Chapter 8

Ever since the day began, the Weiand mansion had been teeming with activity. Today was the day of the garden party. Yet the anticipated request to be Roman’s partner for the party didn’t come.

Nevertheless, Prillance purposely did not send a letter to Roman to ask him to be her partner. This was because Roman had to come to the party and bring Cecia as his partner.

Since Cecia was not formally invited, she would not be able to attend the party by herself. Hence, she was only able to attend this party as Roman’s partner.

Prillance was planning to create a chance encounter between Cecia and Ver.

She was going to change the scene of the garden party, which would have been a four-way face-to-face confrontation, into a place for the old lovers to reunite without disturbance.

In her mind, she recalled the split second expression on Ver’s face a few days ago. As she thought, he still missed Cecia.

Not just for his sake, but for hers as well, this plan needed to succeed.

“Young miss. I’ll make you the most beautiful woman at the party today!” Mindy suddenly cried out. She thought Prillance, who had closed her eyes and seemed to ruminate over something, was disappointed.

Going by Duke Tonz’ recent actions, Mindy had expected that his partner would of course be Prillance. However, as Duke Tonz had not contacted her till this day, the young miss seemed to have given up. And so, Mindy misunderstood Prillance’s seemingly hidden disappointment.

‘I will make you the most beautiful woman in the party and make Duke Tonz regret not making you his partner.’

Mindy and the maids’ eyes turned to each other and exchanged a silent signal.

***

Carried by Marquis Weiand’s carriage, Prillance entered the Moran estate. The number of carriages in front of the estate was not large because, in the first place, the Countess had sent only a handful of invitations.

However, the patterns carved into the family carriages mattered more than the number of people who participated.

“Welcome.”

Prillance entered with her father, Jack. Since the status of the invited guests were not low, Countess Moran herself was welcoming the guests from the entrance.

“The Marquis is becoming more and more handsome. And the Lady, just like her father, is getting more and more beautiful as well.”

“The Countess grows more beautiful each time as well.”

Marquis Weiand showed his courtesy through a light kiss at the back of her hand. The Marquis, known as a “middle-aged beauty”, was still popular among the ladies. Hence, a smile spread on Countess Moran’s face. After a few words of pleasant greetings came and went, the two entered the garden.

There were quite a few people. Food and drinks were prepared simply on one side. On the other side, the orchestra played a beautiful melody. The daughters and wives of various aristocrat families gathered around Prillance and Jack.

Jack greeted them lightly before leaving the conversations among women.

“The Lady is getting prettier and prettier.”

“Where did you buy these earrings?”

“Even though your style has changed, it’s still really pretty.”

The noble daughters and wives surrounding Prillance praised her for her beautiful dress and accessories. Instantly, many people gathered around her and she quickly became the center of attention. She smiled and exchanged appropriate words with them. By the time she felt a cramp in her mouth, she was able to escape.

Finally, she was able to look around. Even though the garden looked like a maze, fortunately it wasn’t overgrown with thick bushes.

One could tell at a glance that the Countess managed the garden with dedication. As the annual party grew to become an exclusive party for high-ranking aristocrats, she seemed to have given a lot of care and attention towards the garden.

She saw a tree, carved into the symbol of the Moran family. It was a sight to behold against the broad daylight.

The place was quite a distance away from the crowds, and there was a small stone statue located right next to it, making it easy to find.

This should be a good place to reunite the old lovers. Prillance looked around satisfactorily and headed back to the place where the people convened.

She was able to find the man who was attracting attention among the nobles more than ever before. Many ladies flocked towards Ver as they sought his attention by trying to speak to him.

It was the first time she had seen him since that day. Ver was treating them politely, as always. Hence, the faces of the ladies around him were full of smiles.

Once again, Prillance realized that she was no different from them. All the women looked the same to him. Except for Cecia.

At that moment, her eyes met with Ver’s, who was looking around. He seemed to be happy to see her. Prillance pointed towards the inside of the garden before heading there first.

“Lady Weiand.”

Ver, who noticed her signal, immediately followed her. She looked back and expressed her joy at seeing him as well.

She looked like she was back to her usual self. He was relieved at the sight.He had been worried all this time since he hadn’t met her since that day.

“You look quite handsome, Viscount.”

It was her first time seeing Ver at a party. She always knew he was handsome, but he looked very different dressed like this.

“The Lady also looks lovely.”

Ver wanted to reproach himself for his short words.

In fact, today, Prillance was really beautiful. After looking around, his eyes naturally stopped after seeing her. She was distinctively different from the past, where she used to show off her splendor and hang all kinds of jewels. Just her grateful and smiling expressions were quite lovely.

“It’s a garden party, so shall we take a look around the garden?” Prillance first suggested. The crowds were only near the mansion, while the beautifully decorated gardens were to its side.

Thanks to this, the two were able to comfortably look around. There were also lights installed all over the garden, so it was not inconvenient to walk.

“Did you come with Marquis Weiand?” Ver asked as he recalled his encounter with Jack earlier. He had met Jack and greeted him lightly. Somehow, Jack looked uncomfortable at the time.

“Yes. What about the Viscount?”

“I came by myself.”

It was already routine for him to go by himself without a partner. Cecia had only attended a few parties after becoming a noble.

“If you had asked me to be your partner, I would have agreed.” Sensing the dark mood, Prillance spoke playfully to change the mood.

“But isn’t there someone else?” Ver asked as he stared at her, thinking of Roman.

“I’m talking about Duke Tonz.”

When Roman took Prillance from Ver the other day, he recalled how Roman exhibited the behavior of a man trying to take care of his woman.

At Ver’s words, she nodded, saying, ‘Ah.’ Then no further words followed.

Prillance wanted to talk more, but knew she had to stop there. There were many things she could not explain. Moreover, Ver was still unaware that Cecia was engaged to Roman. Hence, she chose not to speak.

“It’s really beautiful here, right?”

Fortunately, they arrived at the place. She knowingly changed the topic and complimented the place.

Ver noticed she didn’t want to talk. But when she kept herself at a distance, he felt strangely hurt.

“Ah, I forgot to bring a drink.”

Prillance clapped her hands and acted as if she hadn’t thought of it. Of course, it was a very clumsy excuse, but Ver didn’t see through it.

“I will bring it.”

“Oh, then do you want to be caught by another lady?”

In fact, Prillance would also be held up by other ladies. But she quickly stopped Ver, acting as if she didn’t know the same thing would happen to her.

“But I can’t let the Lady do it.”

“It’s alright. I’ll quickly go and come back.”

Before Ver could stop her again, she moved away with a light and quick step.