The Delmarc Duchy carriage arrived at the Esel Count’s estate. It was the mansion where today’s reception would be held.

Observing Blair, who was watching the carriages entering one by one with a taciturn expression, Herdin called out to her.

“Blair.”

“Yes.”

“If your condition worsens, tell me immediately. Don’t endure it.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll say it again, the purpose of today’s reception is to show that you’re perfectly fine. Act as if nothing happened, as if you’ve never been kidnapped. Enduring and collapsing won’t help.”

Herdin urged her.

His wife had a stubborn side, so she would likely endure relentlessly even if her physical condition wasn’t good.

“I understand.”

Blair nodded slightly, answering his words as if understanding.

Good, she responds well.

Herdin looked at Blair like that and couldn’t help but smirk.

Regardless of her physical condition, she seemed to be in a good mood, probably because she rarely went out. Seeing her eyes twinkle like that.

Just that made him think he had made the right choice to attend today’s reception.

Eventually, the carriage stopped in front of the Count’s mansion.

As they got off the carriage and entered the mansion, the Count and Countess Esel, who were in the midst of welcoming guests, noticed the two and approached eagerly.

“Welcome, both of you!”

“Thank you for coming with such precious steps.”

Being one of the honored families of Delmarc, they welcomed the two more warmly than other guests.

After exchanging greetings with the Count and Countess, the two joined the gathering nobles and naturally mingled at the reception.

Blair went among the ladies and young ladies, while Herdin mingled with the noble men.

As Herdin moved away from Blair’s side, one of the ladies joined the crowd.

Blair immediately recognized her.

Lady Pert, who wanted to present herself to Katrina.

She glanced at Blair, subtly bringing up the conversation.

“By the way, Duchess, it seems like it’s been a while since I last saw your face. Is something the matter?”

Although expressing concern, her question contained a subtle intention to observe Blair.

Blair smiled slightly at her.

“My health wasn’t the best. Thanks to your concern, I’m much better now.”

“Ah, I see. The Duke should take good care of the Duchess. Maybe brew her some good medicine for her health.”

“That’s right. It’s not good for a new bride to be unwell.”

Some ladies joined in, showing interest in Lady Pert’s story, and the first attempt to sound out passed naturally.

Not stopping there, she threw a second topic.

“Oh, by the way. Have you heard the news? Recently, one of the villas in the outlying areas burned down significantly.”

“A few days ago, we were wondering where the smoke was coming from. It was there?”

As some ladies showed interest in her story, Lady Pert, who got no response from Blair, directed a question to Blair, who remained unresponsive.
“There, the scenery of the villa’s forest was truly beautiful, but unfortunately, it’s gone now. Did the Duchess hear the news?”

“More people probably don’t know about the news. The villa is in the outlying area of the island, so unless you purposely go there, you won’t know. How do you know about it, Lady Pert?”

When Blair skillfully dodged the question and pointed out a flaw, Lady Pert’s expression twisted in surprise.

Most of the villas there were used by nobles for secret meetings. Knowing about it was equivalent to sharing stories about secret meetings.

Of course, for those who had no interest in such meetings, knowing that fact wouldn’t mean much. Still, it was like a thief revealing their own presence.

Lady Pert, covering her frozen expression with a fan, forced a smile.

“I, I happened to pass by that area that day, so I happened to witness it.”

The places with villas were in a completely different direction from Pert’s Duchy.

Implying that Lady Pert wouldn’t happen to pass by there.

However, Blair decided not to point that out.

Having been pricked once while trying to dodge twice, she thought she wouldn’t do it a third time. Moreover, if she poked another flaw, it seemed only bad feelings would accumulate.

‘I don’t need to create unnecessary enemies.’

The noblewomen, unaware of the subtle exchange between Blair and Lady Pert, quickly moved on to another topic.

The atmosphere of the ordinary social conversation, exchanging updates and greetings, changed when Lady Pert’s maid joined.

“Excuse me, there seems to be an important matter. I’ll take my leave.”

Lady Pert stepped back from the conversation to listen to the maid’s whisper. Her gaze was directed toward Blair.

While Blair might be feeling an inexplicable uneasiness from that strange look, Herdin, who was engaged in conversation with nobles, was also approached by Ruth.

“Your Excellency. I have something urgent to tell you.”

If Ruth interrupted the reception, it meant it was a truly urgent matter.

Herdin immediately stepped out of the conversation.

“What’s the matter?”

“There’s a bad rumor spreading right now.”

“What rumor?”

“That…”