TVWD 23

Chapter : 23

Lexian picked up a strand of hair with trembling hands.

The glossy black hair signaled that its owner was within the barrier.

Since the only person who had set foot in the ducal residence today was Rosia, it was certain that she was the owner of the hair.

“So it really was you.”

Surprisingly, he wasn’t shocked.

A knight of high caliber has sharp instincts. The moment he saw the black hair, he had unconsciously been convinced that it belonged to Rosia.

That was why he denied the strange feelings that rose every time he was near her.

He told himself he couldn’t feel any favor toward her. He wouldn’t expect anything from her.

“Rosia.”

Yet, the name rolling off his tongue was incredibly sweet, and the texture of the hair was soft.

He had no memory of receiving a strand of her hair, so how could it have ended up here? Preserved so carefully, too.

“Did I invite her to be certain?”

He thought that if he discovered the hair’s owner wasn’t Rosia, he could sort out the odd emotions that arose whenever he saw her.

Instead, Lexian only felt even more complicated emotions.

“Rosia Levian…”

Even if he asked, she wouldn’t answer.

No—did she even know? That her hair was in the most private chamber of the Liciansus Ducal family?

If she knew, it would surely send shivers down her spine.

“…This must remain a secret.”

He carefully placed the hair in a box and sealed it in the safe.

“Now that I think of it, you said last time that you picked up a mysterious stranger in the carriage…”

On the day Rosia had collapsed at the ducal party, she had taken the ducal carriage. Through the driver, he learned that she had brought along a homeless person who had gotten in front of the carriage.

She was a woman of curious actions in many ways.

Lexian resolved to learn more about this woman who stirred his emotions so.

It wasn’t long before Lexian appeared.

“Did everything go well?”

“Thanks to your consideration, fortunately.”

He must have come in a hurry; his bangs were disheveled.

When I reached out, our eyes met, and I realized what I was about to do.

“Your hair is messy.”

He smiled awkwardly and slightly bowed as I retracted my hand.

“Please straighten it properly.”

It was a strange request—for a man and woman with no special relationship to ask him to touch her hair.

Both of us knew that the “friendly sibling act” we played was just a performance.

Still, I couldn’t refuse his request and reached out again. As my fingers touched the black hair, my shoulders relaxed at the soft sensation.

For a moment, I noticed the tea in Lexian’s cup. The deeply brewed tea had a reddish hue, making it look almost like blood pooled in the cup.

I quickly withdrew my hand.

“It might be better to have the maid tidy my hair.”

Smiling as if nothing had happened, Lexian looked at me strangely. He adjusted his bangs himself and then noticed the cold tea.

“I’ll need to have water boiled again.”

“Yes, that would be best.”

A strange tension lingered between us, but neither of us acknowledged it.

We immersed ourselves in trivial topics—Calvin’s swordsmanship, matters concerning the knights—and when the time came for a proper tea party, we rose from our seats.

“I’ll see you out.”

Lexian escorted me to the main entrance of the ducal residence, where the carriage waited, and unexpectedly asked:

“Rosia.”

“Yes?”

“This was your first time visiting the Liciansus estate at the last party, correct?”

The unexpected question caught me off guard.

I couldn’t hide the sharp intake of breath, but I quickly smiled.

“Of course.”

“I see.”

The Duke accepted my answer without resistance, though his expression betrayed some dissatisfaction. I greeted him politely, pretending to know nothing, and climbed into the carriage.

On the way home, I exhaled in relief.

I had visited the Liciansus estate many times in the past, countless times even.

But Lexian could not remember all those times, so as far as he knew, this was my first visit.

It had to be this way.

Soon, the grandest event of the social season would take place: the hunting competition.

The royal hunting competition offered prizes, but above all, a wreath.

The winner of the hunting competition could present the wreath to the person they found most beautiful.

The winner was usually an accomplished knight, and they gave the wreath to the lady they admired.

It was a public confession, and many couples formed through this tradition, causing competitors to fiercely vie for the prize.

Even my younger brother, Calvin, was no exception.

“Sis, are you really sure you can ride?”

“I think I’ve said I can ride about twenty times.”

I had paired with my brother for the hunting competition. Reluctantly, he had been made my partner, and he clearly doubted my riding skills.

Since my brother questioned my ability, I took him to the stables.

I brought out one of the family’s horses, Pipi, now my own.

“Watch carefully, Calvin.”

I made several laps around the training grounds with the knights’ permission, and my brother couldn’t keep up.

“You ride even better than me?”

Calvin and the family knights looked dumbfounded.

The vice-captain and knights who had accompanied me to the estate watched with pleased expressions.

“Anyway, I’m going to win the hunting competition. So I need your help, Calvin.”

“Got it, sis. You take the prize, I take the wreath. Right?”

The winner received the Mirror of Truth and the wreath.

The Mirror of Truth was an ancient artifact, often underestimated. Since I had used it successfully in the past, I had to secure it again.

My brother would take the wreath to give to Merina, but having seen it a few times, I had no anger at this.

The only potential obstacle—the duke—didn’t participate in the hunting competition. At most, the crown prince was a minor challenge, though he wasn’t particularly skilled.

Having won previously with Calvin, I knew that with a proper plan, we could win again.

Calvin and I spent our time practicing riding, archery, and studying the traits of the animals likely to appear in the competition.

“Why are you working so hard? You never even liked hunting.”

“Why? Because I want my beloved little brother to hold the wreath.”

“To me?”

Calvin looked genuinely surprised.

“You’re not planning to give the wreath to Merina, are you?”

His face flushed instantly.

“But sis, you…”

“I’ve told you before. Everyone thinks I dislike Merina, but that’s not true.”

I had coaxed my brother several times like this.

“Honestly, people around us talk as if she and I don’t get along… so it’s natural to feel hesitant. That’s why it’s hard to get close.”

“I see. You never told me directly that you dislike Merina, and you even advised me about her before.”

My trusting brother believed me completely.

“But Merina might still be cautious around me, regardless of my intentions to get along with her.”

“It makes sense if there’s never an opportunity to get close. How about inviting Merina separately?”

“I considered that, but I’m afraid rumors might spread. Someone might think I invited her just to bother her.”

Calvin slowly nodded, understanding.

“Later, when you give Merina the wreath, hint that I helped. That way, she might like me too.”

“That’s a good idea, sis. You really are smart.”

I gently patted Calvin’s light brown hair.

“And above all, I want my beloved little brother’s love life to go well.”

Calvin’s face flushed again.

Though that romance would not have a happy ending.

I kept the secret ending to myself.

Amid my busy schedule, I took time to stroll outside the estate.

After the hunting competition, the Blue Bird would move. This time, the flow had changed considerably, so their actions might accelerate.

Having shaken off Cassie, I needed to quickly finish my errands. If I were late, she would surely follow me all day, nagging.

On the way to one of the Blue Bird gang’s hideouts, I passed through a slum and hastened my steps.

Until a harsh sound echoed through a dark, grim alleyway…