Chapter 160
It was a curiosity she shouldn’t indulge, but she couldn’t help wondering—what was hidden beneath those white gloves? After all, the more fiercely something is concealed, the more people itch to uncover it. Wasn’t that human nature?
Absently, the rumor about Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife, crossed her mind—the one claiming she always wore gloves to hide a sixth finger.
‘Could it really be polydactyly?’
Without thinking, Jaha’s gaze lingered on Rikanan’s gloved hands, studying them intently—until she realized how rude she was being and quickly looked away.
The carriage came to a stop at their destination.
Stepping out with Rikanan’s escort, Jaha took in their surroundings just as the dress shop’s door swung open with an angry jingle.
“I don’t care how important you think you are, to treat me like this—!”
A woman surrounded by attendants stormed out, her sharp voice dripping with displeasure. Dressed in lavish clothing and holding a fan that obscured her lower face, she was unmistakably nobility—the first aristocrat Jaha had encountered aside from Rikanan and Madame Marie.
Jaha tensed slightly at the woman’s volatile demeanor—until the noblewoman turned her head, caught sight of Rikanan, and froze as if she’d seen a ghost.
Why that reaction?
Before Jaha could process it, the woman hastily took a step back and dropped into a curtsy.
“L-Lady Hessena of House Howard…”
Rikanan supplied the correct address as the woman fumbled for how to address him.
“Call me Ende.”
“My greetings to you, Lord Ende.”
Jaha watched awkwardly, unsure if she should interject. She had no prestigious background to announce—no noble house, no title. Mentioning her old corporate job on Earth would be meaningless.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—Hessena paid her no attention. Or rather, she acted as if Rikanan were the only person present.
“L-Lord Ende, about what I just said—”
“Don’t trouble yourself over it.”
Rikanan smiled disarmingly, and like magic, the fear and tension drained from Hessena’s face, replaced by a deep blush.
Yeah, I get it. Jaha sighed inwardly. When a man like that smiles at you, of course you’d react that way. Even after seeing it daily, she still hadn’t built immunity to that destructive charm.
Jaha, inexplicably swelling with pride (though it had nothing to do with her own looks), gave a self-satisfied nod—just as Hessena shyly broke the silence.
“To think Lord Ende would grace such a place in person. Had you summoned me, anyone would have rushed to obey, honored beyond measure.”
Her voice had done a complete 180, as if she’d swapped vocal cords. The shift was as seamless as a mother answering a phone call in polite tones after just moments ago yelling in rage.
Startled by the sudden change, Jaha suddenly realized Hessena was gazing at Rikanan as if entranced—like someone hopelessly in love.
‘…Huh?’
The moment that thought struck, her entire body stiffened, as if someone had hit a pause button.
“I simply felt like taking in the air,” Rikanan replied.
“Oh, I can’t tell if this is a dream or reality. To meet Lord Ende like this… It must be fate that I encountered someone so illustrious today.”
A strange emotion crept up from Jaha’s feet, slow but insistent. Watching Hessena chatter away like a bird, unable to tear her eyes from Rikanan, made something inside her itch uncomfortably.
It wasn’t that she disliked Hessena. Not exactly. But… wasn’t this a bit much?
It wasn’t like Rikanan was some reclusive hermit—they could’ve crossed paths naturally at any time. Did she really have to call it fate?
“At first, I thought it was a mirage. I missed you so dearly after so long apart that I wondered if my eyes were deceiving me—but here you truly are! Do you know how much I—”
Liar. Just moments ago, she’d looked like she’d seen the Grim Reaper. Now she was smitten over a single smile?
Internally scoffing, Jaha wondered how much longer she’d have to endure this tedious, meaningless exchange. Hessena hadn’t even known what to call Rikanan earlier—clearly, they weren’t close. A quick greeting and parting would’ve sufficed. Why drag it out?
‘Am I invisible? If you want small talk, do it when I’m not here.’
Belatedly, Jaha realized why she’d been so irritated: it was the sheer rudeness of it all.
Relief washed over her as she found a justifiable reason for her annoyance. Ah. So it’s not jealousy.
Not yet, anyway.
She steadied herself.
“Miss Hessena…” Jaha interjected coolly, “before your delicate feet swell, perhaps it’s time you returned to your carriage.”
Until Rikanan first extended his gloved hand to Hessena.
“Ah, to think Ende would escort me! What an honor.”
Hessena eagerly accepted with a face that seemed unsure whether this was a dream or reality. Rikanan, holding Hessena’s trembling hand, bowed his head.
Jaha now knew what was about to happen. It was an act he had performed for her countless times a day.
He would press his lips to the back of that woman’s hand. Just as he had done to Jaha, he would leave behind warmth like a brand.
It wasn’t a gesture of any particular meaning—merely a social formality. Yet, for some reason, her stomach churned strangely.
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