Chapter 40
“Lady de Bermore, couldn’t we just meet casually?”
In the Klatt Empire, it was considered proper for a woman to initially refuse a man’s advances, so Victor didn’t back down easily. What he failed to realize, however, was that Lilien was completely unfamiliar with such social conventions—her refusal was nothing but sincere.
“No, I think it’s considerate not to give hope to someone I have no feelings for.”
Lilien said in a small voice. She was unwavering despite her embarrassment.
“Miss Lilien…”
“Please, call me Lady de Bermore, Lord Regid.”
“Ah—do we really need to be so formal? We could just start off lightly, and—”
“I…”
Lilien quickly interrupted him, taking a deep breath. Even Cairn, listening from out of sight, could sense her tension in the slight tremble of her voice.
“I just can’t.”
“Then could we at least be friends? I promise I’ll be careful not to make you uncomfortable, Lady de Bermore.”
‘Friends’—it was the classic excuse for adults to test the waters with each other.
“No, Lord Regid.”
Even Cairn, watching from a distance, had never seen Lilien so resolute.
“How can we be friends when we want such different things? I can’t give you what you’re hoping for.”
It was exactly what Cairn wanted to hear, but somehow, his hand didn’t loosen its tense grip. A strange sense of foreboding came over him.
“I see… different expectations. Understood.”
For the first time in his life, Victor felt powerless in front of a woman. He accepted defeat and managed a polite nod.
“Why don’t you head in first, Lord Regid. I’ll stay out in the garden for a bit—I don’t think it would look good for us to walk in together.”
Victor, noticing Lilien’s flushed cheeks and her habit of stammering under attention, realized he had seriously misread the situation.
Lilien de Bermore was like a peach growing at the very top of a tall tree—so high that no one could reach her, no matter how long they waited.
With a sigh, Victor slowly made his way back toward the banquet hall. As soon as he stepped inside, he saw a tall figure looming in the shadows. A deep voice rumbled through the narrow corridor.
“Did you have a good time?”
There was no mistaking the chill in Cairn’s tone, though it was delivered flatly. Victor let out a dry laugh, realizing now how much trouble he’d caused.
“You should check on her. I think your ‘friend’ might need you right now.”
With that, Victor made his exit, leaving the hero of the night behind.
* * *
Cairn rounded the corner and found Lilien collapsed on the ground, her flushed face hidden in her hands, small shoulders shaking as she struggled to catch her breath. Her slender neck and shoulders, visible above her dress, were tinged red.
He knelt down in front of her, lowering himself to her level.
“Lady de Bermore.”
When Lilien lifted her head, her eyes were wide with surprise. She hugged her knees to her chest, looking as if her strength had left her—she nearly toppled backward onto the ground.
Cairn caught her slack arms and gently pulled her toward him.
“Ah…!”
To her surprise, Lilien bumped her head against his shoulder and tried to pull away—only to find her hair tangled in the epaulet of his uniform.
While she struggled to free herself, Cairn cupped her head in both hands and held her still. She immediately froze at his touch.
“I’ll get it out. Hold still.”
He slipped off his white gloves and carefully untangled her hair, one strand at a time.
Lilien, still staring at the floor, finally broke the silence with a timid whisper.
“…Cairn, are you done yet?”
The knot had already been freed, but Cairn, without so much as a blink, lied.
“No, not yet.”
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