It wasn’t a comfortable score.

Though she felt a subtle anxiety, Delia shook off that unpleasant unease by straightening her mind and promising herself to be careful.

‘Let’s be careful. I just need to do well!’

By now the carriage had reached the busiest street in Sheriton’s capital.

The street lined with various shops, salons, and social clubs was bustling with prettily dressed young ladies and proudly striding men.

Carriages passed by, and children ran and played between them.

Women spent time taking walks, while men read newspapers or raised their voices discussing mines and business.

In the middle of it all, a splendid carriage suddenly stopped. Then two people lightly stepped out.

“I didn’t know you were interested in such gatherings.”

“I also didn’t know you would follow all the way here, Kaiel.”

Delia took a small breath as she looked around the vibrant street.

Though she hadn’t come out because she was interested in the gathering itself, she couldn’t deny feeling excited. Also, since she couldn’t reveal this was part of her plan to win Ashlene’s stand-in position, she had to pretend to enjoy such occasions.

That’s when it happened.

“Oh my, look over there!”

A young lady’s voice was heard from behind, followed by whispers. She could guess the general content without having to listen carefully.

Delia glanced in the direction of the voices and then started walking ahead of Kaiel. Her steps were quite fast, so Kaiel had to increase his pace to catch up with her. Though it was only three steps.

“Delia. Together—”

“Walk separately.”

“No.”

“Didn’t you hear the whispers? If you don’t want to get caught up in strange rumors, listen to me!”

“Don’t care.”

“Kaiel……!”

During their quick walk down the street, in that short time, numerous women waved fans and made eye signals, throwing flirtatious glances at Kaiel.

“Wow, Kaiel. You really have a talent for drawing attention wherever you go.”

He maintained an indifferent expression.

“Childish.”

“Anyway, stay a bit apart. Everyone’s staring!”

“No one can recognize my face anyway. Same goes for you.”

“Well, that’s true but……”

A man and woman walking the streets alone without companions was inappropriate no matter how you looked at it. At least, by this world’s etiquette.

It was also one of the precautions Lady Evans had warned about.

“In any case, you draw too much attention.”

Whether it was because of his handsome face, tall stature and build, or his dark attire, she couldn’t tell.

Well, could be all of the above.

After walking for a while, Delia realized that just Kaiel’s presence itself was eye-catching, and she was filled with mixed feelings as she felt the many gazes.

She felt both pride in the perfect character she had created and, contradictorily, a desire to hide him somewhere.

That’s when a small clothing shop caught Delia’s eye.

“Kaiel.”

“Yes.”

“I have a good idea.”

* * *

“Uncomfortable.”

“Oh, just stay still. It suits you well.”

Delia moved back and forth adjusting the clothes in front of Kaiel, who stood still like a large wooden post.

“It’s quite different seeing you in something other than black clothes all the time, huh?”

Looking down at the delighted Delia, Kaiel said.

“Seems like you’re playing dress-up with me.”

“Since you have such a good body, clothes look great on you. Spread your arms a bit. Oh, is it a bit tight?”

After quietly spreading his arms, Kaiel said in a low voice shortly after.

“Stop touching.”

“I have to touch to check the clothes! If it bothers you, you can touch me too. Here.”

Delia casually spread both arms and approached him.

That’s when Delia, who had been completely defenseless, suddenly let out a small gasp.

“Ah! Kaiel……!”

Hurriedly peeling off the large hands that had firmly gripped her waist, Delia stepped back several steps.

“You said I could touch.”

“That……”

I can’t believe he actually touched when I said he could!

The areas around her waist and solar plexus where his hands had brushed past felt hot and burning.

Looking at his face, Delia was at a loss for words. What could she say to that extremely calm and quiet face? She sighed and muttered.

“Well done, well done. Right. I did say you could touch. So of course you’d touch.”

Just then, perhaps startled by the small commotion, the madam of the clothing shop hurried over.

“Is everything alright?”

Delia shook her head slightly. Then she pointed to the clothes Kaiel was wearing.

“No. Nothing happened. Ah, we’ll take these clothes he’s wearing. Please use the cheapest fabric.”

Kaiel stared at her intently.

“Don’t look at me like that, Kaiel. I have a plan!”

It didn’t take long for Kaiel to realize what that plan was.

“Miss Averbit, you’re early.”

Delia gave a demure greeting to Mary Evans who welcomed her with a pleased face.

“Lady Evans. I just couldn’t wait to meet everyone!”

Mary Evans’s smile toward Delia shifted to the tall man standing behind her.

“And this person is……”

“He’s my attendant.”

A flash of light gleamed in Kaiel’s eyes for a moment.

Mary Evans tilted her head.

“Attendant?”

Ignoring the glare boring into her, Delia continued speaking to Mary Evans.

“My parents were so worried they assigned him to me. He always moves with me when I go out.”

Then she whispered softly.

“I had been sneaking out secretly for a week, but got caught today.”

Mary Evans glanced at Kaiel and nodded. She opened the door and said.

“Parents’ worry for their daughters is all the same. Please come in.”

As Delia was about to follow, Kaiel suddenly held her back.

“Attendant.”

“It’s better than servant, isn’t it? I guarantee this will be better for you too, Kaiel! Who told you to follow me anyway!”

“Do we really have to—”

“It’s fun, isn’t it?”

Just then, Mary Evans called from inside.

“Aren’t you coming in?”

“Coming right now, Lady Evans!”

Delia called out loudly, then turned to look at Kaiel with a bright smile.

“Shall we go in then?”

The tea time venue was a garden located inside the mansion.

It was a beautiful place with flower beds decorated with flowers and vines, and colorful snacks arranged on high trays that caught the eye.

“Lady Evans, this place is truly beautiful.”

When Delia exclaimed with her mouth open, Mary Evans quietly laughed.

“Thank you. But we agreed to only open our mouths slightly, remember?”

Delia quickly shut her mouth with an “oh!” and smiled brightly. As laughter passed between them, soon after, the butler began announcing the arrival of the young ladies invited to the tea time one by one.

Until the table seats were filled, Delia was checking status windows while looking at the faces of new people.

Kaiel, who had stepped aside, stood quietly next to the maids and servants, just watching Delia.

“Well then, since everyone has arrived, we should make introductions. Miss Averbit?”

After that, Delia greeted each young lady while calling their names one by one. Thanks to using the status window to infer their hobbies and interests, winning their favor wasn’t too difficult.

Moreover, since she could check their affection scores in real-time, there was no need to feel anxious or read the room.

‘This isn’t bad at all?’

After the introductions ended, the core of the social gathering—gossip—finally began.

Usually, the central topics were scandals from the newsletter, but this time there was an even more important matter to discuss.

“Everyone received it, right? The invitation from the imperial palace!”

“Yes! I was so nervous! Finally, I’ll be able to visit the imperial palace!”

As expected.

Delia nodded while drinking tea, smiling as if empathizing with their conversation.

‘Though I haven’t even received an invitation.’

Delia asked.

“What do you think will be the best part about visiting the imperial palace?”

One young lady answered immediately.

“Without a doubt, it’s seeing His Highness the Crown Prince! Since this reception is being hosted by His Highness the Crown Prince and Her Highness the Princess, we must make sure to leave a good impression.”

Another young lady added.

“Isn’t His Highness the Crown Prince the perfect husband candidate? Everyone will dress up their best to catch His Highness’s eye…… I should get a new dress made for this occasion.”

Though the imperial palace reception had a different purpose, to those who didn’t know, it would just seem like a social gathering. For those who had reached marriageable age, catching the Crown Prince’s eye seemed to be their main concern.

Delia also gently added to the conversation.

“I heard His Highness is very gentle?”

Suddenly, someone’s gaze flew in from far away. The intensity was so fierce that one young lady who glanced behind flinched and clutched her chest.

“Oh my! Who, who, who is that person?”

“Don’t be alarmed. He’s my attendant. Though he looks scary, he’s kind.”

“But why is he glaring this way?”

A playful smile briefly crossed Delia’s lips.

“Perhaps because you’re all so beautiful. I told him not to ruin the atmosphere. I’ll have to scold him.”