Louis was wearing an expression that didn’t quite suit the seemingly joyful banquet hall. If Odette had stood a little closer to Louis, there would have been rumors circulating about something happening between the two. In simple terms, ‘he had a face with a story.’ Due to this, she couldn’t help but recall the day of the marriage announcement at the palace, which she had managed to forget.

“Your Highness, how about reconsidering the marriage? Duke Ertman is not a good person. Can’t you try finding another partner now? For example… me.”

Honestly, it might have been a joke or something he wanted to dismiss, but Louis’s attitude was serious. Moreover, he had gone so far as to say such things to Valter, making it even less likely to be a joke. ‘It’s really strange.’ While Odette did consider marrying Louis, wasn’t it Louis who drew the line? If Louis had cut off Odette like clockwork after the soirée with Xavier, Odette wouldn’t have accepted Valter’s proposal. Louis had intentions to marry Odette at one point, but wasn’t it Louis who drew the line first? Even if Louis had sent a letter to Count Clovis after the soirée, other maids and servants claimed they had no memory of a letter coming from Clovis. Perhaps Louis was lying to make excuses to properly disappear. Above all, if Louis had truly wanted to convey sincerity, he should have shown his face much earlier, Odette thought. ‘But this time too, Count Clovis disappeared afterward.’ After the marriage announcement at the palace, Odette had hoped Louis would come by at least once. Just in case Valter might interfere with their meeting, she had even separately asked Emma to keep an eye out for a carriage visiting the mansion every day. However, during that period, Count Clovis’s carriage never showed itself. So Odette decided to think comfortably. ‘Maybe he gave up on our marriage. Back then… well, maybe he needed a marriage partner urgently.’ From Odette’s perspective, there seemed to be no reason for Louis to cling to her so desperately other than needing a suitable marriage partner. Therefore, it was a natural conclusion to assume that Louis sought a marriage partner, seeing that he didn’t reveal himself. ‘What on earth is Count Clovis thinking?’ At this point, even Odette, who was usually indifferent to things unrelated to her, became curious.
When asked other maids and servants, they all claimed not to remember receiving a letter from Clovis. If that’s the case, Odette wondered whether Louis might be lying, sending the letter as an excuse. Above all, Odette thought that if Louis truly wanted to convey sincerity, he should have shown his face sooner. ‘But this time too, Count Clovis disappeared afterward.’ After the marriage announcement at the palace, Odette had expected Louis to visit at least once. Just in case Valter might interfere with their meeting, she had separately asked Emma to keep an eye out for a carriage visiting the mansion every day.

“Emma, can you identify the carriage that visits the mansion every day? It’s okay if it doesn’t enter the mansion.”

However, Count Clovis’s carriage never showed itself during that period. Therefore, Odette decided to think comfortably. ‘Maybe he gave up on our marriage. Back then… well, maybe he needed a marriage partner urgently.’ From Odette’s perspective, there seemed to be no reason for Louis to cling to her so desperately other than needing a suitable marriage partner. Therefore, it was a natural conclusion to assume that Louis sought a marriage partner, seeing that he didn’t reveal himself. ‘What on earth is Count Clovis thinking?’ At this point, even Odette, who was usually indifferent to things unrelated to her, became curious.

Moreover, Odette felt a strange sense from Louis. Of course, Louis and she were already engaged, but there was something more… a strange feeling. She couldn’t recall where she had experienced this feeling before. Trying to remember now, it didn’t come to mind. Moreover, Odette hadn’t been given enough time to reconsider things unrelated to herself.
Above all, a strange feeling was sensed from Louis. Of course, Louis and I were already engaged, but there seemed to be something more… a strange feeling. I couldn’t recall where I had experienced this feeling before. Trying to remember now, it didn’t come to mind. Moreover, I hadn’t been given enough time to reconsider things unrelated to myself.

Louis, when our eyes met from a distance, seemed to make a vague impression and then disappeared into the crowd. Odette almost unconsciously tried to follow him but was stopped by a maid.

“Lady, you must change into casual attire for the celebration. Please come this way.”

“……Ah.”

Thanks to the timely appearance of the maid, Odette managed to regain her composure. Fortunately, she didn’t have the opportunity to think about Louis’s face afterward.