Chapter 56
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The day of House Schultz’s banquet arrived.
My condition was worse than it had been yesterday, but I deliberately said nothing about it.
I didn’t want to give him anything to criticize me for, nor did I want to complain about feeling weak.
It was only after traveling by carriage for a little over an hour that I realized I was in worse condition than I’d thought.
As I received Kallion’s silent escort, I clenched my teeth and endured the pain.
I could feel Layla staring at me.
Not wanting Layla to see me looking weak, I deliberately acted even more composed.
I thought I could endure it until we entered the banquet hall and exchanged greetings with Lord and Lady Schultz.
But while the banquet was in full swing, perhaps because of the stuffy air, my vision suddenly spun and my legs faltered.
I gritted my teeth and tried to hold myself upright when I heard Kallion’s concerned voice.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
At his unexpectedly gentle voice, I turned my head, intending to tell him I was fine.
But he wasn’t speaking to me.
“I’m sorry. I’m not feeling very well today…”
Layla spoke delicately as she pressed a hand to her forehead.
Kallion continued in an exasperated tone.
“Why didn’t you say anything? Did you think I wouldn’t even understand something like that?”
“I’m sorry.”
At Layla’s dejected expression, Kallion sighed and examined her complexion.
In truth, Layla’s complexion was as radiant as a freshly blooming flower.
I glanced toward the window beside me.
My reflection in the glass wore an expressionless face, pretending to be detached, but I was pale as a ghost.
Cold sweat had even formed on my skin from enduring the pain.
I didn’t want anyone to notice.
If anything, I didn’t want others to see me in such a weak state.
Least of all Kallion.
That was the kind of position I occupied.
A position where showing weakness meant someone could sink their teeth into the back of my neck at any moment.
So I clenched my teeth and did everything I could not to show it.
Suddenly, Layla swayed and staggered.
Kallion was too busy supporting Layla, who seemed unable to stand properly.
“I’ll speak to Lord Schultz and borrow a room for you. You should rest there for a while.”
His expression was furrowed as though he were angry, but the meaning beneath it was unmistakable concern.
“But the banquet is still going on…”
At Layla’s attempt to act as though she were fine, Kallion sighed sternly.
“Keeping to the schedule is important, but your health comes first. Don’t be foolish.”
The words were meant for Layla, but strangely, something ached inside my chest.
Was I hurt because he only cared about Layla?
No.
It was because, just as he’d said, I was the one being foolish by failing to put my own health first.
The situation was almost laughable.
I forced myself to hide the pain twisting my expression as I watched Kallion with his back turned to me, busy taking care of Layla.
Watching him care for her without the slightest concern for anyone else’s gaze didn’t even make me angry anymore.
I only wanted this time to pass quickly so I could return to my room.
Then my head suddenly spun, and the strength left one of my legs.
I staggered for a brief moment from the dizziness, but I clenched my teeth and forced strength back into my leg.
If I collapsed here, I would only make a fool of myself.
It would be no different from putting my ridiculous situation on display for everyone to see, the lady of the house being treated worse than a secretary.
That was when it happened.
A tall man in a pure white tailcoat moved close beside me and took my hand as though supporting me.
“Are you alright?”
Startled, I looked up at him.
Lloyd.
He was staring at me with an expression that seemed angry, or perhaps somehow distressed.
“You looked pale even from across the room.”
Why was Lloyd at a banquet hosted by one of Baldomer’s vassal houses…
I deliberately avoided his gaze and pulled my hand free.
“I’m fine.”
I didn’t care if Kallion misunderstood, but I didn’t want to give the other spectators anything to talk about.
I still needed my position as Madam Baldomer.
Lloyd clenched and unclenched the hand I’d left empty, then lowered it from where it had remained suspended in the air.
Just then, Kallion, who had been focused solely on Layla, finally looked in our direction.
His expression hardened unpleasantly when he saw Lloyd and me standing side by side.
Apparently, he hadn’t seen me stagger.
Lloyd calmly met Kallion’s gaze, then deliberately moved even closer to me with a crooked smile.
“It seems your husband has other matters to attend to…”
Then he continued with perfect courtesy and confidence.
“While your husband is otherwise occupied, I’ll serve as your partner, Madam.”
Kallion’s brow furrowed sharply.
I could only stare at Lloyd with wide eyes.
Perhaps sensing my intense gaze, Lloyd lowered his head and whispered into my ear.
“Don’t push me away right now. I thought this through before stepping in.”
“……”
Kallion frowned in displeasure.
“Do you make a habit of trying to take another man’s place beside his wife?”
Kallion spoke while glaring at the narrow space between Lloyd and me.
“Juliana’s partner is her husband. Me.”
At Kallion’s reaction, bristling with wariness like a male marking his territory, Lloyd responded with a relaxed smile.
“Ah, my mistake. You were taking such attentive care of that lady that I thought you’d changed partners.”
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