The carriage carrying me and Askan arrived at the Kahlua Palace. The carriages that nobles rode to attend the party seemed endless.

Not long ago, I had come for an evening meal with Helsion, but the hall now was vastly different, both in size and splendor, due to the dimension of the crowd.

Jen, who had come with us to the entrance, bowed politely. “This is a place where I cannot accompany you. I will wait outside.”

“Sure. See you later.”

Reluctantly parting ways with Jen, we entered the banquet hall. Askan, for some reason, never left my side. It seemed he was protecting me in line with Helsion’s decree.

The nobles of the Kahlua Empire murmured upon seeing me and Askan. While there were many interested glances directed at me, there were just as many observing Askan.

“What did you say? He’s the Captain of the Guard? Has he been hiding that handsome face behind a mask all this time?”

“Look at the clothes he’s wearing. It’s the conquest uniform of the Guard.”

“It’s confirmed. When they checked identities at the entrance a while ago, they heard he’s Count Arteas.”

“No way! It’s true that rumors were circulating about his handsome face since the coronation ceremony, but I didn’t expect this!”

Among the buzzing voices, a particularly notable conversation reached my ears.

Bishop, the butler, had anticipated this when the lady visiting our mansion mentioned it was her first time meeting me. However, Askan had not revealed his face to the public before Helsion ascended to the throne.

In the eyes of the young and noble ladies who belatedly saw his face, it seemed as if hearts were pouring out like a waterfall.

Observing numerous women gazing at Askan and murmuring, I lightly nudged his side with my elbow and whispered.

“Wow, quite popular, huh?”

At my teasing words, Askan grimaced and turned his body towards a shadowy area.

He strategically positioned himself at an angle where others couldn’t see him well, blocking as many gazes as possible.

“It’s only uncomfortable.”

Suddenly, memories of a decade ago surfaced when Askan and I attended a party. Back then, too, he had avoided people’s gazes and said similar words.

What, are you shy?

No. Just uncomfortable.

Ah, people who say that are the ones who fall in love first.

Back then, Askan, who was just a young slave, looked at me with a face full of things to say but didn’t utter a word. At that time, even if he had something to say, as a slave, he might not have dared to speak freely.

While lost in the memories of the past for a moment, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Seeing my reaction, Askan, wearing a puzzled expression, asked, “Why are you laughing?”

“Just because you seem like a difficult type to date.”

I spontaneously uttered the words I said back then.

Seems like a difficult type to date.

I’m not interested in that.

Ah, the one saying that usually ends up dating first.

Askan, who was a boy back then, looked at me with a face full of words to say but didn’t respond. At that time, being a slave, even if he wanted to say something, he might not have been able to.

It was during this brief moment of being immersed in nostalgic memories.
As if expressing disbelief, Askan glanced at me and tilted his head slightly, whispering in a low voice into my ear.

“You don’t need to worry about such things. Someone is ardently fond of me, you see.”

“……!”

I looked at Askan with astonished eyes. I could tell from his words that the woman who ardently liked him was none other than me.

In the midst of reminiscing about the past, I was brought back to reality in an instant.

‘There’s no need to worry because of me, what’s that about?’

Is he saying he would date me?

A vivid imagination momentarily made my face flush. It seemed like Askan responded in kind, probably because I teased him first.

“Well, well. If crowded places are uncomfortable, we can go to the balcony.”

The balcony connected to the grand banquet hall wasn’t just one or two; finding a less populated spot, one could quietly enjoy the view and take a break.

Instead of answering, Askan looked towards a nobleman approaching us. Unlike when he looked at me, his eyes were sharp and intimidating.

Whether it was due to that gaze or not, the approaching man quickly diverted his steps and disappeared elsewhere.

It wasn’t only the nobles; even the employees working in the palace seemed to be chased away, as if preventing anyone from approaching.

Perplexed by such behavior, Askan looked at me. When he did, he glanced at me and asked.

“Shall we go to the balcony?”

“No.”

I couldn’t leave my seat as the Calspelliver, to be unveiled at today’s party, needed to be confirmed.

Askan seemed to have expected that and nodded his head.

“…Because we need to chase away the bugs. Uncomfortable, but I guess I have to stay here.”

“Bugs? Goodness, there are bugs in the palace?”

Naturally, various types of bugs with multiple legs came to mind.

With a shocked expression, I quickly approached Askan. If things went south, I might hide behind him or run away.