This kind of courtship is complicated - chapter 2
#002 A Very Affectionate but Very Wicked Man
"Well, that's how it is."
"Just like that? You don't have any feelings at all?"
"Should I be delighted?"
Helios, once again examining the chessboard while tilting his glass, smirked at the question.
He was not a man of the usual sort, having used even his engagement as gossip fodder to spread rumors far and wide. The Black Fox. Last summer, amidst unbelievable scandals that had set high society ablaze, Helios Arzen had earned himself a new nickname, and quite a disgraceful one at that. His plans to ascend the ranks from a duke's son to a duke's husband had long since been thwarted.
No matter how important wealth and status were, when it came to selling one's beloved daughter to a duke, the majority believed it couldn't be done. Even if they had heard rumors of the Duke's scandals, there was simply no way to find fault with the Arzen ladies.
For a long time now, no young ladies had crossed the threshold of the duke's mansion in pursuit of him. No matter how perfect a duke might be in every aspect except for his women troubles, such individuals were not what the Arzen ladies were looking for.
"Why aren't you happy, then? If you proceed with the engagement, it will eventually lead to marriage."
"I'm only taking responsibility for what I can handle. Among the things I can give up, she's the one I want the most. What can I do about it?"
Helios set down the goblet he had been holding in his right hand once more. The spot was where the letter he had just read was placed. The neatly written sentences had darkened underneath from the moisture.
"You're moral in some ways, aren't you? It's unfortunate that Roséin was injured trying to save you, but strictly speaking, it's not your fault. Despite that, you're entering into an engagement without any affection..."
"I love her."
Deon's incessant movement came to a sudden halt at Helios's words. In response to Helios's statement, he pulled back, narrowing his eyes.
"That's right. It felt strange from the beginning. It was odd that you sat next to me during every game."
Helios stared at Deon with a rather displeased look in his eyes and then continued more firmly.
"It's not an engagement I don't want. It's one that I love. Not you, but Roséin."
This revelation was more shocking than the previous misunderstanding.
"Why don't you just say you like me instead? That seems to have more potential, doesn't it? Sympathy and love are different, you know?"
"Well, I've known her for a long time, and we're comfortable with each other. What more do I need? It doesn't matter who's beside me."
Deon, who continued to look at Helios with a baffled expression, which even he, with his intellect, found difficult to understand, reluctantly picked up a chess piece from the board, his thoughts apparently gathering.
"Anyway, the son of a labor-class railroad magnate will definitely gain wealth even if he loses honor. Your mother will faint."
"She'll accept it someday."
"Well, I don't think so. Be careful with the letter you received today. If it catches the mistress's eye, it will surely be torn to shreds and flow down the Pomwil River all the way to Brechen."
As Deon continued with his unnecessary worries, it was Helios's turn again. Without hesitation, Helios moved his queen diagonally on the chessboard.
As Deon prepared for the next move, he stared blankly at the final chessboard, unable to believe what he was seeing. The queen had checkmated the king.
With a relaxed laugh, Helios slowly raised his head. In the morning, when things were supposed to be peaceful, this was an unexpected voice that brought chaos.
***
After a few more minutes of traveling down the road lined with bare branches, the scenery gradually changed. Bellia, sticking closer to the carriage window, peered out at the increasingly bustling streets.
The languor of the afternoon was nowhere to be found, replaced by lively laughter heard here and there. People seemed busier and more spirited than usual.
Enhancing the Christmas atmosphere, the storefronts sparkled beyond the windows, and decorated trees with candies and dolls could be seen. Even a Christmas without falling snow had its own beauty, and Bellia momentarily forgot the memories of a desperate morning, allowing herself to smile.
"It's beautiful this year too, right, Evan?"
"Yeah, it is."
"But you know, the tree in that dressing room, it would be nice to add more decorations. It would make the atmosphere even better. Don't you think, Evan?"
"Yeah, maybe."
Evan repeatedly replied in a dazed manner, his eyes closed. Although it was clear he wasn't looking at where Bellia was pointing, she didn't spare him a glance.
After all, there was so much to see on the streets of Derbiana, the most bustling city in the Kingdom of Ernell.
The sound of bells ringing from the Bern's bell tower faintly echoed in her ears. Little droplet-like sounds, reminiscent of fairy laughter, were heard somewhere.
As a noisy car passed by, momentarily blocking Bellia's view, even the large lump of iron seemed like nothing more than a passing part of the Christmas scenery in her eyes.
As the carriage rolled ceaselessly, like the wheels of the clock, Bellia sang softly to herself. Thanks to that, Evan, who had finally woken up after a few hours of silence, was shaking his body, which was stiff from sitting for so long.
At that moment, the carriage was crossing the Pomwil River, passing through Brechen, and heading to the mansion where the charity ball was being held. Once again, Bellia spoke to Evan, who was now answering her with dry words.
"This autumn, a new terrace cafe opened over there. Evan, let's go there sometime."
Evan finally looked in the direction Bellia's fingertip was pointing. The terrace cafe overlooking the Pomwil River was crowded with Christmas lovers.
"Go there with me?"
"Yes! You and me."
"Well, I'm not really interested."
Sighing deeply, Evan, who had just yawned, neatly arranged Bellia's white gloves, which she had thrown on the seat, and spoke.
"How about going with your lover, whom you'll meet at the ball today, instead of me?"
"Lover?"
"Lover." Just by uttering that single word, it felt as if her mouth warmed up and sweetened, like when she bit into freshly baked pie.
"Hmm, come to think of it, that might be better."
As she imagined the scene of soon-to-be-lovers, meeting like fate, holding hands affectionately and visiting the terrace cafe, a frivolous laugh escaped her lips.
Evan Arcas had a facial expression that clearly indicated he had completely forgotten something important. He looked at Bellia, who was deeply immersed in sweet daydreams about meeting her destiny.
Could she meet her destiny today? Evan wondered as he gazed at Bellia, who was lost in her sweet imagination.
His curiosity was suddenly replaced by a fixed expression when he thought of someone who would be attending the ball.
Helios Arzen.
He had been the subject of chaotic rumors since last summer and was a well-known figure in high society. Bellia was not entirely unaware of the rumors surrounding Duke Arzen, which had been circulating since last summer. However, he was someone from a world unrelated to her.
She had attended two balls so far, but had never once crossed paths with him. If Evan was reacting like this, he might be even more formidable than she had imagined.
"Are you hurt?" Evan, finally returning to her side after the carriage had hit a small stone and jolted, firmly held onto Bellia's shoulders to steady her. Instead of responding to the apologies from the carriage driver that followed, he offered Bellia a piece of advice.
"Bellia, I don't intend to keep an eye on you today, but still, don't associate with Duke Arzen at this ball."
"Why?"
"Because he's not the right person for you."
Bellia tilted her head in puzzlement at Evan's unusual firmness.
"Are you alright?"
When there was no answer from within the carriage, the worried coachman slowed down the carriage. It was only then that Bellia cheerfully informed Evan and her coachman that both she and Evan were unharmed.
"We're both fine!"
"Alright, Bellia?"
Meanwhile, while firmly holding her shoulders, Evan asked her again.
Helios Arzen was a famous figure in high society. Bellia had not completely ignored the abundant rumors about Duke Arzen that had been circulating since last summer. However, he was a person from a world that had nothing to do with her.
She had attended two balls so far and had never had the opportunity to meet him even once. But if Evan was reacting like this, maybe he was even more formidable than she had thought.
"Well, I don't even know what he looks like."
"Just avoid any overly affectionate but bad men."
Affectionate yet bad? Bellia was struck by a strange question, but without saying anything, she nodded and turned her gaze back toward the window. She followed the gradually intensifying sound of hooves as dry dust rose into the air.
In the bright afternoon of Green Christmas, sunlight filtered through the sparse branches and touched Bellia's face. Winter sunlight was also breaking through the cold river.
"Affectionate yet bad."
Observing the people beyond the glass, Bellia muttered under her breath, slightly amused by the odd combination. The clattering sound of hooves was drowned out by her mumbling.
In the clear air of the carriage garage in December, the carriage continued its journey without pause, heading to the mansion where the ball was being held.