Chapter 38
Even with a gold shoulder sash bordered in vivid red and embroidered with ornate patterns, Cairn’s appearance lost none of its brilliance.
He knelt on one knee at the foot of the dais, while Duke and Duchess Headington looked on with pride at their son.
“May glory follow you all your days.”
The Emperor proclaimed, officially recognizing Cairn Etienne Headington’s coming of age and offering a brief congratulatory address. He then stepped down from the dais himself, taking a medal from an attendant which he pinned to Cairn’s left chest. The medal, a platinum sunburst medallion set against twin blue ribbons, shone brightly.
“Lili, are you alright?”
Watching Cairn’s back, Lilien looked pale.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Let’s leave as soon as the medal ceremony’s done.”
Lilien just nodded silently.
With crisp, deliberate steps, Cairn turned and offered a deep bow to the distinguished guests. Lilien, watching from afar, applauded him with genuine warmth.
From a distance, Cairn Etienne Headington was nothing less than exemplary—a man without flaw. Lilien gave her childhood friend an assessment that was, if anything, scrupulously objective.
“I think I’d forgotten.”
Lilien murmured, picking at a hangnail with her thumb.
“Forgotten what?”
If each person were the protagonist of their own story, the truth was, in the real world, not everyone could be center stage. Between main roles and minor ones, there’s a curtain that simply can’t be crossed.
“I forgot that Cairn is… different from me.”
When the ceremony finally ended, Cairn joined a circle of well-wishers, raising a glass to their toasts and facing the crowd with unwavering poise. He was at ease in a spotlight Lilien never craved for herself.
She wasn’t envious—just unexpectedly sad, for reasons she couldn’t fully name.
“Christian, let’s go home. We’ve shown our faces.”
“Aren’t you going to say goodbye? Even if he pretends otherwise, I’m sure he’s hoping for your congratulations.”
Lilien remembered the broad back that had turned away from her in anger not long ago. Surely, by now, he must hate her.
“I doubt it.”
She denied softly.
“If you say so, Lili. Let’s be on our way.”
Christian gave her hand a gentle squeeze between thumb and forefinger.
“That’s comforting.”
Lilien said with a faint smile, signaling she was okay.
With a steady, matter-of-fact air, Christian led her toward the exit. But just as they reached the half-open doors, a voice called out.
“Lady de Bermore.”
It was Victor Regid. Since the incident at Boltman Lake, Lilien and Victor hadn’t met again, neither formally nor by chance.
“Could I have a moment of your time?”
Christian started to step in front of her protectively, but Lilien shook her head.
“Christian, I’ll just have a word with Lord Regid.”
Her handsome cousin let out a deep, reluctant sigh.
“I’ll be fine,” she whispered just for him.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Victor Regid, eldest son of Viscount Regid. And you are…?”
“Grenor.”
“Thank you, Lord Grenor. This won’t take long.”
Christian relented, and with a reassuring smile, Lilien let Victor quietly lead her out of the ballroom.
‘What is it with these men? I finally got rid of one, and now another appears.’
He winced at the realization that for some men, beauty was the only requirement—and there was another man in the hall who’d just received an award who seemed to think the same way.
To Christian, Lilien was precious—a sister he’d defend with his life. No man seemed quite good enough for her. And as for Regid, he liked him even less than Headington.
Scowling, Christian scanned the room, and his eyes met Cairn’s, who was also searching for someone.
Quick on the uptake, Christian made a decision and, uncharacteristically, approached Cairn first.
“Congratulations, Lord Headington.”
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