In the original work, a total of 2 madmen appeared.

The first was Kervel Petoras, who went mad with love and tried to destroy the world.

And the second was Viscount Magnus, who was simply called a madman.

Albert Magnus was originally a commoner who was recognized for his magical talent by the previous emperor and became a nobleman.

Moreover, he was also the only nobleman who interacted with the Mage’s Tower as a promising candidate for the position of Tower Master.

Perhaps it was because he possessed both tremendous talent and power.

Viscount Magnus became endlessly greedy, and eventually laid his hands on magic that should not have been touched.

His white hair and grotesquely distorted face on one side were the side effects.

‘But the real reason Viscount Magnus was called a madman was something else.’

No matter how greedy a person is, it’s not easy to think about wanting to destroy the world.

However, Viscount Magnus tried to destroy the world simply because he didn’t like it.

In short, he was just a madman.

“…Um, well. Thank you very much for saving me. But I think my fiancé will be looking for me soon. May I excuse myself first?”

Yvette, who had finally regained her senses, said with a gentle smile.

Once she knew that the person in front of her was a madman, it was best to leave as soon as possible.

However, Viscount Magnus didn’t seem to have any intention of letting her go easily.

“My, my. Are you going to leave without even telling me your name, my lady?”

Viscount Magnus said, squinting one eye as if feeling disappointed.

Judging by his face alone, it wasn’t a particularly strange action.

However, remembering that he was close to sixty years old sent chills down her spine.

“Haha….. Come to think of it, I didn’t mention my name. I’m Yvette Blanche.”

Yvette looked at Viscount Magnus with an expression that said, ‘Is that enough now?’

“I see. Yvette Blanche… I’ll remember that.”

Please don’t remember it, you madman.

Yvette suppressed the urge to shout that and nodded instead.

Her lips trembled as she forced a smile.

“Yes. Then, I’ll take my leave now.”

With that brief farewell, Yvette hurriedly left the place.

The matter of Baron Larishi had already been erased from her mind.

‘From now on, I must avoid that person at all costs.’

Who knows what trouble might arise if she got involved with him.

Yvette returned to the party hall, trying to calm her startled heart.

***

“…She’s late.”

Meanwhile, at the same time.

Noel, who was standing alone leaning against the wall, coldly surveyed his surroundings.

It had already been 30 minutes since Yvette went to get drinks.

However, no matter how long he waited, Yvette showed no sign of returning.

‘Did she get caught up with someone on the way?’

Perhaps because of her title as his fiancée, many nobles were interested in Yvette.

It was likely that those who couldn’t approach her earlier due to Noel’s presence were now holding her up.

“The tea room should be this way.”

Noel started walking in the direction where Yvette had disappeared earlier.

He intended to look for Yvette himself.

As he passed through a door, he saw neatly arranged refreshment tables.

He also spotted a few nobles gathered and chattering among themselves, but Yvette wasn’t among them.

‘…Where did she go?’

As Yvette was nowhere to be seen no matter how much he looked around, Noel’s expression gradually hardened.

‘Don’t tell me she’s collapsed somewhere again?’

According to Yvette’s calculations, it wasn’t time for the flower to wither yet.

But given how unpredictable curses can be, he couldn’t be certain.

‘…Should I send people to search for her?’

Noel frowned.

Noticing his mood rapidly deteriorating, the nobles around him quietly stepped back.

Just as the lively party hall was about to freeze over again, a white head peeked out from behind the tense Noel.

“What are you doing here, Noel?”

“…Yvette.”

Upon seeing Yvette, Noel’s hardened expression softened as if nothing had happened.

As a smile appeared on his face, the nobles around them let out sighs of relief.

The chilly atmosphere returned to normal.

“I was worried because I couldn’t see you.”

Yvette awkwardly smiled at Noel’s casually thrown words.

“I just went to look around for a bit, to get some fresh air too.”

“You should have told me. I would have gone with you.”

“I thought you’d be busy. You were surrounded by so many nobles earlier.”

Yvette scratched her head, gesturing towards the nobles around them.

At that moment, her sleeve slipped down, revealing her reddened wrist.

Noel’s expression changed as soon as he saw the swollen skin in the shape of a hand.

“…What’s this?”

Yvette, belatedly noticing her wrist, hurriedly hid her arm behind her back in surprise.

“Oh, this? I bumped into a wall while walking around. You don’t need to worry about it, Noel.”

Yvette tried hard to explain, but Noel didn’t seem to believe her words at all.

“Which bold fellow dared to touch my fiancée?”

Noel gently held Yvette’s wrist. Despite his careful touch, his tone was icy.

Yvette swallowed at his question.

She could already feel the nobles around them whispering and staring.

‘This is why I wanted just to let it go quietly!’

She was already the center of attention due to her engagement to Noel.

If the fact that she was attacked by her uncle became known, unnecessary rumors would surely spread.

‘I’m already dying from the headache of the curse, I don’t want to worry about such rumors too!’

Yvette shook her head and whispered quietly so only Noel could hear.

“I’ll tell you everything later, but can we just let it go for now? There are too many eyes watching.”

“…Then, let’s move to a different place first.”

Noel nodded and offered his arm to Yvette.

As Yvette reluctantly linked arms with him, Noel immediately led her out of the party hall.

Soon, the two of them boarded a carriage that was waiting for them.

“Now tell me. Who did this to you?”

Noel leaned comfortably against the carriage wall, unbuttoning the top two buttons of his collar.

Unable to withstand his piercing gaze, Yvette reluctantly opened her mouth.

“…Actually, I ran into Baron Larishi earlier.”

“Baron Larishi? Isn’t that your uncle?”

Noel asked, pointing at Yvette’s wrist. Yvette nodded, slightly pulling down her sleeve.

“He seemed very angry with me. As soon as he saw me, he dragged me away without a word.”

Yvette continued, recalling Baron Larishi’s haggard appearance.

“I think something must have happened while I was away from the mansion.”

“…Come to think of it, I heard recently that Baron Larishi had incurred a massive gambling debt.”

Yvette smiled bitterly at Noel’s muttering.

Given Baron Larishi’s personality, it wasn’t particularly surprising news.

“I guess the debt made him desperate. Seeing how he came looking for me so recklessly.”

Yvette spoke calmly, turning her gaze towards the window.

If Baron Larishi had a large debt as Noel said, there was only one way to solve it.

Eliminating her, a Count, and taking the title for himself.

It was something she thought might happen someday. But that didn’t make it any less shocking.