Did Ian just call me Rose?

I was momentarily speechless, and as I hesitated, Ian approached a step closer. As the distance narrowed, the bluish light became more vivid.

“When did you arrive?”

“A little while ago.”

Ian was wearing a black suit that resembled his hair color. When I lowered my gaze a bit more beneath the mask that partially covered his face, his lips seemed somewhat stiff.

Is it perhaps difficult for him with so many people around?

As I looked at him with a worried heart, Ian suddenly reached out his hand. In a moment of surprise, I extended my hand, and he firmly grasped my fingertips.

“Both of you, or I mean…”

Renat, looking perplexed, massaged his forehead. He seemed unsure whether to treat Ian as a prince or as a newcomer to the White Knights. Watching this, Ian calmly addressed him.

“Sir Eliezer.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Renat, immediately adopting proper etiquette, lowered his gaze.

“I hope you can keep my presence at this event a secret.”

“I will follow your orders.”

“Then, shall we go now, Rose?”

Throughout the dry-sounding conversation, a curve seeped in. When I raised my gaze, Ian’s previously stiff lips appeared to soften.

Is it because we are on better terms now?

I slightly lowered my head to the visibly flustered Renat and spoke.

“Deputy Director, we will go ahead.”

Wearing the white mask I held in my hand, I descended to the first floor with Ian.

He must have entered through the entrance, why didn’t I see him?

“Did you arrive just now? I didn’t see you come in…”

“You probably didn’t pay attention because you were with other people.”

“Huh?”

My cheek involuntarily twitched at the oddly serene tone. Although I briefly looked away from the entrance, it was only for a moment when Renat spoke to me.

Did he enter the hall and come up to the second floor in that short time?

“What about the knights of the Lyle family?”

“They haven’t arrived yet. Let’s go to the entrance for now.”

Ian nodded slightly. Soon, a strong arm approached and lightly embraced my shoulders. As we exited the hall with Ian’s arms half-wrapped around me, a somewhat chilly breeze enveloped my entire body.

Is it okay now that we are closer?

Feeling the cold air, I spoke with a slightly embarrassed expression to Renat.

“Deputy Director, we’ll go ahead.”
How long had I been lingering in front of the entrance? The lively voices from a distance gradually approached. A group of about ten men was walking across the garden towards the building where the reception hall was located.

Spotting Pierre and Sloan in the crowd, I casually blocked their path.

“Sir Pierre, Sir Sloan. Nice to see you here.”

Facing me, Pierre raised one eyebrow in apparent confusion, while Sloan gave a courteous nod.

“Lady Rosvallia?”

“If it isn’t Lady Rosvallia, the most beautiful woman in the empire.”

“The noble lady who joined the White Knights.”

As some rather audacious-looking knights made noise, Sloan gestured quietly as if telling them to hush.

“Don’t make a fuss. Just go inside first.”

“Yes.”

Even as the knights were about to enter, they gave me a sideways glance until the last moment. Ignoring those looks, I approached Pierre and Sloan even closer.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Why are you suddenly acting friendly?”

Pierre asked with a somewhat annoyed expression.

It’s not like I want to act friendly with you either, you know?

Suppressing my conflicting emotions, I responded with a faint smile.

“Still, we’ve shared life and death experiences, so it’s only natural to inquire about each other’s well-being, isn’t it?”

“We are doing well. Is that enough?”

“Then, let’s go in first.”

As Pierre and Sloan were about to pass by me one after the other,

“About that red wine you dumped at the Red Fountain. Was it really wine?”

At my sudden question, both of them abruptly stopped. The hesitation on Pierre and Sloan’s faces resurfaced as they turned back towards me.

“D-Do you mean, was it really wine? Are there fake wines too?”

“Lady Rosvallia, why bring up that topic again? Back then, it was clearly…”

“Because I secretly brought it for the pleasure of drinking, but it was so heavy that it felt wasteful to throw it away. The wine was incredibly sweet and delicious. Was the Riley family originally famous for wine?”

“The wine we brought was just ordinary. Since it’s a banquet, of course, we presented good wine.”

I raised my eyebrows in a somewhat approving manner. Then, to provoke a reaction from them, I introduced a new topic.

“I see. Rumor has it that there might be another expedition soon. Will you two be participating?”

“Another expedition? How long has it been since we returned?”

Pierre asked, twisting his mouth with dissatisfaction.

“Recently, Chloe Castle suffered significant damage due to a monster. That’s why there’s talk that the expeditionary force will be summoned again soon.”

Sloan, with a somewhat uneasy expression, glanced at the stiff-faced Pierre, then quickly gave me a hurried farewell.

“Thank you for sharing valuable information. We’ll go in first.”

“Then, have a good time.”