Chapter 9 Part 5

“Rosiel, this is for you.”

“For me… what is it?”

At my question, Hyle slowly opened the closed lid of the box.

Inside was a small hairpin with a pink rose, which had a sweet fragrance as if it were a real flower.

“I brought it thinking it would suit you well… but I was hesitating whether to give it since your hair is already quite elaborate. But since I’ve brought it, I should give it.”

So that’s why he had that hesitant expression earlier…

As I quietly looked down at the hairpin Hyle had given me, I immediately removed the decorations pinned in my hair.

The decorations poking here and there between my hair had been annoying me anyway, so this was unexpectedly fortunate.

“…Rosiel?”

Seeing me ruthlessly remove my hair decorations, Hyle stared at me with a considerably surprised face.

His wide-open green pupils were more filled with confusion than usual.

Regardless, having removed all the hair decorations, I stretched out the hairpin in my hand to him.

My hair was a mess due to removing all the decorations.

It needed to be redone before I could enter the party hall with dignity.

“Could you tie my hair? Just gather the top part of my hair and tie it loosely.”

Asking him to neatly tie it all up or braid it would be too cruel a punishment for Hyle, who had no female siblings, so a half-up style should be easy, right?

Of course, it was something I could do myself. Surely at my age, I could tie my own hair.

But with the person who gave me the hairpin standing right in front of me, why would I go to such trouble?

“If you want.”

After I brazenly requested him to tie my hair and turned my back, Hyle, contrary to my expectation, quickly agreed and took the hairpin from my hand.

Oh? Is he really going to tie it? Wait, does he even know how to tie a woman’s hair?

I had expected him to be flustered, asking if I really wanted him to tie my hair, but it was actually me who was surprised by his unexpected positive response.

As I always feel… Hyle was sometimes unfathomable.

Perhaps in the future, I shouldn’t hastily conclude that I know everything about Hyle just because I’ve read the original work.

“It’s done.”

Fortunately, the party building was gleaming and transparent like a new structure.

Thanks to that, I could easily check my hair condition through the reflection on the wall.

My hairstyle in the reflection beyond the wall looked much more natural than when the maids had done it.

It was more perfect than expected for a result that came out so quickly.

The pink rose hairpin Hyle had given me was less elaborate than what I had been wearing initially, but its presence was unmistakable.

Moreover, the color matched perfectly with the dress I was wearing today, as if they were a set.

“This is a completely unexpected surprise gift. Both the hairpin and personally tying my hair… honestly, asking you to tie it was half a joke.”

“There are many orphaned young priest aspirants at the temple. Regardless of gender. I hope you’re not making any strange misunderstandings.”

Interestingly, Hyle had precisely identified the question I had.

That’s why he had specifically pointed out the part I was curious about.

More than that, I had wondered how he could tie hair so neatly and cleanly, but he had such experience?

Not that I thought he had experience with women specifically… but this answer is certainly more pleasant to hear.

When I quietly reflected on the past, I seemed to recall seeing children around the temple occasionally.

Since it wasn’t a scene I had particularly taken to heart, I didn’t remember the details, but Hyle’s explanation was quite plausible.

Who could possibly imagine that the noble Young Marquis of Feros would personally tie the hair of orphaned young priests?

Usually, children without parents stood out. Especially in their hair and attire.

Hyle knew this, which is why he had tied their hair—of all things. To make them look like children whose parents cared for them.

It was truly a kind and caring action typical of Hyle. That’s why it didn’t feel out of place. Rather, it suited him well…

Someday, if my heart turns completely white, will there be a day when I can stand beside Hyle with children?

Well, of course, it’s just a presumptuous desire, so it doesn’t particularly matter if it doesn’t happen.

“Thank you. But I don’t have anything to give… if I had known, I would have prepared something in return.”

Since it was a surprise gift, my not knowing was natural. However, bringing a gift with the other person in mind was simply a matter of human sensibility.

So saying I didn’t know wasn’t a valid excuse. This is something I should learn from.

Hyle, who had been silently stroking my hair, gently raised my hand. Then he briefly kissed the back of it.

The warm and affectionate energy spreading across my delicate skin made the back of my hand tingle.

“I’ll take this as your return gift.”

A soft laugh followed.

It was a sweet laugh that made my insides flutter.

I noticed my eyes had widened without my realizing it. Quickly composing my expression, I slowly nodded.

“…If that’s what you want.”

After kissing the back of my hand, Hyle brought his lips to my ear.

It seemed he still had something to say.

“I’ve infused a little holy power into your hairpin.”

“Holy power?”

I wanted to ask about his intention, but Hyle quickly moved away from me.

At the same time, the majestic sound of music announcing the start of the party leaked out to the building’s exterior.

“The party will start soon. We should probably go in. But no magical beast today?”

“Magical beast?”

That’s unexpected. Hyle asking about my magical beasts. I don’t know what he’s talking about exactly, but he seems quite interested…

“I mean that bird whose feathers showed other places. The Crown Prince might have gone to your mansion.”

“Ah, if you’re talking about monitoring Abel through Raphla, there’s no need. I didn’t respond to any of his partner requests. He’d have realized it was a rejection and found another partner.”

For parties held at the Imperial Palace like last time, it was fine to attend without a partner. However, the Artine Marquis family had their own party principles that emphasized harmony and love.

That’s why partners were essential. The Artines were such an inflexible group with absolutely no sense of flexibility that they wanted guests to bring partners even if they were strangers.

“Then he might not attend.”

“Not necessarily. Abel tends to appear wherever I go.”

Of course, as Hyle said, Abel might not respond to the Artine Marquis family’s party invitation.

Now that I had rejected him, he would have to go through the trouble of finding a partner other than me.

“I wonder who the Crown Prince will bring.”

I thought I had a rough idea. After all, in the original work, Abel always had many women around him.

There were numerous minor supporting characters whose names were not specifically mentioned.

Of course, they weren’t described in detail compared to his official fiancée Rosiel or his unrequited love interest Hertiana, as they were far less significant. Nevertheless, given that the original text stated “Abel was always surrounded by numerous women,” it was impossible for Abel to miss a party due to the absence of a partner.

So, who couldn’t he bring?

From the beginning, Abel was a man who, if he wished, could entice any unmarried woman in the Empire except for me, who knew his true face.

At times like this, I was newly reminded that Abel was the Crown Prince.

Even though he was currently considered inferior to the Emperor, he was still royalty.

The weight carried by the word “royalty” was considerable.

So if they set their minds to it, they could annihilate an entire family as if it were nothing, even considering some difficult and heavy risks.

Even if that family meant enormous houses like Laté or Feros, it wasn’t absolutely impossible.

After all, the law revolves solely around the royal family.

Of course, if that really happened, the current imperial family would be branded with the infamous title of tyrant and the dirty honor of despotic politics, but if they were determined to bury a family, such labels would be nothing.

Rather, they would be grateful that it ended with just such labels.