Being high-ranking nobility, it was considered virtuous to arrive late to the ball, so we had deliberately left leisurely.

Stepping out of the carriage, the sky had long darkened.

But the area around the estate was still lively, filled with light, music, and laughter from the banquet hall.

“It seems like Adrian and Bianca haven’t arrived yet, right?”

As I couldn’t see their carriage, it appeared they hadn’t arrived yet.

Just as I was looking around, wondering if they might come,

“Let’s go in then.”

Cedric extended his arm in front of me.

I looked up at him, puzzled, but he gently took my arm and led me forward.

“We can’t enter the banquet as a couple and stay far apart from each other, can we?”

“Ah… right.”

As I linked my arm with his, I could feel the strength in Cedric’s forearm.

His distinctive scent was close, causing a subtle excitement.

Trying to shake off this feeling, I walked with him towards the banquet hall.

Walking down the elaborately decorated corridor for a while,

We finally reached the entrance of the banquet hall, where Count Dimitri and his wife were waiting for us, the last guests.

“Oh, finally the Duke and Duchess have arrived! Thank you for coming, haha.”

Count Dimitri came forward with a bright smile.

“Thank you for the invitation, Count Dimitri.”

As Cedric and the count started to greet each other, Camilla naturally approached me.

“Lady Rebecca, it’s really nice to see you again.”

Camilla still maintained a friendly demeanor as she took my hand.

‘Ah… pretending as if nothing happened?’

I forced a sarcastic smile, and Camilla responded in kind, then turned slightly towards the count.

“Darling, I’ll go ahead with Lady Rebecca.”

“Alright, Camilla.”

Though I wanted to shake off Camilla’s hand immediately, refusing the host’s courtesy was a huge faux pas in noble society.

‘No choice but to go along with it, now that I’m here.’

Just as I was about to move, Cedric held my arm slightly and whispered in my ear.

“Rebecca, how about we go back together after the party ends?”
In noble families, couples often arrive at banquets together but tend to leave separately, at their own preferred times. This was all the more true for Cedric and Rebecca.

Surprised by the sudden suggestion, I soon realized it was just a part of our performance as a ‘show-window’ couple.

‘…I hadn’t thought it through that far.’

I internally admired his thoughtfulness and nodded in agreement.

“Alright. Have a good time, Cedric.”

“You too.”

After briefly parting ways with Cedric, I entered the banquet hall with Camilla.

Not long after walking in, Camilla waved enthusiastically towards a group.

Far off, a gathering of about a dozen noblewomen sat chatting around a large table. They bowed their heads in greeting from afar upon noticing my arrival.

“The ladies were all waiting for you, Lady Rebecca. We have quite a few new faces today.”

My willingness to engage with Camilla was limited to not offending the host. Anything beyond that was out of the question.

‘After all, I will be leaving the northern social scene in a few months, so there’s no need to go out of my way.’

I stopped in my tracks.

“Sorry, but I find new gatherings a bit overwhelming. Plus, I have to look after Lady Bianca.”

“Lady Bianca…?”

“Yes, she’s still new to the northern social circle, having spent much time in the capital.”

“Oh, it seems your relationship with Lady Bianca has improved?”

Camilla smiled awkwardly, as if her forehead were pinned in place.

“But Lady Bianca hasn’t arrived yet. Please stay until then.”

“No, Camilla…”

“There! Lady Rebecca is here!”

Camilla gestured towards the group of noblewomen, as if to anchor me to the gathering.

‘Why is she so insistent on bringing me to this group? Something feels off.’

I frowned slightly at the ominous premonition when two women approached me warmly.

“Lady Rebecca! It’s been so long! How have you been?”

“I’ve been missing your tea parties!”

Reluctantly, I let them lead me to the table. The seated ladies all stood up and bowed to me.

“Nice to meet you.”

After I sat in the place of honor and exchanged greetings, they all watched me, holding their breath.

Surrounded by unfamiliar faces and settings, I felt a bit tense.

‘Ah, the highest-ranking noble should speak first.’

Realizing this, I quickly began to speak.

“What were you discussing?”

Just then, Camilla, sitting beside me, chimed in.

“We were discussing recent rumors about Lady Rebecca and me.”

“Rumors? Like what?”

“Well, the rumor that I was fired for misconduct from being your maid!”

Camilla looked at me, feigning innocence with a smile.

“It’s absurd, isn’t it, Lady Rebecca?”

At that moment, I had to suppress a scoff.

‘So this was why she insisted on bringing me here?’

Though I had promised to cooperate, I had no desire to indulge Camilla.

However, she interpreted my silence as affirmation and confidently announced to the others.

“See? I told you so.”

Her triumphant smile spurred nods of agreement from the other ladies.

Camilla’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she saw the situation playing out as she had planned.

“Thank you for understanding. I would never have left my position, were it not for personal reasons.”

“…”

“Especially at a time like this…”
At the moment when all eyes were drawn to her due to her exaggerated tone and heightened voice, as if she were performing in a play, she let out a small sigh with a look of sorrow and continued.

“If it were during the time when the Duke and Duchess are separated, I could never have left… Oh my!”

Camilla hastily covered her mouth, feigning innocence, and blinked her eyes repeatedly.