C81
Fernand, who sang as he played the lute, was much younger than Bianca remembered. The way he smiled softly as he sang to a noble lady overlapped with the sarcastic image he gave of Bianca after she was expelled from Arno.
Fernand seemed used to being treated kindly when dealing with noble ladies. It was a bit of a shock to Bianca. In the past, Fernand would lower his head sadly and say that the noble ladies rarely favored him. Bianca reflected on herself seeing Fernand like this and she felt more sorry for him. And Fernand desperately dug into the hole that Bianca had left.
"I only have the lady." She is the only one in this world who understands and accepts me...
As she said that, the way she shook her long eyelashes looked very sad.
At that moment, Bianca thought that there was something strange about Fernand's attitude, but she sympathized with his pitiful appearance and forgot the feeling of discomfort. She how foolishly she was she deceived by that blatant lie. To be honest, now that she thinks about it, she can only laugh.
Bianca sighed, leaning her wobbly body against the back of the chair. She had a headache because she felt confused and her limbs were trembling.
"By the way, why the hell is Fernand here?"
Bianca was skeptical, but rationally, it wasn't unusual for him to be here.
Crown Prince Albert's engagement was an unprecedented grand ceremony, and that was why all the nobles flocked to the capital.
There were also many minstrels who couldn't pass up this opportunity to be seen by the high-ranking people and hopefully make a big splash. Fernand must have arrived in the capital with the sweet dream of success.
"All enemies gathered on a wobbly wooden bridge..."
Fernand, Viscount Huegh, and even Prince Jacob. It seemed that all those he had grudges with in his previous life were driven to this capital city.
Until now, he had managed to control his expression somewhat, but when he faced Fernand, his efforts were overshadowed. The shock of being betrayed by the person she trusted felt more vivid. Bianca, looking like she was going to have nausea, looked away from Fernand and tried to catch her breath.
Although it puzzled her to meet Fernand earlier than in her previous life, now was not the time to show her feelings to Fernand. She should ignore him as much as possible. It was not too late to think about how to take revenge on Fernand in the future.
But when did anything ever come out the way Bianca wanted?
As soon as Bianca looked away from Fernand, Fernand, from the other side, approached Bianca.
Almost all of Bianca's assumptions about Fernand were correct. This time, Fernand, who was determined to make a big splash in the capital, was trying to use the tournament to make his mark on the noble ladies.
If you get a sponsor, your life will flourish. Fernand was confident in his face, although it was not as good as the royal family of Sevran, famous for his attractiveness and beauty, his voice was as good as his handsome appearance. He would have no problem seducing one or two silly noble ladies.
Fernand, who had such a plan, went to the tournament arena with high hopes. Thanks to the viscountess that he met previously, he was able to easily climb to the stands where the noble ladies were. If it wasn't for her, they would have kicked his ass before they got there.
Fernand, who climbed into the stands, shone like a male peacock. As he played the lute, he looked around him and, fortunately, the ladies' eyes were watching him pleasantly. Satisfied, he began to sing.
At that moment, a strong gaze fell on Fernand. Glancing sideways, he noticed a beautifully dressed young noblewoman looking at him with trembling eyes.
Of course, the young noblewoman was Bianca who had turned pale.
"It worked."
The corners of Fernand's lips, who thought that way, rose without hesitation. Fernand, convinced that Bianca was interested in him, gradually approached Bianca.
A pretty young lady, or a young lady. Judging from her attire, it was clear that she was from a wealthy family. If she does well, she could get a big sponsor. Because she's young, she's probably inexperienced, and once a young girl like this falls in love with a man, she often looks away from her and doesn't look back.
Fernand, who visualized an image of Bianca, spoke in the softest and sweetest voice possible.
"Would it be very impolite to ask the name of the beautiful young woman?"
—……..
Bianca looked at Fernand with a helpless look. The voice, which others would say is sweet, was overly cloying. She frowned, not even wanting to talk to Fernand.
He was beyond irritation.
Fernand, who mistook Bianca's appearance for a shy one, patiently asked again.
“When I saw the girl, I fell in love at first sight. I think I can sing some songs about your beauty. Please show mercy to this humble person and let me know her name.
-… Oh, my God.
“Excuse me, young lady. One more time….
Before Bianca's voice that seemed to whisper to herself, Fernand put honey on her lips again and gave her a soft smile. But Bianca didn't reply.
Normally, Gaspard would have kicked him out, but today Gaspard was not present as he would be participating in the tournament. Bianca, who felt terrified to stay in this place, jumped out of her seat without even looking at Fernand.
—Yvonne. I need to go see my husband before the game starts.
Bianca lifted her chin and walked past Fernand. It was disgusting to even breathe in the same space as him, who said two things with the same mouth*. Bianca stepped down from the podium without looking back, and Yvonne panicked and hurried after her.
(T/N: 한 입으로 두말하는 refers to lying. More specifically, saying one thing but doing another.)
The ladies who had been listening to Bianca and Fernand's conversation considered Bianca's attitude very rude. No matter how much her opponent was a minstrel, how can she ignore the person who is speaking in front of her?
Ignoring a man who courted so openly was nothing like a woman experienced in court romance and had no qualifications as a lady to be supported by the knights. Of course, the reason why the ladies glared at Bianca was also due to Fernand's handsome appearance.
Unlike the noblewomen who criticized Bianca with their sharp eyes, Fernand, whom Bianca largely ignored, didn't care too much. Seeing that she was going to see her husband, she seemed to be married, but she thought that she was embarrassed because she was not used to this kind of courtly romance.
Since she is a young woman from a good family, she must have married between families, and in most cases the husband is usually a middle-aged man.
“How embarrassing it must have been to face a handsome young man like me instead of her elderly husband!”
Although he reacted uncomfortably to the natural attraction between a man and a woman, Fernand clearly noticed something burning in his eyes. If he is a little more aggressive, it won't be long before she opens her heart to him.
In this way, Fernand hoped in vain.
* * *
Cold sweat trickled down Bianca's chin. She was thinking of giving Zachary a tissue anyway, but even if she didn't have a tissue handy, she would have run.
Bianca scrambled to her feet, trying to cool her head. She tried to organize her thoughts, but she got dizzy because she had so much to think about. The fragments that had been scattered until now were gathered one by one and then scattered again.
Why the hell did Fernand approach her? Maybe he has an ulterior motive? Did Jacob or Viscount Huegh abet him like he did Bianca in the past?
But it will not be as easy as in the past.
Fernand was just a minstrel, and unlike Jacob, who was a member of royalty, there was no reason for her to tremble. That she just try to do something stupid. Bianca's eyes flashed.
Before she could calm her raging mind, Bianca arrived at Arno's store where Zachary was staying. The higher the family's prestige or the better the record from the previous tournament, the closer the tent was placed to the arena, and of course, the Arno family's tent was the closest to the stadium. Because of that, Bianca arrived earlier than expected and her head was still in disarray.
Yvonne hesitated at the unusual look on her mistress's face. Yvonne and Bianca's eyes met.
Anyway, if you stop here and organize your thoughts, your dizzy head won't be able to organize itself so easily. Besides, it was unpleasant to receive the curious gaze of passing gentlemen.
Bianca nodded resolutely and Yvonne nodded and raised her voice inside the tent to announce Bianca's visit.
"Count, the lady has come."
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