Cook, a laugh was heard.

Trisy turned to the side with a bewildered face. Damion was laughing as if he found it ridiculous. After composing his expression after a while, he spoke calmly.

“I apologize. It seems I may have come to a theater today rather than a party.”

The people surrounding them burst into laughter. Seeing this, Trisy, who had been opening and closing her mouth in confusion, grabbed someone nearby and sought agreement.

“It’s true. The maid who worked at our house…”

“Miss Ansi resided in one of the mansions I own in the east. Not in Baron Jiden’s residence in the south.”

A firm voice cut off her words. The man’s face was chilly, unlike someone who had been laughing just moments ago.

The person grabbed by Trisy removed her hand as if not wanting to be involved. Trisy stretched out her hand that had lost its place towards Ansi’s head.

“This hair is all fake too. It was originally brown!”

However, before her hand could reach Ansi, she was stopped by the people around. Those surrounding them frowned.

“Even if you want to disparage Lady Rubella, this is going too far.”

“Really…!”

“Why don’t you stop now?”

The gazes of those who had been watching the situation with amusement now held discomfort. The sound of clicking tongues was directed at her.

Suddenly, Trisy realized that the arrows of contempt that had been pouring towards Ansi until just now had changed direction.

That target was herself.

“Why does everyone hate me?”

How frightening a place the capital is. Trisy burst into loud sobs.

At the signal of a few people, servants approached and guided her outside. It was under the pretext of getting some air until she stopped crying, but no one was unaware that it was essentially an expulsion.

At the same time, the melody announcing the start of the first song suddenly began. It seemed to be an attempt to reverse the atmosphere of the hall.

People hurriedly found partners and faced each other. Ansi and Damion were no exception. They greeted each other and held hands as they moved.

“I didn’t know Lady Jiden would come.”

Moving her body to the music, Ansi spoke quietly. Damion answered lightly.

“I didn’t know either.”

“For someone who didn’t know, your lie was quite skillful. A mansion in the east, I’m hearing this for the first time. Is it alright to deceive everyone like this?”

“You would know better than I how much influence past occupations or positions have in Belgader’s high society. Even if one becomes newly noble, they are despised for having a past that wasn’t noble, and even if one has a precious status, they are despised if their work isn’t noble.”

Ansi turned to face Damion again after spinning once according to his lead. Damion continued speaking.

“Polishing one’s past a bit to return to this society is not deception, but a natural process. Isn’t that why Ansi also pretended not to know Lady Jiden?”

It was true.

But it felt a bit unsettling.

Knowing how it feels to stand at the center of sharp gazes. What it feels like to be called a liar by everyone.

Perhaps Damion had invited Trisy to this party to humiliate her. Such an exaggerated thought even rose up. But she decided not to mention it.

“Thank you for helping.”

Damion’s eyebrows lowered at hearing the formal expression of gratitude. After hesitating for a moment, he confessed.

“To be honest… I’m not used to lies like this either. I’m trying to appear composed in front of Ansi, but I’m not sure if I’m doing well.”

The cold voice from earlier was nowhere to be found. Was that talk of contempt just an act to appear composed?

“…You’re doing well. Enough to fool everyone.”

“Really?”

Damion’s eyes curved languidly. As if finally relieved, he smiled and firmly grasped Ansi’s hand.

Ansi shook the thoughts from her head and focused on the dance.

On the other hand, satisfaction lingered at the corners of Damion’s mouth as he confirmed her relaxed expression.

Everything was flowing as he had thought.

When staying at the Jiden residence in the south, Trisy had said she was planning to come up to the capital to stay soon.

Then it was only a matter of time before Ansi and Trisy would meet in some way.

It made him quite uneasy for such a thing to occur in an environment where he could control nothing, not in front of his eyes.

That’s why he invited Trisy to this party.

That woman performed her role even more splendidly than expected.

Since he had already left traces of the mother and daughter living in the eastern mansion, there should be no more problems with this matter.

“I heard the Orphe ducal family has good relationships between family members. Do you often have meals together?”

Ansi also seemed to have decided to move past that incident, asking an everyday question.

Though it wasn’t a welcome question.

“Well. Due to being on the battlefield for a long time, it’s been quite a while since we haven’t done that.”

“Then, what do the Duke or Young Duke like? Any areas of interest…”

“Aren’t you curious about what I’m interested in?”

“…What are you interested in?”

“You.”

“…”

“Ugh.”

Ansi, who had been moving like a broken machine, stepped on Damion’s foot. For a moment he frowned in pain, but the next moment he burst into laughter.

“I’m sorry. I’m not used to dancing.”

“Didn’t you do that on purpose?”

“…No, I didn’t.”

“Your answer was slow.”

“You’re mistaken.”

“Everyone in the Orphe family likes polo. Is this answer sufficient?”

Damion spoke affectionately with a voice tinged with laughter. Ansi nodded. Following the dance steps, the two separated briefly to move their feet, then faced each other again.

“How are you with your older brother?”

“You seem determined to investigate me.”

“I want to know more about you.”

“It’s an ordinary brotherly relationship, nothing special. Ansi… may I ask how it was with your older brother?”

“With my brother…”

Ansi stopped speaking.

She did not enjoy reminiscing. When reminiscing, she felt as if she would become weak and crumble.

“If it’s uncomfortable, you don’t have to speak.”

“I’m sorry.”

In the end, Ansi finished the dance that lasted for several minutes without being able to ask more about the people of Orphe. Damion skillfully placed Ansi’s hand on his arm and moved away from the center of the hall.

Several women glanced at Ansi. Their hesitant steps, moving back and forth, seemed as if they wanted to say something.

Noticing this, Damion whispered to Ansi.

“From my perspective, I’d like to monopolize Ansi today, but from your standpoint, some appropriate socializing would be necessary. Go ahead.”

“What about you?”

“Are you worried? Afraid I might play alone?”

Damion smiled as if pleased and nodded towards a group of young men. They too were looking this way.

“See you later.”

Damion lightly brushed Ansi’s hair and left. At his affectionate gesture, something like an exclamation or sigh escaped from the women watching them.

And as if they had been waiting, they approached Ansi.

“Lady Rubella, it’s been a while.”

“Yes.”

What would these people talk about? About her father? About how she thought to come here?

Ansi shrank back, sharpening her guard and being wary.

However, the words that came were of a different kind.

“We missed you so much, Miss Ansi.”

“That’s right. We often wondered what you were up to. We’re so glad to see you again like this.”

One person affectionately linked arms with Ansi. Another handed her a glass of champagne, and yet another offered a dessert plate.

“Were you very surprised earlier because of the young lady from the south?”

“…Not particularly.”

Ansi answered quietly.

Her guard lowered unknowingly at their friendly and affectionate attitude. She thought that perhaps they hadn’t disliked her that much after all.

In the relaxed atmosphere, one of the women opened her mouth again.

“Um, ahem, Orph…”

“Lady Nize.”

At that moment, someone’s voice interrupted. Elize de Beilis, the host of the party, was looking at them. Elize smiled brightly and called out to the people in turn.

“Lady Henji, Lady Maniron. I’d like to introduce you to some friends of mine over there. Would you like to come along?”

“Of course!”

“Let’s go.”

Elize turned around with a smile. The women disappeared following Elize, leaving Ansi, who had not been called, behind.

“…”

In the vast hall, Ansi was alone again. Amidst the bustling noise and joyful laughter, only she was silent like someone who couldn’t say anything.

It wasn’t a big problem.

This was a party she had come to knowing it would be like this, and she wasn’t the type to particularly enjoy mingling with people anyway.

Just, suddenly the fact that she was alone felt real. That if she stayed like this, her unhappiness might show.

Ansi looked at the champagne she hadn’t even tasted, then quietly sipped it. And when she had emptied the champagne glass, she moved her steps and went outside.

She wanted to get some fresh air.

“Be honest, Damion. You’re not seeing her seriously, are you?”

A lowered voice questioned Damion. The men exhaled as if relieving pent-up indigestion. It was like welcome rain after they had been beating around the bush, unable to ask directly due to propriety.

However, Damion was merely savoring his wine leisurely. Others opened their mouths, feeling frustrated.

“Yes, it’s Rubella. No matter how much that woman seduced you, you shouldn’t just let it slide.”

“Tell us. How exactly did you fall for her tricks? Does she transform at night despite looking so cold…”

“Hopry.”

Damion’s silent lips finally opened. He answered with a slight smile.

“Why don’t you watch your words?”

The noisy men fell silent as if cold water had been poured on them. A piano performance with a fresh melody continued obliviously above.

“S-Sorry.”

“I insisted on dating. Ansi, who was refusing, reluctantly accepted.”

“You…?”

“Yes. Is there any problem with this fact?”