Chapter 5

From that moment on, my mother moved quickly. Despite the confusion, she gave instructions and proceeded with the preparations for the incoming duke.

Meanwhile, I was being readied by the skilled maids. My face in the mirror looked terrible, a result of a hangover and the stress of recent days. My brown hair, neglected, was as damaged as hay, and dark circles hung under my emerald green eyes.

Until yesterday, I didn't care how I looked, but today, the pitiful woman in the mirror seemed particularly miserable and embarrassing. Perhaps it was because the glimmer of hope had given me some mental space.

So I ordered the maids to apply my makeup meticulously and chose my favorite dress. It wasn't that I wanted to impress the duke or put on a show. I just wanted to like myself a little more.

I didn't think that a bit of makeup would completely hide my pale complexion, but it was better than doing nothing.

Just as I was finally ready and catching my breath, a high-pitched scream came from the gate. Soon after, the butler came to me.

"Miss, Duke Lambert has arrived. Please come out to greet him when you are ready."

"I'm coming now."

I thought the duke had already arrived, but it seemed a flustered maid had made a mistake, mistaking the herald for a servant.

Since I had been taking my time, thinking he would be kept waiting anyway, I hurried to the hall to greet him. I quickly descended the stairs and curtsied. I didn't see my sister, but her late return in the morning wasn't unusual.

"Good morning, Lady Roseberry. I apologize for visiting at such an hour."

"Oh, no! It is an honor for me!"

The duke who appeared was a remarkably handsome man.

His blue and white formal attire suited his silver hair, and his sky-blue eyes were gently narrowed.

...A young man like this, who seems to have stepped out of a fairy tale, must have had some past experience to be a woman-hater.

As I admired him, our eyes met. I quickly looked away, but I felt a sense of unease.

(This is the first time I've seen the duke up close, but I have a strange sense of déjà vu...)

Wanting to clarify the feeling, I looked at the duke again.

"Today, I came because I have something to discuss with Miss Amalia. I promise not to hurt her. Could we please have a moment alone?"

My usually calm mother was completely charmed by the duke and immediately gave her permission. She then pushed me into the parlor and hurried off somewhere.

By the time I came to my senses, the duke was already lounging with a suspicious smile.

"Quite a heated gaze. I feel like I'm melting."

"Ah, no, it's just that—"

"Hehe, are you captivated by me?"

"I admit you are handsome, Duke, but... have we met somewhere before?"

At those words, the duke froze. After a long silence, he finally spoke with a very pleasant smile, though I was confused about whether I had said something impolite.

"I'm going to use this to our advantage."

"Huh?"

"You can avoid marriage. I can get closer to her. It's not impossible for a noblewoman who can inherit the earldom to remain unmarried, is it?"

"Are you suggesting—"

"As I said, if you don't trust me, you can refuse. Though, I think it's a rather unusual hobby to deliberately make yourself suffer. I can't do that."

"Wait, you can't be serious..."

"I'll go see her tomorrow."

The promise I made with Ilvys. The duke repeated it word for word, and now that he mentioned it, he did look a lot like him...

"May I ask for your name, Your Grace...?"

"Haha, I didn't expect the earl's daughter to not know the face and name of a duke."

"I am truly embarrassed..."

"My name is Ilvys. Ilvys Lambert, Miss Amalia Roseberry."

He called out his full name as if to scold me for not remembering. I felt more awkward by the divine smile on Ilvys's face than by surprise or joy.

Ilvys pressed on, seeing my discomfort.

"Is there something wrong, Miss Amalia?"