Chapter 8
Valentina was also giving me a searching gaze as I observed her. No, maybe she was more blatant than I was. Apart from her polite tone, her eyes flashing with curiosity were quite provocative and interesting.
“Just call me Sasha. I've said this so many times since I returned home.”
“You're an elite international student, so why not enjoy it to the fullest? If I were you, I think I'd enjoy it to the fullest.”
“Because there is only one young lady of Serpente whom I know.”
My voice was a little subdued. The color was different, but when I looked at Valentina's curly hair, I naturally thought of someone else's hair.
It was my lady who left before reaching the age of fourteen. Although I had the heart to live the whole life she did not enjoy, on the other hand, I could never take Estelle's place. I didn't want to and couldn't.
Valentina seemed to exchange subtle glances with the aide who stood behind me for a moment, and then she smiled kindly and put her hand on my arm.
“Okay, then Sasha, I don’t know much about interior decoration, but I’m pretty good at bookkeeping and running errands. Even dealing with horses.”
"I think it's too wasteful for me to ask Valentina to run errands. What else could you do for me?"
“Oh my, haha. I know quite a bit about the latest trends in the Imperial capital. If you're wondering what kind of style and cosmetics are popular these days, which restaurant offers a good dessert, and which salon is good for your hair, feel free to ask me.”
You are a useful person. Do you want to teach me something like how to shoot? I wonder who Sasha, in the novel, learned how to handle a gun from.
* * *
Unlike the construction workers I saw on my first night back home, the assistant designers who would help me were just naive-looking experts.
In any case, it was self-evident that the interior had to be just as luxurious as the exterior, no, it must be breathtaking. I intended to squeeze out all the talents I had and decorate it with the utmost luxury.
The days went by without a hitch. I mostly stayed in my room at the duke’s residence and spent most of my day at the hotel. Meals were also eaten at the hotel or at a nearby restaurant with Valentina.
Lethias grumbled that it was so hard to see my face, but we will all be busy until the opening ceremony. In my opinion, among the three of us, I think Lethias is the most laid-back person.
The hotel opening ceremony was supposed to be on Benya's birthday at the end of the summer. Before that, I intended to finish everything perfectly.
Of course, the event that is currently right in front of us was Lethias's birthday banquet, but Benya, obviously the busiest among us, stopped by the hotel in the middle to see me.
Literally, he just looked at me. At first, I thought he was trying to check how I was doing, but unexpectedly, Benya didn't seem interested in that.
It seemed that he was a bit taken aback by my excessive passion(?).
“I hope you don’t push yourself too hard… I didn't mean you to be so zealous.”
“I am trying to be diligent so that people won't criticize me for being here only because I knew you guys. And I do it because I like it and because this kind of work is fun.”
"I'm glad you are saying that, but..."
“The opening ceremony is your birthday. Your birthday, the first time I would have been with you since then.”
Benya stood leaning his long body at an angle against a pillar of limestone that shone in pink. His shoulders were so broad that they covered all the pillars.
When I said it with emphasis on the 'since then' part, a strange shadow flickered in his pale blue eyes.
Looking back, at that time, both I and this guy had just passed our birthdays in vain. Lethias and Estelle knew it was their birthday and got a cake, but we didn't.
It was our first birthday we could properly celebrate together since our parents died. So why not make it a perfect day?
Shaking my head, I approached him and grabbed his arm. Then I smiled brightly.
"Of course, I'm still thinking about what to give Lethy-oppa as a birthday present before all of that."
Benya seemed to look at my hand on my wrist with his head drooping silently for a moment, but soon let go of his arm and held my hand together.
He smelled of musk mixed with the faint smell of tobacco. An aristocratic scent that always maintains elegance from head to toe, even if you are busy without time to sleep.
“Hyung should be grateful for the mere fact that you can be here.”
His words had a tone hinting at deeper meanings. I was worried about the tone that seemed cynical for some reason. Is he blaming his older brother?
If Lethias had come to his senses a little sooner and had gotten out of his lethargic ghost-like state a little sooner, he might not have had to pay for one eye and Estelle...
“Of course, he should be. Otherwise, I won't give him anything.”
When I joked about it, he let out a low laugh.
“That’s just like you.”
“But the question is, am I allowed to join the banquet?"
"Why do you ask such a question? Who says you couldn’t?"
“It’s not like that… Those people won't be there either. Aren’t you worried that I might do something unexpected?”
That piercing gaze stared straight into my eyes. Benya looked at my expression for a while, then smiled again and pulled my hand closer to him.
“Don’t say anything you don’t mean.”
“… yes, that's right. It was something I didn't even mean.”
“What was Hyung talking about with you?”
“Hmm, we’re talking about not liking people who are smartasses, like you.
Not to mention, Lethias had warned me about that part. To be precise, it was a warning for me to prepare my mind in advance. That those people might come that day.
By the way, Lethias and Benya have been hiding their emotions and feigning composure for the past seven years, so should I not do the same too?
“Even if you hit someone with a wine glass on their head, it doesn’t matter.”
“Don’t be so lenient to me. If you keep doing that, I would be wanting to act a lot more selfishly.”
Fingers wrapped in white gloves grabbed my chin and pulled it slightly up.
“You can do that.”
"Really?"
When I looked into his eyes, filled with complex emotions under his ice-like demeanor, I suddenly felt tears about to burst. Tears that I thought had long dried up a long time ago.
* * *
The birthday of our Duke of Flame and Fury is right around the corner.
A luxurious banquet is scheduled to be attended by a large number of members of the imperial family, nobles of the imperial family, collateral families, people related to the Python Bank and the foundation, and various other figures.
The day before, I asked Valentina to attend as my companion. Valentina was a bit surprised at first, but then she readily agreed.
“It’s an honor, but… What if I get kicked out for muddying their precious seats?”
"Then I'll be kicked out with you."
Even in an era when the threshold of aristocratic society, which was unparalleled until a few years ago, was slightly decreasing, and in a world where, after the war, the bourgeoisie were showing off their money recklessly in earnest, the aristocrats were still acting like the aristocrats they are.
They became more and more conservative, especially as they reached higher aristocratic families, and some openly expressed their contempt for 'rootless' capitalists snooping around society.
In that respect, the Serpente family tended to show rather heretical dynamics. Originally, they were also the ones who led the tradition of appointing retainers based on ability rather than status.
For example, most of the Python branch managers across the country were from non-noble families.
In any case, since she was with me, Valentina would have been considered someone who came from some bourgeois family.
It wouldn't matter if anyone who walked into her bar recognized her. No matter what they whispered behind your back, it's the social norm to smile and nod in front.
“But I don’t know if I can prepare an outfit suitable for the occasion. If only you had told me earlier...”
“Don’t worry about that part.”
So, on the day of the banquet, I invited Valentina to my quarters at the duke's residence early on. In my dressing room, to be exact.
“This is really… I can only say that it is great.”
“I, too, still can't believe it. Anyway, pick the one you like. It would be better if you could pick out some of mine.”
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