Because I had slept in the carriage during the day, my eyes were wide awake even though it was late at night.

After lying in bed blinking for a while, I finally kicked off the covers and got up. I thought I’d go to the kitchen and have a glass of water.

The mansion was quiet, as it was already time for everyone to have gone to bed.

Expecting to find no one there, I arrived at the kitchen, but a small light was leaking out from inside.

“Sebastian?”

Wondering who it could be, I peeked my head in slightly and saw Sebastian.

“Miss? What brings you here at this hour…?”

He had a surprised expression at my unexpected appearance.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“I see. Actually, I couldn’t sleep either and was about to have a drink… Would you like to join me, if you don’t mind?”

Sebastian smiled at my answer and showed me the bottle of alcohol he was holding.

“Is that okay?”

“I’m not sure if you’ll like it, Missy…”

Oh Sebastian. Worrying about such trivial things.

Gladly accepting his offer, I quickly sat down across from Sebastian.

Sebastian handed me a glass and poured a little alcohol into it.

“What kind of alcohol is this?”

“It’s wine. A place called Delas in the Duke’s territory is famous for its grapes. Thanks to that, the mansion has many good wines.”

To think he’s only telling me such valuable information now! I felt like I had wasted the two weeks I’d been at the Duke’s mansion.

The drink he handed me was sweeter than I expected and delicious.

I quickly emptied one glass and held out my cup, and Sebastian refilled the empty glass while asking,

“How was the party today?”

“Well, a lot happened.”

I answered with a reluctant smile. Yes, a lot really did happen. It was almost a shame that I couldn’t tell Sebastian everything.

“It doesn’t seem like you enjoyed it much.”

Not only did I attend an already unenjoyable event with Ilion, but I also went through a hefty initiation into high society.

It wasn’t just not fun; it felt like I had paid off ten years’ worth of bad luck. But I shook my head and lied.

“Of course not. I enjoyed it. The food was delicious. And…”

Unfortunately, I couldn’t think of anything else. How terrible it would have been if even the food hadn’t tasted good.

“Did something happen, perhaps?”

As I silently stared at my glass, Sebastian asked once more.

“What do you mean? Nothing happened! Oh, Sebastian, do you have any other alcohol?”

“Pardon?”

To erase the memories I didn’t want to remember, I deliberately made a fuss and stood up from my seat.

“Actually, I know how to make a few cocktails!”

***

Ilion, who was coming out after turning off the lights in his office, paused his steps at the noisy sound.

It was a time when all the servants should have gone to bed.

It seemed someone who didn’t know the mansion’s rules was still up making noise.

Although fatigue was setting in after working on pending matters without rest since returning from the Marchioness’s party, he couldn’t ignore it.

Thinking of giving a light warning, Ilion turned his steps towards the source of the sound.

“Won’t you listen to me? How could you give an engagement ring like that? Do you know how much trouble I went through because of it?”

“Th-that…”

“Of course, I was wrong to lose the ring. But! If you had put it on for me, nothing would have happened, right? Right?”

“Y-yes. You’re right, Miss.”

However, if he had known he would see this scene, it might have been better to just return to his room.

Ilion regretted worrying unnecessarily after realizing the source of the commotion.

“But! Including that, I think it’s still my fault after all.”

“…Yes?”

Ravenne, who had been ranting, suddenly changed her attitude.

“So, I think I should receive proper compensation.”

“…Miss?”

“So tomorrow, the Duke will demand something from me.”

“What do you mean he’ll demand?”

“Well, of course…”

Nodding off, Ravenne finally rested her head on the table and fell asleep.

“Of course? Ah, Miss?”

Ilion, who had been quietly watching from behind, shook his head and entered the kitchen.

“What are you doing? Dealing with a drunk.”

Sebastian, surprised by the unexpected visitor, stood up from his seat.

“Ah, Master. You’re still awake?”

Ilion looked around. Three or four types of alcohol, ice, and fruits were messily decorating the table. Even at a glance, it wasn’t Sebastian’s taste.

“Is this the young lady’s taste in alcohol?”

“She seems to be quite knowledgeable about drinks. She made something called cocktails.”

Knowledgeable, he says. Surely he didn’t expect Ilion to believe that after seeing this state.

By the way, it was a bit strange that someone who liked alcohol this much didn’t drink a single glass at the party.

“You came at a good time.”

Sebastian smiled brightly at Ilion. Ilion looked at Sebastian with an expression asking what he meant.

“I was just wondering how to escort the young lady back to her room.”

“Is that so? Then, good luck with that.”

“Where are you going?”

Ilion, who was about to return to his room without looking back, was caught by Sebastian.

“My room.”

“What about the Miss?”

“Send someone else.”

“All the servants have gone to bed.”

“Then you take her.”

“I have to clean up here.”

Ilion looked at Ravenne, who was snoring softly on the table. No matter how he thought about it, it was a troublesome task.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Anticipating another refusal from Ilion, Sebastian spoke first. He was already holding empty bottles in both hands and cleaning up the table.

He should have just returned to his room after all.

Ilion sighed softly, regretting his decision from five minutes ago.

The sound of regular footsteps echoed softly through the corridor.

The way to the room was quiet, and occasionally the sound of insects could be heard from outside the window.

“Mmm…”

Ravenne, who had been quietly nestled in his arms, stirred and opened her eyes.

“Are you awake?”

If she was awake, it would have been better if she walked to her room herself.

However, contrary to his wishes, Ravenne only blinked her eyes, still full of sleepiness.

Then, in a slow voice, she called his name.

“Ilion…? Is this a dream?”

How carefree. Ilion looked at her indifferently, calm until the end.

“Is it really Ilion?”

She was calling his name without even using the title ‘Duke’.

Then she reached out and poked his cheek.

‘Ah, I can’t just throw her down like this.’

Getting angry at a drunk person would do more harm than good. Ilion chose to remain silent.

“Ah, seeing that there’s no reaction, it must be a dream. Of course, if it were real, he would have scolded me already.”

She muttered to herself and then giggled as if something was funny. Then she leaned her head and closed her eyes again.

“I went to a party today…”

And then, still in a slow tone, she whispered her story.

“After going, I think I understand why you hated it so much.”

Ilion looked ahead with an indifferent expression.

In the quiet corridor, only Ravenne’s voice and his footsteps echoed softly.

“There seem to be so many bad people in the world. Many people who dislike others for no reason. It’s not right to be criticized just because your hair color or eye color is different, is it?”

Listening quietly, it seemed she was talking about what had happened during the day.

To the drunken rambling that showed no sign of ending, Ilion unknowingly responded to her words.

“Even if it’s not a reason to be criticized, it’s something you have to endure.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s how those places are.”

It was an answer without a moment’s hesitation.

“You seem to think that’s natural.”

Ilion walked silently. His silence also included agreement.

Ravenne, who had been quiet for a while, raised her head.

“Are you okay with that?”

“What?”

“You, are you really okay with that?”

Green eyes blinked slowly, looking up at him.

Am I okay? Why is she asking such a thing?

Ilion suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

Ilion, who had stopped in his tracks, frowned slightly.

“You’re asking unnecessary things.”

“Why is it unnecessary? I’m asking about your feelings?”

“……”

Why, she asks. It was a question he had never doubted because it was so obvious to him.

Ilion closed his mouth once again.

“Is it because this is a dream? I guess this is the limit of my imagination.”

Saying that, Ravenne shook her head.

“I’m sorry.”

“…For what?”

“I thought you wouldn’t be hurt by other people’s words. But thinking about it, that can’t be true. After all, you’re just… a normal person too.”

“Normal…?”

Ilion repeated Ravenne’s words as he asked.

It seemed the sleepiness hadn’t fully worn off, but her eyes were clearly reflecting him.

“It must have been hard for you too, enduring alone…”

Ravenne reached out her hand, this time gently brushing Ilion’s hair instead of his cheek.

After stroking his hair a few times, Ravenne seemed to get sleepy and closed her eyes, resting her face on his shoulder.

Ilion looked at Ravenne with a slightly complicated expression.

It was something he had never doubted before.

He had always been taught to suppress his emotions, and he had been faithful to that teaching.

The criticism directed at him was also something he had to endure silently.

His feelings and emotions weren’t important.

However, Ravenne’s question caused a ripple in Ilion’s calm heart.

Something knotted inside felt like it was about to burst.

Ilion exhaled slowly, as was his habit.

‘Discard useless emotions. What’s important is not you, but the family. Always remember that fact.’

He could almost hear the words of the previous Duke, which had been drilled into his ears.

Ilion soon regained his composure.

And he resumed his halted steps.