Chapter 41

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 41

Chapter Title: The First Salon

-----------------------------------------------------------------

“She's my husband's sister.”

Vanessa immediately grasped the reason for Isabel's presence beside Agatha and greeted her with a radiant smile.

“A pleasure to meet you, Lady Aratus. Now that you're family with Lady Agatha, we'll be seeing quite a lot of each other. Would it be all right if I called you by your name?”

“Of course. That's exactly what I was hoping for.”

Vanessa Beatrice was one of Agatha's closest confidantes—alongside Kate Eblain, the Duchess's heiress—and though she wasn't much older than Isabel, she was a major player in high society with her own circle of influence.

Though Agatha had invited young ladies from various houses, these two would be more than enough to guide Isabel's social endeavors and build her a solid network of connections.

Agatha then assisted with introductions to the next arrival, Lady Kate Eblain, before receiving the noblewomen.

This included Agatha's inner circle and their associates, like Marchioness Iris Domunia, as well as those from the neutral faction.

The guests' attention was drawn, without fail, to the splendidly adorned capital estate of the Aratus family.

“Impressive indeed. His Majesty lent us the imperial artisans, and even the smallest decorations exude such delicacy and precision.”

“The garden has been arranged so beautifully too. Surely this was all under your direction, Lady Agatha?”

“Isabel and I put in quite the effort. She helped a great deal with decorating the garden for today's event as well.”

“Oh my.”

Topics ranged from the tea leaves and desserts to the latest high society gossip and the upcoming late-summer concert series.

Iris took a sip of her tea and waved her fan with a smile.

“Speaking of which, I heard the Avrum Orchestra, which you sponsor, will be giving their debut performance at Armand Hall this time as well?”

“I've heard. It's no surprise that Lady Agatha is the patron of one of the capital's top orchestras every year.”

“A foregone conclusion, really. You'll be attending, won't you, my lady? With your husband, of course?”

Agatha nodded with a smile.

“Naturally. It would be wonderful to see all of you there as well.”

“We wouldn't miss it. It's the Avrum Orchestra's opening concert, after all. My ears are in for a treat after so long.”

Time flew by. As Agatha stepped back slightly, leaving the tea party wrap-up to Isabel, the co-host,

the steward, Ben, approached quietly and whispered.

“My lady.”

She gave a subtle nod, signaling him to continue, and a smile crept onto the old butler's lips.

“The master has arrived.”

“He has?”

Turning her head, she saw a familiar figure crossing the colonnade.

The moment their eyes met.

Agatha felt a surge of emotion and hid her face behind her fan, lowering her gaze. Joy, sorrow, and anxiety tangled into a mess within her heart.

“Brother!”

Isabel, who had been surrounded by guests experiencing her first salon orchestration, reacted first with a beaming smile.

Enoch, who had paused, approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“It's been a while, Isabel.”

“Excuse me, everyone. This is my brother, Marquis Enoch Aratus.”

The nobles chuckled at Isabel's poised introduction and greeted Enoch.

“It's been a while, Marquis Aratus. Are you here for the tea party today?”

“Or perhaps to see Lady Agatha. They are newlyweds, after all.”

As Agatha quickly composed her expression and moved to interject with a smile, a low voice cut through the garden.

“Just as you guessed—I'm here to see my wife. If it wouldn't be an imposition, might I borrow her for a moment?”

“Oh my!”

The noblewomen and ladies fanned themselves more vigorously. Agatha, momentarily stunned, smiled and extended her hand to Enoch.

“It seems so. Excuse me while I take a short stroll, everyone. Isabel, can I leave the rest of the salon to you?”

“Of course. Leave it to me.”

Enoch naturally took her hand in his.

Hearing the nobles' hushed gasps, Agatha walked toward the garden across the colonnade.

What could bring him here?

He hadn't been invited to the salon, so his appearance was both welcome and unnerving—especially since he'd been avoiding her.

Usually, when he showed up like this, it meant some decision had already been made.

“Agatha.”

Her fingertips twitched at the familiar form of address.

Agatha kept her gaze lowered to hide her turbulent emotions.

“What brings you here?”

“My aide mentioned a tea party at the Aratus estate today. Since it's your first salon here, I thought it might be all right to stop by.”

“...”

“I also wanted to ask if I could escort you to the Avrum Orchestra's debut performance coming up.”

His low voice pierced her eardrums cruelly. Agatha lifted her trembling lashes.

Calm eyes.

Dark gray irises gazed at her steadily, without a flicker.

Agatha's face twisted slightly.

So this is his answer.

Returning to the way things were, as if nothing had happened.

Exhaling a shaky breath, Agatha gripped the fan in her other hand tightly and smiled.

“I see. That's good, then. My maids were just worrying you might not accompany me.”

The man lowered his gaze, then his lips moved faintly.

“I'd never let you go alone.”

“I know. Still, it's a relief. I was debating whether to ask through the steward.”

Agatha snapped open her fan to hide her face and took a step back from him. Controlling her expression was proving difficult.

Suddenly, memories from their honeymoon surfaced.

-My wife catches your eye in an official setting, Your Highness.

-I shall gladly cross blades with you.

Coolly smiling at Fernando's scheme, pressing a kiss to his wedding ring.

-I misspoke.

The man who had shaken her heart, declaring her ex-husband's presence no longer tolerable.

And now this.

I shouldn't have confessed.

Only then did Agatha regret it. It wasn't just being swept up by his ex-fiancée's appearance—she had let her emotions take over.

Tears pricked at her eyes. If she stayed longer, she might lash out at the man before her.

“Understood. Then we'll go to the concert together.”

The man leaned down to meet her eyes, attempting to continue the conversation.

“Agatha. That's not meant as a rejection.”

“I know. You're not displeased, but you're not thrilled either.”

“Agatha.”

“Please go.”

“...”

“Once I've calmed down a bit, I'll make my decision.”

A crack appeared on the man's hitherto impassive face.

“What decision?”

“When I've sorted my thoughts, I'll come to you. Until then, we continue as we are—keeping up appearances and accompanying each other when needed.”

Like a political marriage.

His face visibly hardened as he read the implication.

After a long silence, the man parted his lips.

“Will it take long?”

She didn't know. This was uncharted territory for Agatha too.

Painful as it had been realizing he was avoiding her, this conclusion felt even more maddening.

Would she end up like those tragic tales of high society romance, clinging to Enoch?

She knew there was nothing more pathetic than chasing someone who didn't love her.

When he proposed, maybe I should have asked for love instead of just respect as his wife.

Lost in absurd thoughts, Agatha let out a small laugh. She must be losing her mind.

To have such regrets now.

“...I don't know. You're my first, after all.”

A faint intake of breath came from above. Agatha smiled bitterly.

“At least you're not avoiding me anymore. Let's make sure the rumors of discord stay at bay from now on, Enoch.”

“Agatha.”

“I'll head back now. I left it to Isabel, but it's her first salon, so there might be hiccups.”

Agatha dipped her head slightly and turned away. She knew he raised his hand before slowly lowering it, but she didn't look back.

Shoulders straight, chin high.

She crossed the garden like that, but her heart was in ruins.

Her perceptive maids and First Knight Vice-Captain Leon Takran followed at a distance with worried expressions, but she ignored them.

Crossing the colonnade back to the garden, Agatha flashed a brilliant smile.

The nobles, including Isabel, welcomed her warmly.

Visitors were permitted only on the first floor of the capital Aratus estate.

But gazing out the windows wasn't forbidden.

Though they couldn't enter the garden, eyes from the main house's first floor watched them.

A woman's gaze lingered on the man long after Agatha had departed.

The noblewoman standing by the corridor window had black hair with a greenish tint and eyes like the blue sea.

As the woman remained by the window for some time, those touring the estate with her approached.

“Lady Esther. Is something outside?”

“What are you looking at? Oh! Isn't that Marquis Aratus?”

“It seems so. He must have come to see his marchioness.”

“Oh goodness! He appears to be leaving now. Such a pity. If we'd arrived just a bit later, we might have greeted the marquis naturally.”