Of course, from Ethan's perspective, it probably made sense to think that way, especially since we hadn't adopted Elodie yet.
But still, I didn't want to hear such words from Ethan.
It wasn't like I was Elodie myself, but I still felt rejected and hurt.
“What's wrong?”
When I didn't say anything, I bit my lip slightly and asked Ethan.
“…Nothing,” I muttered quietly, turning my head to look out the window.
“Camille”
“I'm a little tired. I want to rest until we get to the palace.”
“……”
In the end, Ethan fell silent as well. The only sound that filled the place was the rattle of the carriage as it moved.
***
Ethan entered the room and took off his outer coat.
He felt complicated in many ways.
Since then, Camille has not said a word. As if her previous enthusiasm for the girl, Elodie, was a lie; Suddenly, darkness fell over the air.
“Did I really say something terrible?”
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't understand it.
All Ethan did was state an obvious fact.
She was actually just a child who was not related to him, so he said it did not concern him. Was that a terrible thing to say?
Of course, he realized that Camille was in love with the girl, and even went to great lengths to introduce them. Maybe she was hoping to see them get along.
“…Then why didn’t you say that from the beginning?”
She said that it had been a long time since they'd been out together, and that she was curious about the used book store he'd visited—all of this, just to get him to meet that girl.
He felt like a fool. If I had told him in advance, he wouldn't have wasted his time trying to understand meanings that didn't exist.
“...damn”
Ethan sat on the couch, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
Logically, it didn't seem like he had done anything wrong, yet it seemed as if everything was his fault – and this made him feel indescribably terrible.
***
“Looks like I'll need to come up with a new plan.”
After thinking about it for a while, I came to this conclusion.
Failing to recreate their first meeting from the original story created a bigger butterfly effect than I expected.
Now, Ethan saw Elodie as a child I knew by chance – there was none of the interest or curiosity he showed in the original story.
At first, I was sorry that Elodie had to read a picture book that day, but after thinking, I realized that it was also because of my interference.
“I thought the little kids at the orphanage would love it. “You read it so well last time, Duchess... I thought I might read it to them when you weren't there.”
Hearing that made me so happy, but it was a differentiator that wouldn't have existed if I hadn't volunteered at the orphanage in the first place.
'Honestly, how could I have expected that…'
No matter how careful my calculations and planning were, there were always limits.
However, this small variable threw a wrench into the very important matter of Ethan and Elodie's initial meeting and the building of their relationship.
In the current situation, even adopting Elodie wouldn't be easy.
“I could understand it if it were you, but she's just a child with no connection to me.”
I remembered those words and it made my chest hurt again.
I won't let Elodie hear something like that. never.
Ethan and Elodie were my favorite father-daughter duo – their relationship was tender, loving, and close.
Their warm daily life made me cry and laugh countless times. This was a small comfort to me in my distress due to my illness.
I couldn't bear the thought that because of me, they might never be able to form this connection.
***
And after a few days.
Today, I was scheduled to attend a dinner for the first time in about a month.
To be honest, I had no real desire to attend such gatherings. It was chaotic, stressful, and full of people I had to deal with.
Especially lately, I've been busy worrying about Ethan and Elodie, which makes me have less energy.
However, I had made this appointment based on my agreement with Josephine at the Warnier boutique. I had promised to buy her a new dress every time she sold a used one.
“It would be strange if I bought a dress and then didn't attend any banquet.”
Not all dresses were intended for parties, of course, but the more expensive and elaborate dresses were usually intended for parties.
Moreover, once a month was not excessive at all – especially compared to Camille's previous habit of attending banquets on an almost daily basis.
Although I was unwilling to go, I eventually decided to attend.
When things are tough like this, it's important to have a change of scenery...although I'm not sure attending a dinner would actually help.”
I put on my new dress and left the property.
The banquet I attended today was a costume party.
As its name suggests, its theme was hiding one's true identity behind a mask or disguise. Of course, many only reacted to this outwardly, as everyone knew each person's identity.
However, it is better than a traditional banquet, where all eyes are on you as soon as you enter the hall.
Arriving at the dance floor, I saw quite a few masks expressing bold attitudes. I felt like I was creating a second persona rather than hiding my identity.
Among them was a mask so ornate that from the back it looked like a peacock.
Oh my God, it must be heavy.
It would be difficult to even walk with it.
I quickly found a corner of the hall to settle in, and sipped a drink while watching the people around me.
A few men without female partners approached me, trying to start a conversation, but I turned them down, claiming I was tired.
After doing this several times, I was finally able to enjoy my solitude in peace.
I was lost in thought, trying to come up with a plan to bring Ethan and Elodie closer together, when it happened.
"Is this seat taken?"
A man approached me without me noticing.
His voice was strangely familiar.
While I was trying to determine where I had heard it earlier, the man leaned against the wall next to me - even though I did not answer his question whether the seat was vacant or not.
It seems like a problem.
Based on this assessment, I decided to be firm from the beginning.
“Don't waste your time”
“How did you know what I was going to say?”
“Whatever it is, it won't work. I don't intend to entertain anyone tonight.”
“You're definitely straight.”
I didn't reply. That was a clear indication that I didn't want to continue the conversation. However, the man showed no intention of leaving.
“Is your husband watching you again tonight?”
At these words, I froze, with half the cup on my lips.
For the first time, I turned to look at the man next to me.
He was wearing a simple silver mask, without any decorations.
He lifted it slightly, revealing his face underneath.
It was Nicholas.
Or rather, Nicholas disguised as Alberto Pucci.
He lowered his mask again, a sly smile playing on his lips.
“It hurts a little that you don't recognize me yet.”
“…How did you know it was me?”
“How not? This little mask is barely enough to hide your beauty.”
I was grateful to be wearing a mask – I wasn't confident I could control my expression otherwise.
...Why is Nicholas looking for me again?
Honestly, I assumed he would have no reason to approach me anymore.
Was I wrong? No, last time he clearly left as if he had all the information he needed.
At that moment, Nicholas must have decided that there was nothing more he could gain from me.
Is it possible that something happened in the past month that caused him to change his mind?
Whatever the case, Nicholas's reappearance was definitely not a good sign.
He must have a reason to approach me again.
Not Clements or any other character, but specifically Alberto...
“Why this silence? Am I unwanted?” Nicholas asked in a gentle seductive tone.
"No, I'm just… surprised. It's been more than a month since we last met…"
“If I could, I would have come faster. But you remained isolated, leaving me no other choice.”
Nicholas approached, his voice becoming a whisper.
“But seeing you now, the wait must have been worth it. I would wait a year if it meant seeing you again.”
“……”
There was no doubt.
Nicholas was here to seduce me – and he was serious about it.