Chapter 5

When I looked up in surprise, I met a pair of bright blue eyes. He signaled to the man holding my arm.

“Do you know him?”

“No. I don’t know him.”

He grabbed the man’s collar and lifted it. In one strong move, he threw the man forward, making him fall flat on the ground. The drunk man groaned and lowered his head.

As I stood there blankly, the man smiled and said,

“The servants will take care of it soon.”

Then he said his name was Cedric. I thanked him and introduced myself as Revril.

“Revril.”

Cedric softly said my name. I liked how it sounded, and I smiled without realizing it. I followed Cedric. Even though he didn’t seem like a regular guest here, he seemed to know the way around the garden well. Then he suddenly asked,

“People who are invited to the mansion usually don’t come this way. How did you end up here?”

“The ballroom was too noisy. And I’ve been here once before, but I didn’t get to enter the garden that time. I was curious about it and also wanted to be alone.”

Cedric nodded and spoke calmly.

“Maybe it’s because the host is doing this for the first time.”

“I think so too. I was already in a bad mood because of my father, and when even the ballroom felt like too much, this was the only place I could come to.”

“Your father?”

“Oh, he got a little angry with me earlier.”

That day, I ended up telling Cedric all kinds of small stories. Maybe I just wanted to get rid of my bad feelings caused by my father.

But then I got nervous and asked him,

“And please don’t tell anyone about this. My father doesn’t like me very much as it is.”

Cedric looked at me curiously. I felt the need to explain and began to speak.

“It’s because no one has sent me a marriage proposal even at my age. All my friends are already married, but I’m not.”

Cedric nodded. I felt uneasy for sharing such personal things with someone I had just met. After all, I didn’t know him that well.

I hesitated for a moment and asked,

“Is my story making you uncomfortable?”

“No.”

Cedric gave a small smile. I felt a little relieved and went on.

“To be honest, my father is the problem. He has a very difficult personality. If anyone ever came to give a proposal in person and met him, they’d probably run away.”

“Have there been people who showed interest in you?”

“There were a few, but seeing how no one ever sent a proposal, I guess they didn’t like me that much.”

I thought about the people who had looked at me with interest. I didn’t like them very much either, but I was willing to marry them if they sent a proposal—just to escape my father.

But no one ever sent one, and my father’s nagging only got worse.

I let out a sigh without meaning to. Cedric looked at me. I quickly apologized.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s fine.”

Cedric smiled and looked ahead. I thought to myself, If Cedric married me, I wouldn’t ask for anything more.

From the way he dressed, he looked like a noble, and it was the first time someone had listened to me like this. It was also the first time I kept talking like this.

But marriage was only my wish. I wasn’t in a position to ask, and it wouldn’t be proper.

Just then, a servant came running from afar. I thought he might be looking for me, but he bowed to Cedric right away.

“Young master, I’ve been looking everywhere. The Duke Batis is asking for you.”

Cedric looked at me. I was too surprised to say anything. Cedric gave a small smile and said,

“I think I should go now.”

Only then did I realize that Cedric was the second son of the famous Duke of Jedburgh. He hadn’t lied to me from the beginning—I just didn’t realize it.

“Go ahead. Don’t worry about me.”

“But you’re a guest here. I feel sorry to leave like this.”

I quickly waved my hand.

“No! I should be the one saying sorry. I didn’t even recognize you.”

Cedric whispered something to the servant. The servant nodded and came to me.

“This way, please. We’ve prepared a small resting place in the annex.”

I looked at Cedric in surprise. He smiled and left. I couldn’t even say thank you at that moment.

And not long after, he sent me a marriage proposal. I really couldn’t explain how I felt at that time—it was beyond words.

Later, I found out that my father had put in a lot of effort, but I was still happy. Something I had only dreamed about actually came true.

I also learned later that Cedric’s mother was strongly against the marriage.

But my greedy father wanted to connect with the Jedburgh family no matter what, and he finally made it happen. He even gave Cedric the rights to his prized diamond import business.

At first, I thought Cedric truly had feelings for me. He had always been so polite. I had never met anyone like him before. I only knew people like my father, who always shouted. Cedric’s kind and gentle way made me fall for him right away.

But that kindness was poison.

Cedric never had feelings for me to begin with.

Now that the illusion was gone, I painfully realized how empty hope could be.

“My lady?”

I turned my head at the sudden voice and saw a maid looking at me. She was holding a red rose. As I stared at it, she explained,

“There were some roses left. Should I place this one in the bedroom?”

I nodded. I looked around, but the light pink roses were nowhere to be seen—maybe they had been thrown away. I stood up and walked to the room.

Batis arrived in the evening with his wife, Herder. When I welcomed them in front of the mansion, they smiled brightly and greeted me.

“How have you been? I’ve been traveling around, and since this place is near the capital, the roads were really nice.”

Herder smiled warmly. I replied politely,

“I’ve been well. Was the trip hard?”

“Not at all. After following my husband around for a while, this kind of trip feels like nothing. The roads were well-paved, so it was an easy ride.”

I felt a little jealous of Herder. They stood close, holding each other’s shoulders, and they looked like a happy couple. Just then, the butler came to lead them inside. He quietly said to me,

“The master will be a little late.”

I nodded and went to the drawing room. They were already laughing and chatting as if enjoying themselves.

I forced a smile and joined them. Herder smiled brightly when she saw me.

“Revril, we won’t stay long. We don’t want to get in the way of you two.”

“I don’t mind.”

Then Batis joined in.

“No, I mind. Cedric is very particular.”

Herder lightly hit Batis on the shoulder. He chuckled and kissed her cheek. Herder gasped and pushed him away. She smiled at me calmly.

“Anyway, we came since we were on our way home, and we had something to tell you. I thought it would be better to say it in person.”

Just then, a servant handed me a small box. I looked at it in surprise, and Herder said,

“Open it.”

She looked very excited. I slowly untied the ribbon. As the thin ribbon fell under the table, I caught a glimpse of something purple.

When I opened the box, I saw a round ball with purple morning glory petals.

I had never seen anything like it, so I looked up. Herder smiled with her eyes.

“It’s a bath bomb with morning glory. They say it brings good news. Use it with Cedric.”

I was confused. I had never received a gift like this before. I barely managed to smile.

“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

I handed it to the servant next to me and whispered,

“Put it in my bedroom.”

The servant nodded and stepped back. Batis looked at me for a moment, then laughed and agreed with something Herder said.

Herder really liked to talk and laugh. Because she kept starting conversations, I naturally joined in and talked with them for a while.

Cedric’s name didn’t come up much, which made things feel more relaxed. While we were chatting happily, the butler came into the drawing room.

“The master has arrived.”