“My wife is in front of me. Then who will you go with?”

Yeah, it’s you.

He said it very straightforwardly.

Already feeling itchy on the back of her head and face, when she was about to refuse.

Marquis Haribo leaned slightly forward. And,

“Viscountess Gemma has arrived here.”

Without asking, he threw an irresistible bait.

“Oh. Shall we go to the garden together?”

Without asking again, without answering, Lamane nodded her head.

Lamane followed Marquis Haribo, who walked ahead at a leisurely pace.
Dressed in an exquisite ceremonial robe, the attention of the young ladies followed him.

With a subtle smile, he lightly nodded in greeting to the young ladies who met his eyes.

‘I guess I should walk a bit away.’

Lamane, who slowed down her steps, tilted her head slightly as she watched the back of Marquis Haribo.

Suddenly, she remembered the story she heard at the last birthday party of Lady Lucia.

‘With that appearance and wealth, wouldn’t anyone desire him as a husband?’

‘But why isn’t Marquis Haribo getting married?’

It was just a passing comment.

Having encountered him several times, she became curious.

‘What did the young ladies say next? What was it?’

It seemed like Marquis Haribo and his friends talked behind about why he wasn’t getting married, but she couldn’t recall the details.

‘Well, I must have talked a lot. I hope Suktteok didn’t come today. Then I should pretend not to know.’

Erasing the tired face from her mind just by thinking about it, she moved her steps.

In the garden party venue, there were more young ladies and gentlemen gathered than a while ago.

Back to admiring the size of the party.

“That lady is Viscountess Gemma.”

Marquis Haribo, who approached her, whispered.

She looked where his gaze was directed.

A middle-aged woman with a petite figure and red hair was visible.

“Are you talking about the lady in the sky-blue dress?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Viscountess Gemma was surrounded by several young ladies and gentlemen.

“There are always many people who want to talk to the Viscountess. Wherever she goes, people gather like that.”

“That’s true.”

There seemed to be no room to intervene.

“I think it might be difficult to have a conversation now.”

Marquis Haribo seemed to share the same thought.

“It would be better to talk after some time when people around the Viscountess disappear.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

Even though there was no room, there were too many eyes watching her now.

“If there is a chance to talk with the Viscountess without her around, I will let you know.”

“Yes.”

Lamane, who answered lightly, slowly surveyed her surroundings.

Tables adorned with various foods and drinks.

In front of them, young ladies and gentlemen were enjoying the party with joyful expressions.

“Would you like a drink?”

“……What?”

When she turned her head,

“I asked if you would like a drink.”

Marquis Haribo gestured with his eyes toward the wine and champagne glasses on the table.

Lamane’s eyes rolled over the table.

“No, I’m fine.”

Day drinking is not very pleasant. But it seems inappropriate.

“It seems you don’t enjoy alcohol much.”

…No way. How could that be?

Swallowing the voice of her heart, Lamane opened her mouth slowly.

“Yes, I don’t usually enjoy it.”

Since she had plans with a drinking buddy, she swallowed her disappointment.

“Don’t worry about it and enjoy yourself.”

…Go ahead, have a drink.
At that time, when Lamane vowed to be content with a substitute.

“Marquis Haribo, I’d like to greet you here.”

A young gentleman approached and greeted Marquis Haribo.

“Well then, have a pleasant conversation. I need to greet other people……. since I’m attached to Marquis Haribo anyway, might as well receive more attention.”

“Then, excuse me.”

Lamane quickly left her seat.

‘I should have a juice or something.’

And at that moment, while walking towards a table where not many people had gathered.

“……Oh!”

With a sudden force pushing her shoulder, Lamane’s body swayed.

“Oh my! I’m sorry! Are you okay?”

As she regained her balance, a surprised voice came from the side.

“I was walking and looking elsewhere. I apologize.”

When she turned her head,

“Are you okay?”

A young lady in a red dress looked at Lamane with apologetic eyes.

“Oh. I’m fine. I didn’t see you either.”

“I should have been more careful.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Once again, while speaking in a calm voice.

“Ah, by any chance, you were the one who was talking to Marquis Haribo a while ago, right?”

A round-eyed young lady scrutinized Lamane’s face.

‘What? Surely, she didn’t intentionally bump into me for that reason, right?’

With a sudden thought, Lamane gently lowered her eyelids.

“Yes, we exchanged greetings for a moment.”

“I was planning to talk to Marquis Haribo after a long time. But he’s in the middle of a conversation with a lady, so I was waiting.”

Seems like they know each other well.

“Oh, I see. You are currently talking with someone else.”

Lamane glanced at Marquis Haribo, who was standing not far away.

“Yes. I have to wait for a while again. Anyway, I apologize for the intrusion.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Sending a somewhat narrow-eyed look, the young lady smiled gently and left.

Cedric’s room.

Cedric was comfortably leaning against the head of the bed, reading a book.

Flipping through the book leisurely, he shifted his gaze to the window, and his moving fingertips came to a stop.

It was still early for the sun to set.

“What is this…?”

Clouds flowing over the clear sky, illuminated by sunlight.

Between those clouds, there was a distant part of the sky that seemed unusually dark.

Thunk.

Cedric, who dropped the book onto the bed, narrowed his eyes slowly.

Then, he slowly got up and approached the window.