<b>16.</b>


    Erce immediately regretted going out today, as her once the pleasant mood was now ruined.


    How surprising that we would all meet here like this.”


    She heard an elegant voice as she was walking towards a disy stand. She turned her head towards the ominous sound to see a very unwee woman.


    Despite Erce’s mood, she disyed a smile on her face. She made it appear as if this idental meeting was a pleasant surprise.


    “It’s nice to see you, Duchess. What a coincidence!”


    She didn’t expect to see the Duchess of Garten here. She even already got her hands on the ne that Erce wanted to buy. Erce rebuked herself for not noticing Mrs. Genia’s troubled tone.


    “Goodness! You’re Bernhardt’s son, right?”


    The Duchess looked at Vicente in awe. She wasn’t pretending but was actually surprised. Instead of feeling proud, she sighed. She was worried that her efforts to make the Duchess lose interest in Vicente would go to waste.


    But the Duchess had already seen Vicente, and Erce was forced to introduce her son.


    “That’s right. He’s my son. Vicente, greet the Duchess of Garten.”


    “Greetings to Duchess of Garten. I’m Vicente Bernhardt.”


    The Duchess checked Vicente from head to toe as he greeted politely. Erce felt terrible because it seemed like evaluating merchandise.


    “I can’t believe I’m seeing the rumored Young Lord here. I must be lucky.”


    “You praise me too much.”


    It was a short answer, but the Duchess’ face brightened as if she was satisfied with something. She wasn’t happy with his stringent answer, but she seemed to like Vicente’s appearance quite a bit.


    “The Young Lord looks just like the Duke.”


    “I heard I resemble him a lot.”


    “Can you believe I almost thought you were the Duke himself?”


    Vicente really resembles Harsen. From his appearance to his disposition. However, the Duchess was pointing out that he had no resemnce to Erce. Erce smiled more brightly and took on a carefree attitude.


    “He’s his son after all.”


    “Yes, of course, children resemble their parents.”


    Then the Duchess lightly shouted ‘Ah!’ as if she had forgotten something, and gestured to the girl next to her toe forward.


    “I wanted to introduce you two. You’re here just in time. Come here.”


    A girl with a floralce headband approached them in graceful steps.


    “Say your greetings, Olivia. This is the Duchess of Bernhardt.”


    The Duchess hade with her daughter Olivia. The 16-year-old girl, who looked a little smaller than the average girls her age, lightly grabbed her skirt and bowed her knees. She looked even smaller with her head bowed.


    “It’s nice to meet you, Duchess Bernhardt. I’m Olivia Garten. I’ve always wanted to meet you, so it’s an incredible honor to meet you like this.”


    Erce had never talked with her before but had sometimes seen her in social gatherings. So she’s 16 now. Lady Olivia has matured beyond her age. And she’s more polite than I thought. Erce saw that the Duchess had a triumphant smile on her.


    <em>She’s well educated.</em>


    The “education” Erce mentioned at the tea partyst time must have bothered her a lot. Erce conceived that and put on a generous smile.


    “Rather the honor is all mine. It is I who’s happy to meet her Ladyship. You must have followed your mother?”


    It was certainly a very friendly tone when she thought about it. Suddenly, she felt sorry for Vicente. I wish I had done this with him before.


    “Yes, my mother decided to give me a blue sapphire ne as a gift for reaching adulthood. What brings the Duchess here?”


    Erce was in a bind at Olivia’s innocent question. She couldn’t say that she came to buy the very gift she was going to receive. Her pride never allowed it. So Erce pretended to have never been interested in the blue sapphire in the first ce.


    “I came to see the ne. I can’t believe you chose blue sapphire as a gift. I can feel the Duchess’ love for her Ladyship.”


    “Hmm.”


    The Duchess made an ambiguous sound. The quick-witted Duchess seemed to have noticed that Erce was pretending.


    Why did she stop by a jewelry store in broad daylight? The Duchess had already caught her, but she decided to continue with the pretense.


    “Yes, I just saw it and it was bright and beautiful. I’m so lucky.”


    Speaking of which, I wonder what it looks like in person. However, Erce had to try hard to ignore the Duchess’ strange smile. It’s good tough, but why are youughing on your own? Erce grumbled inside.


    “Oh my, Olivia. Is it that good?”


    “Of course, Mother. I love it!”


    Olivia giggled like a girl. She had a lovely smile. It was obviously a pretentious smile mixed with her very personal feelings for her mother.


    Just then Olivia looked at Vicente and greeted him.


    “Oh my. It seems my greetings are long overdue. It’s nice to meet you, Young Lord. This is our first time meeting, right?”


    A pretty face and a soft voice. Her first impression was so good that had she not heard the rumors about her, she would have liked the girl.


    Erce peeked at Vicente. Despite her lovely smile, Vicente remained the same.


    “That’s right, Your Ladyship.”


    The smile on Olivia’s face instantly disappeared. She got herself into this but was embarrassed by his cold reaction.


    Erce understood Olivia’s embarrassment, so she spoke brightly. She also thought that she should teach Vicente how to treat a Lady. He might get in trouble if he treatsdies like this at social events.


    “Her Ladyship must be excited. You’re bing an adult soon. How are you feeling?”


    Olivia’s expression brightened again, when Erce, who was secretly distancing herself, showed interest in her.


    “I love it, madam! My father promised to hold a grand ceremony for me. I’m so excited that so many people wille and celebrate mying-of-age.”


    That’s right. She may look precocious, but she’s still a child. Erce was also full of expectations for hering of age ceremony at that age.


    And her father met Erce’s expectations and held a granding-of-age party. He called important nobles of each region, and even more, the nobles of Ludelsia, her mother’s native country, were also invited.


    It was a huge event for a 16-year-old’sing-of-age party, considering that the partysted for two consecutive days due to so many invitees.


    <em>Now that I think about it, wasn’t it too much?</em>


    Somehow, she began to understand Harsen and Vicente’s reaction to the meal. She remembered how she couldn’t enjoy the party because she had to keep on greeting distinguished guests.


    At that time, Erce was fine with all that, but clearly that it would be hard for Vicente. Erce decided to reconsider bringing the nobility of other countries to Vicente’sing-of-age ceremony. No matter how splendidly I hold the party, it’s meaningless if Vicente doesn’t like it.


    “Of course. I’m sure you’ll be congratted by a lot of people. I also look forward to Her Ladyship’sing-of-age ceremony.”


    “Thank you, Your Grace.”


    Shortly afterward, Mrs. Genia stepped down the stairs after wrapping the ne that the Duchess had bought. The Duchess took the case and spoke to Erce.


    “I’m afraid we have to go now. I have a tight schedule.”


    <em>I’d love it if you leave</em>.


    “Alright.”


    “Goodbye, then.”


    Erce could finally smile, after sending off both the mother and daughter without hesitation. Phew, she sighed when she sensed a gaze. She turned her head and saw Vicente staring at her.


    Do you want to say something?


    ***


    The Duchess’s forehead was wrinkled. Olivia grabbed the hem of her skirt and shook it. The Duchess stroked Olivia’s head.


    “Do you like it?”


    “You mean the ne?”


    Olivia smiled vaguely.


    “You know what I’m talking about, don’t change the subject. He must not be to your liking. What is your father thinking?”


    “I do like him. For a change, I like Father’s decision.”


    “But-”


    “Perhaps, are Duchess Bernhardt’s words from the other day still weighing on your mind? You know, mother. I’m not afraid of whatever education that woman ns on giving me. She didn’t even look that intelligent in person. You can rest assured. I’m your daughter after all. And it seems mother had taken a liking to Bernhardt’s Young Lord, isn’t that right?”


    The Duchess opened her fan and covered her mouth. She recalled the previous meeting. She was definitely fine with the son.


    He was calm, had great looks, and a good family. There were no faults. It was annoying that the young man was cheeky, but it couldn’t be helped since he was the only son.


    And as her daughter said, what can a woman, who lives on other people’s support, even do? It will probably be just an unsightly admonition. My daughter wouldn’t let it slide. In that case, my husband’s decision was not bad. The Duchess smirked.


    “I, too, am fine with the son.”


    Olivia’splexion brightened up.


    “Then-”


    “Yes, your father will take care of everything. Don’t worry, my daughter.”


    “Can I think of the Young Lord as mying-of-age gift?”


    “Sure.”


    “I’m overjoyed, mother.”


    Olivia smiled brightly.


    ***


    As soon as Erce was about to ask Vicente, Mrs. Genia approached. She drooped her eyebrows, revealing her embarrassment.


    “If, by chance, you’re here to see the blue sapphire ne…”


    “Not at all.”


    Erce smiled and shook her hand. Mrs. Genia still seemed reluctant. However, she no longer mentioned the word blue sapphire. She knew that if she kept on talking about a sold-out item, it’ll only hurt Erce.


    “What would you like to see?”


    “Show us apiszuli.”


    Her conscience began to feel bad for Erce, who even brought up a jewel she wasn’t interested in.


    Even if Mrs. Genia had apiszuli crafted, Erce, who had all kinds of jewelry, would not have been interested.


    She decided to end her empty praise. Mrs. Genia also quietly grabbed the jewelry box, as if she knew I wasn’t interested in the jewelry she offered.


    “Please, let us knowter if you are interested in something, madam. You can ce an order.”


    “I will.”


    “Oh, and did you hear the news?”


    As Mrs. Genia whispered in secret, Erce listened.


    “What do you mean?”


    “I heard people from the capital are going missing these days.”


    Corresponding to her serious voice, the expression disappeared from Mrs. Genia’s face. Erce felt a chill run through her spine.


    “The capital should be a ce with good security. Is that true?”


    “I don’t know exactly if they are missing or ran away from home, but…”


    “…….”


    “Three or four people have already disappeared. Madam should also be careful since most of the missing people are women.”


    Erce gulped. People disappearing from the capital. How can they kidnap a person from the capital when the guards are walking around? I can’t believe it but Mrs. Genia’s sincere voice sounded true. When Mrs. Genia saw Erce’s stiff face, she smiled gently.


    “It could be just a rumor.”


    Still, as long as I’ve heard it, I’ll feel ufortable.


    “Then I’ll be going.”


    Erce took Vicente out of the jewelry store without hesitation. After walking for a long time, she found out that she had been walking all this time, holding Vicente’s hand. Erce was surprised to see the hand she grasped.


    “Sorry! I didn’t know.”


    Erce hurriedly withdrew her hand and apologized. Even though she knew he didn’t like her touching him, she seemed to have unknowingly held his hand in a hurry to go out. Erce asked carefully, calming her nervousness.


    “Did I make you ufortable?”


    “It’s all right.”


    Vicente looked unexpectedly fine.


    “Hmm.”


    However, from her experience, he was more likely to say it was okay even if it wasn’t, so she remained suspicious. Vicente repeated his words once again as if he had read Erce’s thoughts.


    “I’m really fine. Rather is mother okay?”


    Instead, he’s even worried about her. Even though Erce didn’t know what he was worried about. Vicente continued.


    “You couldn’t buy what you wanted.”


    Ah. I wondered why he was staring at me, and I guess he was worried that she couldn’t buy the ne.


    Were you paying attention? Then this was gratifying. If he cares for her like that, it’s okay to not be able to buy a ne several times. Her sinking mood suddenly began to improve.


    “It’s fine. I can buy itter! I think it’s too early to go back like this. Should we drop by a bookstore?”


    There was no book she wanted to buy, but Vicente would be bored at Erce’s favorite destinations. I like reading books, so a bookstore would be the perfect ce to spend some more time without any problems.


    “We should.”


    Vicente replied, recalling what had happened earlier. Erce’s attitude towards Lady Garten was really friendly. It would be believable if it were said she was her real daughter.


    He had an idea as to why people around him called Erce friendly. From tone to facial expressions, it was clearly different from when she dealt with Vicente.


    But it didn’t feel as strange as he thought it would. Of course, she was warmer and kinder dealing with the Lady than when dealing with him, but he felt something distinct in that gap.


    Somehow, it seemed that Erce treated him more sincerely. However, he could not figure out why he thought that.


    I don’t like this chapter, hmph!