Cynthia, who had been about to get into the carriage, suddenly turned toward Ruth.
“C-Count Adrian? You mean Count Adrian Castillo?”
“Yes? Yes, that’s correct.”
At her intense question, Ruth nodded awkwardly.
Clutching her rapidly beating heart, Cynthia slowly stepped backward. She stared at the tightly closed door of the carriage not far from her.
It was that Adrian!
‘Adrian is…!’
Adrian was Cynthia’s favorite male lead in <One Line Walk>.
Unlike Teshion, he had a fairly large role. He was gentle and kind, and even though Elizabeth treated him poorly, he remained devoted only to her—a pure, devoted character!
Thump, thump.
Right now, Cynthia was about to witness her favorite character in person.
“My lady, did you perhaps leave something behind…?”
From behind, Teshion’s puzzled voice called out.
“Oh, n-no! My ankle just hurts a bit… I-I’ll be right there!”
“Your ankle? Where? We should treat it immediately—”
“I’m fine! Ah, it doesn’t hurt anymore! I think it healed already!”
Cynthia blurted out anything just to stall for time.
She dragged things out as much as possible, waiting for that carriage door to open.
Please… hurry…!
At last, the door of Adrian’s carriage slowly opened.
Gulp.
Not wanting to miss even a blink, Cynthia stared wide-eyed as the door opened.
“Grand Duke Teshion.”
Soon, Count Adrian stepped down from the carriage, calling out Teshion’s name warmly.
Soft brown hair, blue eyes, relaxed movements, and a pleasant, low voice. On top of that, an elegant aura overflowing from him…!
Wow, this is insane!
Cynthia stood frozen, staring at Adrian as if enchanted while he approached Teshion.
“Count Adrian.”
Teshion spoke, still aware that Cynthia hadn’t left yet.
As Adrian approached, he noticed Cynthia’s intense gaze and spoke.
“And this lady is…?”
“Ah, my fi—”
“Hello! I’m Grand Duke Teshion’s fi-fiancée, E-Elizabeth Bailey!”
“W-when did you get here…?”
Cynthia quickly ran over and stood right beside Teshion, greeting Adrian.
“Elizabeth?”
Adrian looked her up and down with a puzzled expression, as she hid under her lowered hat.
Was Elizabeth always like this?
“I believe we met once at a royal banquet when we were children, but haven’t seen each other since.”
Cynthia smoothly recited the novel’s setting.
She figured acting confidently was the best way to avoid suspicion.
“I heard you went abroad to study after that. Have you returned now?”
“Ah… yes, I returned to Dirotein a few weeks ago.”
“Welcome back!”
“Th-thank you….”
Ah, maybe that was too much.
Cynthia quickly snapped back to reality, realizing she was the only one overly excited between the two men.
Meeting my favorite character made me lose control…
Teshion, who had been listening to her unusually bright voice, slightly stiffened.
“Ahem! Th-then I’ll be on my way now. I hope you both have a pleasant time….”
Calming herself, Cynthia slowly stepped away.
I’ve seen him, that’s enough. I saw his face!
Feeling satisfied with this unexpected gain, she headed toward her carriage.
“Wait a moment, my lady.”
At that moment, Teshion, who had been standing still, spoke.
Cynthia, who had been trying to suppress her smile, turned around.
“Yes?”
“Please wait a moment. I believe I should escort you personally.”
“Your Grace, I just arrived though….”
“Count Adrian. I’m sorry, but could you visit again next time? Right now, it’s most important that I safely escort my fiancée home.”
“……”
Adrian silently looked at Cynthia.
Fiancée? Since when were they that close…?
He had heard about the engagement between Grand Duke Teshion Romanov and Elizabeth Bailey.
It was nothing more than a political union between families tied through the Litemper Guild.
They were so indifferent to each other that their families had to force them to spend time together.
“Oh, I’m really fine!”
“It would trouble me otherwise.”
Teshion tapped his cane lightly against the ground as he moved.
Adrian watched him blankly, then lowered his head and spoke in resignation.
“…Then I will visit again another time.”
Ah, Adrian…
Cynthia looked at him with a slightly apologetic expression.
This is all because of me…
“My lady, let’s go.”
“Ah, yes!”
At Teshion’s call, Cynthia quickly came back to her senses.
****
Inside the spacious Romanov carriage, an awkward silence filled the air.
Cynthia glanced at Teshion, who seemed strangely displeased since earlier.
What is it? Did I do something wrong?
“My lady.”
Breaking the silence, Teshion’s neat voice spoke.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Cynthia quickly straightened her posture. For some reason, she felt like she was about to be scolded.
“Are you well acquainted with Count Adrian?”
“Ah….”
Cynthia rolled her light green eyes, thinking of how to answer.
Of course, I should answer based on Elizabeth’s perspective, right?
“When I was about ten years old, I met him for the first time at a royal banquet. It was during the 100th anniversary of Dirotein’s founding, and we had the chance to attend. I believe we only exchanged formal greetings.”
She knew Adrian had never met Elizabeth as an adult, which made her a bit careless.
‘Even so, I should’ve avoided meeting him directly….’
But he’s my favorite… I couldn’t help it…
Hearing her tense voice, as if afraid of making another mistake, Teshion frowned slightly and covered part of his face with one hand.
He let out a low sigh and spoke.
“I didn’t mean to create such a tense atmosphere. I’m not angry at you.”
“Ah, I’m not intimidated either!”
Cynthia quickly replied.
At her answer, Teshion’s stiff expression relaxed completely.
“You really are…”
Did I mess up again?
Cynthia blinked and looked at him.
He let out a small, incredulous laugh and lowered his gaze.
“I didn’t know Lady Elizabeth could be this cute.”
“…Excuse me?”
Th-that’s a problem… Elizabeth isn’t supposed to be cute…
Cold sweat ran down Cynthia’s back.
It felt like she was completely ruining Elizabeth’s original image.
“…It makes me feel a bit regretful. I’m not usually like this.”
“What do you mean?”
Cynthia asked carefully.
“I mean, I wish we had at least one meeting when we were young—like you and Count Adrian did.”
If that had happened, I might not even be here right now…
Cynthia looked at him silently as he lowered his head.
After a moment, she shrugged and spoke casually.
“It’s not like Count Adrian and I share some amazing memory. We were too young to even really know who the other was.”
“Even so…”
Teshion frowned slightly.
“If I had met you just once before I lost my sight, I might at least be able to imagine what you look like now.”
Ah…
Cynthia quietly closed her mouth.
He was curious about what his fiancée looked like.
Of course… how frustrating must it be to not even be able to see her face?
She looked at him with sympathy.
“I ended up saying something heavy again. Please just let it pass.”
“Your Grace…”
“I don’t always think like this. It’s just sometimes… sometimes it feels frustrating.”
After quietly watching his heavy expression, Cynthia slowly spoke.
“I understand.”
She continued, her voice firm.
“If you ever get curious about something, please ask me.”
Cynthia gave a determined expression.
“I’m not very well-read, so my way of explaining might be a bit simple, but… if there’s anything you’re curious about, I’ll describe it all for you.”
“You will?”
“Yes! What things look like, how they feel when you see them, what kind of thoughts they bring… I’ll tell you everything!”
Elizabeth probably wouldn’t go this far…
Cynthia gave an awkward smile.
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