47

I felt my mouth go dry.

Right in front of me, a cleverly concealed trap was laid.

If I accidentally stepped on it…

‘I’ll immediately be interrogated about my relationship with Lucian.’

Though the reason was unknown, Dante had been acting quite sensitive towards Lucian lately.

So, what should I do here and now?

“What? Duke Kalleid? I never thought of that.”

I widened my eyes in apparent surprise and looked directly at Dante.

“Oh, right. Viscount Craig was Kaled Marquis’s cousin. I forgot.”

“…”

Dante’s tense expression softened a bit for a moment.

Observing him closely, I shrugged my shoulders as if I knew nothing.

“Well, that guy is a bit annoying, to be honest.”

“Annoying? Why?”

“He believes in his humble status and wealth, and he’s truly repulsive, flirting with women just because he’s wealthy.”

I spoke somewhat cynically.

“Well, I’ve met many men like that so far.”

Yeah, countless nonsense that the family Lepherian used to throw at me.

I casually lowered my gaze.

“So, it felt a bit uncomfortable. Reminded me of the past.”

“…”

Dante looked down at me with a strange expression.

Probably trying to figure out if my words were sincere or not.

“…I’m so fortunate to have you by my side, Marquis.”

I deliberately leaned my head against Dante’s shoulder, hiding my expression.

“I’m really grateful for rescuing me from those awful men in the past.”

I deliberately used a sweeter tone, whispering softly.

“I’m so happy to be by your side, Marquis.”

While desperately trying to please Dante with words,

I couldn’t easily shake off thoughts about that lady.

The lady who had to endure mockery even from the likes of Viscount Craig.

Escaping from the annoying cage called Lepherian, I entered a slightly broader and more luxurious cage with Dante.

Of course, I was only a little better off than that lady.

I have no intention of denying Dante.

But…

…In essence, there may not be much difference between that lady and me.

But then.

“Ahem, um.”

A short fake cough was heard from behind the balcony curtain,

“Excuse me. May I come in for a moment?”

Someone asked politely.

It was Liam.

Dante frowned.

“Liam, what the hell are you doing?”

It was common courtesy to vacate the balcony when a guest was present. Especially when a man and a woman were alone on the balcony, as they might be engaged in something private.

Liam smiled awkwardly.

“I’m sorry. But it’s really urgent…”

“Just pretend it’s not urgent.”

Dante replied irritably.

“I might just kill you.”

Liam stepped into the balcony, politely opening his mouth.

“Marquis, may I borrow your ear for a moment?”

“…”

Dante gave an annoyed nod, indicating permission.

Liam whispered something softly into Dante’s ear.

The thick annoyance on Dante’s face gradually disappeared, and after a moment…

“Well, that’s why you shouldn’t deal with those rats.”

Dante burst into laughter.

Looking at Dante like that, I felt a tightening sensation in my stomach due to tension.

“So, it seems like I should leave now.”

“…”

At Liam’s cautious voice, Dante slightly furrowed his brows.

“But today is your debutante ball. Leaving my seat…”

“It’s okay.”

I reflexively replied.

The crimson eyes glanced at me briefly.

“Are you sure? Really?”

“Yes.”

I gave a bright, eye-smiling laugh.

Dante, who had been looking at me with complicated eyes, let out a long sigh.

“Phew.”

But it was only for a moment.

Dante nervously adjusted his cravat, his body rising as he stood up.

“I’m sorry, darling. I’ll make sure to settle this matter later, okay?”

“Don’t say that. The matter at hand is much more important.”

I tilted my head.

“…”

Dante, who seemed like he wanted to say something more, shook his head and left.

“Well then, excuse me, Lady Elze.”

Liam courteously bowed towards me and followed Dante.

After waiting for them to completely disappear from my sight,

I slowly wiped away the smile I had covered like a mask.

“Ah…”

Stumbling towards the chair, I collapsed into it as if crumbling.

The tension that had built up throughout the day, dealing with Dante and Benedict, finally loosened.

‘It’s okay.’

I comforted myself internally.

Rather than Dante staying by my side, claiming to be my lover and acting pitiful, I felt more at ease this way. After all, it would just be another debt for Dante.

…Yet.

‘Why do I feel so bad…’

The sincerity I couldn’t bring myself to express outwardly filled my chest like acrid smoke.

I tightly closed my eyes.

As if by doing so, I could escape from this strange discomfort.

* * *

The debutante ball had finally come to an end.

Benedict, who had been guarding a spot in the hall until the very end, raised his gaze for a moment.

His violet eyes gazed quietly at one corner of the ballroom.

At the end of his gaze stood a lady with hair braided thickly in the color of dried rose petals.

Elze Lepherian.

She was the protagonist of this debutante ball.

Just a while ago, when she went out to the balcony, she was clearly escorted by Marquis Offenheir.

But now she was alone.

“…”

The violet eyes became faint.

Benedict recalled Marquis Offenheir’s attitude towards Lady Lepherian earlier.

Although rumors spread about Marquis Offenheir treating his lovers like toys, surprisingly, he seemed to pay some attention to Lady Lepherian.

After dancing with Elze, right after they came out,

The fierce gaze Marquis Offenheir cast at her was still vivid in Benedict’s memory.

It was undoubtedly hostility.

‘Quite an amusing person.’

Benedict twisted the corner of his lips.

If he was going to expose his fangs claiming to be my partner, he should at least treat me well.

To just abandon me like that after the dance, what was that supposed to mean?

But still, if anyone approaches that woman, they will probably try to grab her as if she’s their possession.

Like a brat.

‘Interesting.’

Benedict’s smile deepened a bit.

Since the first deal with Elze, Benedict had been investigating her.

How did she know about his information and predict the situation in the Lomdio territory so accurately?

There were many questions, but there were no clear answers.

[Well, having a few secrets adds to a woman’s charm, doesn’t it?]

Benedict suddenly remembered Elze’s languid voice.

“Ha, really.”

Benedict turned with a satisfied expression.

The next deal proposed by Elze…

He really looked forward to it.

* * *

After that,

It was close to midnight when the debutante ball finally ended.

As the host of the party, I had to stay until the end.

Therefore, my actual return time was well past 1 a.m.

Sitting in a luxurious carriage, I leaned my head against the window and absentmindedly gazed at the darkened streets.

The gas lamps scattered here and there left a dim trace on my retinas.

[Um, Lady Lepherian.]

Suddenly, I recalled something that happened just before getting on the carriage.

[Marquis has given you a hint in advance.]

As I prepared to leave, a maid from Offenheir Town House discreetly whispered to me.

[Lady Lepherian, a bedroom has been prepared for you to rest comfortably.]

[…?]

[So, if you’re tired, I’ll guide you to the bedroom.]

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been disliked by others all my life, but I could sensitively sense the hostility others held towards me.

My instincts whispered to me.

Even though she spoke politely, the maid was looking down on me.

As I stared at the maid, who was blatantly disdainful, I turned my head.

[Enough. Let’s go back to the boarding school.]

[But…]

[Right now, Marquis is not at the townhouse.]

I shrugged lightly.

[In such a situation, how can I stay comfortably at the townhouse?]

Perhaps my answer was the right one.

The subtle hostility I felt from the maid disappeared as if washed away.

‘Welcoming a woman with uncertain status as a guest of Marquis Offenheir must be quite uncomfortable.’

I sneered inwardly.

After all, I was just Dante’s lover.

I couldn’t dream of marriage, let alone becoming an official fiancee.

Therefore, the perception of society towards me was at best a lucky seat next to Dante.