Ethan was walking down the corridor leading to the lounge.
Countess Sophia Linucci told him that Camille would be in the room at the other end.
Sophia offered to guide him there, but he refused.
“Duke Dumont”
When Ethan heard the voice behind him, he stopped.
He turned to see Nadia standing there, holding the hem of her dress, panting slightly, as if she had run after him.
“Marquise Le Roy. Do you need something from me?”
“……”
Nadia tightened her grip on her dress, looking at Ethan with a mixture of longing and sadness. But Ethan's look at her was extremely cold.
“If you have nothing to say, I will continue on my way.”
“Wait please!”
Ethan started to turn away but looked at Nadia.
“Oh, the last time...” Nadia stuttered, unable to find her words easily. “I overstepped my bounds then. I mean...about the Duchess. I think I misunderstood. I apologize.”
“……”
Ethan stared at Nadia in silence before suddenly turning away.
“Your Highness!”
Nadia raised her voice in annoyance, but Ethan paid no attention.
She bit her lip, watching his back turn away from her.
Suddenly, Ethan stopped in his tracks.
He turned and started walking back towards Nadia with firm steps.
“…Your Highness?” Nadia's voice was a mixture of hope and concern.
In contrast to his previous emotionless demeanor, Ethan's eyes now flashed menacingly.
“Don't tell me you bothered Camille again today.”
"Excuse me? What do you mean...?"
“I clearly warned you before. Don’t bother my wife again.”
Ethan's cold voice made Nadia widen her eyes, "No! Nothing happened today! I saw her by chance a while ago, and we exchanged greetings."
“Are you sure?”
“That's all. You can ask the Duchess yourself,” Nadia pleaded with a serious expression.
Ethan narrowed his eyes at her. Even if Nadia was an idiot, she didn't seem like the type to lie easily.
Was I overthinking it?
This was a sudden suspicion that arose due to Camille's unexpected ill health.
If the same thing had happened today as it had then, Camille might have used her exhaustion as an excuse to hide in the hall, wiping her tears where no one could see her.
Anyway, he'll know as soon as he sees Camille.
This time, Ethan left Nadia and walked.
Nadia clenched her fists so hard that her long nails dug into her palms. She felt like she was about to cry out of frustration.
She swallowed her pride and even said things she didn't mean to take issue with, but that was the reaction she got.
If I could find Baron Bernard...
I've searched everywhere for months, but Liam's whereabouts are still unknown.
If she could prove their relationship, Ethan would definitely change his mind. Yes, with the evidence, Ethan wouldn't continue to cling to that woman...
At that moment, she saw Ethan knock on the door at the end of the corridor and then enter.
'...Huh?'
Nadia frowned without realizing it.
Earlier, when she was searching for Ethan in this area, she saw a man leaving that same room – a handsome man with dyed blond hair.
Was I wrong? No, it was definitely that room.
I remembered Camille resting in that lounge. If Ethan was looking for his wife, and Camille was in the room...
The tears disappeared from Nadia's eyes.
She started walking towards the room Ethan entered.
***
When I was about to leave the hall and return to the concert hall, someone knocked on the door.
'Sofia?'
I doubted Nicholas would come back at this point.
Yes who is he?
The door opened, and there stood Ethan.
For a while, I couldn't believe my eyes.
What? Is this a dream? Why is Ethan here?
Ethan closed the door and went inside.
“I heard you're not feeling well. Are you still sick?”
I was so stunned that I couldn't respond, I just stared at Ethan. There was a slight hint of worry in his eyes.
“Are you still not feeling well?”
"Huh?...No, I'm fine now. But why are you here?"
“I told you. I heard you weren’t feeling well, so I came to check on you.”
“Who told you that? Don’t tell me that Countess Linucci sent someone to the palace?”
“Of course not. I heard that here.”
“Then why did you come here? You didn’t mention you were coming.”
“…I suddenly thought about it and decided to come. Wasn’t I supposed to come?”
Ethan's voice had a hint of dissatisfaction.
“No, it's not like you weren't supposed to do that...”
Only then did I notice his clothes.
It's been a long time since I've seen him wear evening clothes.
Although it wasn't much different from his usual suit - clean and simple - it looked great on him.
It is said that wearing a white shirt and jeans that fit the body is most appropriate. From this standpoint, Ethan looked stunning in his impeccably tailored formal attire.
Is that a purple flower on his left chest?
Ethan felt strange when he saw the pink decorations.
Not because it didn't suit him, but it definitely did.
And it seemed like he was looking at my dress too.
“This is not the dress you tried on yesterday.”
"Huh? Oh, right. I mentioned I had to choose between two dresses."
Today I was wearing a cream dress with a black velvet ribbon.
“Uh… that dress looked good on you,” Ethan murmured quietly.
For some reason, my face felt red.
But why? That wasn't even a huge compliment.
“Are you saying this dress doesn't look good on me?” I asked frankly, trying to hide my embarrassment.
“No, that suits you too. But...”
“But what?”
Ethan didn't say anything else.
When I looked at him, an idea suddenly occurred to me.
'Wait, did he match his accessories to my dress on purpose?'
Yesterday's dress was purple—the same lavender color Ethan was wearing now.
Not possible. This cannot be true.
There was no way Ethan would do something like that. If he hadn't just mentioned the dress, I would have assumed he didn't even remember what I wore.
No, this is impossible. It can't be.
I shook my head, trying to shake the thought away.
'Wait, more importantly...did Ethan see Nicholas leave this room?'
I came up with this idea late.
Enough time had passed since Nicholas had left, so it was unlikely that they would have run into each other.
I didn't do anything wrong, but...and yet, being alone in a room with a strange man didn't seem great.
Given the situation I had gotten into when I was first reincarnated as Camille and her fate in the original story, I wanted to avoid any further doubts.
If I had known Ethan was coming, I would have been more careful… but seriously, why is he here? At least he could have told me in advance.
At that moment, Ethan suddenly looked at the door, which was closed.
"What? Did you hear something?"
“……”
Ethan narrowed his eyes and said nothing.
After a moment, he turned to face me.
I tilted my head in confusion, “Ethan?”
"It's okay. Don't worry about it. More importantly, why weren't you feeling better earlier?"
“Oh, it wasn't serious. I just felt tired, it's been a long time since I've been around so many people.”
“Is that really all?”
“Yes? Yes, of course.”
Ethan looked at me calmly, as if trying to make sure I was telling the truth.
“Shall we go out again? I’ve rested enough.”
“Are you sure you're okay?”
“Yes, I'm fine”
At my words, Ethan extended his hand. I grabbed it and stood up.
***
"What? Did you hear anything?
When Nadia heard the sound from inside the room, she stepped back.
She took a few steps back before turning around and leaving the area.
Did they know I was eavesdropping? No, they didn't see my face...
Nadia placed her hand on her throbbing chest, quickening her steps.
It seemed that her suspicions were correct.
Camille was in that room.
And until recently, that man was with her.
If Ethan had arrived a little earlier...
It was unfortunate, but it was good. The important thing is that Camille had drawn her attention to a new man, and she knew it.
This time, Nadia won't let things slide like she did with Liam.
Upon her return to the concert hall, Nadia began looking for that man.