Chapter 28

The day of the ball arrived before I knew it.

I tried to avoid doing housework and fieldwork, but my nails were already not in good shape, and my hands were still a bit rough. My skin was also slightly red from the sunburn. I did what I could to take care of my skin, but a week was clearly not enough.

Even in the carriage on the way to the capital, I couldn't stop worrying and sighed many times. Fortunately, Lord Albes was leading the horses, so he didn't hear my sighs. If he had noticed, he might have made a fuss about canceling the ball.

I was so looking forward to the ball that I couldn't stop worrying about my skin and hands.

Fir knows the real me. He would laugh and forgive me no matter what.

So, I wanted to enjoy the dance to the fullest. I've only ever danced seriously with Lord Albes.

...But then my confidence suddenly vanished.

"Is this Fir's house?"

The carriage stopped in front of a grand mansion. It might not be as large as the mansions of high-ranking nobles in the capital, and it was much smaller than the Ophels family's mansion. It wasn't ostentatious, and the exterior looked a bit old and plain. However, it was undoubtedly larger and more impressive than the current Laguren family's house.

"It used to belong to his mother. Now it's Fir's house. But he hardly ever lives here."

What a waste.

Lord Albes laughed as he said this.

...Yes, that's true. He only stayed at our house for a few nights.

To think he would say our floor is better when he has such a grand mansion.

He really is a peculiar person.

"Lord Laguren, Lady Lucia. It's been a while."

I was still standing there in a daze when Tiana smiled and spoke to me. However, that smile was also a prompt to get inside quickly. I decided to comply quietly.

After having some tea and taking a breath, I was led to a room where a beautiful dress was waiting.

"The dress I prepared is this one. How do you like it?"

"...It's beautiful."

Tiana looked worried as she asked, but that was all I could say. It was a light green with a slight blue tinge, and intricate embroidery formed small floral patterns. It was said to be Fir's mother's dress, and its design was slightly different from the current fashion. However, because it was originally an old-fashioned design, it looked very beautiful to me. It reminded me of the dresses worn by princesses in storybooks, which captivated my heart.

"Then, I have prepared these accessories to match."

She also showed me a necklace and earrings. Considering the dance, they seemed lighter and had smaller gems than the ones I had borrowed before. However, they still looked very expensive.

"...I'll leave it to you, Tiana."

"Understood."

Tiana, who understood my character, smiled. Then, she glanced at Lord Albes.

"Should I prepare something for Lord Laguren as well?"

"No, I don't need to dress up. I'll go as usual. I need to show my face to many people, so it wouldn't be good if I looked too different from usual."

"I see. Then, I'll just take care of your grooming."

Tiana said this and took Lord Albes' bag. Lord Albes and I returned to the room where we had first been led and had another cup of tea.

The tea had a different aroma from before, and I sighed. The interior of the mansion was as old-fashioned as the exterior. The decorations seemed to be from a slightly earlier fashion. There were even items similar to those that the Ophels family had laughed at as outdated.

"This place hasn't changed at all."

Lord Albes was also looking at the interior. He pointed to the curtains when he noticed my gaze.

"I first stayed here about ten years ago, but those curtains are still the same. ...I checked just now, and the marks we made by cutting them as a prank are still there. I offered to pay for them, but his mother laughed and forgave us."

...Lord Albes, what did you do in someone else's house?

I couldn't help but look at him in disbelief, but Lord Albes had a nostalgic expression. However, his face suddenly clouded over.

"It's been six... no, seven years since she passed away. This mansion hasn't changed at all since then. Fir hasn't changed anything. Sometimes, memories can be painful."

"Has Fir... changed since then?"

When I asked this boldly, Lord Albes thought for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Did you hear something from the people who come to our house?"

"...Just that Fir's mother was poisoned and that his father fell ill afterward."

"I see. ...His father passed away three years ago. Well, he's had a lot of difficulties."

There must have been many other difficulties that I didn't know about. Looking back, he sometimes came to our house with a dark look in his eyes.

"But it's a shame. If things continue like this, he won't live here even if he gets married. It will probably be left unused until he retires."

Eh, does he have other mansions?

...Fir really is a remarkable noble.

"If I were rich, I would rent this place. It's convenient for going to and from the palace, and it could be used for business with merchants. It's a really good house."

If only I had more money.

Lord Albes sighed regretfully.

...Indeed, the journey between the capital and our home is quite difficult.

If I could rent this place with the dowry I brought, it would be great... but that's probably impossible.

For a while, my brother and I were both lost in thought. When Tiana returned to announce that dinner was ready, she raised her eyebrows at us.