Chapter 34

“That was a blatant insult, young master! He assumed you wouldn’t even possess suitable attire for the gala. The more I recall it, the more my blood boils!”

For days following Frederick’s visit, Toby had seethed. Unwilling to see his beautiful, noble master humiliated by a vulgar social climber, Toby treated the slight as an unpardonable sin.

“But… he was not entirely wrong. I thought my current clothes were perfectly adequate, so I feel terrible that everyone has been working themselves to the bone over this.”

The maids adjusting Elwin’s garments paused, glaring at him in unified exasperation. Toby spoke for them.

“There you go again. As I have explained, daytime frock coats are utterly unsuitable for an evening gala. A new tailcoat would be ideal, but since that is beyond our means, we must preserve your dignity through other methods.”

To Elwin’s uncritical eye, all formal wear looked identical; he could not tell a frock coat from a tailcoat. He had accepted the invitation without considering his lack of proper evening attire.

He had failed to notice how Frederick had privately fumed at his serene response, or how Leon, watching the exchange with a dark brow, had let a wry smirk twitch at his lips.

Once the news of the Finch gala circulated, Toby had initially spun into a frenzy of excitement—“The young master is attending a ball!”—before immediately descending into despair—“He has absolutely nothing to wear!”

“Nothing to wear? Can I not simply wear what I wore to the tea party?”

“Young master! Daytime and evening wear are entirely different beasts!”

“Are they? I was unaware…”

“We must purchase a new suit immediately! When is the gala? Five days? That is tight, but if the tailor hears it is for you, young master, he will prioritize it above all else.”

“But Toby. We do not possess the funds for such a luxury.”

“What? Young master, then…”

“We have no choice. I shall send our regrets to the Finches and ask them to look after our guests in my stead.”

“Absolutely not! We cannot allow the Finches to look down on your pride!”

At Toby’s outcry, the surrounding maids nodded vigorously. They ransacked the wardrobes until they unearthed the tailcoat the late Count Ravenwell had worn.

Since the late count had withdrawn from society after his wife’s passing, the coat was so ancient it was a miracle it hadn’t rotted. Furthermore, the late count had been a broad-shouldered Alpha—not quite as massive as Leon, but far larger than Elwin—making the garment look comically oversized on him.

Elwin doubted it could ever work, but the maids, spurred by Toby, seized measuring tapes and launched a tailoring campaign fierce enough to strike sparks. After days of sleepless labor, they successfully altered the coat to fit Elwin’s slender frame.

“I would have been fine, truly… but thank you. I know how hard you have all worked.”

“Just wait, young master. Once we apply the finishing touches tomorrow evening, it will be flawless. By the way, where is Lord Dwight? Ah! Riding again? You should have accompanied him!”

Elwin remained silent. Since Frederick’s visit, the guests had retreated into their own worlds. When Selena received her invitation, she merely eyed it with indifference before turning to Elwin.

“More importantly, may I join Eleanor’s lessons again tomorrow? And the day after? Actually, every day?”

“Of course you may, Miss Selena.”

Delighted, Selena skipped off to Eleanor’s room. Dwight, however, remained elusive, only stirring in the late afternoon.

“A gala? Hmph. Perhaps I shall attend. More importantly, may I borrow a horse today?”

He stuffed the invitation into his pocket. Elwin was taken aback by his rudeness but assumed Dwight intended to visit the train station he had missed, answering cordially.

“You may use the stables as you wish. Would you like me to accompany you? Since Miss Selena is studying with Eleanor, I am free to guide you.”

“Studying? Selena is studying?”

Dwight sneered, a crooked smirk that offended Elwin on Selena’s behalf. Before Elwin could speak, Dwight continued.

“I shall ride with Isaac. I will require a horse for him as well. A proper mount, mind you—not some draft horse meant for stableboys.”

Even his servant required a premium mount. Elwin suppressed his frustration. Dwight was, after all, their primary guest. Should he swallow his pride and accompany him to secure his favor?

“Oh, and when the horses are readied, ensure that incompetent stableman from yesterday stays far away. He irritates me.”

Dwight’s casual arrogance caused a cold chill to settle in Elwin’s chest. The stableman had done nothing wrong; Dwight had been entirely at fault. He could not comprehend such malice.

“…Understood.”

In the end, Elwin merely arranged the horses through another servant. From then on, Dwight rode out every afternoon, skipping tea, and returning only for dinner.

Elwin no longer cared if Dwight rode a horse or a mythical beast, but Toby kept pestering him.

“Think about it! If you guided him and you both became lost in a secluded forest path, it would be incredibly romantic…”

Romance again. As Elwin’s expression iced over, the sewing maids glared at Toby to read the room. Ever since the day Toby had panicked over the aphrodisiac dinner menu, the maids had been trying to cure him of his foolish fantasies. Under their combined glares, Toby shrank back.

“Haha. Well, I am certain you will handle things beautifully, young master! Are you heading to the library again today?”

“Yes. I shall take my leave.”

Elwin left the room and walked toward the library, which had become his sanctuary every afternoon. The servants assumed he was catching up on estate affairs or studying high society for the gala, but he had finished his paperwork on day one. Having realized how useless society books were, he went purely to escape.

He knocked softly on the heavy door, cleared his throat, and stepped inside.

The vast library was empty. Elwin blinked in surprise. Lately, he hadn’t been the only one spending his afternoons here.

Oh? Is he… not here today?