I have to go to the party hall with Fazel, a place packed with people who came to meet my friends and me.

“Let’s head to the party hall first. I’ll introduce you to the people I know.”

“People the young lady knows.”

“Why? Is there someone you’re worried about?”

“No. It’s just that they probably won’t be ordinary people.”

“Maybe not.”

Because they’re either local influential figures or nobles from this area. Or people with high reputations.

“I’m looking forward to it. Shall we go then?”

Fazel extended his hand, seemingly to escort me. I took his hand and smiled brightly. For the first time, his hand touched mine. My hand was trembling faintly.

I made sure he couldn’t hear my heartbeat. Watching Fazel’s heavy footsteps, I laughed softly at how ridiculous it was that I was the only one getting excited.

“Is something wrong?”

At his question, I shook my head.

“No.”

It just felt surreal to be going to dance with Fazel. To think I’d possess a novel and end up dancing with my ultimate favorite.

This is what a successful fangirl’s life looks like, isn’t it?

Right now, at this moment, I was the happiest I’d been since possessing this world.

* * *

When we arrived at the party hall, everyone’s eyes turned to me. I bowed my head lightly toward them.

“Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday despite your busy schedules.”

Normally, this many people wouldn’t gather, but things changed after I became part of the imperial family. I hid my bitter smile and expressed my gratitude to those assembled.

And finally, Fazel and I began our first dance.

‘Ugh, I’m nervous.’

What is Fazel feeling right now?

From the way he’s dancing so casually, he seems the same as usual.

“I’m truly nervous.”

Ah, so he’s trembling a little too. I smiled and asked him.

“How does it feel?”

“How should I put it—like a novice actor reciting lines in front of a huge audience.”

That was an apt comparison.

“But you’re receiving a lot of attention.”

People kept glancing this way.

“It’s not just because of me.”

Fazel hadn’t lived here long, but rumors about his appearance had already spread to neighboring territories. I’d heard stories circulating about how the boy studying with me had looks that seemed heaven-sent.

“You’re quite a famous person yourself, Fazel.”

At that, Fazel frowned.

“Because of my face?”

“That’s part of it.”

“Huu, I’d like to change this face.”

“Why? Isn’t it good to be handsome?”

Fazel asked.

“Do only good things happen to you because you’re beautiful?”

Hmm, not exactly.

Sometimes annoying things happen too.

When I fell silent, Fazel shrugged.

“It’s the same for me.”

“Still, it’s better than being ugly.”

“That’s true.”

Fazel sighed and made the final turn.

Contrary to my worries, our dance ended successfully. Other people began dancing with their partners as well.

In a spot away from the dancing crowd, my friends had gathered. They were bursting with curiosity about Fazel. Even though I’d only written a little about Fazel in my letters, they’d all flocked here.

Royten, one of the boys most curious about him. He was the son of a nearby count’s family, with short red hair and red eyes. Actually, I was closer to his older sister Rucelina than to him, but his younger brother attended this time too.

“So you’re Fazel Onyuran. I’m Royten Selon, heir to the Selon Count family.”

At his words, Fazel quickly bowed his head.

“Pleased to meet you.”

Royten looked Fazel up and down carefully.

“I can see why Sister Louelle made such a fuss.”

He’s going to be my man. Of course he’s amazing.

I nodded and spoke to the girl beside him.

“What do you think? Isn’t he great?”

The girl next to Royten, who resembled him with red hair and red eyes, nodded. She looked at Fazel with her characteristically languid gaze and clapped her hands.

“He really is handsome.”

“Rucelina. Don’t stare too long. It’s rude.”

She happened to love looking at handsome men.

“Oh my, you’re right.”

Then she extended her hand to Fazel.

“I’m Rucelina Selon. I’ve heard a lot about you. I came here to seize this opportunity since I heard Fazel was handsome, and it was worth the trip.”

Fazel took her hand and bowed his head.

“I’m honored. Please speak comfortably.”

Fazel used extremely formal speech with them, the same way he addressed me.

“Should I?”

Rucelina immediately dropped her formality. Then Royten, reading the room, slipped in.

“Then me too.”

Rucelina nudged her younger brother aside.

“You’re blocking my view.”

“Sister. You’re staring too much.”

“I want to invite him to my tea time.”

For reference, Rucelina occasionally invited boys from the territory she liked to her tea times. It was only natural that Fazel caught her eye.

“Fazel is busy.”

I told Rucelina matter-of-factly. Fazel has to become my man from now on. I don’t want him invited to your tea time!

At my look, Rucelina poked my cheek.

“Louelle, don’t be jealous. Handsome men are public property.”

Rucelina’s eyes narrowed. I knew my attitude was funny, but I couldn’t stop.

“Fazel isn’t public property.”

When I cut her off decisively, Fazel, who’d been watching, stepped forward.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline in advance. I’m truly busy.”

“Why?”

“Between studying and sword training, my whole day passes.”

“Ah, right. You’re preparing for the Academy.”

Rucelina and Royten weren’t particularly interested in studying. They only studied what was necessary to run their territory and nothing more. Their parents had failed the Academy entrance exam and wasted a lot of money, so they didn’t expect much from their children.

Compared to that, our family had Academy graduates for generations, so we devoted more effort to studying.

Of course, the higher the nobility, the more essential an Academy graduate title becomes for an heir.

“Alright. But if you change your mind, feel free to contact me anytime. Through Louelle, of course. Louelle, stop glaring.”

I realized from Rucelina’s words that I’d been looking at her coldly.

Ugh, how embarrassing.

“Anyway, this is fun.”

Rucelina’s eyes sparkled like she’d found prey. I tensed slightly, not knowing what the mischievous girl might do.

“Louelle, I have something to talk to you about later.”

Rucelina spoke to me quietly.

“What about?”

“A secret conversation between girls.”

Hmm, what could she want to say?

It seems to be related to Fazel somehow. I nodded for now.

After introducing my friends, I was walking around with Fazel, eating delicious food and chatting. Suddenly, Melka rushed into the party hall and whispered to me.

“Young Duke Zieten has arrived.”

That d*mn young duke.

I’d met Nertian Zieten once since becoming part of the imperial family. It wasn’t a good memory.

I didn’t like that he arrived later than the party’s main character either.

Soon after, he entered the party hall.

He had the same silver hair as Fazel. But it was a murky silver, so the color wasn’t as pretty as Fazel’s.

His features were decent enough, but his gaze that seemed to look down on people didn’t look good.

Young Duke Zieten, Nertian Zieten, approached me.

“Lady Louelle, you’re as beautiful as ever.”

Don’t call my name!

He looked me up and down. A chill ran down my spine.

I really hate that person’s gaze.

“But I heard you have a partner. Who did you choose as your partner, passing over me?”

He looked at Fazel before I could introduce him.

“I’m Fazel Onyuran.”

Fazel bowed his head in greeting.

“What!”

He frowned at the sight of Fazel.

“You’re that vermin bastard.”

He said this about Fazel in a public setting.

I understand Nertian having bad feelings toward Fazel. He’s his father’s illegitimate child, so naturally he would. But shouldn’t someone who’s supposedly a young duke watch his words? The profanity was unpleasant to hear.

“Lady Louelle, don’t be fooled. That kid seems like half a noble, but he’s actually a filthy bastard. A vermin who came to leech money from our family.”

After saying that, he turned his gaze toward Fazel.

“Where does a nobody like you get off seducing Louelle?”

I was dumbfounded by Nertian’s words.

Do I look like a woman who’d fall for seduction? Everything was orchestrated by me!

I wanted to shout this, but I held back for now.

“I’m the one who asked Fazel to be my partner.”

“You don’t need to cover for that bastard.”

Listen to me!

Nertian still wasn’t listening to my words.

“Louelle, stop this and get engaged to me. It’s not such a bad deal for you either.”

“I refuse.”

“Listen while I’m being nice!”

He snapped and tried to grab my hand, but I quickly stepped back from him first.

“This is exactly why I’m refusing!”

If I hadn’t become part of the imperial family, I wouldn’t have gotten entangled with Nertian. It was truly exhausting.

Of course, being part of the imperial family also meant Nertian couldn’t publicly ignore my words.

“Insulting my partner is insulting me. You’re not qualified to be at my birthday party.”

I decided to go hard.

With this type, you have to go strong and engrave your will into their head. Then Nertian panicked.

“Louelle! Is it because of this guy?”

“I haven’t given you permission to use my name.”

I spoke firmly and was about to call the knights. Then Nertian finally couldn’t contain his temper and approached me, forcibly grabbing my arm.

“How arrogant. Just because I’ve been lenient.”

“Let go of my arm.”

“What?”

“Should I report this situation to His Majesty the Emperor?”

Nertian bit his lip.

That’s right, no matter how great you are as the heir to a ducal family, you can’t crawl up to His Majesty the Emperor. I decided to use the power of the Emperor I’d never met.

“You’re humiliating me because of that guy? You’ll regret this.”

I just stopped listening and tried to throw him out. But then Fazel, who’d been watching the situation, stepped forward and said something.

“Young Duke.”

“Why are you butting in?”

“There’s one thing you don’t know.”

“Someone like you?”

“Yes, knowing my place is exactly why I’m telling you.”

When Fazel came on strong, Nertian was flustered, then laughed in disbelief.

“A mere bastard!”

He shouted angrily, his face flushing. His face seemed to heat up with rage.

“I’m not a mere bastard.”

Fazel told him confidently.

“Fazel.”

I quietly tried to stop Fazel. There was nothing good about provoking Nertian. I didn’t know what kind of retaliation he might take later.

“What did you say?”

Nertian’s face turned even redder. He looked ready to draw his sword on Fazel right then.

“Insulting me is a dangerous thing to do.”

“Who do you think you are?”

Huh?

Does he have another way to suppress Nertian?

“Actually, I’m not the lady’s partner. We became unofficially engaged recently.”

‘No!’

To say this here.

There’s absolutely no way to take it back.

I opened my eyes wide in surprise.

Everyone stopped what they were doing at his shocking declaration. Especially Nertian’s expression was worth seeing.

The fiancé of an imperial family member also receives treatment equivalent to the imperial family. Moreover, the Empire had strong imperial authority. Because of this, the fiancé of an imperial family member was treated as a more noble existence than ordinary nobles.

Someone he thought was beneath him had risen to a superior, more noble position. Knowing this fact, how would Nertian react?

He wouldn’t congratulate us.

“That can’t be!”

As expected, he denied Fazel’s words.

Then he turned his head toward me.

“My lady, please explain. Fazel is saying strange things!”

“What Fazel said is correct.”

I’ll make sure you can never run that mouth again.

“He’s my fiancé.”

I smiled brightly and confidently took Fazel’s hand.

“But Fazel, I told you to call me by my name.”

Then Fazel smiled and kissed the back of my hand.

“Louelle, I’m not used to it yet.”

His affectionate eyes were full of amusement. He was enjoying this situation too.

I excitedly shot back at Nertian.

“Even if you’re the young duke of the Zieten ducal family, you shouldn’t make remarks that insult the fiancé of an imperial family member, should you?”

“My lady!”

Time to wrap this up.

“I can no longer tolerate Young Duke Nertian’s rudeness. Please leave the party hall.”

I didn’t want to see him anymore.

At my firm words, the guards approached. Then Nertian fumed, glared at Fazel, and went outside.

“Arrogant bastard, you’ll regret this someday!”

Isn’t that a typical villain’s line?

I giggled quietly.

“Fazel, shall we have a talk?”

He nodded tensely.