This kind of courtship is complicated - chapter 13
#013 Exception
"Why is it the second time?"
"Because I fell in love with the Duke twice. The first time when we first met, and the second time when we coincidentally met when I saw Grandma last time. So, it's the second time."
Vellia drew a playful smile and extended two fingers to form a 'V' sign.
"Vellia, you... no, forget it."
Evan, touching his forehead and squinting his eyes, returned to the sofa and pulled out the chair across from her.
Crossing her legs and sitting down, Evan looked at her intensely, but Vellia rested her chin in her hand and stared out of the window. Her expression was the same as when she unfolded the first page of the novel she borrowed from the bookstore a few days ago.
"Vellia."
No matter how much he called her, she didn't respond. Evan gently cupped Vellia's cheek, drawing her attention, and then threw out a random remark.
"This time, let me come with you for the formal luncheon."
"What? No way!"
As if she had heard something absurd, Vellia shook his hand away and vigorously shook her head.
Evan's request was as ridiculous as sharing a four-leaf clover they had just found together, at least to her.
Ignoring Vellia's reaction, Evan leaned back in the chair. His fingers leisurely played with the buttons on his shirt sleeves.
"Well, can I really say no if you don't want me to go? If I don't go with you, I wonder if Uncle will allow you to go. Maybe he'll create some other reason to keep you from going. If you really don't want me to, there's nothing I can do."
Even though Vellia knew that Evan's request was almost as absurd as splitting a four-leaf clover, especially since she knew that Evan didn't like attending social gatherings, she didn't pay much attention. Evan's hand on her cheek was soft, and he had a relaxed touch on the buttons.
"Well, can I really say no if you don't want me to go? If I don't go with you, I wonder if Uncle will allow you to go. Maybe he'll create some other reason to keep you from going. If you really don't want me to, there's nothing I can do."
Vellia knew that Evan's request was almost as absurd as splitting a four-leaf clover, especially since she knew that Evan didn't like attending social gatherings. But she didn't react to his words.
Instead, she rested her chin in her hand and continued to gaze out of the window, looking just like when she had unfolded the first page of the novel she had rented from the bookstore a few days ago.
"Vellia."
Evan wasn't sure what she was thinking. Ignoring her, he pulled the chair from across the table and sat down on her side. He casually touched the buttons on his shirt cuffs.
"Well, I wonder if you can really say no. If I don't go with you, Uncle might not allow you to go. He might come up with some excuse to stop you. If you really don't want me to go, I can't help it."
Even though Vellia knew Evan's request was almost as ridiculous as sharing a four-leaf clover they had just found, she didn't pay much attention to it. Evan's touch on her cheek was gentle, and he leisurely fiddled with his shirt cuffs.
Vellia knew that Evan's request was almost as absurd as sharing a four-leaf clover they had just found, especially considering Evan's aversion to social events, but she didn't react much to his words.
Instead, she rested her chin in her hand and continued to gaze out of the window, looking just like when she had unfolded the first page of the novel she had borrowed from the bookstore a few days ago.
"Vellia."
Evan wasn't sure what she was thinking. Ignoring her, he pulled the chair from across the table and sat down on her side. He casually touched the buttons on his shirt cuffs.
"Well, I wonder if you can really say no. If I don't go with you, Uncle might not allow you to go. He might come up with some excuse to stop you. If you really don't want me to go, I can't help it."
Vellia knew that despite sending numerous letters to Duke Arzen, Lord Devier had silently allowed her to continue without interference, all because of what Diana had said during the previous luncheon.
Diana understood Vellia well and had a keen ability to assess situations quickly, and Walter Devier trusted his wife's judgment. However, it was clear that he had reservations about Duke Arzen. Vellia was vaguely aware of this.
So, Evan's words weren't entirely wrong. Being invited to Winsteel for a formal luncheon was an entirely different matter from simply sending letters to Winsteel.
Vellia paused for a moment, then gave Evan, who was casually shrugging his shoulders, a thoughtful glance.
"I'm not late. Take your time coming down," Evan said, but his advice fell on deaf ears. The excited footsteps of Walnut descending the stairs echoed loudly one after another. The pleat decorations on the dress, carefully prepared with the help of a maid, swayed gently in time with her light steps. The responsibility of not stumbling or tripping was solely Evan's. Fortunately, there were no accidents such as getting caught in the dress or stumbling until Valeria had completely descended the stairs.
Evan sighed with relief as he carefully examined Valeria standing in front of him. From her neatly braided hair to the coat that complemented her dress, everything bore the mark of the skilled hands of a talented maid. However, there was one thing that seemed perfect except for the red muffler around her neck.
"You must be the only person who prepares more diligently for afternoon tea than a ball. But don't you think it's better not to wear this muffler?"
"This is... achoo!"
A sudden sneeze burst out. Evan raised an eyebrow, then worriedly placed his hand on Valeria's forehead.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"It's just a sneeze."
Confirming that she had no fever, Evan withdrew his hand. Unexpectedly, he ended up tucking the muffler more snugly around her neck. Valeria, who had brushed her nose with the muffler, didn't bother to repeat what she had said earlier and grabbed his wrist, leading him as if in a hurry.
If they set off now, they would arrive long before the afternoon tea started, just as Evan had said. However, Valeria's heart was oddly impatient.
As soon as they stepped out of the front door, the morning sunlight poured down. The blue sky stretched above Valeria's head, and white, feather-like clouds floated gently on the calm surface like snowflakes.
It was a rare sight these days.
Impressed by the clear weather, Valeria took a deep breath. It wasn't as warm as a spring day, but the fresh air permeated deep into her body.
"Valeria!"
The Marquess and Marchioness Devereux, waiting in front of the carriage, spotted their daughter and waved vigorously.
Valeria sprinted lightly, carrying the joy of a sunny day.
"Be careful," the Marquess said as he hugged his daughter tightly, tenderly patting her head.
"I'll be back safely."
With a slight nod of her head, Valeria alternated her gaze between the Marquess and Diana. Her tone carried an air of excitement, as if she were already elated.
Seeing her face, the Marquess looked as melancholic as someone parting forever and didn't let go of Valeria. Diana, who rarely showed such affection, scolded her gently in a soft tone.
"Honey, let her go now. She can't breathe."
Lord Devereux reluctantly released his grip on Valeria's arm, his eyes filled with lingering regret. Whether he would blame it on a broken carriage wheel or that the horses pulling the carriage were all indisposed, he had thought of a suitable excuse to present to the elegant Arzen ladies who would surround him until the day before.
"Be careful. Behave like a lady so as not to inconvenience the Arzen ladies, Valeria," he advised.
After bidding farewell with hugs to Diana as well, Valeria quickly climbed into the carriage. Meanwhile, Evan Arcas exchanged meaningful glances with Lord Devereux. They were both reminded of their promise from the previous night to watch over the Duke and Valeria closely.
Lord Devereux had entrusted this outing to Evan, and his reliance rested solely on Evan.
"Hurry, get in! What are you waiting for?" Valeria urged.
"E-uh, alright."
Evan, after a final exchange of glances with Lord Devereux, finally climbed into the carriage.
As the carriage started moving, a faint cloud of dust billowed up. Various patterns of sunlight danced above the carriage roof as it exited onto the forest path.
Diana, who had been listening to the fading sounds of hooves, poked her husband's side and raised an eyebrow when the Duke and Valeria had completely disappeared from sight.
"You too."
Her attitude seemed as if she had noticed Evan Arcas and Walter Devereux's secretive agreement long ago.
"I worry about it. There's nothing we can do."
Lord Devereux's broad shoulders slumped. The purple irises of Diana, who looked at the dejected Lord Devereux, suddenly brightened.
"I don't entirely trust the Duke of Arzen, who lets bad rumors circulate without doing anything. But when I see Valeria going to such lengths, I wonder if there's something about the Duke of Arzen that we don't know."
"Diana, that's because you haven't seen the Duke in person."
"It's not easy to be certain. So, honey, leave it to our children. It seems like the Duke is still not interested in Valeria, and there shouldn't be any immediate problems. Besides, I know very well that this will make the girls very unhappy. I remember how much Father... when I first met you..."
With a slight cough, the Marquess grabbed Diana's hand gently.
"Let's continue this discussion inside. Or we can change the topic altogether."
Known for his cold and stern demeanor, Lord Devereux hurriedly changed the subject when it came to family matters, leaving his family surprised. Once upon a time, Diana had captivated Ernel with her exceptional beauty, and her reputation was fittingly matched by her charming smile as she responded.
"As you wish."
Raphael Arzen had returned. Her trip, which had begun in anger with Helios and was expected to last longer, had been quite enjoyable. She had planned to stay away for the entire winter if possible. However, her return date had been suddenly moved up. It had coincided perfectly with the day after Clonette Arzen had met Valeria, at an exquisite timing.
As she set foot in the grand mansion of Winstle, she discovered Roseine's letter from days gone by. The anger that had built up had been forgotten entirely, and she greeted Helios with a very cheerful face.
There was one reason for her return being rushed. Inside the maid's letter that Raphael Arzen had used to receive updates about the state of Winstle Manor, there was information about Valeria Devereux, the illegitimate daughter of the Devereux family.
It was she who had persuaded Clonette Arzen, who had originally planned to schedule the formal luncheon around early spring, to reschedule it to today.
"Oh, please leave it here," Raphael Arzen gestured towards the neatly arranged silverware on the dining table. The gardener carefully placed the flower vase he was holding back on the table and withdrew gracefully.
Raphael Arzen, who had been caressing the vivid and delicate petals of the greenhouse roses, hummed a tune.
"You seem unusually cheerful. You look happier than on your aunt's coronation day."
Just then, Deon and Helios, passing by the dining room, witnessed the scene. Deon threw in meaningless words of amazement, trying to express his astonishment at the ongoing events. Helios, on the other hand, did not show much interest.
He continued on his way to the room, passing by the busy servants preparing to welcome their esteemed guests.
The rhythmic sound of footsteps echoing through the corridor was strangely relaxed amidst the commotion that had persisted since morning.
The servants who spotted him greeted him, and he responded with a casual nod, maintaining his usual polite but clear demeanor.
"Wow, Valeria is really something. She even got an invitation to the luncheon. Didn't she?"
Deon, who had been quite noisy until now, even reached the door and kept talking non-stop.
Yeah, really, truly. Most of Deon's words, which had started with such admiration, were praises for Valeria Devereux.
When you think about it, proposing to a man you've just met is quite extraordinary.
Helios ignored all the unnecessary words and entered the room.
Sunlight streamed in brightly, filling the room with light. The dust around the chandelier and the table sparkled faintly as it floated.
Helios picked up the table clock placed on the side table. In the meantime, Deon took out a cigarette and walked towards the window.
"But, you know. Why is there not a single mention of Valeria in your news? Winstle is so lively these days."
"it was blocked."
To the question that was thrown out rather casually and without much meaning, there was only one response.
"What?"
"Knight, I blocked it," Helios replied, his arm loosely resting on the sofa armrest.
"What?"
Deon, who had set down his unlit cigarette, initially looked puzzled upon understanding the words he had heard. After a moment, a slightly peculiar smile crept onto his lips. It was a somewhat sinister expression.
"You're quite amusing. Other people gladly make use of your news for your own purposes, but Valeria is the exception, huh?"