Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Testing His Heart
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The moment I saw Hayes's head bobbing up and down, I gestured to Emily that it was okay to lower her skirt and opened my mouth.
"I think of this as a kind of test."
"A test?"
"Just my personal impression, but it seems like the young lord is interested in you too. Positively, even."
"...Really? Even Brother thinks so?"
"Yeah. Based on my experience peeping on people at parties, I'm sure of it."
According to the teenage romance data I'd accumulated over years as a wallflower ninja, there were several suspicious signs between them.
Like how he recognized Hayes right away in the dark terrace, or the fact that they'd met a few times afterward.
If I'd been in that situation, I'd have chugged kimchi soup on the spot and started imagining grandkids.
How do you hold back when a guaranteed top-tier nineteen-year-old shows interest in you?
Of course, being the massive coward I am, I'd just freeze up fantasizing about it.
"So, change your mindset a bit. It's not about seducing him—it's about sounding out his true feelings."
"Sounding out his true feelings?"
"At the party, can you get alone with him? Even just five minutes is enough."
"That much is possible."
Hayes nodded with a voice full of some conviction.
"When you're alone, make an excuse about your feet hurting and take off your shoes. Or say your corset is too tight and ask him to help loosen it. Find some way to show your legs—if you actually break a heel, that's even better."
"What does that have to do with sounding out his feelings?"
Hayes tilted her head slightly to the side as she asked.
"Men get dumb around sexy stuff. Their hearts soften, they want to take care of you, and suddenly they're imagining grandkids."
"Where are these idiots?"
"......"
I wanted to say one was right in front of her, but instead, I just shrugged with a subtle smile.
Hey, I went out on a limb sharing lifetime wisdom and secrets here. If she doesn't bite, that's on her.
"Anyway, the key isn't just showing the legs—it's his reaction when you suggest it."
"His reaction?"
"See if he genuinely looks uncomfortable, or if he's just pretending to dislike it."
"And then?"
"If the vibe feels off, back off gracefully. If it's good, casually drop some topics—flatter him, hint at your ideal type."
"And then? After that?"
"You won't need to do anything after. If the mood's set right, your bodies will handle the rest."
"Hmm..."
Hayes still looked skeptical about my plan, but I was confident.
When two people are into each other in their prime, a tiny push is all it takes for things to ignite. Hell, I was praying they wouldn't cause a scene that night.
It only takes a second for a kiss to turn into belly-to-belly.
"If you're not sure, imagine him gazing at you with hot eyes."
"The young lord..."
Hayes gently closed her eyes.
At first, she sat there peacefully with a calm expression.
"...!"
A moment later, Hayes suddenly shuddered, her ears turning red as she fidgeted with her thighs, then snapped her eyes open in surprise.
"Ugh... I-I think I get what you mean..."
"Right?"
Avoiding my gaze and stuttering, Hayes darted her uneasy eyes around.
Teenage fantasies never fail.
Devastatingly effective.
"Sounds decent, right?"
"Hmm... I'm not totally sure yet, but it seems worth trying."
An ambiguous answer.
I didn't want to force her if she wasn't committed...
"Alright then. Come back in two weeks."
Since it's my little sister, I'd tolerate a bit of time investment.
Plant some favors now, and she'll grow up obedient, listening to me later.
"Two weeks? Does it take that long?"
"You want it slapped together? One pair took me three days."
"No, no! Sorry, I'll wait as long as it takes."
Hayes frantically shook her head side to side.
"Then I'll start working on it today."
"Yeah, thanks."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ It would've taken just a week for two pairs if it was plain, but I asked for two weeks on purpose—to add more decoration.
Personally, I preferred plain stockings, but in noble society, even gloves needed subtle embellishments.
Even if no one saw them, stockings required simple patterns or trim.
So I took an extra week for embroidery.
"Here, take a look."
Two weeks later, on the day I handed over the finished stockings.
"Wow...!"
Faced with roses and vines embroidered in white thread from ankle to knee, Hayes let out an instinctive gasp of admiration, staring blankly at the stockings.
"Like them?"
"Yeah... Did you do the embroidery yourself, Brother?"
"Figured you'd hate them too plain, so I added it. Not a fan?"
"What? No, they're so pretty—I thought you had someone else do it..."
"I'm pretty good at it."
These moments were rare for getting praise from Hayes, so I shrugged and puffed up a bit on purpose.
"Yeah... You really are."
"......"
Her genuine admiration sent my inner ego soaring on a massive high.
Electrifying.
"Heh..."
"Brother, can I try them on right now?"
A little drunk on my own awesomeness, Hayes pointed to the dressing room and asked cautiously.
"Go ahead. Just be careful—the fabric's thin."
"Got it!"
I nodded after giving simple care instructions, and Hayes flashed a bright smile before skipping into the dressing room with Letisha.
And just a short while later.
"Eek! What do I do!"
"Lady Hayes, you look so beautiful...!"
"He'll definitely like this, right?"
"100%! He'll love them for sure!"
Hysterical squeals erupted from the dressing room, followed by a long stretch of excited chatter.
"Hehe..."
Hayes emerged from the dressing room.
Her face bloomed with an unwilting smile, clutching the stockings like precious treasure as she approached me.
Her expression screamed total satisfaction, and as I grinned at her, Hayes spoke up with a hint of excitement.
"Brother, until yesterday I was half-doubting it? Even if the stockings were pretty, wasn't I overhyping?"
"Yeah."
"But trying them on... I kinda get what you said last time."
"Really?"
"This can't fail."
"..."
Her satisfaction was skyrocketing, leaving me flustered instead.
No need to overhype that much.
"Glad you're happy."
"This is the best. For your sake too, Brother, I'll make sure things go deep with the young lord."
"Uh... Yeah, good luck. It'll work out."
"Yeah, thanks, Brother. If this goes well, I'll call you big brother forever and take care of you."
"......"
Is this okay...?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The day of the ball arrived.
My makeup went on perfectly today, the corset cinched just right, I wore a bonedess petticoat for sitting, and I had my brother's secret weapon equipped properly.
Excluding my wedding day, it was arguably the prettiest I'd ever been, but heading to the Bravebrook Viscount Family, I was so tense I felt like losing my mind.
"Haa..."
"Lady Hayes, are you nervous?"
As my heart trembled and I let out a shallow sigh, Letisha gently took my hand from the seat beside me.
"Everyone worked so hard to help, what if I mess up?"
"No way, it'll definitely succeed. You're so beautiful right now."
"Really?"
"Yes! You're incredibly beautiful."
"See? Even Augusta says so."
Augusta, fiddling with her apron across from us, nodded vigorously in agreement with Letisha.
"How beautiful?"
"If I were a man, I'd propose on the spot."
"Me too!"
"Too bad, but no—I plan to marry Lord Lennox."
"Hehe~ What a shame."
"Hehe~ Sorry."
Their jokes eased my quivering heart a little.
I lifted the corners of my mouth in a smile at them, and Letisha and Augusta curved their eyes in soft grins.
As we exchanged glances to melt away the tension, the carriage jolted to a stop.
"Lady Hayes, we've arrived."
A small hatch up front cracked open, and the coachman's voice came through.
"Charles, thank you."
"Lady Hayes, one moment."
I gave a light greeting toward the hatch and rose, as Letisha began straightening my disheveled skirts from sitting.
"All set."
"Thanks. Letisha, you..."
"I'll get help from Augusta. Focus on the young lord you'll meet soon, not me."
"Right, Lady Hayes—think only of him."
Augusta stood and patted her chest confidently, as if saying she had it covered.
"You two are too reliable."
Thanks to them, confidence welled up.
I straightened my back, clasping my gloved hands neatly in front of my navel.
"Hoo..."
I exhaled lightly and glanced at Letisha.
"Let's get down."
"Yes."
Augusta flung open the carriage door, hopped out, and held it steady from outside.
Letisha followed with the coachman's help, then it was my turn.
The warm spring sunlight greeted me first as I stepped down.
Squinting against the dazzling light, Augusta opened a parasol to shield me.
"Oh my..."
With the parasol, my vision cleared.
Glancing around, I spotted Lord Lennox among the viscount family members greeting guests at the mansion entrance.
With a soft smile and warm gaze, I approached him slowly, gracefully, step by step.
With each step closer, my barely calmed heart began pounding wildly again.
"Lady Hayes."
When we were close enough for voices to carry clearly.
The lord brightened and called my name, meeting my eyes.
To him, I curved my eyes in a smile and dipped my head slightly.
"Lord Lennox, it feels like ages. I hope you've been well?"