Chapter 28
It was too much of a coincidence not to be strange.
To hear the name of Rose—the girl she had met by chance during a summer holiday—come out of Adelaide’s mouth like this.
“Of course. Oh, come to think of it, she said she used to live here when she was younger. That’s right.”
Elise suddenly frowned.
“Now that I think about it… I feel like Lady Rose said something similar.”
“Something similar?”
“She said she had written letters to a friend she made as a child, but never received a reply, so they eventually lost contact.”
Adelaide shook her head.
“That probably wasn’t me. I’ve never received a single letter from Lady Romeo.”
Her eyes dimmed slightly as she spoke.
Just one person. A meeting that had lasted barely an hour. And yet, Adelaide had treasured that connection in her heart for so long, calling her a friend.
Realizing that, unlike herself, Rose likely had many friends… she couldn’t help but feel a little small.
“Hmm… I suppose so. Don’t think too much about it, Adelaide. If it’s letters you want, I’ll send you one as soon as I get home today.”
Elise deliberately brightened the mood.
She chose not to mention that the person Rose had spoken about was a kind friend she met at a boutique she visited with her mother, sounded exactly like Adelaide.
‘Something’s off…’
If both sides had sent letters, but neither had received anything… that was far too strange. Elise frowned slightly.
Just then, a knock came at the door. Adelaide tilted her head and looked toward it.
“My lady, Young Master Killi has arrived.”
“…What? Killi?”
Startled, Adelaide shot to her feet.
Recently, as his schedule had grown busier, Killian’s visits had become irregular. Which meant Adelaide had no choice but to wait for him every single day, never knowing when he might come.
Caught off guard by his sudden arrival, she flustered—while Elise awkwardly rose from her seat.
“Oh—perhaps you had plans. I must have stayed too long. I should get going.”
“No, no, Elise! This is perfect timing.”
Adelaide waved her hands quickly.
“It’s not that I didn’t have any friends—I just didn’t have any female friends. Ah, you probably heard from my brother already. Anyway, just wait a moment. I’ll introduce you to my friend.”
Imagining Killian’s surprised face, Adelaide broke into a bright, excited smile.
If he found out she now had a good friend—no, a good family—he would surely be happy for her.
Without giving anyone a chance to stop her, she dashed down the stairs as if she had grown wings.
* * *
“Killi!”
Adelaide’s face was lit up with joy. Killian, seeing her like that, let a faint smile curve his lips as well.
She had seemed so down ever since her debut had fallen through, but now, it looked like she had finally cheered up.
“What’s going on? How did you get here? You said you were busy.”
“I barely managed to make some time, so I came to see you. You seem to be in a good mood today?”
What could have lifted her spirits?
The dress he had sent through the countess hadn’t had much effect. Neither had the small pieces of jewelry.
‘Has the book already arrived?’
He had ordered a luxurious, gold-embossed novel for her. It was supposed to take some time, but perhaps it had already been delivered.
Killian raised a brow.
“Come on, let’s go to my room quickly.”
Adelaide grabbed his hand and pulled him along. Though he appeared to be dragged, he didn’t mind.
In fact, Killian followed willingly, despite the fact that he could easily have shaken off her slender arm with one hand.
“Did you hide something in your room? Why are you in such a hurry?”
If it was the book, then it was something he had sent so there was nothing particularly new. Still, since she seemed so excited, he figured he should at least pretend to be surprised.
“Surprised, right? Go on, say hello. This is the lady who’ll be my future sister-in-law—Lady Elise Winterbloom.”
Caught off guard by the sudden introduction, Elise hurriedly stood and offered a proper greeting.
“Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Elise Winterbloom.”
She had risen from the very seat Killian always occupied whenever he visited. Killian looked at her with dry, emotionless eyes.
A wave of irritation rose within him.
Even knowing she was Roem’s future wife, it felt like catching a petty thief red-handed. Someone who had dared to touch what was his.
“Killi?”
“…Adelaide. This kind of behavior is inappropriate. Introducing someone without any prior acquaintance like this. If Madame Shirley hears about it, she’ll cause quite a scene again.”
Adelaide looked at Killian after hearing his sharp reply.. She had never expected Killian to bring up her lack of refinement in front of someone else. Her face burned instantly.
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