When Pride Falls at Your Feet (19 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 22

Emilia swallowed a sigh inwardly as she stepped into the carriage. During rehearsals, she’d been too focused to notice, but the moment the ballet company’s schedule ended, her body felt achy and weak—far from normal. Could she be coming down with a fever?

Though her body shivered with cold, cold sweat kept beading on her forehead. At least her ankle wasn’t hurting as it had that morning, but of all days to feel this way—it had to be the day she was meeting Enrico. It felt as if everything were going wrong.

She needed her body to obey her properly; she worried he’d be displeased. This wasn’t a personal date—it was business.

She certainly wouldn’t skip the stage just because she felt slightly unwell, and knowing his usual temperament, he’d likely scold her harshly for failing to take proper care of herself.

Her eagerness to uncover the truth about her parents as soon as possible merged with her reluctance to give him any reason to criticize her.

‘Besides, it’s too late to say I’ll rest today—we’re already almost there…’

Emilia gazed out the window at the scenery rushing past, her face clouded with worry. Though she wished the carriage would slow down today, it paid no heed to her pace and swiftly arrived at Duke Michele’s mansion.

“You’ve come.”

But why was Enrico standing outside the mansion? Unlike his usual habit of waiting in the reception room, his smooth, composed face greeted her the moment the carriage door opened, catching her slightly off guard.

“…Your Grace.”

“Get down.”

Enrico extended his hand as if urging her to take it. Emilia hesitated for a moment, but seeing no way around him, she finally grasped his hand. Feeling the gentle yet firm pressure of his fingers around hers, she stepped down from the carriage with conflicting emotions.

‘This feels strangely uncomfortable.’

Since the day she’d shamefully shed tears in front of him, they’d had no real interaction. He never brought up that incident and continued watching her dance as usual before sending her home—so perfectly detached.

Though they didn’t share meals every time, he’d usually exchange a word or two; his unusual silence now left an odd unease she couldn’t shake.

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