Engagement News
"Ellie, what are you thinking?"
"I just remembered the day I met you."
"Oh, that day."
Kiern put down the morning paper like it was no big deal and chewed on his cigar. The strong smell of cigarettes filled Elizabeth's nostrils.
After the Duchess's death, he began smoking cigars.
It is said that it was a cigar that the duchess smoked when she was healthy.
It always had a slight earthy smell and a woody aroma, like being in the middle of a cypress forest.
Elizabeth liked that refreshing scent, but the strong, harsh smell of a cigar mixed with it made him feel strange.
I felt as if he had disappeared when I met him as a child. And as much as that sentiment, Kiern, 20, has changed.
Now that he has grown into a full-fledged man, unlike when he was younger, his cold impression stands out. Likewise, the fine cracks caused by the absence of the duchess were gradually expanding their scope. No, being moth-eaten was appropriate.
“That day Ellie saw me and blushed. I don't think we even made eye contact."
"Do not make fun of me. I was a bit surprised how you acted like a gentleman.
"So you're saying you're not like a gentleman now?"
Kiern narrowed her eyes and asked quietly. When I tilted my head to the side and our eyes met, the blue eyes seemed to shine.
Elizabeth looked blankly into those eyes, then blushed again. Not at all, those eyes could not adapt.
She felt sorry for him, who had been ruined somewhere, and she felt sad and pitiful.
"Stop it. You don't look like a gentleman at all."
You have been rude, Miss Elizabeth.
The smell of cigarettes wafted off him as Kierne stepped back, answering in a playful tone.
He was always like that. Approaching her suddenly, but quickly moving away as if it had never happened. So it was a man who made me even more anxious.
Elizabeth looked at Kierne, confused for some reason, then changed the subject.
"When is the duke coming?"
“Is it this weekend? You said you would come before the scheduled date, perhaps.
Every weekend was the Duchess's anniversary. The duke was not a loving husband, but he did not forget the anniversary of his late wife.
So, everyone praised him as a loving wife. They all said that the reason he vacated the position of grieving duchess was because he couldn't forget his late wife.
Elizabeth, up to a point, thought it was okay. I thought it would be an expression of love for the duke, who only realized his worth after losing his wife. Of course, Kiern won't admit it.
"Still, seeing that you always come home on time, the duke must miss you too."
“You tend to see the world too clearly. My father only acts aware of people's eyes. There is no other reason."
"Delicate."
Elizabeth frowned at Kierne's sarcastic comments about the duke. He used to get this abrupt whenever he talked about his father, the duke.
It was pitiful to see him sharpen his sword like someone who has been attacked. He acted as if the duke was to blame for his downfall.
Elizabeth couldn't understand why she hated the duke so much. Kiern scoffed as he looked at her with a hard face.
"Why? Wasn't that a very chivalrous tone again?"
"Kirne, did something happen with the duke?"
As she said this in concern, Kierne stared at her. After a while, he let out an airy laugh.
"Ellie, being nice because you don't know is really bad."
"What are you talking about?"
"Literally."
Kierne rose to her feet, crushing out her cigar in the ashtray. He said as Elizabeth stood up as well.
"Do not follow me. I'm going to see Abigail."
Elizabeth flinched at the word Abigail, but steeled herself and grabbed his sleeve.
"Kirne, are you really thinking of getting engaged to the lady from the prairie?"
