“Ah, Miss Earnest. Certainly… Lord Theodore introduced you, right?”

Louisa asked, recalling her memory.

“Yes. Emily is quite enough. Are you also joining the book club, madam?”

“I’m a little interested. I came to listen to everyone’s stories.”

“Oh. Is that so.”

Emily opened her eyes wide. She smiled brightly and spoke in a friendly manner.

“We’ve been reading Marie Diego’s works recently. Mrs. Bryce would probably explain it best.”

She turned to look at Evelyn Bryce. Evelyn nodded in response.

“That’s right. But I’m sure you’ll be surprised to hear the members’ impressions. Everyone has such high insight that I’m constantly amazed when I listen. Isn’t that right?”

At her words, Mrs. Ackerman waved her hand, saying it was an exaggeration. Emily let out a small laugh and then turned to the ladies and said,

“Let’s talk about the book later at the book club. How about we talk more pleasantly about the party today?”

“What kind of talk? About Miss Earnest’s earrings that are particularly eye-catching today?”

Mrs. Ackerman joked. Emily laughed out loud, finding it amusing.

“It took me three hours to choose these earrings. But what I’m talking about is Mrs. Allen’s formal dress.”

She continued vibrantly.

“I think it’s like a textbook showing what simplicity is. Don’t you agree?”

“It’s the style you always maintain. Thanks to that, we learn what frugality is.”

“That’s right. In fact, we all dress similarly. It’s nice to have your own individuality like this too.”

She exchanged words about Mrs. Ackerman and Louisa’s formal dresses.

Now accustomed to the flow, Louisa just silently lifted the corners of her lips.

Emily Earnest spoke in a voice full of kindness.

“Still, try wearing a dress with more abundant satin sometime. I think it would suit you well. Mr. Allen would prefer that too.”

“I see. I’ll consider it.”

Louisa’s smile stiffened at the mention of her husband’s taste.

Sensing the subtle atmosphere of the conversation, Evelyn tried to smile and changed the subject.

“By the way, I heard that Duke Portland might be returning soon.”

“Ah, that story.”

The Duchess of Portland casually revealed the truth behind the rumor.

“I heard that the issues in the conflict area will be settled soon. That’s why such stories are circulating, it seems.”

“You must be happy. If it’s already in the settlement phase, it means your husband will return safely too.”

“I hope so.”

Evelyn clasped her hands together and spoke in a dreamy voice.

“A husband at the front lines for his wife, how romantic.”

The Duchess of Portland smiled gently and nodded slightly, saying,

“I always consider it fortunate to have a husband worthy of respect.”

It was a statement that clearly showed the harmony between the couple. Louisa also smiled gently and said,

“Duchess of Portland. I’d like to greet your husband too when he returns. If you prepare a welcome party, please be sure to invite me.”

“Of course.”

The Duchess of Portland nodded willingly.

But then, Emily Earnest turned to Louisa and asked,

“Still, you’ll be able to greet Mr. Allen today, right? Since we’ll be meeting Mrs. Allen at the book club from now on, I’d like to exchange greetings once. You’ll do that for us, won’t you?”

Hearing those words, Louisa’s smile cracked.

The Earnest family was one that maintained a favorable relationship with the Allen family. But for the second daughter of that family to treat her like this…

‘Is the target of hostility me, not Allen?’

If so, why?

“Unfortunately, my husband… had an urgent matter come up today and had to postpone his attendance. Greetings will be difficult. I’m sorry.”

“Oh my. I see. I didn’t know it would be like this again. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

Emily covered her mouth as if surprised and spoke.

Seeing the situation, Evelyn, who couldn’t stand it anymore, suddenly intervened and said,

“Come to think of it, Lucy, have you greeted His Highness the Prince?”

“No. I haven’t yet.”

“The Prince is out a bit early today. I have something to say too, so let’s go together.”

Evelyn pulled Louisa’s hand. She furrowed her brows awkwardly at the women in front of her and said,

“I suddenly remembered some business, so I’ll excuse myself first. I’m sorry.”

It was the Duchess of Portland who accepted her greeting.

“Please give my regards to His Highness as well. I enjoyed today, Mrs. Bryce.”

“Yes. See you at the next book club.”

She quickly finished her greetings and took Louisa out.

After pulling her to the party hall in a near-run, Evelyn looked around once and suddenly stopped.

She put her hands together and said,

“Lucy. I’m really sorry. I really didn’t know it would be like that.”

Louisa waved her hand at Evelyn’s apology.

“It’s okay. I didn’t expect that from Earnest either.”

She let out a deep sigh, a little deflated. Watching her, Evelyn looked mortified and apologized again.

“I’m really sorry, Lucy.”

“I said it’s okay. By the way, where is His Highness?”

“I don’t know either. He’s probably out smoking a cigar by now.”

At Evelyn’s confident words, Louisa was momentarily speechless. Then she let out a small laugh, thinking, ‘You’re really something.’

At that moment, a brown-haired man appeared behind them and spoke in a soft voice.

“I haven’t smoked a cigar yet, Mrs. Bryce.”

“Oh my goodness!”

Evelyn turned around, startled.

There, clear lime-green eyes were looking down at them.

“Your Highness!”

“Unfortunately, it’s a party for His Majesty, you see. He said to be prepared if I thought of wandering around in a dinner jacket or such. Thanks to that, cigars are off the table today.”

His name was Anthony Lawrence Wincott.

The legitimate son of the Wincott royal family reigning at the pinnacle of Etrania, and the only prince of the current royal family.

He shrugged his shoulders and said,

“From what I can see, Mrs. Allen has been through another battle today, hasn’t she?”

“Your Highness. What do you mean by battle? I fear it might cause a misunderstanding.”

“Haha, why? It’s not wrong.”

He burst into a cheerful laugh.

“His Majesty will be out soon. I’ll pass on your regards to Betty, so just listen to Father’s congratulatory speech and go straight home.”

“No matter what, how could I leave right away? I must show at least minimal courtesy to the Princess and His Majesty—”

“That courtesy will all be taken care of by the gifts that are about to finish inspection, so just go home when I tell you to. Louisa.”

Anthony suddenly changed his tone and said.

“I’m not comfortable seeing a childhood friend being humiliated either.”

At his words, Louisa turned her head. Anthony looked down at Louisa and crossed his arms.

“His Majesty can hardly remember who came anyway. So go when I tell you to. Understand?”

“Your Highness. Please don’t say things that would get you scolded again if His Majesty hears them.”

“Ah. Father is coming out.”

Anthony ignored Louisa’s words and pointed to the center with his chin.

The King, now entering his later years, was slowly walking towards the central seat on the upper platform.

Soon, the King stood in the center and addressed the crowd.

“Thank you all for gathering like this every year.”

The dignified male voice filled the hall. Despite the frost that had settled in places, his upright posture and sharp gaze remained unchanged.

“If I speak at length, you’ll all just get bored. So please enjoy the party now.”

“I don’t know about anything else, but I really like that about Father.”

Prince Anthony threw out another irreverent comment. Evelyn Bryce, who heard this, giggled but quickly closed her mouth after noticing Louisa’s expression.

“I’ll be going now too, so hurry and go home. Mrs. Bryce, I’ll see you next time.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Have a pleasant time.”

Evelyn curtsied as she bid farewell.

Louisa sighed as she watched Anthony’s retreating figure.

As the Prince had said, it would be a better choice in many ways to go home now that the formalities were done.

‘But really, if Edward comes late, then at that time…’

If she left without waiting and her husband came late.

She thought about the situations Edward would face.

There would be no one to stand up for him if someone treated him with disrespect.

There would also be no one to confront those who might gossip about his background.

Above all, if she left him like that, he would become a husband abandoned by his wife.

It couldn’t be good for the company if rumors of their discord spread any further.

For these reasons, when Louisa decided to stay at the party a little longer,

“Oh my!”

Someone spilled wine on her white skirt.

Edward and the other two hurriedly moved their steps with the setting sun at their backs.

Bang!

They roughly pushed open the main entrance of the Patent Office and entered.

The employees who were just about to tidy up their desks before going home stared at the three strapping men who had suddenly barged in with rabbit eyes.

The men who entered were each dressed in completely different styles.

One in splendid attire as if he could head straight to a party, another wearing a dress coat but oddly sporting glasses,

And lastly, one in a scruffy appearance that made one wonder if he had even washed today.

Among them, the man leading the group at the front particularly drew attention.

Even in the same coat, he stood out uniquely, as if designers would point to him if asked to pick an ideal model.

They quickly disappeared into the Patent Examination Department.

“Who are they to come here dressed like that?”

A man who glanced up to check the newcomers at his colleague’s words answered,

“It’s Edward Allen.”

“Ah, that man? His image is quite different from what I’ve heard. He looks more decent than I thought.”

“What does it matter? A nouveau riche is a nouveau riche after all.”

They packed their bags and chuckled, exchanging glances among themselves.