43

“Others probably didn’t notice.”

“Yeah, spending time with those fools got on my nerves.”

Dante grumbled sharply.

“Sometimes, I wonder if the Empire hands out titles to idiots. Do you ever think that way?”

It was a bitter tone.

But that was just for a moment.

The irritation on Dante’s face melted away, and simultaneously, his crimson eyes pierced through one side of the banquet hall.

‘Where is he looking?’

Liam, unintentionally turning his head along with Dante, also widened his eyes unknowingly.

At the end of the crimson gaze, Elze was standing.

It looked as if everything was bothersome, with his arms crossed nonchalantly.

It seemed as if he wouldn’t allow anyone’s approach.

Observing his defensive stance, Dante suddenly spoke up.

“It’s about it.”

“Yes?”

“Has she ever danced with other men besides me?”

Liam tilted his head.

“No, not until now.”

“…Really?”

For a moment, a faint sense of satisfaction appeared on Dante’s face.

The expression was similar to that of a young man falling in love for the first time, unable to hide his possessiveness towards his lover.

Liam was slightly surprised inwardly.

Until now, Dante had never been obsessed with anyone, but now, he was showing signs of an improved mood. It was an opportunity not to be missed.

So, Liam opened his mouth.

“Speaking of that, Elze seems to have broadened your horizons compared to before.”

Dante glanced at Liam with a fleeting sidelong glance.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you showed interest even in the upper echelons supplying goods.”

Liam recalled Elze’s attitude during the preparation for the debutante party.

A chef renowned even in the Empire, directly importing valuable ingredients, and even opening the townhouse of Marquis Offenheir.

Rather than joyfully indulging in such extravagance, Elze showed a cautious demeanor.

Especially, what impressed Liam the most…

“For this debutante party, did you not open the town house at Offenheir?”

“Why?”

“She seemed concerned that it might burden you,” Liam smiled contentedly.

“In the past, she would have just been pleased, but now it seems she understand how precious the things you bestow are.”

“…”

For a moment, Dante’s gaze turned cold.

“But why?” Dante asked, staring through Elze.

“Maybe she seem not particularly pleased because she’s a bit tired?”

Liam shrugged casually.

“Miss Elze hasn’t been very active outside normally. Such large-scale parties might be unfamiliar to her.”

“…”

Perhaps Liam didn’t intend to reprimand Dante, but upon hearing those words, Dante began to reflect on his actions so far.

It was true.

Since making Elze his lover, Dante had only casually given her the luxury items she desired.

He never went out properly with Elze or spent time with her, not even once.

He just left her as a manager-like figure at the boarding school.

[I haven’t debuted yet, so it doesn’t seem appropriate for me to stand as the partner of Marquis at the debutante ball.]

Elze’s indifferent voice suddenly came to mind.

“…”

Dante bit his lip tightly.

Even in the current debutante party.

Despite Elze being well beyond the age to debut.

He had no interest in whether she had debuted or not.

Of course, Dante had nothing to apologize for to Elze.

He helped her escape from the Lepherian novelist and spared no financial support to let her indulge in the luxury she desired.

So, despite their relationship having no debts, and Elze being in a similar situation to Dante regarding indebtedness…

…it felt strangely unsettling.

‘Why do I feel this strange way?’

Dante furrowed his eyebrows.

Simultaneously, Liam spoke with a voice mixed with laughter.

“Moreover, your demeanor when raising the toast earlier… Honestly, I was impressed.”

“You used to think I was pathetic.”

Dante retorted out of the blue.

Then, Liam nodded seriously.

“Of course, that’s how I felt back then. You were indeed pathetic.”

“…Liam, you remember that you’re my aide, right?”

“Of course. That’s why I’m just mentioning this much.”

Liam responded seriously without raising an eyebrow.

“But judging the current Miss Elze based on past actions due to prejudice is not right.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Anyway, I was worried that Miss Elze might behave wickedly as usual, but…”

Liam, who had been a bit cloudy in his words, concluded with satisfaction.

“Instead of that, the Marquis subtly emphasized that he’s behind Elze. It was quite a skillful move.”

“That… Well, I did it in my way.”

Dante agreed nonchalantly.

It was quite amusing to see the nobles’ faces distorted.

Honestly, there was no objective criticism about Elze’s attitude.

She was loyal to Dante, affectionate, and always tried to please him.

She never crossed the line.

It was the attitude Dante always expected from his lovers.

So, there was no reason for him to feel bad.

He should think this way…

But it felt strangely twisted.

‘Why do I feel this strange way?’

Dante sighed.

“What’s going on inside that little head of hers? I really have no idea what she’s thinking.”

“What?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Dante, who was grumbling irritably, suddenly furrowed his brow.

“Wait. Who’s that guy?”

Someone approached Elze, who was standing alone.

It was Count Luneburg.

The two of them exchanged a few words, then held hands and entered the dance hall together.

“What on earth is that…?”

Dante tensed his shoulders as if ready to bolt away at any moment.

Liam, who was observing him, couldn’t hide his puzzled expression and tried to dissuade Dante.

“Calm down. It’s just one dance, isn’t it?”

“What? One dance?”

Dante turned to Liam with a sharp gaze.

Liam was just perplexed because he didn’t understand why Dante was reacting like that.

“Surely you don’t think that Lady Elze won’t dance even one song with another man at the debutante party, do you?”

“…”

Dante bit his lower lip sharply.

It was true.

Typically, debutantes danced several songs and engaged in conversations with various gentlemen at the debutante ball. The debutante ball symbolized their introduction to society and, in other words, entering the marriage market as adult women.

Even though Elze was Dante’s lover, placing her in a somewhat peculiar position, as the protagonist of this party, it was considered proper etiquette to dance a few songs with other guests.

The music started playing at that moment.

Elze and Benedict began to dance slowly, taking steps in harmony.

They formed quite a well-matched pair, and their dance was oddly captivating.

Dante’s insides kept boiling.

“That Benedict guy is really irritating.”

Although he had helped them a little while ago, it seemed that Benedict’s attention was directed elsewhere, specifically towards Elze.

At that moment, Dante’s irritation surged.

“Why am I feeling so annoyed?”

Dante muttered with his lips pressed, releasing his pent-up frustration.

‘What’s bothering him now?’

Liam looked at Dante with a somewhat sympathetic gaze.

* * *

Stepping to the dance’s rhythm, I carefully observed the atmosphere around me.

“All right, no one seems to be paying attention over here.”

All the gentlemen and ladies standing in the dance hall were busy focusing on their partners.

It seemed like no one would notice even if we engaged in discreet conversation.

“First of all, thank you.”

In response to the voice that reached me, I briefly turned to Benedict on the opposite side.

“Thanks aren’t necessary.”

I casually nodded.

“In return, I obtained information about Viktor.”

“Can’t you just accept my gratitude?”

Benedict deliberately wore an offended expression.

“It’s true that Lady’s disdainful appearance is charming, but every time she does that, it’s inevitable that I get hurt.”

“…”

When we first met at the pie shop, he didn’t seem to be such a clingy man.

Looking at Benedict with cloudy eyes, I changed the topic.

“More importantly, I’d like to make a new deal.”