“That’s right, Your Highness. You just need to give a hint that you welcome him.”

“In that case, won’t the minds of the uncles be hurt? If you’re not careful, you might…”

“Of course, it will be fine, Your Highness. Don’t worry.”

“Okay. I get it.”

Watching the princess enter the venue with a deep breath, I felt as if I were sending off my grown-up daughter.

As expected, this dress was excellent, and the nobles didn’t forget to praise her as they greeted her.

Miliora Jun received greetings with a somewhat arrogant attitude, as if saying, ‘Wasn’t I always beautiful?’ It looked subtly cool.

Even if she was leaping with joy inside.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince also appeared in elaborate attire, and the faces of the major nobles showed a solid appearance.

When my eyes met Kalin Ancart, he pretended not to know me quietly.

Not long after the party began, Agael envoy Yelloi asked Miliora Jun for a dance, and she went to the floor this time with an elegant attitude as if she had been waiting.

I sat in a corner and was captivated by a strange feeling as I watched her dance.

‘No one could have done better than her. Lorisha.’

The voice of the Marquis came to mind, and my heart fluttered for no reason. I didn’t know if it was okay for me to hear such words…

Miliora Jun, who danced, seemed genuinely joyful, and the space where I was seated was filled with extravagance and pleasure. However, it wasn’t as uncomfortable as before.

For the first time, I was practicing accepting the place I belonged to.

Until now, I thought the world rejected me because I was a bastard, but I also hated the world just as much.

The fact that I was a despised bastard in the world hadn’t changed, but now I didn’t know if I could no longer get as angry about it as before.

I wandered around the venue, fanning gently.

“Hmm. It’s still a bit difficult.”

As the gazes of the women all moved in one direction, it turned out that Caidel Gongja was entering.

Perhaps he was late because he was having a strange dream.

He exchanged greetings with familiar faces near the entrance, but his eyes were searching for someone.
I twisted my head and completely covered my face with the fan, then looked at the floor. However, that wasn’t a particularly good solution.

When I lowered the fan with a strange feeling, he was approaching me with a bright smile, walking in a straight line, drawing the warm gazes of the young ladies filling the venue.

Quietly behind the fan, I muttered, “Damn, it’s starting again.”

Honestly, he sparkled today. His deep navy uniform was exceptionally outstanding.

I don’t know how to express men’s clothing, but anyway, his uniform fit perfectly and looked very good on him.

When he once boasted about the woman’s body, I had seen it too. The male body of Rocart Caidel was extraordinarily well-structured with a tall figure, tight chest, and balanced proportions.

The problematic personality and questionable conscience were completely separate issues.

While I was searching for other words to criticize him, he was standing in front of me.

His height was unnecessarily tall, and I didn’t like that I had to tilt my chin up to look him straight in the eyes while sitting.

That guy, who even slicked back his black hair smoothly, looked quite impressive. His purple eyes focused on me, full of passion.

There is only one way to explain those sparkling eyes in such a perfect face.

Unfair. The gods are unfair.

But today, I couldn’t be defeated as ruthlessly as last time in the Marquis’s residence.

Before he could speak, I smiled, keeping my eyes down, and whispered, “Could you please go away?”

“Loriar Yang…”

Look at this guy, acting with a wounded face.

He, who laid bare his innermost feelings as if he hadn’t been in his right mind for the past few days, seemed strangely shy today. It looked like he had changed his strategy.

I raised the fan to hide my suppressed laughter.

Then, from behind him, the heat was subtly coming. It was the jealous flames of the young ladies who pretended not to care but were actually watching us.

Ha. This is it.

This guy is trying to burn me to death without dirtying his hands.

Despite my rude words, he approached with a serious face.

It was a gesture as if he would cherish even the wounds of the heart if they were given by him.

It was a staging that couldn’t hold back the anger for the women who cherished him.

I swallowed a dry laugh. This party included figures belonging to the empire’s high society. If misunderstandings were created in their eyes, rumors would spread like wildfire.

Caidel Gongja seemed to be expecting to corner me there, but it was impossible.

As if saying, ‘Stand right there!’ I opened my eyes wide, and he was looking at me with a moist gaze.

To make me a public enemy of the empire with such a pitiful face.

I don’t know where you can get that kind of gaze. My goodness.

As I lost concentration for a moment, he came in suddenly.
“Loriar Yang. I intended to request a dance, but if I made you uncomfortable, I apologize first. However, if there is a misunderstanding, I’d like to clear it up. May I have a moment for a conversation?”

“What kind of conversation does someone with impaired hearing want?”

Haven’t you heard me say to go away?

Then, he straightened his chest and answered.

How annoying is that self-esteem and confidence that sparkle in a person like me? He probably wouldn’t even know if he died and woke up.

“Loriar Yang, why are you giving me a chance…”

I cut off his words. As long as I knew what kind of act he was trying to put on, I couldn’t be drawn into this willingly.

I chuckled and whispered to him so that only he could hear, “Do you think I don’t know your intentions? You devil!”

Caidel Gongja seemed shocked, his mouth forming an ‘O,’ and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

This guy was thoroughly enjoying it!

I glared at him, feeling fed up.

Mom, I must be a bad kid. When I was young, I thought the village kids were bad, but now it seems they threw stones at me because I was bad.

I pondered. Should I shove this glass of alcohol in his face, or should I pretend to comply with his request, take him to the balcony, and slap him on the back of his neck?

But both were difficult. If I openly insulted the first lion of the empire, it would surely cause a storm for my father, Viscount Loire, because of our noble hierarchy.

However, going to the balcony together would be just as bad; it would be like confirming to him that I fell for him.

The people watching us now would never believe that Rocarde Caidel Gongja and the woman spending time alone with him didn’t develop feelings for him.

This guy knew that too; that’s why he was doing this. He would laugh while brushing my skin with his fingers, pretending to be fascinated.

After glancing at the warm gazes directed at me, I spoke low and quickly.

“Stop it and go back. As you are the victim now, isn’t that enough?”

Then, he smiled slyly and said, “In matters of emotions between men and women, the one with greater emotions is said to be the real victim. So Loriar Yang’s words may be correct.”

“Oh, yes.”

Is he that teacher again? I’ll lay off his sword one day.

“Although we serve different masters, that doesn’t mean we can’t get closer. Loriar Yang… Would you open your heart if I were to kneel?”