The Duke’s older brother… You mean the brother he supposedly killed. The man who could have been the Duke of Penvernon. The man who would have been the Duke originally. Bled Penvernon.

I’m not sure what expression I should make at times like this. I tried to maintain a meek and calm face. A subtle expression that could be interpreted in any way seemed necessary right now.

“Is this your first time hearing about it? It’s a famous story.”

“I know about it. I just didn’t recall it immediately.”

“Come to think of it, have you ever met the previous Duchess?”

“…No, I haven’t.”

As I answered, I glanced around looking for Patricia. She must have already retreated, sensing the atmosphere, as she wasn’t in my sight. That was fortunate.

The Camellia Civil War, where Rashid killed his siblings, was an open taboo in aristocratic society — something everyone knew but rarely dared to mention. Understandably so. It was like Rashid Penvernon’s flaw, the unsavory past of the Penvernon ducal family.

To be able to speak so boldly about it in front of me, the Duchess of Penvernon. So this is what it means to be part of the imperial family. The power to say what you want, do what you want, and achieve what you desire. It felt as if the Crown Prince was looking down at me from the edge of the sky.

“How long are you going to keep talking about gloomy topics, brother? It’s the Founding Festival, we barely have enough time for joyful conversations.”

Jeanne hurriedly changed the heavy atmosphere. I gave a bitter smile.

“By the way, Duchess Penvernon, there’s an opera performance at the Grand Theater the day after tomorrow evening. Are you interested?”

I pondered for a moment at her invitation.

What should I do? There’s no particular reason to refuse.

Should I act as if I’m desperate to be friendly with the Princess here? Like someone blinded by power.

The Crown Prince and Princess are connected to the Emperor. I had to consider what kind of stories might reach the Emperor’s ears through them.

“I would be delighted. Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness.”

After accepting her invitation, I naturally added,

“Will Your Highness the Crown Prince not be attending?”

“My brother isn’t interested in things like operas. Right?”

Jeanne looked at Castor with a bright smile. It was a mask-like expression that didn’t feel sincere at all. The mask probably had ‘I’ll kill you if you say you’re coming’ written on it.

“I’m more interested in other things than opera.”

「Castor took Alisa’s hand.」

The sentence was faster than the action. Thanks to that, my body moved ahead of my thoughts. I flinched in surprise and pulled my hand back.

Regret came immediately after.

Ah, that must have looked strange. My startled hand awkwardly hovered in the air.

But Castor, unfazed, took my right hand and kissed the back of it. Of all days, I wasn’t wearing gloves today. My shoulders rose abruptly at the sensation of lips touching my bare skin.

It’s still awkward for me, but in this world, it was actually a common greeting. I nodded lightly in response, trying to accept the situation naturally.

“Then I look forward to meeting you again.”

Castor smiled and moved away. A crowd of people and gazes followed him.

“The opera starts when the bell rings to announce tomorrow evening. Shall we meet at the Grand Theater before that?”

After informing me of tomorrow’s schedule, Jeanne moved to converse with others who were approaching her.

Only then did the surroundings finally regain peace.

「The splendid light of the chandeliers, the sweet melody of music, nobles engaging in conversation… The Founding Festival’s ball was in full swing until late into the night.」

However, I became rapidly tired from unexpected encounters with certain individuals. After excusing myself to those around me, I headed to the lounge. I wanted to escape from people’s gazes, even if just for a moment.

The spacious lounge was equipped with plush sofas and simple refreshments. Perhaps because the banquet was still in full swing, there weren’t many people using it.

I occupied a sofa in an inconspicuous corner. As much as I wanted to take off my shoes, I couldn’t bring myself to do so, so I just stretched out my legs. The fabric of my puffed-up dress rustled as it rubbed against itself.

How long do I have to stay like this? I’m already feeling so stifled. Being a lady is no easy task. I grumbled inwardly while tapping my legs.

“Ah, Alisa. So this is where you were.”

I raised my lowered head at the familiar voice. It was Patricia. She had just entered the lounge with two other ladies.

“I’ve been looking for you.”

“I was just trying to rest for a moment. Is something the matter?”

When I asked about her business, Patricia sat down beside me. The ladies who accompanied her also sat nearby. The increased population density made me tired again.

“I saw you speaking with His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“I happened to see him in passing before… We just briefly talked about that time. Is that what you’re curious about?”

Getting involved with the imperial family seems to attract everyone’s attention. Those people were really troublesome. I wavered between thinking I’d gotten mixed up with the wrong people.

Patricia shook her head at my question.

“No. Rather, I’m more concerned about why you spoke to Miss Avellaine like that earlier.”

“Pardon?”

“Saying things like giving her jewels and telling her to cheer up. Honestly, I was quite surprised.”

I narrowed my eyes. It was an absurd statement.

“Miss Avellaine has a connection with His Grace the Duke, and if you, of all people, Alisa, mock her like that, what will happen to your reputation? What do you think?”

Patricia sought agreement from the ladies around her. These women, whose names I didn’t even know, chimed in, saying Patricia was right and that they were a bit worried.

Really… what an unnecessary concern.

“Everyone will be talking about you, Alisa…”

“Is that so?”

Patricia raised her voice, treating me like the old Alisa.

“Yes. So I think it would be better to be careful, Alisa. A noblewoman of high rank should maintain appropriate dignity, don’t you agree?”

“I don’t care.”

“Pardon?”

I blurted out my response. I was getting annoyed just listening quietly.

“It doesn’t matter to me. I was truly sincere earlier, and I think I showed a lot of restraint.”

I’m not sure how intimate Scarlet and Rashid were, but in any case, I am his wife now. Speaking as if they’re currently having an affair right in front of me is clearly deception and mockery towards me.

“But it was an inappropriate attitude. In society, if you behave like that—”

“Aren’t you worried that Scarlet Avellaine’s attitude might have upset me?”

I cut Patricia’s words short.

“Wouldn’t a true friend worry about that first, Patricia?”

That damned society, society. Louise was the same. I don’t understand why there are so many people in this society so desperate to put others down.

I’m not sure what criteria this world uses to define friendships, but calling Patricia Alisa’s friend is certainly a misuse of the word.

If Patricia were truly a friend, wouldn’t it be natural for her to care about my feelings first after encountering a woman who claims to be my husband’s mistress?

‘In the end, Patricia also has dark intentions to somehow use Alisa to manipulate the Penvernon ducal family.’

That’s why she’s trying to dig into Alisa’s weak points and control her. Her intention to make Alisa obey her every word was obvious.

“Of course, I think Miss Avellaine’s remarks were regrettable, Alisa. But as a friend, I said it out of concern for you.”

“Don’t you think it’s a bit late to say such things? I’ve already been hurt. I realize now that my feelings have no value to you, Patricia!”

I stood up abruptly. A face that looked like it was about to cry — actually a very distorted face pretending to cry — turned towards Patricia. Patricia’s pale face, now tinged with bewilderment, even seemed eerie to me now.

I bit my lip hard. As if trying to hold back tears.

“To think our friendship was only this much… It hurts my heart. I’m truly upset, Patricia.”

While subtly shifting the blame to her, saying it was all her fault, I coldly reproached her. Then, without looking back, I left the lounge.

‘This noblewoman life is already tough.’

After leaving the lounge, I wandered aimlessly around the imperial palace where the ball was being held. I needed to find another place to rest. I needed a place where I wouldn’t attract people’s attention and where annoying individuals like Patricia wouldn’t come looking for me.