A patron?

Irina blinked slowly.

She could not understand why the woman was suddenly speaking of a patron.

Misinterpreting Irina’s reaction, Sainer giggled softly.

“Are you truly so shocked that I asked whether you were looking for someone to support you?”

Ah.

Only then did Irina understand what this stranger had said to her.

So that was what she meant.

Apparently, nobles expressed such things elegantly.

Irina’s mouth tasted bitter at having learned the use of such a worthless word.

Her face twisted into a frown.

“That is an extraordinarily rude thing to say.”

“Hmm.”

Ignoring Irina’s protest, Sainer—now thoroughly convinced that she was an actress seeking a patron—reached out and touched her face without permission.

“Your face is pretty enough, but your posture is poor, and your manner of speaking could use more refinement. Otherwise, my brother would be embarrassed to take you to his social clubs.”

This was becoming increasingly absurd.

“You must at least be presentable enough to stand beside me without causing embarrassment. If my brother parades around with a woman far beneath my standards, what will people think of me?”

“You seem to have misunderstood the situation. I find your behavior deeply offensive.”

Sainer burst out laughing.

“And?”

“…….”

“What exactly do you expect me to do about it? Is there any solution besides you simply enduring it?”

Her words dissolved into a mocking chuckle.

Irina drew a short breath.

This woman was the Duke of Winfried’s relative and his guest.

She knew she had to endure it.

But still—

“Lady Sainer Florence, you speak so carelessly without even knowing who I am.”

Was Irina not also an important guest of the Duke of Winfried?

“I suggest you learn to feel ashamed of yourself.”

“Is there any reason I should bother knowing who you are?”

Sainer smiled derisively.

If one looked only at her face, it was a lovely, innocent smile, like that of a child who knew nothing of the world.

“All you need to do is lower your head and know your place.”

“…….”

“Judging by your confidence, you must be a much more famous actress than I realized. I’ll come and see you perform sometime. With such a pretty face, the play shouldn’t be too dull, even if you lack talent! Send me an invitation as well…..”

“Sainer Florence.”

A deep voice cut Florence off.

Both Irina and Florence turned toward it.

Winfried stood there.

The duke’s expression was fierce and cold.

“You do realize how vulgar the words coming out of your mouth are, don’t you?”

“Brother Logan?”

“Apologize.”

Sainer attempted to make an excuse, but Winfried cut her off.

“Apologize to my guest, Sainer Florence.”

“What? But—wait. She’s your guest?”

Sainer’s face filled with bewilderment.

“Surely you didn’t bring her here for that sort of purpose, Brother? You already have me!”

Her voice rose sharply.

Irina frowned as the shrill sound made her ears ache.

“Sainer.”

In contrast, the Duke of Winfried’s voice had not changed in the slightest.

It had merely grown more chilling.

“What does my guest have to do with you?”

“But—But still!”

“You need only make a choice.”

Logan stared at Sainer with icy eyes.

“Either apologize here and now, or become an unwelcome guest of the House of Winfried.”

“……!”

Sainer’s face flushed bright red.

Becoming an unwelcome guest meant that she would no longer be welcome at the Winfried townhouse, the castle or anywhere else in the duchy.

“H-How could you do this to me, Brother?”

Sainer’s voice trembled.

“How could you choose that woman over me when we grew up together? Why…?”

“Sainer.”

Logan lowered himself slightly and whispered,

“If I had no affection left for you from our childhood, I would have had you dragged out of here.”

Sainer exhaled sharply.

Her pale green eyes filled with betrayal.

Breathing heavily, Sainer turned toward Irina.

“I apologize.”

She bowed her head gracefully.

“I behaved rudely because I was unaware that you were His Grace the Duke of Winfried’s guest. Please forgive me for my ignorance, my lady.”

The face that had looked down on and mocked Irina moments ago—and then filled with betrayal—had vanished.

When Sainer raised her head, only shame and remorse remained on her face.

“I understand that my ignorance and prejudice have deeply offended you.”

Sainer offered a courteous apology.

“On the honor of House Florence, I apologize once again, my lady.”

To be honest, Irina did not think a few words of apology could soothe her anger.

Nor did she particularly want to forgive her.

But….

“…….”

Irina glanced at the Duke of Winfried, who was standing behind Sainer with his arms folded.

He had taken her side today.

But how long would that last?

After all, Sainer was his relative and someone he had known since childhood, whereas Irina was just a guest.

“…Very well.”

A soft sigh escaped her.

“However, from now on, Lady Florence would do well to learn which things may be said and which must never be spoken.”

The last remnants of ugliness in Irina’s heart honed her words into a sharp edge.

Sainer stiffened momentarily before nodding.

“Of course. I will reflect upon my behavior so that I never make such a mistake again.”

Irina had expected her to respond with equal hostility, but Sainer accepted her admonition more readily than expected.

She even smiled sweetly at Irina.

“I’m delighted to have received your forgiveness, my lady. How should I address you? I am Sainer Florence of House Florence.”

“…Irina Leonid.”

“Leonid!”

Clap!

Florence clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling.

“I remember seeing you briefly when you were young. So you are their daughter!”

It seemed she knew Irina’s parents as well.

Florence smiled with her eyes.

“I truly have committed a grave offense. I had no idea you were the daughter of Count and Countess Leonid.”

“…….”

“If you don’t mind, I would like to treat you to tea. I wish to apologize for my discourtesy once more, and I would also love to hear about your parents.”

“No, that’s all right.”

Irina stepped backward.

However, Sainer turned toward the duke.

“Brother, as a gesture of apology, may I invite Lady Leonid to our estate sometime?”

Her actions suggested that the duke’s wishes mattered more than Irina’s own.

“Sainer.”

The duke frowned at her behavior.

“I have no ulterior motive. I genuinely wish to apologize.”

Sainer smiled innocently.

“We’re just going to hold a small tea party at our estate in a few days. If Lady Leonid wants to enter high society, our party would be a good place for her to start.”

Sainer smiled at Irina again.

“All the other guests will be around Lady Leonid’s age, so she should find it easy to mingle with them. If you feel uncomfortable attending alone, you can come with Brother Logan.”

Sainer smiled at Irina.

“You mean with the Duke of Winfried?”

“Yes. You know Viscount Langelliker as well, don’t you, Brother? He has agreed to attend with his younger sister, Miss Hannah.”

Sainer giggled softly.

“The siblings are remarkably close, after all.”

“…….”

“Come to the party and play cards with Viscount Langelliker, Brother. We ladies will enjoy our tea in the garden.”

Sainer chattered sweetly as she naturally linked arms with Irina.

“What do you think, Lady Leonid? If you wish, you may play the piano in my room. Brother brought it back for me from one of his journeys.”

Florence’s gaze settled on Irina.

Feeling pressured to agree, Irina parted her lips.

“That’s enough.”

It was Winfried who separated Florence from Irina.

Taking Irina by the arm and drawing her to his side, he said coldly,

“This does not appear to be a decision Miss Irina should make on the spot.”

“Miss Irina?”

Sainer murmured softly.

Then her expression shifted, and she nodded with a bright smile.

“My apologies, Lady Leonid. In my eagerness, I nearly behaved discourteously toward you again.”

Sainer lowered the ends of her eyebrows.

“The truth is, I have been in poor health since birth. Embarrassing as it is, I occasionally make mistakes like this. I hope you will forgive me with your generous heart, my lady.”

“…I see.”

Somehow, Irina doubted that was the real reason. But since the duke did not contradict her, it seemed her poor health was at least true.

“Then I will send you a formal invitation. Please take your time to consider it before making your decision.”

Florence wore a perfectly composed smile.

“I shall look forward to hearing good news.”

Irina nodded from behind the duke.

Florence collected what appeared to be the item she had originally come for and departed.

Even on her way out, she did not forget to apologize once more.

“Then I shall be going, Brother. Lady Leonid.”

She offered them a final farewell through the carriage window.

The moment Florence closed it, the coachman urged the horses forward.

“Haah….”

As soon as the carriage departed, Winfried sighed and swept back his hair before turning toward Irina.

“Allow me to apologize once more for my cousin’s discourtesy. I will also ensure that you receive a written apology from Count and Countess Florence.”

“No, that won’t be necessary—”

Irina fidgeted with the hem of her skirt.

“She already apologized.”

“No, that isn’t enough.”

Winfried spoke firmly.

“At the very least, Count and Countess Florence must apologize for what happened. Only then will the matter be somewhat settled.”

“Won’t she be severely reprimanded?”

“She will.”

Winfried looked at Irina.

“And she should be. It will be a good opportunity for her to reflect on just how vulgar her words were.”

Would that not be too harsh?

Irina was slightly worried, but she had also been genuinely furious earlier, so she quietly nodded.

Irina followed the Duke of Winfried back into the manor.

“My lady.”

Ern, who had been following directly behind the duke, slowed his steps until he was beside Irina, then whispered softly.

In the meantime, Winfried was speaking with the stablemaster.

“Would you consider having lunch in the dining room? Mr. Bayden has truly outdone himself today.”

“I’d love to.”

Irina nodded with a radiant smile.

Bayden was an exceptional cook. If he had truly outdone himself, how delicious would the meal be?

“But why are you speaking so quietly?”

Following Ern’s lead, Irina lowered her voice as well.

Eren lowered his voice even further.

“Well, if you don’t mind, would you dine with His Grace?”

“With the duke?”

“Yes. His Grace tends to eat a little more whenever he shares a meal with you.”

“Please.”

Eren added earnestly.

When Irina nodded, his face brightened.

“Your Grace.”

Irina stood beside the duke, who had finished speaking with the stablemaster, and called to him.

Winfried turned toward her, silently prompting her to continue.

“Would you care to dine with me today?”

Irina asked, fidgeting with her hair.

“I usually eat with Viscountess Helpriton, Delphia, or Sir Rio, but none of them are here today….”

“Hmm.”

Winfried hummed briefly before turning to Eren beside him.

“Did the viscountess say she was going to the busy district?”

“Yes. I provided her with a carriage, as she was going there to purchase teaching materials. Delphia and Sir Rio accompanied her as escorts.”

Winfried nodded in understanding.

“If you don’t mind a dull dining companion, I would be delighted.”

Winfried offered Irina his arm, adopting the same posture he had used earlier when escorting Florence from her carriage.

“Please join me.”

Irina gently took his arm and nodded.