“Yes, Miss. You are doing better than earlier.”

Delrina was learning how to walk and maintain posture for another social gathering. Carefully stepping around the room, she spoke in time with Betty’s voice.

“Can we take a short break?”

“Of course.”

Upon Betty’s permission, Delrina immediately rested her body on a chair. In the meantime, Betty, who had brought a few books into the room, began to weigh them quietly.

“What are you doing?”

“I am checking the weight of these books. Next, you will be balancing them on your head.”

The books looked rather large and thick for Delrina to balance on her head, but Betty effortlessly lifted them up and down a few times.

“I think we should fetch a lighter book from the library.”

“Yeah, otherwise my neck might snap.”

Seizing the moment, Delrina quickly stood up.

“I’ll go get it, then.”

“Will you get it yourself?”

“Yes, it’s also good walking practice. It’s better to practice outside the room.”

Staying in the room had grown tedious, and Delrina thought that a change of scenery wouldn’t hurt. She stepped lightly into the hallway.

‘Straight back, step quietly.’

So focused on her steps, Delrina didn’t notice someone approaching from the opposite side. However, the stranger warmly acknowledged her.

“You could trip if you don’t watch where you’re going, Miss.”

“Ah, yes.”

Snapping back to reality upon hearing Felic’s words, Delrina looked up. Felic, who was carrying a heap of documents as usual, asked her.

“Where are you headed?”

“To the library.”

“The library?”

Upon hearing that Delrina was going to the library, Felic’s eyes twinkled for a moment.

“Ah! I made sure to get all the books you asked for, did you see them?”

“Books? What books did I—”

Ah.

She suddenly remembered asking Felic to buy her some romance novels. Felic wore a pleased smile.

“If you have any other books you want, or a favorite male lead, I can find it for you.”

Was it her imagination, or did Felic’s smiling face overlap with Eilie? Delrina promptly shook her head.

“No, I’ll read them myself.”

“Oh, no specific taste in male leads?”

“No, I haven’t really thought about it.”

She’d never read romance novels before, so she didn’t have a specific preference. Yet, something flashed across Delrina’s mind.

‘Wait, did His Highness back then…’

Back then, Belrion had spontaneously asked if she loved the clown. That incomprehensible situation suddenly felt connected to Felic.

“You know, did you ever talk with His Highness about…”

“Yes?”

“…No, never mind.”

Asking about her conversation with Belrion regarding romance novels seemed like it would lead to an awkward situation, so Delrina refrained. Felic, looking even more cheerful, asked again.

“If you don’t have a preference for male leads, do you have an ideal type?”

“Ideal type?”

“Yes, someone who left a strong impression when you first met, or someone unforgettable.”

‘A strong impression…’

At that, Delrina found her answer.

“Well, if we’re talking about a strong impression… His Highness?”

Belrion had undoubtedly made the strongest impression when they first met. Although other encounters were memorable, Belrion was by far the most impactful.

“Really?”

Felic laughed as if he found it amusing.

“If His Highness knew you considered him your ideal type, he’d be pleased.”

“Nah, he’d probably just shrug it off.”

He would likely have no reaction, just his usual expressionless face. But Felic seemed rather certain.

“Why? His Highness is quite fond of you.”

“Fond? His Highness and I are merely patrons; that’s all…”
“I do like him, but the Duke and I are simply patrons of each other…”

Years later, I could never hold more importance than her returning daughter. Aware of this, Delrina simply extended her hand.

“I’ll enjoy reading the book anyway. Thank you.”

“Ah, Your Grace.”

Just as Delrina was about to conclude her conversation with Felik, a massive shadow loomed behind her. As she turned her head, Bellion was standing there.

“How did you know to come here again? We were just talking about you.”

“Why.”

“Well, you’re her type, Your Grace.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Felik blurted it out. Delrina glanced at Bellion, both surprised and curious about his reaction. Bellion’s face remained calm, but his words were anything but.

“Marriage will be difficult.”

‘Wow.’

Delrina sincerely admired how casually he could speak of such matters. Yet, she had no counterargument. Removing the notorious rumors about the Duke’s family, Bellion would have been the perfect groom.

‘Even so, how can he say something like that with a straight face…’

She became exceedingly curious if there were criteria like ‘not changing facial color’ to become the Great Duke. It was then that Bellion, who had been watching Delrina, spoke.

“Jester.”

“What?”

“The royal palace has noticed you.”

“……!”

The atmosphere quickly shifted. Felik’s smile vanished.

“Did a letter arrive from the palace?”

“No, Edwin informed me.”

A letter, presumably from Edwin, was clenched in Bellion’s hand. Confused, Delrina licked her lips.

‘I knew this day would come, but so soon…’

It seemed the Emperor’s suspicions toward the Duke’s household were stronger than she thought.

“They also discovered the existence of the House of Diomon.”

“So essentially, they’ve found out about all the patrons we’ve been supporting.”

Delrina was followed by Noah. The existence of the children they had been hiding was nearly completely exposed. Felik sighed deeply.

“You’ll need to prepare yourself mentally for this.”

“……”

“It seems inevitable that you’ll have to visit the royal palace.”

Everyone knew that Haier would be interested in Delrina. Bellion didn’t deny it, merely falling into silence.

‘The royal palace? Me?’

She thought she was mentally prepared, but her opponent was the Emperor. Tension filled Delrina’s face.

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

“……How dare I refuse when summoned by the palace.”

It was nothing short of treason to ignore a summon from the Emperor.

“They won’t do anything strange to me without reason.”

“……”

“It’s okay. I’ve also been preparing mentally for this.”

For now, they had to make sure the Duke’s household and the royal palace didn’t clash. Though Delrina tried to reassure Bellion with a bright tone, he remained silent.

She never expected to visit the House of Roselip so soon, let alone for a social gathering.

“You may get down, miss.”

And this social gathering wasn’t as simple as she thought. Despite her concerns about the event, her heart was in turmoil throughout the journey to the House of Roselip.

‘No, focus, focus.’

She had already made up her mind. Delrina focused on her immediate surroundings and began to move with a composed expression.

Though fewer in number than before, a significant number of carriages stood before the House of Roselip. Yet something struck her as odd about the ladies disembarking.

‘The color of the dresses…’

The dress code in the invitation was clearly red. However, each of the ladies descended in blue dresses. Delrina’s eyes narrowed.

“Oh my, why aren’t you coming in?”
But that was only for a moment. As if to greet the young ladies, the mansion’s door opened, revealing Sylvia. Naturally, the color of her dress was also blue.

“How curious.”

Among the young ladies in blue dresses, Delina, who wore a red dress, stood out remarkably. The corners of Sylvia’s mouth subtly lifted upon seeing Delina.

“What’s going on, young lady? I’m certain I informed you of the dress color in my letter.”

At Sylvia’s words, the other young ladies looked at Delina. At the same time, strength entered the hand of Delina, who had been holding the hem of her dress.

“I understand the desire to stand out, but isn’t a red dress a bit much?”

The young ladies surrounding Sylvia started to murmur as they looked at Delina. Delina was sure of it. Even if she didn’t know, the social gathering at the House of Roselip was certainly not favorable to her.