Chapter 10: What It Means to Become Real
“I was too caught up earlier to properly greet you,” Leona said to Lyra, finally catching her breath after their passionate time on the dance floor.
“Thank you for enjoying yourself with me today. And don’t mind those ladies over there glaring at us with their noses in the air.”
“I won’t. Thank you too, Leona.”
Lyra thanked her, the formality between them having melted away. Their faces still flushed with excitement, they smiled at each other.
“Ugh, if it weren’t for Madam Atima, we could have enjoyed ourselves a bit longer. I’m not the only one who feels that way, am I?”
Still unmarried, Leona had attended the ball with Madam Atima as her chaperone. The poor woman’s face hadn’t relaxed for a moment as she anxiously watched Leona practically sweep across the floor. It was no wonder—such behavior was truly scandalous.
Not to mention dancing with a woman who was currently the talk of controversy in social circles, etiquette be damned. Who would welcome being jointly condemned?
Eventually, Leona had no choice but to leave the floor, unable to withstand Madam Atima’s pressure.
“I’m just as disappointed. Still, we should look forward to next time. To be honest, I’ve been feeling the lady’s sharp gaze on me for a while now.”
As Lyra gently rubbed her face in mock distress, Leona shrugged as if to say there was nothing to be done.
“If I’d known it would be this fun, I would have come out much sooner.”
She seemed to somewhat regret having ignored social gatherings while wallowing in her heartache.
Lyra found herself both envious of and charmed by Leona’s honesty with her feelings. The woman before her appeared so captivating that it overshadowed her strange and peculiar personality in an instant.
Perhaps it was because Leona Vuitton naturally possessed a freedom that Lyra Norris could never have, no matter how hard she tried.
As Lyra swallowed her somewhat bitter feelings, Leona suddenly asked a question as if something had just occurred to her—something she hadn’t had the chance to ask while they were caught up in dancing.
“Oh, by the way, that’s fake, isn’t it?”
“Pardon?”
Lyra’s heart sank at the meaningful look she received.
“I’m pretty good at reading people, and I just can’t help thinking…”
“What… do you mean?”
“That mask you wear on your face—there’s no way it’s real. I’d say you’re missing something essential to be a true villainess.”
Leona narrowed her eyes as she rested her chin on her index finger.
Despite this, Lyra actually felt relieved. She had feared Leona was referring to her relationship with the Duke. How could she have guessed the woman was merely questioning her reputation?
Still, she couldn’t simply dismiss someone who had seen through her so easily, so she maintained her guard. Just as she was about to protest, Leona softened her gaze and spoke lightly.
“No need to be so tense. I was just curious, that’s all.”
She quickly changed the subject as if to indicate she wouldn’t mention it further, her face looking quite animated.
“Anyway, I’ve decided. Whose side I’m on.”
“Side?”
Whether Lyra understood or not, Leona continued with a chuckle.
“I prefer things to be definite. And—”
Lyra glanced sideways at the woman leaning in close to her ear and perked up to listen.
“Could you tell just me later how you managed to win over the Duke? You see, there’s someone I like, but they just won’t open up to me. It’s absolutely frustrating.”
After thinking it was something important, it turned out to be mere chatter. At that moment, an almost dejected laugh tugged at her lips.
“You’re welcome to that anytime. It’s a rather embarrassing love story, but there’s hardly a more entertaining topic.”
Leona’s lips curved into the brightest smile at Lyra’s ready agreement.
“So it’s a promise? I’ll be waiting. Got it? You absolutely must, absolutely!”
After making Lyra affirm the promise several times, Leona left the ballroom following Madam Atima.
Lyra quietly laughed as she watched Leona, who remained undaunted by the noblewomen’s disapproving looks. Perhaps because her mood had lightened, she felt that the gazes directed at her had changed somewhat as well.
* * *
‘When did he come back?’ The Duke appeared in her line of sight as she turned. ‘And he’s changed his clothes too.’
It was just as Lyra was walking toward Kaylon, who was in conversation with Max Haister. Suddenly, a delicate voice came from behind her, as if someone had been watching for an opportunity.
“Miss Norris.”
“…”
Lyra stopped in her tracks, her face turning cold. That unpleasant voice instantly dragged down her barely lifted spirits.
It was strange, though. Even though the fear gnawing at her heart hadn’t completely disappeared, another emotion was layering over the memory of their first encounter.
Had she changed so much that she couldn’t endure humiliation anymore? Or had she simply grown to dislike this woman, regardless of her assigned mission?
Lyra, who had been quietly furrowing her brow, turned toward the woman with an expressionless face. After a moment’s hesitation, Davira finally spoke.
“…Could you spare me a moment?”
“I don’t think we’re on friendly enough terms for a pleasant chat, Miss Claudia.”
Even to her own ears, the frosty tone seemed excessive. Nevertheless, she had no desire to switch to a gentler attitude. There was no need, and no inclination.
Davira Claudia, however, was surprisingly composed. Her eyes wavered slightly, but that was all. This too must have been the result of an unexpected response.
“Sometimes conversation becomes necessary.”
“I wonder about that. It doesn’t seem to suit us—unless you’re planning to apologize to me.”
“…”
At Lyra’s look that asked if she had anything more to say, Davira bit her lip. Lyra quietly observed the woman’s gradually hardening face before silently turning away.
She wanted to avoid Davira if possible; it would only be a matter of time before new rumors started simply from them being seen together. Even if some people might wish for her downfall.
Just the fleeting thought caused a throbbing pain in her chest. Lyra frowned and took a step forward. At that moment, the slender voice called out again.
“An apology… yes. If necessary, I suppose I could. If that’s what you want, I’ll do it.”
What does this woman want from me?
“So let’s move elsewhere, Miss Norris.”
Deep sea-green eyes slowly followed the woman who turned away first.
Lyra checked on Kaylon, who was deeply engaged in conversation, then followed the woman who was already heading outside. After all, no matter how much she wanted to avoid it, her task was ultimately to deal with this woman.
A heavy sigh disappeared without a trace, buried beneath the noise.
The night garden was peaceful and beautiful, bathed in a soft glow. Lamps were placed along the pathway, making it easy to walk.
Some people had come outside to escape the stuffiness indoors and enjoy some quiet contemplation. Others, flushed with drink, were strumming lutes and singing.
Lyra calmly surveyed her surroundings as she followed Davira. Given that they were heading deeper into the garden, away from people, it seemed she too wanted to avoid being seen.
Fortunately, she didn’t appear to be planning any tricks.
Just as Lyra’s gaze quietly swept over the silver hair of the woman walking ahead, Davira stopped and turned around.
“It’s a magnificent garden.”
Though Lyra had opened with a remark to start the conversation, Davira simply stared at her silently without responding.
After waiting a bit longer, Lyra let out a small sigh.
“Princess, I didn’t come all the way out here to have a staring contest.”
At that moment, Davira’s expression visibly hardened. Seemingly reluctant to utter an apology, she took a deep breath, but her gaze never left Lyra.
“It seems you need more time. Let’s postpone our conversation.”
As Lyra turned to leave, Davira quickly grabbed her wrist.
“Wait!”
Lyra looked down at the smaller woman with slightly surprised eyes. Raising her voice so loudly that she forgot her dignity, grabbing someone else’s wrist without permission—these were actions far from ladylike decorum, which was unexpected to say the least.
Davira seemed to feel the same way. Terribly embarrassed by her own behavior, she hastily released the hand she’d been gripping tightly.
“This is, well…”
Her lips, which had been about to spill out excuses, suddenly closed, and then her expression changed completely. Davira hardened her face as if nothing had happened and stared directly at Lyra.
