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“DADDY…so you’re acquainted with Vincent—or rather the Amethyst Dragon Duke?”
“As are you. That’s an awfully intimate way to refer to the Amethyst Dragon Duke’s son.”
The gallery was shaped like a horseshoe around the stage, slightly elevated, so the audience could look down at the performers. The show was so successful that all the seats in the gallery were sold out, from the front to the very rear. Even the standing seats at the very back were full.
Oriana pretended to keep her attention on the birthday bouquet set on the table in front of them. In a small voice, she answered, “We’re friends.” She wore a poker face as she said it, her voice low enough that it could easily disappear among the murmurings of the hundreds of other guests.
It was impossible to know who was eavesdropping and from where at a place as out in the open as this. Before the curtain rose, the gallery was almost like a stadium with how people hustled and bustled around. People’s gazes were wandering, scrutinizing other people’s expressions, ears tuned to the content of all the different conversations.
“Are you close?” Oriana’s father asked.
“Sort of.”
“I see. That’s quite impressive.”
Did I really put in enough effort to justify being praised like this?
Oriana felt a bit guilty, just as she had with Miguel. She wanted to put more effort in somehow, so that they could proudly call her their friend. Of course, she never dreamed her father was in such a position that a duke would strike up a conversation with him like that. She had never actually watched her father or his company at work, but he was more of a go-getter than she’d ever imagined.
Since Rysted is always at Daddy’s side, he must have known how many connections Daddy has made.
That must have been why he panicked and resorted to such extreme measures to court her. Even if she could empathize, she wasn’t going to forgive him for it, but having her suspicions answered did bring her some relief.
Back when it happened, I wasn’t able to confirm any details, but Vincent seemed to know what was going on. It makes sense, since he seems to be acquainted with Daddy.
“How did you and Vincent meet?” Oriana asked.
“Happy big sixteen, my dear. Barely a year older, and you have already discovered that there’s a whole mountain of information out there you’re not privy to, hm?” He smiled warmly at her, but seeing that coy expression on his face, she knew he wasn’t going to give her a straight answer. He hadn’t been a father for sixteen years for nothing.
Oriana gave up on trying to wheedle anything out of him. She secretly stole a glance at Vincent, careful not to be too noticeable, lest she seem rude for staring. According to the governess that taught her etiquette, a single glance could be enough to trigger rumors. That was how sensitive high society was.
It was easy enough to find Vincent. He and three others were seated in a first-class viewing box. She recognized the duke and who she assumed to be his wife, but there was also a girl with them about the same age as Vincent. Her hair was golden blonde, just like the duke and Vincent, and there was something else familiar about her.
It’s her, Oriana thought.
Even in a dress, Oriana still recognized her. She was the girl who had spoken so intimately in the Special Class with Miguel and Vincent. Seeing how amicably she conversed with the rest of Vincent’s family made it clear that the duke and his wife had already accepted her. They all looked perfectly comfortable with each other, conversation flowing smoothly between them.
Oriana dropped her gaze to the glass of sweet champagne in front of her.
Vincent was jaw-droppingly gorgeous in his suit. He looked completely different from how she was used to seeing him in either his academy uniform or work clothes. His formalwear perfectly matched his superior status, making him look all the more like a stunningly handsome nobleman.
We live in completely different worlds.
It was only now that she realized she’d gotten too accustomed to the Academy’s unique atmosphere. Even if she ran into Vincent like this, she couldn’t casually chat with him, not here, where she was unprotected by the school’s rules.
“Daddy, thank you for bringing me today,” she said.
“Has this made for some good memories?”
“It has.”
She owed her father her gratitude. I’m sure now I’ll never forget the difference in our status. Thanks to today, she wouldn’t let things go to her head. She would remain calm and collected when evaluating anything. Because no matter how close we get, no matter how much he calls me a friend, we’re still a world apart.
Oriana directed her attention to the stage and never once glanced at the first-class viewing box again.