The door creaked open, and the butler stepped into the room.
“Miss, the Count is about to arrive. Shall we head to the main hall?”
“Already? Okay.”
I rose from my seat as the butler gestured toward the northern wing.
“For you, Miss, it must have been quite some time since you last saw Lord Arcas— I mean, the Count.”
The thought of my brother’s arrival had been quietly weighing on me.
Until now, everyone I’d met had been encountering me for the first time, but he was different.
‘So his name is Arcas…’
As I fiddled with my teacup, the butler added gently,
“There’s no need to be anxious. Just act naturally around him.”
‘And how exactly am I supposed to do that?’
When we arrived at the main hall, the mansion’s grand doors swung open. A group of riders on horseback entered the estate.
One of them, astride a striking white horse, quickly dismounted and made his way toward me without hesitation.
He removed his helmet, revealing a cascade of hair the exact same shade as mine.
“Selie!”
Arcas called out to me.
‘So… Selie is my nickname.’
I stood frozen as the nearby servants began whispering among themselves.
There was nothing I could do.
At that moment, all I could think about was the pages of the romance novel I had read so intently.
If I held both sides of my skirt and tucked the hem while kneeling… would that look like a proper, respectful bow?
I gave a small, graceful bow, making sure to subtly conceal the tail behind me.
“Hello, Orabeoni?”
I cautiously glanced up, trying to read Arcas’s expression.
“……”
Oh no. Was that not the right thing to say?
I’m screwed.
Sweat gathered in my palms.
My gaze settled on the sword at Arcas’s waist.
I shot a wide-eyed look at the butler standing next to me.
… You say to act natural!
In the blink of an eye, Arcas strode up to me.
“…Since when did our little Selie grow up so much? Speaking so formally to your oppa…”
… Are you crying?
His eyes were brimming with tears as he looked at me, and I quickly looked away, feeling awkward.
“Haha… Just try to act formal for once, oppa.”
Smiling, Arcas gently placed his hand on my head.
“You may enter.”
As the butler opened the door, Arcas offered me his arm. I hesitated for a moment, then rested my hand lightly over his.
I stepped forward, doing my best to match his pace.
His strides were so long that just keeping up felt like a quiet struggle.
As we walked in silence, I noticed Arcas’s lips pressed together in focused thought.
“You don’t call me ‘Ar’ anymore… When you were in a good mood, it was ‘Ar-oppa.’ When you were upset, just ‘silly Ar.’ That’s how I always knew how you were feeling.”
“…”
Arcas looked at me intently, clearly expecting something.
But I pretended not to notice.
Call him ‘silly Ar’ at my age? Just thinking about it made me cringe.
With a quiet sigh, Arcas finally spoke.
“It’s been years, hasn’t it… Selie, you’ve grown into a fine young lady.”
“……”
“Have you been well? I’ve been so caught up with work, I haven’t been able to check in on you properly. I’m sorry.”
His gaze softened, filled with something tender.
‘… Is he tearing up again?’
His eyes shimmered slightly, a faint glisten betraying his emotions.
Someone with a build like that, yet so quick to cry. I gave his arm a light push with a gentle hand.
“You must be tired. Go get some rest.”
“Give me a moment—I’ll change into something more comfortable, and we can talk more over dinner.”
Arcas led me to the reception room and quietly slipped away.
‘Haven’t we already talked enough…?’
I sank into the sofa and tried to recharge.
When dinnertime rolled around, Arcas’s strange behavior took an unexpected turn.
He stared blankly at me while I ate my soup… only then did he start eating, then cutting his steak into perfectly neat, bite-sized pieces… and gently placing them on my plate.
‘Am I… the Imperial food taster or something?’
My hand hovered uncertainly over the steak. That’s when Arcas spoke calmly.
“Selie, is it not to your taste? Should I have something else brought in? What do you like?”
‘This guy… seems like a good guy.’
I was a little touched.
Arcas, dressed in casual clothes—with his droopy, kind-looking eyes—looked genuinely warm and comforting (even if he couldn’t quite live up to the number one face, Sirinü).
Earlier, when he was in armor, he did seem like a knight. I think?
He’s got a strong build, and he seems pretty popular. But… such a crybaby.
Just as I was lost in thought, Arcas suddenly spoke.
“You received the palace party invitation, right?”
“Y-Yeah…”
I mumbled awkwardly in reply.
He seemed like the type who cared about his little sister. Maybe if I said I didn’t want to go… he’d tell me I didn’t have to?
“Pick out any accessories or dresses you like. Don’t worry about the cost.”
Then he turned to the butler.
“Is it ready?”
“Yes, Your Lordship.”
“Hand it to Selie.”
The butler handed me a piece of paper.
The moment I touched it, I felt that same uneasy chill, just like when the steak had been cut a little too perfectly.
‘Danger alert.’
This guy… he’s a chronic planner.
The page was filled with a perfectly organized schedule.
Etiquette class, ballroom dancing, fine arts…
Wait—what even is smile training?!
As I began to discreetly fold the page and slowly crush it in my hands, Arcas’s voice cut in.
“I’ve written out the basics for now, but if there’s anything else you’d like to learn or anywhere you’d like to go, feel free to add it.”
No thanks.
Living like this would kill me.
“Tomorrow, Madam Rimon will be coming to help with your wardrobe.”
“Madam Rimon?”
I asked, and the butler responded smoothly,
“She’s the most sought-after stylist for noble ladies in the capital. Known for her unmatched eye.”
“It’s not easy getting her.”
Arcas chuckled and gave a casual shrug.
“If you ever want to host a tea party, just say the word. I’ve been networking like crazy just for that.”
I blinked. Before me was a good-looking man who overlapped oddly with a fitness trainer in my mind.
‘Miss, you’ve had enough rest, right?’
I’m going crazy.
“About that party…”
I barely got the words out before Arcas beamed and cut me off.
“You’re excited, aren’t you, Selie?”
“Huh?”
“You were so upset when your debutante was canceled because of the monster. I’m glad we can finally make it happen.”
He gave me a warm smile, then continued in a softer voice.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you. You’re the only family I have left. I just want you to be happy. Always.”
… After all that, how could I possibly say I didn’t want to go?
“Y-yeah…”
I gave him the brightest, most painfully fake smile I could manage.
The next day, Madam Rimon waltzed into my dressing room wearing a dazzling smile.
“We’re heading out right away!”
“Sorry?”
She dramatically held up one of my dresses with two fingers, like it might bite her.
“These clothes you brought from the countryside—especially this one! This ribboned nightgown should be thrown out immediately!”
“…”
“We’ll bring in a designer for your party dress later. But first, we need to get you some proper everyday clothes! Even casual wear needs to be presentable!”
To be fair, I was a little excited about the idea of shopping.
I’d imagined something elegant—clothes and accessories laid out neatly in my room while I lounged on the sofa, casually picking out what I liked.
I liked shopping. But only at home. Right?
“But I only wear them at home… is it really that urgent?”
Before I knew it, the thought that had been running through my head—“I just want to avoid going out at all costs”—accidentally slipped out.
Hearing that, Arcas, who had been casually leaning against the door, smiled in satisfaction and turned to the butler.
“Get the carriage ready. Now.”
“…”
Before I knew it, I was being herded inside. Even the beautiful scenery outside the window looked gray and lifeless.
“It’s a boutique that’s fully booked for the next year, but I know the owner well.”
“Ye-es…”
The carriage came to a stop in front of a high-end boutique. The stone-walled building practically radiated intimidation.
I looked at the lineup of elegant dresses in the window, sighed, and spoke weakly.
“That dress on display is so beautiful, just buy that one…”
“Out of the question!”
“Alright…”
I trailed behind Madam Rimon, trying to hide my disappointment behind a mournful pout.
The moment we stepped into the boutique, a sharp voice cut through the air.
“My goodness, does Lady Viviana not understand the meaning of the word waiting in line?”
“I grabbed it first.”
“Hmm~ first, you say? For the one who arrived first at this boutique, and picked the dress before Lady Viviana?”
“I paid for it first.”
Two stunning women stood face to face, locked in a fierce, unyielding stare-down.
Orabeoni (오라버니) and oppa (오빠) both mean “older brother” in Korean, but the tone is different. Orabeoni is formal and traditional. Oppa is casual and affectionate, often used in everyday life by younger women toward older brothers, male friends, or boyfriends. The choice depends on the relationship and the setting.
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