The day of the grand banquet arrived swiftly.

The mansion buzzed with the hustle and bustle of the servants from dawn. I, too, rose early, moving along with their rhythm to start my dressing. Once the battle-ready maids stepped back, I turned this way and that in front of the mirror.

Dressed in an apricot off-shoulder gown with abundant ruffles, my long hair was curled and twisted down. A diamond hair corsage shaped like snowdrop flowers adorned my hair.

It was different from my usual style but perfectly naive and modest, just as I wanted for today’s image.

I put on silk gloves and sat at the console.

In the mirror, I saw the maids, their faces brimming with expectation like chicks, which brought a suppressed laugh to my lips.

“I like it. Thank you. You may leave now.”

“But the earrings…”

“I’ll do it myself.”

I smiled, took the velvet box from a maid, and dismissed them.

I picked up a letter on the console and read it. It was a personal invitation from the Duchess of Wickley, insisting on meeting at the banquet.

Antara would attend the banquet no matter what. She knew she had to act brazen to clarify the scandal and improve her image.

I planned to isolate her completely today, exploiting the rift between her and her allies. Antara, relying on the Duchess of Wickley’s influence, had neglected the other noble ladies. Falling out with the Duchess would be a humiliating blow to her.

Smirking at the thought of Antara being publicly shunned, I opened the velvet box left by the maid. Inside, nestled in black sponge, were pearl earrings.

I attached one to my earlobe and was about to attach the other when someone knocked at the door.

“Is it a maid?” I thought, relieved. While focusing on the earring, I called, “Come in.”

Someone entered and approached me from behind.

As I struggled with the slippery earrings, my arms grew tired. Sighing, I handed the earring over my shoulder, keeping my eyes shut.

“Sorry, but could you help me with this earring? My hand keeps slipping.”

There was a moment’s hesitation, but then they took the earring. Their touch was a bit rough, surprising me, but I assumed it was because the maid’s hands were roughened by frequent water contact.

After a long pause with no movement, I reached over my shoulder, encouragingly tapping their hand, which twitched in response. Soon, their cold fingertips pressed behind my earlobe, and the earring’s post slowly pierced through.

When the maid stepped back, I opened my eyes and was shocked to see who it was in the mirror.

“Lord Edmun…?”

There he was in the mirror, his ears red, covering his face with his large hands. Only the center of his face was visible due to his tall stature.

“What are you doing here?”

“I just helped you with your earring.”

“Why on earth are you, Lord Edmun, helping me with my earrings?”

What kind of madman lets you wait on them…

Oh, right. Me.

Edmun looked dumbfoundedly at me through the mirror. Our eyes met awkwardly in the reflection, and I suddenly remembered the moment I handed him the earring and comforted his hand.
Oh no. I shut my eyes tightly, feeling ashamed of my mistake. I had acted as if I were superior, despite my misjudgment.

“I’m sorry. I should have checked. I thought you were a maid.”

Edmun, removing his hand from his face with a cough, meaninglessly adjusted his clothing.

“It’s alright. I didn’t say anything.”

A tense silence followed. As I stood up to apologize again and faced Edmun, I was struck by surprise.

‘Oh…’

I was astonished, utterly captivated.

He had his hair neatly trimmed, styled upwards to reveal his forehead.

His deep-set eyes, a smooth nose that seemed like raindrops would slide off, and his reticent lips. His forehead, revealed today, added to his distinguished features. The elaborate white tailcoat complemented his silver hair, enhancing his stunning appearance. It was as if radiant beams emanated from behind him.

Stunned, my mouth hung open, then I gathered my wits to speak.

“Lord Edmun, you got your hair-”

“It’s not because of you.”

Edmun frowned and cut me off, as if to ward off any misunderstanding.

As much as he denied it, it only made me want to tease him more.

“Yes, yes. I get it. It’s not because of me.”

My conceding remark seemed to annoy Edmun. He sighed lazily and produced a document from his jacket.

“Here’s the information you requested about Lady Antara di En. It’s from her former maid’s statement. However, the credibility might be lacking as we’re still tracking down other servants.”

I smiled and accepted the document.

“It’s fine. Even this is sufficient for me.”

Edmun’s brow furrowed with worry. His revealed forehead made even slight changes in his expression more apparent.

“What are you planning?”

“Oh, you think I’m scheming something? How could you say that? After all, we’re in this together.”

Edmun stared at me for a moment, then muttered something about me being impossible before heading for the door.

“Wait, I can’t just take this information for free. Is there anything I can do in return?”