It feels like I’ve seen him for the first time today, yet why does he strangely feel familiar?

“Lady, you went on an expedition? Oh, could it be Lady Winter’s?”

“Oh, I apologize for my late greeting. I am Rosebelia Winters.”

“I am Rodin Ortega. It’s an honor to meet Lady Winter’s, whom I’ve only heard rumors about. Should I address you as Lady Rosebelia Winters?”

Behind the man, curious eyes were cast upon me. I looked at the man carefully, with slightly curly hair mixed in his chestnut hair. His slightly drooping eyes when he smiled reminded me of Simon.
“You can call me whatever you’re comfortable with in private. By the way, are Sir Pierre or Sir Sloan not attending the banquet today?”

“They haven’t come to the banquet hall yet, but someone saw them at the knights’ residence earlier, so they will come later. They really love their drinks.”

Considering they like alcohol so much, could they have brought real grape wine?

While tilting my head, Rodin chuckled and continued the conversation.

“Also, I heard that both of you played a significant role in the recent expedition. The Duke himself praised your efforts, so it’s natural you won’t miss the banquet.”

Played a significant role in the expedition? Pierre and Sloan?

A tension automatically filled my forehead. I managed to suppress the forced laughter trying to burst out and asked,

“Significant role?”

“Yes. They were very enthusiastic about faithfully carrying out their assigned mission.”

Assigned mission?

The phrase itself didn’t sound strange, but when it comes to the mission assigned to the expedition, it should have been defeating magical beasts. The problem was that they didn’t show any particular prowess in defeating magical beasts.

What did they faithfully carry out?

“Well, thank you.”

Adding a brief wish for a good time, I left the banquet hall. Standing in the chilly wind for a while made my mind significantly clearer.

Fortunately, Pierre and Sloan will probably show up.

The Duke personally praised both of them?

“What did they do in the expedition?”

Letting out a short laugh, I glanced around the crowded hall.

The conversation with Rodin definitely tilted the scales. Pierre and Sloan seemed to be hiding something.

“There are so many people; can I hear well?”

If Pierre and Sloan don’t reveal themselves even after the start of part two, it wouldn’t be bad to wait for them at the hall entrance.

Ian could hide somewhere nearby, and when I, who discovered them, pretended to approach and talk, what if?

It might be okay since the entrance is quieter than inside the building.

After quickly organizing my thoughts, I re-entered the hall. Checking the table location where Vivian was with me, I immediately walked in that direction.

Ian has to be here for consultation, so for now, I have to wait until part two starts.

“Caden, where’s Vivian?”

I naturally thought Caden would be with Vivian, but for some reason, he was standing alone.

“Vivian? She seemed to be following Miss earlier…”

“Following me?”

“Yes. Weren’t you together with Miss?”

When I was talking to Rodin, a knight of the Riley family, Vivian wasn’t by my side.

“Vivian wasn’t there… Did she really follow me?”

“She probably went somewhere to eat dessert. Please don’t worry; I’ll look for her.”

“No, I’ll look for her.”
Even in the brief moment when I was conversing with Caden, there were people approaching him, pretending to be strangers. Leaving Caden, who was surrounded by people, behind me, I scanned the vast banquet hall.

Is it because of his small stature? Even so, if he’s nearby, he shouldn’t be so inconspicuous……

He must be inside, so let’s calmly look for him.

After calming my mind, I took a deep breath and slowly surveyed the interior. Although I had decided to open my eyes wide and examine every nook and cranny, my anxious mind kept wandering.

“Where on earth did he go?”

Maybe it’s better to go up to the second floor and check?

I turned my gaze towards the stairs and quickly moved in that direction. Then, someone suddenly appeared, blocking my path.