An awkward silence hung in the air like cold water had been poured over them.

‘I know. Of course I’m not qualified to stand in for Ashlene.’

Who could possibly stand in for Ashlene, the most noble lady in the Empire?

It would never be easy to naturally emulate everything she had learned in the imperial family her whole life — from etiquette to walking, gestures, expressions, speech, comportment, posture, and everything else.

Moreover, one would need to know all the important figures of the Empire inside and out.

She understood this intellectually. But still.

‘This is too much!’

The impact of hearing those two words “you can’t” from Kaiel’s mouth left a massive wound on Delia’s pride.

‘I can’t take being evaluated like that by Kaiel of all people.’

Delia immediately stood up from her seat. Niol urgently called her name.

“Delia?”

Before Kaiel could grab her, Delia slipped away and headed towards the door, speaking quickly.

“Since luring the Floren Army to the castle would cause too much damage in many ways, I suggest changing the venue. Hold a masquerade ball in the outskirts of Sheriton. It would be better to prepare by assembling all participants from the imperial elite knights…… Then I’ll take my leave.”

Barely swallowing the words ‘Since I’m not qualified to be here’ that almost came out, Delia disappeared through the door.

Bang!

“……”

“……”

“……That was mean.”

Even as Niol’s criticism flew at him, Kaiel responded nonchalantly while sitting.

“Whatever.”

“Miss Delia isn’t lacking in anything.”

“That’s right, brother. She must be really hurt. Really……”

But neither of them continued speaking. If Kaiel hadn’t done that, Delia would have pushed through with her will somehow.

So even they couldn’t argue against Kaiel’s ‘mean’ words. This was the best option. Even if Delia was hurt, it was better than involving her in something dangerous.

“By the way, a masquerade ball in the outskirts of Sheriton…… Surely she’s not talking about Marquis Bennett’s castle in Briden?”

As Niol frowned, Ashlene laughed softly.

“Since the social season is coming back, House Bennett will hold the first ball. Since it’s an annual event, even Floren won’t be suspicious.”

Niol smiled with a face that was half admiring and half displeased.

“Miss Delia gave a truly brilliant suggestion.”

Ashlene looked at Niol’s face and started giggling.

“Brother, Lady Bennett is praised in all the newsletters. You should pay more attention! Though the Marchioness does have quite a strong influence.”

Kaiel just sat quietly with an expressionless face throughout. Niol glanced at his face and then smiled at Ashlene.

“Anyway, if she thought ahead to the social season events, as expected. Miss Delia is a rare talent. I really like her.”

Kaiel slowly raised his gaze to glare at Niol when Ashlene interrupted.

“Second brother will have to act like you’re not on good terms with us first. Since you’ll have to pretend to betray us and join hands with Floren.”

“You won’t need to act with me though.”

Niol added.

Kaiel nodded slightly and then got up to leave. As he was going out the door, he muttered one thing.

“Do as Delia said.”

Niol rubbed his forehead and sighed.

Delia’s suggestion was truly simple yet feasible.

It would minimize battle damage while allowing them to more aggressively corner the Floren Army in the outskirts, and it would be a strategic point for getting support from the Margrave.

The only headache was that the dreaded social season was returning.

“Whoever stands in for me will need to show good chemistry with my brothers too. While keeping the audition secret, I’ll send invitations across the Empire in my name. Let’s say it’s to exchange greetings after a long time. If we say it’s a venue to spot the jewel of this social season, many young ladies will come to show their faces.”

“So we just need to find the most convincing actor. Yes, Ashlene. Though who could possibly stand in for such a wonderful sister.”

Ashlene smiled brightly at Niol’s affectionate words.

Meanwhile, Delia had rushed back to her room and jumped into bed. She was trying to calm her confused feelings that wouldn’t go away.

“I’m not qualified? Right. I’m not. But surely it’s reasonable to be upset about hearing that directly from Kaiel’s mouth?”

She thought about going to confront Kaiel right away, but her pride wouldn’t allow it.

How long had she been buried in bed trying to soothe her feelings like that?

Around dinner time, someone knocked on the door.

“Miss, eleven hours have passed!”

Already?

Delia quietly lay down and pulled the covers over her head, closing her eyes. It was to wait for the incoming penalty. It would be better if the penalty came while she was sleeping.

Well, after suffering through the pain again, it would pass.

As drowsiness was vaguely coming over her and she was about to give in to sleep—

Knock knock.

There was another knock at the door, followed by a voice.

“Miss, the Grand Duke is here.”

What could he want at this timing.

“Tell him I’m…… sleeping……”

“Pardon?”

Delia, who had her head barely peeking out from under the covers, properly conveyed her intention again.

“Tell him I’m sleeping.”

“You’re clearly not.”

Delia startled at the sudden voice so close by and threw off her blanket. As her vision cleared, she met calm eyes looking down at her.

After a brief exchange of glances, Delia covered herself with the blanket again.

“I just lay down to sleep.”

“Delia.”

“Good night, Grand Duke.”

However, no matter how long she waited, she couldn’t hear footsteps leaving. As time dragged on while not knowing when the penalty would strike, Delia finally pulled back the covers and sat up.

“What! Are you perhaps concerned or sorry about what you said earlier?”

“……”

“Then that’s great. Please let me take on the role of Her Highness’s stand-in.”

“No.”

“……!”

Delia bit her lip hard and only opened her mouth after a long while.

“Then who exactly can take on that role? Who’s going to take on such a dangerous role!”

“There are plenty who would line up just for the chance to have a connection with the imperial palace. You don’t need to worry.”

Kaiel was firm.

No matter how she responded, his stance showed he wouldn’t yield this time.

“Fine, I understand. Please don’t say more. I get it well that I’m not qualified and don’t need to worry, so please let me be alone now. Sleep well, Kaiel.”

As she spoke and lay back down, Delia’s voice had lost almost all of its defiance compared to before. In some ways, it seemed like she truly accepted and understood.

Kaiel’s expression creased.

“Delia.”

“……”

Kaiel stood beside her for a while longer, waiting for a response. But he couldn’t stay long. Because Delia suddenly curled up with her blanket and urgently cried out.

“Leave!”

Her voice was trembling slightly.

“Leave, quickly! Please leave. I said I want to be alone!”

It was the moment when the [00:00] status window terrifyingly appeared in Delia’s vision.

“Leave……”

At her precarious voice, Kaiel, who was about to lift the blanket, hesitantly withdrew his hand. Perhaps because her plea to leave seemed so desperate.

“Sleep well, Delia.”

Kaiel quietly left and exited the room. When the door closed, dark air filled the room completely. It was time for the pain that came like darkness to consume everything.

* * *

After the long, long time ended, morning came again. Delia was lying face down on the bed, blankly adapting to the aftermath of the penalty.

That’s when she suddenly heard maids chattering outside the door.

“She sent out invitations? To the entire Empire?”

“How many young ladies will gather?”

It was an interesting conversation.

Delia pressed herself against the door and listened carefully.

From what she could hear, it seemed Ashlene had sent invitations to all the young ladies of the Empire.

At this sudden timing, if it was invitations, there could only be one purpose.

An audition to select Ashlene’s stand-in.

A familiar name caught Delia’s interested ears.

“I wonder if Marquis Bennett’s daughter will come? Oh, I’d love to see her.”

‘If it’s Marquis Bennett’s daughter, could it be Chlois?’

Chlois Bennett.

She was a marquis’s daughter mentioned in the original work. A young lady excellent in beauty, character, and artistic talent, she was often brought up as a potential bride for Niol.

Unlike Kaiel who had never been involved in even a hint of scandal, Niol often got caught up in scandals due to his characteristic gentleness and mannerly behavior.

Chlois Bennett was the young lady who had the most scandals with Niol.

But that was that.

‘So they’re holding an audition to select Ashlene’s stand-in?’

Delia stretched her arms wide. Her heavy body suddenly felt lighter.

Now, it was time to step into high society.