Now that the exchange of gifts was over, it was time to listen to Gabriel’s violin performance.

Kisa sat in her designated seat, separate from the guest area, and stared blankly at her wrist.

‘A bracelet.’

How much money did Seyerd spend on this sparkling diamond bracelet?

Knowing his spending habits, Kisa was almost afraid to ask.

From their few dates, Seyerd wasn’t particularly fond of shopping itself, but he didn’t hold back when spending money.

As he had said before, he seemed intent on draining the Hillan family’s fortune.

‘Well, seeing that his secretary Gilliam is beside him and not stopping him, it probably won’t actually happen.’

Perhaps the one that should be afraid is the vast fortune of the Hillan family.

Kisa glanced sideways at Seyerd’s left arm resting on the armrest to her right.

The black cufflinks she had prepared as a gift stood out starkly against the white cloth.

‘It really suits him well.’

When she first saw those cufflinks while looking for a gift for him, she felt they were made for Seyerd.

Although they were top-quality black diamonds that cost a bit more than the generous budget provided by Count Vanspelt, so uncharacteristically of him, Kisa had to use up all her saved allowance…

Seeing them adorning his wrists so elegantly as Seyerd rested his chin on his hand like this, they were worth every penny and more.

Oh no, did she stare too obviously? Their eyes met as he turned his head to the side.

“Kisa.”

He called softly, reaching out to take her right arm resting on the armrest.

Looking at the wrist adorned with the bracelet he had gifted, Seyerd smiled and asked,

“Do you like it?”

Embarrassed at being caught staring at him, Kisa replied in a somewhat brusque tone.

“You asked me that before.”

They had confirmed what gifts they had prepared for each other before the engagement ceremony.

At that time too, Seyerd had asked if she liked the bracelet, and Kisa had said yes.

“But I’ve never seen you wear a bracelet until now.”

She was a bit surprised. Who knew he would remember such details.

“You’re right. Actually…”

After hesitating for a moment, Kisa honestly confessed.

“I’ve never really been comfortable wearing bracelets.”

Unlike necklaces, rings, or earrings, she felt oddly constricted when wearing bracelets.

To exaggerate a bit, it was like feeling like a prisoner in shackles.

For that reason, Kisa had naturally stopped wearing bracelets at some point.

She never bought them with her own money, and even when gifted by others, she would only wear them a few times in front of that person before putting them away in storage.

To be honest, she was quite troubled when she found out Seyerd’s gift was a bracelet.

Not wanting to disappoint him after he had chosen a gift for her, she didn’t show it outwardly.

“I see, so that’s how it was.”

Seyerd silently stroked the bracelet he had gifted with his finger for a moment.

Worried that he might be truly disappointed, Kisa didn’t even realize he was still holding her arm.

“Are you disappointed?”

“Disappointed? It’s my fault for giving you something you don’t prefer.”

“Um, Seyerd.”

Kisa couldn’t help but call his name.

Actually, she had been wondering about something since he asked about the bracelet earlier.

“But why did you give me a bracelet? Didn’t you know that I don’t wear bracelets?”

A faint smile appeared on Seyerd’s face at Kisa’s question.

“That’s why.”

“Pardon?”

“I gave it to you because you seemed to dislike bracelets.”

What does that mean? Just as Kisa was about to ask, Seyerd put his index finger to his lips.

Then, the sound of a violin filled the hall.

Gabriel, who had finished preparing and taken his place on the stage, had begun his performance.

His skill was as excellent as ever, but even after quite some time had passed since the start of Gabriel’s performance that Kisa loved so much, she couldn’t fully concentrate on it.

Seyerd’s last words kept bothering her.

Almost an hour later, the scheduled performance came to an end.

People responded with even more enthusiastic applause than when Kisa and Seyerd had exchanged gifts.

Waves of emotion washed over many faces.

Some said it was the best performance they had ever heard from Gabriel.

“It was quite good.”

Even Seyerd, who hadn’t given much of an evaluation during the quartet performance and rehearsal, saying he didn’t know much about music, praised it to that extent.

…Though someone had only started properly hearing the music towards the end because of him.

Could he possibly imagine that this performance was Gabriel’s farewell, sorting out his feelings for her?

“Kisa?”

Seyerd tilted his head, seemingly puzzled by Kisa’s lack of reaction.

“Is something wrong?”

Is he really asking because he doesn’t know? Feeling a bit upset, Kisa asked bluntly.

“What did you mean by those words earlier?”

Thanks to Gabriel’s excellent performance, the guests were busy sharing their impressions for a while, and the couple’s conversation was buried in the commotion.

“Which words?”

“You said you gave me the bracelet because I dislike them.”

Seyerd wouldn’t know how many thoughts had bloomed and withered in Kisa’s mind while Gabriel played the violin continuously without a break.

Deliberately giving something she dislikes as a gift, it couldn’t be interpreted as having a good meaning.

Had he grown to dislike Kisa? If so, why?

Because she only received help but couldn’t be of much help herself? Because he got tired of her frustrating personality? Or had she unknowingly made some mistake?

If there was a reason, she wanted to know. If she could fix it, she wanted to.

She didn’t want to be hated by him if possible.

“Ah, you mean that.”

Unaware of her anxious feelings, Seyerd spoke with a relaxed attitude.

“You don’t need to worry about it. There wasn’t any deep meaning behind it.”

“…I still want to know.”

Muttering that it really wasn’t a big deal, he lowered his voice and asked.

“Then shall we exchange? Like the gifts.”

“Exchange what?”

“I’ll tell you what you’re curious about, and you tell me what I’m curious about.”

“Is there something you’re curious about me?”

“Of course.”

After briefly answering, Seyerd glanced at the person still on the stage.

“For example, the personal worries that Gabriel Williams told you about?”

“What?”

“I’m quite curious.”

He met Kisa’s eyes again.

“Will you tell me, Kisa?”

No emotion could be read from his reddish-brown eyes.

How long did the silence last? Suddenly, Kisa answered in a subdued voice.

“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you that. It’s Gabriel’s private life.”

“You’re very loyal.”

“It’s not about loyalty, I just don’t want to be someone who carelessly talks about other people’s business.”

Otherwise, she would be no different from Melissa, whom Kisa had been so disappointed in.

However, apart from that, she couldn’t help but feel regretful that she wouldn’t be able to hear Seyerd’s true thoughts.

But then, Seyerd spoke in an ordinary tone, neither particularly disappointed nor angry.

“I’ll tell you.”

Kisa looked at him with wide, surprised eyes.

“You’ll tell me?”

“Yes, I said it was really nothing. This could be the answer.”

He grasped Kisa’s wrist wearing the bracelet.

“I thought you would continue to wear the bracelet like this, even if you disliked it.”

“…What does that mean?”

“It means exactly what it sounds like. Kisa is a kind and loyal person. I could predict that even if it was a bracelet you disliked, you would faithfully wear it if it was given as an engagement gift.”

“Is that a reason?”

“Such a bracelet is unique, isn’t it? No one else has given you one, and probably won’t in the future. A one-of-a-kind, special gift.”

After saying that, Seyerd showed a sheepish expression.

“Well, that doesn’t mean I want you to wear that bracelet all the time. No matter how shameless I am, I can’t ask for that. I’d just be happy if you adorned your wrist with it occasionally.”

Kisa looked at him with a dazed feeling.

He was the usual Seyerd she knew.

The man who stood up from his seat said with a familiar smile.

“It’s time for the joyous reception.”

Shortly after the reception began, Kisa returned to her room to change into her third dress.

Since the early part of the reception was just a time for guests to have a free meal together, she could change more leisurely than before.

The dress she was going to wear this time was an apricot-colored dress that gave off a lively impression, in contrast to the modest first dress and the elegant second one.

Lily, who helped her dress, complimented that it suited her really well this time too.

“Thank you. Then let’s go back.”

On the way back to the banquet hall with her, Kisa organized her thoughts.

To be honest, she couldn’t quite understand Seyerd’s explanation.

If it were Kisa, even if she wanted to give a special gift, she wouldn’t have thought to give something the recipient didn’t like.

‘But well, I guess it could be that way.’

How could everyone’s values be the same?

As long as he wasn’t lying, the important thing was that he still held goodwill towards Kisa.

Seyerd was still kind and affectionate as ever.