Chapter 19. Eve’s Tea Party (4)

“…Brother?”

Anthony looked up at him, calling out quietly. Kasha turned around slowly.

There was Leon, running a hand through his platinum hair, damp with sweat, and giving them a hard, disapproving look.

It seemed he had come straight from training, with dirt-stained clothes and a face that looked both scorched and exhausted. In the sunlight, he appeared more tense and worn than usual.

His gaze, colder than usual, scrutinized Kasha from head to toe before finally settling on the bloodstained handkerchief.

“What’s going on here?”

“Lord Leon…”

“I asked, what are you doing?”

His eyes, gleaming in the sunlight, glared intensely at Kasha and Anthony.

“What we’re doing?”

Anthony interjected, clearly offended. “Brother, what kind of question is that?”

The two of them stood facing each other for a tense moment.

Anthony, though tall, looked boyish standing next to Leon, who was both taller and more solidly built.

Hearing his brother’s protest, Leon blinked slowly, as if struggling to control his emotions. It was rare for him to show such sensitivity around his younger siblings.

He wasn’t sure why seeing Kasha and Anthony together had irritated him so much, even though he had noticed almost immediately that Kasha was injured.

Leon’s unreadable gaze lingered on Anthony before he turned his head slightly, as if dismissing the whole matter.

“…It’s nothing. You should go inside.”

“Brother…”

Then his sharp gaze fell on Kasha.

“Is this always how you operate?”

“…Pardon?”

“I told you to wait until I sent word.”

Leon’s violet eyes, like the color of lavender swaying in the distance, glinted with cold reprimand and accusation. Kasha met his gaze, unfazed, and replied bluntly.

“…How long are you asking me to wait?”

“What?”

“Our situation is urgent. Being cautious is fine, but… you could lose everything if you wait too long. Everything you hold dear.”

Leon didn’t respond immediately to Kasha’s pointed remark. His eyes flickered with a mixture of emotions—anger, frustration, perhaps even surprise.

Just then, a breeze stirred, and the handkerchief that had been loosely tied around Kasha’s hand slipped and fluttered to the grass nearby.

The white handkerchief, dotted with bright red spots, looked like a scattering of vivid flowers against the green backdrop.

Anthony, who had been silently watching, stepped forward to pick it up, but Leon’s hand snatched it first.

“I’ll handle this.”

Anthony paused, saying nothing.

Leon gently lifted Kasha’s injured hand with a slow, deliberate motion.

Kasha looked up at him, meeting his gaze with her clear, light-pink eyes, unflinching. Even through his gloves, he could feel her cool skin against his fingertips.

The air between them felt thick, charged with something unspoken.

Avoiding her gaze, Leon quickly wrapped the handkerchief around her hand, though he couldn’t explain why he felt so tense.

Finally, he tied the knot and released her hand.

“Let’s go… it’s time to head back,” he said, his voice slightly hoarse.

Kasha gave him a soft smile.

“Thank you.”

Leon found himself unable to look away from her face, so often impassive, now graced by a fleeting, gentle smile.

A silence settled over them, and for a moment, it felt as if they were alone in their own world.

Leon frowned, clearly uncertain how to respond, his ears tinged with a faint blush.

Anthony, observing the scene, watched with shadowed eyes. Neither Kasha nor Leon seemed to notice, too absorbed in each other’s gaze.

* * *

“How about it? I’d say it was a success,” Margaret whispered proudly.

Kasha nodded enthusiastically.

Just as Margaret had predicted, the tea party was an enormous success.

The weather was perfect.

Under the early summer sky, the courtyard of the grand estate looked exceptionally beautiful.

A fountain sent sparkling jets of water into the air, cooling the atmosphere.

The white outdoor tables, adorned with sky-blue tablecloths and blue floral arrangements, enhanced the refreshing ambiance, allowing guests to take in the garden’s beauty in comfort.

The menu, carefully curated by Margaret, was a hit with the young guests.

Miniature sandwiches perfectly sized for little hands, cupcakes in flavors like chocolate, cheese, and blueberry, and even a refreshing green grape tart—all were laid out in a tempting display.

But what delighted the children most was the idea of bringing along their favorite dolls to sit beside them and enjoy the tea party together.

The tiny cups and dishes prepared for the dolls added a magical touch, making the tea party feel like a delightful mix of make-believe and grandeur.

“Eve, your doll is so beautiful!” Julia exclaimed.

“Thank you. Yours is lovely too, Juliana.”

“This party is simply the best!”

“Agreed, Eve! Promise you’ll invite me next time too?”

Surrounded by friends, Eve looked as if she were in a dream, her cheeks flushed pink as she laughed. Watching her, Kashafelt the effort—hand injury and all—had been well worth it.

Eve suddenly looked over, beaming brightly at Kasha and waving. Returning the gesture, Kasha glanced at Margaret beside her.

“Margaret, you’re a genius.”

Margaret looked delighted, if slightly bashful, at Katiana’s open praise. “Oh, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“No, really. Look, those noblewomen’s pride has taken quite a hit.”

Following Katiana’s gaze, they spotted a group of noblewomen seated with their children. Dressed in their finest to match the grandeur of the grand duke’s manor, they looked distinctly displeased.

Baroness Penilton, who had hosted the previous party, looked particularly sour.

“She was probably looking forward to seeing the ‘motherless grand duchess’ outdone by her own daughter. How disappointing for her.”

Margaret murmured with a hint of satisfaction. Kasha nodded in agreement.

“Think we should go over to their table?” Kasha asked.

“I’d rather not.”

“Same here, but today we’re practically Eve’s guardians. Let’s do it for her.”

Without further debate, Margaret took Kasha by the arm, dragging her toward the adults’ table. Kasha’s hand throbbed with a dull ache, but she allowed herself to be led along, resigned to the fact that socializing with the nobles was unavoidable.

As they approached, the noblewomen glanced at one another, whispering before covering their mouths and putting on polite smiles. The woman with the warmest demeanor addressed them first.

“I heard you two helped prepare for today’s party. How very thoughtful of you.”

“I only helped Lady Katiana here. Isn’t the flower arrangement beautiful? She picked them herself.”

Margaret said, casually shifting the credit to Kasha.

The women exchanged glances, their expressions becoming more scrutinizing.

“Oh, my. I hadn’t realized Lady Ruschino was so close with the grand duke’s family.”

“Indeed. Who would have thought there’d be any… unspoken alliance between such rarely mingling families?”

Margaret’s face turned slightly colder.

“I beg your pardon, but what exactly are you suggesting?”

“Oh dear, surely you’re not offended, Lady Yonder? It’s just that we happened to see His Grace with Lady Katiana at the last ball, and here you are today, helping with Lady Eve’s tea party preparations. And, well…”

Her gaze fell on the handkerchief wrapped around Kasha’s hand, recognizing it as one from the Imperial Guard.

Their reactions were mixed.

Some dismissed it—assuming the clueless Lady Ruschino was simply cherishing a rare show of kindness from Leon. Others, however, were watching with a sharp eye.

It was noteworthy enough that any woman could walk in and out of the grand duke’s estate, given its reputation for exclusivity. And for that woman to be none other than Katiana Ruschino, who’d shared an unusual rapport with Leon at the last ball…

Among the group, Odette Tyrot’s eyes and ears caught every word, her gaze sharpening as she observed the scene.

At that moment, a servant approached Kasha, bowing politely.

“My lady, His Grace requests your presence.”

The noblewomen’s eyes glinted with a mix of intrigue and astonishment.

* * *

Just like before, Kasha was led to the second-floor study. The only difference this time was that instead of her waiting for Leon, he was waiting for her.

He stood by the shelves, reading a book, his hair still damp as though he’d recently washed. As she entered, he slowly lifted his eyes from the page.

“You… asked to see me.”

Since he didn’t move, Kasha took the initiative to approach him. His spot near the window overlooked the courtyard where Eve’s tea party was taking place, and faint laughter drifted up from below.

Had he been watching the entire time? She quickly dismissed the thought.

“I heard you helped Eve prepare for her tea party,” Leon spoke, his tone more formal than before. Was he grateful for her help with Eve, or perhaps considering her proposal more seriously?

“Should I thank you for it?”

It was hard to tell if he was serious or mocking, but Kasha only shook her head quietly.

“No need.”

After all, her help had partly been a means to get closer to him.

Looking down into the courtyard, she saw Eve’s platinum hair shining in the sunlight, reminiscent of how Leon’s had gleamed in the greenhouse earlier.

His hair, slightly longer than usual, fell over his eyes. She found herself wanting to brush it back behind his ear. But before she could dwell on the thought, he spoke again.

“I’ve thought about your proposal.”

“Yes.”

“But even so, I still find that I cannot trust you.”

The direction of his response made her uneasy, and Kasha tried to catch his gaze, but he avoided her eyes, almost as though he feared meeting them. Unwilling to let him pull away, she spoke his name firmly.

“Your Grace.”

“I reject your proposal.”