At Closet’s serious reaction, Jusid sneered unpleasantly and narrowed her eyes.

“Is that so? How disappointing. I was planning to show you some affection if you came to our mansion.”

“Why would my il domestico receive your affection, young lady?”

“Oh my, Princess, are you jealous of an il domestico? If you really want, I can lend you my il domestico too. Wouldn’t that work?”

Unable to hold back any longer, fire flared in Closet’s eyes.

“Lady Jusid!”

“My, why so excited… I’m just joking. I have a lunch appointment with my elder brother, so I’ll be going now.”

With those words, Jusid left hurriedly, arm in arm with her il domestico.

As Closet stood there with a fuming face and clenched fists, Roselia let out a deep sigh and led her to the carriage.

Afterwards, Closet wore a gloomy expression the entire time in the carriage.

It seemed Jusid’s words about Klaus, which had stirred things up, were weighing on her mind.

Roselia decided she would have to escort Closet as much as possible at the debutante ball to make up for Klaus’s absence.

Closet’s debutante ball arrived quickly.

Roselia surveyed the spacious banquet hall, dressed in a tailcoat that was twice as uncomfortable as her usual attire.

Today’s main character, Closet, was engaged in conversation with many guests while wearing a beautiful aqua-colored dress that made her look like a sea nymph.

Though everyone was wearing masks, Closet stood out distinctly with her Raphelios-style eye mask.

As Roselia proudly gazed at Closet shining brightly among the crowd, she adjusted her own full-face mask.

Roselia’s mask was a typical Lugvelzet mask.

Covering her entire face with only the eyes exposed, it actually reduced the pressure of being at an unfamiliar gathering.

At that moment, she saw a woman on a man’s arm approaching Closet.

“Princess Closet, happy birthday.”

Upon hearing the voice, Closet’s expression stiffened awkwardly.

“Lady Jusid, you’ve come.”

“A masquerade ball, how clever and fun. But isn’t it unfair that only you are wearing such a pretty eye mask, Princess?”

What unfairness, it’s Closet’s birthday and debutante ball, of course she should stand out.

Roselia frowned as she listened to their conversation from a distance.

And soon, the topic Roselia had been worried about came up.

“By the way, where is the Duke? I wanted to greet him with my elder brother.”

“…”

“Surely… he didn’t skip your debutante ball, did he?”

Just as Roselia was about to approach Closet’s side, unable to stand by any longer,

A servant’s voice rang out in the banquet hall now filled with most of the invited guests.

“His Grace Klaus de Balthazar, master of the Balthazar ducal residence!”

In that moment, Jusid’s face stiffened.

In contrast, Closet and Roselia looked towards the entrance with wide eyes.

A tall man in a black tailcoat was entering, receiving the gaze of countless eyes in the banquet hall.

Wearing a silver eye mask, he stood out distinctly among the men in the hall.

“Klaus…”

Despite being the focus of everyone’s attention, Klaus appeared utterly calm and indifferent.

He usually wore sharp suits, but today’s black tailcoat with his front hair neatly swept back accentuated his handsome features even more.

Moreover, as if he somehow knew, the eye mask similar to Closet’s and the blue handkerchief in his tailcoat pocket matched well with Closet, as if coordinated.

Klaus, who immediately spotted Closet standing out in the banquet hall, approached her.

“It seems I’m a bit late. I tried to finish work quickly and come…”

Closet remained dumbfounded even as Klaus came right in front of her.

Seemingly indifferent to her reaction, Klaus opened his mouth gruffly.

“And these people are…?”

As Klaus looked over Jusid and the man who had been talking with Closet, seemingly expecting an introduction, Closet finally came to her senses and opened her mouth hesitantly.

“This is Viscount Belmont.”

“I’ve heard you’re a difficult man to meet, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace.”

“And this is Lady Jusid of the Belmont family. The lady was very curious about you, elder brother.”

Closet’s expression was full of arrogant triumph as she said this.

Meanwhile, Klaus’s expression widened in surprise at hearing the word “elder brother” for the first time in nearly 5 years.

Feeling inexplicably pleased, Klaus smiled at Jusid in an uncharacteristic manner.

“I’m honored that you were curious about me. I hope you thoroughly enjoy today’s party…”

Faced with his impeccable manners and handsome appearance, Jusid could only blush silently like a mute who had eaten honey.

Watching her, Closet inwardly sneered.

Seeing Closet’s meaningful smile, Jusid clenched her fists trembling as if upset, then quickly left as if fleeing.

Observing this, Roselia clicked her tongue.

She must have been certain the Duke would never show up.

Well, truthfully, neither she nor Closet had thought Klaus would appear either.

It was puzzling what wind had blown him here.

Surely… could it be that what she had said about Closet that day had an effect?

Roselia shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought.

There’s no way that arrogant cold-blooded man would be swayed just because she said a few words.

Meanwhile, with the Duke’s arrival, the banquet hall had become even more lively.

Soon, a crowd gathered around Closet to see the famous Duke Klaus.

While earlier they had only paid perfunctory visits, now Closet had undoubtedly become the shining star of this banquet hall.

“My goodness, what a handsome couple. I didn’t know the Duke was such a dashing man!”

“Even with eye masks on, both of your beauty shines through.”

“I must get myself one of those eye masks right away.”

Everywhere, talk about today’s stars, the Balthazar siblings, was ceaseless.

Only after a round of greetings ended could Klaus finally pick up a glass of champagne.

Looking at Closet still surrounded by people and smiling, Klaus smiled bitterly.

He had always thought of her as just a child, but it felt strange and unfamiliar to see her grown into such a refined lady.

At that moment, someone approached and greeted him familiarly.

“You came after all, despite saying you were busy.”

Klaus, who thought it was some nobleman trying to ingratiate himself unnecessarily, widened his eyes at the familiar voice.

“Antonio?”

His gaze fell on the small man dressed in a navy tailcoat.

Roselia was wearing a relatively simple mask covering her entire face.

Looking at her, Klaus smiled uncharacteristically.

“You’ve really covered up completely.”

“Well, today’s stars are Lady Closet and you, Your Grace.”

“Me?”

“You’re the master of the ducal residence and Lady Closet’s elder brother. People would naturally expect Your Grace to appear.”

At her words, Klaus paused as if thinking about something before continuing.

“I see…”

“If you hadn’t shown up, Lady Closet would have looked a bit foolish.”

“…”

Klaus fell silent, seemingly deep in thought.

Watching him, Roselia inwardly clicked her tongue and looked at Closet, who was holding her head high proudly but clearly elated inside.

Though pretending to be nonchalant, Closet seemed to feel reassured that Klaus had come.

Similarly watching Closet, Klaus seemed to make a decision and opened his mouth towards Roselia.

“Antonio, I think I was too harsh that time…”

But before Klaus could finish speaking, someone grabbed Roselia’s arm and pulled her away.

Roselia looked with wide eyes at the woman who had grabbed her.

“Lady… Jusid…?”

Having remembered Jusid’s mask from when she was talking with Closet earlier, she could easily identify the woman.

“You’re Antonio, right?”

“How did you recognize me?”

“I heard your voice when you were talking to the Duke. More importantly… could you keep me company for a bit?”

Glancing at Closet, she saw her busily engaged in conversation with other nobles.

Looking towards Klaus, who she had been talking to just earlier, he seemed to have more he wanted to ask her, judging by his rather disappointed expression.

Roselia bowed her head slightly towards Klaus and then nodded at Jusid.

“Let’s go somewhere quieter then.”

Her intention was to remove a potential source of trouble.

As today was Closet’s birthday, her debutante ball needed to end successfully, so Roselia decided to keep an eye on Jusid.

Jusid took two glasses of champagne from a passing servant and offered one to Roselia.

Taking the champagne glass without suspicion, Roselia stared intently at Jusid’s mask.

It was frustrating not being able to read her expression behind the mask.

“I’m so glad Antonio is attending this party. I was feeling lonely with no one to talk to.”

What about the viscount she came with?

Glancing around, she saw the viscount had already approached Klaus and was trying to ingratiate himself.

Given Klaus’s reputation as a wealthy noble, he was likely trying to build connections.

Meanwhile, Klaus was clearly putting up walls, but still.

Lost in such thoughts, Roselia took a sip of champagne when suddenly Jusid staggered and leaned her body against her.

“Oh, I’m sorry… I’m feeling a bit dizzy… Could you take me to a reception room where I can rest?”

Though her flushed face and heavy breathing felt somewhat uncomfortable, Roselia glanced at Closet and reluctantly nodded.

Well, it wouldn’t be bad to remove this potential trouble from the banquet hall.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the reception room was empty.

Roselia politely escorted Jusid to the sofa and then stood up.

“Please rest here for a while before coming out.”

As she said this and turned to leave, Jusid, sitting on the sofa, grabbed Roselia’s lapel.

Roselia looked down at Jusid with a puzzled gaze.

She was staring up at Roselia with a pitiful expression.

“Won’t you stay with me a little longer?”

Oh no… Please, I hope this isn’t what I think it is…

As a woman herself, she couldn’t fail to recognize another woman’s intentions.

Roselia took a step back, feeling goosebumps rise.

“I… I need to go out and work…”

“What are you talking about? Judging by your tailcoat, you’re not a servant but a party guest.”

“If that’s the case… then I have no reason to stay here…”

“What?”

As Jusid frowned sharply, Roselia calmly continued.

“If I’m not a servant, then I have no reason to remain here at your command, young lady.”