Roy, with a smirk, stood diagonally in front of Mari and continued the conversation.

“I saw you moving away.”

Mari chuckled at Roy’s words.

“Silhouette talk in a dark place where the light didn’t even reach properly… No, nothing.”

Roy, grinning, asked again.

“Really? Who said it wasn’t?”

Mari, taking a sip of her drink, replied.
“I am Ruela Romine. I recognized her voice, so I immediately remembered her. They are quite similar. However, it wasn’t her. The way of speaking, the intonation. Everything was different.”

Roy sighed as if disappointed.

“I see. Oh, by the way, Rosite Young Lady. Why did you break the promise?”

Mari frowned at the unexpected question.

“What do you mean by breaking a promise?”

Roy licked his lips, seemingly thinking that the woman was pretending not to know.

“We agreed not to talk about what we saw earlier. We promised to keep our mouths shut. If our affair gets exposed, won’t it be troublesome for you, Rosite Young Lady?”

Mari quickly scanned her surroundings and, maintaining a composed expression, sharply retorted.

“I didn’t say I saw anything today. Of course, I didn’t say I saw anything. I just mentioned that such an incident happened a few days ago. I asked if you heard about it.”

“Anyway, that’s why you’re a problem. To become the center of society, you casually break promises with your lover. But what can you do? Isn’t today’s protagonist Ruela Romine?”

Mari glared fiercely at the smirking Roy.

“Isn’t it obvious? How can I compete with a woman who has rumors spread about her? Especially when she has declared hostility.”

Roy chuckled as if he knew nothing.

“That’s not why she became the protagonist. I heard that the discussions today mainly revolved around the attire and accessories Ruela Romine wore. Despite people vehemently criticizing her before, now they praise and envy her fashion. That’s why there’s always a separate protagonist wherever you go. Overcoming all adversity and bad rumors, she has captured people’s attention right away.”

Mari bit her lip. Since she had seen it herself, she had nothing to say in rebuttal.

Ruela Romine, why did she end up in such a position, receiving everyone’s attention?

It had always been like this. She had nothing special about her family, and she had always been imposing and confident, leaning on her brother’s wife’s house.

Everything Ruela wore seemed to shine.

That’s why she also wanted to capture Valder Kuran. Now that success was within reach, she wouldn’t have felt so miserable if she had loved him.

She had taken possession of an unwanted man due to a momentary lapse of judgment because of jealousy, but ironically, the person who became the cause of her jealousy wasn’t needed, so she dismissed him as if saying, “You can have him.”

“Anyway, congratulations. It seems you’ve captured Valder Kuran.”

Mari retorted sharply at Roy’s swift greeting.

“Just go away!”

“Where does that inner path lead?”

Kite asked, looking at the direction Ruela pointed.

“Well, shall we find out?”

Their companions had already left in the carriage, leaving only the two of them in a dark corner of the garden.
“If I knew it would be like this, I would have worn a modest dress.”

Ruela’s vivid green dress shone brilliantly even under the faint moonlight.

“At least I’m wearing this.”

Kite took off his jacket and draped it over Ruela’s shoulders.

“Why cover your shoulders? The sparkling things in the dress are the jewels in the moonlight.”

“Your shoulders shine no less. It’s too conspicuous, so covering them is better.”

Surprised, Ruela looked up at Kite. He, as if asking when he said that, carefully examined the place Ruela pointed to.

“Are my shoulders that dazzling?”

Poking Kite’s side again to hear it once more, she demanded an answer. He put a finger to his lips.

“Shh! Someone is coming.”

Kite pulled Ruela, hiding their bodies behind a gardener’s height of shrubs.

“Marquis Gart is coming in.”

Kite pointed to the man entering the inner path they had been observing.

“Who’s that?”

“The Marquis who visited the mansion yesterday. He’s known as the closest aide to Duke Kuran.”

Looking at Kite’s explanation, Ruela stood up.

“Let’s go inside.”

“What if we get caught? Have you forgotten that Duke Kuran is considered a monster?”

“Just because he’s called a monster doesn’t mean he has supernatural powers. If we’re caught, we can simply use the teleportation. It’s a good opportunity. If we know what’s inside, it’ll be much easier later.”

Ruela’s words were correct. As long as she was present, they could easily sneak away from this place.

In this uncertain situation where they might enter the mansion again at any time, it seemed reasonable to take this opportunity to investigate.

Kite grabbed Ruela’s shoulders, turned her around, and cautioned her.

“However, you must never go in front of me. Promise me that you won’t step forward or rush out ahead of me.”

Ruela smiled as if it were obvious.

“I wouldn’t do that.”

Kite’s expression became even more serious.

“Put your hand on your chest and think about your previous actions. Is my concern an excessive worry?”

Ruela replied with a pouted mouth, as if there was nothing she could do.

“Okay, I admit I wasn’t a trustworthy partner. I promise. I won’t go forward or rush out. I promise not to.”

Satisfied with Ruela’s response, Kite positioned her behind and walked towards the entrance.

“If anything happens, press the teleportation button immediately, got it?”

Ruela, unable to see Kite’s face, nodded confidently.

“Yes, don’t worry.”