Our Summer Is Not Over - vanish into fiction

“…I didn’t expect you to speak to me like that, Your Grace.”

Annabelle’s hand trembled visibly.

She looked as if she felt betrayed by Dylan. Even in the face of that reaction, he remained cold as ice.

Mia looked at Dylan, standing by her side. Though he was often stoic, this was on a different level. Even compared to just a moment ago, when he hardly reacted to Annabelle’s barbs, he seemed like a different person.

The murderous aura was enough to make Mia instinctively flinch. Sensing her movement, Dylan withdrew the killing intent and gently brushed her small hand resting on his arm a few times.

“If you dare to insult my wife like this again, the next time we meet, it won’t be at a party hall but in a courtroom.”

For a moment, Mia forgot about Annabelle’s remark and could only feel the ticklish sensation rising from where he touched her hand. As she tried to wriggle her hand free, Dylan turned his gaze to her and said in a low voice.

“Stay still.”

With his fortress-like demeanor, Mia relaxed her hand. Only after Mia calmed did Dylan turn his head back to meet Annabelle’s gaze.

“If you don’t want to find out that your status and wealth are meaningless, you would do well not to repeat such ignorant behavior.”

“Your Grace, I doubt you have the means to bring down the Luc Marquisate.”

Just as she said, Dylan had no way to overcome them. At least, that’s what Mia knew. The Luc family had accumulated immense wealth throughout the war.

Moreover, Dylan had shown little interest in matters of inheritance. At present, he certainly had no way to bring down the Luc family.

Even though she surely knew this, Dylan replied without the slightest sign of wavering.

“If you’re that curious, go ahead and try.”

Annabelle gritted her teeth so hard, the faint sound of them grinding could be heard. She turned to glare at Mia with a murderous expression, but Dylan stepped in front of Mia to block her.

“If you want to maintain a peaceful life within the reach of Marquis Luc, you’d better remember my words well.”

With his displeasure unconcealed, Dylan made his request for guidance to Marquis Perville.

Marquis Perville, who had only been watching in a daze, blinked before quickly instructing a servant. Led by the servant, Dylan, apparently unwilling to remain there any longer, took Mia and started toward the ballroom. Annabelle watched them go, her eyes fixed on their retreating backs, fists clenched tightly.

As Annabelle glared after the two, Marquis Perville cautiously asked whether she still intended to attend the party.

He wanted to expel her immediately for ruining the mood, but she was the only daughter of Marquis Luc. Even if she hadn’t shown her face in society for three years, it was clear the Luc family stood behind her. If he kicked her out carelessly, he had no idea how Marquis Luc would respond.

He considered detaining Annabelle until Pablo Luc arrived, but it was almost time for the next noble guests to appear. Letting out a short sigh, Marquis Perville sincerely pleaded with Annabelle.

“Please, I beg you, don’t become an unwelcome guest at the party my wife has prepared so diligently…”

But before he could even finish, Annabelle turned and headed for her waiting carriage. Her stride was confident, betraying no sign of three years away from society. The carriage bearing her away soon passed before the Marquis.

Left alone, Marquis Perville debated whether to be angry at Annabelle for ignoring him, or grateful that she was leaving before ruining the party further.

His thoughts didn’t last long.

“Oh my, it’s as if His Grace himself has arrived.”

That was because Walter March, who would shine at this party as much as the Rihardt couple, had just arrived. Forgetting the earlier incident, Marquis Perville hurried to greet Walter.

* * *

As they made their way to the ballroom, Dylan did not utter a word. Mia, watching his tightly pressed lips, walked alongside him for a moment, until the hostess of the party, the Marchioness Perville, appeared.

“Welcome, Duke and Duchess Rihardt.”

Her face was anxious, as if she had been informed of the incident that just took place.

Since Dylan did not respond, Mia instead greeted her with a smile and presented the gift they had brought, easing the tension in the atmosphere.