“What brings you here?”

“I came to discuss something.”

Randolph put down his teacup and gestured with his eyes towards the empty sofa.

“Please, have a seat. Would you like some tea?”

“No tea for me.”

Randolph’s eyes narrowed as he observed Gabriel’s stiff, rigid face.

As if trying to recall if Gabriel had ever visited unannounced before, Randolph furrowed his brow and asked with an urgent expression.

“What’s the matter? Judging by your face, it doesn’t seem to be good news…”

“A knight dispatched to Count Chloe’s territory sent a message.”

“Count Chloe’s territory… Isn’t that where the abandoned mountain is?”

Gabriel nodded and stroked his beard. As his touch betrayed signs of anxiety, Randolph’s face hardened in turn.

“Yes, shortly after our subjugation team left, beasts appeared at the foot of the mountain.”

“But since our subjugation team can’t kill all the beasts on that mountain, isn’t that unavoidable?”

They had thought that subjugating the ‘abandoned mountain’ would reduce the frequency of beast appearances for a while, so eliminating many beasts was seen as a way to buy some time.

As Randolph said, such cases were unavoidable, but this time the situation was a bit unusual.

“It’s not just one, but several beasts appeared in a group, which is strange.”

“Several beasts appeared in a group? That is rather odd.”

“If they were in a group, why didn’t we encounter them when we went for subjugation…”

“If it wasn’t just one but several, they should have been noticeable. It’s unlikely they were hiding from the subjugation team.”

Gabriel paused for a moment before speaking.

“It’s still tentative, but I’m leaning towards that possibility.”

“That the beasts were intelligently hiding?”

“While we can’t say they’re growing rapidly, aren’t the beasts’ patterns changing bit by bit?”

Randolph rubbed his cheek with a rough hand. Beasts with increased intelligence cleverly hiding from the subjugation team, and then coming down to wreak havoc as soon as the team left the mountain?

And they’re even moving in groups?

If Gabriel’s speculation was correct, it was quite a serious matter.

“…So what is it you want to tell me?”

“For the next subjugation, I’m thinking of taking as many people as possible. The Guardian Knights participated in this subjugation, so by principle, the security force should go next, but…”

“I understand what you mean. Our Guardian Knights will participate too, so don’t worry about that.”

Rising from the sofa, Gabriel added briefly.

“The timing of the departure for subjugation might not extend beyond this year.”

“I’ll keep that in mind as well.”

*

“They really are a well-matched pair.”

“You mean Lady Elizer. Doesn’t she look especially beautiful today?”

“Oh my, I thought so too. It seems her beauty has been blooming lately.”

Although there were quite a few people dancing besides Edwin and Daisy, it was undoubtedly those two who captured everyone’s attention.

I smiled contentedly at the noblewomen’s conversation before turning away.

The first floor is crowded, so should I go up to the second floor?

As I was about to raise my gaze, I instinctively looked around.

“Are you looking for someone?”

“Pardon?”

Turning my head towards the voice, I saw Renart walking slowly towards me.

Ah, come to think of it, Renart was the heir to the Elizer family.

“I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

“Indeed.”

Hiding my awkward feelings, I forced a smile to my lips.

Why didn’t I think that I might run into Renart here?

“Were you looking for someone?”

“No.”

I was about to wave my hand dismissively but stopped.

Come to think of it, I might have been glancing around even while watching Daisy and Edwin dance…

“This isn’t a formal setting, so how should we address each other?”

“You can just call me whatever is comfortable.”

Lady, or Lady Winters, perhaps.

“Then, may I call you Lady Rosebelia?”

“Pardon?”

Originally he called me ‘Lord Rosebelia’, so ‘Lady Rosebelia’ was only slightly different, but the latter did feel a bit more friendly.

“Then I’ll call you Lady Rosebelia, at least while we’re here.”

“Well, alright…”

Having no particular reason to refuse, I nodded slightly, and Renart smiled brightly.

“I heard Daisy has become much brighter. It’s all thanks to you, Lady Rosebelia.”

“No, I didn’t do anything. I just told her she needed to build up her stamina before learning swordsmanship, and Daisy worked hard on her own.”

“I’m starting to look forward to Daisy’s swordsmanship. Having the best teacher, I’m a bit envious of my sister in a way.”

Looking forward to Daisy’s swordsmanship? Is he being sincere?

I couldn’t tell him the truth that the sword training was just an excuse, and the real purpose was to improve Daisy’s health.

As I hesitated to answer, a sound like wind escaping through Renart’s teeth was heard.

“I was joking.”

“So you even joke in informal settings.”

When I retorted bluntly, Renart, who was observing my expression, burst into a short laugh.

“Lady Rosebelia.”

“Yes?”

“…Would you dance one song with me?”

“I’m sorry, Deputy Commander. I don’t dance.”

Renart withdrew the hand he had extended towards me and muttered softly.

“That’s a shame.”

Suddenly feeling gazes pouring down on my face, I carefully looked around.

Today was the Duchess’s birthday party, so there were likely many young ladies attending this party aiming for Renart, who was considered one of the Empire’s top bachelors.

Even if it wasn’t me, if someone were to dance with Renart here, the whole capital would be in an uproar, but is he himself indifferent to such things?

“Lord Renart, here you are.”

The one who approached and addressed Renart was a woman who had been hovering around the area.

“Lady Fontaine.”

Fontaine? It sounds familiar somehow.

The woman wearing a striking red dress fixed her gaze on Renart and gave a faint smile.

“I heard you went on a subjugation recently. Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine thanks to your concern.”

As the two exchanged brief words, young ladies who had been waiting for a chance to speak to Renart began to gather one by one.

“Lord Renart, did you return safely from the subjugation?”

“Lord Renart, you look even more handsome today.”

Naturally slipping out from among them, I headed straight for the central staircase. Looking down from the second floor, I could see Daisy and Edwin dancing in the center even more clearly.

Didn’t they say they would only dance one song? This must be their fourth already.

To think Daisy and Edwin would be dancing while gazing at each other. I couldn’t believe it even though I was seeing it with my own eyes.

Lately, there have been many occasions where I feel full even without eating.

This party couldn’t be more satisfying. With that thought, I went back down to the first floor and looked at the entrance to the banquet hall where people were still coming in.

It seems like there are even more people now. Should I head home soon?

“My lady, isn’t it too noisy and dizzying here?”

“Yes, it is…”

I stopped mid-sentence and quickly scanned the man’s face. I thought the voice sounded slimy, and as my vision filled with a swaying mass of green hair, a laugh escaped me involuntarily.

It was that Second Prince, Catarina’s fiancé.

His name was Enoch, wasn’t it?

“I know a very quiet place. How about resting there with me…”

Rest in a quiet place? What kind of indecent proposition is this?

“No, I’m fine.”

“But your complexion doesn’t look good, my lady.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m alright.”

“Don’t be shy, just lean on my broad chest for a moment.”

Just where exactly is broad?

I wanted to snap at him, but my opponent was the Second Prince. Forcefully swallowing the anger rising to the tip of my tongue, I replied with a strained smile.

“I’m really fine. I’m not that tired.”

“If you knew who I am, you’d want to come with me.”

Enoch leaned slightly towards me and whispered in a low voice. He even winked at me.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not particularly curious. Please rest comfortably by yourself.”

“Come now…”

It was then that Enoch, who had stretched his arm towards me, suddenly screamed.

“Wh-what! Who are you!”

Startled by his urgent voice, I quickly looked behind him. The man standing there, twisting Enoch’s arm, was…

“Klein?”

Why are you here?

Ian seemed to glance at me briefly before looking back at Enoch.

“What, Ian? Why are you here? Let go!”

Ian leaned towards Enoch and spoke in a threatening voice matching his fierce gaze.

“It would be better to come along quietly before you make an even uglier scene, Enoch.”