# 19
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After a moment, Kyle, rubbing the bump on his forehead, placed the documents on the desk with an angry expression.
“That was painful… wasn’t that a bit difficult? You may not realize it, but a blow from a Swordmaster is fatal to a sensitive civilian like me.”
“Your tongue is still very long,” Ian replied, clicking his tongue as he opened the documents.
"...But seriously, what is this? Is it really jewelry? An accessory?"
"This is correct."
"What?!"
This time, Cale's response was truly shocked.
Ian, whose expression was devoid of any emotion, picked up his quill.
“What is this response?”
"I mean, you were looking at a piece of jewelry in the office! Shouldn't I be surprised? Did you really buy it to give to the Duchess? Oh… were you shocked that I struck a chord by guessing right? Oh no, I must be cursed!"
Ian's brow furrowed in annoyance at Kyle's loud outburst.
“Kyle Elzer.”
“I will correct myf.”
Kyle, who now stood properly, covered his forehead as he cleared his throat.
“So, are you really going to give it to her as a gift?”
Ian raised his gaze for a moment before lowering it again.
“Technically, I received it. The Duchess gave it to me.”
“Oh my God...”
Kyle covered his mouth in disbelief, looking between Ian and the brooch box with a shocked expression.
“…What on earth happened between you two in the past few days?”
“Nothing happened.”
“And yet the Duchess gave you jewelry?”
“Does this bother you?”
Ian's exhausted look silenced Kyle. Kyle quickly closed his mouth, then let out a soft cough.
“Hm, looks like my advice wasn't completely uess, was it?”
“You're getting ahead of yourf”
Ian answered gruffly, but Kyle smiled slyly.
“You said you didn't care, but you seem worried about the idea of divorce, don't you? I mean, where are you going to find someone as capable as the Duchess-”
Kyle quickly turned his gaze to the pin when he met Ian's icy gaze.
“Um… Anyway, when do you plan to wear this pin? You won’t leave it in the box, right?”
“You're full of questions today.”
“Do I look like I won't ask?” Kyle stood still despite Ian's intense gaze, his expression resolute.
Finally, Ian sighed and turned his attention back to the documents.
“She asked me to accompany her to a party at the Brillose house.”
Kyle's jaw dropped.
“I don't even know how shocked I am. Did something happen between you that I don't know about? Did you two eat something strange—”
“Kyle Els—”
“Yes, I apologize.” Kyle quickly closed his mouth, barely stifling his cough.
Again if he was called by his full name, he would be done for.
“The Duchess is really generous,” Kyle said, clearing his throat again. “Aren’t you trying to make things go well despite everything that’s happened?”
“Does this seem like effort to you?”
"Sure! You should make an effort too. Who knows? Maybe this will be the beginning of you two becoming really close."
At Kyle's calm remark, Ian's pen stopped moving.
This time, instead of staring at Kyle, Ian glanced at the jewelry box he had set aside.
“We don't like each other, do we?”
Eloise's words echoed in his mind.
Ian shook his head, his expression as dry as ever.
“No, that won't happen.”
❖ ❖ ❖
Time passed quickly, and it was the day of the Prilloz family's seasonal party.
From early morning, I was practically dragged into the bathroom and subjected to the torture known as “priming” by my maids before I even had a chance to open my eyes.
“What kind of essential oil should we use?”
"Ah, Lily! Smell the rose today!"
“What about your nails?”
“Don't cut it, just trim the ends!”
“Yes, ma'am!”
They're... excited, aren't they?
I closed my eyes as I felt countless hands pass beside me. The past few days have been a whirlwind of busy schedules.
Mrs. Zedd, who had bragged about making the perfect dress, returned a few days later with an improved version of the dress, and the shoemaker visited the palace several times to make identical shoes.
Honestly, it was exhausting. Now I understand why the heroes of novels hate parties and banquets so much. This was really hard work.
“You look absolutely stunning, ma'am!”
Late in the morning, after hours of work in the dressing room, Vivi and the maids stepped back and gasped in unison.
Whether it was because I had been up since dawn getting ready or because of their handiwork, my reflection in the mirror was dazzling.
My hair, half tied up and half down in elegant waves, a dark red dress with layers flowing asymmetrically like a rose, the brooch adorning my waist, the sparkling magic dust that sparkled as I moved – it all came together beautifully.
Looking at myf now, I wasn't as stunning as my dear Diana, but I still looked stunning.
“Wow...”
This isn't just makeup; It's practically camouflage.
Honestly, my appearance was worth the last few hours of hard work. Well, Eloise has always been considered the flower of the social scene anyway.
Vivi, who was standing closest to me, was almost jumping to her feet, her eyes sparkling.
“You are like an angel descended from heaven! There could be no one more beautiful than you, my lady!”
“This is not true.”
Diana is the most beautiful. The ruler of beauty herf. Diana.
"No, really. I've never seen anyone more beautiful than you, ma'am!"
Well, don't worry. Within a year, the new woman will take over the role.
Even though I was the one attending the party, the maids seemed more excited than me.
“…Okay, I’ll leave now.”
“Yes, ma'am!”
After Vivi gave me one last spritz of perfume, she left the dressing room.
As I walked down the stairs toward the hallway, I noticed a familiar figure in the distance.
Ian was standing with his back to me.
“Wow, what is this...”
I could hardly suppress my desire to wonder.
He was wearing a perfectly tailored white formal suit. Having only seen him in the formal uniform he wore when he met the Emperor or in his casual clothes, the difference in his appearance was astonishing.
Although I could only see part of his face as he stood far away from me, his elegant and calm demeanor was so strikingly handsome that it was almost inspiring.
'How could white suit him so well?'
He was still an insufferable man, but I couldn't deny his appearance.
At this point, I could almost understand why so many people were hopelessly obsessed with this emotionally retarded man.
The answer was his face.
His appearance was everything.
“Are you planning on standing there all day?”
...Yes, his face is all he has.
If he kept his mouth shut.
The annoyed tone of his voice brought me back to reality.
“I'm coming.”
She gracefully descended the stairs and stood in front of him.
“Have you waited too long?”
He took out his pocket watch from his coat and answered in a monotone voice,
“I've waited exactly forty-three minutes. You're late.”
I know this. This is the “socially awkward” style of speech you only see on the internet.
Who counts the exact minutes and tells you that? What's wrong with this guy?
‘If it weren’t for your face, you would be doomed to a life of loneliness.’
“…Your Highness?”
"Yes."
“In situations like this, you're supposed to say, 'No, I didn't wait long.'”
At my comment, he turned his head slightly, causing his hair to fall smoothly to one side.
“Is forty-three minutes not too long for you, ma'am?”
“Have you ever heard of a simple thing called a white lie? Do you know what it means to be considerate?”
Ian frowned at my question.
“Ah, I see.”
You have no interest in understanding or desire to understand.
I smiled forcedly, raising the corners of my mouth.
“In the future, no matter how long you've waited, please respond with something like, ‘I just arrived.’ Sometimes women need that kind of consideration.”
Although Ian's expression clearly showed that he did not understand at all, he did not argue.
I could tell he was just as tired of bickering with me as I was of him.
“By the way, I see you wear the brooch well.”
The brooch he had made a few days ago was shining on the tie around his neck.
“I promised to cooperate.”
Ian added in his usual dry tone.
"This will be the first and last time I wear it. It's an accessory I bought for this party."
“Oh, right.”
He sure has a way of saying things.
We couldn't be more happy with getting identical items.
After staring at him for a moment, I extended my hand and gestured for him to come with me.
“Well, then, I'm counting on you today.”
Let's get this over with quickly.