Chapter 50: When Someone Likes, Someone Dislikes
The part Classie hadn’t considered was that Kishin, too, had never kissed anyone before.
The difference between the two was simply that one had only ever been the receiver before, and the other had only ever been the giver.
Kishin looked down at Classie’s eyelids and the softly trembling lashes and felt flustered.
He knew she wanted something, but it had come too suddenly.
For Kishin, who sought perfection, he worried how a kiss with him might feel to the other person. He wasn’t ready yet.
Yet, her lips, pressed together as if with firm resolve, were undeniably hard to resist.
After hesitating, Kishin lightly pressed his lips to her forehead.
When he stayed like that for a moment, she lifted her eyelids and looked up at him directly.
Her eyes, normally light brown under the sun, were now pitch black. It was his favorite color.
Impulsively, he moved closer and kissed her eyelids once more.
“Lord Kishin…”
When she whispered in a voice smaller than usual, Kishin felt the situation grow difficult and overwhelming.
* * *
As Classie held Kishin’s hand and descended the central staircase, she suddenly felt embarrassed by everything.
She imagined that everyone in this household must know that she and Kishin had just shared a kiss on the forehead.
She knew it was ridiculous, but the thought wouldn’t stop, and she quickly withdrew her hand from Kishin.
“Why?”
Kishin looked puzzled, but Classie deliberately crossed her arms, keeping her hand to herself, and hurried down the stairs.
On the returning carriage, Kishin deliberately sat next to Classie. His knees pressed closely against hers, with no space between them.
This time, Classie also held Kishin’s hand tightly and didn’t let go.
Then, when the carriage jolted, Classie deliberately leaned toward Kishin. Glancing up subtly, she saw the corners of his lips lift gently.
‘Was that too obvious a move?’
Heat rose to her cheeks, but Classie closed her eyes and whispered as if nothing had happened,
“I like being with Lord Kishin.”
As they continued on, the distance from Teiwood Street, 3rd Avenue, to Hod 11th Avenue felt unusually short to Classie today.
However, when she cheerfully returned home, the house felt gloomy.
Merran, Anna, and Karen were all sitting together on the sofa by the fireplace, and the somber mood seemed to stem from Merran. Her eyelids were swollen.
Having returned from a joyful dream, Classie’s mind instantly cleared when she saw Merran’s swollen eyes, and she asked,
“What’s wrong? What happened?”
Anna approached Classie and answered,
“Miss Merran was very worried because you didn’t return until late at night.”
“What?”
‘That can’t be.’
Classie frowned at Merran, and when Merran gave her a resentful look, Classie quickly managed her expression and asked,
“Merran, you were worried about me?”
Karen scolded her tone,
“Romance is fine, but you should also take care of Miss Merran, Classie. Thanks to her, you’ve earned good favor with the Marchioness of Gosville, so things are going smoothly.”
“What did I do?”
“Merran had been away for months and has just returned, and Lord Kishin has come and gone frequently for months. Moreover, Lord Kishin is a man, while Merran is your niece. Yet you ignore Merran and keep focusing only on Lord Kishin… Today, you only came for dinner and didn’t return until late, so Merran couldn’t even sleep worrying about you.”
“Karen, fine, Merran is childish, but you’re not. If Merran acts up, you should soothe her and let her rest. What are you doing sitting there fussing with her?”
“!”
“Don’t take this the wrong way—think carefully, Karen. If Merran marries Lord Dernick, she’ll become a Grand Duchess, and the Siwil Grand Ducal House will already have many loyal aides. To protect Merran there and to rise higher yourself, you must give advice when necessary.”
Karen looked surprised, and Merran stared at Classie with wide eyes.
Classie quickly went up to her bedroom.
* * *
From the next day, Classie became busy.
On April 2nd, she first wrote down the dates she wanted for the wedding in September or October and sent them to the Marchioness of Gosville.
This way, the Marchioness could coordinate with Classie’s mother through telegrams or letters to settle on a wedding date.
On April 3rd, Classie went with the Marchioness of Gosville to meet the designer, Miss Ivezé, to arrange her wedding dress.
However, since the designer had been suddenly called by the Empress and didn’t return, they had to wait three hours and leave without accomplishing anything—despite having scheduled the appointment in advance.
While buying food at her usual restaurant, the Marchioness complained lightly,
“This is the downside of using the same designer as the Empress. Their priority is always the Empress, the former Empress, and then the Princess. Even if you schedule in advance, it ends up like this.”
“Don’t the royal family make appointments separately?”
“Appointments? No, they just call when they need something. Then you must go, no matter what.”
Seeing the Marchioness so anxious, Classie tried to comfort her.
“Even if the wedding is on September 1st, there are still several months left. Don’t be too worried. There’s no need to start the dress so early.”
“To make the dress flawlessly, it takes three months, Classie. And Miss Ivezé won’t spend the whole day just on our dress. That’s why we have to request it as soon as possible.”
‘The capital’s social scene is definitely different with royals involved,’ Classie thought with curiosity, asking the Marchioness more questions about the royal family.
On April 4th and 5th, she was busy preparing for Merran’s birthday party.
Although it was a small party for close friends, decorating the entire house required more effort than expected.
Still, Classie took care to decorate the house to prevent Merran from feeling slighted and sent invitations to close friends in the capital. Of course, since she couldn’t invite Florence, the only friend available was Kishin.
Merran naturally invited Dernick and even secured a definite yes from him.
Seeing Merran’s pride, Classie thought Dernick must have some interest in her—after all, when Classie had invited him before, he hadn’t responded promptly.
Finally, April 6th, Merran’s birthday, arrived.
Classie was finishing her hair in her room when a bright voice called from outside, “Lord Dernick!”
‘It’s not time yet… already?’
Startled, Classie walked to the window and saw Kishin and Dernick getting out of the same carriage, with Merran standing beside it.
Classie didn’t call out to Kishin, yet somehow he noticed, paused his greeting with Merran, and looked directly at her window.
Clumsy but instinctive, Classie waved with the ribbon she hadn’t finished tying, and Kishin took a handkerchief from his pocket and waved back.
Classie laughed.
‘I wouldn’t have guessed it, but he surprisingly likes to play around.’
Kishin’s gesture gave Classie energy after several exhausting days.
She quickly tied the ribbon and went downstairs.
At the same time, Kishin, Dernick, and Merran were just entering the main gate.
Classie greeted Kishin first, then cheerfully addressed Dernick.
“It’s been a while, Lord Dernick. How have you been? I heard you and Merran had a good time in Greengol City?”
Although Dernick had previously proposed a politically arranged marriage, Classie had refused. Still, it hadn’t been a proposal he genuinely wanted—both of them acknowledged that—so seeing him didn’t feel uncomfortable.
“Ah, yes.”
“?”
Unexpectedly, Dernick’s response was much shorter than before.
Moreover, although he had been smiling earlier, the moment Classie spoke, the smile vanished entirely.
‘Huh… what’s going on? Is he mad at me?’
Classie looked at Kishin, trying to understand Dernick’s sudden coldness.
Kishin, too, looked surprised, seemingly unsure why Dernick was acting distant toward Classie.
Still puzzled, Classie tried again, speaking in a friendly tone,
“Lord Dernick, why have you become so quiet all of a sudden?”
She deliberately forced a big smile, but it had no effect.
“I don’t like it.”
“!”
Dernick’s reply was short, intense, and unpleasant.
Classie erased her smile and asked,
“What do you mean you don’t like it? You don’t dislike me, right?”
From their first meeting, Dernick had never behaved like this. They often bickered and acted on whims, but fundamentally, hadn’t he always been kind?
“That’s right. So don’t talk to me.”
“!”
Classie raised her head in shock and met Merran’s gaze, who was watching with a smile.
* * *