Chapter 2
Fourteen years ago, at just eighteen years old, Fernando Aiola became the head of House Aiola after the tragic passing of their parents. Since then, he had raised six-year-old Elaine almost as if she were his own daughter.
When she was young, Elaine had once come dangerously close to death due to a moment’s carelessness. Though her life was spared, the incident left her frail ever since. Fernando had treated her with the utmost care, always fearing she might shatter at the lightest touch or be swept away with a breath of wind.
A brother in name but a father in practice, the significant age gap between them made Fernando a figure of both authority and affection. Perhaps that was why he was more moved than anyone else at the thought of his little sister finally coming of age.
Of course, in his eyes, she still looked no more than a child—hardly the refined lady others might see.
“Vanessa is already ready. She’s sitting on the first-floor sofa, waiting for you to finish dressing.”
“Oh no, I can’t keep Sister Vanessa waiting! Anna, what are you doing? We must hurry and finish!”
“My lady…! I’ve been doing my very best this whole time! The only reason your preparations are taking so long is because you can’t seem to sit still for even a moment!”
Anna huffed in protest, looking like the most unjustly accused soul in the world.
“What was that, Anna? Care to repeat that?”
Elaine playfully narrowed her eyes at the maid, mock-glaring.
“Don’t be too hard on Anna. She’s already going through enough trouble because of you.”
Fernando chuckled as he waited patiently for his sister to finish dressing. And finally, once Elaine had completed her ensemble and slipped on a pair of soft rose-colored gloves, he stepped forward and offered his hand.
“Shall we, Lady of the Night?”
“I thought you told me not to use that phrase.”
Elaine tilted her head proudly as she placed her hand delicately in his.
“I only meant you shouldn’t call yourself that. It’s the royal palace, after all—boasting like that can come off rather arrogant. Though, to be fair, the name of Aiola has more than earned the right.”
With a gentle smile, Fernando guided his sister down the grand staircase.
“Remember this, Elaine. Many people will approach you tonight, whispering sweet flattery. But in truth, they’ll be scheming how best to diminish you. Never give them an opening.”
“Don’t worry. I’m an adult now, remember?”
Even her prideful tone was endearing to Fernando, who smiled fondly.
On the first floor, Vanessa sat waiting with a somewhat bored expression, her rich crimson hair elegantly swept up. Her maid, Bella, was massaging her shoulders and working hard to appease her mood.
Hearing footsteps on the stairs, Vanessa turned her head. Seeing the two siblings descending together, she curved her red lips into an elegant smile.
“My, Elaine. I wondered what was taking so long—Anna must have worked quite the magic today.”
“Vanessa!”
Elaine quickly let go of Fernando’s hand and trotted over to Vanessa. Though they saw each other daily in the same household, her excitement made it feel like a long-awaited reunion. Fernando followed behind, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.
Vanessa had become the mistress of House Aiola five years ago. Together with Fernando, she was one of the only family members Elaine had left. As a woman, she offered a different kind of guidance—one Fernando couldn’t provide. Elaine loved Vanessa just as dearly as she loved Fernando.
While Fernando was undoubtedly the one who cherished her most, Vanessa was the one in whom Elaine placed her deepest trust.
“Were you waiting long? I’m sorry. It’s my first ball, and I just got so excited and carried away.”
“I remember feeling the same at your age. I made Fernando wait nearly two hours for me before my first ball, you know.”
“It was three hours.”
Fernando, recalling the old memory with perfect clarity, corrected her.
“Oh, two or three, what’s the difference?”
Vanessa waved her hand and laughed brightly.
“In any case, Elaine—you look stunning tonight. I expect the fools of Hermanda will be lining up just to hold your hand.”
“Then let me give you the honor first, Sister Vanessa.”
Elaine giggled as she extended her hand. Vanessa rose from her seat, playfully mimicking the manner of a gallant gentleman, and took it as though bestowed a royal privilege.
As the two women walked ahead arm-in-arm, Fernando followed behind them, a soft smile resting on his lips.
“Come now, Fernando. This needs a proper answer.”
“She’s right, Brother. You must give us a clear choice.”
Inside the smoothly rolling carriage, Fernando wore a deeply troubled expression as he faced the relentless questioning of the two women.
“Do I really have to choose between the two?”
Elaine’s emerald-green eyes—so identical to her brother’s they could have been copied—darted around in awkward panic.
“Of course. Compliments that are handed out to everyone don’t feel very special.”
“I don’t just say that to anyone—”
“Come on, answer already. Is it me, Elaine? Who’s prettier?”
“It’s me, right? You’ll choose me, won’t you, Brother?”
“If I hear any name other than mine leave your lips, I’ll tell Mother and have the palace guards turn the Aiola estate into rubble.”
“But you’ll still say I’m the prettiest, won’t you? No matter if the mansion is torn apart or not.”
The subtle pressure from the two women—both demanding to be chosen as the fairest—left Fernando in a difficult spot. Helpless and cornered, he didn’t know which way to turn. That made it all the more amusing when Elaine and Vanessa locked eyes… and then burst into laughter at the exact same moment.
“Oh my, Fernando. You’re too adorable for words.”
“Really now, Brother. How did someone this soft-spoken ever become head of House Aiola?”
“Wait—what? You two were teasing me?!”
Realizing too late that he’d been the butt of their joke, Fernando looked betrayed.
“I was being completely serious…”
“And that’s exactly why I love you, darling.”
Vanessa affectionately wrapped an arm around his neck and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. Even in front of his one and only younger sister, their public displays of affection were as bold as ever. Elaine shook her head, exasperated—but then, her eyes suddenly sparkled with mischief as she looked at the couple.
“Ahem…”
“What? What is it, Elaine?”
Unsettled by her oddly intense gaze, Fernando gently pushed Vanessa aside and stammered a bit.
Elaine clasped her hands together like she was offering a prayer and shyly lowered her lashes.
“Now that I’m an adult… do you think I’ll be able to have a passionate romance like the two of you?”
“A… a what?”
Fernando’s face instantly turned stormy.
“Vanessa, is it true what they say? That kissing someone feels like walking on soft, fluffy clouds?”
“Well… I suppose it depends on who you’re kissing, and what kind of kiss it is.”
“Don’t answer such absurd questions seriously, Vanessa!”
At last, Fernando raised his voice in exasperation. His expression hardened as he launched into a stern monologue.
“Elaine, do you seriously think you’ve become an adult just because your birthday has passed? If so, that’s the most foolish, naive idea in the world. You’re nothing but a fledgling chick who’s just been tossed into high society. Tonight’s ball will be full of men looking to get close to you, with all kinds of hidden motives. And if any man dares ask you to step outside for some air—don’t hesitate. Kick him hard in the shin—”
“Oh, Brother, please.”
Elaine puffed up her cheeks like a pouting child, as if his words were just noise. Vanessa backed Fernando up, though her tone was gentler.
“It might sound like nagging, but listen to him, Elaine. If you ever truly want to date someone seriously, let us be the first to know. We’ll tell you—with adult eyes—whether or not he’s worth your time.”
“Yes, yes, I understand. The two of you really are the perfect couple—you even think the same.”
Elaine stuck out her tongue and turned away from the famously devoted Aiola couple.
At some point, the carriage had come to a stop.
As they stepped out toward the grand palace ballroom, Vanessa leaned close to Elaine and whispered in her ear.
“Do you know how much Turner begged your mother to get this ball approved for you? It’s the first time in over a decade that a ball is being held here for something other than official royal business.”
“And yet he still managed to get Her Majesty’s permission?”
“You sly little thing. You know perfectly well—Turner would do anything for you.”
Vanessa teased her, her tone carrying both affection and mild reproach.
“How long do you plan to keep pretending not to notice his feelings?”
“But Turner… feels too much like a boy. My type is someone a bit taller… broader shoulders…”
Elaine trailed off as she realized the image she was painting matched all too well with that handsome man from the night of the Aiola ball—the one with the deep voice.
“My goodness, Elaine. You really do have high standards, don’t you? How on earth could you reject the crown prince himself? Do you know how many girls in the kingdom dream of being in your shoes?”
“Well, Turner’s only ever met me, so of course he’s attached. Once he’s out in society and meets other women, he’ll realize how silly he’s been to like me.”
Elaine giggled as she answered Vanessa’s exaggerated lament. She was all smiles, pretending to be carefree.
But deep down, Elaine knew the truth.
Turner’s attachment to her wasn’t born of love—but of long-held guilt.
