“Have you heard? Many interesting people are gathering at Marchioness Ellavonne’s salon.”

“These days, the most eye-catching are definitely the dresses from Kruger Boutique. They’re the most popular, aren’t they? I heard everyone’s desperate to get them.”

“The daughter of Count Hurst is holding an invitation party to raise charity funds. I heard Her Highness the Princess is considering attending. She likes that sort of thing, doesn’t she?”

“I heard the celestial necklace will be up for auction next time, is that true?”

The conversations were more interesting than I expected. I suppose it’s fitting for a place where the latest information about the system and opportunities for network expansion are exchanged.

Come to think of it, these minor and detailed settings don’t appear in the original work. This world was far more intricate and organic than I thought.

It doesn’t seem likely that the author would have carefully decided each of these details, so where and how did this content come about? I suddenly felt curious.

So, although extremely tired, I engaged in pleasant conversation with the noble ladies and said what I absolutely had to say. Now I just had to wait for those noble ladies to spread what they heard from me at other social gatherings. Up until now, it had been a perfect party.

「…Patricia found Alisa’s desperate efforts amusing.」

If only this sentence hadn’t come to mind.

At this sudden sentence, I looked at Patricia with a bewildered feeling.

「Still, Patricia needed Alisa.」

Why? For what reason did she need her?

In an instant, my body heated up with curiosity, but the sentence ended there. It would be nice if I could read something more, but no matter how long I waited, the next sentence didn’t appear.

This can’t be. How could this happen? It was so frustrating.

Patricia, oblivious to everything, smiled brightly at me.

Her family, the Limnike ducal house, possesses offensive dark magic abilities. But Patricia’s smile was closer to that of someone guarding healing white magic. It was that white and clear of a smile.

‘But why…’

Was it because of that ‘need’ that Patricia approached Alisa in the first place?

Maybe this ability I have to read sentences from this novel is actually fake when you really think about it?

I’d rather believe that. Isn’t that more convincing? I’ve never precisely, that is, on a material level, proven whether the content of those sentences is true or not.

I told Harriet to search under the bed in Louise’s bedroom, but I still don’t know how that turned out.

Still, if all of this is true….

‘What a truly frightening world.’

To think she harbors different feelings inside while looking so angelic.

I could understand why Alisa had been so hesitant. Poor Alisa. She lived quite naively, but there were reasons for it. Her family background, environment, personality, unexpected situations, all of these factors combined to make her feel intimidated.

No matter how I think about it, the conclusion is still that I need to quickly escape this fierce noble imperial society. I lack the energy and ability to endure here for long.

“Oh my, Duchess Penvernon. Look over there.”

At that moment, Countess Spendal pointed to one side of the hall.

While I was away from Rashid’s side, mingling with the noble ladies, beautiful young ladies had flocked around him.

“His Grace is still only with his wife, right?”

“Oh my, even though his wife is attending with him.”

“I’m blushing just looking at it.”

The noble ladies criticized in unison. They thought the women around Rashid were aiming for the position of his mistress.

The empire’s religion only allowed monogamy, but nobles secretly kept mistresses. It was common for wives to retaliate when husbands took mistresses, and often they would turn a blind eye to each other’s behavior. As a result, all sorts of love scandals were rampant in noble society.

“Alisa, are you alright?”

Patricia worriedly grabbed my arm. But I really didn’t care at all, truly….

Rather, it was more shocking to learn that Patricia, whom I thought was kind, found me amusing. With such a kind appearance, you really can’t judge by looks alone.

“Those young ladies have no shame.”

“That’s right! This shouldn’t be allowed.”

The noble ladies whispered in agitated voices while looking towards Rashid. Soon, their gazes turned to me.

“You shouldn’t just stand by and watch, Duchess Penvernon.”

“You should go and say something.”

“You need to stop them.”

“Go on, Duchess.”

“Don’t let them steal your husband!”

They fervently urged me on.

It seems they’ve all had their fair share of troubles with their husbands’ mistresses.

Or maybe they want to tease Alisa, or they want to see an interesting spectacle… or perhaps all of the above.

Whatever their intentions, what’s important is the fact that they’re pushing me forward.

“Ah, no, wait a moment.”

“Hurry up!”

Listen, I really don’t care at all…!

Unable to resist the pressure from the noble ladies, I hurried towards Rashid. As I went, I glanced back to see three or four noble ladies huddled together, clenching their fists in encouragement.

“Hahaha…”

Maybe I should just sneak off in a different direction.

“Wife.”

As I was looking for a way to escape, coincidentally, Rashid blocked my retreat. I don’t know why he chose this moment to acknowledge me.

I pretended to be at ease and opened my fan. The white feathers spread out in a semicircle, hiding my face. I wished I could hide my entire body behind this fan.

“Oh.my, Ra.shid.”

I awkwardly called his name, pretending to be close.

The women standing beside him looked me up and down. Some even giggled. Their attitude was surprisingly blatant.

‘This is kind of annoying.’

I was planning to say something quick and disappear, but because of this, my thoughts changed a bit.

“What were you talking about?”

I deliberately squeezed in next to Rashid and acted friendly.

No matter what anyone said, I was still Rashid’s wife and the Duchess of Penvernon. I was the one who could stand by his side most confidently and naturally.

“So, as I was saying, Your Grace.”

The young lady in the blue dress chattered on, ignoring me. Her voice was so sweet, like a nightingale’s, that I almost fell for it myself. And what about those long eyelashes and big eyes? Her plump red lips were enough to catch even my gaze.

Rashid, who was actually listening to her, wore an expression of utter boredom.

It wasn’t just her. The lady next to her, and the one next to her, were all incredibly beautiful. These women craved Rashid’s attention and tried hard to stay by his side. Like bees drawn to a flower… I thought.

The flower named Rashid Penvernon is beautiful and full of nectar, so it’s only natural that bees and butterflies are attracted to it.

But, somehow, I felt a little angry.

I didn’t like feeling so ignored. Even if I’m just an empty shell of a wife, these ladies’ behavior is a bit too much.

“Wife?”

When I remained silent, Rashid called out to me.

I looked up to see a handsome man gazing at me. His golden eyes held flames within. An indescribably beautiful color swirled as he looked at me. It was as if he was waiting to see what I would say next.

“…Isn’t the hall too hot, Ra.shid?”

I called his name deliberately. Although I called it hundreds, thousands of times in my mind, I rarely said it out loud, so it felt a bit awkward.

I’m the only one here who can call him by this name. I felt a strange sense of superiority.

“Ah, I feel dizzy…”

I swayed and leaned on Rashid’s arm.

Even to me, it was a seriously bad act.

Oh my, goodness gracious, and other such incredulous reactions leaked out softly. Whispers spread discreetly throughout the hall.

Still, I stood my ground firmly.

I could feel people’s gazes sharply turning towards us. Yes, I admit it. This is truly an incredibly entertaining spectacle.

What will be Rashid Penvernon’s next move?

Everyone was waiting for him.

Me too.

Receiving everyone’s expectations, Rashid smirked.

“We should get some fresh air. Shall we go to the garden?”

Rashid held my shoulder and led the way. I walked slowly, completely leaning on him.

“Ah, Your Grace…”

Disappointed voices followed behind us. I turned my head slightly to look at them. And meeting their gazes, I smiled brightly.

* * *

The Chrysante family’s garden was bathed in blue darkness. In the deepening night, the round moon was white and bright.