‘Surely not.’ I couldn’t conceal my disappointment. Since Roger’s father disappeared from the art scene, nobody knew Roger’s whereabouts. But could the probability of accidentally meeting him in a place like this be possible?

Standing there in silence, I shifted my gaze to the ensemble arranging the sheet music. I was about to applaud for the excellent performance, but someone swiftly passed by behind the ensemble. It was a moment.

“……!”

A man with black hair and violet eyes. With a tall figure and a nimble face, the man casually looked at the ensemble and passed by. Strangely, he resembled Roger.

“Sis, what’s wrong?”

“…Just wait for a moment.”

I needed to confirm.

“Oh? Aren’t you the eldest daughter of the Marsen family?”

As I moved my steps, a woman blocked my way. The gazes of the people around us all turned towards us due to the woman’s appearance.

With long violet hair and a small smile, this charming woman was someone Yune also knew well.

Even if she stood still, there was an elegance flowing from her. Unlike her tall figure, her face had a cute aspect, but her actions were leisurely and graceful.

“Your name is definitely Rezhe, right?”

Instead of greeting the woman, I glanced sideways. The appearance of the man I just saw was nowhere to be found. Was it an illusion?

“Miss… Quickly greet her! She’s Princess Leslie.”

When I didn’t open my mouth, Yune, who had come up behind me, spoke softly enough for only me to hear. The clothes of the men guarding the woman clearly indicated that she was of noble blood.

Princess Leslie approached me without caring about her surroundings.

“Nice to meet you; I’m Leslie.”

“…I’m sorry, Princess, may I greet you again later?”

The smile on the princess’s face gradually disappeared.

“Well then. It seems I’ve become an obstacle.”

“Please enjoy your time, Your Highness.”

Yune tapped me on the back, shocked, but I ignored her and passed by the princess.

“She’s crazy. How can she ignore a princess? Sis, you might get into trouble later!”

“…Yune.”

“This is insane. Absolutely crazy.”

Following me, Yune constantly scolded me with a shocked expression. I covered her mouth with my hand and scanned the surroundings.

Laughter from people mocking my delusion gathered in my ears.

Time passed quickly as we thoroughly searched through the spacious mansion.

When Yune and I, both exhausted, were about to leave the mansion, a woman with clenched fists came up to me. Her face was full of anger.

“Is everything finally over for you to see?”

It was Princess Leslie.

“Earlier, I didn’t have the composure to greet you properly. Nice to meet you now, Your Highness. I am Yune, the first daughter of the Penton family.”

“Hello, Your Highness.”

I greeted her belatedly, following Yune’s well-mannered greeting.
She still had a sulky expression. Princess Leslie, who came close to me, relaxed her expression, grabbed my cheek, and stretched it. Her abrupt action surprised not only the knights behind her but also Yune, who widened her eyes in astonishment.

On the other hand, I was familiar with her gestures.

“Why haven’t you sent a single letter?”

She stretched my cheek even longer.

“You haven’t sent a single letter either.”

“Skip the formalities; it doesn’t suit you.”

“Many people are watching.”

“Do we have any other acquaintances besides us?”

Princess Leslie looked at Yune.

“You’re the first daughter of the Penton family, right? No wonder you looked quite similar to the Marquis of Penton. Siblings, I presume? Your older brother often visited the Blessed School to see Rezhe. Ah, I am Rezhe’s fellow alumnus. We’re best friends.”

Leslie roughly introduced our relationship. Yune looked at me with a facial expression questioning why I hadn’t mentioned it until now.

To justify, earlier, I was in a hurry and distracted. I surveyed the people at a distance. Even if we spoke loudly, our voices wouldn’t reach them.

“I’ve been busier than I thought. There was a lot to do… And not just for you but also for other friends, I couldn’t manage to write a single letter.”

I spoke comfortably as Leslie wished.

“But still, you should have sent one to your best friend. Graduating doesn’t mean you have to distance yourself, right? It was the same earlier.”

“I am reflecting on what happened earlier, Your Highness.”

Returning to formal language, Leslie let go of my cheek.

She hadn’t changed. Even when we attended the boarding school, if I didn’t show a little interest, she pouted and stuck out her lips.

Before graduating, as circumstances prevented Leslie from attending the graduation ceremony, I gave her flowers and a letter in advance. She complained that she couldn’t spend the graduation ceremony with me.

“I almost cried earlier, Rezhe.”

However, Leslie didn’t behave like that to everyone. She was affectionate and clingy to her people but cold and sharp to others.

“But you didn’t run into that friend from when you were young?”

“But you didn’t meet him, right?”

Leslie, who was examining my expression, chuckled softly. She was a frightening woman, even though we were friends.

“If you’re okay, shall I bring the guest list? The people invited to this place. Originally, it’s difficult to disclose the list, but I’m quite close to Lady Renau, the wife of Marquis Leurno. If you ask, she’ll gladly show it.”

“… Is that possible?”

When I asked again, Leslie confidently nodded. In situations like this, power and connections were indeed convenient.

“But it won’t be free, Rezhe.”

“Where’s your loyalty?”

“Just because we’re close friends, if I give you everything, that’s being a pushover, isn’t it? Yune.”

Yune could not refuse anyone’s request, so she just smiled. It felt a bit uncomfortable, but I wanted to see the guest list.

“So, what do you want, Your Highness?”

In response to my question, Leslie raised my chin with one finger.

“One of your outstanding features, your lips. I want that.”