Aileen paused for a moment and looked at Cedric.
The childish attitude he had displayed during his first visit to her estate was nowhere to be seen. All that remained was intense concentration. Without letting his guard down for even a second, he tracked his opponent's every movement with sharp, unwavering focus.
As expected.
Everyone had a place where they truly belonged.
Just as Aileen was confident in her ability to secure her standing in high society through wit and refined etiquette, Cedric was the kind of person who revealed his true worth only when a sword rested in his hand.
Watching him enjoy the heat of battle even as sweat poured down his face, she could easily imagine how suffocating life in the capital must feel to him.
Possessing keen instincts, Cedric sensed her presence before the butler could even announce her arrival.
He turned his head and looked at Aileen.
His face immediately twisted with surprise and confusion.
"...What's with that expression?"
"Good afternoon. Your greeting was rather rude for someone speaking to his fiancée, but I'll let it slide this time."
Their second meeting was considerably more pleasant than the first.
Unfortunately, Cedric's expression crumpled once again after hearing her words. It was painfully obvious that he disliked her tone.
But Cedric had been the one to act discourteously first.
After speaking to a noble lady so bluntly, he had no reason to complain about her response.
Aileen felt no regret whatsoever.
She casually shifted her gaze toward his sparring partner.
And she made no effort to hide what she wanted to say.
"Aren't you going to introduce us?"
Of course, neither of them was truly unfamiliar with the other.
But in noble society, beginning a conversation without a formal introduction was considered improper.
Aileen was merely reminding them of the rigid and old-fashioned etiquette of the world they belonged to.
Cedric shot her a glare before glancing toward his sparring partner.
He looked like a man who had no idea what he was supposed to say.
In the end, he gestured toward the other man and muttered,
"My aide, Kassel Ronan. And this is my fiancée."
"Please feel free to call me Kassel."
Unlike Cedric's half-hearted introduction, Kassel bowed politely.
Aileen returned the greeting with a gentle smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Kassel."
Naturally, she already knew who he was.
He had served the Lowell Ducal House faithfully for many years as one of its most trusted retainers.
After setting down his sword, Cedric wiped the sweat from his face and asked impatiently,
"So why are you here?"
"You didn't ask, but I'll tell you anyway. I've been doing quite well. You seem healthy too, Young Master. I came to discuss the ball at the ducal estate. And I also wanted to thank you for the gift."
"...You don't need to thank me. And why the ball?"
"Oh? Then that dress wasn't for the ball?"
Aileen blinked in apparent surprise.
"I had a feeling you wouldn't invite me, so I came to inform you that I'll be attending regardless. And naturally, my partner will be you, won't it?"
"Why would you—"
Aileen simply stared at him.
Her gaze clearly asked whether she really had to explain everything from the beginning.
There was even a hint of irritation mixed into it.
The protest that had been about to leave Cedric's mouth died there.
He released a long sigh.
"Fine. You're my fiancée, so I guess that's true. Alright."
"I'm glad you understand. There will be many occasions we'll need to attend together in the future."
Cedric offered no response.
He placed his sword on a table beside the training grounds and dropped heavily into a chair.
The way he turned his head away radiated open dissatisfaction.
Aileen paid it no mind.
"You're planning to remain in the capital throughout the winter, correct?"
The question was not directed solely at Cedric.
It was also aimed at Kassel, who had been observing their conversation with visible interest.
"Yes, that's correct."
Kassel answered readily.
"How did you know that?"
Cedric muttered bitterly.
"If you intended to leave soon, you wouldn't be hiring so many people and renovating the estate on such a large scale."
She spoke as though it were merely a guess.
In reality, Aileen already knew.
There was no need to confirm it with anyone.
After studying Cedric for a moment, she turned to Kassel.
"Would you mind giving us a moment?"
Without hesitation, Kassel nodded and stepped back.
Mary, however, remained where she stood.
Aileen looked at her maid.
"Mary. You too."
"But, Miss..."
The look Aileen gave her left no room for argument.
Eventually, Mary reluctantly retreated as well.
With only May and Kassel remaining at a distance, Aileen seated herself across from Cedric.
"You do know that engaged couples are expected to attend most social functions together, correct?"
After a brief pause, she continued in a serious tone.
"While you're in the capital, it would be wise to build connections with influential families. Especially if you want to understand how power moves around the royal family."
As she spoke, her eyes drifted toward Cedric's hands.
Rough hands covered in calluses.
Looking at them, she was suddenly reminded of something.
No matter how childish he acted at times, Cedric was one of the finest swordsmen in the Empire.
For some reason, that fact felt especially vivid in this moment.
Cedric Lowell might complain and grumble endlessly, but he was not a bad person by nature.
That was why Aileen offered her advice in a calm yet firm voice.
"Being skilled with a sword and leading the knight order alone won't be enough to fully protect the North or the ducal house."
"It will."
At last, Cedric reacted.
He turned sharply toward her.
His expression was defiant, like someone whose worth had just been questioned.
"You said it yourself. There's no one more talented than me. I've seen real battlefields. You've never even held a sword. You have no idea how the North survives or how territories are protected!"
"Of course I acknowledge your abilities. And I know I can't fully understand your position."
Aileen absentmindedly toyed with the torn hem of her dress as she spoke.
The composure she maintained regardless of circumstances had a strangely calming effect on Cedric's anger.
The tension gradually left the hand gripping his sword.
"You may be superior when it comes to swordsmanship, but in high society, I have the advantage. So listen to me as well. Since you're staying in the capital anyway, you'll need to participate in social activities. You need to know which families can become valuable allies."
"I know enough about high society."
Cedric answered curtly.
"Then why are you so unwilling to attend social events?"
"Because I don't want to go with you."
The reply came out sharp and dripping with irritation.
Yet Aileen showed no sign of being hurt.
Instead, she voiced a question she had been wondering about for a long time.
"...Do you really dislike me that much?"
"You show up without warning, interrupt my training, and lecture me. Who would like that?"
A faint sting pricked somewhere deep inside her chest.
But Aileen ignored it and continued.
"Then why did you send me the dress?"
It was a casual question.
But it struck directly at one of Cedric's weak points.
His face instantly turned bright red.
Redder than a perfectly ripened apple.
"...Ha."
"What?"
Aileen genuinely looked confused.
But Cedric was convinced she was mocking him.
Even that innocent expression seemed like an act designed to provoke him.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he shouted,
"I'm sorry, alright?!"
Aileen blinked.
It took her a moment to understand what he meant.
Then realization dawned.
"...You're kinder than I expected."
"Is that an insult or a compliment?"
"That depends on how you choose to take it. If it sounds like an insult, doesn't that mean you have a guilty conscience?"
Aileen decided to treat it as a positive sign.
At the very least, Cedric did not hate her.
He simply didn't particularly like her.
That was more than enough for cooperation.
When Aileen smiled softly, Cedric's expression became even more strained.
As if trying to hide his embarrassment, he pointed at the hem of her dress.
"That thing—are you protesting because you want me to buy you a new dress?"
"If one takes walks for exercise, dresses can get a little dirty."
"I'm not buying you a new one."
"I never asked you to."
It was a childish argument.
But Aileen knew exactly what was happening.
Cedric was desperately changing the subject to hide his reddened face.
So she chose not to point it out.
Instead, she pretended not to notice and played along.