Chapter 17
“Young Lady, it’s done. You look absolutely stunning!”
Sera clapped her hands with a crisp snap, bouncing in excitement as admiration burst from her lips. Delighted by the rare occasion, she had been eagerly preparing Aileen since early that morning, and the result was a testament to her tireless efforts.
At Sera’s words, Aileen forced open her heavy eyelids, barely keeping herself from nodding off. She rose slowly and walked over to the full-length mirror.
“…It’s beautiful.”
The words slipped out in a faint murmur, unplanned and sincere.
Her wavy, pale pink hair cascaded down to her waist, half-pinned up while soft strands framed her face. She wore a lavender dress that bared both shoulders, accentuating the graceful line from her neck to her collarbones.
Silver jewelry adorned with violet gemstones hung from her neck and ears, perfectly matching the amethyst hue of her clear, striking eyes. Though untouched by cosmetics, a natural flush colored her cheeks.
Even in her own eyes, the woman standing in the mirror—dazed and breathless—was stunningly beautiful.
“You’ve been so energetic today. I guess it’s been a while since we went out. Of course, you’d be gorgeous with or without me.”
“It’s all thanks to you. Thank you, Sera.”
“Oh, it’s nothing…”
Sera smiled bashfully, twirling a strand of her hair. Aileen gently patted her on the shoulder a couple of times, then stepped outside to board the carriage waiting at the entrance.
“Mother said she made the reservation in advance.”
“Yes! She mentioned it was at Madame Kiroé’s atelier!”
Even inside the rattling carriage, Sera clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Madame Kiroé’s atelier was the most prestigious in the capital of the Diert Empire. Known not only for its impeccable design and craftsmanship, it also possessed one trait that drew the nobility like moths to flame:
It served only one client at a time.
This exclusivity made the prices soar beyond imagination, yet nobles with more wealth than restraint frequented it without hesitation. Secret fittings, discreet visits with mistresses—everything could be arranged in privacy.
Of course, not every client came with ill intentions. Some simply disliked the noisy atmosphere of other salons, while others wanted to avoid becoming fodder for social gossip. For those, Madame Kiroé’s was the perfect sanctuary.
Though others tried to mimic its aesthetic and private service model, none lasted. Without the skills to maintain such a boutique with limited clientele, imitators quickly fell into obscurity.
Aileen opened the door. A gentle chime rang out as it swung open. From within, an attendant greeted her politely.
“Welcome, Lady Aileen Revart. We’ve been expecting you.”
Even the waiting area was private. Naturally, people seeking secrecy—or those tired of being watched—gravitated here.
Just as Aileen turned to enter the designated waiting room, she motioned for Sera—who had been curiously taking in the surroundings—to follow her. They had reached the gem-encrusted door, and Sera was just about to grab the handle when—
A voice called out from behind.
“Lady Aileen Revart?”
Aileen froze, a sharp sense of déjà vu washing over her. She shut her eyes tightly, recognizing the voice immediately.
Why do I keep running into them? What kind of twisted fate keeps tying us together? She was sure—absolutely sure—she had told them she never wanted to speak again.
She quickly reviewed her memory, checking for any missteps. But no—nothing had been left unsaid.
A sigh slipped out. Since she’d already given a clear warning, Aileen took a deep breath, resolved to ignore the voice and continue into the waiting room.
But the other person moved first.
“Please. Let’s talk.”
Before she could react, Judith Hesidyn closed the distance and suddenly grabbed Aileen’s arm.
“What do you think you’re doing—?!”
Startled by the unexpected touch, Aileen instinctively threw off Judith’s hand with force.
“Ah!”
Judith staggered. Though they were both women, Aileen was a knight—her reflexes sharp, her strength trained. The force had been greater than she intended.
Aileen turned quickly, a tense expression on her face. Thankfully, Judith didn’t hit the floor; instead, she collapsed onto a nearby sofa.
Aileen’s heart sank for a moment but soon steadied with relief.
“What exactly do you think you’re doing?”
Her composure returning, Aileen’s voice dropped to a chilling calm—cool as a blade in winter. It was barely audible, yet unmistakably sharp.
Judith seemed shaken, remaining silent. Aileen stood still, waiting. Meanwhile, Sera hovered a few steps back, shifting nervously and wringing her hands.
“I… I had something to say. That’s why I did it,” Judith finally muttered, her voice uneven.
“I told you I had nothing to say.”
Aileen’s cold response made Judith exhale sharply, like someone stung by bitter wind.
“Your tone’s changed, Lady Aileen. Or have you simply lost your sense of judgment?”
Judith suddenly lifted her head. Her crimson eyes, blazing with hostility, locked onto Aileen’s. Though her voice remained gentle, her blood-red glare cut like a knife.
Aileen wanted to return the words—You’re the one who’s changed. Never in all their years at the academy had she seen Judith like this. So biting. So bold.
She looked down at Judith, her gaze a mix of disbelief, irritation, and weary anger.
“And what could you possibly want to say that justifies being this rude, Judith Hesidyn?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know.”
“Pretending not to know? How insulting. And don’t forget—me speaking to you at all right now is nothing short of mercy.”
Judith stared at Aileen for a moment, her face unreadable. Then she twisted her lips into a sneer and got straight to the point.
“You flirted with His Majesty and messed up my father’s business.”
The calm facade she’d been wearing cracked, and a flicker of anger rose to the surface. Aileen caught the expression and let out a dry, mocking laugh.
Flirted? Did she really just say that? How ridiculous.
“I don’t think flirted is the right word. If anything, that sounds more like something you’d do.”
“Lady Aileen!”
“I don’t understand why you’re blaming someone who has nothing to do with this. That decision came directly from His Majesty. Surely you don’t believe the Emperor makes such important choices just because a knight whispered in his ear?”
“…”
“And I have no idea what business you’re even talking about, so stop picking a fight over nothing.”
Judith suddenly stood up.
It was clear now that she had thrown away the mask she used to wear—the sweet, shy smile she always had when she met Aileen. She didn’t care to hide her true face anymore. And even seeing it like this, Aileen could hardly believe it.
So this is the woman you chose. You really loved… someone like this?
Aileen’s bitter gaze dropped briefly to Judith’s still-flat stomach, then looked away.
“Look, I get that you’re angry Carlisle left you, but that doesn’t give you the right to drag my father into this.”
Her words were so far from logical, it almost made Aileen laugh despite the situation. But the way Judith said it—like she truly believed she was in the right—was unbelievable.
And to think she had studied at the Academy, even if she didn’t finish. How could someone so clueless come from there?
Aileen responded flatly, without even pretending to be polite anymore.
“Judith Hesidyn, I think you’ve misunderstood something. I really don’t care anymore. You’re the one who ruined your future—letting people believe you stole someone else’s fiancé at a social event. That’s on you.”
“W-What?!”
“And if you’re going to accuse me of something, you should bring proof. Throwing around words like flirting without evidence? That’s not only cheap—it’s insulting to His Majesty too.”
“…”
“Your thoughts, your words, your actions—they’re all vulgar. Just like your behavior right now.”
Aileen gave a cold, almost cruel smile.
Judith’s face turned red with anger. She clenched her fists and suddenly charged at Aileen.
As if such a pitiful punch could actually land on a trained knight.
Aileen noticed Sera flinch beside her, preparing to step in, but she calmly shifted her body to the side.
Thud.
Judith stumbled forward and fell hard to the floor with a loud thump.
Sera, who had been holding her breath in fear that Judith’s fist might actually hit Aileen, now stifled a small laugh behind her hands.
“She came at you so fast, I didn’t even think to stop her.”
Even though Sera spoke in her usual calm tone, Judith stayed on the floor, too humiliated and hurt to lift her head. She just trembled where she had fallen.
“I think I twisted my ankle trying to dodge her.”
“…”
“It might be difficult for me to help her up. I’ll call for a staff member.”
No matter how rude Judith had been, Aileen hadn’t forgotten the child growing inside her. The thought of it tugged painfully at her heart. The baby hadn’t done anything wrong. Aileen couldn’t just stand by and let it get hurt. She wasn’t that heartless.
“I…”
Just as she turned to call someone over, she felt it—that familiar, heavy presence approaching from a distance. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, then opened them again.
Of course. The one who had been absent until now was finally here.
Carlisle was striding toward them.
“What happened, Judy?”
He reached her in just a few steps and immediately bent down to lift Judith off the floor. His movements were cautious—so careful, in fact, that Aileen had to look away.
“Carlisle… it hurts.”
“…”
“I can’t walk.”
“Sit here for now. I need to check where it hurts.”
At Carlisle’s soft voice, Judith obediently sat down. The moment he appeared, the cruel, bitter woman from earlier was gone. In her place was the Judith Aileen remembered—the one with that soft, fragile expression.
“What happened?” Carlisle asked quietly as he checked her over.
“I need to know before I call the physician.”
“Well… I…”
“Tell me.”
“It was Lady Aileen…”
As soon as Judith spoke, Carlisle’s head snapped toward Aileen.
“…That’s why I fell.”
Aileen let out a short, bitter laugh.
