The eyes of the women sparkled as they followed Edmund like they were chasing a shooting star, while the men gawked in a daze as they stared at Lilien.
My lips kept twitching.
‘Why do I feel proud, even though I didn’t give birth to her?’
I felt as if my shoulders were rising on their own.
Lilien looked around and met my gaze. She beamed and waved at me.
‘Etricia!’
When I widened my eyes and shook my head, she seemed to realize her mistake and quickly composed herself, stiffening her facial muscles.
I found her attempt at looking serious so adorable that I covered my mouth and let out a small laugh. A noblewoman nearby glanced at me as if I were crazy, but I didn’t care.
The ceremony began in a solemn and reverent atmosphere. As he knelt before the emperor and carried out the ritual, he looked noble and sacred. I wasn’t the only one captivated—everyone watched in a trance, their mouths slightly open in awe.
At that moment, his lowered eyes moved across the marble floor and locked onto mine. I flinched, startled, but at the same time, I was happy to see him, so I secretly waved. He quickly averted his gaze, though.
Shortly after, the emperor finished announcing the duke’s title, officially opening the banquet.
As the crowd dispersed, Lilien ran toward me.
Lilien was stuck among Lady Wickley’s group, looking like she was about to cry. She clearly wanted to come to me, but the people surrounding her wouldn’t let her through.
Having introduced her to a few people earlier, I now sat on a couch in the corner, sipping fruit wine. I didn’t have the courage to pull her out of that crowd, so I simply waved encouragingly and turned my attention to Edmund.
He stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the inner wall of the hall. His ominous aura made it difficult for anyone to approach, leaving only nervous young ladies hovering around him.
With a deep sigh, he rubbed his lifted brow with his hand, looking utterly bored and wishing the evening would end soon.
At one point, our eyes met. I gently waved my hand, only for his face to scrunch up instantly.
‘What’s wrong with him?’
Was he telling me not to acknowledge him? I felt strangely disappointed.
Noticing my furrowed brows, he let out a displeased sigh and pushed off the wall.
Edmund unfolded his arms and strode toward me, radiating an intense aura. I flinched and gripped my wine glass tightly.
‘Wait, wait, is he mad just because I frowned like him?’
Before he could reach me, however, another man approached first. His face was flushed from alcohol, and he began rambling incoherently.
“Yes, yes, really? Oh, I see. Yes, the divorce is true. Do I like opera? Yes, well, it’s alright.”
I gave vague answers while scanning the room for Edmund.
They say the brave win the handsome man. But in the short moment Edmund looked away, he was already caught by a graceful young lady in the center of the hall.
He responded to her expressionlessly while the other ladies whispered among themselves, seemingly making some kind of agreement. They gazed at him like an untouchable work of art.
‘Would there ever be a woman who could break through that fortress?’
If there were, I’d applaud her.
Just then, the drunken man beside me, who had been lingering and muttering like a drunkard speaking to a lamppost, suddenly grabbed my wrist.
Startled by his rudeness, I shot him a sharp glare.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Countess, ignoring me like that is quite hurtful. I’m divorced too, you know. How about we lonely souls have a deep conversation under the moonlight?”
Hah, I had been too focused on Edmund to notice this side.
‘There’s always one of these shameless fools anywhere you go.’
His eyes glistened with lust as he scanned me up and down. A shiver ran through me, as if bugs were crawling over my skin.
“Let go of me.”
“Oh, come on now.”
I twisted my wrist to free myself, but the difference in strength was too great.
Looking around for help, I realized we were too far in the corner, and the hall’s lively music drowned out our exchange.
“Wait—”
Before I could finish speaking, he smirked and pulled me towards him.
I resisted, but before I knew it, I was already being dragged out of the banquet hall by the drunk man.
“Let go! I said, let go!”
“Don’t resist. You like this, don’t you? Your husband ignores you every night—you must be lonely.”
His sinister gaze sent a chill down my spine. The corridor was empty, and the chatter from the hall faded into the distance.
I swallowed hard. Fear crept up my spine as I realized I might not escape this situation.
Smack—!
The man’s hand was suddenly seized.
“What the—?”
The firm grip made him freeze, his expression twisting in anger. He looked up to see who had stopped him.
“What the—!”
I followed his gaze—and froze as well.
Edmund was standing there, staring down at the man with icy contempt.
“I, uh…”
The man stammered, his mouth hanging open. Edmund flicked his eyes toward the back.
The knights, who had been waiting nearby, bowed and swiftly grabbed the man’s arms, dragging him away. Edmund had handled the situation discreetly, mindful of the noble guests.
He watched the struggling man get taken away as if he were nothing, then turned to me.
“Are you alright?”
“Thank you.”
I smiled and rubbed my wrist. In truth, it was throbbing from the man’s grip.
Edmund’s gaze landed on my wrist, and he frowned.
“Has this happened before?”
“No, this was the first time.”
I quickly pulled my hand behind me, changing the subject. I didn’t want to waste energy on a drunk fool, nor did I want to see Edmund’s face harden any further.
“By the way, we made eye contact during the ceremony, right? You surprised me. You looked really amazing.”
Edmund folded his arms behind his back and joined the conversation, as if acknowledging my effort.
“No need for forced compliments.”
“Oh, but I mean it! You looked so breathtaking I nearly stopped breathing.”
Edmund’s eyelids lifted slightly. He hesitated before meeting my gaze.
“Breathtaking?”
His direct stare caught me off guard. It felt different than before. But before I could dwell on it, I spotted someone behind him and let out a dry chuckle.
Storming down the hall in fury was none other than Devon.
‘He finally showed up.’
I turned to Edmund.
“You should go ahead. I have someone to meet.”
Edmund glanced at me sideways before responding.
“I’ll come with you.”
“No, stay with Lilien. See you later.”
I couldn’t afford more drama.
Before Edmund could object, I turned on my heel and strode down the hallway.
“Finally here, Devon?”
Devon, storming toward the banquet hall with angry steps, spotted me and narrowed his eyes into sharp triangles.
“You…!”
“Did I make you wait long?”
“You—what are you doing here?! Do you know how long I waited?!”
“I told you to wait like a dog, and you actually did? You really are naïve.”
Fire sparked in Devon’s eyes. He looked like he might bare his teeth and bite me at any
second.
“You think I’m a joke?! Do I need to sell a mine and go into exile before you take me
seriously?!”
“Shut up and follow me. I’m going to tell you something so shocking you might faint.”
I closed the distance lightly and grabbed his arm.
“What are you doing?!”
Devon harshly shook off my hand.
“Stop talking and follow me.”
I growled and grabbed his arm again, pulling him along.
Finally, I pushed Devon, who trailed behind me like a dog, into the banquet hall. Everyone
was too busy enjoying the party to pay us any attention.
I pointed somewhere for Devon to look.
“Look over there.”
“What am I supposed to see?!”
Devon followed my finger. He squinted and stared for a moment, then spun around irritably.
“What the hell is this? What are you trying to do to me?”
“I’m just letting you know I’m holding your life in my hands.”
“What?”
Devon’s face twisted with anger. His eyes darted around as if sensing something bad. Then he
turned back toward where I had pointed.
There, Lady Lilien was smiling brightly, chatting with other young ladies.
“You still don’t get it? She’s one of the people you tried to hit on without knowing your place.”
Devon froze, then slowly opened his mouth. His eyes trembled wildly for a second, and then—
huff—he let out a stifled breath.
“S-So what. It’s already out that I cheated, so what does it matter if she’s a noble or a
commoner?”
“It really doesn’t matter to you?”
“That’s right. It doesn’t matter!”
“It should matter.”
I gently took Devon’s jaw and turned his face back again.
“That young lady you so fearlessly insulted? She’s Lady Lilien Mipedian of the Duke
Mipedian’s household.”
Devon’s eyes opened wide like lanterns, and he swallowed slowly until his chest swelled. His
pale, shocked face was truly something to see.
I let go of his jaw with a flick and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe my hand.
“The Duke of Mipedian is nothing like the soft-fisted Viscount Dien. Want to go see the
difference for yourself?”
