Chapter 59
Who would harbor feelings for me?
‘Could he be referring to Crown Prince Harbian…?’
As Raylenne tilted her head in confusion, Caverion smiled.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Rising from his seat, Caverion patted Raylenne’s head.
“I need to head to the training ground now.”
Raylenne stood up as well.
“Yes, brother.”
“Enjoy the tea party.”
With a gentle smile, Caverion added playfully, “If anyone gives you a hard time, don’t forget to tell me.”
* * *
The day before the tea party, Raylenne headed to the underground prison to attend to her only scheduled task. As always, Haele greeted her at the entrance.
“You’re here, Lady Raylenne.”
“Yes. Was there any trouble today?”
“No, Aiden seemed fine when I checked on him.”
Raylenne watched Haele laugh sheepishly.
“Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face…?”
Raylenne narrowed her eyes.
“When you say you checked, you mean through the iron gate window again, right?”
“…”
Haele remained silent, his lack of response confirming her suspicion.
Except for the time they replaced the shackles, Haele had rarely entered Aiden’s cell.
“Aiden is not a wild beast. I enter the cell every day without a scratch.”
“I-I know, but…”
Haele mumbled, lowering his head.
“Enough. I check on Aiden every day, so just guard the entrance.”
“Yes, ma’am…”
Haele answered dejectedly. As Raylenne turned to walk toward the cell, Haele called out to her.
“Lady Raylenne!”
“What is it?”
“There’s something I haven’t told you yet.”
Raylenne raised an eyebrow. Haele nervously scratched his neck.
“Lord Caverion was here.”
“My brother…? When?”
“The night Aiden had a high fever.”
“Really…? How did I miss him?”
She had been in Aiden’s cell all night. If Caverion had come, she would have known.
‘Could it be…?’
Perhaps he came when she had fallen asleep beside Aiden. The thought made her heart race.
“Lord Caverion started toward the cell but quickly left, saying he forgot Duke Ergen had summoned him.”
If that was the case, she was truly relieved. If Caverion had seen her and Aiden sleeping under the same blanket, he wouldn’t have remained silent.
‘Yes, that couldn’t have happened.’
Raylenne wondered if Caverion’s cryptic questions about Aiden during their meal were related to that night. Relieved, she glanced sharply at Haele.
“Did my brother say anything else?”
“Anything else…?”
Haele’s eyes darted nervously. He recalled his conversation with Caverion.
[What you told Raylenne is different from what I know.]
Unaware of Caverion’s probing, Haele had confessed everything.
[When intruders sent by Lady Helis attacked Lady Raylenne, Aiden broke his chains and saved her.]
Haele looked at Raylenne.
‘Lady Raylenne called me her man…’
If he told her this, she would surely be disappointed. Haele’s concern quickly turned to self-justification.
It wasn’t just anyone; it was Lord Caverion. Surely, it’s fine not to report to Raylenne. Caverion, responsible for Aiden, was no outsider.
‘Yes…! I won’t tell Lady Raylenne about this.’
Having made up his mind, Haele spoke.
“He didn’t say anything else.”
“Is that so…?”
Raylenne seemed deep in thought but soon relaxed her expression.
“In the future, if anyone asks about Aiden or tries to enter the dungeon, report it to me immediately. Understood?”
“Yes, understood!”
Satisfied with his resolute answer, Raylenne nodded and headed to Aiden’s cell. When she opened the door, Aiden, doing push-ups, quickly stood up. Despite the chilly weather, sweat beads glistened on his forehead.
‘He’s recovering his strength so quickly because of his diligent exercise.’
For an ordinary person, it would be tough, but Aiden seemed to have a protagonist’s buff.
Raylenne, as if praising his efforts, pulled out a hidden bundle from deep within her sleeve. Her voluminous robe was very handy at times like this. Inside the bundle was a long sausage. Since it didn’t have a strong smell, it was easy to sneak past Haele.
“Eat this.”
When Raylenne offered the sausage, Aiden gratefully accepted and took a big bite.
In no time, only about a third of the long sausage was left. Aiden ate quickly, regardless of the food.
At first, Raylenne thought he ate quickly because he was hungry, but it seemed it was his nature. Watching him eat rapidly always made her worry he might choke.
“Eat slowly.”
Aiden glanced at Raylenne and slowed his chewing, but soon returned to his usual fast pace. The sausage disappeared in no time.
“Do you even taste it when you eat like that?”
“Pork marinated in wine.”
Raylenne frowned at his unexpected comment.
“The sausage ingredients. I detected a hint of grape, likely to mask the pork’s odor after grinding.”
“Really…?”
She had eaten the same sausage that morning but hadn’t noticed.
“Yes.”
Despite eating quickly, he seemed to taste the food. His senses were overly sharp.
With Aiden’s precise response, Raylenne looked around before speaking slowly.
“Tomorrow, I’m attending a tea party with Miss Lavita.”
“Who’s hosting the party?”
“Countess Shablin Hamilton.”
Aiden’s expression twisted momentarily. A reaction too noticeable to ignore.
“Do you know Countess Shablin?”
“…”
Aiden didn’t answer easily. His expression soured as if he had bitten into something unpleasant.
It had been a while since Raylenne had seen such an unguarded expression from Aiden.
“I don’t know the Countess well, but I know her only daughter.”
“And?”
“It would be best to avoid her as much as possible.”
Raylenne asked for an explanation, but Aiden clammed up like an oyster and didn’t answer further. However, she naturally found out the reason at the tea party.
* * *
In a large mansion located in the heart of the capital, noble ladies and young misses, dressed in extravagant attire, mingled busily. Among them, Raylenne stood out distinctly. She wore her long, dark navy hair loose, and chose a dress that, though simple, was elegant and expensive. Her radiant face completed the look.
Although Raylenne saw her own face every day, she hadn’t realized how much attention it drew until the stares that pierced like arrows the moment she stepped out of the carriage reminded her again. Raylenne was indeed beautiful.
“Everyone seems to be looking at you, my lady,” Janie whispered.
Hearing what she already knew made her nervous. Her silk gloves were already damp with sweat. The tea party turned out to be larger than expected, with more attendees than she had anticipated. Raylenne only knew that Miss Lavita would be attending and didn’t realize there would be so many people.
“Shall we go in now?” Janie asked.
“Let’s do that,” Raylenne replied, lifting her dress slightly to avoid stepping on the hem as she moved forward.
“Which family are you from?” the doorman inquired.
Janie answered for her. “We are from the House of Ergen.”
The doorman’s eyes widened in surprise but he quickly composed himself. “Please, go ahead.”
In the garden, there was a long, white tea table with a lace tablecloth embroidered with doves and vines. Next to the table, newly planted dahlias brightened the garden with their beauty. The scenery was as splendid as the finely dressed ladies.
Raylenne’s gaze lingered among the young misses. ‘Miss Lavita must be among them,’ she thought. Not knowing her appearance, Raylenne scanned the surroundings with hopeful eyes. Soon, someone approached her.
“Lady Raylenne?”
Turning her head, Raylenne saw a middle-aged woman with neatly styled platinum blonde hair. Her red lips stood out against her pale skin, revealing her identity.
“Countess Shablin Hamilton.”
It was said that Countess Shablin’s signature was her bright red lipstick, as red as a rose. Janie had assured Raylenne she would recognize her instantly.
“Oh my, I’m honored you know me. I recognized Lady Raylenne’s radiant beauty from afar as well,” the countess said in a sweet, cotton-candy-like voice.
Her expression was so naturally gentle and smiling that it seemed as if she was born with that look.
“The garden is beautiful. Thank you for inviting me,” Raylenne said.
“I should be the one thanking you, Lady Raylenne, for attending the party. When word got out that you were coming, I had a hard time turning down requests to join from all around.”
Apparently, the large turnout was because of her. Despite this, when she glanced around, people avoided her gaze as if she were Medusa.
“Oh, and there is someone I’d like to introduce to you. May I do so before we start the tea party, Lady Raylenne?”
“Yes, that would be fine.”
With Raylenne’s consent, Countess Shablin gestured to someone. A young miss, who resembled the countess, approached. At first glance, Raylenne could tell who she was. The young miss, with platinum blonde hair like her mother and a pretty face, wore a sullen expression.
She walked reluctantly and stood in front of Raylenne.
“Introduce yourself, dear. This is Lady Raylenne of the House of Ergen,” Countess Shablin said.
The young miss managed a polite bow. The countess shot her daughter a stern look, like one would at a rebellious teenager, but then quickly turned to Raylenne with a gentle smile.
“Lady Raylenne, this is my only daughter, Macphin.”
