A count

An hour had passed, and the crowd had grown considerably thicker.

The grand hall was now filled with lively conversations, the soft clinking of glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter from different corners of the room.

Tala had wandered off somewhere, already engaged in conversation with one person after another.

Venisa, meanwhile, had found herself surrounded by several members of the elite, most of whom were discussing business, investments, and the latest developments in the city.

She listened attentively, offering a few measured remarks of her own.

Eventually, the conversation came to an end.

The gentlemen excused themselves with polite nods before disappearing into the crowd.

Venisa finally had a moment to herself.

She reached for her glass and took a small sip.

Then—

A woman's voice came from behind her.

“Venisa”

She paused.

The voice sounded strangely familiar.

Venisa turned slowly.

Ruby stood there with a pleasant smile, dressed beautifully enough to attract attention without appearing to try too hard. Her eyes traveled over Venisa’s gown before returning to her face.

“It has been a long time,” Ruby said sweetly.

Venisa gave her a calm smile. “It has.”

Ruby tilted her head. “You still look exactly the same.”

“How unfortunate,” Venisa replied.

Ruby blinked.

Venisa took a delicate sip of her drink. “I was hoping the years had improved me.”

A brief silence passed.

Then Ruby laughed softly. “Oh, you still have that tongue.”

“And you still have that habit of saying things you don't mean.”

Ruby’s smile tightened for half a second.

“Some things never change.”

“Apparently not.”

Ruby glanced down at Venisa’s sapphire gown.

“You always did enjoy dressing like you owned the room.”

Venisa looked around at the crowded ballroom.

“I don't.”

She smiled.

“The room simply behaves as though I do.”

Ruby let out a small laugh, though there was little amusement in it.

“I see you haven't lost your confidence.”

“I could say the same about you.”

Ruby raised an eyebrow.

“Was that a compliment?”

“I was being charitable.”

Ruby laughed again, this time with a little more force.

“So much has changed since we last met.”

Ruby suddenly stepped closer.

Before Venisa could react, Ruby slipped her arm through hers and leaned against her.

“I missed you,” Ruby said warmly.

Venisa glanced down at the arm wrapped around hers.

Then she looked back at Ruby.

“You did?”

Ruby smiled brightly. “Of course.”

“That is surprising.”

Ruby laughed. “Why?”

“Because I don't remember you being particularly sentimental.”

Ruby rested her head lightly against Venisa’s shoulder.

“People change, Lady Venisa.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“I really did miss you,” Ruby insisted. “We haven't seen each other in so long. I thought you might have forgotten me.”

Venisa looked at her. “Forgotten you?”

“Yes.”

Venisa gave her a thoughtful look. “I considered it.”

Ruby’s smile froze.

For a second, Venisa almost smiled.

Then Ruby laughed, pretending not to be offended. “You're still cruel.”

“And you're still dramatic.”

“I’m only being affectionate.”

“You're clinging to my arm.”

Ruby looked at her innocently.

“Because I missed you.”

Ruby remained linked around Venisa’s arm, her voice becoming quieter.

“You know, I really miss my brother.”

Venisa glanced at her.

“He wasn't always this cold.”

Ruby looked toward him across the ballroom. “And he barely speaks to me. He doesn't tease me anymore. He doesn't even look at me the way he used to.”

Venisa remained silent.

“He's still my brother,” Ruby continued softly, “but sometimes it feels like I've lost the person he used to be.”

She tightened her hold on Venisa’s arm.

“I just want my old brother back.”

Venisa said nothing, but inwardly, she agreed.

Ruby wasn't entirely wrong.

He was no longer the hot-tempered, reckless boy she had once known—the one who wore his arrogance openly and seemed incapable of hiding what he felt.

The man before her was different.

Colder.

More restrained.

More difficult to read.

Ruby gave a faint, almost proud smile.

“After he broke you, I ignored him for an entire month.”

Venisa looked at her.

“A month?”

“Not a single word.”

Ruby tightened her arm around Venisa’s.

“He would come into the house and I'd walk past him. He'd speak to me, and I'd pretend I didn't hear him. He even tried bribing me with my favorite pastries.”

Venisa almost smiled. “Did it work?”

“Of course not.”

Ruby shook her head.

“I was furious. Not because he was my brother, but because you were hurt—and he acted as though nothing had happened.”

She glanced toward Code across the ballroom.

“I told him, ‘Because you hurt someone who never deserved it. And until you understand that, you don't get your sister back.’”

Venisa lowered her gaze.

She remembered that time.

Many weeks after Code had fooled her—after she had trusted him only to discover the truth—another tragedy came.

Valerie died.

Her sister.

Everything had happened so quickly.

And somehow, the hurt she had felt because of Code seemed insignificant beside the grief of losing Valerie.

But she had never forgotten either.

Venisa slowly looked across the ballroom.

Code stood exactly where he had been, surrounded by people, composed and unreadable.

For years, she had tried to convince herself that the boy who had hurt her was someone she had left in the past.

Yet seeing him again made her realize something she had never wanted to admit.

Some wounds did not disappear.

They simply learned how to remain quiet.

Ruby’s gaze drifted across the crowded ballroom as she continued talking with Venisa.

Then she suddenly stopped.

Her eyes settled on someone near the far side of the room.

“Alejandro…”

Venisa followed her gaze.

A tall Spaniard stood among the guests, dressed in a dark formal suit, speaking quietly with one of the Montenorie family’s acquaintances.

Ruby’s expression immediately brightened. “I didn't know he was here.”

Venisa glanced at her.

“You know him?”

Ruby smiled. “Very well.”

A moment later, Alejandro excused himself from his conversation and crossed the ballroom toward them.

Ruby looked at Venisa with unmistakable satisfaction.

“Now,” she murmured, “this should be interesting.”

Ruby smiled as Alejandro approached.

“Alejandro, come here. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

He stopped before them, his attention settling on Venisa.

“Lady Venisa,” Ruby said, “this is Alejandro de Valcárcel.”

Then she turned toward Alejandro.

“And this is Lady Venisa.”

Alejandro offered a courteous smile. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Venisa inclined her head. “Likewise.”

Instead of simply shaking her hand, Alejandro gently took it in his.

His touch was careful, almost formal.

He lowered his head and placed a brief kiss upon the back of her hand.

Venisa’s expression remained composed, though her eyes flickered with surprise.

“Forgive the bold introduction,” Alejandro said with a faint smile. “Ruby has spoken of you more than once.”

Venisa glanced at Ruby.

“You have?”

Ruby smiled innocently. “Only good things.”

Venisa gave her a skeptical look.

Alejandro chuckled softly, “I'll believe that when I hear them.” still holding her hand for a moment before respectfully releasing it.

Ruby leaned toward Venisa, lowering her voice so only she could hear. “He’s a fucking Spaniard count.”

Venisa’s eyes flicked toward Alejandro.

“Count Alejandro de Valcárcel. Old Spanish nobility. And, apparently, he’s very interested in you.”

Venisa gave her a sidelong look.

“You brought him here without telling me?”

Ruby shrugged innocently.

“I thought you'd appreciate the surprise.”

Venisa glanced at Alejandro, who was still watching her with a faint, courteous smile.

Then she looked back at Ruby. “You're impossible.”

Ruby smiled. “I've missed you. Let me have my fun.”

“There is a confession I ought to make, Lady Venisa.”

Venisa turned toward him.

“I first noticed you at your grandmother’s wake.”

His voice was low and polished.

“You stood amidst the mourners with remarkable composure. Everyone else seemed consumed by grief, yet you carried yourself with a dignity I found difficult to forget.”

Venisa remained silent.

“Since that evening, whenever I attended a ball, I found myself searching the room for you.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“Not merely because you were the former baroness’s heir, but because I wished to see the lady who had left such an impression upon me.”

His gaze held hers.

“There were evenings when I arrived at a grand ballroom knowing perfectly well that you were unlikely to attend. Still, my eyes would wander among the guests.”

Ruby quietly smiled beside them.

Alejandro continued.

“I have heard your name spoken in many houses of nobility. Some spoke of your family’s ancient title. Others spoke of the mysterious succession of your house.”

He paused.

“But titles were never what interested me.”

His expression softened.

“You did.”

Venisa’s composure faltered for the briefest moment.

Alejandro bowed his head slightly.

“I hope you will forgive my honesty. A gentleman of my station is taught to be patient in matters of the heart.”

A faint smile appeared.

“But patience has never prevented a man from noticing the woman he wishes to find.”

Ruby leaned toward Venisa and whispered with a grin,

“I told you. The Spaniard is serious.”

Venisa gave her a warning glance.

Alejandro merely smiled, his manner as composed as ever.

“I have been looking for you for a very long time, Lady Venisa.”

Ruby covered her mouth, giggling as she leaned toward Venisa.

“That’s why I love talking to this count,” she whispered. “He makes me laugh so hard I nearly wet myself.”

Venisa slowly turned to her.

“Ruby.”

“What?”

“You are standing beside a count.”

Ruby struggled to contain another laugh.

Venisa sighed, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

Venisa studied Alejandro for a moment, then asked quietly,

“Did you ever have the opportunity to speak with my grandmother?”

Alejandro shook his head.

“No, Lady Venisa. I never had the honor.”

Venisa’s expression softened with relief. “Good.”

Alejandro raised an eyebrow, slightly amused by her answer.

Venisa took a small sip of her drink.

She glanced toward Ruby, who was already trying not to laugh.

“Then there is no need for me to worry about what she might have told you.”

Alejandro smiled. “Was your grandmother so formidable?”

Venisa’s lips curved faintly.

“You have no idea.”

She could only hope her grandmother had never spoken to any eligible bachelors about her before her death.

If Donna Victoria had never arranged anything behind her back, then perhaps everything would remain simple.

Alejandro was a count. He was respectable, well-connected, and apparently interested in her.

And if her grandmother had never interfered—

then, for once, everything might actually fall into place exactly as it should.