Rashid cursed with an utterly composed face. I was startled and put my finger to my lips, signaling him to be quiet.

“Anyone could guess that.”

“But saying it out loud is a different matter!”

“If you’re unhappy with that, feel free to challenge me.”

Challenge? His word choice exuded confidence from the start. He was clearly treating Derek as an inferior.

I spoke to him like I was coaxing and soothing him.

“Still, we shouldn’t gossip here. Someone might hear.”

Rashid turned his head, pretending not to hear.

“Understand, Rashid?”

When I pressed him once more in a deliberately stern voice, he was about to answer.

“Duke Penvernon!”

At that moment, another guest approached. Rashid greeted him warmly. He was actually so friendly that it caught the other person off guard.

It feels like I’m taking care of a child.

Ah, this is really tiring.

Regardless of Rashid’s behavior, the guests were thoroughly enjoying the party.

The noble ladies gathered in small groups, tasting the dishes prepared on the tables.

“This is lokum. It’s from 《The Wolf, the Wizard, and the Bookshelf》.”

“This raspberry cordial is what the protagonist drank in 《Black-haired Diana》.”

“Countess Chester is dressed as Diana, she must try this!”

“What’s that over there?”

White bread and sheep’s milk cheese, perfectly roasted turkey, soft madeleines, crème brûlée, chocolate brownies, crepe cake, fresh fruits and mead…

A pleasant commotion arose. The noble ladies buzzed with excitement, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. They were clearly enjoying discussing which books the foods and desserts came from.

Meanwhile, their husbands, fathers, and sons—the men—enjoyed the alcohol and appetizers.

“This is top-grade calvados. As expected of a party held by a ducal house.”

“I wonder if this is what the general in 《The Victory Ceremony》 enjoyed?”

Hahaha, low laughter merged and spread.

The nobles were busy showing off their knowledge and pretending to be well-versed. They were thoroughly delighted to become characters from old legends or protagonists who lived dramatic lives.

If it continues like this, it would be perfect. I took a sip of champagne, immersed in rising elation.

That’s when the unwelcome guest appeared.

“Alisa, and Your Grace!”

Father, Count Verdin Legentia, had arrived.

He was dressed plainly, not matching the party’s theme. Fortunately, he didn’t look shabby at least. However, he had lost weight and shadows on his face made him look more haggard than ever.

‘Even while sending the invitation, I had secretly hoped he wouldn’t come.’

Contrary to my wishes, Father acted very friendly. His nonchalant attitude, as if he had erased our last meeting from his mind, was unpleasant. I coldly turned away from him.

“My sincere congratulations.”

“Thank you, Count.”

At times like this, it’s clear that Rashid’s status is higher. He speaks down to him quite naturally, and even that tone is somewhat more courteous only because he’s his wife’s father. I was freshly reminded that this was a class-based society where being a father-in-law meant nothing.

“Please enjoy your time here.”

“Alisa, let’s have a chat for a moment.”

I was going to politely send him away, but Father held me back. For a moment, I almost shook him off. It was hard to maintain my composure. I forced a smile, signaled to Rashid with my eyes, and moved to a corner.

“What do you need?”

I asked sarcastically. Father patted my arm, pretending to be affectionate.

“To see my daughter hosting such a grand banquet, this father is overwhelmed with emotion.”

“That’s because I spent the budget generously. Is that what you wanted to say?”

Father showed signs of displeasure at my cold attitude. It was laughable. Hey, listen. Are you in any position to act this way?

“Have you asked His Grace for forgiveness?”

“Forgiveness? I haven’t done anything that needs forgiving.”

I almost burst out laughing at his word choice. How could he remain so unchanged since last time? It was irritating how he spoke nonsense without understanding my situation.

“Of course, divorce… that’s absurd.”

Father misinterpreted my answer and reassured himself. Humans really do only believe what they want to believe. Unable to let this misunderstanding stand, I replied curtly.

“That’s still in progress.”

“What? What are you saying! You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“If that’s what you wanted to say, I’d like to end this conversation now.”

As I tried to turn away, Father hurriedly changed his tone.

“No, no. Listen, Alisa.”

Father hunched his shoulders, conscious of the surrounding gazes. In Alisa’s memories, he had always been strict and prone to anger, so this was an unfamiliar sight to me.

“Lord Swain is planning to return to his hometown.”

“Suddenly? Did something happen?”

“No. He requested it himself. He decided to return home after hearing news of demonic beasts appearing in his hometown. However……”

I watched him silently without interrupting. Father hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

“We’ll need to give him retirement pay, and I think I’ll need your help.”

Ah, so it comes down to needing money.

Of course. Not a single deviation from expectations.

“How much?”

“About 10,000 freti should do.”

“10,000?!”

My voice rose involuntarily. 10,000 freti, meaning a knight’s retirement pay is a billion? For a situation where you’re asking your married daughter for help, not some wealthy family being generous, 10,000 freti was an absurd amount.

“Ah, no. Even 5,000 freti……”

The amount quickly halved at my serious reaction. I narrowed my eyes.

‘Lost a fortune gambling.’

I recalled Madame Spendal’s earlier eyewitness account. If someone was seen pale-faced at a gambling house, it was crystal clear what had happened to them.

Though I had no desire to support my family home given past events, I couldn’t let them fall into complete ruin either. It would become a bigger problem if he went beyond my boundaries and reached out to Rashid.

“I suppose I have no choice. I’ll try to arrange it. But I’m not sure if that much will be possible.”

“Y-yes. Well, I am your father, so you should do at least this much.”

He let out a sigh of relief. His tone of taking it for granted irritated me.

But I wasn’t finished speaking.

“However, you’ll have to pay it back.”

“What?”

Why are you so surprised? Isn’t it natural to repay money you’ve borrowed?

“Why are you so shocked?”

“Since when does a child extort money from their father!”

What nonsense is this? I frowned and said.

“It’s the opposite, isn’t it? Listen, Father. How could I transfer such a large sum without His Grace knowing? Since His Grace will find out anyway, to explain it smoothly to him, of course I have to say it will be repaid.”

And I really will collect it.

“Y-yes. I understand, I understand. I hadn’t realized.”

Father seemed to misunderstand again, but this time I didn’t feel the need to correct him. I told him I couldn’t handle it directly, so I would send a proxy.

“I knew you would help.”

「Verdin kept bowing to the Duchess.」

I was angered by this servile behavior. It was irritating. It seemed absurd that the father I remembered as always intimidating and strict was now acting so pitifully.

Whether it was Alisa within me encouraging this, I couldn’t define the complex and subtle emotions churning inside.

“I’ll send someone, so sign the covenant they bring. Then they’ll give you the gold.”

I’ll have to ask Benjamin again. He’ll handle this coldly and thoroughly.

I wondered if Father would actually read the covenant stating that repayment must be made within the specified period. If he made a fuss after reading it, Benjamin would handle the situation. It had to be him.

Still, family is family, so I can’t completely turn away at times like this.

Yet despite being family, why did Father do that to Alisa?

“……If you’re done, please leave now.”

I felt like I might scream if I stayed standing here. I turned my back on him without hesitation. A hot whirlpool boiled beneath my throat.

* * *

Though I told him to leave quickly, Father irritated me until the very end.

I noticed him going around greeting influential nobles despite being a penniless count.

I pretended not to see. Perhaps because he was the Duchess’s father, no one turned him away too harshly.

He should have just stayed quiet and left.

“Eek!”

A woman who was bumped into by my wandering father screamed. I could see her navy blue dress soaked with white wine spilled across the skirt.

“Ah, my dress!”

“I apologize, my lady. This, what should I do about this……”

Father stammered in confusion. It was a completely different attitude from how he used to treat me.

The woman whose mood was ruined shot pointed words at Father using subtle phrasing. Her tone was sharp as a blade, either because she didn’t know he was the Duchess’s father, or perhaps because she did know.

‘Of all people, it had to be her again.’

The woman was none other than Scarlet Avellaine.

The Avellaines are influential nobles of the empire. As the Marquis’s daughter, Scarlet is also a key figure in social circles. Thus, they were naturally invited.

Though our relationship wasn’t good, while personal feelings might matter at a small tea party, they couldn’t interfere with family events.

‘Besides, I did tell her to come visit before.’

Though she held no title herself, the reality of the system was that Scarlet, as a social celebrity and powerful noble’s daughter, was no match for a rural noble.

The surroundings grew restless. Rashid was busy receiving guests in the side room next to the ballroom. Moreover, Count Legentia was my father. I was the only one who could resolve this situation.

I stepped in front of her with a bright smile.

“My, Miss Avellaine. You must have been quite startled.”