Love Doesn’t Matter - Chapter 29 – A Lovely Face

“You mean that child rejected the dress? And she was angry and told you not to call her a Young Lady?”
“Yes, Madam. You don’t know how embarrassed I was.”
“So, what happened? What about Hadius?”
“That, well…”

Eliere paused for a moment and then fanned her face that had turned red with excitement.

“The Young Master seemed a little surprised, but he hurriedly called the coachman. He told him to take her home safely. I was so embarrassed seeing that…”

Caitlyn, who was pretending to pick accessories, felt her mind getting confused and disturbed with thoughts.

Everything was going well, according to Hadius’ plan. It was a relief, so why does she keep feeling uncomfortable and anxious?

Caitlyn quickly concealed her expression, before the quick-witted Eliere asked her something strange.

“Well, that child has a side like that. Even at the last dinner party, she ran away without saying anything.”
“Yes, only now I realized how much trouble Madam has been having.”

Eliere’s fine face crumpled as if she had stepped on a bug.

“But why was Miss Bern so upset like that? Maybe it’s a trick to try to get more compensation?”

Caitlyn, who had intended to answer that that could be the case, changed her mind in an instant.

“You’re a bit harsh, Eliere.”
“Sorry?”
“She was rude and ill-mannered, but she’s not a bad kid. Be careful with what you say.”

Eliere tried not to look dumbfounded.

“I apologize. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“There must be something wrong with that child. This is all because of His Majesty the King. Water and oil can never mix together, I don’t know when His Majesty will recognize that.”

Caitlyn got up from her seat, clicking her tongue. Eliere diligently went after her, saying, “Yes, yes, you are right.”

“But are you leaving already? I wanted to show you a new item. I also have some silks from Rosha that are difficult to obtain…”
“Next time. I must go to the music concert in a little while. I’m going to meet Grand Duke Reinen and Hadius there.”
“Oh my, a concert. That’s nice.”

Caitlyn chuckled as she looked at Eliere, whose eyes were ecstatic. It was a laugh with a little contempt, looking down from above.

“Next time an opportunity arises, I will invite you too. You must have had a hard time making that child’s clothes.”
“Oh my, you’re so attentive. Thank you for your words.”

Caitlyn left the boutique, leaving behind a fussy Eliere. The carriage carrying the Duchess quickly disappeared from the boutique.

Eliere, who was silently watching the scene, leaned her trembling body against the display stand.

Should she say she feels drained? She wasn’t really lying, so why is she so nervous?

A long shadow appeared in front of her, who was slowly fanning herself. Eliere immediately straightened herself.

“Mr. Grozhang was correct. Mrs. Meyer came and asked me about what happened that day.”
“You must have done well, right?”
“How could I have not? You said I could just talk about it. In fact, there is only one thing I didn’t tell Mrs. Meyer. How I felt about those two that day.”
“Yes, you did well.”

Grozhang nodded but didn’t relax his frowning eyebrows.

“And there is one more thing you shouldn’t say. The fact that you’re meeting me like this.”
“Of course. From now on, I will keep my mouth shut. As long as Young Master Meyer keeps his promise.”

Covering her mouth with the fan, Eliere smiled with her eyes.

***

The Regan Opera Hall was owned by the Reinen family. Bianca’s father, Hannes Reinen, is a fanatic music lover who invites famous musicians from all over the continent to hold concerts whenever he can.

When Caitlyn’s carriage stopped in front of the crest with a cart, the symbol of the mining conglomerate, Hannes came out to greet her personally.

“Welcome.”
“Did you wait long? I was a little late because I stopped by the boutique. What about Hadius?”
“He already arrived a few hours ago. I lost track of time playing chess with him after a long time.”

Caitlyn hid a sense of relief in her bright smile.
Hadius always had a vague attitude about meeting Hannes, who will become his father-in-law. But he came so early and even played chess together!

“Did Hadius show you? The break-up agreement.”

Hannes, who was walking towards the auditorium, looked back with a smile.

“It was the first thing he showed me as soon as he arrived. I thought it was something useless when I first heard about it, but when I actually saw it, it seemed quite reasonable? He’s pretty good, he even solved the Trunia mine problem easily by himself. You can call him Duke Meyer right away.”
“Well, we will have to wait and see.”
“Why are you so stingy with your son? You should also know how to properly praise him.”

Hannes, who was squinting his eyes, rubbed his hands together in extreme anticipation.

“Now he just needs to meet Bianca.”

Caitlyn’s mouth shook slightly.

“I also want that, but I think it’s too early. You know, what happened with the parliament members a while ago.”
“Well, Hadius is dealing well with that. He’s doing well, silencing the public opinion first and not thoughtlessly going to the King and begging him. Thanks to that, talks about that country kid are gradually decreasing in the Rönenhalt Capitol. Is there any problem?”
“No, it’s not like that. I think it’s going well so far. Fortunately, that child also agreed to break the marriage without conditions. If there is one thing that bothers me… Is that it looks like they will soon go to some Countess’ ball together.”
“… A ball?”

Hannes suddenly frowned. No matter how much of a pretense it was, he was displeased with the fact that his future son-in-law would dance with his former fiancée.

While Caitlyn understood Hannes, on the other hand, it was unpleasant.
The Meyers are suffering from all sorts of accusations without doing anything wrong. It’s true that she can’t help him, but…

Perhaps aware of Caitlyn’s discomfort, Hannes quickly relaxed his stiffened mouth.

“Well, let’s put out the fire first and watch it.”

The two exchanged smiles again as if they had never done so.

When they arrived at the auditorium, Hadius approached them as if he had been waiting. The three shook hands and exchanged a friendly conversation. Then they went back to their respective seats and sat down.

Hannes deliberately placed the seats of the Reinen family far away from the Meyer family.
He decided that because he was conscious of the people. There is nothing good about rumors appearing that the Meyer family is openly socializing with the Reinen family during this extremely sensitive situation.

“The performance will begin in a moment. Please take your seats.”

The announcer rang the bell and the podium’s curtain was lifted. It was a small chamber orchestra composed of twenty people. The host, Hannes, introduced the performers, and the performance began after a loud applause.

Hadius leaned against the soft sofa and fell in love with the beautiful melody. Suddenly, he remembered the day of the heavy rain.

‘They call it an orchestra in Nowak’s social circles, right? From cello, violin, and even flute; that’s why I really wanted to go there. I want to listen to the performance.’

If Emilia hadn’t stormed out that day, she could have heard the orchestra she wanted so much. He was thinking of taking a walk in the botanical garden, having dinner, and going to a concert held in the garden.

But that day had gone wrong from the beginning.

‘Show me the break-up agreement first.’
‘I do not think it is necessary to do this much. Don’t tell me that you mean that I should pretend I like you?”

Shortly after signing the agreement, Hadius looked like he swallowed sand when he saw her face, which looked as satisfied as if she had the whole world. Everything he had constructed with great effort collapsed in a moment and returned to square one.

He had to do some crazy things just for that ball.
Yet, the cold and detached girl was still cold, still wary, and she still refused him.
With an indifferent look that said, ‘I don’t need you.’

He rather hoped that she was distressed. He wanted her to resent and hate. He hoped that it would be difficult, and she would be sad because of a man like him.
But also miss him like crazy.

The cold eyes letting go of their alertness and getting drenched with joy, the excitement and longing facing him, or maybe a look of admiration, whatever it is…

A lovely face that strengthens a man’s self-esteem.

The music stopped in an instant. Following the applause, one or two people started getting up from their seats.

Hadius greeted the crowd and left Regan Hall. The urgent steps stopped in front of Grozhang.

“You must go to Erndorf tomorrow and meet Miss Bern. At once.”
“Tomorrow?”
“That’s right. Go and tell her. Come to the Basilion House after three days.”
“Ah… Yes, I understand.”

Grozhang bowed his head first. But in his mind, he remembered Emilia Bern, who stormed out in a fiery rage.

“But, Young Master, what if the Young Lady refuses… What should I do? Should I forcefully bring her?”

Hadius got into the carriage and sat with his legs crossed. The gray pupils reflected on the window showed no agitation. Hadius’ answer came long after the carriage departed.

“Persuade her.”
“Sorry?”
“You are responsible for everything, including Miss Bern’s safety. Isn’t that so?”
“… Ah…”
“If it doesn’t work, tell her what Darrenton Hockney said. How Mitch Bern talked about me.”

Grozhang tilted his head, wondering what he meant; and soon his eyes opened wide.

“Miss Bern’s sense of responsibility is stronger than necessary. If you tell her that, she will be willing to come.”

***

The next day, Grozhang knocked on the door of the red brick house, as Hadius had ordered. It was not the small and beautiful golden-haired lady who opened the door, but the skinny younger brother covered in freckles.

As soon as the child heard the name ‘Hadius’, he growled and almost tried to kill Grozhang.

“Mitch! What are you doing to a guest?!”

If it wasn’t for Emilia, who rushed out, he thought he might have really been bitten.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Grozahng.”

Emilia was very sorry and politely apologized. Grozhang noticed that her face was noticeably somber.

It is natural. She’s exhausted and having a hard time because of her fiancé, who behaves like a crazy guy.

“But is something wrong? Did Young Master Meyer send you again?”
“Yes, the Young Master asked you to meet him in three days.”

A long sigh reached the ceiling. When Emilia faced Grozhang again, tiredness was evident in both her eyes.

“Please tell this to the Young Master. I’m sorry that I can’t see you due to some circumstances. I will be faithful to my duties as a fiancée at Mrs. Lüen’s ball, so it’s fine if we don’t meet anymore.”

This time, it was Grozhang’s turn to sigh.
Is he destined to get stuck in a sandwich again…

He accidentally got caught between the mother and son and became a double agent, but, the truth is, Grozhang is a competent aide from a prestigious royal school. He is also an ordinary breadwinner of a harmonious family.

But he’s threatening that soft-hearted Young Lady here.

“With all due respect, Young Lady, do you know exactly what happened before the commentary of ‘The Meyer Family’s Abandoned Fiancée’ came out?”
“What… Do you mean?”

As expected, her eyes turned round like a rabbit’s.

“Do you perhaps know parliament member Darrenton Hockney? His grandson is attending the same school as your younger brother.”

Emilia, who tilted her head, soon realized what he meant and slowly brought her hand over her mouth. Her shocked face glanced at her younger brother. The child, who was crouching in a chair by the window, shrugged as if asking what was wrong. Emilia faced Grozhang again.

“Don’t tell me… That child, what did he do wrong?”
“He may or may not have done something.”

Her eyes, which were cold and hardened, suddenly lost their strength and started trembling slightly. Emilia slammed the door behind her back.

“Please tell me the truth. What did my brother do?”