Our Summer Isn't Over Yet - Chapter 21

“I apologize on behalf of my friend, Duchess Richard.” The child who apologized in a clear voice looked about seven years old. “I’m Clarisse, the second daughter of the Earl of Ashborn.”

The child’s cheeks were full of life, as if she had been raised with much love. Her sparkling, light blue eyes stood out. Clarisse’s eyes were filled with pride after she finished her difficult greeting, imitating the adults. Like Mia herself once did, the child acted without any reservations. Before she knew it, Mia was staring at the children, even forgetting to put down the champagne glass in her hand.

“Armand Winchester, greet her quickly!” “I can’t do it as well as you.” “I’ll help you, go ahead.” At Clarisse’s urging, Armand reluctantly bowed. Clarisse, who was watching the greeting, accidentally bumped a wine glass on the table.

Before anyone could stop it, the wine spilled on Mia. It wasn’t a large amount, but it was enough to stain her white dress red. Like the pool of blood she saw when her parents were killed, the wine slowly spread across the white fabric.

It all happened in an instant. As Mia stood there blankly, unable to react, Clarisse stammered an apology, tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Madam!” The child’s voice trembled faintly, and her eyes shook violently with embarrassment. Armand also apologized, following Clarisse, looking flustered.

Normally, Mia would have brushed it off with a kind and gentle smile, but for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to say those words today. It was a cruel feeling. The fact that something she had liked for a while was ruined was quite upsetting. Only then did Mia realize that she was upset.

As if noticing the commotion between them, the hostess of the party, the Marchioness of Philville, and the children’s parents rushed over. “Oh my, Duchess Richard!” The Marchioness of Philville’s voice was quite loud. Regaining her senses, Mia forced a mask-like smile on her face and replied. She didn’t want any more attention than this. “It was a mistake that children could easily make, it’s okay.”

“I’m sorry, Duchess Richard. We will, of course, compensate you for the dress and visit you again later to apologize.” The Earl and Countess of Ashborn and the Earl and Countess of Winchester, the children’s parents, bowed deeply to Mia and apologized.

“No, it’s okay.” They noticed that Mia’s dress was quite expensive, and that it contained the heart of the person who gifted it, their faces turned even whiter than before. The Marchioness of Philville whispered to Mia that she shouldn’t let it go like this, but Mia was firm.

“I don’t want to make a big fuss. Marchioness of Philville, could you call Dylan for me, if you don’t mind?” “Does that mean…” “I’m sorry, but I think I should leave it here for today. I didn’t bring a spare dress.” She could have borrowed a dress, but it was clear that no one here had a dress that could completely cover her scars, so she chose to go back.

The Marchioness of Philville seemed noticeably flustered, as if she had heard her words differently. Reading a faint anger in her gaze towards the children, Mia quickly explained. “It’s my fault for not preparing a spare dress, unlike usual. Don’t blame the children.”

Even so, the Marchioness of Philville’s expression didn’t improve easily, so she added once more. “I’d like to be invited to such events again in the future, would that be okay?” “Would you send me an invitation again, Madam?” “I would be grateful if you did. I’m just sorry for making a fuss at a perfect party.” Only after hearing Mia’s answer did the Marchioness of Philville seem to feel better.

Turning her head, Mia saw Clarisse, clinging to her parents’ sides, shedding tears like raindrops. The Countess of Ashborn was flustered, but at the same time, she patted her daughter’s shoulder and comforted her. Seeing the affectionate mother and daughter, Mia felt a choking sensation. A mother who stood firmly by her child and handled the situation. She envied the seven-year-old girl.

Making an effort to control her emotions, Mia approached Clarisse and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. “It’s okay, don’t cry.”

“I’m sorry for ruining your pretty dress.” Startled for a moment, Clarisse admitted her mistake and apologized. Even though her voice trembled because of her crying, Clarisse didn’t stop there and finished her words bravely. “I thought it would be nice to give a wonderful greeting to a wonderful lady, so I did it, but I didn’t know this situation would happen. I’ll be more careful in the future.” Armand, who was standing next to her, also apologized to Mia.

“Yes, be more careful next time. And it’s a mistake that could easily happen, so don’t blame yourself too much.” As she handed the handkerchief to Clarisse and tried to get up from her seat, Clarisse handed something to Mia. It was a brooch with a worn look. The Countess of Ashborn, realizing what it was, carefully said to Mia. “The child must have wanted to give you something she cherishes because she felt sorry for you. If you feel uncomfortable, I’m sorry.”

Mia, watching Clarisse fidgeting with her fingers, smiled brightly and replied. “No, I like it. I’ll keep it safe.” At her answer, the child’s cheeks flushed again. She was so lovely, smiling brightly and saying thank you as if she hadn’t been crying just now. After looking at Clarisse for a moment, Mia was guided by the Marchioness of Philville and moved to a small garden where she could avoid people’s gazes.

Dylan stood on one side of the party hall. Then, he familiarly looked for Mia. His gaze was fixed on Mia and didn’t move. Even in the artificially lit lights, not the sunlight, Mia’s presence shone. The clothes he had put on her sparkled here and there, and the jewelry he had chosen also stood proudly in place. Seeing the woman he had created with his own hands mingling among the ladies and smiling made him feel strange.

Clearly, that face was a mask. He could tell by the painted smile and the folded eyes. That it didn’t contain a single grain of sincerity. But it was the same smile she showed him. Dylan chuckled at the fact that his position was no different from that of the nobles.

“Dylan Richard.” Someone called him. In this vast party hall, or even searching all over Hippolyte, there were only a handful of people who could call him that. The King and Duke Mach. The King couldn’t have come here, so it must have been the latter. His guess was exactly right.

Dylan, who met the bright red eyes, replied indifferently. “What’s the matter, you’re even coming to parties you never used to come to.” “I want to know what the letter you sent me means, but you wouldn’t meet me.” The surrounding nobles slowly moved away from the strange conversation between the two.

“Ah-.” Only then did Dylan nod at Walter’s grim expression. He remembered the letter he had sent him a while ago. The letter stating that he had no intention of fulfilling the contract with Mia Blair. Dylan, glancing around once more, turned his gaze to Mia, who was far away. Then, he murmured softly, just loud enough for Walter to hear. “This isn’t a story to be told here, I will visit you, Your Excellency.”

Walter, frowning, added a small threat that he would visit Mia if he forgot the promise, and then left the party hall. As Walter disappeared, he felt a wave of fatigue washing over him. After checking the time, Dylan decided that he had been away long enough and that he could now be with Mia, so he tried to head towards her. If someone hadn’t stopped him.

“Long time no see?” It was a strangely sharp tone.

“Elio.”

“This isn’t the sea, why are you calling me that?”

“Ah, then Viscount Borman. Is it okay to call you that?” Dylan looked at Elio in front of him. He was similar in build to him, so their eye level was also similar.

“I was going to retire when the war ended, but I can’t retire because it seems like there would be no one to stop the Duke’s orders if I wasn’t there.” “Is that so.”

“Until the Duke retires, my retirement is also ruined. If we want to prevent the same thing from happening as before, shouldn’t I be here?” Dylan’s eyes narrowed at the words that scratched at him. He didn’t avoid Elio’s gaze, who was staring intently at him in front of him.

The dark brown hair and solid brown eyes were no different from when he first saw him ten years ago. The only difference was that Rodrigo, who was always by his side, was not there. It wasn’t difficult to find resentment in Elio’s eyes. Dylan knew the reason for his reaction.

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