As soon as I closed the door and stepped out, I forgot someone was beside me and let out a long sigh.

“Phew.”

What should I do?

No matter what I try, far from being put off, he seems to find me amusing.

‘He’s not fed up—he’s actually interested!’

What’s the problem? What’s really going wrong here?

Is he so captivated by my pretty face that nothing I do bothers him?

…No, if that were the case, Sienna wasn’t bad-looking either.

“Haah.”

If Leonora was a delicate, fragile beauty, Sienna had an elegant and refined charm!

Now, more than feeling hatred or dislike from past memories, I was simply baffled by his obsession with Leonora.

Ainberg, were you always this persistent?

Were you always this crazy about appearances?

“My lady, are you alright?”

“What?”

I turned my head to find Oz looking at me with concerned eyes.

“Oh, yes.”

“You don’t look well. After I escort you back, I’ll call for a doctor.”

“No, I’m fine.”

Living while hiding your true feelings is truly exhausting.

Neither showing off a luxurious appearance nor behaving rudely beyond boldness works with him. What should I do?

…Naturally, Levi’s relaxed face came to mind.

Levi, now is not the time to visit the prince.

You confirmed the prince is fine, so come back quickly. I need you to guide me right now.

Men don’t like clingy women! If you fall in love and become obsessive, they’ll run away!

“Assistant.”

I stopped walking abruptly and called out to Oz.

“Yes, my lady.”

He also slowly came to a halt and gazed at me with a somewhat tense expression.

“How do I seem to you?”

“Pardon?”

Oz cleared his throat once and smiled awkwardly.

“You are the precious daughter of House Chadmon.”

“No, not that. What kind of person do I seem like to you?”

“…Person?”

“Yes, what kind of person do I appear to be?”

I pressed him for a proper answer as he tried to respond casually.

He seemed rather uncomfortable as he rubbed his cheek once and smiled awkwardly.

“You are kind and gentle, my lady.”

“What?! Me?”

“Yes.”

“That’s absurd. You must be thinking of someone else.”

Ainberg, you should probably hire a new assistant. Oz has terrible judgment.

While I was mentally repeating words I couldn’t say aloud, he spoke again.

“My lady, I don’t know how this will sound, but one’s innate character cannot be hidden.”

“I appreciate your words, but you know perfectly well what rumors are circulating about me.”

I immediately covered my mouth with my hand.

Should I not have said that?

As I tried to suppress my emerging regret, Oz spoke.

“The rumors in social circles are just that—rumors. They flare up like wildfire but quickly die down.”

“……”

“So there’s no need to be swayed by such talk or pay it any mind. Of course, you already know this well.”

His textbook response left me speechless.

Does Ainberg think similarly, then?

“Does His Majesty… know about the social rumors to some extent?”

When I asked casually, Oz nodded briefly.

“There’s a lot of unnecessary talk, but I tend to filter and report it to him.”

With an assistant so rigid, it’s obvious how Ainberg would think.

In that case, there’s only one option left.

If he doesn’t believe the rumors, I’ll cause a proper scandal.

Yes, don’t worry. He’ll end up disliking me eventually.

I’ll make sure of it, no matter what!

❀❀❀

“Leonora, I’ve missed you so much.”

That afternoon, I met Avery after a long time. Arriving earlier than scheduled, she appeared much calmer than before.

“Thank you for coming all this way. Have you been well?”

“Yes, and you? How’s your health?”

“Very good. Thank you for your concern.”

“You look much more comfortable than before.”

At those words, I laughed inwardly. I was actually about to go mad from frustration.

“Thank you.”

“Living in such a nice place would cure any illness. Leonora, I’m truly envious.”

We exchanged a few formal greetings and enjoyed the refreshments Sabine brought.

I put a sweet pastry in my mouth while observing Avery’s expression.

‘She looks like she has a lot to tell me today.’

While I stayed at the imperial palace, the ladies of society must have met countless times, discussing various matters.

Perhaps they knew the situation here better than I did.

“Avery, do you have any interesting news? I’m quite bored being cooped up in here.”

“Actually…”

Avery seized the opportunity and opened her mouth.

“Everyone’s been wondering when you’ll invite us.”

“Invite?”

When I asked in confusion, Avery pursed her lips.

“Yes, we were hoping you might host a tea party and invite us.”

At her words, I covered my mouth with my hand.

“Oh my, I was just thinking we should meet before the ball.”

Goodness, what a perfect idea!

I’d only thought about using Avery’s mouth to spread gossip, but never considered directly inviting the young ladies.

Ainberg wouldn’t like people being brought into the imperial palace when it’s not even my house.

So I absolutely must do it, right?

“You were?”

“Yes, I’ll prepare something nice.”

“Oh, how exciting!”

Avery clapped her hands in delight. Her expression even contained a hint of satisfaction.

“By the way, Leonora. What kind of dress will you wear to the ball?”

“Dress?”

“Yes, everyone is so curious about what dress you’ll wear.”

I hadn’t even thought about dresses—I was too busy figuring out how to skip the event or how to cause trouble.

“Haha, well, there’s still time.”

“True, you look beautiful in anything. People still talk about how you caught His Majesty’s eye even in an outdated dress. It’s not about the clothes, but about beauty.”

“……”

“What about accessories? What style will you choose?”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

“Oh, I heard His Majesty summoned Madam Torsico. She said His Majesty was looking for a necklace to gift to an important woman.”

Oh ho, it seems Madam Torsico has been spreading the word herself.

“That important person… it’s you, right?”

I deliberately waved my hand dismissively while nodding.

“Ah, yes, it is.”

“My goodness, His Majesty gave you a necklace too? How romantic!”

“He almost did, but I refused.”

“What? You refused?”

“Yes, it wasn’t my style.”

By the time I finished speaking, Avery couldn’t close her gaping mouth.

“Goodness… then you rejected His Majesty’s gift.”

She couldn’t even bring herself to say the word “rejected” and just blinked her large eyes, seemingly waiting for me to continue.

“Yes, I sent it back.”

“My goodness.”

Avery swallowed her next words, but it was obvious what she wanted to say.

Something like, “And nothing happened after that?”

“Yes, something about Shielzburg gemstones.”

“Shielzburg gemstones?”

“Yes, but the design was too old-fashioned. You know the feeling, right? Not classic, but outdated.”

“Yes, I know. Of course I do.”

“Madam Torsico’s taste isn’t what it used to be. When I told His Majesty, it seems he won’t be doing business with her anymore.”

Avery still couldn’t close her mouth. Well, even I could hardly believe what I was saying, so I could imagine how Avery felt.

“Is… is that true?”

“Yes, he asked for a list of jewelers near Ostrin, so a new place will probably emerge soon.”

“Leonora.”

At that moment, Avery called my name with a very serious look.

“Yes?”

“Could you let me know who it is later, if possible?”

“Of course, you’re my friend after all, Avery.”

When I emphasized the word “friend,” Avery placed her hand on her chest with a somewhat dazed expression.

“Friend…?”

“Yes, you’ve always brought me news from outside and been a good friend to me, someone who was always confined at home.”

“I am the… I mean, Leonora’s friend.”

Avery kept muttering in an emotional tone, then nodded her head vigorously.

“Yes, I am always Leonora’s friend.”

“Yes, Avery. Do you have any more interesting news to share with a friend?”

This time, she looked around with an expression that hinted at a sense of mission.

“This might not interest you much…”

“What is it?”

“It’s not about social circles.”

Just as my curiosity was about to fade.

“I heard Duke Viper has adopted a daughter.”