She eagerly awaited the reply. Once it arrived, she would know whether her prophetic dream was true or false, and she would also understand what kind of person Ankedo was.

She hoped it was just a misunderstanding on her part.

Orentia, crossing her arms tightly and pouting her lips, was interrupted by a knock.

Knock! Knock!

As someone knocked, Bobbi went to open the door and then came back in.

“Miss, Count Odor invites you to join him for lunch in the garden, now that you’re at the main house. It was supposed to be breakfast, but since you were asleep, it’s now lunch.”

Orentia chuckled at the absurdity. Her uncle must be teasing her. But the thought of Dimidius waiting for her made her feel a bit embarrassed. Her face briefly flushed.

As she looked through the wardrobe for a dress, she said urgently,

“I’ll need about an hour to get ready. If that’s okay, then let him know.”

Bobbi smiled and left the room, and Orentia finally chose her dress for the day.

Orentia wore a flounced dress with many pleats. The ribbon hanging on the chest was white, and the overall color was blue.

The large bell-shaped dress was uncomfortable to move in, but she didn’t feel like wearing something more casual. She also wore yellow diamond accessories that matched well with the blue, making her look quite glamorous.

In Count Odor’s garden, blooming with spring flowers, Orentia sat at a white table, watching the food the maids brought out. She felt Dimidius’s gaze from across but pretended not to notice.

‘Why is he staring like that? Uncle might think it’s weird.’

Count Odor, sitting next to her, looked puzzled. He glanced back and forth between Orentia and Dimidius and said,

“You two, do you know each other? It seems like it.”

Orentia flinched for a moment and then looked at Dimidius.

Dimidius, showing no intention to hide, sipped his aperitif beneath his mask and said,

“Our meetings have been coincidental. Three or four times, I think. That much.”

‘Please don’t say it’s fate!’
Orentia was fervently hoping for it, but Dimidius spoke out refreshingly.

“It could be considered fate. We have become such acquaintances, Count Odor.”

Eventually, she heard the very phrase she disliked. She felt that Dimidius really was not the right person for her.

Orentia quickly shook her head at Count Odor.

“No, not at all. What kind of relationship is that? His Grace is just joking! Hahaha!”

Her laugh was awkwardly forced.

“Are you really joking? How did you end up meeting so frequently?”

“By chance, on the way. Especially on the route to Odor.”

Count Odor, looking puzzled, pointed to the lavish spread of food and said,

“Let’s talk leisurely; please start eating. The chef has outdone himself today.”

Indeed, it seemed so. Orentia first tackled the soup with various fishes, followed by a duck dish simmered in red wine. The taste of the southern part of the Bonos Empire was evident on her palate.

Dimidius did not remove his mask even while eating. Although the Bauta mask was designed for easy eating and drinking, it was still a wonder. Why doesn’t he take off the mask?

‘The reason for wearing the mask, well, must be because his face is horribly disfigured.’

‘Right. Hasn’t he been wearing the mask for 10 or 15 years? If not for that reason, what else could it be? I think so too.’

Suddenly, she remembered the whispers of noblewomen at a social party, hiding their faces behind fans as they gossiped. They must have covered their faces with fans because they knew they were speaking ill.

Orentia tried not to think about such talks. It seemed better to ask Dimidius directly.

Curiously, she asked Dimidius while trembling her lips,

“Isn’t the mask… uncomfortable?”

It seemed a reasonable question. Eating with someone wearing a mask was a bit unsettling.

Dimidius, casually using his cutlery, replied,

“As I said on the train, the mask is my face. It seems the Lady is the one who’s uncomfortable, isn’t it?”

She was caught red-handed.

Orentia quickly turned her head away, feeling a wave of regret for asking.

After sipping some cold water, she spoke in the softest voice she could muster,

“No, not at all. I have nothing to feel uncomfortable about. Don’t worry about it. Anyway, since the negotiation is over, you’ll be heading to the capital soon.”

She changed the subject smoothly, but she could still feel Dimidius’s intense gaze on her. Was it more uncomfortable and difficult to endure his gaze than she thought? His gaze clung persistently to her and wouldn’t let go.

Then, Count Odor sitting beside her said,

“You’re leaving tomorrow morning, right?”

‘Really?’

Orentia let out a sigh of relief, almost without realizing it. If he left the Count’s mansion, she felt she could stay more comfortably.

‘Please leave as soon as possible.’

But then, Dimidius, suddenly resting his chin on one hand, spoke teasingly,

“There’s been a slight change in plans. Would it be alright if I stay a few more days?”