Chapter 4 Part 2
Lynn firmly cut off my weak protest and began skillfully delegating tasks to the maids.
I, who could barely open my eyes, was bathed in the tub, dragged to the toilette room, and only after having various fragrant things thoroughly applied to my face and body was I finally released from the maids’ hands.
“Ah, I’m exhausted.”
“Miss, you can’t be tired already. We’re just getting to the grand finale! Come on, time for the dress!”
“Haah…”
After somehow managing to put on the dress, the time to leave for the party was suddenly right upon us.
“You’ll definitely be the most beautiful at today’s party. I can bet my life on it.”
“Pink dresses really do suit you best, Miss. Not just anyone can wear such an elaborate dress!”
“His Highness the Crown Prince will surely fall for you again!”
The maids straightened my slumped back with firm pats while endlessly showering me with praise.
Tired even of hearing their detailed compliments, I just nodded weakly in half hearted response.
“Miss, the carriage has arrived. However…”
Just then, a servant came running to announce the carriage’s arrival.
But they wore an anxious expression, as if something was wrong.
Judging by their restless face… it seemed ‘he’ had finally arrived.
“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”
Barely suppressing my lips from curling up thoughtlessly, I gently questioned with a facade of ignorance.
“Well… a carriage from House Feros has arrived. Moreover, the Viscount Feros himself… has come.”
The servant stuttered while watching my reaction.
Soon, all the servants around began whispering amongst themselves.
The lively atmosphere instantly turned cold.
This reaction was natural from those who knew better than anyone the relationship between House Feros and House Laté.
“Alright, I should go.”
“Yes! …What?”
As I smiled and prepared to leave, the surprised maids could only stamp their feet anxiously while watching me with bewildered eyes.
“But Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince will be here soon…!”
People would naturally assume my partner would be Abel.
But I needed to show them that wasn’t the case.
That things had soured between Abel and me, and Feros had stepped in between.
And Abel, who dislikes scandal, would reject me to maintain his image.
This would make for a perfectly clean scenario.
“Yes, that’s exactly why I’m leaving now.”
“Miss…!? What do you mean…”
“If I want to avoid His Highness, I should hurry, right?”
When I pressed them with gentle words, the maids followed urgently behind me with confused faces.
But we had to stop after just a few steps.
Because Mattio Laté, my father, was standing in our path, looking at me with an ominous gaze from across the corridor.
This is quite a high difficulty for the first obstacle.
Well, it’s not bad to face it early.
Since I had expected this, I wasn’t particularly surprised and approached Mattio with a smooth smile.
Behind me, I could hear the maids’ groans and worried voices, but that didn’t last long.
“Rosiel, I hear Feros’s puppy has come to fetch you.”
The corridor instantly froze at Mattio’s voice, filled with killing intent.
With a displeased expression, Mattio gestured toward House Feros’s white carriage visible through the window.
As expected, his reaction is quick.
To come out here to intercept me as soon as he saw the carriage bearing the Feros crest…
“Yes, Father. I was just on my way there.”
When I answered calmly without showing any agitation, Mattio’s red gaze flickered more intensely.
“If I kill that thing, would you be sad?”
His sharp voice had dropped to a chillingly low tone.
This wasn’t simply a threat to kill Hyle.
It was a question to confirm my intentions.
More precisely, whether I had feelings for Hyle or not.
Judging by Mattio’s expression, having someone from House Feros at the Laté mansion seemed to irritate him greatly.
Of course, it’s impossible for him to be happy about it anyway…
Seeing this made me even more certain that I must keep my engagement plans with Hyle secret from Mattio at all costs.
If I answered that I would be sad here, he looked ready to actually kill Hyle.
This wasn’t just talk – Mattio was exactly the type of person who would do such a thing.
‘Consequences’ were never a consideration for him.
Come to think of it, Fergio’s extreme and reckless side seemed to take exactly after Mattio.
Anyway, I can’t let this continue. Hyle is my only lifeline.
“I might be a little disappointed in Father.”
“…Disappointed?”
“Yes, that’s my precious ‘toy’ that I’ve been carefully raising. I want to properly nurture it and introduce it to you later.”
At my unhesitating answer, Mattio’s lips curved slightly upward.
Fortunately, he seemed satisfied with the response.
“That sounds interesting. I can wait as long as it takes until it’s ready for the banquet. Just don’t make it too late.”
“Of course.”
Having dealt with Mattio more easily than expected, I continued walking past him.
I could constantly feel his intense gaze following me from behind, but any further time wasting would be meaningless.
Ignoring the following gaze, I silently walked out of the mansion entrance.
Just as I was turning the doorknob and stepping outside…
“Rosi, you look busy?”
Right, I was wondering why you hadn’t shown up.
As soon as I left the mansion entrance, Fergio was standing there blocking my path.
I thought it strange he hadn’t come running when he saw Hyle, but…
“Move.”
“Wow, are you really going to ride in the Feros carriage? Rosi, are you in your right mind?”
“I’m always perfectly sane.”
If I kept entertaining Fergio’s childish provocations, I risked running into Abel, who would arrive soon.
Moreover, I was already delayed after meeting Mattio earlier.
“I need to go now.”
As I tried to leave, Fergio’s meaningful voice came again.
“What’s your relationship with that guy?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Why? I just want to be clear about who my sister is having an affair with.”
…I should just ignore Fergio as usual.
I walked past him without even looking at him, let alone answering.
Seeing me approach, Hyle slowly straightened up from where he was leaning against the carriage.
“…Rosiel.”
“Hello, Hyle. We meet again?”
