Chapter 100
What’s with both of their reactions? Sometimes people just don’t feel like eating.
“Eh? I just don’t have an appetite…”
Yudis also spoke with exaggerated concern and a surprised face.
“My brother is right. Our Shushu has always had the best appetite. How could you not be hungry? Could it be homesickness or something?”
Hmm, I must have eaten a lot all this time. What exactly did these two think of me?
“Even I don’t feel like eating sometimes. Anyway, I’m fine, so stop worrying. By the way, what were you talking about?”
“Ah, we were discussing the royal ball being held this week.”
Yudis answered as she handed me a plate with a sweet piece of cake.
“Everyone in high society is excited. It’s the first ball Grand Duke Helleide will be attending.”
“Really? Is this the Grand Duke’s debutante stage?”
My eyes widened.
At the word “debutante,” Yudis burst into laughter, finding it amusing.
“My brother may look intimidating, but inside he’s as pure and innocent as a country girl. How will he handle his first debut in that fearsome social world? As his sister, I’m terribly worried.”
Yudis pretended to wipe her eyes with a handkerchief as she lamented.
“Hehe, I’m worried too. Grand Duke, do you know how to dance? It would be terrible if you stepped on your partner’s feet.”
When I asked teasingly, Karden raised one eyebrow as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“I’ve learned the basics of dancing. Besides, my only partner will be you—would I hurt you, Shuvelia?”
“Well, I don’t recall saying I’d have my first dance with you, Your Grace.”
I stuck out my tongue slightly and spoke playfully.
Karden shook his head as if I were hopeless and wrapped a strand of my silver hair around his long finger.
Then, pressing his lips to the end of my hair, he stared at me intently.
“What would make you dance with me?”
His intense gaze slowly traced down my face and settled on my lips.
My face flushed hot at the feeling of his gaze caressing my face with just his eyes.
“I-I don’t know.”
“My goodness, brother. What are you doing at the breakfast table? Don’t tease the adorable Shuvelia.”
Thankfully, Yudis came to my rescue, pulling me into her arms.
“Shushu will have her first dance with me, just so you know.”
“What? Aren’t you going to wear a dress to the ball, Lady Yudis?”
“No. I’ll be attending in a tailcoat like the men.”
I wondered if that was allowed. But since Yudis looked more splendid in a tailcoat than any man, I personally wanted to see it out of selfish interest.
Karden didn’t say anything, as if he already knew.
If a noblewoman attended a ball dressed as a man, most would get angry or forbid it, but surprisingly, Karden was unprejudiced.
Indeed, though he pretends to be strict, he’s lenient with his sister.
He quietly supports and helps her no matter what she does.
Though they fight and growl at each other every day on the surface, seeing the actually close Helleide siblings made me smile like a proud mother.
Yudis snapped her fingers when something seemed to cross her mind.
“Ah, I did wear a debutante dress once. But the men were all clamoring to dance with me, which was tiring and annoying. After that, I wore a tailcoat, and no one asked me to dance, which was comfortable.”
“I-I see. That’s so like you, Lady Yudis.”
Indeed, it suits the free-spirited Yudis.
Yudis shrugged and sighed lightly.
“But that wasn’t entirely comfortable either.”
“Why not?”
“When I wore a tailcoat, the young ladies came rushing to dance with me instead. I couldn’t refuse the proposals from such lovely ladies, so I had to dance with dozens of them. They’re all my precious customers, so it was for client management.”
“As expected of Lady Yudis, you’re amazing.”
I clapped my hands and admired her sincerely.
To devote herself to customer management even at her own expense. So that’s what it takes to be a guild master.
Just then, the villa’s head butler approached me with a bouquet and bowed.
“Lady Shuvelia, a bouquet has arrived from Duke Alred.”
“From Duke Alred?”
It was a magnificent bouquet made of about a hundred rare blue roses.
Surprised by the unexpected flower gift, I accepted it in my confusion.
Karden’s brow furrowed deeply at the sight of the bouquet.
“Why did Duke Alred send a bouquet?”
“That’s what I’d like to know. How dare he offer flowers to my lovely Shushu—who gave him permission!”
Yudis also jumped up from her chair and snatched away the splendid bouquet.
“Shushu, don’t accept such ominous flowers. I’ll give you an even more beautiful bouquet—no, a garden.”
“I appreciate the thought, Lady Yudis.”
While Yudis shook the innocent bouquet in what looked like an angry outburst, a small letter fell onto the carpet.
Yudis picked up the letter with displeasure and handed it to me.
“Still, since it’s a letter for Shushu, read it. If there’s any strange content or hidden intentions, I’ll burn it immediately.”
Karden just silently glared at the letter.
Was it my imagination that a dark aura was writhing behind him as he stared at us with his arms crossed?
Opening the elegant envelope, the content was surprisingly simple.
It was a formal request to meet at the upcoming royal ball.
I was secretly relieved.
I had worried that Duke Berdin might have sent the bouquet because he knew I had visited the shapeshifter shelter.
“Duke Berdin is asking to meet at the royal ball. Nothing special.”
“Is that so? At least he has some sense.”
Yudis called a maid and ordered her to take the bouquet away.
Looking at the bouquet, I suddenly remembered the intense lily scent I had smelled at the shapeshifter shelter.
It was completely different from a normal lily fragrance, much stronger and more potent. I wondered if I could find out the name of that flower.
Was it a variety specially cultivated by House Alred?
“Lady Yudis, are there any large flower shops in the capital?”
“Flower shops? There are large stores in the center of the capital. But do you need flowers? We have plenty in our garden.”
“Actually, I like lilies. I was thinking of decorating my dress with them for the ball.”
“Ah, the dress code for the royal ball was flowers, wasn’t it? So that’s why Duke Alred sent you blue roses that suit you well. Unnecessarily clever of him. Somehow that’s annoying.”
Yudis gritted her teeth with the expression of someone who had lost a competition. Karden stood up and extended his hand to me.
“Then let’s go find flowers that suit Shuvelia right now.”
“Is your schedule alright, Your Grace? Aren’t you busy?”
“I have enough time for that. And… Grandmother also scolded me for not spending time with you.”
Karden turned his gaze away, showing signs of embarrassment while saying the last part.
I covered my mouth with my hand and turned my head. He’s so cute. Such a good grandson who listens well to his grandmother.
***
Eventually, the three of us—Karden, Yudis, and I—arrived at the shopping district in the center of the capital.
The shopping area, lined with dressmakers, jewelry stores, perfume shops, and flower shops, was bustling with people.
Perhaps because the royal ball was approaching, noble young ladies in splendid dresses were walking around like peacocks, carrying parasols.
Before getting out of the carriage, I looked back at Karden once more.
“Um, couldn’t I just go by myself?”
No sooner had I finished speaking than Yudis vehemently opposed.
“What are you saying, Shuvelia? How could we send someone as pretty as you alone?”
“Is there a problem?”
Karden also narrowed his eyes questioningly.
I inwardly sighed as I looked at the excessively splendid, handsome, and charismatic siblings in front of me.
Karden was dressed in a black frock coat embroidered with gold thread, while Yudis wore an elaborate navy blue suit embroidered with silver thread.
Both had strong yet sculpturally elegant appearances that differed only in gender, making them even more eye-catching.
I hadn’t thought much about it when seeing them at the villa, but going out together created considerable pressure.
Walking through the shopping district with these two on either side of me?
All passersby would focus their attention on us, and we’d be the talk of high society even before attending the royal ball.
Sigh, I’d rather not go out at all.
While I was struggling with my internal dilemma without answering, the carriage door opened.
Before me, Yudis’s hand in pure white gloves and Karden’s hand in black leather gloves were extended simultaneously.
“My princess, shall we go?”
Yudis took my hand with a bright smile. Karden gently guided my other hand with a faint smile.
Well, if I can’t escape, I might as well enjoy it.
With a resigned feeling, I got out of the carriage escorted by both of them.
Fortunately, the carriage had stopped in front of the flower shop, allowing me to escape people’s gazes by rushing inside.
But before I could take a few steps, Karden grabbed my shoulder.
“Shuvelia, why have you been in such a hurry?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Why? Because you’re too eye-catching and it’s overwhelming, that’s why.
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