What I Gained by Giving My Body - Chapter 2.24

Seeing as even Archduke Akbar was not visible, it seemed the two had not even arrived yet in the first place. Leslie picked up a glass of champagne and slipped into a group of high society members. As expected, the topic of conversation was Caitlyn.

“……It’s unbelievable. How could Miss Hardick?”

“I’m also so puzzled. I naturally thought she was a mistress…… but an engagement? His Grace the Archduke is also quite……,”

“In my view, I wonder if Miss Hardick didn’t presumptuously demand an engagement.”

Leslie frowned. Fine, let’s say they were heating up over gossip. But why were they rattling off groundless speculations?

“Or, she might have used some sort of spell.”

“No way, Miss Tate!”

Leslie swallowed hard. She hadn’t stepped forward because Caitlyn had strictly requested her to stay still no matter what she heard, but the words were increasingly crossing the line.

“Who knows what someone who’s always gloomily observing others might be doing behind the scenes?”

“……But spells are.”

“Yes, they are strictly forbidden by the Church. That’s why I’m raising the issue like this. If His Grace the Archduke has been bewitched by some wicked spell, wouldn’t that be a disaster?”

It was absolute nonsense.

‘I must say something!’

The moment Leslie firmly resolved to intervene in the conversation, the loud voice of the Imperial servant rang out.

“His Grace Archduke Akbar, and Miss Caitlyn Hardick!”

The heads of the group that had been gathered in small numbers slandering Caitlyn all turned. It was to see Archduke Akbar…… and Caitlyn Hardick. Judging by the expressions that appeared on everyone’s faces, they were all clearly thinking the same thing.

Her bright blonde hair was elegantly swept up and secured with a diamond tiara, and the elegant teal dress falling along her tall height highlighted her slender body lines.

Above all else, those eyes. Caitlyn’s eyes, which changed like rubies at times and like the sunset at others, blazed even more thanks to the accessories made of rubies and garnets.

“It might be…… because of her looks. Men are all bewitched if the face is just halfway decent.”

Leslie wanted to shout that it wasn’t so. That Caitlyn Hardick had countless merits other than that appearance shown on the outside. That it was simply that you all were unable to see them.

‘Cathy seems to think I approached her because I had some other ulterior motive, but…….’

Leslie was innocent, but she was not so dull as to fail to notice someone who did not yet trust her. It wasn’t unreasonable for Caitlyn to think that way, but she couldn’t help feeling a sense of being wronged.

Leslie had long admired those who thought differently from others. It was because she herself could only think in conventional ways. The Countess of Sufferd used to say to such a Leslie with a sigh:

“You should have been born a man instead. To at least gather talents. But a woman has no need for smart friends. Especially the duller that woman is.”

It was half right and half wrong. Smart friends had helped Leslie through various difficult situations, but at other times, they had diligently taken advantage of Leslie’s innocent nature and her somewhat less-than-good brain. Thus, there were few friends left to Leslie until now.

But Leslie knew. That Caitlyn was different from anyone Leslie had met so far. So she had approached her even while being persistent, and they became a pair who could be called friends.

‘……I want to become even closer.’

Caitlyn was a very complex person who couldn’t be explained simply as someone with a pretty appearance and clever intelligence. At times, she seemed to completely forget herself and live only for her brother, and at other times, she showed a side that seemed resigned because she had so much she wanted but couldn’t have anything. And also, when she mentioned Archduke Akbar…

‘She becomes fierce.’

Leslie swallowed hard. It wasn’t in the sense that Caitlyn liked or disliked Archduke Akbar. Archduke Akbar was the person who ignited the spark latent in Caitlyn’s deepest subconscious and turned it into a massive fire. Just like now…… that appearance.

* * *

As soon as Caitlyn entered the ballroom, she pulled away from Archduke Akbar. Seeing everyone looking at them, it was certain that rumors about a rift between her and the Archduke would spread in an instant.

“Shouldn’t we at least act like we are on good terms?”

The Archduke asked in a dry voice.

“No.”

Caitlyn answered immediately.

“If I show a friendly side with Your Grace in this place, everyone will try to attack me after the engagement is over.”

Roxias looked directly at her. Caitlyn glared back at him without yielding at all.

“That is quite a pity.”

He wrapped his arm around Caitlyn’s waist.

“Since for my part, our relationship must appear more solid than anyone else’s.”

“…….”

At the same time as she questioned why on earth, Roxias guided her to where the high-ranking nobles were gathered. Caitlyn instinctively grew tense. Marquis Bradley and the Marchioness, whom she hadn’t even shared a greeting with normally, and Lady Zaian were gathered chatting before they turned their bodies to look at them. And as usually happened when meeting someone for the first time, their futures burst into Caitlyn’s head.