RMSBD 05

Chapter – 05

Encounter in the Garden (Part 3)

Aside from Jules and my father when my real mother passed away, this was the first time I had ever seen a man cry.

Jules, at four years old, cried often, but my father had only cried on that rainy day. Moreover, this was my first time interacting with children my own age. And I thought—what a beautiful boy, even though he’s a boy.

He seemed embarrassed and wiped his tears with his expensive sleeve, saying it was nothing, then turned away. When someone says that, it only makes you more curious.

“We still have a little time. If you’d like, you could talk to me. …Oh, forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Sheryl Musel, daughter of Count Musel.”

“…Hugues. Hugues Félix. Son of the Ducal House. …I’ve shown you an embarrassing sight, my lady.”

“Oh my, hehe. We’re still children right now. No ladies or gentlemen here. Please, let me speak with you as a friend.”

He said nothing about my dowdy makeup or my face, and spread his handkerchief on the edge of the fountain—wide enough for a child to sit. He was quite the gentleman, too.

The boys I’d seen today, aside from not crying, had been running around and spilling cake on their clothes—not much different from Jules.

I had wondered if that was just how boys were, but he was a little different. His clothes—aside from the sleeve he’d wiped his tears on—were spotless, and his shoes weren’t dirty from running around either.

I thanked him and sat down on the handkerchief. He took a seat beside me, keeping a person’s worth of distance.

“Actually, I’m the heir to the ducal house, so I was told to find someone who might become my fiancée early today.”

“Oh my… that seems rather hasty.”

“Because I’m related to the royal family, they said to find someone early and give her the proper education, but…”

“Could it be that you didn’t find anyone?”

After a brief silence, he nodded.

“There were cute girls and well-groomed ones, but that alone wasn’t enough… There was one girl I thought would be perfect, but I couldn’t find her. I was about to speak to her, but now it seems the party is almost over…”

“What was she like? I’ve made some friends, so I could go ask around quickly.”

“I didn’t see her face. At the end of His Majesty’s address, she gave a very beautiful bow… yes, with ash-gray hair like yours, and an ice-blue dress…”

As he spoke, he looked at me as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. That was me.

“It’s you! It was you, wasn’t it?! Lady Sheryl, the one I thought was perfect was you!”

But surely he must be disappointed. No matter how graceful her bearing or how well-mannered, today I was not only plain to begin with but made dowdy as well.

However, his bright green eyes sparkled as they looked at me, as if he’d found a treasure. Perhaps beautiful people simply aren’t that interested in others’ appearances.

“…Yes, that was probably me. But Lord Hugues, someone as unbeautiful as I am would only disappoint your parents. So I think it would be best if you reported that you didn’t find anyone today.”

“What are you… saying? With that dowdy—no, I apologize for being rude to a lady, but if only you weren’t wearing that makeup…”

“No, please don’t make me disparage myself any further. Lord Hugues, if you write to me, I might be able to introduce you to my wonderful friends. So please, just say you didn’t find anyone.”

If I were to become the future Duchess’s bride, it would be Lord Hugues right in front of me who would be laughed at. Someone so uncute… and on top of that, wearing dowdy makeup today to find girl friends—I mustn’t let myself get caught up with a boy.

“Now, let’s go back. Just be honest with them. Say there was a wonderful girl but you couldn’t work up the courage to speak to her. And that will be the end of it.”

I stood up, neatly folded the handkerchief, and returned it to him. He took it with a puzzled look.

Still, he said “Understood” and nodded, walking back with me to the party venue where we parted ways.

Someone as uncute as me isn’t suited for such a beautiful and refined boy. I hope he forgets all about today.

At His Majesty’s closing address, I was once again the only one—this time from the back corner—who bowed.

On the carriage ride home, I told Mother about my three girl friends and one boy friend. I told her how that boy had, even for a moment, spoken of me as a fiancée, and how I had declined because I wasn’t cute.

” I see,” Mother smiled with a hint of thoughtfulness. Perhaps I was more tired than I’d realized, because I fell asleep, sinking into the carriage cushions.