From what she had overheard today, he clearly had only those three friends. So why was this man pretending to know Pendlore well? Count Rezen laughed at Radilt’s defiance. Then he lowered his voice secretively.

“I mean friends who share a bed, madam.”

“……!”

Radilt’s cheeks reddened with indignation and embarrassment. Count Rezen became even more delighted at her reaction.

“I would like to become deeply acquainted with you as well, Lady Brill. Though my wealth can’t compare to Lord Duston’s, I’m confident in other areas. Would you care to make a comparison?”

Radilt jumped to her feet. Men were no different from common ruffians. They just wrapped their words more plausibly, but the sinister desires they harbored were equally base.

As Radilt tried to flee without engaging, Count Rezen grabbed her arm.

“Leaving without an answer? No matter how well you dress up, you can’t hide your lowly origins.”

“Let go of this!”

“But I like such women too. They have a unique taste.”

The man’s hand was as strong as a water-soaked vine. No matter how she twisted and pulled her arm, it wouldn’t budge.

‘……Lord Duston!’

Radilt called for her partner inwardly. Though she didn’t have the courage to shout aloud, if only he would come rescue her. If only he would extend a helping hand.

As she desperately wished for this, to her ears came:

“What do you think you’re doing!”

A cry of salvation was heard. However, unlike her wish, it wasn’t the familiar man’s voice.

“Count Rezen. Release that hand immediately.”

The sharp voice was clear and bright, with undisguised youthful traits permeating it. Count Rezen released Radilt’s arm and turned around. A lady with silver hair like melted moonlight and deep blue eyes, who had just passed twenty years of age, glared at the man with an icy gaze.

Count Rezen bowed his head respectfully.

“My, Lady Biarne. It seems there’s been a misunderstanding.”

“It appears you have some ingenious excuse to convince me. Let’s hear it, Count Rezen. Shall we?”

Count Rezen took a step back from the coolly shining blue eyes.

“I can hardly extend my pitiful tongue before a lady. I’ll take all blame upon myself. Have a pleasant banquet.”

Count Rezen departed. Lady Yenica Biarne cast a harsh glance at his retreating figure before approaching Radilt.

“Are you alright, Lady Brill?”

“Yes. I was just a bit startled. Thank you.”

“I am Yenica Biarne, the second daughter of Marquis Biarne. It’s not good to walk to secluded places without a servant. It’s especially dangerous when you don’t have a powerful family to protect you.”

Yenica advised her kindly. Radilt nodded and slumped back down on the bench. Hearing her words made her think she should return to the banquet hall, but her legs had no strength.

“May I sit beside you, if you don’t mind?”

“Of course it’s fine, Lady Biarne.”

Yenica sat next to Radilt and gazed at the moon in the sky for a moment. She looked as beautiful as if a master sculptor had carefully carved her.

Even though her admiration for real nobles had been shattered to pieces, looking at Lady Biarne inevitably made Radilt think that she was truly different from herself.

“Lady Brill.”

Yenica’s plump lips moved slowly.

“I’ll speak frankly. I can accept being a mistress.”

“……Pardon?”

However, the beautiful marquis’s daughter also betrayed Radilt’s expectations. Yenica continued with a composure that didn’t match her age.

“The Biarne family has shared its history with the Empire. But my father couldn’t keep up with the changing times.”

Even the oldest and most distinguished family could fall in an instant.

“Yes. I need Lord Duston’s wealth and ability. A man who can revive the Biarne family and pass on the skills suitable for the current era.”

“……”

“So, Lady Brill. If you’re willing to enjoy the benefits of being Countess Duston, please choose me.”

Deep blue eyes looked straight at Radilt.

“I don’t desire Lord Duston’s love. Therefore, I have no intention of taking your position as his wife.”

“……But.”

Radilt spoke with complicated feelings.

“That is not something I can decide. Also, Lord Duston’s intentions……”

“Everyone is excited looking at you. They say that the indifferent Lord Duston has finally given his heart to a woman, so they think they or their daughters might have a chance too. But I don’t think so.”

Yenica said with a cold gaze.

“You were probably just an exception. You might not be the only exception. But at the very least, I know that a second exception won’t come easily.”

Pendlore Duston’s exception.

Radilt deliberately pretended not to hear those sweet words. She wasn’t a real exception after all. It was merely a straightforward relationship with conditions and transactions.

“So Lord Duston won’t think badly of my conditions either. I can be a faithful and calculating wife. I can be a shield that protects your relationship.”

Yenica’s lips drew a bitter curve.

“When a wife’s acceptance follows, a mistress becomes recognized as an ordinary lover. If I become the Countess of Duston, you can continue to stay just as you are now. For as long as you wish.”

The young lady, burdened with an ancient family on her back, pleaded for Radilt to help her. Radilt tightly clasped her hands and looked at the blue-eyed noble lady.

Ironically, this attitude of hers showed more respect for Radilt than anyone else at the banquet. At least Yenica wasn’t treating Radilt’s existence as something that would disappear.

She displayed what she could offer and sought cooperation, a transaction. The difference in status still remained, but it was closer to an equal relationship, person to person.

“I can’t give you an answer right now. But I will clearly remember your generous gesture, Lady Biarne.”

Yenica gave a faint smile at Radilt’s words, which held a hint of affirmation.

“Thank you, Lady Brill. Let’s go back inside now. The night air is still a bit cold.”

“Yes. Um, Lady Biarne. Would it be… alright to tell Lord Duston that I want to go home now?”

The ten dance pieces had long since ended. Yenica nodded at Radilt’s cautious question.

“Of course. Lord Duston doesn’t usually stay long at such banquets. It’s already been much longer than usual. Perhaps he was trying to give you time to adapt.”

That wouldn’t be the case, but it was a fortunate answer. With Yenica’s help, Radilt asked a servant of the mansion to call for Lord Duston.

“All servants in the banquet hall are moving to assist the guests. If you need anything, please feel free to ask. You can even request someone to accompany you when you want to go to the garden alone.”

Yenica smiled, saying that she also kept her servant at a distance where quiet conversations couldn’t be heard, but not too far away. While waiting for Pendlore, several people approached again, but this time Yenica appropriately drew the line for them.

Not long after, Pendlore came down to the first-floor hall. He approached where Radilt was and extended his hand.

“Did you enjoy the banquet enough, Lady Brill.”

“Yes, Lord Duston. Ah, this is Lady Biarne, the marquis’s daughter.”

“I’m not sure if you’ll remember, but I’m Yenica Biarne.”

Yenica greeted him, slightly lifting her dress. Pendlore’s gaze briefly fell on Yenica before turning back to Radilt.

“It seems you’ve had some gains.”

“……Pardon?”

“Then I’ll escort you back to your residence.”

Radilt boarded the carriage with Pendlore. Thinking that she was finally escaping the uncomfortable banquet, a sigh of relief unconsciously escaped her.

The carriage slowly started moving. Looking at the distant lights through the window, Radilt thought of Yenica.

Honestly.

Her heart wavered at the woman’s words.

At the temptation of remaining Pendlore Duston’s lover. At the sweet whisper that she could continue, maintain this time for as long as she wanted.

‘……How foolish.’

All those proposals would only be valid if she were truly Pendlore’s lover. A fake had no place to stand anywhere. When the time came, she would have to quietly step back.

Radilt swallowed a sigh and looked at the man sitting across from her.

While she was wavering like this, had there been any change in him? Had Radilt Brill taken even a tiny place in that cold heart?

Since even she, who had once found him terrible, had changed like this, perhaps…

“……Lord Duston.”

Radilt hesitated but continued with small yet distinct expectations.

“I heard about your friends from other people.”

“……I think there are too many who enjoy spreading useless talk at banquets.”

It wasn’t a welcoming response. But Radilt gathered her courage and opened her mouth again.

“Could you perhaps… introduce those friends to me as well?”

She wanted to know him a little deeper. She wanted to at least exchange a greeting or two with those who stood by his side. She didn’t wish for more. Just that.

But Pendlore’s expression hardened. His closed lips twisted coldly, and his eyes also sharpened.

“What for, Lady Brill. There’s no reason for that in our relationship.”

“……Yes.”

Feeling her heart crumble…

“There isn’t.”

Radilt answered with difficulty. That was right. To him, she was only in that kind of position.

As Radilt unconsciously shrank, a deliberately kind voice reached her.

“It must have been difficult to eat properly, though it’s late, would you like to have dinner together.”

Besides a few sips of drinks, nothing had entered her mouth. Was this painful emptiness in her stomach simply due to hunger? Radilt quietly nodded.

“Yes, Lord Duston.”

The small kindness given to a woman who was nothing stung sweetly.

* * *