“It’s Duke Fermannes…!”

“Oh my!”

They covered their reddened faces with fans at the unexpected appearance of the Marquis.

“Then, did the Marquis bring the Dartmouth Viscount’s daughter as his guest?”

“Oh dear, to cherish a viscount’s daughter to this extent…”

It was rare for a man to accompany a social gathering of ladies like a tea party. Usually, it was either because he was a suitor highly spoken of, or they were passionately in love to the point of not wanting to be apart even for a moment.

Taking hold of Bellige’s hand, when Lina stepped out of the carriage, the murmurings around her grew louder.

“That lady must be the Dartmouth Viscount’s daughter.”

“According to rumors, she was said to have a very unattractive appearance, but it seems you can’t believe rumors.”

Bellige, feeling the buzzing around, tightly held Lina’s hand.

“Will you be okay alone?”

“If it’s not okay, at least stay by my side?”

“There’s nothing I can’t do.”

As Lina spoke sincerely, Bellige chuckled.
“You’re making a really big deal out of this.”

It was an unwritten rule that males over the age of 7 did not attend social gatherings exclusively for noblewomen.

Already, just by bringing him this far, the social circles would undoubtedly buzz for a while. If he followed all the way to the tea party, what kind of rumors would circulate this time?

Lina seemed to recall something troublesome as she touched her head and spoke.

“Don’t worry too much. The host, Viscountess of the Dartmouth, is the granddaughter of Lady Melbourne. There shouldn’t be any major issues. So, please relax and see you at the mansion in a little while.”

As Lina’s words seemed to convey her desire to send him off quickly, Bellige exhaled a short breath.

“Then, please have a pleasant time.”

The Marquis kissed Lina on her forehead.

‘This man…!’

Doing such a thing in front of everyone. Bellige raised the corner of his mouth, seemingly amused, while looking at Lina’s flushed face.

Then, as if nothing had happened, the Marquis returned to the carriage.

Had she stood there for quite some time?

Lina moved her steps to the garden, ignoring the gazes that seemed to pierce her. She sighed lightly, feeling as if she had become an animal in a zoo.

‘It’s just this level of attention.’

Pretending to be unaffected, Lina walked into the garden with her back straight. The women’s gazes that seemed to stick to her were deliberately ignored. When she reached the garden, a woman who seemed to be the hostess of the party approached Lina with a bright smile.

“Welcome, Miss Dartmouth. I am Michelle, the daughter of Viscount Dartmouth. Thank you so much for coming.”

“Thank you for the invitation, Viscountess Dartmouth.”

If Lady Melbourne was like this when she was young, was she like this? Lina’s tension eased a little at the sight of Viscountess Dartmouth, who resembled her mentor.

“Grandma told me about you. She said you’re very intelligent.”

“I’m very pleased to receive such a generous evaluation from Lady Melbourne.”

With a modest acceptance of compliments, Lina’s attitude made Viscountess Dartmouth smile gracefully.

“In my opinion, it doesn’t seem like a generous evaluation. Please enjoy the party, Viscountess. Now, this way.”

Following her guidance, as Lina headed towards the table, the attention of those who were sitting there was drawn.

“This way is Miss Dartmouth. Please welcome her with applause.”

As Michelle finished speaking, everyone sitting applauded. Of course, there were mixed glances that looked at her uncomfortably.

“Nice to meet you. Miss Dartmouth. I am Tis, the youngest daughter of Viscount Kiel.”

“Thank you for welcoming me, Viscountess Tis. I am Lina, the daughter of Viscount Dartmouth.”

Starting with Tis’s greeting, everyone else began to greet her as if they had been waiting for it.
“Still, it seems better than I had thought.”

She had expected them to ignore her greetings altogether. Perhaps because they considered her the future marchioness, people weren’t openly dismissing her.

As Lina’s tension gradually eased, Tis, as if waiting, asked her.

“I saw earlier that the Marquis escorted you here himself?”

“Yes, since it’s my first social gathering today, he seemed worried and escorted me.”

“Oh, how considerate.”

In response to Lina’s words, the noblewomen giggled and chatted among themselves.

“The rumor that the Marquis is deeply in love with Miss Dartmouth doesn’t seem to be an exaggeration after all.”

“Indeed, I’ve never seen someone attend a tea party with their lover!”

“Yes, and that lover is none other than Marquis Fermannes… I thought I was seeing things. Where did the chill from the victory celebration go? Well, the gazes at the lady… it’s really something.”

While the noblewomen excitedly discussed the situation from a little while ago, an heiress who had put down her glass with a loud sound whispered quietly.

“There was a look full of concern in your eyes. Perhaps you were worried that Lady Dartmouth might make some mistake. Well, when you were a commoner, you wouldn’t have dared to sit in such a place… I wonder how worried you must have been.”

Lina looked at the blue-haired heiress, who was mocking her with indifferent eyes.

Tsk.

‘Well, there wouldn’t be such a reaction.’

There were probably more people who found her presence unpleasant. She had momentarily deluded herself thinking that a few welcoming gestures meant something.

Lina snapped out of it, like receiving cold water, at the words of an unknown heiress. The air had turned heavy over the now chilly table.

Observing this for a moment, Michelle gently nudged Hoen, the Viscountess, and said, “Viscountess Hoen, your words are a bit excessive.”

“Yes, Miss Dartmouth is soon to be the Marchioness.”

“That’s right. And why does the past matter? She’s already a Viscountess.”

Other people chimed in with words of praise for Lina.

“Well, until the wedding, you never know. Engagements can be broken at any time.”

However, the atmosphere became even colder due to Hoen, the Viscountess’s continued words.