He let out a low laugh, that husky, alluring voice of a young man making my mind spin even more. Jason had just finished chatting with his friends; when he turned back and saw me looking sleepy, he couldn't stop himself from raising a hand to his forehead. He didn't see the two hands intertwined behind our backs, only glanced toward Nick, who sat upright and proper but whose eyes lacked focus, and said:
"Take your sister for a walk in the garden. Nodding off here must be uncomfortable."
Nick's entire attention was wrapped around me. When he suddenly heard someone speak to him, it took him a long moment to process it. Only after staring blankly at Jason did the information slowly settle into his mind, and he reluctantly nodded.
Jason sighed, called Gita over with a few instructions, and then the three of us, master and attendants left the hall together.
Our departure didn't cause a stir, but it was enough to catch the eyes of three people.
In the small garden, Gita supported me as I walked slowly ahead; Nick crossed his arms, a faint smile resting on his lips as he strolled beside me.
My head felt light, yet my thoughts were surprisingly clear.
Idris Martin, the eldest son of the Minister of Defense, my fiancé from my previous life was the man who had just stood across from me.
I didn't understand why seeing him again brought such a different feeling… Perhaps it was simply that my heart had changed.
In my past life, I felt nothing in particular for Idris. I had barely met him. When the Martin family proposed, my parents agreed, and I had no objections, after all, I had to marry someone, and since I had no one I liked, marrying anyone was the same.
But in this life, I had no intention of marrying. I could live my whole life as the old maiden of the Johnston household; and at worst, return to the convent and rely on the nuns. After all, Nick… would always stay by my side.
Nick…
I stopped walking, a sudden ache blooming inside.
Eventually, Nick would have to marry. How could he stay my little brother forever? I shouldn't be so selfish.
With that thought, I lowered my gaze, staring blankly at the fallen petals on the ground.
Nick panicked a little; he bent down, worry filling his eyes as he looked straight into mine.
"Sis Judy, are you unhappy?"
My heart twisted. I looked at him and reached out to gently rub his head.
Nick had always been sensitive to my emotions. Nick was so good… how could I ever bear to let him go? I had to admit at this moment, it was my own selfish desire that brought me shame.
Pure sunlight, full of warmth, that was what I longed for.
"You've grown up, Nick." I sighed softly.
"Mhm. When I'm grown, I can protect you."
His eyes seemed to pierce straight through, glowing with unwavering resolve.
"Whoever hurts you, I'll kill them."
I laughed, not taking it seriously.
"Don't talk nonsense."
Nick pressed his lips together, slowly raising his hand, wanting to place it over mine… and right then, a sharp, mocking voice sliced through the air:
"Well well, Octavia, seems like we've interrupted someone's good business!"
A shrill, malicious voice shattered the hazy moment between us.
Nick spun around instantly, his hawk-sharp eyes releasing a chilling glint a stare like a soul-reaping specter from the underworld, promising that the offender would one day be bound and unable to move.
I turned my gaze toward the source of the remark.
Not far away stood two young ladies draped in luxurious formal gowns each with a distinct presence, different yet equally sharp.
One wore a tight crimson gown, the glossy silk clinging like liquid against her skin. The high slit revealed long ivory legs, while the deep neckline flaunted delicate collarbones and a full bosom. Her hair cascaded in voluminous waves, like a dark river scented with expensive night-blooming flowers. Her makeup was razor-sharp and meticulous, thick lashes, winged eyeliner stretching long, and lips painted a wine-dark red that could kill with a single glance.
Beside her stood Octavia, striking in an entirely different way. She wore a midnight-violet gown that hugged her figure, its tailored lines highlighting her slim waist and elegant curves. Silver-white jewels shimmered along her neck and wrists, glowing like a gentle meteor shower with every step she took. Her face was flawless silky foundation, cool-toned blush, and a touch of glitter at the outer corners of her eyes that made her gaze sharp and aristocratic, beautiful to the point of being frightening.
One burned like fire.The other glowed like the moon.
But both were stunning, razor-edged, and dangerous, enough to make anyone wary.
Old acquaintances.
I offered a light smile, bowed politely first, then said:
"I wonder which noble house you belong to, my lady so impressive, recognizing our identities with just one glance."
I gently tugged Nick behind me.
The moment my hand brushed his, the killing aura around Nick vanished instantly. His eyes softened as he looked at me.
"I'm merely admiring flowers with my younger brother. I wasn't expecting praise for our sibling affection, but I didn't realize that, in your eyes, the royal inner courtyard is apparently a place for… illicit affairs? I'm not foolish enough to choose such a public spot to do anything indecent, unless such thoughts are always on one's mind?"
"Or perhaps… in your world, whenever a man and a woman stand together alone, it must mean they're doing something? I'm curious where that comes from surely you must've witnessed a great deal."
The girl in the red dress turned pale, her lips trembling.
Earlier in the banquet, Octavia had pulled her away in a hurry as if chasing someone. When she saw me now, she recognized me as the person who had made Octavia frown earlier. As a loyal lapdog, she wanted to mock me… only to run headfirst into a wall.
I had no intention of being gentle. My lips curved into a mocking smile, and my eyes were filled with disdain.
"It's strange how a lady like you has less decorum than someone like me, raised outside the estate. Nick, what was that phrase our civics teacher used to always tell us?"
"Don't judge a book by its cover," Nick replied without missing a beat. Then, with earnest helpfulness, he added,"Or else… loose lips sink ships."
I slapped a hand over his mouth in shock, waving the other hand rapidly.
"Sorry, my little brother's still young and can't control his mouth. If he said something careless, please overlook it for the sake of his age."
The girl in red nearly lunged at us to tear us apart, but Octavia, who had been silent all this time lifted a hand to stop her.
Octavia had caught the key detail: a girl raised outside her family's main house.
It only took her a second to piece together my background.
Calmly, she said:
"Gideon, we were in the wrong first. Apologize to the young lady and young master."
Gideon's eyes nearly split apart. Her heart was full of resentment, but she didn't dare defy Octavia. She bowed reluctantly:
"Sorry… it was my fault."
I didn't bother caring. A half-hearted apology from her meant nothing. She was the petty, vindictive kind, exactly the sort who would spread gossip. I wanted to use her own mouth to shape how others saw me.
A Marquis's daughter making sharp-tongued retorts? Perfect.
Octavia had intended to form ties with the Johnston family, but now was clearly the wrong time. After a few words, they left.
The encounter might have been uncomfortable for Octavia, but I felt pleasantly refreshed.
For as they turned their backs, I distinctly heard Gideon mutter through clenched teeth:
"She has the manners of a barnyard animal."