Chapter 1 - Chapter 1

Translator: Nox

Chapter 1Chapter 1

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Chapter 1: I Will Interfere With You

“Shall I reveal the final secret? The most agonizing realization I had? It was the fact that I actually cared for you.”

The confession was barely a murmur, yet it sliced through the crashing boom of the storm to find my ears with haunting clarity.

Ice-cold rain pooled in the narrow gap where our palms met. We were never truly close, and now those same hands fought with frantic energy to shove the other away.

Letting go meant certain doom. Holding on offered no salvation. In this precarious place, there was no path where we both walked away alive.

“Since you’ve enjoyed a longer life, it’s only right you depart first. It seems like a fair trade.”

A jagged streak of yellow light cut through the dark, exposing the madness swirling in her gaze. I saw my own terrified features mirrored in those azure depths.

As one hand clawed for a grip and the other struggled to break free, a blinding flash preceded a deafening crack. The ancient tree beside us gave way, collapsing into the void.

Did you catch a glimpse of our carriage being pulverized beneath the timber as we plummeted?

“I heard the remains were unrecognizable.”

“Such a tragedy. She possessed such a gentle soul. Our paths crossed once during the gala for the New Year.”

“I remember her as well. Her beauty was striking, but her heart was even more remarkable. Finding someone that soft-hearted is a rarity. Her younger sister must be devastated, wouldn’t you think? They were together when it happened.”

“Devastated? The poor girl was so badly mangled she spent a full season in recovery. She wasn’t even well enough to say goodbye at the burial.”

“Still… those whispers. Is there any weight to them? Why would a sibling commit such a—”

“Quiet. Count Kalashi is present this evening. Watch your tongue.”

The warning came too late. Classie had already absorbed every sharp word the guests had traded.

She set her porcelain cup onto a passing servant’s tray and stole a glance at the timepiece strapped to her wrist.

Three hours had passed since her arrival. She felt she had fulfilled her social obligation to Florence by staying this long.

She needed to vanish before the rumors grew any louder, yet she worried her niece, Meren, would notice she had arrived without an escort.

Classie knew that if Meren sensed a scandal, it would spark a massive scene.

Given her niece’s relentless nature, Classie scanned the room for a way to dodge Florence and reach the exit unnoticed.

Luck was on her side; Florence was deep in conversation with her spouse near the grand staircase.

Sticking to the shadows of the wall, Classie began her retreat.

“My lady, a moment!”

She was only a few paces from freedom when a youthful voice called out.

Classie assumed the shout was meant for someone else and kept moving, but the young man darted forward to block her path.

She jerked to a halt, startled.

The stranger offered a quick nod, biting his lip nervously as he ran a hand through his golden curls.

She noticed a distinct crimson hue creeping up his neck. He looked utterly mortified.

Classie found his behavior baffling. As she watched him, he wrung his hands together and finally spoke.

“I apologize… but are you here on your own?”

She echoed his question back to him, her confusion evident.

The man found a spark of bravery. He gave a firm nod and gestured toward the heavy drapes where she had been standing moments before.

“I couldn’t help but notice you. You’ve been without company the entire evening.”

“You were watching me?”

“Please, don’t think me a predator. You are simply so stunning… I wanted to introduce myself, but I was intimidated. Then I saw you leaving and realized I had to act now or never.”

He stumbled over his words, eventually breaking into a self-effacing grin while messing with his hair again.

“I’m making a mess of this. I’m sorry.”

Classie blinked at him. The realization hit her like a slow wave. This man wasn’t just lost; he was actually pursuing her.

His flustered state made his intentions impossible to miss.

Internally, Classie was reeling with shock. A man had actually approached her out of genuine attraction.

Despite the internal chaos, she kept her expression perfectly poised.

When she didn’t immediately reply, the young man’s confidence began to wither. He shifted his weight.

“Have I offended you? I tried to find someone to introduce us, but no one recognized you. You’re a new face in these circles, so I took a gamble. If I’m overstepping, I’ll go.”

He was already starting to turn away.

“Not at all!”

She lunged forward, catching his arm. The young man’s eyes went wide as he looked back at her.

Realizing her grip was a bit desperate, Classie smoothed her skirts and forced a serene, practiced smile.

“You haven’t upset me. I’m just unaccustomed to such directness. It caught me off guard.”

She fought to keep her pulse from racing, speaking with a forced gentleness. Despite her effort, her eyes flicked toward Florence.

For years, Florence had been on a tireless crusade to find Classie a suitable match. Seeing a potential suitor right in front of her felt like a hard-won victory.

By some twist of fate, Florence was looking her way at that exact second.

Florence beamed and gave a frantic little wave, her eyes screaming for Classie to focus on the man and ignore her.

When Classie turned back, the young man’s face was glowing with renewed hope.

“Unaccustomed? I find that impossible to believe. Someone of your grace…”

“You truly find me beautiful?”

“I do. I’ve never encountered anyone like you. Seeing you across the room felt like a bolt of lightning.”

“And yet, this is truly a first for me.”

Classie pitched her voice lower, adding a touch of mystery. The young man looked as though he were watching a miracle unfold.

“Then it must be because you are too radiant,” he whispered. “Others must be terrified to speak to you. It took every ounce of my will to walk over here.”

Classie had to bite back a proposal then and there.

She managed to stay professional, but in her mind, she was already dragging this handsome blond toward an altar.

She felt a surge of gratitude toward Florence for dragging her to this event.

Marriage was her only escape. It was the only way to claim her birthright. She cursed the archaic laws of the Empire that tied property ownership to a wedding ring.

Classie took a steadying breath.

Her gaze drifted back to the gossiping nobles from earlier. The high of the moment vanished, replaced by a cold splash of reality.

She looked back at the man’s innocent face, her heart sinking.

“My lady?”

“My name is Classie.”

Regardless of the hurdles, she had to start somewhere if she ever wanted to be free.

Besides, he was a Count. Their ranks were perfectly matched. It was an ideal arrangement.

But just as she began to relax into a smile, a shrill, familiar voice pierced the air. It was Meren.

Classie froze. Her heart hammered against her ribs.

She wondered how her niece had found her so quickly.

“It’s quite loud here,” Classie said quickly, trying to lead him away. “Perhaps we could find a quieter corner?”

The man followed her, looking slightly dazed.

Classie hurried him along. She needed to secure his interest before Meren could ruin the illusion.

“Auntie! Honestly, are you going to keep pretending you can’t hear me?”

The voice belonged to Meren. Classie kept her back turned, but it was no use. The girl had already closed the distance.

The young man’s brow furrowed as he looked between them. “Auntie?”

Meren slid her arm through Classie’s, effectively anchoring her in place.

“Auntie, who is this charming man? Is he the reason you’ve been avoiding me?”

The stranger’s expression shifted as he processed the word. He let out a strained, awkward chuckle.

“Oh, I see. You are her aunt. You look remarkably young for your age. I almost made a terrible assumption.”

He subtly detached his arm from Classie’s hold. The spark in his eyes was dying out fast.

Classie suppressed a scream. It was over. Meren had sabotaged her yet again.

She knew exactly what was happening in the man’s head.

Meren looked every bit of her twenty years.

By labeling Classie as the elder generation, she had instantly aged Classie in the man’s eyes. He now saw her as a woman far beyond his own years.

“Auntie, won’t you introduce us? I’m new here and don’t have any friends. You shouldn’t keep all the handsome men to yourself!”

Meren played the part of the innocent girl perfectly, tugging on Classie’s sleeve.

But Classie knew better. Having raised the girl for a decade, she saw the glint of malice in those blue eyes.

Meren’s gaze held a very clear promise: she would ensure no man got close to Classie tonight.