An Early Engagement - Chapter 13
“……”
At those words, Shirley’s face turned as if she had seen the end of the world. The maid tilted her head, wondering if she had said something wrong.
Only then did Shirley notice the mask resting delicately on a cushion, carried by the other maid. It was a beautiful mask adorned with large and small gold and silver butterflies.
It was for tonight’s ball.
The masquerade ball tonight was one of the most popular events in the capital. Held just before the peak of summer heat, it was a party where many couples formed, and everyone had high expectations for it.
Shirley was no exception. Even though she was already engaged, dressing up as a character from myths, novels, plays, or operas was still a delightful experience.
She remembered how much fun she had had with Melissa while preparing for it. The costumes, the masks—they had meticulously discussed which characters suited each other and whether they might overlap with someone else’s choice.
Today was supposed to be something she had been looking forward to.
“I’m ruined.”
Shirley flopped down onto the bed.
“…Pardon?”
“I’m ruined.”
*Thump thump.* Once again, the innocent cushion bore the brunt of Shirley’s frustration.
Just imagining sitting awkwardly next to Damian in the carriage as he came to pick her up made her stomach churn.
“I… I think I’m feeling sick.”
“…Pardon?”
“Don’t I look sick? I think I have a fever.”
Shirley gestured for the maid to check her forehead. Hesitantly, the maid approached and placed her hand on Shirley’s forehead. Her own hand felt cool against Shirley’s skin, but there was no sign of a fever.
“Miss, you don’t seem to have a fever…”
“I’m telling you, I’m sick! I can’t go to the ball like this!”
The maids exchanged worried glances. Shirley’s sudden outburst was unusual, but they couldn’t force her to go if she insisted she was unwell.
“Should we inform Master Damian that you’re feeling unwell?”
“No! I mean… just… give me a moment.”
Shirley buried her face in her hands, her mind racing. She couldn’t avoid Damian forever, but the thought of facing him tonight, after everything that had happened, was overwhelming.
“Fine. I’ll go. But… just give me some time to prepare.”
The maids nodded and began laying out the dress and accessories, leaving Shirley to her thoughts. She stared at the mask, the butterflies shimmering under the light, and sighed deeply.
Tonight was going to be a long night.
Sophie, carefully alternating between feeling her own forehead and Shirley’s, finally concluded cautiously.
“Um… it doesn’t seem like you have a fever.”
“That can’t be.”
“Miss, should I call the doctor if you’re feeling unwell?”
“Check again, okay?” Shirley urged, and the maid made a troubled face.
“I knew this would happen.”
A man’s voice suddenly interrupted, and everyone in the room turned their heads.
Standing in the doorway was none other than Terban.
He leaned against the doorframe, looking at his sister with a mix of exasperation and pity as she began to feign illness.
“You always think of running away first whenever things get tough, don’t you?”
“What do you know, Brother?”
“I know you better than you think.”
*Snap.* He clicked his fingers, and the maids in the room quickly exited, leaving only the two siblings behind.
Now alone, Shirley braced herself for her brother’s inevitable lecture.
“If you’re trying to avoid Damian, stop with these childish antics.”
“How do you know that’s what I’m doing?”
Shirley nearly shrieked before covering her mouth with both hands. Terban sighed, running a hand through his hair as he walked over to the sofa where Shirley was sitting and perched himself on the armrest.
“Melissa… Melissa told you, didn’t she?” Shirley looked up at her brother with a pout.
“No.”
“You’re lying.”
“Melissa isn’t immature enough to go around repeating every conversation she has with you.”
“There you go again!”
Shirley sprang up from her seat, her voice rising in frustration.
“Who would ever believe you’re the daughter of the Lafez ducal family when you act like this? Huh?” Terban crossed his arms, looking down at her with a mix of pity and exasperation.
“Then… what?”
Her defiance faltered, and she looked at him with a hint of vulnerability. Terban sighed and began to explain.
“I saw you running away from Damian in the garden. He looked completely shocked, just standing there.”
“You… saw that?”
It felt like a blow to the head. The thought that Terban, of all people, had witnessed that embarrassing scene made her cheeks burn with shame.
“I don’t know what you two fought about, but… running away won’t solve anything. You need to face him and clear the air, or else…”
“Or else?”
“Break off the engagement.”
The air in the room froze.
“B-break off the engagement?”
Shirley stared at her brother in disbelief, her mind struggling to process his words.
“Yeah, break it off.”
Terban’s tone was as casual as if he were discussing the weather. His usual stoic demeanor made him seem almost devoid of emotion, more so than even one of Shirley’s dolls.
“Why? Don’t you want that?”
His voice was flat and emotionless, as if the idea of breaking off an engagement was no big deal. Shirley could only gape at him, her mind reeling.
After having known Damian for so long…
How could he say something like that?
“That’s… I mean…”
It was something she had never even considered. The word had never crossed her mind, let alone her lips.
Overwhelmed, Shirley’s small hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly on her dress.
“That’s not possible, is it? We’ve been… I mean… since before we were even born…”
“Why wouldn’t it be possible?”
Terban’s blunt response cut through her stammering.
“Even if you’ve been tied together since before birth, that’s all it is. A marriage decided without any regard for your feelings.”
“……”
“Don’t stress over a prenatal engagement. Whether it’s you or Damian, breaking it off doesn’t mean you won’t find someone else.” Terban summed up the situation matter-of-factly.
Though she had never thought about it before, Terban’s words were undeniably true. There was no imperial law mandating that prenatal engagements had to be upheld, so there was no real obstacle.
“Father and Mother will respect your decision.”
“……”
Shirley quietly stared at Terban. His black eyes and black hair, always calm and rational, made his words feel reliable.
Feeling emboldened, Shirley decided to ask a question that had been on her mind for a while.
“Then, what about you, Brother?”
“What about me?”
“Do you… like the idea of marrying Melissa?”
“I’ve never fought with Melissa.”
Terban tilted his head slightly.
“But you two… you’ve been engaged since before you were born. It wasn’t your decision. And yet, you’re okay with it?” Shirley asked cautiously. Despite being only three years apart, Terban always seemed so much more mature, and this was one of the first times she had ever broached such a topic with him so openly.
“I have no complaints.”
No complaints, so he’ll marry her. It was such a Terban-like answer.
Does Melissa know that’s how Brother feels?
The thought suddenly crossed her mind. Come to think of it, had she ever asked Melissa the same question?
As these thoughts tangled in her mind, Terban’s hand rested lightly on top of Shirley’s head.
“Whichever you choose, do what you want.”
After gently ruffling her hair a few times, Terban calmly left the room.
“……”
Even after Terban left, Shirley remained lost in thought for a long time.
Breaking off the engagement.
The stone her brother had thrown into the lake of her mind sent ripples across its calm surface.
