Finally, it was the day of the banquet. With the help of the maids, I was tidying up my hair when someone casually tapped on the door.

“It seems the young master has arrived.”

Sofia, who had already heard the news, opened the door. My partner for today, Micael, entered with an indifferent expression.

“Are you still getting ready?”

“I’ll be done soon.”

Micael, with a sulky face, plopped down on the sofa.

After a while, when I finished getting ready, I took out the chocolate box that Kusseus had secretly given me and shared one with him.

“Why are you giving me this?”

“Because you’re my partner today, and I’m grateful for that.”

“Not because you feel sorry?”

“Well, that too.”

In fact, I knew. Since I chose Micael as my partner, all the jealousy from my family was directed towards him.

Micael glanced at me and then put the chocolate in his mouth in one go. While escorting me to the banquet hall, he coldly said,

“If you’re really sorry, choose someone else next time, not me.”

“Why?”

“Why? Because Dad, my brother, or even that guy Deivan might die of jealousy if it’s you. So choose someone else as your partner next time.”

Micael’s attitude was colder than before. It seemed that the jealousy he received from my family these past few days had irritated him.

“But if it’s not Micael, I can’t move freely.”

Today, my main goal for attending the banquet was to prevent Asilwood’s fraudulent activities. To achieve that, I needed to move freely.

If I had chosen Dad or Clements or Deivan as my partner, they would have stuck by my side all day, using the excuse of being my partner.

Actually, I was worried that Micael might refuse, but surprisingly, he accepted reluctantly.

“Does Micael also secretly take care of me?”

“If I refused, it seemed like you wouldn’t take it lightly.”

Micael said sharply as if reading my thoughts.

“Oh, I was originally going to refuse.”

I nodded with a vague feeling.

“So next time, choose Deivan, Dad, or my brother. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“But I’m most comfortable with Micael…”

“I don’t care about that. I find being your partner troublesome.”

“Ugh.”

I pouted at his harsh words. Still, I decided to say something that Micael would like.

“But once we’re at the banquet, you don’t have to pay attention to me. I won’t stay at the banquet for long.”

“It’s a banquet opened for you. What if you don’t stay long?”

“But I get tired in crowded places for a long time.”

“Still, endure for two hours. You have to endure at least that much.”
Two hours? I calculated the time in my head. Usually, banquets last at least three to four hours.

‘If I get stuck in the banquet hall, I won’t be able to monitor Asilwood’s actions.’

I have to come up with some excuse and secretly slip away. While contemplating what excuse to make, Micael tapped my bag.

“By the way, why do you always carry this bag around? Is there a honey jar inside?”

???? ???? ????

It didn’t take even a day to get to Hesera.

Today, there was an exception as they allowed teleportation between Hesera and the capital.

As the nobles entered the Duke’s mansion, they either covered their faces with fans or deliberately stiffened their expressions.

‘It’s outrageously extravagant.’

‘What’s the point of building such a large mansion? It’s still the Duke’s mansion in Hesera.’

‘Well, let’s see how well it’s decorated inside.’

Although everyone criticized the Duke’s mansion in their minds, there was no way to hide the astonishment in their eyes as they looked around the mansion.

That was evident even in Filen’s eyes as he welcomed the guests in front of the entrance to the banquet hall.

‘That’s why I don’t like people from the capital.’

He couldn’t hide his inner thoughts and desperately tried to find the other person’s flaws to bring them down like a hyena, but he couldn’t contain his frustration.

“Wait, who is this? Isn’t this Duke Asilwood!”

At that moment, there was a noble approaching Filen with a smile. Filen habitually smiled back at him.

“Asilwood Duke.”

Asilwood Duke, similar in age to Filen, had a similar rank.

Taking advantage of this, Asilwood Duke had a tendency to pretend to be close to Filen. Of course, Filen found his insincere behavior annoying.

With Asilwood Duke was a young woman dressed in a gorgeous dress. Filen knew her, but he just nodded his head without greeting her first.

Unaware of Filen’s feelings, Asilwood Duke smiled brightly and spoke.

“Ah! Duke Asilwood, by the way, we haven’t met before. The person who came with me is Lady Amelia Hwangbi. Lady Hwang, this is Filen Otto, the aide to Duke Krustel.”

“I know. I’ve seen him at the palace before.”

Hwangbi smiled and pretended to know Filen. Filen raised the corner of his mouth.

Strictly speaking, it would have been more appropriate for Filen to greet her first. However, showing up at a banquet without an invitation was also considered impolite.