Cain's words —"You are lying if you say never ever"— resonated in Delilah's head like a bad omen. It took her a long time to return to her normal activities. She tried to concentrate on her work in the kitchen, but the echo of that phrase continued to haunt her stubbornly.
Time moved forward absurdly fast.
By the time the sky had already darkened, Raguel appeared in the kitchen with his usual carefree air. At that moment, the young Miss Billeter should be crossing the mansion's entrance with perfect punctuality. From the kitchen windows, the main dining room could be seen clearly, although it was not possible to hear what was happening inside.
Raguel pulled back the curtains without the slightest care and peeked shamelessly inside.
—Well... —he murmured with evident amusement while leaning a hand on the frame—. So the princess has arrived.
The movement left the view completely unobstructed... for Delilah as well. She hesitated for a moment, but finally ended up looking.
—You really are a shameless man!
Lucrecia's sudden voice made Delilah immediately pull away from the window. The expensive glass doll had followed the insolent brunette with the firm suspicion that she would find exactly that scene. For someone like her, meddling in the affairs of others was a vulgarity.
Raguel didn't even bother to move away. He remained leaning against the window with a carefree smile.
—Dear Lucrecia, you are always so serious —he said in a mocking tone, without looking away from the dining room—. If what you want is to know how the date between those two is going, don't be so modest.
Lucrecia frowned. For a moment, she seemed to regret having followed someone so irritating. To be lowered to an accomplice of that kind of curiosity was unworthy of her pride.
Finally, she directed her cold gaze toward Delilah.
The girl stood completely still.
Without another word, Lucrecia turned around and left the place with firm steps, as if she were not willing to waste another second on that spectacle.
When the glass doll disappeared down the hallway, the only thing that stood out again through the window panes was the beautiful figure of the duke's granddaughter.
Eilith Billeter.
She possessed beautiful eyes, bright and deep like the ocean. She was a tall, blonde young woman with pale and delicate skin. Even from a distance, her bearing clearly revealed the nobility of her origin.
Delilah then remembered Cain's words about rejecting her.
But it was hard to imagine that anyone could turn away from that woman's charm.
Not even she herself was able to look away from Eilith's curly blonde hair.
The granddaughter of Duke Billeter knew Cain's reserved personality well—the one hidden behind his discreet and casual smile. Perhaps that was why the encounter turned out differently from the start.
Formalities were inevitable, but Eilith spoke with surprising freedom. From the beginning, she steered the conversation toward her family, explaining her place within the aristocracy with pride. Her grandfather was the King's cousin and had established himself in Kevland by royal decree some years ago. As an only child, she had been sent by her parents to consolidate their position within the high nobility.
Cain knew that story perfectly well.
He listened with patience to everything the young woman wished to tell him. Even when the subject reached the birthday party at the Bathory mansion, Eilith continued speaking naturally, without demanding any explanation for his sudden disappearance.
—Perhaps I am mistaken —she finally said, slightly tilting her head while holding her glass—. I'm sorry... but I find it strange that Neil hasn't married any of his suitors. He seems like a ruthless man... and quite a womanizer.
Cain smiled discreetly. The comment was not directed at him, but it still sounded like an indirect reproach. After all, in that regard, he shared some similarities with Neil Bathory.
—If Eilith desires a secure marriage —he responded calmly, gently resting his glass on the table—, neither Neil nor I would be good candidates.
Eilith let out a small laugh.
—I know that very well.
She returned the smile while taking a small sip from her transparent glass. Then she rested the crystal on the table and looked at him directly.
—Do you find me attractive?
After delicately dabbing her red lips with a napkin, she dropped the question with total naturalness, as if the wine had given her a bit more confidence.
Cain did not hesitate.
—Yes. You are a beautiful woman.
The sincerity in his voice caused a faint blush to appear on the young woman's cheeks. She had heard countless compliments about her beauty throughout her life, but hearing them in that deep, serene voice gave them a completely different weight.
Eilith took a deep breath before continuing.
—I have come today to ask you for something.
Cain raised an eyebrow slightly, attentive.
—During Lady Lathasha's party... I want you to choose me as your companion.
The Marquise's name made Cain suddenly remember. Lathasha's birthday was near. The world of nobility was full of celebrations and social commitments; it was impossible to remember them all with precision.
—I know I am not in a position to demand anything —Eilith added softly—. I don't want to make you uncomfortable, either. I have no hidden motives... I just want a companion. At least for now.
Refusing before such an innocent face would be a true shame. It wasn't every day that one received such a direct invitation from a lady belonging to one of the highest branches of the nobility.
Cain smiled slightly.
—Miss Billeter, granddaughter of the Duke of Yuor... you are much more interesting than I imagined.
Eilith tilted her head with a small smile.
—If I don't invite you, I'm sure you never would.
—I haven't made any plans for that party —he responded calmly—. I am honored.
—Even if you were lying —she replied with a determined look—, it wouldn't change my decision to choose you as my companion.
Those words caused a slight tension in Cain's serene smile.
For an instant, he wanted to believe his perception was wrong.
But something in Eilith's tone made his expectations change inevitably.
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