The intricate pattern engraved on the antique box caught Yuriel’s eye.

Atop the box, adorned with an elegant cursive script resembling some ancient text, was an ornate lysianthus pattern.

When she opened the box, Yuriel gasped.

Fine lace woven from microfiber, beautiful gems set as accents, and a perfectly shaped silk dress that seemed tailored just for her body.

Yuriel couldn’t take her eyes off the dress for a long time.

She had never seen such a beautiful dress in her life.

While it might be just one of many dresses in a closet for other noble ladies, it was something she had never seen in her world.

The young master’s face flashed through her mind, asking “Is that so?”

It was what he had said when she had concluded that the banquet was none of her business.

Cassian. So, had that young master been planning to drag her to the banquet from that moment?

The initial excitement she felt upon seeing the dress quickly subsided.

Her head ached just thinking about him, whose image came to mind just by looking at the dress.

Someone might envy her for being able to attend such an unimaginable banquet wearing such a fine dress, but the reality was different.

What would change by wearing something so noble that didn’t suit her and standing among them?

It would only serve to remind her more clearly of her position as an impurity wedged in this mansion, neither here nor there.

Would she become a clown again in that setting?

Just when she thought he might be considering her, such a perplexing order came down, making her feel like she was back to square one.

She couldn’t fathom the young master’s intentions at all.

Swallowing a sigh, Yuriel put on the dress.

After all, attending tonight’s banquet was an unavoidable reality.

Fortunately, the perfectly fitting dress had no flaws whatsoever.

It seemed that the butler, who had been fussing about getting new maid uniforms tailored earlier, had personally given the instructions.

Looking at her flawless reflection in the mirror made the approaching night even more daunting.

Who would the guests be?

Would there be anyone she knew among them?

Of course, she hadn’t even imagined that she would attend such a banquet in this attire, so she hadn’t paid any attention to such matters.

Well, it was a banquet at the lord’s mansion after all, so surely high-ranking individuals would attend.

From lords of other towns whom she would never dare to meet, to nobles and retainers – they would make up the majority of visitors here.

People she would never see again after encountering them tonight.

Thinking that way should have made her feel at ease… but an oppressive feeling, as tight as the corset constricting her chest, washed over her.

This fine weather, this season – none of it mattered as she felt like she was sitting alone in the eye of a storm.

In the eye of a storm where a tempest would hit if she strayed even a little.

Night arrives, as always, right on time.

Just like that girl.

Below the floor, a grand orchestra, seemingly specially hired by the lord, came into view.

As the music announcing the start of the banquet began to play, Cassian, who had been descending the stairs, suddenly stopped on the last step.

It was because he spotted Yuriel coming from the opposite side.

Beneath her long, flowing red hair was a snow-white nape, and below that, a dress of pure elegance.

Even without a single tiara adorning her head, that girl sparkled as if mocking the nobles who had plastered themselves with money.

After instructing to send the dress, he had occasionally wondered what she might look like.

In all those imaginings, she was beautiful and radiant.

After all, how could a girl who stood out even in a maid’s uniform not shine when properly dressed?

It seemed it wasn’t just his impression, as everyone’s eyes were fixed on that girl.

Frowning slightly at the sight, Cassian made his presence known as he stepped down the last stair.

As he moved away from the floor towards the center, all eyes naturally shifted to him.

No matter how beautiful the beauty of the century might be, she couldn’t overshadow him, the heir of Blanchet.

Even the orchestra briefly paused their music to catch their breath at his appearance.

The banquet attendees, looking at Cassian, held their breath at his aura and hurriedly bowed their heads.

From the lord of Bronze who had never had to bow his head in his life, to the lord of Alphonse and the nobles of small fiefs, all were overwhelmed by his imposing presence and exchanged glances.

‘Wasn’t he supposed to be terminally ill?’

‘Otherwise, why would the heir of Blanchet be staying in such a humble place as Alphonse?’

‘He doesn’t feel like someone who’s about to die at all.’

‘Our eyes met earlier, and I nearly fell weak at the knees.’

Silent murmurs lingered in the air.

The nobles were thoroughly intimidated by the young master’s aura, whom they had thought to be merely a green youth.

Yet, they didn’t forget to approach him.

With smiles plastered on their faces, the nobles quickly gathered around Cassian, trying their best to engage him in conversation.

The eyes of the lord of Alphonse curved menacingly as he watched the Blanchet heir, now surrounded in a circle.

What a mess this had turned out to be.

He had allowed him to stay at his mansion, hoping for a chance at a central position, but there had been no word from Duke Blanchet.

The only communication had been the transfer of quite a large sum of money, as if drawing a line.

Of course, even that was a considerable reward, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy the lord whose eyes were already blinded by greed.

Meanwhile, this so-called heir had even ordered him to arrange meetings with unworthy youngsters.

‘And with the lady of Bilrode, no less?’

It was only then that the lord finally realized.

That the young master had noticed that Yuriel was not the lady of the Bilrode family.

‘Damn it.’

It was a mistake to have brought her in, naively thinking that the heir would quickly discard that girl.

The lord’s mind reeled at the situation where he was on the brink of ruin after trying to gain just one thing.

When he first heard about it, he had come up with quite a plausible plan.

‘Right. Why not just kill the heir?’

He was terminally ill anyway, so it wouldn’t be strange if he died.

It would just be sending him to the other world a little faster.

Dead men tell no tales, so if that happened, the fact that he had deceived Blanchet would be buried in the grave forever.

However, the death of Cassian that the lord was hoping for was impossible to even attempt.

Blanchet was not such a careless family.

Knight-like shadows were spread throughout his room, making it impossible to even enter and exit freely.

Let alone trying to harm the heir while avoiding their eyes, which would be an extremely dangerous act.

After several sleepless nights, the lord changed his strategy to trying to please Cassian.

Over the past few days, fortunately, the Blanchet heir seemed willing to turn a blind eye.

He clearly must have taken quite a liking to that girl.

The lord breathed a sigh of relief and pretended not to know that Cassian was aware of the fact, thinking that the matter would be settled that way.

But…

The instructions that came down afterwards were outrageous.

It was ridiculous enough to arrange meetings for these youngsters, but now he was ordering a party to be held.

The lord couldn’t hide his rising irritation.

Since when did such a high-ranking person take interest in the love affairs of insignificant humans?

It was clearly a crude order issued with the intention of telling him to figure it out on his own.

By informing him in such a manner that he knew about the fact that he had deceived him about that girl’s identity.

‘A wet-behind-the-ears brat trying to yank my chain…!’

Unable to suppress his indignation, the lord smashed numerous pieces of furniture that day.

But the conclusion remained the same. He had no choice but to submit to that green young master.

The name Blanchet was that formidable, and in any case, having been caught in the lie about Yuriel’s false identity, he had no choice but to rely on the young master’s mercy.

That’s why this time too, without fail, the lord had to subtly take the lead on the young master’s suggestion disguised as an order.

Even knowing that a huge budget would be blown every time a party was held.

This year, with the added complication of a poor harvest causing budget issues, the difficulties were even greater, but he pushed through.

Meanwhile, the heir was even more outrageous.

Bringing that worthless girl to the banquet hall on such an important day, when she should have been locked up.

And in such a striking appearance, no less.

The girl, already possessing a notably beautiful face, stood out like the protagonist of the party once she put on the dress.

Well, that’s probably why the Blanchet heir, whose arrogance reached the sky, kept her by his side.

While it was something to tsk at, thinking about it, that fact was somewhat fortunate.

If that girl hadn’t properly matched the temperament of the Blanchet heir, he would have already been charged with deceiving Blanchet.

As the lord looked at Yuriel, Jane’s face flashed through his mind.

Wasn’t it said that she was wasting her beauty without a husband? Tsk.

Early one recent dawn, he had encountered Jane on a deserted walking path.

As he approached, that girl’s mother had a terrified look on her face.

How much she exuded a beauty that made one want to embrace her, illuminated by the moonlight.

He became incredibly curious about what sweetness might be hidden beneath that dress, and his feet moved irresistibly towards her.

Just as Jane’s face turned pale with fear.

A mocking laugh sounded from behind the lord.

When he turned his head, Cassian was standing there.

Above his face with chilling eyes was an unmistakable sneer.

That day, the lord found himself running back to his room without realizing it.

Ever since realizing his leash had been grabbed, that damned young master had a chilling aspect every time he saw him.

Of course, it must all be his imagination.

The next day, after cursing and letting the previous day’s events slip away.

A gift arrived for the lord, who had completely forgotten about the incident.

The name Cassian di Blanchet was demurely embroidered on it.