More interestingly, the emperor’s lover and Van’s wife were very close friends. It was like a fox and a snake saying “let’s be friends” while laughing haha, hoho. He wasn’t sure which would bite the other to death, but if their interests aligned, there could be no better friendship than theirs. Van smiled gently with his eyes downcast, appearing good-natured.

“Is that so? That’s wonderful.”

“Please tell your wife I’ll see her later.”

He seemed about to say more, but Van cut him off with a nod of his head and turned around. With quick steps, he left the palace, called for his carriage, and commanded without delay.

“To the mansion.”

* * *

When their eyes met, the duchess smiled brightly. Eurene almost smiled back reflexively but reconsidered. Somehow, smiling now seemed foolish. Rarely, her intuition was correct. Whether she felt sorry for Eurene or it was just basic courtesy to a guest, the duchess helped her.

“I don’t know why Miss Eifel has delayed her  marriage, but let’s moderate our concern. Any more would be impolite.”

It was already quite impolite. But when the highest-ranking noble at the gathering and the party host said so, it sounded like legitimate truth. The noblewomen all closed their mouths at once, then soon began to bring up other topics one by one. They were like obedient poodles. Eurene wasn’t sure whether to be grateful for this, but feeling she should at least bow her head to the duchess who smiled kindly at her, she did so. Soon, the duchess showed Eurene excessive favor. That is, she continued to engage her in conversation. Immediately, all ears at the table turned to their conversation.

“I’m sorry. I’ve caused you trouble unnecessarily.”

“No. It’s fine.”

It truly was. Eurene, who was terribly insensitive to anything not directly related to her personal matters, was equally indifferent to social circles, rumors, and her own reputation. This was because one would only be sensitive to others’ evaluations if they belonged to or wanted to belong to that community, which she did not.

Of course, if someone cursed at her or slandered her family, Eurene would feel bad too, being human, but thankfully, the rules among nobles were so pretentious that even gossip was done in an elegant, roundabout way. Not following this would lower one’s own status. In any case, by Eurene’s standards, their elegant disparagement was embarrassingly mild to be called cursing.

If you want to curse, it should be something like, “You idiot, stop talking nonsense like you’re licking cockroach antennae and go get some water,” “You half-wit. Your brain is just an accessory,” or “You mudskipper-faced wench!”

For reference, these examples were quotes from Eurene’s father, the former Count of Eifel, before he impulsively purchased his title. Having grown up listening to her once sharp-tongued father’s rough talk like nursery rhymes, most noble insults merely tickled her ears. After all, it wasn’t as if they were hitting her or directly harming her by displaying malice.

The people around Eurene, like her brother and Rona, weren’t the type to be swept up in malicious rumors about her either. This was because they already knew her inside and out, almost to the bottom.

Seeing Eurene’s face, peaceful to the point of seeming like it was someone else’s business, the duchess blinked for a moment and then laughed as if amused. Strangely, although their appearance and impression were clearly different, that expression reminded her somewhat of her husband, Van.

“That’s a relief. I was worried you might have been upset.”

“Eh, don’t worry. I’m fine.”

Eurene waved her hand dismissively and picked up another yuzu macaron. The sweet and refreshing yuzu flavor filled her mouth. If someone kissed after eating this, it would taste even better. She imagined Van parting her lips with his tongue while smiling lewdly, then was startled.

That was too much. At the very least, it wasn’t a fantasy to have in front of his wife.

“Miss Eifel, you seem to have more backbone than you appear. The more I see you, the more charming you are.”

“Huh, me?”

“Of course. You have enough charm to appeal to men.”

The duchess’s words were gentle and calm, but they resonated strangely ambiguously. Eurene poked at a sugar-coated apple. Everything tasted delicious. The duchess gave her more food, saying her hearty eating was cute and adorable. When she pushed forward a silver plate filled with rich special chocolate, Eurene was somewhat moved. Wow, I thought she was a strange lady(?), but she’s actually nice! The blue eyes watching her rapidly moving spoon curved into gentle half-moons.

“So I find it strange. I would think you’d at least have a boyfriend. Don’t you have anyone you’re interested in?”

It was an arrow that suddenly struck gently. Eurene hastily swallowed the sweet confection that had almost caught in her throat. Fortunately, she had a good swallowing reflex when it came to food. Otherwise, she might have choked.

She quietly looked at Duchess Carca, who was smiling infinitely gently. Was she fishing for information? She tried to think, but Eurene had no way of knowing. So she answered honestly. It was a harmless answer anyway.

“No.”

Her prompt answer came with no change in expression. She was sleeping with Van, but she couldn’t say she loved him. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t even a lie.

After finishing the sweets, her stomach felt somewhat bloated. Though it might simply be due to the corset. Eurene made grumbling noises and decided she needed to walk around. The tasty treats were gone, and the gossip marketplace with no familiar faces wasn’t a comfortable place, so it was perhaps a wise choice. When she said she would go for a walk, the duchess readily agreed.

Eurene clutched her bulging stomach and quickly made her way to the rear garden, lush with ornamental trees and flowers. There were hardly any people. After passing a couple who had been invited and two gentlemen with pipes, she came to a passage overgrown with rose vines. The roses were magnificent enough to make even Eurene, who had no interest in natural beauty, stop and admire them. They were rich and abundant, deep red like ruby beads clustered on bushes. She reached out to pluck one, then withdrew her hand, thinking better of it. Come to think of it, this isn’t my house.

“Shall I pick a flower for you, lady?”

Turning around, she found a handsome young man standing there like a painting. When he smiled slightly, his beauty shone even more. He had deep golden hair that matched this antique mansion overgrown with roses surprisingly well. Eurene automatically compared Van’s bright blonde hair with the dirty blonde before her. Of course, Van’s was more splendid. Then she had an “ah!” moment of realization.

Yes, how common could such handsome men be? It was the man who had been dining with the duchess at the restaurant before.

The young man easily broke off a rose and politely offered it to Eurene. She accepted it reflexively and mumbled, “Thank you—.” He smiled pleasantly. He really is incredibly handsome. After staring blankly up at him, she belatedly greeted him.

“Um, I’m Eurene Eifel.”

“I know.”

“Huh? Why?”

I’m not someone people would know in advance. Having reflexively questioned him, Eurene thought “oops” and pursed her lips. The young man opened his eyes wide and then laughed heartily. The people in this mansion seem generally too kind. It’s ridiculous, yet he laughs at it as if it were a joke. Eurene didn’t understand, but thinking that what’s good is good, she blinked her eyes.

“You’re an interesting person.”

“Hmm, I hear that sometimes. Thank you.”

Eurene decided to take this as a compliment and replied thus. The young man chuckled softly and cleared his throat. He looked at Eurene as if observing a curious animal.

“Do you like roses? They suit you well.”

“No, not really. Pretty things aren’t bad, but I prefer things that last.”

She wondered if she’d been too honest, but it was already said. Eurene took it in stride. He asked politely, seeming intrigued.

“Like jewels, for example?”

“That’s better. The price is better too.”

“You’re very candid.”

Eurene marched in place and stretched her back. The part constricted by the corset felt uncomfortable. She glanced at the man’s dark brown eyes fixed on her. How long does he plan to chat with me? He was handsome enough to be worth looking at, but he seemed rather talkative for someone she’d just met.

Though generally easygoing, Eurene was somewhat selective about people in her own reserved way. She hated conversations that had to be forced out due to awkward atmospheres. She preferred when people maintained mutual ignorance, each doing their own thing in silence. This type of social energy quickly drained her. The earlier conversation with the duchess had already considerably depleted her mental energy.