Kisah was momentarily dazed by Seiard’s sudden behavior and couldn’t continue speaking.

It seemed the other side was equally surprised, as both Lady Welp who had asked the question and Lady Clifford were plunged into embarrassment.

Even when Duke Hillan appeared, the other guests who had been watching the situation with interest now couldn’t hide their surprise, their eyes wide open.

For someone of Duke Hillan’s stature to act so foolishly in public, and in response to a sensitive question about the princess no less.

No matter how much they had read in the newspapers about him being deeply in love, seeing it in person was different, so everyone was understandably shocked.

Only Seiard Hillan, who had driven them all to astonishment, didn’t bat an eye as he twirled Kisah’s hair in his hand.

“You’re lovely today too, Kisah.”

Saying such an outrageous thing.

When he brought her hair to his lips once again, Kisah felt her face flush hot and nearly pushed Seiard away.

For someone raised in a conservative environment who had never even properly heard “I love you” from Daniel, her fiancé of ten years, this was too much stimulation.

But just before she could cry out “Don’t do this!”, rational thought returned.

‘Wait.’

To the outside world, Kisah and Seiard were lovers in a passionate relationship.

If Kisah were to forcefully push him away just for showing affection, how would it look to others?

It wasn’t simply a matter of the picture looking strange.

In fact, it could make malicious rumors that Seiard had forcibly taken Kisah against her will seem true.

That absolutely couldn’t happen. She couldn’t harm him when she wasn’t even able to help him much.

Firmly resolved, Kisah desperately tried to calm her racing heart.

‘Right, it’s no big deal. Seiard saying he loves me is just an act anyway.’

He was in the midst of portraying the image of an affectionate lover in front of people.

And that was the correct answer. No matter how sensibly Seiard might have responded to Lady Welp’s bold question mentioning the princess, it was a topic that would inevitably lead to gossip.

In that case, it seemed wisest to avoid the question altogether by pretending to be too blinded by love to understand.

Considering all that, the reaction Kisah needed to show now was clear.

“Oh, Seiard, really…”

Barely managing to force out the words she had thought of, Kisah awkwardly leaned her body against the man standing close beside her.

“I’m… embarrassed in front of others…”

She truly was so embarrassed she felt her face might burst, but thinking it was to clear Seiard’s false charges made it somehow bearable.

“Please say such things when we’re alone. Okay?”

Kisah could only hope they wouldn’t notice how unnaturally her facial muscles were twitching.

“…”

The silence that followed. Strangely, not only the others but even Seiard showed no reaction to Kisah’s words.

‘Could it be?’

A dizzying question flashed through her mind.

Was her acting so terrible that even Seiard was at a loss for words?

Just as Kisah was about to anxiously check the expression of the person next to her, he finally spoke.

“I was thoughtless, my love. You’re right. Let’s save such things for when we’re alone.”

Having said that, the man turned his gaze back to Lady Welp and Lady Clifford, so Kisah didn’t have a chance to see his face.

“I believe that’s a sufficient answer to your question, and we’ll be taking our leave now.”

Before the dazed Lady Welp could even respond, Seiard walked quickly towards the direction of the reception hall.

Since his arm was still behind her waist, Kisah had to move her feet rapidly to keep pace with him.

Looking back, she saw the two women looking at each other with bewildered eyes, as if they had come to their senses.

But what could be done? They had already missed their best opportunity to confront Kisah.

As they headed towards the reception hall, Kisah suddenly noticed something strange.

“Um, Seiard. We’ve taken a wrong turn.”

She knew well where the reception hall was, having attended a concert here just a few months ago where the Duchess of Darion herself had performed.

“I know.”

But instead of turning back, Seiard stopped at a dead end where no one else was around and asked Kisah:

“Kisah, did anything happen?”

“Happen?”

“Those people didn’t do anything to harm you, did they?”

At his worried tone, Kisah hurriedly waved her hands.

“They picked a fight, but they didn’t harm me.”

“You didn’t hear any harsh words?”

“Well… I wouldn’t call them harsh words, but they did say some things that made me feel quite wronged.”

“What did they say?”

Kisah was about to tell him about her conversation with the two women but closed her mouth.

From the incident of being left out of visiting the princess to the ridiculous suspicion that she had fallen out with Melissa because of Seiard, there was too much to say.

“I’ll tell you on the way back. If we talk here, we’ll be late for the concert. Let’s go to the reception hall first.”

Seiard looked like he wanted to know right away, but he acquiesced to Kisah’s opinion for now.

“Alright. Let’s go back.”

“Ah, just a moment.”

In fact, Kisah had one thing she wanted to ask too.

It might not be the right thing to say after just suggesting they go back, but this topic seemed like it would become harder to bring up as time passed. Because it was embarrassing.

“Seiard, you know…”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Was, was my acting just now that strange?”

“Acting?”

“You know, when I said I was embarrassed…”

As shame once again reared its head, Kisah lowered her head, and he let out an “Ah.”

“No, not particularly.”

At those words, Kisah’s face shot up.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you say anything at the time?”

“That’s…”

He sheepishly scratched his cheek.

“I was momentarily taken aback, not expecting Kisah to play along with me.”

I see. Somewhat reassured by this explanation, Kisah let out a sigh of relief.

It seemed she hadn’t made a complete fool of herself in front of so many people, fortunately.

But the next moment, unexpected words came from Seiard’s mouth.

“And I hoped that maybe it wasn’t an act.”

“What?”

“Just a thought I had.”

Without giving Kisah a chance to ask further, he took her hand and led her back the way they had come.

“Now, the concert will be starting soon. Let’s hurry.”

His face, wearing its usual sociable smile, was difficult to read for any particular emotion.

His attitude was so unremarkable that Kisah wondered if she had misheard.

Afterwards, the two entered the reception hall, exchanged brief greetings with the Duke and Duchess of Darion, and had to take their seats immediately. They had narrowly avoided being late.

Between being unsettled by the two women met at the entrance and further troubled by Seiard’s problematic statement just now, Kisah found it difficult to concentrate on the performance.

However, before long, the beautiful melody of the string quartet began to gradually consume Kisah’s consciousness.

Unlike the previous solo recital which was closer to the Duchess of Darion’s personal hobby, this concert featured active musicians invited to perform.

The Duke and Duchess of Darion often arranged such events to introduce young talents to the world.

Kisah became completely absorbed in the music.

While all four performers were excellent, there was one in particular who caught her attention.

It was a man named Gabriel Williams, playing first violin.

Though her own skills were lacking, Kisah occasionally played the violin herself, so she could tell how dynamic and technically brilliant his performance was.

She wasn’t the only one who felt this way; Gabriel’s name was one of the most frequently heard among the guests before the concert began.

Listening more closely to the conversations after the final movement ended, it seemed he was a rising star recently gaining fame and being invited to perform in various places.

But the secret to his popularity wasn’t just his outstanding musical talent.

“He’s as handsome as they say.”

“Indeed. His appearance is as delicate as his playing.”

Gabriel’s beauty was enough to draw more attention to his looks than his performance from some people.

With large eyes and fine features, he was said to give a boyish impression despite being an adult.

Kisah personally preferred a more masculine look, so she wasn’t particularly interested in Gabriel’s appearance, but based on what others were saying, he seemed to be an undeniably handsome man.

Even Seiard teased Kisah during the concert, saying she had been staring too openly at Gabriel.

Though she knew it was just his joke, Kisah earnestly explained that she had simply been impressed by the performance.

For some reason, she didn’t want Seiard to harbor even the slightest misunderstanding.

In any case, that evening was pleasant in many ways.

At least until she returned home and found a letter addressed to her.

My dear Kisah,

I long to see your face after such a long time apart.

Instead of replying to the greeting letter, Princess Arta invited Kisah to a new tea party.

It’s finally come. That was the first thought that crossed Kisah’s mind as she unfolded the invitation.

She recalled what Seiard had said in the carriage on the way back.

“In my opinion, the princess will certainly call for you at least once before the engagement ceremony.”

As he had predicted, the date written on the invitation was one week before their engagement ceremony.