Chapter 43

However, perhaps it was just my illusion, the moment the carriage rumbled, Gabriel’s face became same as his usual expression.

“Maybe I was worrying unnecessarily, but I wanted to tell you just in case.”

Seeing that he was more rigid than usual, it seemed that the current situation was not very pleasant.

But I was also quite embarrassed.

Ans so is Gabriel. No matter how naughty Rosé is, to get involved in such a forced thing must be unpleasant to him.

“Rosé is a bit mischievous.”

He mumbled a little bit.

The voice sounded somewhat sarcastic. Did I hear it wrong?

I tilted my head and said.

“Rosé, she tends to look at everything in a good light, so she’s immature at times.”

“Yes, sometimes.”

“But even that is lovely.”

“Lovely?..Ah .”

What? Is he so moved that he can’t even utter a word?

He suddenly coughed violently. So much that I had to look at him with concern.

“Gabriel, are you okay? Should I give you some water?”

“No,it’s okay, I’m fine.”

Ah, we do have a common topic, don’t we? It’s Rosé.

Somehow I felt relaxed knowing that.

“She did it because she loves and cherishes her sister so much, so I hope you don’t take it to your heart.”

Gabriel, who had a strange face, said slowly.

“The relationship between the two sisters is very, very good, I’m quite jealous.”

But why are you saying about it like that?

‘ah.’

Then I suddenly realized.

‘I’m lacking consideration towards his situation.’

I forgot for a moment because I was talking about Rosé. that Gabriel does not have any brothers or sisters.

To be precise, there were no blood relatives left around due to the Belikus Incident.

‘When I heard about the incident, I thought he would be very lonely.’

Thinking about it made me feel very uncomfortable as if a thorn was stuck in my heart.

She glanced at his face and then bit her lip again.

‘Do I look weird right now?’

It was because I was worried that I might look overly concerned for him.

When you like someone…….

It was then.

“Hildea.”

The net of thoughts that was about to deepen was cut off by a sudden voice.

“I think we have arrived.”

As he said, the carriage had stopped before I knew it, maybe it had arrived at the imperial palace.

Rosériel’s ability to act must be recognized. The words of the royal court attendant who came in a wagon for guidance were absurd.

“Rosé, is that kid already in? Right away without waiting?”

Hildea’s expression now must have been my expression when I heard that Rosé went in first by the royal servant because I didn’t negotiate with her until this far.

You must be crazy, Rosériel.

“……Yes, they said so. I think she went in with the Duke of Hillington.”

Hildea looked at him bewilderedly and slightly wrinkled her brows.

“What’s wrong with Rosé today?”

Gabriel carefully looked at Hildea.

I felt guilty that I was deceiving her even though I knew the whole situation.

“It’s funny.”

I was always able to laugh and deceive my opponents for a purpose, but all of that was an exception to Hildea.

He gazed eagerly at her face reflected in the window all the way through the carriage.

The saying that ‘no matter how much you look at it you won’t get enough of it’ must be for situations like this.

He was rejected even before he asked if he could have the honor of having her first dance, but considering Hildea’s usual personality,it was reasonable

‘Cause she feels terrible about her sister not getting the same things.’

Gabriel held out his hand once again, swallowing his dry saliva.

“Hildea, hand.”

Hildea’s face was dryly silent. But she didn’t avoid looking.

“I’m sorry for everything today, Gabriel.”

“I… … it’s okay.”

“When I see Rosé, I’ll give her a piece of my mind. This won’t happen again.”

.Boom, my heart dropped.

Because it felt like a cold rejection to say that this would never happen again.

But soon his heart rekindled with joy.

Because her hesitant hand sat down on his outstretched palm calmly.

‘I feel like I’m going back and forth between heaven and hell.’

Gabriel felt once again the overwhelming sense of upliftment he had felt in the carriage for the first time with her.

If time stopped right at this moment, it’d be amazing.

“But Gabriel……. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

Hildea looked perplexed and eventually sighed and asked.

She asked him if it was okay to partner with her.

Actually, that’s what Gabriel should have asked her.

It is his victory ceremony banquet inside, and there will be countless people waiting.

That’s why I didn’t like it when Rosériel first asked me to do this.

Not knowing that, Hildea only seemed to be concerned about his side

“You have to think carefully. I don’t know if rumours will come out… … .”

“Yes.”

I felt like I answered too quickly, but I had no regrets.

“Hildea, I’m…”

As if afraid that the hand he touched might run away, he gave it a little strength so that it wouldn’t hurt.

“I am fine.”

I like you. So it’s an honor for me to be your partner, Hill.

Swallowing the words, Gabriel carefully escorted her.

Towards the banquet hall of the splendid imperial palace that was wide open.

While pretending not to look, the eyes of those in the banquet hall were concentrated to one side.

Right at the lovely pink-haired woman who walked down the stairs holding the Duke of Hillington’s hand.

Among the nobles who looked at her, a certain person whispered with a particularly hazy expression.

“Is that lovely Young-Ae Rosériel von Healington?”

“I think so. But next to her is the Duke of Hillington. Looks like she came in with her father.”

“Hmm, that’s weird. It shouldn’t be like that, but somehow it’s an atmosphere that you can’t hate… … .”

It was surprising that the Duke of Hillington, who was blunt except to his beloved wife, Elizabeth, came in holding his daughter’s hand with a gentle smile.

But people’s attention was focused elsewhere.

A gorgeous necklace hanging on Rosériel’s neck.

People’s eyes narrowed.

What about that?

“But that necklace. Isn’t that the necklace that the Duke of Belikus designed himself? It’s incredibly fancy. It’s obvious.”

“But the color of the jewel…….”

“Oh, it’s not red. And both the sisters have red eyes.”

“……Then.”

The whispering voice was cut off. The necklace hanging on Rosériel’s neck was not red.

Then whose neck had the red necklace?

That was then.

“His Highness, Duke Gabriel von Belikus!…”

The loud voice announcing the war hero’s arrival rang out at the banquet hall as if it was just in time.

The aristocrats who chatted occasionally shut up.

“-… … and Lady Hildea von Hillington.”

Following that, the voice announcing the position of Hildea von Hillington also rang out loudly.

“Did he say Hildea von Hillington now?”

It was at that moment that the door opened and a pair of well-matched man and woman appeared.

Even though people knew who they were, they sighed in admiration for a moment.

“How can they be so perfect… … .”

It felt like s facing an elf from an old fairy tale that was not real.

The main characters of the marriage, Belikus and Hillington.

Unfortunately for those who wished to break up this marriage, they were a very well-matched couple.

With long limbs and a tall body, the platinum-haired Duke of Belikus boasted a face as gorgeous as his handsome body.

Hildea von Hillington was a strikingly gorgeous beauty, though her face was as expressionless as ice which matched her cold-looking silver hair.

In particular, there was no change in expression even when everyone’s eyes were sharply drawn.

Her elegant gaze at people seemed so calm that it was hard to believe that it was her first debut in the social world.

“This… … .”

Someone let out a sigh. Probably, it was an imperial aristocrat.

The nobles, alert to the voice, glared at the man and woman entering with keen eyes.

Especially towards the necklace around the neck of the silver-haired woman who appeared.

‘Found it.’

Gabriel’s partner was Hildea von Hillington, the eldest of the Hillington twins.

What a coveted fellow.

‘It will draw attention wherever you go.’

The Emperor Ditroit thought while looking at Gabriel, whom he should have summoned and celebrated.

‘I don’t like this.’

All attention was already focused on Gabriel and the silver-haired young girl who came in holding his hand.

Thanks to this, the position of the imperial family, who were supposed to come in after this, naturally became shabby.

“What do you think, Empress?”

As he asked, he looked to the side and saw his wife, another pillar of this empire, Empress Dejia, who was trying to smile softly even though she looked like she was going crazy inside.

The Empress, who turned her gaze away, stared at the Emperor without hiding her venomous gaze.

It looks like she is going to kill you several times with her eyes.

“I have no idea what you are asking your majesty.”