Chapter 95

“How can someone who rarely attends parties and only stays at the marquis’s estate be called the flower of Arbonis?”

I looked up and met the woman’s gaze as she glared at me over the edge of her open fan. If I remembered right, the woman with the streaks of white hair was Countess Frejian. She was the mother of that girl who had openly shown hostility toward me at Perideline’s tea party.

‘I thought she was just jealous because I was linked to the Grand Duke of Kaisian, but maybe their whole family just hates the Aidelis family.’

When I looked up, pretending I hadn’t heard anything, I realized everyone standing around was watching me.

I just gave them a small, polite smile and turned away.

‘No matter what I do, there’s always at least one person staring at me with those eyes.’

I could feel someone glaring at me from the side, their gaze almost burning.

By now, I was so used to that kind of attention that I couldn’t help but let out a small, wry laugh. To be honest, I didn’t care at all how much they hated me or what they had to say about my actions. Their disapproval couldn’t affect me in the slightest anyway.

Leaving behind the people whispering about me, I did a quick scan to make sure none of the targets were around, and as soon as I relaxed, a wave of hunger hit me.

Since the main character hadn’t arrived yet, I took advantage of the chaos and made my way to the table loaded with champagne and finger foods. The sight of all that tasty food and sparkling champagne made my mouth water.

Just as I reached for a glass of champagne, thinking I would quench my thirst first, my hand collided with someone else’s.

“Oh, I’m sor—”

“I-It’s been a while, Lady Ardi.”

I looked up and found myself face to face with those emerald eyes I had seen behind a mask just a few days ago.

I quickly lowered my head and greeted him.

“It’s an honor to see you, Your Highness the Duke.”

‘Seriously, why does this always happen right when I’m about to eat?’

I schooled my features and looked at him. Allen smiled and made small talk.

“D-Did you ever find the answer to what y-you were curious about last time?”

“No, not yet.”

“I-I thought you wanted to know w-who he was looking for.”

His slow, hesitant question made me smile awkwardly as I replied.

“There must have been a reason my brother used an informant, so I started to think maybe I was just being unnecessarily curious.”

Allen’s eyes narrowed at my answer.

He spoke with a somewhat mysterious smile.

“L-Lady Ardi. W-When you uncover things that people want to keep hidden, w-we call that finding their weaknesses.”

“….”

“A-And the more weaknesses you find, the m-more it becomes your strength.”

“….”

“S-So, if you ever need my help, y-you can always ask—”

“You’re still as gloomy as ever, huh?”

With heavy footsteps approaching, red hair swayed into view under the light. Allen stiffened when he saw the man, but quickly regained his composure.

“M-Master of the Magic Tower.”

“Shouldn’t you be off playing king in your little kingdom? What are you doing here?”

“S-Shouldn’t you be cooped up in your c-cramped old tower doing research, Master of the Tower? W-What brings you here?”

Their eyes met, sparks practically flying between them. Feeling the atmosphere get sharper, I tried to figure out how to sneak away from between the two.

‘I’d rather not get caught in the crossfire just for standing here.’

“Isn’t it a bit much to get so defensive over a friendly greeting?”

Just as I was about to quietly slip away, I froze in surprise at Diel’s words, which sounded as if he were talking to me. Allen, too, though his eyes were on me, seemed to know that Diel’s words were actually directed at him, and his breathing grew harsher.

“Y-You’re saying that rude remark was supposed to be a f-friendly greeting?”

“Of course.”

“M-Master of the Tower!”

“And being rude is a criticism reserved for those who aren’t entitled to behave that way. That certainly doesn’t concern me. Wouldn’t you agree, my lady?”

Diel caught me backing away and deliberately pulled me back into the conversation.

‘That sly fox.’

I forced an awkward smile under his sly gaze and answered.

“That’s right. Just as boasting isn’t considered arrogance if you have the skill to back it up.”

At my words, Diel’s face grew triumphant, while Allen’s face became as crumpled as a sheet of paper. Worried that his favorability toward me might drop, I hurriedly added.

“B-But if we think of it that way, then His Highness the Duke is also incredibly capable, so I believe he deserves respect as well.”

As soon as I said that, the expressions on both of their faces completely flipped.

Even though our conversation had only just begun, I was already feeling exhausted.

‘Ha, I just want to go home…’

And right then, as if to taunt me, the massive doors to the ballroom swung open, and the star of tonight’s party finally made his entrance.