When Pride Falls at Your Feet - Chapter 34

“In what way do you think we would be a good match?”

“I thought you seemed similar in your free-spirited nature. I felt you could have a very good relationship, pursuing what you want comfortably without constraining each other.”

“Free-spirited… That would suit our nephew better, wouldn’t it? Ah, but he can’t, having a fiancée, unless it’s a casual relationship.”

Alessandro’s lips trembled slightly. Though he was smiling, it felt like he was suppressing something.

“Haha, you’re still not good at jokes, I see.”

“I’m not joking though.”

Enrico muttered indifferently as he released the hand he was holding and wrapped his arm around her shoulder again. Emilia glanced at Enrico, seemingly preferring this to the uncomfortable position from earlier, then turned her gaze back to the front.

Alessandro’s light purple eyes somehow looked cloudy. Was it due to the shadow of the mask? Emilia tilted her head, noticing Alessandro looked a bit different from the kind appearance she had seen not long ago.

Are they on worse terms than expected? Though they addressed each other respectfully as ‘our uncle’ and ‘our nephew’, the atmosphere didn’t seem particularly good. While it wasn’t something for her to dwell on deeply, she found herself observing the two since it was happening right before her eyes.

“This wine is too sweet. Come to think of it, why a princess from the Kingdom of Carnet?”

Enrico instructed a servant to bring a non-alcoholic drink and picked up a wine glass from the tray. Slowly savoring the white wine in his mouth, Enrico soon frowned as if displeased and spoke.

“…I suppose in these times, nations need to unite to move forward.”

“Ah, unity. That’s a good pretext.”

The servant quickly brought a glass with a new drink and presented it to Enrico. Enrico handed the glass to Emilia while letting out a soulless exclamation.

“But wasn’t the Kingdom of Carnet where trains were first developed?”

“That’s correct, but.”

“I heard the parts manufacturing environment is well-established there too, so it must be quite helpful for automobile development. This must be quite fortunate for the Count.”

Alessandro furrowed his brow at the arbitrary change of topic. Count Valemont, suddenly finding himself the focus of Enrico’s gaze, widened his eyes revealing wariness.

“I apologize, but I’m not sure why you’re suddenly mentioning me.”

“Why are you pretending not to know now? I thought there wasn’t a place where rumors about the Count’s love for automobiles hadn’t spread.”

“Well… When doing business, it’s inevitable for rumors to leak out. But I’m curious why you’ve lumped automobiles and trains together.”

Count Valemont licked his parched lips with his tongue and smiled awkwardly. Watching him, Enrico laughed briefly.

“Cars have parts too. I asked thinking at least one material from trains might be used, but.”

Seeing Enrico bluntly admit to probing, Count Valemont forced an awkward smile with a dumbfounded expression.

“Ah… Probing- Haha.”

“And it wasn’t just leaked information. Count, were you actually planning to monopolize automobile investments by deliberately spreading information?”

“N-No, that’s not the case.”

“No need to hide it. I’m not particularly interested anyway. I considered investing a while back but gave up long ago since there were already investors. But the investor’s share must be quite large, did you receive a bond transfer or something?”

Enrico asked with a truly unconcerned expression. As if he didn’t care either way and was just curious about the process. After hesitating for a moment watching him, Count Valemont opened his mouth.

“That’s the plan soon.”

“Soon? So you haven’t received it yet. It would be a big problem if you don’t get it.”

“Ah, I can definitely receive it. Because I’ve given so much help.”

As the conversation progressed, Count Valemont’s tense face seemed to relax a bit, perhaps his wariness easing. Emilia quietly listened to their conversation, barely managing to organize her confused thoughts.

‘So they’re talking about transferring automobile investment shares now? Didn’t our parents have the largest share? Has that share been transferred to someone else?’

It seemed she needed to find out who was supposed to give that. The undisguised, dirty greed was clearly visible in Count Valemont’s eyes. Seeing how quickly he revealed his true intentions despite being cautious earlier, now seemed like the best time to ask something.

“You must have done them a great favor. With automobiles, the amount must be quite substantial.”

“Ah, without exaggeration, you could say I changed their life. So they won’t think anything they give me is too much. Hahaha.”

Count Valemont responded proudly to Emilia’s natural question.

Who on earth changed his life? Would she have to ask Enrico to investigate all of Valemont’s past actions? Outwardly she nodded, but inwardly she only raised her guard further against Count Valemont.

She wanted to ask directly who it was, but she doubted he would tell everything to someone whose identity wasn’t revealed, and she worried she might become suspicious if she asked, so her mouth closed automatically. It was disappointing that there wasn’t much she could find out directly despite boldly coming along.

Of course, it was good to hear these circumstances firsthand. If she hadn’t heard directly, she might have had to wait for Enrico to explain in parts, which could have taken much longer.

A strange atmosphere lingered briefly before Alessandro broke it first. He wore a gentle smile, the gloomy mood from earlier completely gone.

“Our greetings have gone on too long. I hope you enjoy your time.”

Emilia curtsied slightly as Alessandro bowed his head politely. Count Valemont also quickly paid his respects before disappearing swiftly towards a woman in one corner, wearing a lecherous smile.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

As Emilia couldn’t take her eyes off Count Valemont’s back, her scarf caught on Alessandro’s arm as he passed by. Feeling the thin fabric draped over her back and arms slipping down, she bent slightly to grab it, but hesitated at the quietly whispered voice.

“I have something to tell you. I’ll contact you on Sunday, Emilia.”

Alessandro called her name as he naturally picked up the scarf and brushed past her. As if he had known who she was all along.

Alessandro calmly returned the scarf, saying fortunately it hadn’t fallen to the floor, and left. It was so sudden that she was bewildered. How did he recognize me? Did my mask slip? She carefully touched her mask, fumbling.

‘It’s still in place… How on earth did he recognize me?’

Emilia lowered her hand and stared blankly at where Alessandro had been standing moments ago.

Enrico, who had been quietly observing Emilia’s slightly flustered appearance, removed his hand from her shoulder as he heard the music changing. Then he took her left hand and led her to the center of the ballroom.

Caught off guard and led by his hand, she realized they had entered among the dancing people and tried to escape, but it was too late. A subtle smile settled on Enrico’s lips.

“Smile. So others can see.”

There was not a hint of laughter in his narrowed eyes. Seeing his mood seemingly dampened for some reason, Emilia just sighed inwardly. Wondering if another sudden whim had struck.

‘What can I do? I’ll just have to do as he says.’

It was her loss anyway.

Emilia’s pink lips curved reluctantly. Immediately, his large hand wrapped around her slender waist and her delicate hand rested on his broad shoulder.

But as she drew close to him, she finally felt the gazes around them. The intense sound of music filled the ballroom endlessly, and people’s laughter steeped in pleasure mingled together, but even in this heated atmosphere, he was drawing people’s attention.

Even with the mask, it only covered around the eyes, so that alone wasn’t enough to hide his identity. His high nose bridge and sharp jawline seemed unusual. Moreover, his fitted suit did look better than others’.

‘Ah, this is troublesome…’

Mixed with the constant glances at him was curiosity about her as well. She could even hear people saying things like, clearly it’s Duke Michele, but who’s the woman with him?

Emilia pressed her face closer to his chest. Even with the mask on, she couldn’t help feeling uneasy. Although this wasn’t a place where all nobles were invited, so no one would recognize her as a ballet dancer, which lower classes were thought to do.

“…Isn’t it time we left?”

Emilia whispered very quietly so those dancing around wouldn’t hear. But whether he didn’t hear because of the music, or it was intentional, Enrico lowered his head and brought his face close. He even tilted his head slightly, in a pose that could be mistaken for kissing from afar.

“No, why are you coming so close!”

Emilia whispered as she pulled her head back again.

“I couldn’t hear you.”

He smirked as he spoke. Seeing that smile, she was certain he had heard and was doing this on purpose.