“That’s right. Even though they’re broken up now, he’s never attended such official events with the young lady of Count Winst, has he?”

“Wait, isn’t the Boston family the maternal relatives of the Belaste princess?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Somehow, it seems he brought her as his partner because she’s the Belaste princess’s cousin. Poor Marquis Rowe.”

Their eyes, once full of curiosity, changed to sympathy.

It was roughly interpreted as him being unable to forget the deceased Belaste princess, so he’s associating with her cousin.

‘I’m perfectly alive so there’s no need to feel sorry, but it’s surprising that I’ve never partnered with Sharlin.’

Remembering the time I misunderstood that Sharlin’s child was his, I felt embarrassed again.

When I glanced at Jade, his face was unnervingly grim.

“J-Jade.”

It was the peculiar expression he made whenever he was displeased.

‘What should I do? Jade hates being pitied the most.’

He seemed to be reacting even more coldly because it was related to me.

‘If you’re going to talk, do it quietly. The person in question can hear everything.’

As if his patience had worn thin, I grabbed Jade as he was about to step towards them.

“What.”

“Don’t.”

I shook my head while holding onto Jade’s arm.

He exuded a murderous aura as he looked at the nobles.

“Oh, um, the éclairs look delicious, shall we go over there?”

“Y-yes, let’s!”

As if they had never been talking, they all shut their mouths at once and disappeared.

‘They quieted down right away. I didn’t expect to hear such things as soon as we arrived.’

I should have rejected Jade’s partner request instead of accepting it.

My eyes met with the passing Countess Asitan.

‘Countess Asitan had looked favorably upon Blanche at Ayla’s wedding.’

It seemed odd to just ignore her, so I called out.

“Countess Asitan. Have you been well?”

“Earl Boston. I didn’t expect to see you here again. And as Marquis Rowe’s partner, no less…”

Countess Asitan approached with a welcoming expression, glancing at Jade.

Bwoooo-

‘This trumpet sound…’

A grand trumpet sound reverberated.

“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness Princess Cassandra are entering! Everyone, show your respect!”

Princess Cassandra was coming down the stairs, supporting the Emperor.

“We behold the radiant sun and shining star of Langrangsha. May glory always be with you.”

Everyone in Diamond Hall bowed towards the Emperor and Princess Cassandra.

I placed my hand on my chest and bowed, pressing down on Jade’s back as he stood blankly. He grudgingly gave a slight nod.

“Everyone, you may rise. Today, I thank you all for attending Princess Cassandra’s birthday celebration. I hope you all have a pleasant evening.”

The Emperor ended his congratulatory speech without further words.

“Princess. Congratulations.”

“Thank you for your congratulations, Father.”

After patting Princess Cassandra’s shoulder, he exited through the back door.

A sense of bewilderment at the Emperor’s quick departure lingered in Diamond Hall.

Princess Cassandra narrowed her eyes as she stared at Jade and me.

I stepped aside, widening the gap between Jade and myself.

At the princess’s birthday celebration, there was nothing to gain from getting on her bad side.

Besides, I didn’t particularly like being close to him anyway.

As I moved away from him, Princess Cassandra’s face softened as she approached.

“Marquis Rowe.”

Princess Cassandra called out to Jade without even glancing at me.

“…Your Highness.”

Jade addressed Princess Cassandra in a displeased tone.

“I’m glad you came. Though you rejected my partner request, I’ll give you the honor of sharing the first dance with me.”

Princess Cassandra extended her delicate hand to Jade.

‘Now he’ll kiss her hand and go to the center to dance. I don’t really want to see that.’

I imagined Jade kissing that hand and the two of them dancing.

Feeling unpleasant, I was about to lower my eyes.

Jade wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.

“Marquis. What… what are you doing?”

“I’m afraid it’s difficult as I already have a partner. You know that Earl Boston is my partner, don’t you?”

Princess Cassandra’s lips trembled continuously.

‘Having been rejected in front of everyone, her pride must be hurt.’

It was awkward to have drawn attention after provoking Princess Cassandra.

Princess Cassandra picked up a glass from the table and dropped it at my feet.

In an instant, red wine stained my dress.

I couldn’t believe what had just happened.

“Your Highness.”

Jade hid me behind him, gritting his teeth.

“Oh my. Earl Boston. My hand slipped and I made a mistake. Are you alright?”

She packaged what was clearly an intentional act as a mistake, making it impossible to openly protest.

“How is this a mistake by any-”

All the eyes around were focused on us.

I stopped Jade, who was about to retaliate, and raised the corners of my mouth.

“Your Highness. Would it be alright if I briefly visit the lounge?”

“Of course. It was truly a mistake just now, so I hope you won’t take it to heart. Earl.”

I shook my head at Jade, who tried to follow, and headed towards the corridor leading to the lounge.

‘It’s damp and sticky.’

Unfortunately, the red stain was clearly visible on the pale blue dress.

Holding my throbbing head, I searched for a lounge, but they were all full.

“Of all times. What should I do now?”

Ribbons were tied to all the door handles, indicating that people were inside.

“Earl Boston!”

I heard the sound of running footsteps behind me.

It was Countess Asitan.

“Take this, Earl. It might help cover it a bit. You must have been very surprised, right?”

She handed me the shawl she was holding.

“Thank… you.”

I took the shawl and wrapped it around my wine-stained waist.

“Even those in the banquet hall were shocked by what Her Highness did. Really, why she suddenly did that to you…”

Countess Asitan murmured that Princess Cassandra’s action was intentional and expressed concern for me.

“By the way, Earl. You said you were going to the lounge, why aren’t you going in?”

“…All the lounges are full, so there’s nowhere to enter.”

Countess Asitan looked sympathetic and then suddenly clapped her hands.

“Oh, wait a moment. Where was the one with the orange ribbon tied?”

She went around muttering about the orange ribbon, looking at the lounges.

The place where Countess Asitan stopped was a lounge in the corner with an orange ribbon tied.

“Come here, Earl.”

She beckoned me and opened the door of that lounge.

“Countess Asitan…?”

“Don’t worry and come in.”

I slowly entered that lounge.

“Aunt?”

Inside was a woman with a gentle-looking impression.

‘A relative?’

The woman called Countess Asitan her aunt.

“Earl Boston. This is my niece, Baroness Siona Lehr.”

As expected, Countess Asitan introduced the woman as her niece.

“Siona. Didn’t you say you were in the same sorority as Earl Boston last time?”

“That’s right, Aunt. It’s been a while. Diane, why haven’t you been coming to the gatherings?”

Baroness Lehr, Siona, seemed quite close with Diane as she grabbed my hand and greeted me warmly.

‘I should address her formally like I did with Sharlin, but they said my personality changed a lot since the last time we met.’

‘I’ve been talking about you with our classmates recently. I didn’t mean anything by it. I’ll soon… no, never mind.’

I was also concerned about the mention of Diane.

“Sharlin hasn’t been coming lately either, so the atmosphere in the sorority is terrible.”

Siona mentioned Sharlin, expressing worry about the disintegration of the sorority.

“I’ve been busy with… merchant guild work and was out of the country.”

“Diane, then you won’t be coming anymore?”

“Siona. We’ll talk about that later. Let’s go now. Earl. Then take your time and rest.”

Countess Asitan, noticing my discomfort, ushered Siona out.

“Countess Asitan. Thank you for everything. And for being so considerate.”

I curtsied to Countess Asitan as I took off the shawl.

“Oh, the shawl…!”

“There’s no need for that. It was nothing. Earl. You can return the shawl later.”

Countess Asitan smiled kindly as she closed the door of the lounge.

“…I’m tired. After Sharlin, I didn’t expect to meet another of Diane’s sorority sisters.”

I sat on the sofa, sighed, and looked down at the red-stained part.

‘I should go tell Jade I’m leaving first.’

I left the lounge, intending to go home as the dress was also sticky.

‘I feel bad for Countess Asitan, who deliberately sent her niece away to empty the room for me.’

Princess Cassandra was standing outside with an open fan.

“…Your Highness?”

“I was wondering where you had gone into the lounge, and here you are. Earl?”

Princess Cassandra spoke as if she had been looking for me.

“Is there something you need, Your Highness?”

“I felt sorry for accidentally spilling wine, so I came to see if you were alright. You seem to have resolved it better than I thought?”

Seeing the shawl wrapped around my waist, Princess Cassandra wore a sneer on her lips.

“Earl. Don’t feel wronged. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have suffered such humiliation.”