Chapter 4: To Remove the Shell
* * *
As the days accumulated, both Lyra’s body and mind underwent changes. This was thanks to Mrs. Beightle, who not only explained numerous protocols and etiquette but also created various scenarios for practice.
Moreover, at some point she began joining them for dinner, and the strict elderly woman didn’t waste this time either.
From simple conversation to profound topics, Mrs. Beightle would often pose weighty subjects covering all aspects of society. However, Lyra would frequently either fall silent or ask questions in response, mainly inquiring about unfamiliar words.
Once, Mrs. Beightle remarked:
“Will you keep asking such questions even when invited to a salon?”
The message was clear—stop asking and learn to deduce meanings on your own. Being unable to follow conversations due to vocabulary limitations, let alone understanding social norms and issues, was clearly a disadvantage.
What if someone deliberately used difficult words to exclude her? At this hint to develop such awareness, Lyra increased her time reading books and consulting dictionaries. Through this, she was acutely realizing just how many words in the world remained unknown to her.
They would also discuss the literary works she read in the mornings, though honestly, rather than sharing perspectives on the works, she was mostly in the position of passive listener. Mrs. Beightle didn’t particularly scold her for this.
While Lyra thought this was because Mrs. Beightle understood her knowledge level, in reality, the elderly woman was simply enjoying having someone to enthusiastically talk to.
Having long distanced herself from social circles and now able to freely share her favorite authors’ passages and philosophies, Mrs. Beightle found nothing to dislike about the arrangement.
Thanks to this, Lyra discovered that Mrs. Beightle’s tastes surprisingly leaned toward female authors. She learned that even to this strict, old-fashioned woman, these authors were objects of admiration and represented unfulfilled aspirations.
So today too, Lyra left the dining room exhausted. Though physically tired, she was glad to have heard so many stories.
As she was crossing the lobby, a man appeared from somewhere and approached with great excitement.
“Oh! Lady Lyra!”
The man waved both hands in the air and greeted her as if they were already acquainted. He rushed over to stand before her.
“Hello, my lady. I’ve heard so much about you. What a pleasure to finally meet.”
Lyra stared blankly at the man offering his hand, bewildered. Though clearly a stranger, why was he so friendly?
“Who… are you?”
At her response, Michel withdrew his hand and scratched his head with an awkward laugh.
“Ah, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Michel Rogedale. You could say I’m a faithful worker under His Grace?”
“…”
“No need to be so wary.”
With a laugh, Michel pulled a business card from his chest pocket and handed it to Lyra.
“This should confirm my identity, right?”
She immediately looked down at the card. Below the large text reading ‘Rogedale Capital’ was clearly printed ‘President Michel Rogedale’.
‘Capital?’
Isn’t that… something dangerous? Why would someone like this frequent the Duke’s house? Lyra regarded Michel with suspicious eyes.
“By the way, you’re even more beautiful in person. No wonder His Grace treasures you so.”
“Pardon?”
Lyra couldn’t understand Michel’s words. His Grace does what? Moreover, the sudden compliment about her appearance made her face slightly flush.
“I’ve been wanting to greet you for a while now. My, if I’d known you were this beautiful, I would have come sooner.”
“…”
“How frustrating to have only one body! So, is His Grace treating you well? Given how he works me to death, I imagine he must be taking excellent care of you.”
“That’s…”
Just then, someone appeared and sharply pulled Michel’s earlobe. It was Isaac Fade.
“Ouch! What are you doing?”
“This mansion has no need for noisy fellows like you. Leave immediately.”
Without even making eye contact with Lyra, Isaac dragged Michel away by his ear.
Though the sight was somewhat pitiful, it wasn’t an atmosphere where she could intervene.
Lyra quietly placed a hand over her heart, feeling somewhat grateful to Isaac for clearing up the uncomfortable situation.
However, at that moment, a familiar voice suddenly made her clutch her heart again. Startled, she turned her head to the side.
“You can’t say no to people, can you?”
“Pardon?”
“If someone’s getting too familiar, you should kick them where it hurts and chase them away.”
Kaylon had been watching the two quarreling by the entrance. Thus, he missed seeing Lyra’s face turn red with embarrassment.
‘K-kick them… where?’
She didn’t know how to react to such an outrageous suggestion delivered so casually.
As Lyra slightly covered her heated face with her hand, Kaylon, who had been smirking, turned his gaze toward her.
“So which one’s your type?”
“Pardon?”
“One’s a chatty social butterfly, the other’s a gloomy opportunist who gets things done efficiently. So, your choice?”
“I…”
Did she have to choose? As she bit her lip, feeling guilty about both men, a soft laugh came from beside her.
“I’ll keep your secret.”
Lyra found herself genuinely considering it. Since it seemed the Duke wouldn’t move an inch without an answer, she felt she had to say something.
Finally, she opened her lips.
“Neither of them.”
“Oh? Why?”
Kaylon asked, seemingly somewhat surprised by the unexpected answer.
“I don’t… want to choose.”
At that moment, Kaylon chuckled. ‘Useless,’ he muttered quietly.
Misunderstanding his words, Lyra drew in a sharp breath. It seemed directed at her. However, his next response made her blush again.
“Then, me?”
“…”
“That’s troublesome. Getting involved with someone like me is asking for hardship.”
The gesture of stroking his chin was rather gentle. His lips, which had expressed concern, were pleasantly curved upward.
“I’ve never thought… of that…”
Lyra lowered her head deeply to avoid meeting Kaylon’s eyes. Though her heart felt somewhat fluttery, embarrassment overwhelmed it. She wished he would stop such teasing.
Kaylon, quietly observing Lyra, spoke casually.
“You’re hurting my feelings, Lyra.”
“What?”
Though his words were concerning, she was more startled by the sudden change in how he addressed her, making her lift her head. His lips, which had so naturally spoken her name, immediately came into view.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just now…”
Lyra couldn’t continue. She didn’t know how to explain. Reflecting on his words, Kaylon made a small “Ah” sound.
“You should address me casually too. I’ll give you special permission.”
“But…”
“Isn’t that more fitting for lovers?”
His slanted gaze seemed to ask if she didn’t agree. Lyra couldn’t readily answer. No matter how she thought about it, it seemed too much for her.
“Try it.”
“What?”
“Go on.”
Seeing his seemingly stubborn expression, Lyra’s lips merely trembled. Though it was just saying a name, given who he was, she needed mental preparation.
As she hesitantly mumbled, Kaylon asked suspiciously.
“Do you even know my name?”
“…Yes.”
“What is it?”
His gaze was persistent. After rolling her eyes side to side, Lyra finally spoke his name.
“…K-Kaylon Blaske.”
“Well done.”
His sharp eyes curved gently. Lyra hunched her shoulders at his praising touch on her head.
She didn’t know how many times her heart had contracted during this brief moment. He had suddenly appeared demanding choices, casually used her name, and now had her call him by his.
Though this might be natural for lovers as he said, it required great courage from her. Her lips still felt shy about having spoken the Duke’s name so freely.
Just then, Kaylon, who had been stroking her soft golden hair, suddenly withdrew his hand as if remembering something.
“Ah, I forgot we agreed not to touch.”
He too had misunderstood that her hunched neck was due to this. Lyra briefly raised her eyes to look at Kaylon before lowering them again.
“It’s… alright.”
“Is that permission?”
When she shyly nodded, Kaylon’s demeanor changed instantly.
“I’m honored.”
The words were ambiguous, almost mocking.
At that moment, Michel and Isaac, who had been watching from afar, approached. Michel’s gaze was still fixed on Lyra with curiosity.
Kaylon, finally taking his eyes off Lyra, spoke as he began walking.
“You may go now.”
His voice, devoid of humor, was indeed difficult to read. Lyra stared at Kaylon’s retreating back for a moment before turning away.
“So who was it?”
“What?”
“Who did the lady choose?”
“You don’t need to know.”
At these words, Lyra’s face turned bright red, and she hurried her steps unnecessarily.
