Chapter Title: The Meeting
Cesare locked eyes with her, a combative smile playing on his lips.
"Do I have anything to be ashamed of in my past?"
"It seems you've made quite a few ladies cry."
"If we agreed to enjoy ourselves and part ways cleanly, it's not my shame if they changed their minds."
"Is that so? Then should I also roll around with gentlemen tonight? It wouldn't be my fault if they cry."
Cesare fell silent. His smile deepened, but his hawk-like eyes fixed on Adelaide without blinking.
He had a habit of staring down his opponent as if he would devour them when he was displeased.
*This is a time to back down.*
Adelaide smiled softly and glanced around.
"Has Sir Ezra not arrived yet? I thought you would introduce him to me."
There was no answer. The side of her face prickled, suggesting he was still glaring at her.
After a long pause, he spoke.
"He said he would arrive late."
"Oh..."
Just then, Cesare pulled Adelaide sharply. It was another move out of the original routine.
Adelaide, after completing a sequence from running cross chassé to curved feather to outside spin, glared at Cesare with a smile.
"Why do you keep changing the order...?"
"Why Ezra?"
*Why, indeed.*
"Surely you haven't forgotten that I am bound by the agreement with Della Valle?"
"Are you just interested in rolling around with Ezra?"
"..."
Adelaide could only smile as sweetly as possible. It was the only response she could give to Cesare's constant harsh remarks.
Seeing Adelaide not answering, Cesare suddenly let out a sharp laugh.
"You're annoying."
"..."
At that moment, the announcer's voice was heard from a distance.
"Ezra Della Valle is entering!"
The timing was perfect. The dance was ending. She had to prepare to meet Ezra, whom she had only heard about.
*Since my back is to the entrance, I should...*
Adelaide was about to step back quietly.
But suddenly, Cesare's hand, which was resting on her shoulder blade, pressed down with more force.
"...?"
Surprised, Adelaide looked up at him. Cesare had a peculiar expression. It was cold and emotionless, yet there was a hint of hesitation.
"Brother?"
Their eyes met when she called his name. His sharp eyes were clouded and dark.
But in the next moment, Cesare released her smoothly.
"...Go."
It was a strange, unfamiliar sight. Was it because of Ezra?
Adelaide hesitated, then grabbed Cesare's lowering arm.
"No. Escort me as you are."
Fortunately, Cesare, unusually calm, complied silently.
Adelaide slowly counted the time in her head. Her back was to the entrance of the Hall of Aria.
She gently held Cesare's arm and slightly turned her head at the right moment.
Then, as if by magic, her eyes met those of a man entering the ballroom.
"..."
The man stopped in his tracks the moment their eyes met.
As his surprised eyes gradually widened, Adelaide quickly took in his appearance.
Neatly kept light brown hair, violet eyes. His neat appearance clearly indicated he was Lucrezia's brother. The ash-colored suit suited him very well.
*Ezra Della Valle.*
Having confirmed that, Adelaide quietly observed him for a moment, then turned her head indifferently. No smile or greeting.
"Oh, uh..."
Seeing Ezra raise his hand as if to stop her, Adelaide saw no need to stay any longer.
She whispered quickly and quietly.
"Let's go. Escort me out."
"..."
"Brother?"
Cesare moved a step later than she had expected. When she glanced up, his strong jawline was tightly set.
*It seems he truly does not get along with Ezra.*
When they approached the host's entrance, a servant opened the door. Adelaide was about to exit alone but was slightly surprised when Cesare followed a few steps behind.
The door closed behind him.
They were alone in a dimly lit corridor, silent except for the soft light.
"..."
It was an intimidating silence. Adelaide couldn't even let go of his arm and waited for his verdict.
Cesare's voice came after a long pause.
"...Well done."
He spoke ceremonially, then let go of her hand and returned to the ballroom.
---
Geneviève stood with her mouth agape as Cesare and Adelaide left the ballroom.
Only after they left did her cheeks flush and her hands flutter.
*Are they crazy? I thought they were one person!*
It seemed she wasn't the only one who felt that way, as she heard people whispering in groups about the dance.
The dance had been perfect. If they didn't know they were siblings, one would have thought they were lovers or a married couple.
*Their mother, Lady Catarina, is royalty from Orqueenia. Royalty is different, after all. Adelaide must take after her...*
As she was blushing with these thoughts, Geneviève felt a very cold presence next to her and froze.
*Oh no...*
With the feeling of someone reluctantly peeking into a scary attic, Geneviève slowly turned her head. Across the chaise longue, Lucrezia sat with a blank expression and wide, glaring eyes.
"..."
She was so frightened that she quickly turned her head away.
*Why now, after getting along for two months?*
She had been visiting Bonaparte frequently, at least once a week, and had seen the siblings' affectionate moments often enough.
While contemplating whether to flee, Cesare returned to the ballroom. His face was cold and unapproachable, despite the impressive dance he had just performed.
He glanced at Lucrezia but moved into the crowd without a word.
"..."
Geneviève was about to leave when Lucrezia called her sweetly.
"Geneviève."
"...Yes!"
Geneviève forced herself to sit next to Lucrezia, who had dismissed the gentlemen with a wave.
Lucrezia gazed at the floor, her beautiful face clouded with emptiness.
"Geneviève..."
"...Yes?"
"Have you ever seen Cesare make a mistake while dancing?"
"What?"
It was an unexpected question. Geneviève wracked her brain.
"No...? I don't think so...? Lord Cesare is naturally skilled at physical activities..."
"Right..."
Lucrezia's expression darkened. Geneviève was flustered. If Lucrezia mentioned it, something must have happened during Cesare's dance.
"But he just showed us an impressive dance, didn't he?"
"...No. He faltered. I know. I adore Lord Cesare, so I can tell."
Lucrezia muttered, staring at the floor.
"Lord Cesare never makes mistakes..."
Her violet eyes lost focus.
"What could have shaken him...?"
"..."
*This is terrifying...*
Geneviève closed her eyes. She wanted to return to the group with Saoirse Foscari instead.
"Lu, Lucrezia? Lord Cesare and Lady Adelaide are siblings, so maybe they were just playing a prank! Don't think too deeply about it!"
"..."
"And besides, Lady Adelaide is soon to become part of Della Valle, right?"
At those words, Lucrezia lifted her head slightly. The frail beauty's eyes regained focus.
"That's right. Lady Adelaide will marry Ezra, won't she...?"
"Yes, I think so? But she left without greeting him?"
"...Indeed. Then..."
Lucrezia smiled gently.
"For now, I'll let it go. For now..."
"..."
Geneviève clasped her sweaty hands together, barely maintaining her smile.
No matter how close they were as siblings, this felt overly sensitive.
*It was a bit odd, though...*
Recalling the Bonaparte siblings, Geneviève quickly shook her head to dispel the indecent thoughts.
---
The birthday banquet had ended. The guests left by three in the morning.
Cesare, who continued conversing with a few Priori members and key figures of Santnar until four in the morning, finally ended his schedule.
After throwing off his stifling clothes and taking a shower, Jane, the maid, waited with a robe.
"The bedroom is ready."
"Not the robe."
The valet Oliver promptly brought a light shirt and pants. Cesare fastened the buttons haphazardly and asked.
"Where's Gigi?"
"He's in the study, but he said you don't have to visit..."
"Got it. You can leave now."
Jane and Oliver smiled slightly.
"Yes, my lord."
"Happy birthday."
Cesare chuckled and headed for the study.