The once magnificent mansion had become a garbage dump, and the upper building remained unsold due to its ill fortune. Even the butler and servants had all fled, frightened by the mob of citizens.

‘The knights and private soldiers are a more pressing concern than the employees right now.’

Nearly all knights and soldiers had either been captured or deserted. Only those with nowhere else to go remained. The spies raised from childhood as Count Trow’s dogs stayed put because they had accumulated so many grudges that venturing outside would surely earn them a knife in the ribs.

The handful of remaining knights were vassals whose families had served the Trow family for generations, with their territories deeply intertwined. They stayed reluctantly, fearing their families would be driven from their homeland.

‘At least the Snake Knight members dispatched by the Crown Prince are still here.’

Lord Trow inwardly shook his head. They couldn’t count these men among their own forces. Moreover, what good were their abilities when they were so arrogant, treating the Count and Lord Trow like subordinates? It would be fortunate if the Count’s family wasn’t being exploited by them instead.

The more he thought about it, the more hopeless it seemed.

‘Why did we have to try to bring down the Piert ducal family?’

Had they just left the Piert ducal family alone, the Trow family wouldn’t have been driven to such desperate straits. Lord Trow bit his lip and clenched his fist.

‘Should I just sever ties with the family like my siblings did?’

But Lord Trow’s circumstances differed from his siblings’. Unlike his brothers studying abroad in the Empire or training at the religious order, Lord Trow had no options beyond the family.

Unaware that his son was inwardly recoiling, Count Trow gripped the corner of his desk and ground his teeth.

“Just you wait.”

“Pardon?”

“The Crown Prince hasn’t given up on Leah Piert.”

“Father.”

“If he had abandoned us, he would have already cast us aside. Look how much poison he provided for our last operation. The Snake Knight members are still stationed here, aren’t they?”

“…”

“So our family still has a chance to survive…!”

Lord Trow quietly observed the Count’s face, twisted with madness.

‘Perhaps…’

His eyes gleamed dangerously.

‘Perhaps I should become Count myself and return to the Trow family territory after settling matters in the capital.’

***

A ball was held at the royal palace of Peiren to celebrate the new year.

Though it had been a while since the last royal ball, the undisputed topic of this gathering was the Piert family’s achievements. After all, they had narrowly prevented poison from being released in the middle of the capital, saving countless lives.

“Is that all? Usually winters with such cold snaps bring epidemics… but I heard the Piert family took care of that too?”

“When those poisoners created fakes identical to the Piert cold medicine, they responded by releasing an even more effective cold remedy.”

“Have you tried their premium cold medicine? It’s expensive but supposedly incredibly effective.”

“Oh my, it’s truly remarkable! My son used to catch colds every year, but since taking it regularly, he hasn’t coughed once.”

“Well now, the Piert merchant house has turned crisis into opportunity. Their business acumen is impressive.”

If even the nobility acknowledged the Piert ducal family’s contributions, what more could be said about the capital’s citizens?

“Life was hard enough without fake medicine spreading and threatening our lives. That cold medicine truly saved us. No noble family thinks about us common folk like the Piert ducal family!”

“I heard making good cold medicine affordable was Lady Leah’s idea. She’s truly exceptional!”

“My neighbor’s grandmother nearly died from that fake medicine, but Lady Leah personally brought knights to take her away and heal her! She’s so beautiful and kind-hearted. Isn’t she a saint? A true saint!”

“Well, I wouldn’t call her a saint after seeing her temper when she strung up that Trow family knight…”

The capital’s residents were busy singing the Piert ducal family’s praises day after day.

The Peiren royal family seized this opportunity, quickly inserting themselves into the narrative. They distributed relief supplies to the capital’s citizens and held the New Year’s ball to honor the Piert ducal family’s achievements.

“Everything’s fine except for one thing,” Leah muttered quietly to Helix as she entered the ballroom.

Dressed befittingly as today’s guest of honor, she looked dazzlingly beautiful. Her black dress with blue undertones, reminiscent of raven feathers, emphasized her charisma, while simple yet sophisticated magical stone accessories subtly highlighted her identity as a mage.

Each element was bold and extraordinary, yet rather than overwhelming Leah’s presence, they accentuated her fresh and radiant beauty.

Helix found himself captivated by her and leaned closer. Leah whispered in his ear.

“Why did it have to be a ball? Couldn’t they have held a banquet or cocktail party instead?”

“They’ve already provided food for the citizens, so perhaps they wanted to avoid overlap.”

“That’s true, but still.”

Though agreeing with Helix’s point, Leah looked around the ballroom with a troubled expression.

In truth, the royal family had organized the ball to showcase Leah. They believed that she, a renowned socialite and beauty, would shine even more at a ball.

They were unaware of how terribly uncoordinated she was.

“…If I make a mistake dancing here, it’ll cause quite a scene.”

The attention they were receiving was extraordinary, even standing close together. Helix scanned the surroundings and whispered:

“Why don’t you pretend to be feeling unwell for now?”

It was a tempting suggestion.

“Sh-should I?”

“You are genuinely tired, so it’s not entirely untrue. Lean on me here, and I’ll get you something to drink.”

When she nodded, Helix walked quickly toward the beverage display.

‘Huh?’

The moment Helix left Leah’s side and approached the table with drinks, a group of young noblewomen surrounded him like they’d been waiting for this opportunity.

‘What’s with that popularity?’

Leah unconsciously furrowed her brow.

Of course, Helix was the most handsome man at the ball. Coordinating with Leah’s dress, he wore a black tailcoat with blue sheen, his long silver hair flowing freely—a sight so captivating that those who encountered him held their breath.

‘Ladies, please. Even with me standing right here, this is too much.’

The corners of her eyes turned upward.

‘Don’t you know you should at least pretend to hesitate when the goalkeeper is present? When did Peiren’s dating etiquette become like this? Ugh, I should just—’

She considered marching over to retrieve him.

After a moment’s deliberation, Leah decided to wait. Surely Helix would shake off the women and return quickly.

“…”

But one person, two people, four people.

The thicket of young ladies surrounding Helix only grew denser with no sign of releasing him. Her irritation began to simmer.

“Over here.”

She needed something cool to drink to calm down. She called a servant passing by with a drink tray.

Just then.

A strange hand picked up the sparkling wine Leah had been eyeing from the tray. The hand twirled around and offered the glass to her.

“Your Highness?”

Prince Patrick smiled brightly.

“It’s been a while, Lady Leah. I hear you’ve been quite remarkable lately.”

“You flatter me. I’m merely grateful for the Peiren royal family’s deep consideration in recognizing my small efforts and hosting this celebration.”

The prince gazed at the smoothly speaking Leah with a broad smile.

“Lady Leah, there’s no need for such formality between us when we’re in the same boat.”

“I couldn’t possibly be so casual.”

“If only Lord Ruyan would take half of your politeness, that would be perfect.”

Leah let out a small laugh at Prince Patrick’s joke.

“You’re harboring a rather unlikely hope, Your Highness.”

“I think so too.”

She laughed again watching the prince shake his head and mutter about the impossibility of Ruyan Piert showing manners. After meeting so many who treated her second brother like a monster or idol, it was refreshing and delightful to see someone respond to him like a peer.

“Then, a toast to Lord Ruyan Piert’s manners.”

Leah gladly clinked her glass against the one he offered with mock solemnity. The clinking sound and the refreshing sparkling wine on her parched throat felt wonderfully cool.

‘Well, I don’t need to stick with Helix all the time. I’ve always been a socialite in my own right.’

The prince said, “I’m enjoying speaking with you, but I notice there are fewer men approaching you today.”

“You’re right.”

Prince Patrick smiled meaningfully.

“Isn’t that strange?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you’re here now, and Helix was here earlier?”

“I suspect there’s more to it than that.”

Leah subtly rolled her eyes to hide her confusion. What other reason could there be?

“Haven’t you noticed that those who behaved rudely toward you recently are conspicuously absent from social gatherings?”

Come to think of it…

No wonder things felt more pleasant. She suppressed her thoughts and listened attentively to the prince.

“Baron Durford ‘unfortunately’ slipped on the stairs while intoxicated, and Young Lord Philip Calosi ‘accidentally’ broke his leg.”

“…Are you suggesting these weren’t matters of ‘fortune’ or ‘accidents’?”

“Who knows?”

Prince Patrick swirled his glass and briefly looked away.

“I’m merely sharing rumors.”

Leah turned to look in the direction of his gaze. Helix was staring at them with piercing eyes from within the forest of noblewomen.

‘Could Helix have…?’

While she pondered this possibility, the smile on the prince’s face grew increasingly mischievous.

‘Really? Helix did that?’

The couples twirling around the ballroom moved faster, then suddenly slowed. The rustling sound of skirts folding and subtle greetings exchanged as the dance music changed.

Prince Patrick extended his hand.

“Would you care to dance, my lady?”

Just as Leah hesitated and reached for his hand—

Helix approached like lightning and placed Leah’s hand firmly on his own.

“Oh my.”

Helix said in a stiff tone.

“It seems it’s my turn now, Your Highness.”

Though his partner had been snatched right before his eyes, the prince withdrew graciously with a meaningful smile. He asked lightly:

“Lady Leah, might I have a turn next time?”

“There won’t be a next time.”

Helix stated firmly as he took her hand and twirled her gracefully.

Finding herself suddenly dancing, Leah looked up at him with a disgruntled expression.

‘Now you show up?’