expression, she decided not to argue.
Instead, she changed the subject.
“It’s probably because the Duke’s ball is coming up soon.”
As Cedric’s fiancée, she would naturally be expected to attend.
It was common for dance partners to coordinate their outfits, so sending a dress ahead of time was hardly unusual.
The problem was that Cedric did not seem like the kind of man who would think of such considerate details.
That only made it more puzzling.
“Still, it’s a relief. I was worried you might not have a proper dress to wear. I really don’t understand why the Countess hates spending money on a new gown so much.”
The atmosphere within the Cassier family had undeniably changed after Cedric’s visit.
That did not mean Aileen’s situation had improved.
They simply no longer tormented her openly.
They still ignored her, and she gained no real benefits from the change.
Carefully closing the gift box, Mary spoke up.
“Wouldn’t it be a good idea to tell the young master how you’re treated here?”
Aileen snapped her book shut.
“I don’t want to gain sympathy by looking pitiful. Besides, I doubt he’d believe me.”
To Cedric Lowell, she probably looked like a noble lady who had lived in luxury her entire life.
And after their previous encounter, he likely thought of her as cold and difficult as well.
Someone like that would never easily believe she was being pushed aside and looked down upon by her own family.
“But you’re going to marry him eventually.”
Mary’s voice softened, unable to hide how upset she was at seeing her mistress ignored and belittled.
“You never know how life will turn out. It’s not good to get used to relying on other people.”
“But it’s okay to lean on someone sometimes, isn’t it, my lady?”
Aileen smiled bitterly and reopened her book.
“If you want to see Cedric Lowell that badly, let’s go tomorrow.”
“Huh?”
“To the ducal estate. We received a gift, so we should thank him.”
No matter how much she thought about it, the Cedric Lowell she had met did not seem like the sort of person who would invite her to a ball.
Even though her attendance as his partner would publicly confirm that there were no problems with their engagement.
That was why she needed to see him in person and make sure.
If the dress wasn’t for the ball, then why did he send it?
Besides, visiting the ducal estate herself would remind everyone at the Cassier mansion once again that she was the Duke’s future daughter-in-law.
“Really? But what if the Countess refuses to lend us a carriage?”
“Then we’ll walk.”
“My lady! Even minor nobles wouldn’t do something like that!”
“Then I’ll just start a new trend.”
Aileen answered with a grin.
Mary desperately hoped it was a joke.
Unfortunately, when Aileen Cassier set her mind on something, she was always completely serious.
The next day, Aileen did not leave the estate until late morning.
Mary looked back and forth between the muddy road and the hem of Aileen’s dress, sighing repeatedly.
“It rained a few days ago. Everything’s covered in mud.”
“It’s fine. I chose this dress on purpose. I won’t be upset if it gets ruined.”
It was an old, comfortable dress she had bought years ago and repaired countless times since.
Shrugging, Aileen headed toward the front gate.
“I still don’t think this is a good idea, my lady. Why not contact the ducal estate and ask them to send a carriage?”
“They won’t.”
“Surely not.”
Aileen was certain.
Cedric Lowell would not welcome her visit.
There was no point requesting a carriage.
In the end, she arrived at the ducal estate with the hem of her dress thoroughly soaked in mud.
Even so, she carried herself with more confidence and grace than anyone else.
I haven’t done anything wrong.
There was no reason to feel ashamed simply because her clothing looked shabby.
“I’ve come to see Young Master Lowell. Would it be possible to speak with him for a moment?”
The servants of the ducal household were busy moving furniture and preparing the estate.
The butler, who had been directing them, turned toward her.
“Do you have an appointment, my lady?”
“No. But I am his fiancée, and there’s something I need to discuss with him personally.”
“...Could you perhaps be Lady Aileen Cassier?”
Aileen had brought only a single maid, and her appearance hardly resembled that of a noblewoman.
The butler’s initial confusion quickly transformed into respectful courtesy.
“Yes. If he’s here, would you show me the way?”
“The young master is currently sparring at the training grounds. If you wish, I can escort you to the drawing room instead.”
“That won’t be necessary. I don’t plan on staying long. Please take me to the training grounds.”
Closing the umbrella she carried, Aileen followed behind the butler.
As they drew closer, the sharp clang of colliding swords became clearer.
And then—
She caught sight of Cedric, locked in the midst of an intense sparring match.