Creed looked around calmly, as if nothing had happened.
"What's the matter, Shile?"
Even with his back to the sun, Creed's features were strikingly distinct.
Every part of him, a creature created by the gods, seemed to transform the surroundings merely by his presence.
For example, it felt as if they were not inside a train returning to the capital but in the middle of a grand ball at the Imperial Palace.
Lieutenant Shile was momentarily lost in his superior's beauty, still unaccustomed to it.
It wasn't just the lieutenant.
Anyone who saw Creed for the first time, or even regularly, would have the same reaction to his neatly combed bangs and newly tailored black uniform.
"Lieutenant Shile, your response?"
Creed called again, his voice cold.
The lieutenant, startled, straightened up quickly.
"I'm sorry!"
"Never mind. What's the matter?"
"We're about to arrive in the capital, sir. I came to tell you to get ready. Here's your cloak."
As a triumphant general, Creed had to ride from the train to the palace with a ceremonial escort in a grand procession.
"Just leave it."
"Yes, sir! Rest well!"
The well-disciplined lieutenant quickly placed the box on the table and disappeared.
Creed glanced at the box before turning his gaze to the window.
His sharp nose cutting through the sunlight and firmly closed lips exuded a masculinity uncharacteristic of a young man just reaching adulthood.
He pulled out a letter from his pocket. It was the most recent one from Navia.
The corners of the letter were worn from how often he had read it.
He pressed his lips to the red seal of the Eseled crest, lost in uncounted, unfulfilled confessions and kisses never to reach their intended.
"I miss you."
He longed to see her soon.
His eyebrows, meticulously drawn, twisted slightly with longing for Navia.
His eyes, deep with shadow, and the icy brilliance within spoke of a swirling intensity of emotion.
The young boy who had realized his love had grown into a man. The distance only made his feelings grow as much as he had.
He felt he couldn't bear it if he saw Navia in this state.
'But I must endure. My feelings are different from hers...'
Creed hid his emotions behind a composed expression.
It was okay to be loved as a brother.
Navia's affection for him was real, and he would quench his deep thirst with it.
Creed opened the box with the cloak with a heavy heart.
The train had already arrived in the capital.
* * *
"Lady?"
The capital was ecstatic with news of the victory and the army's return.
Meanwhile, Famille Department Store was hosting an exquisite party for VIP guests.
A young man, who had received an official invitation, called out to a woman walking ahead.
"You dropped your handkerchief."
He enjoyed the feel of the simple yet fine fabric as he waited for her to turn around.
The woman stopped and turned around.
The man was speechless, his breath caught.
"Ah, thank you, sir."
Her mysterious silver hair, delicate crimson eyes, and finely chiseled features.
His face flushed, and his heart pounded.
He had fallen in love at first sight.
'How can such a beautiful woman exist, who is she?'
Then he felt a sense of déjà vu.
'Silver hair, crimson eyes...?'
There was a famous person with such features.
"Are you... Lady Eseled?"
Navia smiled sweetly.
"And you are?"
"Oh, from the House of Alfonso..."
"Kendrick Alfonso, I see."
At her words, Kendrick Alfonso's eyes widened.
As far as he knew, they were meeting for the first time today. They had no prior encounters, completely unrelated.
'How does she know my name? Could it be… she's been watching me?'
With a flushed face, he let his imagination soar alone.
Then Navia lightly stepped forward and took the handkerchief from his hand.
"I must go now."
She bowed slightly and turned away.
"Wait!"
"Yes?"
"I, uh... Oh! You don't seem to have a partner!"
Kendrick desperately wanted to speak more with her. So, he frantically looked for an excuse to start a conversation and noticed that Navia was alone at the event. He concluded that Navia had come alone, without a partner. Otherwise, a woman would not be standing alone in such a secluded place.
"I'll escort you."
Navia smiled awkwardly.
"Thank you for the offer, but I have another engagement soon."
"Oh..."
"Have a pleasant time."
Navia briskly nodded her head and turned away.
Kendrick watched her leave with a sense of longing before returning to the party.
"Kendrick! Where have you been?"
He scratched his cheek in response to the inquiries of the nobles he was friendly with.
"I was just wandering around the interior and came across a lady who had dropped her handkerchief, so I returned it to her."
"A handkerchief? Ha! People still use such old-fashioned methods of flirtation?"
Kendrick laughed bitterly.
"If only it were a flirtation."
Everyone looked puzzled at his comment.
"Who was it that you met?"
"Actually, I just saw Lady Navia Eseled."
"What? Lady Eseled was here at the party? I didn't see her."
"I knew her face because I attended a reading group she was part of when I was a child. But I hadn't seen her today."
"Silver hair would stand out in this crowd."
As someone commented, the brightest hair color in the party hall was gold.
Then, a man appeared on the stage and raised his hand. Soon, the musicians stopped playing, and the voices of the people quieted down as attention focused on one point.
"Lady Navia Eseled, the representative of Famille Department Store, will soon greet you."
Those gathered were already excited at the news that the department store's representative would finally reveal herself, having foregone other celebrations to be here.
'It's more important to attend this grand opening party than to watch the royal procession.'
Soon, a person who appeared to be the representative walked onto the stage.
"Oh...?"
Kendrick, who had been disinterested, widened his eyes the moment he saw the representative.
"Lady Eseled...!"
Navia stood calmly in the center of the stage, her presence illuminated by chandeliers and magic lights, as if she were in the sunlight.
"My goodness, all this was Lady Eseled's doing...!"
Murmurs filled the room.
The guests were collectively shocked. Eseled had already dominated the global market with her magic stone charging technology.
And now, it was revealed that she owned not only Famille Workshop and Hart Botique but also a department store.
"So, the reason Hart Botique still doesn't deal with Agnes is because of Lady Eseled's decision..."
People had sensed that the relationship between the two families was unusual since Eseled introduced her magic stone charging technology.
Especially since Eseled had remained unmoved despite Agnes's persistent interest and goodwill, which made people more certain of their speculation.
As the commotion subsided, Navia, with her mysterious appearance, opened her mouth with a tranquil smile.
"I am deeply grateful to all the distinguished guests for attending the party."
People were still stunned, staring at Navia blankly.
There had been numerous rumors in the social circles recently about Navia not having her debutante ball.
"Isn't Lady Eseled almost twenty-one? It's been over ten years since her last social activity. Even the Duke of Eseled has become reclusive."
"What could be happening? Could it be that the Duke of Eseled is unable to engage in outside activities?"
The reactions were as expected.
So, Navia had long pondered a way to quell the rumors once and for all, and this was the result.
Revealing herself as the owner of several businesses all at once.
Navia didn't drag out her greetings. Instead, she introduced Hart Botique's new collection.
"This is a special collection only showcased at today's party. These designs will not be available after this."
The mention of a 'special collection' sparkled in the eyes of the guests.
Being invited as a VIP to the department store already marked them as the elite among the elite.
Thus, highlighting this fact with 'special products' was a very attractive proposition.
Furthermore, the collection was not auctioned. Every VIP attendee had the opportunity to purchase.
Even though the production period was considerable, what did it matter? For the nobility, time was always in abundance.
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