44

“Deal?”

Benedict’s gaze instantly transformed. The polite gentleman escorting the lady vanished, and Benedict, now a shrewd information broker, looked at me with a calculating gaze.

“My special client is speaking, and I’d like to promise to trade unconditionally, but…”

Benedict firmly drew a line.

“As you know, I tend to listen and make judgments on everything.”

“I understand.”

I replied calmly.

“I’m not here to ask you to accept my deal right away. How could I when I don’t even know what I might request?”

“Well then, may I ask why you brought up this topic if it’s not to discuss the specifics of our deal?”

“To proceed with the deal, it would be proper to arrange a meeting and make promises. However, due to my current circumstances, that’s difficult.”

I shrugged as if to say, “I’m just letting you know about this.”

“I understand. After all, I heard that lately the marquis resides at the boarding school.”

Benedict positively acknowledged my words.

…He must already know about everything, even the part about the marquis residing at the boarding school, to avoid being treated as an information broker.

I squinted at Benedict with both eyes.

Simultaneously, Benedict gave me a mysterious look.

“However, in the past, you used to come in without making an appointment, didn’t you?”

“At that time, it was inevitable. The marquis and I had no relationship at all.”

I replied shamelessly.

“But since we’ve become familiar, I thought it would be better to show a minimum level of courtesy this time.”

For some reason, Lucian’s words came to my mind at that moment.

[See you later, Lady Lepherian.]

[I just thought it’s better to observe some basic courtesy toward a potential partner in a cooperative relationship.]

…Annoying.

I vented my thoughts about Lucian in an instant.

It was only natural; it wasn’t the time to be plagued by guilt about Lucian when I had some leisure.

The music had reached its climax.

Benedict skillfully wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me towards him.

“Actually, the first deal was quite interesting. So, I’m looking forward to this one.”

That probing gaze.

Facing Benedict’s unique scrutinizing eyes, I felt like my inner thoughts were being laid bare. Simultaneously, a suggestive whisper caressed my ear.

“How about it?”

“Of course, feel free to expect great things.”

I arrogantly lifted my chin.

“Let me promise you a much more exciting deal than last time.”

Upon hearing that, Benedict smirked.

“Oh my, I didn’t expect you to say it so boldly. It’s truly thrilling.”

“So, can I come see you any time on Tuesday or Friday?”

Usually, Benedict stayed at the pie shop two days a week, on Tuesday and Friday. However, he was known to adjust his schedule somewhat flexibly due to his responsibilities at Schmaikel’s top and as the Lord of Lunenburg.

‘Well, now that the matter of Rombio Estate is settled.’

It shouldn’t be as hectic as in the original.

With such calculations, I unintentionally asked.

“….”

I flinched for a moment.

It was because I felt a shiver through my elegant gown as he stood so close to me.

“Oh, by the way.”

Benedict tilted his head towards me and asked.

“It’s really fascinating. How does Lady know everything, even that?”

His voice sank discreetly.

“Even my family doesn’t know all my schedules.”

Oops.

I hastily examined Benedict’s expression.

Fortunately, he didn’t seem uncomfortable. Instead, he seemed more curious.

“Well, you know, it’s more charming for a woman to have a few secrets, isn’t it?”

I replied with a poker face.

In response to my answer, Benedict’s smile deepened a bit more.

“That’s true. If you weren’t the Lord’s lover, I would have seriously courted you.”

“Please endure that. I don’t want to hang side by side with the Count at the top of the Rose Cross School Tower.”

“But if I could be with Lady, it would be worth having that kind of adventure.”

After some banter, Benedict added with a serious tone.

“Anyway, it’s true that on the days you mentioned, I usually stay close to the pie shop.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. However, if there are unavoidable circumstances that make you come on different dates, please reserve a cherry pie with the staff. I’ll contact you separately.”

“Thank you.”

I nodded my head.

At the same time, the music ended.

I lifted the hem of my dress to Benedict, indicating a courtesy.

Benedict, too, placed his hand on his chest and slightly bowed.

But then.

“Wait, isn’t that…?”

“Step aside, please.”

People murmured, making way in a stir.

It felt like witnessing an ancient sage parting the sea, much like in religious scriptures.

And in the midst of it all, the person who appeared was…

‘Dante?’

I widened my eyes.

‘Why is he suddenly here?’

Well, let’s assume he made an entrance.

After all, Dante is the actual protagonist of this debutante party.

Where the protagonist roams around is none of my concern; I can’t say anything about it.

The only issue is…

…the current Dante seems strangely uneasy.

“Count Luneburg.”

Dante addressed Benedict with a stern voice.

“Sorry, but she’s my partner.”

“…,”

His red eyes gleamed eerily.

“I think I should take my partner now.”

“Oh, I see.”

Benedict smoothly smiled.

“I didn’t realize if Count Luneburg took Lady Lepherian’s partner position so seriously. She’s been alone since earlier.”

“…,”

Dante furrowed his eyebrows.

But Benedict’s pointed words weren’t over yet.

“However, is a partner that important?”

“What?”

“In the first place, isn’t a debutante party a place for the lady who has made her debut to safely experience many gentlemen?”

It was an impeccable argument.

The wrinkles between Dante’s eyebrows deepened even more.

“Moreover, if it were me, if the partner is so important…”

Benedict glanced at me with a sidelong gaze and then flashed a sly smile.

“I wouldn’t let her go so easily.”

…Please, stop looking at me like that.

I felt a throbbing pain in my head.

If a fight had to happen, I wished they’d fight somewhere else and leave me alone…

Well, it’s just that my life goal is to smoothly escape without getting involved in the chaos between male protagonists.

Especially since the female protagonist hasn’t even appeared yet.

Why am I already caught up between Dante and Benedict?

“So?”

Dante twisted the corner of his lips.

“Anyway, even if you’re in a romantic relationship, why is the third party meddling? Don’t you think it’s going too far?”

“Well, if you’re referring to someone going too far, isn’t it Count Luneburg?”

Benedict’s smile deepened a bit.

“I simply acted according to the spirit of the debutante. I just did what I thought was appropriate.”

“…”

Oh, it’s been a while since I’ve seen Dante at a loss for words.

I silently admired it.

Really, Benedict is Benedict.

To face Dante’s fierce spirit like that and not bat an eye, it’s something.

But the strange thing is…

‘Benedict usually goes on such adventures restricted to the female protagonist alone…’

Anyway, I can’t just watch these two quarreling like this.

“Marquis.”

I approached Dante.

Dante, who had been noticeably tense, glanced at me for a moment.

I lowered my eyelids coquettishly.

“I’m so glad you care about me.”

“…”

For a moment, Dante’s momentum softened a bit.

In contrast, Benedict’s expression became a bit uncomfortable…

“What can I do about it?”

I sighed deeply inside.

‘Currently, the person who has the most significant impact on my survival is Dante.’

For now, I have to separate these two.

I gently raised my eyelids to look into Dante’s eyes.

“So, can you give me a little more time?”

“Time?”

“Yes. I danced continuously, so I feel a bit warm. Can I ask for your escort to get some fresh air?”

After that, I slightly lifted my heels.

Leaning towards Dante, I whispered softly.

“I also want to spend some time alone with the Marquis.”

“…”

Dante murmured something indistinctly, glaring at me.

I internally sighed deeply.

“Can’t we?”

“…”

Staring at me for a long time, Dante gestured towards the balcony with a nod.

“Fine, let’s go.”

Although his eyes were still defiant, his agitated nerves seemed to have settled to some extent.

Feeling relieved, I tightly held onto Dante’s arm.