Chapter 127
âWowâŚâ
A brief exclamation burst out from nearby. I nearly stared in a daze as well.
Dressed in formal attire, Gerard was indisputably the star of this banquet.
His elegance and imposing presence could hardly be expressed with a word as simple as handsome.
His exceptionally long legs, broad shoulders, and proudly extended neck made him the perfect example of a high-ranking noble without the slightest flaw. Yet whenever he frowned as though annoyed by the crowd gathering around him, the tendons standing out along his neck looked wild.
No one could tear their eyes away from the cold face revealed beneath his glossy black hair.
People widely said that Gerard Castion had surpassed even Madam Marcella, who was renowned throughout the empire for her beauty.
Could I ever truly grow tired of that face? It felt new every time. I stared at his gray eyes, set beneath his long eyelashes like crystallized jewels.
Just then.
âHappy birthday, Lord Castion.â
No one else had dared to approach Gerard and speak to him, and they had only been watching his mood.
The person who approached without the slightest hesitation was Gerardâs woman, Arvina.
Dressed in an aqua-colored gown, she gently held her skirt with both hands and curtsied.
âIsnât it still a little early to offer birthday congratulations?â
âI wanted to be the first to congratulate you.â
âWith such an eager look in your eyes, no less.â
Gerard lightly returned her words and raised his lips in a smile. His vicious countenance turned sly with a single smile.
Arvina smiled back as though he were impossible.
Gerardâs gaze slid downward and stopped at Arvinaâs neck.
âThe necklace.â
âEveryone around me says it suits me. What do you think, my lord?â
Arvina, who had once again pinned her hair high today, placed her hand just beneath the necklace.
Gerard stared at the necklace for a moment, then lifted his eyes.
âMiss Odriann, youâre going so far as to act charming in front of me.â
It wasnât the assessment she had wanted to hear. But his words exposed her intentions so precisely that a blush rose across both of Arvinaâs cheeks. It wasnât from humiliation.
âThatâs because youâre far too busy to come and see me.â
Several people sucked in startled breaths at Arvinaâs words.
It was only natural. Until now, Arvina had only ever responded passively to Gerardâs persistent advances.
The only woman who had rejected Gerard, whom everyone desired. Arvina Odriannâs fame owed more to Gerardâs influence than to her own ability as a first-rank Purifier.
Yet now, Arvina was expressing affectionate disappointment. The atmosphere seemed to imply that their relationship had progressed.
The misunderstanding that Gerard Castion had finally broken through Arvinaâs wall of ice and won her love continued to pile up.
âIâm going to remain busy from now on too. What should we do?â
Arvina smiled as though telling him to stop teasing, then flicked her hand behind her. A servant who had been waiting handed her something.
âI also wanted to give you your birthday gift personally.â
Her delicate hand opened a palm-sized case. Inside was a gold brooch. It was the same kind of gift I had prepared.
Arvina picked up the brooch and stepped half a pace closer to Gerard. At the suddenly narrowed distance, everyone held their breath and watched the two of them.
Arvina reached upward and personally fastened the brooch to the left side of Gerardâs chest. Then she whispered something in a voice only he could hear.
They looked like lovers sharing a secret rendezvous.
âThose two truly suit each other, as though God Himself chose them as a pair.â
Theor spoke plainly beside me.
âDo they look that way to you too, Sir Theor?â
âYes. I had wondered what sort of woman could stand beside the Commander without losing her radiance.â
He was right.
If even I thought they suited each other, there was no reason they wouldnât look well matched to everyone else.
ââŚâŚâ
I felt a jagged emotion trying to protrude from deep within my chest. It was familiar, but for some reason, it was harder to endure than before.
