"Announcing. Lady Louise Cruentus, heir of the Cruentus Viscounty."
The herald's clear voice cut through the hum of the hall.
Heads turned once more, a ripple of movement passing through the crowd.
Soren's eyes also shifted toward the entrance.
Louise stepped through the open doors with graceful precision.
Her black hair, cut short in a neat bob, framed her face perfectly.
Her crimson eyes, nearly identical to Soren's, caught the light of the chandelier above, glowing faintly with a quiet strength.
She was taller than Soren by a fair margin, her posture confident and straight.
The deep red dress she wore fit her body snugly, tracing her toned form before flowing elegantly at the waist.
The guests whispered softly, but their attention didn't last as they turned away quickly.
The heir to the Viscounty of Cruentus rarely attended events, the reason unknown to anyone other than herself.
But not many cared, the Cruentus Viscounty was fairly weak in the world of Fialovan politics, and the heir was already deemed unmarriageable thanks to the scar on her face.
If anyone looked closely, they would notice that Louise's eyes were not calm like her movements suggested.
They darted hurriedly across the room, scanning the crowd with barely restrained urgency.
Soren set his wine glass down, a small smile tugging at his lips.
'She looks like a lost puppy.'
The moment her eyes locked onto him, her entire expression changed.
Her posture didn't break, but her steps quickened, the dignified pace turning into something closer to a determined stride.
People moved aside instinctively, not wanting to get in the fearsome woman's way.
Within seconds, she was standing right in front of him.
"Little brother!"
Louise's voice carried a rare mix of authority and affection.
Soren didn't have time to react before she took his hand, her grip firm and warm.
"Why didn't you tell me this was happening? I only heard about it a few days ago!"
Her words came quickly, almost tripping over one another despite her effort to sound composed.
Her crimson eyes searched his face anxiously.
"You look fine… too fine, actually. They didn't do anything to you, did they? Are you eating properly? Sleeping at all?"
Soren blinked, caught off guard by the barrage.
"I–uh…" He let out a small chuckle. "Slow down, Sis."
Louise pursed her lips but didn't let go of his hand.
Her thumb brushed lightly across his knuckles as if to check that he was really there.
Soren could see the worry behind the poised expression.
He hadn't noticed before, back when they had first met, but now, after spending so much time around her, he could understand her better.
She had always treated him warmly, like a real family member should, not as a burden or pawn, like Sofia did.
"...I'm fine," he said quietly. "Nothing… happened."
Her brows furrowed immediately.
"'Nothing happened'? Soren, you're pale, your hands are cold, and you sound exhausted."
"I'm always pale," he replied dryly.
That earned him a small glare, followed by a long exhale from Louise.
"Fine. If you won't tell me, I'll ask the servants later," she muttered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Soren gave a faint smile.
"They won't tell you anything."
"I'll make them."
He almost laughed.
That was precisely the type of person she was, elegant and composed, but terrifyingly stubborn when it came to him.
"Really though, Sis. It's fine." He hesitated, then added in a quieter voice. "It's not like before."
Soren had initially suffered upon his arrival at the Arden estate, but as the days passed, his insides grew increasingly cold, numb even.
Besides, today would likely be his last day at the Arden estate, as he had no reason to stay any longer.
Louise froze for a second, her grip tightening.
"...Are you sure?"
Soren's crimson eyes flickered toward the glass in front of him.
"Yeah."
She didn't ask what had changed, nor did she press any further; she just looked at him with a softness that didn't belong in a hall full of nobles.
For a moment, neither spoke; the air between them felt heavy yet comforting.
Finally, Louise broke the silence with a sigh.
"I begged Father to let me visit, you know?"
Soren looked up.
"You did?"
She nodded, her expression turning bitter.
"I wanted to come help. To stay here for a while, maybe make things a bit easier for you, but he wouldn't let me. He said it was 'a bad idea' and that the Ardens had their own affairs to handle."
Her voice dripped with irritation at the memory.
Soren rested his head on his palm.
"Oh well."
"You're taking this too lightly."
"Would you rather I get angry about it?"
"Yes!" she snapped, then immediately caught herself, lowering her voice as nearby nobles glanced their way.
Her hand dropped to her lap, her fingers gripping her dress tightly.
"You just… You shouldn't have to deal with this alone."
Soren's gaze softened.
"Hey."
She looked up.
He smiled faintly, his voice quiet but steady.
"You being here right now helps. So, thanks, Sis."
Louise blinked, her eyes widening slightly.
For a moment, she seemed frozen, unsure of how to respond.
Then her shoulders relaxed, and an unguarded smile bloomed on her face.
"...You've changed."
"Maybe a little."
"I like it."
He chuckled at her words.
"Good to know."
The tension eased.
The two sat quietly for a while, the chatter of the nobles filling the silence.
Louise crossed one leg over the other, scanning the hall with her eyes.
"By the way," she began, lowering her voice. "Why did Aunt Sofia suddenly decide to host a social gathering? It's not exactly her style to—"
"Announcing. Lady Esper Rupindolf, heir of the Rupindolf Duchy."
The sudden voice of the herald interrupted her mid-sentence.
Louise frowned and turned her head toward the entrance.
The doors opened again.
Esper Rupindolf entered with all the grace of a practised noblewoman.
Her long ginger hair cascaded down her back, gleaming like polished copper under the soft light.
Her green eyes were sharp and calculating, framed by thick lashes and an impressive amount of makeup.
Gold earrings, bracelets, and jewelled accessories sparkled wherever she moved, catching the light with almost blinding precision.
Her gown was a deep emerald that contrasted beautifully with her hair and eyes, fitted perfectly to her figure; slim, elegant, and more than a little bold by noble standards.
Whispers immediately erupted among the guests.
– Rupindolf's heir?
– I didn't expect her to attend this gathering…
– She looks stunning.
Soren blinked in disbelief.
'...Essy?'
The woman at the door certainly looked like Esper Rupindolf, but she didn't feel like Esper Rupindolf.
The Esper he knew was loud, casual, playful, and at times borderline chaotic.
The one standing before him now looked like she had walked straight out of a piece of art.
Her expression was perfectly polite, her movements graceful and deliberate.
Yet even through her noble facade, Soren could tell she was fighting every urge not to roll her eyes.
As she moved deeper into the hall, she was stopped again and again by various nobles greeting her.
"Lady Esper! It's been too long!"
"You look exquisite today."
"Will your father be joining us later?"
Each time, she smiled, offered a few flowery words, then skillfully disengaged before she could be trapped in conversation.
Soren could see the tension in her shoulders growing with each polite exchange.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she reached his corner.
The moment she did, she practically collapsed onto the seat beside him with a quiet groan.
"Ugh… I hate these things."
The sigh that followed was long and dramatic.
Soren blinked.
"Essy…?"
Her eyes flicked toward him, and for the first time that day, her practised noble expression cracked into a grin.
"Well, well," she said, pulling out a decorative fan and hiding her mouth behind it. "You are surprised, aren't you?"
"...That's one way to put it."
She chuckled softly, her fan lowering slightly to reveal a teasing smirk.
"Hard to believe this is the same 'Essy' you met at the academy, right?"
"Hard to believe you can even talk like this," Soren said honestly. "Or that you can dress like this…"
Esper gave a small laugh, her voice still refined but her eyes glinting mischievously.
"Please, I can behave when I need to. Doesn't mean I enjoy it, though."
Louise watched their exchange silently, her lips curving upward.
Esper stretched slightly, careful not to wrinkle her dress.
"Ugh. I've been intercepted by every person in this hall. You'd think I was the subject of the announcement, not you."
Soren tilted his head.
"You mean you didn't come just to show off?"
Esper gasped theatrically and pressed her hand to her chest.
"Cutie! You wound me. I came here because I care about my dear friend."
Louise stifled a laugh with the back of her hand, and Soren groaned softly.
"Don't call me that here."
"Oh? But you're fine with it elsewhere?"
He didn't answer, and Esper grinned even wider.
The tension that had settled earlier seemed to melt away as the three of them sat together.
For the first time in weeks, Soren felt like he could actually breathe.
Then Louise cleared her throat, her expression turning serious again.
"Right… before the interruptions, I was asking why Aunt Sofia called for this gathering."
The brief peace was shattered instantly.
Soren's smile faded.
He set his wine glass down and leaned back, running a hand through his hair.
"She's announcing my engagement," he said flatly.
The words hung in the air like a stone dropping into still water.
Lousie's chair scraped loudly against the marble as she shot to her feet.
"Engagement!?"
A few nearby nobles turned their heads toward the commotion.
Esper's eyes widened, her fan freezing midair.
"Wait—what?"
Soren lifted his hand slightly, motioning for Louise to sit.
"Calm down, Sis. You're drawing attention."
She reluctantly sat, still fuming.
Esper leaned closer.
"You're serious?"
He nodded.
"Who's the poor girl?" Esper muttered.
"No idea," Soren replied. "Apparently, I'll find out when everyone else does."
Louise's expression darkened.
"And you're just… accepting this?"
Soren let out a quiet laugh, one that didn't reach his eyes.
"Of course, I'm not okay with it. But what can I do? It's not like I have a say in Sofia's actions."
For a moment, none of them spoke.
Louise's hands clenched tightly on her lap.
Esper stared into her wine, her lips pursed.
Finally, Louise broke the silence, her voice hesitant.
"...What if…" She paused, taking a deep breath. "What if I said we're already together?"
Soren blinked, caught off guard.
"Huh?"
Her crimson eyes met his, unwavering.
"If I said we were engaged already, if I claimed you as my fiancé before Aunt Sofia could say anything, she wouldn't be able to force anything else, would she?"
The hall's noise continued around them, but between the three, time seemed to stop.
Soren stared at her, unsure whether to laugh or be stunned, and Esper lowered her fan slightly, her eyes bouncing between them with barely concealed interest.
Louise, however, was completely serious.
Her fingers brushed against his hand again, firmer this time.
"You wouldn't have to go through with whatever she's planning."
Soren's lips parted, but no words came out.
She meant it.
————「❤︎」————