With wideopen eyes, she slowly scanned the party hall and slightly raised the corners of her mouth.

‘Wow, I thought my face would be bored through.’

The reason she was surprised was due to the gazes that flew towards her and Cedric the moment they appeared in the party hall.

The nobles dressed flamboyantly from head to toe inside the party hall all seemed to have agreed to stop their conversations and look at the couple making their entrance.

‘Is it because of the rumors that we’re not on good terms as a couple?’

As Lamein smoothly shifted her steps, she slightly tilted her torso towards Cedric.

“I didn’t realize we were of so much interest to everyone.”

“You’re right. There seems to be more interest than I thought.”

Cedric whispered in a low voice as if he was thinking the same thing.

In the party hall, several groups could be seen already settled and engaged in conversation.

“The Duke of Haribo’s figure isn’t visible yet. He’ll probably come out to greet everyone soon with the Duchess of Haribo.”

The protagonist of today, Lucia, was still nowhere to be seen.

‘The Duke of Haribo must not be here yet either.’

Lamein, who had subtly scanned the surroundings, asked.

“But what illness does the Duchess of Haribo have?”

As Lady Roger had mentioned, the Duke of Haribo, who held a party every year thanking for his daughter’s life, was pitiful.

“You’ll see in a little while, but it’s hard to tell she’s sick just by her appearance.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Lamein, maintaining her smile thanks to the persistent gazes following her, tuned in to Cedric’s voice.

“Since she was young, she’s often suddenly collapsed. 4 years ago at her birthday party, the Duchess of Haribo collapsed, and the party was suspended.”

Orthostatic hypotension? Hypoglycemic shock?

Upon hearing the story of her sudden collapses, she thought of the possible diagnoses.

“Anyway, we should head back right after that.”

Cedric suddenly showed a desire to not stay in this place for long.

Lamein turned her body towards Cedric.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

And slightly lifting her chin, she looked at him fondly and responded.

To the nobles watching them now, they would appear as a couple sweetly sharing a conversation.

Cedric, who had been locking eyes with her, moved his gaze over Lamein’s shoulder.

Turning her head towards where Cedric’s gaze had landed.

“The most talkative of the young ladies, Mugwort, is coming.”

Cedric, who had leaned in close, whispered as he brought his lips close to the ear of Lamein, who had tossed her blonde hair back.

For a moment, a ticklish and hot breath penetrated her ear.

“……!”

Taken aback by the unexpected ticklishness, Lamein shrunk her shoulders for a moment.

And reflexively swinging her head towards her husband, opening her eyes wide.

“……Eek!”

Lamein, who let out a small sound in a blink, swallowed her breath.

“……!”

Cedric’s blue eyes flickered for a moment.

A precarious distance where if they moved just a bit, their lips would touch.

A moment of silence flowed between the couple facing each other with identical expressions.

The gazes entwined at a short distance are unusually awkward compared to usual.

No. Rather than awkward, an indescribable strangeness spread.

“Ahem. I’m sure she’s coming to verify the rumors she heard about us.”

Cedric, who had abruptly straightened his leaning body, spoke while looking at the approaching Mugwort.

“Ah, yes. That must be it.”

Lamein quickly averted her gaze from her husband’s face.

‘What was that. That surprised me.’

A thrilling situation where their lips almost touched.

Lamein, hiding her sigh, looked at the approaching Mugwort.

“Cedric, Earl of Roger. Lady Lamein, Countess of Roger. It’s been a long time since you both attended a party together.”

The woman adorned with extravagant jewelry on her darker green hair than her dress made of soft fabric, in a splendid green dress.

‘…She looks like a mugwort rice cake.’

Suddenly remembering the unfamiliar woman who had the scent of rice cake.

“Lady Mugwort Raske, it’s been a long time.”

Cedric offered a polite greeting in a calm voice.

“Lady Mugwort Raske, nice to meet you.”

Lamein repeated the name she heard from Cedric and greeted her as well.

“I’ve been waiting ever since I heard that Lady Lamein would be coming.”

At Mugwort’s words, Lamein slowly raised her gently curved eyelashes.

“You were waiting for me? Why?”

“Of course, I was curious about how you’ve been all this time.”

Mugwort’s excessively painted lips curled up lazily.

He was saying that he had been waiting to rob me.

“Count. Would it be alright if I had a conversation with your wife? Other ladies also want to converse.”

Just say you don’t want to. I don’t want to go there and be ripped off.

He looked at me as if he was saying so and gently threw a smile.

“Of course, my lady. Go ahead and have a chat.”

My husband, who is disgustingly out of sync, spoke kindly enough to annoy me.

“Then let’s go over there together.”