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THE dull crescent moon slipped into the sun’s place in the sky.
The myriad of lights at the viscount’s manor kept Ernest and Yuuri from enjoying the stars. Other finely dressed couples were descending from their gilded carriages, greeting one another as they funneled into the mansion.
“Are you still cross? You must learn when to let things go.”
“Why didn’t you just tell me the truth?”
“If I had told you, you would have run away!”
Why did a bachelor like Ernest have a dress and necklace on hand? A dress and necklace that fit Yuuri like a glove. And why did he bring her to a fancy dinner party when she wasn’t even his partner? Yuuri had all these questions and more for Ernest, but she kept them to herself. She wanted nothing more than to go back to being witch and client.
Looking dapper in a black suit, with his hair impeccably styled, Ernest reached out for Yuuri’s hand, his mood sunnier than ever before.
“You really do look lovely this evening. So lovely, I would rather none of these other men have a look at you, but I suppose we’ve no choice there.”
“Thank…you for the dress…” Yuuri said, her head down and her voice barely above a whisper.
“You’re welcome. Now, aren’t you going to tell me how dashing I look?”
“I could never say something so ridiculous!” she fumed.
Ernest’s appearance and manners were sufficiently refined and he knew it. His confidence bordering on arrogance annoyed Yuuri.
“Haha, you’re turning red!”
“I’m only doing this for the job! Don’t push your luck!” Yuuri’s dress concealed her foot as she used it to stomp on Ernest’s toe.
“Well, Count Selden, I had heard that you might be bringing a maiden from a distant land to join us this evening,” interrupted an older nobleman.
“Haha, it seems her reputation proceeds her. Please allow me to introduce you. This is Yuuri, the daughter of the president of Watoh Company. Miss Yuuri, this is Viscount Luniar.”
Luniar was Leonard’s family name. This man was likely his father.
“Oh, the daughter of the Watoh Company president? That’s the company that trades primarily in Eastern goods, yes?”
“Yes. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Yuuri dropped into a formal curtsy.
“Where might we find Leonard?” Ernest asked.
“Oh, he was on his way up to the balcony with Lady Riche. I tell you, those two are always going at it. He’s the one who suggested breaking off the engagement, even after I told him an engagement that’s been in place for so long can’t be easily broken. And the worst part is, I know they haven’t fallen out of love!” the older man exclaimed.
“I-I see. Those two are rather eas—”
“Indeed!” he spoke right over Ernest. “That’s the biggest problem. It’s as plain as day to everyone but them! If they truly were a bad match, I would not be so insistent! I cannot allow them to be driven apart. And the wedding date is already set! It’s easy for anyone to become tired in such a long-lasting relationship, but they’ve taken it too far. And honestly, those two—”
“Pardon me, Viscount, but I’m going to go check up on them,” Ernest said, cutting into what would surely be another long-winded tirade. Yuuri’s eyes had begun to glaze over, but she was grateful at least to get more information on Leonard and his fiancée.
Leonard and Riche stood alone on the sprawling balcony. Well, not quite alone. There had been others on the balcony who had fled at some point to escape their arguing.
Just as they were about to step onto the balcony, Ernest pulled Yuuri behind a pillar. He stood behind her, his arm around her waist to prevent her from running. Yuuri squirmed, trying to break free.
“Hold still,” Ernest whispered into Yuuri’s ear. Her heart thundered at the feeling of his breath upon her ear.
“Lord Ernest, you truly are horrible,” Yuuri snapped, angered over being pulled into eavesdropping on a lover’s quarrel that had nothing to do with her, angered by his wicked, mischievous grin. And yet, she did just as he asked.
Though having him close behind her made it difficult to concentrate, Yuuri strained to listen in on the pair.
“You did it last time too!”
“Last time? What did I do last time?”
It appeared that Riche was angry with Leonard. And from the looks of it, Leonard had brought his furious fiancée outside to calm her down.
“Did you forget all about how you flirted with your colleague’s little sister?!”
“He asked me to dance with her and I obliged! I’m a nobleman—you can’t expect me not to dance with anyone! You must learn to loosen up, my dear!”
From what Ernest had said, tonight was supposed to be about getting Leonard and Riche to reconcile. But that didn’t seem likely to Yuuri.
“And another thing! I heard what you said to her! ‘That looks stunning on you, Miss. Why it’s the same shade as your sparkling sapphire eyes!’”
“I was being polite, Riche, as anyone would! …Please, calm down!” Leonard’s voice was growing louder, as if to keep pace with Riche’s.
“Polite? Calm down? Leonard, when have you ever complimented me like that?!”
“What do you mean?! I’ll compliment you right here, right now! Your dress is…ah…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Riche’s palm landed hard against his cheek. Being complimented just because she asked for it was the last thing she wanted.
“You’re the worst! I’m leaving!”
Riche fled the balcony with tears in her eyes. Leonard stood there, frozen, making no attempt to pursue her.
The balcony was steeped in silence.
Then, with a loud sigh, Leonard slammed his fist down on the handrail.
“Dammit! Why couldn’t I just tell her she looked beautiful? I…I… Damn!”
After punching the guardrail several times and yelling increasingly more embarrassing epithets, Leonard ran off.
The reconciliation Ernest had hoped for fizzled into the night.