42.

“…Alcohol?”

Why suddenly bring up alcohol?

Of course, I know that Dante is an aficionado, but discussing alcohol in the current situation seems a bit out of place, doesn’t it?

“Yeah. Solomon 25-year-old. The one you toasted with earlier.”

“Oh, yes.”

I looked up at Dante with a playful expression.

Dante seemed oddly annoyed.

“Was it the wine sent by Count Luneburg?”

“Yes, that’s right. He said it was to celebrate my debutante party and to express gratitude for my first major deal.”

“…Is that so?”

Dante, who was narrowing his eyes slightly, asked me another question.

“Did you like the wine? You seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.”

“Yes, I did.”

I nodded obediently.

“It was delicious.”

“…”

For a moment, there was a subtle tension in Dante’s hand on my back.

Somehow, it felt like Dante’s mood had completely hit rock bottom.

Why is he acting like this?

A moment later, Dante opened his mouth with a chilly smile.

“I didn’t know you were so interested in alcohol.”

“It’s not that I’m particularly interested; it just tasted good…”

“From now on, I guess I should pay more attention to your preferences too.”

“…”

Muttering this, Dante grimaced.

Since he seemed unwilling to listen to what I had to say, I just kept my mouth shut.

After a while, as soon as the dance ended, Dante was surrounded by numerous influential figures.

Is it because I was paired with Dante earlier?

In an effort to ease the tension between Dante and me, everyone was eager to strike up a conversation.

Although it looked like my debutante party on the surface, the real star seemed to be Dante.

‘Well, it’s not entirely wrong.’

I shrugged my shoulders and turned away.

As soon as I parted ways with Dante, people’s gazes uncomfortably followed me.

A little while ago, it was as if they were anticipating when the villainess would cause a scene.

Now, they were cautiously avoiding me as if fearing a contagion.

‘Well, this isn’t so bad.’

It’s better than getting into an argument.

But then, at that moment.

‘This debutante party is truly beyond its reputation.’

Someone approached me.

When I glanced up, Benedict was looking at me with a smiling face.

“I heard that Marquis Offenheir put a lot of effort into this debutante party, but the rumors seem to be worse than reality.”

“Count Luneburg.”

Why is he suddenly coming up to me and acting familiar?

I looked at Benedict with a suspicious gaze.

“It seems Marquis Offenheir values Lady Lepherian very much.”

Benedict, who had looked around, shrugged lightly.

“…To the extent of opening the townhouse of the Marquis.”

Although he wore his characteristic warm smile on his lips,

his violet eyes shone coldly.

‘He’s probing me.’

I instinctively smiled to conceal my expression.

“I didn’t mean to say that the Marquis is the one who brightened up this debutante seat for nothing.”

“Well, even I would think so.”

Hmm.

I narrowed my eyes.

Benedict, who seemed like he would pry further, unexpectedly took a step back.

As if he decided there was no need to be so guarded.

Then, he continued the conversation in a lively tone.

“Did you enjoy the wine I sent?”

“Yes, it suited my taste well.”

I nodded obediently.

It wasn’t just that; the champagne was truly delicious.

And it had a utility beyond its taste.

‘…That one bottle of wine took away the uncomfortable glances of the nobles in an instant.’

Thinking about it, I lifted the hem of my dress and curtsied.

“Thank you for the gift.”

“I’m glad it was helpful.”

Benedict’s smile deepened slightly.

At the same time, I noticed people glancing at Benedict from a distance, probably trying to catch a word with him.

Perhaps, because he was quite influential, even if he wasn’t the main character.

“Well then, I’ll be going…”

Having expressed gratitude and engaged in polite conversation, I intended to part ways with Benedict.

From my perspective, wanting to attract as little attention as possible, Benedict was excessively conspicuous.

However,

“Lady Lepherian.”

Surprisingly, Benedict held me back.

I looked at Benedict with a puzzled face.

Simultaneously, Benedict politely extended his hand to me.

It was the manner of a gentleman inviting a lady to dance.

“While it may not be fitting to request a formal reply for my gift, would it be alright for me to ask for a dance, Lady?”

“…”

I silently looked down at the hand he offered.

Normally, I would have refused.

Dancing together in front of so many people, Benedict was too prominent.

However,

“Sure.”

I willingly placed my hand on Benedict’s.

It was also because I had something to say.

Originally, I planned to visit Benedict later, but Dante had been staying at the boarding school recently.

‘So it might be a good idea to try my luck here in advance.’

Moreover, the dance hall was a surprisingly suitable place for private conversations.

The music continued, and the dancers were too focused on each other to pay much attention to our conversation.

Meanwhile, Benedict, as if surprised, widened his eyes and looked at me.

“I’m glad.”

He smiled faintly.

Dealing with countless pieces of information and calculating only my benefits, he wasn’t the cold and calculating information broker that one might expect.

At least his smile was genuinely innocent.

“I was planning to persist even if rejected multiple times.”

“I didn’t reject you because I thought you would persist.”

In response to Benedict’s joke, I also responded with a jest.

Then Benedict chuckled again.

“It’s not a joke, you know.”

“A persistent man isn’t charming.”

“Well, Lady Lepherian, maybe it’s you who made me uncharming, not my persistence?”

…What nonsense is this?

Looking at Benedict with that meaning, he shrugged as if to say, “Who knows?”

“Because Lady has such overwhelming charm, have you ever thought that you might make people persistent?”

“That’s the most foolish thing I’ve heard today.”

“Oh, it seems I’ve made a mistake.”

Benedict burst into a hearty laugh.

“But even such stubbornness can be charming.”

“I think Count Luneburg might be able to dance not only with his body but also with his mouth. Your wit is quite dazzling.”

“If you continue to praise me, it’ll be embarrassing.”

Even with my sarcastic response, Benedict responded cheerfully.

With that said, we shook hands and headed to the dance hall.

* * *

The nobles clustered around Dante like hungry young animals begging their mother for food, greedily vying for his attention.

“Marquis Offenheir, there’s a really good investment opportunity this time…”

“How about considering our business? It’s a place I personally run!”

Dante only faced the nobles with a sly smile, not giving any substantial responses.

As the nobles became increasingly heated, one of them complained, “I spoke to the Marquis first! What if you interfere like this?”

“Can’t I say a word?”

Dante’s popularity was so high that nobles who wanted to exchange a few words with him ended up squabbling with each other.

Meanwhile, Liam, observing Dante from a corner of the hall, inwardly sighed.

‘Oh no.’

Dante was on the verge of exploding.

Understandably, Dante detested boredom more than anything else in the world.

Moreover, the atmosphere of nobles clinging to him was enough to make Dante feel thoroughly fed up.

Liam felt a deep sense of duty.

Before that terrifying jaw started babbling nonsense and disrupted the atmosphere of the hall, he had to pull Dante out.

“Marquis.”

Liam approached Dante cautiously and called out to his master.

Dante turned to Liam with a sharp smile.

“What’s the matter?”

“I have something to tell you. Just for a moment…”

Dante raised an eyebrow slightly, sought permission from the people around, and then followed Liam.

Once they were away, Dante shot a somewhat annoyed question.

“So, what is it?”

“Well, Marquis, you seem a bit tired. I thought you might need a break.”

“Ah.”

Dante blinked as if caught off guard.

Then he flashed a playful smile.

“Did it show?”