Chapter 18: Chapter 18

"The world is full of brown-haired men."

But what were the odds that a young man I met by chance, with similar proportions to the man in the skull mask, could also be him? The squared shoulders, the contours faintly visible through his shirt…

Judging his height, I replied, “I’m Doris Redfield. Everyone just calls me ‘Dori,’ so feel free to do the same, Rick.”

“Ah, I get it! My full name’s ‘Richard Ray,’ but the only time anyone uses that overly fancy name is when my superior’s furious at me.”

“Ha, same here. My parents only call me ‘Doris’ when they’re angry.”

“It’s a first for me to bond over fear with a lady I’ve just met, but it’s not bad. Next time, let’s make it a happier memory—”

“Rick, stop it. It’s not polite to joke around with someone who’s injured,” Maria interjected.

Even as he was cut off, Rick didn’t seem flustered. He simply offered a playful bow and stepped back.

Maria leaned closer, concern etched on her face.

“Is your leg okay? I heard it’s so bad you can’t even walk to the table on your own.”

“Where did you hear that?” I asked, already dreading the answer.

“Your mother mentioned it.”

Countess, please stop turning me into a fraudster!

I shook my head.

“It’s just some muscle strain from being stepped on a few times. It’s not interfering with my daily life.”

“Even if it was only a few times… for the young Duke, ‘a few times’ is probably the equivalent of someone else stepping on you a dozen times.”

“Pfft!”

Maria looked deadly serious, but I couldn’t help laughing.

“Well, the Duke does have a bit of a… solid build,” I said, attempting to compose myself.

“‘Solid’ might be an understatement. I wouldn’t be surprised if he could take down a wolf barehanded.”

Her critique was rather pointed, probably because they were childhood friends.

Time to probe a little.

“Oh my, is that so? I didn’t notice at the ball. It’s almost like you’ve seen him fight before.”

“Ah…”

“Come to think of it, the Duke tried to invite you to dance at the royal ball, didn’t he? You must have a connection.”

Maria’s face reddened with embarrassment. She seemed to be searching for a way to explain herself, but she didn’t need to. I wasn’t planning to spread strange rumors.

I decided to ease her nerves with a nonchalant tone.

“It must be reassuring to know someone at your debut ball. My first year was awful—I had no dance partner and didn’t even get to dance at all. It only gets harder to find partners if you miss the first chance.”

“Really?”

“Apparently, some men think dancing with an unpopular girl lowers their own popularity. That’s why brothers with sisters will sometimes make arrangements to swap dances as a kind of mutual favor.”

I froze briefly after saying favor, but Maria seemed to grasp the meaning from context.

“You don’t have a brother, do you?”

“No, I have two sisters. My eldest, Grace, is married, and Natalie and I are the ones participating in social events. How about you?”

“I’m envious. I don’t have any siblings. Though… when I was younger, I did stay at Frost Hill for a while and got to know the Duke.”

Got her! She admitted it outright.

“That’s a remarkable connection. You must’ve been happy to see an old friend.”

“Well… it was the first time I’d seen him since leaving Frost Hill at sixteen.”

“Oh, five years apart must’ve made things awkward.”

“Yes. We parted as friends, but I wasn’t sure how to approach him in a social setting.”

Maria emphasized the word friends.

Sure, sure. Even if you had your first kiss the day you parted, the world is vast, and friendships come in many forms. I’ll believe you.

I smiled and asked, “Maria, was the Duke a good friend to you?”

“Yes. His way of showing kindness was a bit clumsy, but he was a warm-hearted boy—ah, man.”

“In that case, couldn’t you become good friends again?”

“Well…”

I knew it wasn’t easy to repair relationships, but I wasn’t done yet.

“Very few people approach others with the intention of creating the worst possible relationship. The Duke was no exception; he must’ve had good intentions when he asked you to dance.”

“…”

“Besides, he has to protect the North. This might be his first and last social season, yet he chose to spend some of that precious time with you.”

“Ah…”

“Of course, he may have changed for the worse over the past five years. But if he once showed you warmth, couldn’t you give him a chance to prove himself again?”

Maria opened her lips, but it took a moment for her voice to follow.

“Actually… I’ve been so overwhelmed by rumors that I’ve been afraid to leave the house.”@@novelbin@@

“What kind of rumors?”

“That I was secretly the Duke’s mistress, or that I’m a villainess weighing Prince Tristan and the Duke against each other… all from attending just a few balls.”

“That’s awful.”

“I thought the entire social scene judged people only by romantic rumors, but…”

Maria lifted her gaze and looked directly at me, her blue eyes glimmering.

“…there are people like you. Someone who doesn’t judge the world by gossip alone but thinks about others’ feelings.”

A wave of embarrassment and gratitude washed over me.

I’m not that good of a person!

Unaware of my inner turmoil, Maria continued, “I actually owe you an apology. Because of the rumors about me and Prince Tristan, I worried that you might have the wrong impression of me.”

“Did you come here partly to clear up any misunderstandings, then?”

"That's right," Maria said with a shy smile.

"But I was worrying too much. I’d like to apologize for my shortcomings."

“Apologize? There’s no need for that! I would’ve been just as anxious in your position,” I replied.

“Thank you for understanding. Then… um…”

Maria hesitated for a moment, her cheeks turning redder than they had when talking about the young Duke earlier.

“This is the first time I’m saying this, so it’s a bit embarrassing… but could you be my friend?”

The novel’s ultimate angel had spoken.

Even though Maria wasn’t my favorite character, the sheer charm of her honesty and kindness as a beautiful heroine was overwhelming. I had to suppress my urge to enthusiastically nod like a maniac and instead answered calmly.

“Of course! Can I start calling you Maria now?”

“Yes… yes, of course, Dori… I.”

Wow, I never thought dropping formalities could feel this awkward.

Just as the awkward silence after our friendship declaration became unbearable, Rick chimed in with a teasing grin.

“Maria, you said I was your only friend in the capital, but now you’ve made another one?”

“I never said you’d be my only friend. Besides, everyone needs same-gender friends.”

“That’s disappointing. I’d put on a brave face and even visit dress shops for you if you asked.”

“No thanks. The only man visiting dress shops with me will be my husband.”

Rick’s eyebrows wiggled playfully, as if internally thinking, “Exactly, and that husband should be me.”

Rick Ray, the second lead destined to protect Maria from the shadows until the end.

Suddenly, Rick turned toward me and extended his hand for a handshake.

“A friend of a friend is a friend of mine. Shall we share more about each other—maybe starting with family?”

I declined smoothly but firmly, with a polite smile.

“Thank you for the thought, but I’m already engaged. I’d prefer to keep our acquaintance at a pleasant exchange of greetings.”

“Sharp and decisive, Lady Doris. Got it.”

Rick didn’t seem offended in the least, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender as he stepped back.

His gaze shifted right back to Maria.

“Take notes.”

“On what?”

“City ladies are direct like this. Unlike when we were at the Meyer estate, where you’d run around with anyone—ow!”

“That’s ancient history, Rick!”

Maria twisted his cheek with an embarrassed flush, while Rick’s bright grin didn’t falter. The fate of the second lead pining silently for the heroine…

Maria turned to me, her face still red.

“Sorry—no, I mean, I’m sorry… or, just… sorry.”

Her growing flustered charm was too precious to keep to myself.

“No need for apologies. By the way, are you free this afternoon? If you’re not busy, why not stay for lunch?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t mind, but wouldn’t that trouble your family?”

“My parents won’t be back until later this afternoon, and my sister’s just having a simple meal in her room.”

“Well, if that’s the case…”

Maria glanced at Rick for confirmation, and, of course, Rick nodded so enthusiastically it seemed he might sprain his neck.

The maids, far from being startled by the unannounced guests, quickly prepared a proper lunch. Judging by their smiles and the glances they stole at Rick, his cheerful demeanor and good looks were probably working in his favor.

After lunch, Rick ushered Maria into the parlor and then returned, asking if there was anything he could help with.

The expected response would’ve been, “You’re a guest, so please relax while we bring out some tea.”

But I’m here to defy expectations.

“Could you help prepare the tea?” I asked.

“…Pardon?”

“I’m not sure what tea or cookies our guests would prefer, and since my leg makes it hard to choose properly…”

Faced with my reasoning, Rick couldn’t refuse.

As we slowly opened and sniffed through the tea tins, the maid rushed in with news I’d been waiting for.

“My lady, the young Duke of Frost Hill has arrived!”

“Oh, how timely. Please let him know I’ll bring tea to the parlor shortly and ask him to wait there.”

“Understood.”

The maid scampered off, while Rick suddenly looked uneasy.

“But Maria’s alone in the parlor right now, isn’t she? Won’t it be awkward for them? Shouldn’t I go back?”

“Awkward guests sometimes need a moment to bond. Let’s take our time selecting the cookies, shall we?”

“Cookies too? Hmm… something everyone would like…”

Rick began picking cookies at random while I metaphorically popped popcorn in my mind, straining my inner ear toward the parlor.