SCMBRN Chapter 11

Jayden’s sudden statement was enough to leave our entire family bewildered.

 

The Marquis, shocked, turned to his son and asked,

 

“Are you feeling unwell?”

 

Jayden merely shook his head calmly.

 

“I’m perfectly fine. There’s no rule that says one can’t take a male sibling as a partner, is there?”

 

“Well, that’s true, but still…”

 

“Then there’s no need to go all the way to Lord Leeman. Let me be your partner, Sister.”

 

“W-what?”

 

Suddenly the arrow was pointed at me.

 

“You don’t want me as your partner?”

 

“It’s not that, but… aren’t you busy with successor training and meetings and all that?”

 

“When is the event?”

 

I hastily checked the invitation with care.

 

“Four days from now.”

 

“I’m free that day. And even if I had something scheduled, I’d cancel it.”

 

Dear heavens, what’s gotten into him?

 

Jayden’s stance was so resolute that the matter of my partner was settled with him, regardless of my own wishes.

 

After the meal.

 

“Wait a minute!”

 

“Sister?”

 

I stopped Jayden, who was heading back to his quarters, and dragged him to a secluded spot.

 

“What on earth are you thinking?”

 

“Whatever do you mean?”

 

“Why are you offering to be my partner?”

 

“I thought we settled that already, didn’t we?”

 

It wasn’t that I was convinced, I just couldn’t press him in front of our family.

 

“Don’t avoid the question. Just give me a straight answer.”

 

“There’s nothing to twist. It’s simple.”

 

Jayden was as graceful as ever.

“I wish to be of help to you. That’s all.”

 

“Why the sudden change? You… didn’t even like me.”

 

His expression darkened slightly.

“I can’t exactly say that’s wrong. I truly didn’t like you.”

 

“Right, so then…”

 

“But seeing how you’ve changed made me think I might have misunderstood.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“And so, I want to make an effort to improve our relationship.”

 

“Well, I don’t think that’s really necessary…”

 

“…Do you dislike me so much that you wouldn’t even consider it?”

 

Jayden’s brow lowered, just slightly.

 

Yet even such a subtle shift on someone so usually composed pierced straight into my heart. It made me feel like I was the villain here.

 

I squeezed my eyes shut. Even if I felt sorry for Jayden, I mustn’t give in.

 

‘He’s the guy who always looked down on Charlotte! Who knows what scheme he’s plotting!’

 

So I must not, must not, must not fall for it…

 

Must, must, must… must?

 

‘Ack!’

 

Snapping back to my senses, I found myself already in the carriage, seated across from a well-dressed Jayden.

 

Several days had passed, and we were now en route to Countess Mosella’s estate for the tea party.

 

Then it hit me, something I’d long forgotten.

 

‘Come to think of it, I’ve always been weak to pretty faces!’

 

Even before my transmigration, I suffered from a certain chronic condition: I couldn’t easily refuse a request from someone attractive, regardless of age or gender.

 

Because of it, I once handled an entire group project alone at university, and nearly got roped into a street cult.

 

Honestly, the reason I agreed to let Raynard and Eugen sleep in my bed wasn’t just fear or guilt.

 

‘He really is ridiculously good-looking.’

 

I admired Jayden’s appearance, which seemed to shine even more than usual today.

 

I’d always known he was handsome, but seeing him all dressed up for the occasion brought it home again.

 

Just as I was desperately trying to suppress the smile creeping up on my lips, our eyes met.

 

“…Is there something on my face?”

 

“You’re handsome. I was just looking.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

Oh no. I was so sincere about faces that my true feelings slipped out without realizing.

 

“Ah… thank you for the compliment.”

 

Jayden smiled faintly at his sister’s unexpected praise, his expression somewhere between flustered and bashful.

 

The mood in the carriage turned awkward. I hoped we’d arrive at Count Mosella’s estate soon.

 

 

⚜︎ ⚜︎ ⚜︎

 

 

The garden of the Mosella estate.

 

Though the tea party had not yet begun, guests were already gathered in small groups, cheerfully chatting.

 

“Oh, have you heard?”

 

“Heard what?”

 

“Apparently, Lady Lindsay is attending today!”

 

“My goodness. Is that true?”

 

“Of course. I heard it straight from Lady Mosella herself. She sent an invitation out of curiosity, and Lady Lindsay actually replied!”

 

Their faces curled into polite sneers.

 

Others perked up, their interest piqued at the mention of Charlotte.

 

Charlotte Lindsay was, without doubt, one of the most talked-about figures in society. And not in a good way.

 

“To show her face after all that disgrace… Should we say it’s typical of Lady Lindsay?”

 

“Still, she’s stayed out of sight for half a year. For Lady Lindsay, that’s a real effort.”

 

“Huh? But that’s strange. The Duke of Hicklid isn’t attending, is he?”

 

“You’re right. She always trailed behind the Duke like a shadow. Odd.”

 

“Perhaps…”

 

A young lady spoke, gazing toward a couple beneath a gazebo.

 

Countess Mosella was clinging to a man with soft silver hair and jewel-like violet eyes, not letting go for a second.

 

The man’s name was Kyrie. A disciple of the current Master of the Mage Tower and the most likely candidate to become his successor.

 

The Emperor had personally invited him to serve as a royal advisor to foster ties between the Empire and the Tower, a tale well known throughout the nobility.

 

Most noble families dreamed of forming a connection with this rising mage. Yet what truly drew people to Kyrie wasn’t just his title.

 

“Perhaps she came to see Kyrie. He has a different sort of charm than the Duke, after all.”

 

The lady’s face flushed as she stared at him.

 

With the aura of a great mage and otherworldly beauty, he exuded an irresistible, mystical appeal.

 

Some even described him as a spirit of the snowy mountains.

 

But another lady shook her head.

“Oh, surely not. Lady Lindsay was so devoted to the Duke.”

 

Many nodded in agreement.

 

“True. She may lack in personality and pedigree, but she’s nothing if not single-minded.”

 

Just then, a young gentleman brought up a topic that stirred fresh curiosity.

 

“Who could Lady Lindsay’s partner be? One must have a partner to attend.”

 

“Exactly. She swore she’d never accept another man besides the Duke.”

 

“I doubt anyone could handle her temper.”

 

They burst into laughter.

 

“Most likely, some poor retainer from the Lindsay household was forced into it.”

 

“Or maybe just some pathetic man willing to be chosen for his looks alone.”

 

At that moment, a maid announced the arrival of the Lindsay family’s carriage.

 

Even Lady Mosella, who’d been enamored with Kyrie, stepped down from the gazebo at the news of Charlotte’s arrival.

 

Kyrie, following her, fixed his eyes on the path from the main gate to the garden.

 

A pair approached, guided by the attendants.

 

The woman, with curling orange hair and sharp cat-like eyes, was unmistakably Charlotte Lindsay. Escorting her was…

 

“Jayden Lindsay!”

 

Someone exclaimed aloud in shock.

 

Jayden Lindsay. The eldest son and heir to the Lindsay Marquis .

 

Though siblings, he and Charlotte had reputations that could not be more opposite.

 

Gifted in both academics and combat, with refined manners and good looks. No wonder he was considered the Empire’s most eligible bachelor.

 

So why was he here, with Charlotte, whom he supposedly avoided at all costs?

 

The only explanation anyone could imagine was that Charlotte had been so desperate she begged and wept until the Marquis made Jayden accompany her.

 

Then,

 

“Ah!”

 

Right before everyone’s eyes, Charlotte tripped over a stone.

 

“Sister!”

 

Jayden caught her before she could fall.

 

“Please watch where you step.”

 

“Sorry, I can be a bit clumsy.”

 

“…I wasn’t trying to scold you. Are you hurt?”

 

“No.”

 

“Then all is well.”

 

Their display of apparent closeness left the guests gaping.

 

There was no other conclusion but that something was wrong with Jayden’s head.

 

While others were still stunned into silence, the host of the party, Lady Mosella, stepped forward.

 

“Welcome, Young Master Jayden Lindsay. And Lady Charlotte Lindsay.”

 

Evelyn Mosella addressed both, but her eyes were fixed solely on Jayden.

 

“…”

 

“Thank you for inviting us.”

 

It was Charlotte who responded, as Jayden remained silent.

 

“…I hope you enjoy the party.”

 

Evelyn awkwardly withdrew.

 

Charlotte was the one who’d been invited. Jayden was merely her escort.

 

By not returning Evelyn’s greeting, Jayden was subtly pointing out her rudeness.

 

As tensions threatened to rise from the start, another unexpected twist emerged.

 

“Good day, my lovely lady.”

 

With a soft pop, a tulip of amber hue appeared before Charlotte.

 

“I’d like to offer this flower as a gift, which suits you perfectly.”

 

Kyrie, Evelyn’s partner, had just presented Charlotte with a flower. Evelyn bit her lip.

 

Everyone imagined Charlotte would coolly reject him. After all, she had always spurned any man who showed her attention, as if to proclaim her loyalty to the Duke.

 

“Thank you. The tulip is beautiful.”

 

But Charlotte surprised them all by accepting the flower with grace.