As Long As You Are Happy - Chapter 15

Translator: yun

A sponsor?

Irina slowly blinked her eyes.

She did not know why talk of a sponsor would emerge from this conversation.

Misinterpreting Irina’s reaction, Seine cackled quietly.

“Are you that shocked from being asked if you’re looking for someone to look after you from the shadows?”

Ah. It was only at that moment did Irina understand what this lady, whom she had just met for the first time, was referring to.

So, that was what she meant. This was how aristocrats spoke with elegance.

The fact that she had learnt something useless left a better taste in her mouth.

Irina twisted her expression.

“You are being extremely rude.”

“Hmph.”

It did not matter what Irina tried to say, Seine was fully convinced that Irina was an actress looking for a sponsor and placed her hand on Irina’s face willfully.

“Well, you do have a pretty face. But your posture is all over the place. Also, it would be better if you could speak with more sophistication. That way you won’t bring shame to the kind gentleman even if he brings you to his social clubs.”

Her scenarios were getting more and more elaborate.

“You have to at least get on my level so that I wouldn’t be this ashamed of you. How would people think of me if they discover that I let my brother spend time with a woman far lesser than me?”

“I think you’ve misunderstood something. And you’re being quite unpleasant.”

Ha. Seine burst into laughter.

“So what?”

“…..”

“How do you expect me to act? Is there any other way for me to deal with the likes of you?”

Pfft, the end of her words trailed off into another cackle.

Irina inhaled sharply. She was the Duke of Winfried’s relative and his guest.

So, she knew she could only put up with her. But, still.

“Lady Seine Florence, you continue to speak thoughtlessly without any idea who I am.”

Or the fact that she was also an important guest of the duke.

“I hope you learn to carry some shame.”

“Do I need to know who you are?”

Laughing, Seine mocked her. If she could judge her just based on her smile, she was as pretty as a naïve child who did not know anything better.

“All I need from you is to lower your head when you see me.”

“…..”

“Seeing how brazen you are, you must be more popular than I thought. I’ll try to catch some of your performances. You’re pretty enough that I won’t feel bored watching your play even if you might not be talented. Send me an invitation…”

“Seine Florence.”

A heavy voice stopped Florence. Irina and Florence both turned their heads.

And there stood Winfried. His expression was fierce and cold.

“I’m sure you’re well aware of how shallow you just sound.”

“Rogan?”

“Apologise.”

Seine tried to come up with an excuse but Winfried interjected her.

“Apologise to my guest, Seine Florence.”

“Huh? But! Hold on, you are his guest?”

Seine’s face was dyed in embarrassment.

“Don’t tell me you brought her here for that, Rogan? You have me!”

Her voice rose.

Irina grimaced as her ears ached at her sharp ringing voice.

“Seine.”

On the other hand, the Duke of Winfried’s voice did not sound like he was similarly affected by her. Instead, it had only grown colder.

“And what does that have to do with you or my guest?”

“But, still!”

“You only have to choose.”

Rogan stared back at Seine coldly.

“Either apologise here or I shall treat you as an uninvited guest of the House of Winfried.”

“…..!”

Seine’s face flushed red.

To be an uninvited guest.

That meant that she would no longer be welcomed anywhere–be it the Winfried townhouse, the duchy or any land that fell under the duchy’s domain.

“H-how could you do this to me, Rogan?”

Seine’s voice was trembling.

“How could you choose her over me, the one you grew up with, why….”

“Seine.”

Bending over, Rogan whispered.

“If I did not harbour any affection for you from when we were younger, I would have long dragged you out of here.”

Ha, Seine sighed. Her pale green eyes were filled with betrayal.

Huffing and puffing, Seine turned to Irina.

“Pardon me.”

She lowered her head gracefully.

“I did not know you had been the Duke of Winfried’s guest and had been rude. Please forgive me for my ignorance, my lady.”

There was no longer a hint of the betrayal she had expressed earlier or that expression of ridicule.

Instead, there was nothing but shame and indignance on her face as Seine raised her head.

“I am aware that you must have been extremely offended by my ignorance and prejudice.”

Seine politely apologised.

“In the name of Count Florence, I would like to apologise once again, my lady.”

To be honest, Irina did not feel as though she would feel better with a few words of apology using some count’s name and she did not want to either.

Still.

“…..”

Irina sneaked a glance at the Duke of Winfried who was standing behind Seine with his arms crossed.

The duke might be taking her side now.

But for how long?

She was a relative whom he had grown up with and she was a mere guest.

“… Alright.”

A small sigh left her.

“However, I hope the lady of Count Florence is now more aware of what she should be saying and what she should not be saying.”

The last remnants of her vexation had sharpened her tone. Seine froze for a moment before nodding.

“Of course. I shall reflect on myself further so that I will not make such a mistake again.”

Irina thought Seine would brandish a blade in response but she had accepted Irina’s feelings rather meekly.

She even smiled at Irina.

“I’m thankful for your forgiveness, my lady. How should I address you? I am Seine Florence of the Florence County.”

“… I am Irina Leonid.”

“Leonid!”

Clap! Florence clapped her hands together with a glint in her eyes.

“I remember seeing you in passing when I was younger. So, you were their daughter!”

She seemed to have been acquainted with Irina’s parents as well. Florence flashed a smile with her eyes.

“I have committed a grave offence. I had been unaware that you were Count Leonid and his countess’ child.”

“…..”

“If you’d like, I would like to treat you to some tea. Please allow me to apologise for my discourtesy and hear more about the two.”

“No, that’s alright.”

Irina took a step back.

However, Seine turned her head away towards the duke.

“Rogan, can I invite Lady Leonid some day to apologise?”

It felt as though the duke’s will was more important than her own.

“Seine.”

The duke frowned at the sight.

“I don’t have any other intentions, I truly just want to apologise.”

Seine smiled innocently.

“We will be holding a small tea party in our estate a few days from now. If Lady Leonid has plans on making her debut in the central society, having our tea party as her first appearance will not be a bad idea.”

Seine flashed another smile at Irina.

“All of the ladies in attendance are around Lady Leonid’s age so you can fit right in. If you still have reservations, you may come in Rogan’s company.”

Seine looked at Irina and smiled.

“Do you mean to attend with the Duke of Winfried?”

“Yes, I’m sure you’re familiar with him, right, Rogan? I’m referring to the Viscount of Langeleik. He will be attending as well to accompany his younger sister, Miss Hannah.”

Seine giggled softly.

“The two siblings have such an admirable relationship, don’t they?”

“…..”

“If you’re coming, brother, you can play cards with Viscount Langeleik. The rest of us can have a tea party in the garden.”

Seine naturally grabbed Irina’s arms as she chattered cutely.

“What do you think, Lady Leonid? You can try playing the piano in my room if you’d like. It’s a piano Rogan had bought back for me from one of his trips.”

Florence’s eyes were fixed on Irina. She felt pressured to nod but just as Irina was about to speak.

“Stop it.”

It was Winfried that stopped the exchange between Florence and Irina.

Grabbing Irina’s arm, he pulled her to him before saying coldly.

“I don’t think this is something Miss Irina can decide on so quickly.”

“Miss Irina?”

Seine muttered to herself softly before fixing her expression and nodding with a smile.

“My apologies, Lady Leonid. I nearly made a faux pa due to my excitement.”

The ends of Seine’s brows dropped.

“To be honest, my health has not been the best ever since I was a child. It is shameful for me to admit but I do commit these mistakes from time to time. I hope you can look past it with your endless generosity, my lady.”

“… Alright.”

She did not seem to be speaking the truth.

But seeing as the duke was not saying anything in response, it really seemed like she was not in good condition.

“Then, I shall formally send you an invitation so I’d like you to consider your attendance.”

Florence drew a smile on her face.

“I’ll be waiting for good news from you.”

Irina nodded after Florence finished her say.

She then returned as though she had accomplished what she had come here for.

Though she did not forget to apologise once more before she did.

“Then, I shall get going, brother. And Lady Leonid.”

She said her farewells through the carriage window.

As soon as Florence closed the window shut, the coachmen riled the horses.

“Ha…”

As soon as the carriage left, Winfried sighed, swept his hair up and turned towards Irina.

“I’d like to apologise again for my cousin’s discourtesy. I will make sure the Florence County sends their letters of apology as well.”

“No. You don’t need to go that far.”

Irina fiddled with her skirt.

“She already apologised.”

“No, it is not enough.”

Winfried said flatly.

“At the very least, for this level of discourtesy, the count and his countess should be apologising too.”

“Wouldn’t she get in big trouble then?”

“She will.”

Winfried glanced at Irina.

“And she has to. It will be a good chance for her to reflect on her words and how shallow she was.”

Wasn’t that too much?

She was a little worried but Irina could only nod wordlessly because she really was vexed earlier.

Irina chased after the Duke of Winfried’s back into the mansion.

“Young miss.”

As she chased after the duke, Irina noticed Aaron who approached her which prompted her to slow down as he whispered to her softly.

In the meantime, Winfried was talking to the stable keeper.

“Why don’t you have your lunch in the dining hall? Mister Bayden wants to show off his skills.”

“Alright.”

Irina flashed a broad smile and nodded. The chef’s skills were definitely a notch above the rest. How delicious must the meal be for such a person to say that they were going to show off their skills now?

“But why are you whispering that to me?”

Mirroring Aaron, Irina also whispered. Then, Aaron whispered even softer this time.

“Well, if you don’t mind, would you like to eat with his grace?”

“The duke?”

“Yes. His grace eats a little more when he has his meals with you, Lady Leonid.

“I’m begging you,” Aaron added earnestly.

When Irina nodded, Aaron’s face brightened.

“Duke.”

When she stood next to the duke who had just finished his conversation with the stable keeper, Winfried turned around as though giving her permission to speak.

“Would you perhaps like to eat with me today?”

Irina asked as she fiddled with her hair.

“I usually eat with the Viscountess of Alphington, Dame Delphia or Lord Leo but none of them are in the estate today..”

Hm, Winfried made a small noise as though he was considering it before asking Aaron who was now standing next to him.

“Did the viscountess say she was heading downtown?”

“Yes. She said she needed to get more textbooks so I called a carriage for her. Dame Delphia and Lord Leo had also left with her as escorts.”

Winfried nodded as though he already knew.

“If you don’t mind eating with dull company, I can eat with you.”

Winfried reached his arm out.

The same way he did when he escorted Florence out of the carriage earlier.

“Eat with me.”

Irina gently grabbed his arm before nodding.

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