Dia almost stopped breathing.

‘Duke Buin?’

He was the only duke in this empire, and in terms of rank, he was next to the royal family.

For a moment, Dia quickly pulled down her gaze that was about to turn towards Duke Buin’s face. Then she bowed her head along with Zen.

At that time, Duke Buin, who was smiling affectionately beside Marquis Delta, spoke kindly to Bellus.

“Hoho. I can’t leave my daughter alone. I have to entrust her to her partner and leave.”

“Ah. So it’s because of me. I’m really sorry. I have quite a few people to greet.”

Originally, it was correct to accompany one’s partner and entertain people, but Bellus was confident even after doing the wrong thing.

‘Arrogant bastard.’

Just as Duke Buin was about to say something, Margaret grabbed his arm.

She smiled awkwardly and quietly stopped Duke Buin.

‘A woman who usually lacks tact is quick to act at times like this.’

Honestly, Bellus would have preferred if Duke Buin had said something to him.

Then Duke Buin would not be able to avoid Marquis Delta’s anger, and it might even lead to a broken engagement.

‘This is too much. They probably wouldn’t go as far as breaking the engagement unless it was a major flaw.’

Bellus smiled bitterly and said to Margaret.

“I hope you’re not feeling upset that I left you behind? I just couldn’t bear to see you, delicate as you are, struggling.”

Red flowers bloomed on Margaret’s cheeks.

“Th-Thank you for your concern.”

“No need for thanks. We’re close after all.”

Bellus smiled cunningly like a snake and said to Marquis Delta.

“Grandfather, I’d like to introduce you to the person I mentioned earlier.”

“Ah. That bourgeois.”

Marquis Delta deliberately answered like this.

When it was first brought up, Marquis Delta told Bellus it would be better not to bring him in front of Duke Buin if possible.

He still felt the same way, but he was quite displeased with Duke Buin pretending to be kind while giving his grandson a look.

‘It’s a big mistake if you think my grandson or I need to mind your opinion.’

Marquis Delta hoped Duke Buin would understand his true feelings, but Duke Buin focused on the simple fact that a bourgeois had appeared at this party.

‘What? A bourgeois?’

Duke Buin’s eyes widened in surprise, and the surrounding nobles who had been listening intently to see what kind of conversation they were having also looked surprised.

Until now, no bourgeois had ever attended a party of any rural noble.

‘As a servant maybe! How dare a mere commoner think they can mingle with nobles just because they have some money?’

‘Damn, they make Chelsea Club or whatever and end up causing trouble.’

The nobles were anxious.

If a great noble like Marquis Delta set a precedent, the bourgeois would want to mingle shamelessly among the nobles in the future.

They’re already receiving more than enough favorable treatment as it is.

Bellus, who had stepped aside, pointed to the two people bowing their heads behind him.

“Yes. This is Zen Baker and his fiancée, Lady Blaise.”

Marquis Delta couldn’t hide his surprise.

He had naturally thought it would be a bourgeois from the club Bellus had created, but to think it was that Zen Baker.

Marquis Delta had been watching Zen’s movements too. As a fellow businessman, he had thought it would be nice to meet him face to face at least once.

But he couldn’t ask to meet him because of his pride as a noble.

He never expected to meet the person he had only seen on documents like this.

‘It feels like I’ve been blindsided.’

Marquis Delta was ashamed that he didn’t know who Bellus had been associating with recently.

But when Zen slowly raised his head, those minor emotions instantly evaporated.

It wasn’t just Marquis Delta.

From the young nobles who already knew Zen Baker’s face to the nobles who were pretending not to be interested while wondering what kind of person he was, everyone was left breathless by his beauty.

But Marquis Delta couldn’t stay enchanted by Zen’s beauty for long. Because…

‘This man, where have I seen him before?’

Marquis Delta’s eyes narrowed sharply.

Marquis Delta swore he had never seen this man called Zen Baker before.

Even if he had seen him in passing, he would surely remember such an elegant and handsome man.

‘But what is this strange sense of déjà vu?’

Marquis Delta thought this familiarity was just ‘déjà vu’. But Duke Buin did not.

‘This can’t be!’

Duke Buin’s heart dropped to the floor. Duke Buin had seen those sharp, beautiful eyes before.

He had seen that sharp nose bridge, those sparkling lips, all of it before.

‘Father…’

The image of the previous Duke Buin that remained in Duke Buin’s mind was that of his old age. Yet the two looked very similar.

It was as if the previous Duke Buin had appeared as a young ghost. Could they be strangers when they looked so alike?

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Zen Baker. It’s an honor to greet such noble people.”

Zen bowed his head again in greeting. Hearing that voice, Duke Buin felt nauseous.

‘Even the voice is so similar!’

What exactly was the identity of this man? As Duke Buin’s confused mind pondered, a chilling presence suddenly came to mind.

[Your Grace! Look! It’s your child with me!]

That woman who shamelessly came to beg him without any sense of shame. And the little brat who glared at him arrogantly beside that woman.

If that child had grown up normally, he would have grown to be about the same age as the man before him now.

‘He would have grown up to be like that beautiful man smiling at me now!’

Margaret spoke to Duke Buin, whose complexion had suddenly worsened.

“Wh-What’s wrong, Father?”

“…”

Duke Buin swallowed dryly and said.

“…Marquis Delta. I’m sorry, but I haven’t been feeling well for a while now, so I think I should go.”

Marquis Delta frowned. Even if the other person was a commoner without a title, it was still rude. Bellus had introduced him.

‘And to leave without even properly greeting him.’

This wasn’t just being rude to Zen, but to Bellus as well.

‘Moreover, it’s not just some nobody, but that Zen Baker. He would be a good person to know.’

Marquis Delta, once again disappointed by Duke Buin’s narrow-mindedness, said.

“Do as you please.”

At that moment, Margaret looked back and forth between Duke Buin and Bellus.

She was worried about her father if she stayed here, but if she followed her father, she would feel sorry for Bellus who had invited her as a partner.

“I’m worried that the Duke seems to be in poor health. Please nurse him well with your caring touch.”

Bellus narrowed Margaret’s choices to one with a gentle voice.

“I-I’m sorry. Then I’ll, I’ll contact you again later.”

Bellus just smiled. While inwardly thinking, ‘You don’t have to.’

So Duke Buin and Margaret moved towards the exit.

Dia recalled what Deborah had said as she watched everyone around the two bow their heads and fall silent.

[Also, if he passes by while you’re talking to others, you must stop talking and quietly bow your head.]

People far more important than Dia were already minding his presence.

To think she had just been in front of such a big shot. She felt so nervous her stomach was churning.

“You’re not hurt, are you?”

Bellus put his hand on Zen’s shoulder and said.

“How could you say such a thing?”

“What’s with that disappointed tone. I care about you quite a bit, you know. At least more than those guys over there?”

Bellus pointed with his eyes to where John, Derek, and Eric were.

Zen smiled silently after quickly checking to make sure he didn’t make eye contact with them.

At that moment, Marquis Delta’s secretary approached and whispered in his ear. Marquis Delta nodded.

“You have to go back?”

Bellus approached and asked. Marquis Delta smiled affectionately, as if he had never worn a cold expression.

“Yes. I have some matters to attend to. I’ll leave this place to your father and brother, so you enjoy yourself comfortably.”

Bellus smiled, gently closing his slightly parted lips.

As Marquis Delta left, Bellus approached Zen and whispered.

“Shall we go somewhere quiet and talk for a bit?”

Bellus didn’t seem to intend to introduce Zen to his father and brother. No, rather, he seemed to be avoiding their meeting.

‘That’s why he’s doing this now.’

When Zen looked at Dia without answering, Bellus smiled and said.

“It won’t take long.”

Bellus naturally asked Dia.

“So, can I borrow this man for a moment, Lady Blaise?”

Dia clenched her trembling hands into fists and smiled faintly as she had practiced until now.

“Of course.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

At that moment, Zen bowed deeply to Dia and said.

Bellus shook his head, saying it was just a brief separation, no need to make such a fuss.

But Zen wasn’t trying to create a romantic situation right now.

“Be careful.”

Dia’s face felt like it was going to burn up because of Zen’s sudden approach.

“Y-Yes.”

Zen was worried about Dia, who stammered even this short reply, but there was nothing he could do.

All he could do was hope that the efforts of Deborah and those around her, Dia, and himself so far weren’t in vain.

‘Well, a few small mistakes are fine. We’ve achieved our biggest goal anyway.’

It was successful enough just to have revealed his existence in front of Duke Buin.

[This is the timeline separator]

“…”

There was a library the size of a decent bookstore in the Baker family mansion.

Deborah, who had borrowed a book from there, stopped her steps in the moonlight that flowed into the corridor like the ebb tide.

She quietly turned her head to look out the window, where the bright white moon was emitting a bluish light.

Deborah didn’t dislike blue things, but sometimes blue things made her remember people who were hard to recall.

At those times, Deborah would try to think of something else. But not today.

‘Bellus,’

The man who would surely be at the party Zen and Dia attended today. A person who believed everything in the world would go his way and actually had that much power.

‘Nothing will happen today.’

Hoo. Just as Deborah, who had taken a short deep breath, was about to take a step again, it happened.

“Ms. Deborah.”

A voice came from behind her. Deborah slowly turned her head and smiled.