Chapter 30. Promise of two people
2022.11.26.
widely.
When I closed the wide open balcony door, I could hear the music of the orchestra flowing from the hall farther than before.
Balcony left alone.
The rather chilly spring breeze of the night blew from the garden.
“I didn’t know you would remember me.”
Pacifica looked down at the girl, her cheeks flushed and talking.
It was very cute with a shy smile on her face.
There was no way he could not remember his first meeting with the girl in front of him. Because it was a very striking appearance.
“I remember it clearly.”
She was a girl who was perplexed by the attitude of the other person who asked for her name, but said everything she had to say in a strong manner.
She was a lady with a strange atmosphere. For some reason, my eyes keep falling on that innocent face.
I didn’t intend to help from the beginning, but I couldn’t just leave him in trouble because he was quite famous in the capital.
Naturally, the horny Young-sik looked at Pacifica’s face and backed off. There was no one in the capital who did not know the face of Pacifica Donovan of the Donovan family.
usually in a negative sense.
However, the girl with light pink hair in front of him seemed unaware of himself.
What kind of expression will you make when you find out? Wouldn’t it stutter and turn around and disappear?
Ciana, not knowing in a dream whether Pacifica was thinking that way by looking at her face, hesitated and worked hard to think of something to talk about to break the somewhat awkward atmosphere.
“ah! You forgot my introduction. My name is Cyana Gardenia. Lady…”
‘I see. Is it the daughter of the Marquis of Gardenia?’
When I remembered the rumor that she might be an ugly woman, I almost burst out laughing.
Although I didn’t laugh as a result.
Ciana, who was speechless, looked at Pacifica with a look of anticipation.
“This is Pacifica Donovan.”
“Finally, I learned the name of my benefactor!”
Pasifika’s face hardened at first as she clapped her hands and responded with a broad smile.
Shiana was also taken aback by the reaction.
“Have I ever offended you?”
“no.”
I was just a little surprised.
This is the first time someone has treated me so casually after hearing my name.
I checked carefully to see if he was ‘pretending’ to be okay, but I didn’t feel anything like that.
At first, it seemed that Siana had no talent for deceiving others.
‘Didn’t they say it hasn’t been long since they came up to the capital?’
If so, he was sure that he would hear his story and distance himself in the near future.
Because Pacifica Donovan was a heretic of an ignorant family who, driven by a lust for power to devour the Donovan family, turned his back on his father and conciliated his retainers to gather power.
How dare you inherit the father raised by a woman. Aren’t even animals capable of it?
That was public opinion.
If you get close to yourself like that, good rumors won’t circulate.
Keeping a distance for the sake of others, Pasifika encouraged Sianna to go in.
“It is still chilly. Please go inside.”
“Isn’t Lady Donovan going in?”
“They don’t like crowds of people.”
Especially today, the hall was even more crowded as the crown prince attended and the debutant ball overlapped.
It was better to be out on the balcony pretending to have a tryst with someone than to stand there enduring the stares in the crowd with nowhere to set foot.
“Mmm.”
Recalling that she had come with Mrs. Deverill, Ciana pondered for a moment and smiled brightly.
“Then I won’t go in either.”
“Are you okay?”
For women, the debutante ball was of great significance. Especially for girls of marriageable age.
Cyana asked cautiously while examining Pacifica’s expression.
“yes. Are you uncomfortable with me being here?”
Pacifica shook her head briefly.
Suddenly, Siana’s cheeks turned red from the cold wind. He took off the shawl he was wearing and wrapped it around Sianna’s shoulders.
“Then put this on.”
“…thank you.”
Siana blinked her eyes. The moment we got closer, an unfamiliar scent hit me.
‘Good scent… What kind of perfume do you use?’
A scent that resembled the scent of cool flowers crossed the tip of his nose.
‘He’s sticking to a hard attitude, but in fact, this person is always looking out for others.’
Cyanna secretly peeked at Pacifica staring at the garden engulfed in darkness.
And I thought.
Right now, even though we are right next to each other, it feels far away, but I hope that as time goes by, we will become closer.
I really liked the debutant ball.
***
Because it was the height of the socialite season, there were balls and gatherings every day. A number of topics have been on people’s lips.
“I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince has gone out.”
“I’m sure he’ll post the news of victory this time too.”
Contrary to public expectations that he would attend a few balls, the crown prince only made an official appearance once before leaving for the battlefield.
In their hearts, the people who were aiming for the crown prince’s position burst into sighs.
Along with the news of the prince’s campaign, there was a new topic that caught people’s attention.
People who attended the garden party walked around the garden and chatted.
“We are together today as always.”
The lady, who had been conversing at someone’s whisper, glanced away, covering her face with a fan.
There were two people who stood out by far.
“You mean the Cherry Blossom Lady and the Black Rose Lady?”
“yes.”
“It looks pretty intimate.”
“Amazing.”
Other than her younger brother, Lisandro, the appearance of Pacifica talking so freely was quite unfamiliar to people.
There were many ladies who envied Pacifica, but no one tried to get close to it because of the unique indifferent and heartless atmosphere.
A lovely girl who had just appeared in the social world, breaking those unwritten rules, occupied his side.
Shiana Gardenia, who is no different from this year’s socialite star.
The Marquis of Gardenia received dozens of marriage proposals every day, but Shiana, the person involved, did not know that all of them were used as firewood for the Marquis’ office.
“Lady Donovan. This is how we met today.”
“okay.”
I can feel the eyes of people glancing at me. However, Cyana only looked up at Pacifica, as if she didn’t feel that kind of gaze.
Amber eyes that stare at you with pure goodwill, without any malice.
Inadvertently opening her mouth was an impulse uncharacteristic of Pacifica.
“You better keep your distance from me. Lady Gardenia.”
“Why?”
“Have you not heard the rumors? Or the Marquis of Gardenia would have said it.”
There was no way that the Marquis of Gardenia, who said he cared so much for his daughter, would have let her hang out with her.
Pacifica’s guess was true. Shiana, who was caught cheating on her father, smiled embarrassedly.
“My father said some nonsense.”
“It just won’t be silly.”
There was no smile on Pacifica’s face as she spoke resolutely.
Siana clenched the hand that had rested on her chest into a fist.
again
Even if you try to get closer, draw a line like this and step back.
Sianna pondered what her father had said to her a few days ago.
“baby. Pacifica Donovan is someone you don’t like.”
“What does that mean?”
“I heard that he is vying for the heir to the Donovan family against his father’s wishes.”
With those words, Sianna could hear all the rumors surrounding Pacifica through her father’s mouth.
Since he wasn’t a father who was blindly swayed by rumors, most of them must be true.
However, Siana became even more puzzled.
“Does that affect our relationship?”
Pasifika couldn’t answer Siana’s question easily and was silent. Meanwhile, Siana’s mouth opened again.
“Whatever Lady Donovan wants to do, I don’t give a damn.”
“Isn’t people’s attention uncomfortable?”
“yes. I can only see Lady Donovan now.”
Siana, who casually said such unfamiliar words, had a smile on her face as always.
“No matter what others say, I believe in what I see.”
Pacifica closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them. Even at that moment, innocent amber eyes were looking directly at him.
It was strange. He was a strange person.
“Is that so.”
“yes.”
“okay.”
“Yes.”
There were several pointless conversations.
Shiana wiggled her fingers, her cheeks blushing, as if she was embarrassed about what she said.
What the hell are you trying to say?
Pacifica waited patiently for Cyana to open her mouth.
Perhaps she had made up her mind before long, but Siana resolutely raised her head.
“Lady Donovan. I have a favor.”
“What is?”
“If it doesn’t bother you, can I send you a letter?”
At a business that was less important than I thought, Pacifica almost laughed uncharacteristically, unlike me. I didn’t laugh either.
“Gladly.”
The pinnacle of social circles. It was one day with a soft warm wind blowing.
***
Due to the overprotection of the Marquis of Gardenia, going out was still prohibited, but attending balls for social activities was permitted.
Ciana, who knew in advance what kind of ball she was attending by exchanging letters with Pasifika, participated in every event she attended.
The number of times the two met has become difficult to count on one hand.
Pacifica no longer drew an unspoken line with Cyana.
Very occasionally, we would talk inside.
“I just don’t understand why people are denied a fair chance because they are not male.”
Despite all attempts, Pacifica’s place within the Donovan family was still weak.
There were more people who followed Lisandro, who had no intention of becoming the head of the duchy, than Pasifika, who wanted to be the head of the family.
In the boat behind him was his biological father, the Duke of Donovan.
‘Is it a meaningless struggle.’
Rumors were circulating that Duke Donovan was looking for a husband for himself, as is usually the case with fathers with daughters of their own age.
If he gets married, he won’t be able to claim the position of heir.
“Still, Lady Donovan seems to be getting along quite well with her brother, Sir Donovan.”
“That guy is weird.”
A sister who struggles to have the successor position that has been designated as her own.
It was an adversarial enough relationship, but Lisandro, as always, was friendly and gentle.
Ciana recalled the face of Lisandro, whom she had briefly greeted.
“hmm. He seemed like a fun person.”
Then Pacifica gave a calm warning.
“Lit, he doesn’t make a very good husband.”
“I don’t mean that!”
With a blushing face, Shiana denied it with all her might.
“Of course, I peeked a few times, but it was because Lady Donovan’s green eyes are pretty and amazing! I never have that kind of heart!”
Shiana, who was making excuses with her fists clenched, suddenly realized that the other person was quiet.
Cyana opened her mouth blankly.
“Are you kidding?”
What a joke Pacifica Donovan is. Pacifica, who did not deny the fact, replied.
“Don’t listen.”
“Wow… Lady Donovan is joking.”
“It was more of a joke than a joke.”
“You call that a joke.”
At Pacifica’s private side, which is hard to see, Ciana burst into laughter.
Party attendees glanced at the girl’s clear laugh.
Either way, the conversation between the two went on and on.
***
It was near the end of the socialite season. Siana suffered from a sudden fever.
The Marquis of Gardenia placed her hand on her forehead while examining her daughter’s blushing face from residual heat.
“So you’ll only have to attend a few balls.”
“I’ve been working hard on social activities.”
“A good excuse.”
I know it was because I was hanging out with Pacifica Donovan, but I pretended not to be her daughter.
Coke. Cyana let out a short cough. After getting sick once, the immunity was markedly lowered and the body became weak.
“If I knew this would happen, I would just stay in the manor.”
“It was fun though.”
“I can’t. Take care of yourself and return to the manor soon. I’m going to have it ready. A familiar house would be nice to rest comfortably.”
“That father.”
“Why?”
“…no.”
Siana swallowed what she wanted to say. I couldn’t say that I would remain in the capital because of my greed.
I couldn’t say more because I knew that if I was stubborn, my father would tell me to stay here. It was because I didn’t want to bother my otherwise busy father.
By the time the coughing had stopped, the carriage to Yeongji was ready.
Just as Sianna was about to leave the bedroom, an attendant hurriedly ran and said,
“Lady Pacifica Donovan has visited.”
“…Lady Donovan?”
Not knowing that the shawl she was wearing fell off, Ciana turned around the landing and went down the stairs.
“miss. You can’t run yet!”
Behind her, the nanny was nagging her worriedly, but she didn’t even hear it.
‘Lady Donovan is coming to see me!’
When Cyana arrived at the drawing room and opened the door, Pasifika, who had been sitting quietly like a picture, turned her head.
she asked calmly.
“I heard that you are going back to the manor.”
“yes. Just as I wrote in the letter.”
“When are you coming back?”
After taking a moment to catch her breath, Shiana smiled lightly.
“It won’t take long.”
In order to return to the capital, a condition was added that he had to be healthy, but it really wouldn’t take long.
Resting well was Siana’s specialty.
As if that was a sufficient answer, Pasifika stood up from her seat and stood in front of Cyana.
“Then may you rest in peace.”
It was a Pacifica-style greeting. Didn’t it disappear with the words to be at peace even when we first met?
Cyana lightly grabbed the hem of Pacifica’s clothes as she was about to turn around and leave.
“Lady Donovan.”
“yes.”
“May I call you by my first name next time we meet?”
There was no answer.
For some reason, Shiana raised her head.
He saw his own face reflected in the warm green eyes.
“yes.”
At Pacifica’s answer, Cyana smiled brightly.
So the two said goodbye.
.
.
.
Several months have passed since then.
Many events took place in the capital.
Siana’s friend became the supreme empress of the empire… and
she was unable to keep her promise to call her by name.
