Chapter 17

The atmosphere in the grand hall began to shift as the party progressed.

The youngest daughter of the Ryles family, Selina Ryles, had not been seen in high society for years due to her frail health. News of her reappearance had drawn a crowd of nobles eager to witness her return.

However, the star of the evening had yet to show herself, even as time dragged on. The count, visibly anxious, repeatedly drank wine and ordered the steward to check how much longer Selina would take to prepare.

Then, a soft rustling caught everyone’s attention. The train of an ornate gown, adorned with lace and crystals, swept gracefully down the grand staircase.

All eyes turned upward, and murmurs ceased as Selina finally appeared.

She descended the stairs with a radiance that silenced any gossip about her late arrival.

Unlike Jeremy’s striking, ash-gray looks, Selina’s light blonde hair, tinged with a hint of cream, complemented her porcelain skin, as if untouched by the sun. Her hair, hastily tied with a ribbon and left to cascade in loose curls to her waist, looked effortlessly elegant, almost enchanting.

Getting her to this point, however, had been no small feat.

It’s been so long since I’ve attended a party. What if people criticize me for being late?

Every time Selina’s hesitations flared up again, Velita had patiently coaxed her forward.

The irony of having to console someone over such trivial concerns was not lost on Velita. A maid who didn’t even know her father’s name or the date of her own birth, Velita couldn’t help but see Selina’s worries as indulgent complaints.

How lucky you are, my lady.

Selina’s privileged upbringing was a stark contrast to Velita’s reality. Suppressing her feelings of envy and resentment, Velita hid her emotions behind a calm facade, something she had become adept at over the years.

“You’re absolutely stunning, my lady. Look—there’s no one here who even comes close to your beauty,” Velita whispered, bolstering Selina’s confidence one last time before she stepped into the spotlight.

Finally, Selina began her descent, her presence captivating everyone in the room. Watching the nobles’ admiration and awe, Velita felt a faint pang of envy.

This dazzling party, held entirely in Selina’s honor, was a luxury she could easily dismiss without regret. She had servants to placate her whims and coax her through tantrums, no matter how petty.

What Selina saw as simple, everyday occurrences were privileges only afforded to the elite.

And people adored her for it. They admired the beauty and innocence born not of effort but of fortunate circumstances.

Even Velita, despite herself, couldn’t help but envy and admire Selina’s childlike charm.

As Selina reached the midpoint of the staircase, someone ascended from below to meet her.

“I was just about to come get you, Selina,” Jeremy said.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, brother,” Selina replied, her tone sweet and affectionate.

This was the same Selina who had refused to attend the party just hours ago because she didn’t want to stay by her brother’s side. Yet now, she smiled warmly as she took Jeremy’s outstretched hand.

Jeremy, as expected, didn’t spare even a glance for Velita, standing just behind Selina.

Though Velita knew there was no reason to feel slighted, she couldn’t help the small twinge of disappointment.

Jeremy and Selina, hand in hand, descended the rest of the staircase together. The crowd parted respectfully, stepping aside to make way for the pair.

Velita remained unnoticed, her presence insignificant compared to the siblings who shone so brightly under the grand chandelier.

The gentle music in the hall shifted into a livelier tempo, signaling the start of the first dance. As expected, Selina and Jeremy were the central pair.

The orchestra played a more vibrant tune, and the Ryles siblings began to dance, their movements synchronized as they gazed at each other. Jeremy naturally took the lead, guiding Selina, who was still clumsy with her steps.

They almost look like a perfect pair of lovers, Velita thought absentmindedly as she watched them from a distance. Realizing the inappropriate nature of her thoughts, she dug her nails into her palm, as if to punish herself. They were siblings, bound by blood—what kind of absurd notion was that?

As the music swelled into a more grandiose melody, other guests stepped onto the dance floor with their partners, spinning and twirling in a coordinated display. The sight of the swirling dancers left Velita feeling dizzy, prompting her to avert her gaze.

She reminded herself she didn’t belong in this dazzling, opulent world. Instead of idly watching, she needed to find something useful to do.

Yet, no matter how much she busied herself, she couldn’t seem to shake the image of Selina and Jeremy from her mind.

How strange. They’re just siblings.

But it unsettled her to see how well they suited each other.

Selina was a noble, someone out of Velita’s reach. Coveting what she couldn’t have was a foolish and dangerous path.

Still, the intrusive thoughts persisted, leaving Velita feeling downcast. Whenever this happened, she knew the best remedy was to exhaust herself.

Velita left the hall and wandered to the kitchen, volunteering for any menial task she could find. Helping with the dishes or taking out the trash was a welcome distraction.

“Velita! Take this trash outside!” a voice called.

Grimacing, Velita hoisted the heavy load and made her way to the far end of the estate. Nobles couldn’t be inconvenienced by unsightly garbage near the hall, so the disposal area was intentionally placed at a distance. It was an arduous trek, but for a maid like Velita, the nobles’ comfort took precedence over her own exhaustion.

“Phew…” she exhaled, setting the trash down and catching her breath.

Feeling drained, Velita decided to sneak off to the garden for a moment’s reprieve. She had no business there, but the quiet corners of the garden offered a place to rest, hidden from prying eyes.

As she wandered into the shadows of the garden, she spotted an unexpected figure.

“…Oh?”

Standing near the entrance, as if uncertain whether to enter or leave, was none other than Cain Mortens.

He hesitated, then turned away, seemingly deciding against entering the estate. Their eyes met briefly, and Cain’s expression immediately darkened, as though he’d seen something distasteful.

In that moment, Velita felt as if she’d become a piece of garbage herself, discarded and unworthy.

Cain turned to leave, clearly intending to ignore her entirely. Velita could have done the same, letting him walk away without a word. But she didn’t.

Instead, she quickened her pace, closing the distance between them.

“Sir Knight!” she called out.

It was a strange compulsion, wanting to confront someone who so openly disliked her. But the more his disdain stung, the more she wanted to face it head-on.

Velita blocked his path, wearing a bright, composed smile as if nothing had ever transpired between them.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Step aside. I have nothing to say to you.”

“Of course not. I’m not the one you came to see. You must have come hoping to meet Lady Selina.”

How could someone be so incapable of hiding their emotions?

The moment Selina’s name left Velita’s lips, Cain Mortens’ eyes sharpened, fixing her with a glare that could pierce through stone.

A holy knight, whose life was meant to be devoted entirely to purity and faith, should have no place for such raw, human feelings. Yet here he was, visibly bristling at the mere mention of Selina.

“Why don’t you go inside?” Velita said with a faint, polite smile. “If you deliver a gift, I’m sure Lady Selina would be delighted…”

“Presumptuous. This has nothing to do with you,” Cain snapped, his tone cold.

It was true that a holy knight attending a private party hosted by nobles would spark rumors. His reluctance to fully enter the estate was understandable.

And yet, despite knowing better, Cain had come all the way here. His longing to personally wish Selina a happy birthday spoke of his unwavering devotion.

But Velita couldn’t help her curiosity.

If he cared for her this much, why had he chosen the path of a knight? If they had been engaged, as they once were, marriage would have followed naturally. Why abandon that certainty?

“I’m sorry,” Velita said softly. “I just thought it would be a shame if your efforts to come all this way were wasted.”

“You pity me?” Cain’s voice dripped with disdain.

“I didn’t mean—”

Cain’s short laugh cut her off, low and derisive.

“Of all people, a woman who’s throwing away her life in the most pitiful way possible dares to pity me?”

“…What do you mean?” Velita asked, her brows knitting.

“I’m talking about a girl like you, who catches the eye of some noble’s son and uses it to make her way.”

Cain’s words were laced with venom, sharper than any blade. Velita felt her face burn with humiliation.

“You don’t know me well enough to say such things. Even if you’re a knight…”

“I don’t know much about you, but there’s one thing I do know very well.”

“…”

“Your face. It perfectly fits Jeremy Ryles’ taste.”

The insult didn’t end there.

“A beautiful maid spending her days in this dreary estate, flaunting red marks on her neck?” Cain’s gaze darkened.

He was referring to the marks Jeremy had left on her neck the first time they met, the ones she had tried so hard to hide.

“Anyone with half a brain could guess who left them, especially when this house is home to a notorious libertine.”

“Don’t call him that!” Velita snapped, her voice trembling.

The world might call Jeremy a libertine, and even the count himself tried to keep his son in check, but Velita didn’t see him that way.

Yes, Jeremy’s lips sought hers at every opportunity. His hands couldn’t keep still when they were alone, as if merely looking at her wasn’t enough.

But Jeremy had told her he was lonely. He claimed his relationship with Emma had been born from that loneliness. And though he could be terrifyingly rough at times or unyielding when upset, he treated Velita with care when she didn’t provoke him.

It had been Jeremy who saved her from Killian, her brother. He even ended things with Emma after meeting Velita.

She understood how Cain viewed Jeremy—and herself—but that didn’t make his words any easier to bear.

Cain’s contempt was palpable, and though Velita’s heart ached with frustration, she couldn’t deny the sting of truth buried within his scorn.

What he believed wasn’t the whole truth.

“Young Master Jeremy is kind. My motives aren’t entirely selfish…” Velita trailed off, though she wasn’t certain if that was entirely true.

It wasn’t a lie that she appreciated the material comfort and security Jeremy provided. When Killian appeared at the estate gates, Velita often handed him something Jeremy had given her—a token to send him on his way without causing a scene.

Her peaceful days were only possible because Jeremy stood between her and the chaos.

And Jeremy, for his part…

“I love you,” he had once said.

At times, his love was harsh, violent, and unpredictable, but Velita thought of it as an inevitable quirk of a young master raised in privilege.

“You can insult me, but please don’t speak ill of Young Master Jeremy,” Velita said firmly.

“Does pretending to be naive make you feel better?” Cain sneered.

“You’re free to think what you want, but—”

“I don’t recall giving you permission to speak.”

Velita couldn’t understand him. Even if Cain suspected the truth of her relationship with Jeremy, what reason did he have to be so angry?

“I truly despise people like you, down to my very core,” Cain spat, his voice laced with venom.

“…”

“I’d prefer it if you never spoke to me again.”

With his cutting words, Cain turned to leave, his disdain palpable.

“Such a shame,” Velita called after him, stopping him in his tracks.

“I only stopped you because Lady Selina’s been waiting for you.”

Fortunately, Velita knew one weakness that could make Cain falter.

“I’ll be sure to tell her,” she continued, “that you came all the way to the estate and left without even saying hello.”

Cain froze, as though her words had physically struck him. The indomitable holy knight, who seemed ready to wring her neck moments ago, now stood as still as a broken marionette at the mention of Selina.

Was this the nature of love—to reduce a person to such a pitiful state? Or was Cain simply an anomaly?

“What will you do?” Velita pressed. “If Lady Selina is disappointed to hear you left, will you still walk away?”

Though Cain was the same age as her, Velita found his selective disdain and devotion revolting. He could harbor such baseless contempt for one person while exposing his vulnerabilities entirely to another.

Velita, too, began to feel a twinge of disdain—toward him.

Then, suddenly, a dark thought crept into her mind.

This man, who blindly loved Selina and unreasonably despised her.

If she could…

If it were possible…

She would make him kneel at her feet.