Chapter 10
At a glance, it looked like an envelope with the Grand Duke’s family seal. I quietly pulled the envelope, which was a little far away, toward me.
‘He came to give me this? Then… he really doesn’t know about that day?’
A familiar name was written on the envelope.
It wasn’t Reus’s name.
– Shanette Rabian –
That was the name written.
Shanette was currently the Marchioness and also Reus’s aunt.
I had become friendly with Shanette after helping her by chance, and we stayed in contact occasionally.
‘Well… that’s that.’
It wasn’t strange that Shanette sent a letter. It was something that happened often.
‘But… why would Reus bring it personally to the Count’s residence?’
Instead of wondering, I decided to just open the envelope and check it for myself. But Reus spoke before I could.
“I heard my aunt formally invited Lady Ivelle. Is that correct?”
“Ah… yes.”
Come to think of it, Shanette did say that not long ago. She wanted to invite me to her home and asked if I would accept the invitation if she sent one.
‘Is this the invitation?’
I was about to open the envelope again to check when Reus interrupted me once more.
“It seems the letter wasn’t properly delivered.”
“I guess so. I haven’t received anything from Lady Shanette lately.”
“She was worried, so she asked me to deliver it….”
Reus trailed off, narrowed his eyes slightly, and paused.
“and to confirm Lady Ivelle answer directly.”
It was well known that Reus deeply cared for his aunt Shanette. I had heard those rumors too, but I didn’t expect him to do such personal errands for her.
‘That’s unexpected…’
“If you don’t want to, you can decline.”
“What? Oh, no…! I mean… I’d love to. I already told her before that I would. It would be a great honor to be invited.”
I had been scared when the story strayed from the original, but this kind of change worked in my favor.
Since Peria really liked Shanette, she wouldn’t lock me in the basement just for being invited!
‘And if I meet Shanette, she probably won’t hit me to avoid suspicion, right?’
Even if it’s just for a little while, I wouldn’t get beaten, and I’d gain more time to plan an escape.
I was feeling a bit excited, not quite fitting the situation, when Reus’s calm voice brought me back to reality like a splash of cold water.
“Then you should get ready to leave.”
Leave… where?
“You’ll need to pack. I’ll wait as long as needed.”
“Pack? What do you mean all of a sudden…?”
I stared at Reus, forgetting to be polite. Then, surprisingly, he kindly explained.
“You can’t come back in a day, so I meant it’s better to pack a few things.”
So if I understood him correctly…
Today. Right now. I was to leave for the Rabian Marquess’s estate, so I needed to get ready.
‘Did I understand that right…?’
No matter how I thought about it, it didn’t make sense. So this time I asked him directly.
“Your Grace, so today… I mean, are we leaving right now? I feel like I misunderstood.”
“Lady Ivelle, you understood correctly.”
“So please go comfortably.”
We’re really leaving?
‘This suddenly? Shanette isn’t the kind of person to be this rude…’
What kind of person is Shanette?
She was gentle and kind, completely different from Reus. She was so well-known for her kindness that even the gossip-hungry nobility called her an angel without wings.
There was no point explaining further—everyone knew she was a good person.
But that very Shanette had made such a sudden request?
‘And doesn’t it take more than a day to get to the marquessate?’
It would take two full days just to travel from the Ivelle Count’s estate to the Rabian Marquess’s territory. Even with the shortest stay, it would take at least a week to return.
That’s why Reus didn’t just say to prepare for a short outing—he told me to pack.
Even knowing that, the invitation came so suddenly…
‘Was there some kind of urgent reason…?’
I was so flustered that I started justifying it to myself. Maybe Shanette realized the letter wasn’t delivered too late, and the schedule was already set, so she had no choice but to rush the invitation…
Then Reus spoke again.
“Do you have other plans?”
“Ah, plans…”
I didn’t, but an unwelcome guest was waiting for me…
‘Right. What happens to Cassien if I leave?’
Wait. Why should I care about him?
He’s the one who suddenly showed up without warning.
And even if it’s sudden, this is a chance to escape this tense situation. Hesitating would be a waste.
“I don’t have plans, but I do need to tell my mother first…”
Reus didn’t say anything, but I could tell he was confident Peria wouldn’t object.
“If Mother agrees, then I’ll just pack lightly…”
“It would be better if you packed everything you need. Of course, you could go with nothing… but I thought that might be uncomfortable for you.”
It sounded like he cared, but I knew he meant: Don’t trouble Shanette.
“Then I’ll try to pack well.”
“Yes, I think that would be best.”
“Okay.”
“It’s better not to leave room for regret.”
I frowned at his words. The way he said it felt like a warning—he really didn’t want me to go to Shanette home. This man really doesn’t know how to say things nicely.
“Of course you should go. Why are you even asking?”
Peria didn’t seem the least bit bothered by the sudden invitation. In fact, she looked like she had completely forgotten about the broken engagement thanks to Shanette invitation.
I didn’t expect her to react like this, so I was a bit thrown off.
“Ah, yes… Of course. I just wanted to inform you, Mother…”
“Go upstairs and pack quickly. Actually, even if you’re invited, you shouldn’t go empty-handed. I’ll prepare a gift for you—don’t forget to take it.”
“Yes, Mother. But what about Cassien…?”
Only after hearing his name did Peria remember him and click her tongue quietly.
The Grand Duke, who held real power in the empire, and Shanette, who could move him easily—there were countless people trying to win their favor.
And unlike others, we didn’t even have to try. Good fortune had come to us.
“Sigh… I’ll take care of the engagement mess for now. Just focus on not offending the lady of the house.”
For Peria, this was an opportunity she couldn’t miss. Silently thanking Shanette, I hurried up to my room. And when I opened the door, an unwelcome face was there.
“You’re still here?”
“We didn’t finish talking.”
“I have nothing more to say to you.”
The maids would pack the basics, so I went straight to the dressing room to pick out clothes.
It was my first time using the dressing room attached to this room. I had never been able to wear what I wanted and always wore Briella hand-me-downs.
‘There are more dresses than I thought.’
With this many, couldn’t I at least have one? Though I was annoyed, I picked the longest and most modest dress I could find.
Suddenly, Cassien grabbed my wrist and turned me around.
“Why are you changing clothes?”
“Why do you think? I’m going out, so I need to pack and change.”
“Pack?”
“Yes. So please just leave, Cassien.”
But he stood there silently, not moving. I didn’t push him away this time—I just walked to another spot.
“Where are you going that you need to pack?”
“To the Rabian Marquess’s estate.”
“Suddenly… what are you talking about, Loelle?”
Because he turned me, I dropped the dress. I held back a sigh and gently pried his hand off.
“Funny, right? Explaining everything to you. We’re strangers now.”
“You’re still going, even though I’m here?”
“Did you ever think that I’m going because you’re here?”
Cassien frowned deeply.
How I managed to stay polite and smile before—I’ll never know.
“Loelle, explain in detail—”
Knock knock.
Just then, Peria came to my room at the perfect moment.
“Loelle, hurry up. Don’t keep His Grace waiting.”
“Yes, Mother.”
I shoved clothes into my bag and zipped it quickly. But Cassien grabbed me again, refusing to let go.
“The Grand Duke? Don’t tell me… that guy is the new man?”
“Watch your mouth, Cassien.”
“Loelle!”
I didn’t need to answer. Peria heard the noise and walked in.
“Cassien. The visit to Lady Shanette was planned in advance. I’m sorry, but please come another time. I’ll talk to the Marchioness about the engagement issue, so don’t worry.”
“If you’re really worried, wait until Loelle returns. Then talk properly—on a set date.”
In other words, even if it was because of the engagement, you came without notice. So don’t stop her now. I felt like cheering inside.
Cassien had been a pain, but Peria stepped in and helped cleanly remove him. Cassien forced a smile.
“Loelle. I’ll wait for you… Just don’t take too long.”
I gave him a small smile. The kind that said: I’ll never do what you want.
