‘This reminds me of home.’

Those childhood days when she ran barefoot across soft fields, spinning round and round with sheer joy, without any formality.

When everyone designated had taken the stage, the music stopped abruptly. Then, slowly, the dance music began. At first slowly, for formal greetings.

Radilt and Pendlore faced each other. They bowed respectfully toward one another.

The leisurely melody began to take on a lively rhythm. Matching that beat, Radilt stepped one foot forward and took Pendlore’s hand.

“A good start.”

As the two came close together, Pendlore whispered softly.

“Relax your shoulders a bit more, and look at me.”

Those blue-gray eyes directed solely at Radilt, heedless of anything else around.

Radilt looked at him. Her feet naturally stepped on the grass. She moved her body smoothly to the flowing music.

Her briefly shaken breathing became comfortable again. Pendlore’s gaze, his expression, his lightly closed lips were as always. A man standing firmly before her, unchanging. A man who seemed like he would steadfastly support her no matter what happened.

So it was alright. Radilt too could be her usual self.

Only their collars brushed against each other, only their warmth was felt, only their gazes met.

And only their breathing together.

The rustling grass. The beautiful melody. The thick arm firmly supporting Radilt. The dress hem swaying like a breeze. The chandelier light shining down like the hot midday sun, while ash tree branches cast shadows.

It was a vivid summer.

Radilt had stepped through the Gate of Summer, where hot heat burned her entire body.

A time like a mirage in the scorching heat, seemingly endless. But as all seasons have an end, this moment too approached its conclusion. With a long resonating sound, the banquet’s first piece ended, and restrained applause showered the couples on stage. Radilt, catching her slightly elevated breath, looked up at Pendlore with a hint of expectation. He raised the corner of his lips faintly.

“You were excellent, madam.”

“You flatter me.”

It was over. Radilt smiled broadly with sincerity. Throughout the walk off the grass lawn, her heart was full and her mood lightly elated.

But as always, such good feelings didn’t last long.

“Well then, Lady Brill.”

Pendlore’s lips barely touched the tips of Radilt’s fingers.

“Enjoy your time.”

“……Pardon?”

Pendlore smiled silently at the surprised green eyes.

“The men’s trite and heavy conversations would only bore you, madam. A personal attendant will stay with you. So please enjoy yourself at ease.”

Pendlore’s hand left Radilt’s. She stared blankly at his retreating back. Though she was a fully grown, mature adult, at this moment she felt like a lost child.

‘Th-that’s……”

Perhaps it was consideration. If she continued to follow Pendlore, she wouldn’t be able to rest, so he meant for her to relax and enjoy her time freely.

But in a place like this, how could she?

“Hello, Lady Brill.”

A group of ladies approached the bewildered Radilt. She turned to look at them, extremely tense.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Countess Shuana Priye.”

“I’ve been wanting to meet you. I am Viscountess Roglize Perm.”

Their attitude was not rude. Rather, they were surprisingly kind and even gentle. Radilt was led by the ladies in a daze to a place prepared at one side of the hall. Surrounded by them, she sat in a plush chair.

“Lord Duston is really… even though you’re not a young girl, this must be your first banquet. It would have been better if he had stayed by your side.”

“……Yes.”

“Men are often like that. They look at you with burning eyes as if they might devour you, but when something interesting comes up, they dash off.”

“They’re eternally boys, just bigger in size.”

“But my, who would have thought Lord Duston could show such an affectionate face.”

That man before her… was it an affectionate face?

Radilt tried to recall Pendlore’s expression as they danced. Though his face had been right in front of her the whole time, she couldn’t remember it clearly.

“He was so courteous and kind to you, Lady Brill. Oh, look at your appearance, I suppose Lord Duston has been very considerate to ensure you wouldn’t be embarrassed at the banquet?”

“Ah, yes. Lord Duston has provided me with various forms of assistance.”

“Not just your appearance, but your gait, your speech—it’s truly impeccable. You’re like a lady who’s been educated since childhood.”

“Your dancing skills were also excellent. It was a pleasure to watch.”

Radilt relaxed a little at the attitude of the lady who winked at her while complimenting her, and smiled along.

‘Everyone is…… so kind.’

She had some concerns about territorialism. She had even been afraid of being not just ignored but despised as a poor commoner widow unsuited for such a splendid banquet.

But the beautiful ladies were all incredibly kind. To Radilt’s relieved ears:

“It’s fortunate that even that stoic Lord Duston shows affection to his lover.”

“Yes. I was quite worried too. He’s an excellent match with impeccable family background, wealth, and appearance, but I wondered if he might be too indifferent to his wife.”

Strange words reached her ears. Radilt raised her head in confusion.

The ladies gathered around her were all of a certain age. The kind of age where they might have at least one very young daughter around twenty.

They chatted happily:

“Now I’m relieved. Even if my daughter were to become Countess Duston, it seems she wouldn’t have to suffer loneliness and heartache.”

“Oh my, were you also eyeing Lord Duston as a potential son-in-law?”

“All ladies with daughters of marriageable age have their eyes on Lord Duston.”

“I’d like to introduce my niece. She seems to fancy Lord Duston as well.”

From those voices, Radilt realized:

‘I am…….’

To them, she was merely a passing breeze. Someone who didn’t even qualify to compete for the position of Countess Duston, someone so insignificant they didn’t need to doubt, be wary of, or keep at a distance.

That’s why they were kind. That’s why they were gentle.

Because a commoner widow could never become Countess Duston.

“Now that you’ve made your society debut like this, do you have any plans to hold a tea party, Lady Brill?”

The ladies were still smiling brightly. Cheerfully and without any concern, they spoke in friendly voices.

“I heard you were given an annex. I suppose Lord Duston visits the annex occasionally?”

“I’d like to visit with my daughter. She’s a very lovely and kind-hearted child.”

Radilt was merely a connection. A stepping stone to link Pendlore Duston with their daughters.

“……Well, I’m not very familiar with such things yet.”

The inside of her chest grew cold. It became painfully frigid, as if ice was forming. Her entire body trembled at the beginning of summer. Nevertheless, Radilt didn’t lose her smile. She pretended nothing was wrong.

“Lord Duston does visit the annex frequently. We have small tea sessions together on those occasions, but I think a tea party hosted by me would still be difficult.”

Still, the place beside Pendlore remained Radilt’s. Moreover, Pendlore didn’t want marriage or any other woman.

Radilt straightened her back, which had momentarily hunched. No matter how beautiful a young lady might be, as long as she desired marriage, she could never stand by Pendlore’s side.

I’m the only one who knows this fact.

Even if Radilt would eventually be abandoned, at least her vacancy would never be filled. So she told herself there was no reason to feel intimidated.

“Oh my!”

Just then, someone’s surprised exclamation was heard. The gathered ladies moved, and Radilt also rose from her seat.

“My goodness, young duke Babloth has arrived?”

Someone murmured softly.

“It’s the youngest son. Lord Noia Sanche Babloth!”

“He rarely attends such banquets. I wonder what wind has blown him here.”

“It must be because of Lord Duston. Or more precisely, because of Lady Brill.”

All eyes turned toward Radilt at once. She blinked in confusion.

“Um, when you say Lord Babloth……”

She had certainly heard about him during her lessons. She was told to remember that the Duchess of Babloth was a member of the imperial family.

Noia Sanche Babloth was the youngest son of Duchess Babloth. Though she hadn’t seen his portrait like she had the Duchess’s, she had heard about him briefly.

But why was young duke Babloth being mentioned alongside Pendlore and herself?

“Ah, you didn’t know.”

One of the ladies spoke with a faint sneer. Her feelings of looking down on Radilt weren’t completely hidden and subtly leaked through.

“Young Duke Babloth and Lord Duston are close friends.”

“Lady Ravishiel Clorinde and Lord Cherse Ruard. These four together are called the most splendid young people in the Empire.”

“My, judging by your expression, you haven’t been introduced to any of the three.”

Noia Sanche Babloth was an exceptional judge, graced with angelic beauty and a noble bloodline.

Pendlore Duston, in contrast, was a renowned handsome man who possessed immense wealth from an ancient family.

From a prestigious military lineage came Ravishiel Clorinde, the Empire’s finest marksman, radiant in beauty like a silver moon.

Though plain compared to his friends, Cherse Ruard was still handsome enough to stand among them, with a commendable personality and remarkable business acumen that earned him great wealth.

Except for Cherse who had a fiancée, they were all unmarried and of marriageable age without any commitments, making them one of society’s greatest interests.

“Anyone who has set foot in society even briefly would know them.”

“……”

But Radilt was completely unaware of their existence. She hadn’t even heard Pendlore mention them in passing, let alone been introduced.

“The youngest lord of Babloth is still beautiful.”