“What do you mean?”

Count Owen’s face showed he hadn’t caught on to what Nigel was implying. Nigel naturally set aside Count Owen’s question and put down his pen. Rosia Berthe and the Hess family. After boldly kicking Nigel aside, she settled for merely the Hess family? Nigel’s pride stirred once again.

“Count Owen.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Nigel’s gaze fell on the invitation Greta had delivered. Nigel pressed down on the invitation with his fingertip and said,

“I’ll go to the Leblanc mansion this evening.”

“What? You mean you’re attending the party?”

Count Owen’s eyes grew round. He knew well how uncomfortable the relationship was between Greta Leblanc and Nigel. Nigel even seemed to detest Greta. Until now, Nigel had never read Greta’s letters, burning them instead, and whenever she visited, he would avoid her by claiming he was busy. So it was puzzling that he would suddenly accept a party invitation from her.

Nigel ignored Count Owen’s surprised face, gathered the invitation, and stood up. He looked forward to seeing what insignificant man that arrogant woman would appear with. Nigel gripped the invitation hard enough to crumple it and strode out of the office.

“Aren’t you going home?”

Nigel frowned as he looked back at Count Owen standing blankly. Only then did Count Owen sigh deeply as if quite uneasy and quickly followed behind.

＊＊＊

Rosia changed into an ivory lace dress suitable for the party and headed to the Leblanc mansion. Already, numerous carriages crowded the street leading to the mansion. The sun had long since disappeared, replaced by a bright full moon. Baroness Luther, who accompanied Rosia again today, clicked her tongue while looking out at the crowded street.

“Why are there so many carriages for a party hosted by a woman who’s already spoken for?”

Rosia immediately understood who the woman the Baroness referred to was. Greta Leblanc, the Crown Prince’s longtime fiancée. The Baroness seemed to regard Greta as if she were Rosia’s rival. In reality, Rosia had no particular thoughts about Greta.

If anything, she felt sorry for her. Rosia stared out of the slowly moving carriage. The dimly lit street was more bustling than during the day. Finding even that uncomfortable, she closed her eyes tightly when Baroness Luther suddenly asked a question.

“Rosia, are you really not involved with Grand Duke Gragford?”

“No, we’re not involved at all.”

“How can that be!”

Baroness Luther’s eyes filled with shock.

“Do you know what this means?”

Rosia quietly waited, pretending not to know. The Baroness sighed deeply while rapidly fluttering her feather fan.

“Oh, what to do with this innocent thing, what to do.”

Baroness Luther repeatedly muttered to herself, closing her eyes tightly before opening them again. She seemed to be interpreting things as Rosia had planned. The Baroness frowned, saying no man would propose to an unmarried lady surrounded by malicious rumors. She kept sighing deeply, but Rosia quietly looked away. She knew well that if she went along with this, there would be no end to it.

The Baroness chewed her lips and impatiently banged on the motionless carriage.

“It’s hopeless. It’s hopeless to catch a good man in this social season.”

Baroness Luther couldn’t contain her anxiety and stamped her heel on the carriage floor. As if that action were a signal, the carriage began moving forward. Rosia calmly looked out at the street again. A carriage with a familiar flag passed by. Through the open window, she saw a familiar face.

It was just for a moment, but Rosia couldn’t help but recognize who it was. It was Nigel Gragford, heading in the same direction. Rosia quickly withdrew her gaze in surprise. If there was any consolation, it was that Nigel hadn’t seen her.

Her heart was racing fast even though she hadn’t done anything wrong. Rosia clasped her hands together. Had Greta Leblanc invited Nigel? It made sense since they had been close since childhood. Perhaps this party itself was to celebrate Nigel’s visit to his homeland?

Rosia wanted to run away. It felt like cold frost was settling over her excited mood about finding a job. She had clearly rejected his proposal, and their one-month contract relationship had become nothing. Yet what was this uncomfortable feeling?

That’s when the Baroness suddenly brought up the Grand Duke.

“Is Grand Duke Gragford at the party? Why don’t you try using the article, Rosia? It’s something a man should take responsibility for! You should at least grab onto his pants leg, right?”

“I’ve already told you. He said he has no intention of marrying me.”

Rosia tried very hard to answer calmly. The Baroness narrowed her eyes and looked at her suspiciously.

“You didn’t reject him, did you? This is rather suspicious. I heard the Grand Duke values honor more than diamonds.”

“He probably didn’t like me. After all, I’m not suitable for someone of his position.”

Rosia muttered almost to herself. Her voice kept getting smaller as she didn’t like lying. She hadn’t told the Baroness that she had rejected the proposal. If she had, the Baroness might have grabbed Rosia by the hair and made a scene. Of course, since the Baroness was coming and going from the Berthe mansion as if it were her own home, it wouldn’t be strange if she found out at any time. Rosia hoped this warm and brilliant spring would end before that happened.

＊＊＊

The Leblanc mansion was splendid and classical, befitting its reputation. The party hall was filled with white marble, beautiful and fragrant flower decorations, and party dishes that could rival royal cuisine. Baroness Luther had left Rosia all alone and disappeared.

Some people whispered dishonorable expressions like that article—disgraceful, thick-skinned—while glancing at Rosia.

Rosia pretended not to care and stood still by a pillar, looking down at the clean floor. Just when she was hoping that Baroness Luther would return soon and see this scene and give up, a tall shadow fell across the spotless marble.

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Berthe.”

It was a voice she’d never heard before. Rosia slowly raised her head to look at the person. A man with hair darker than night was smiling while gazing at her. Naturally, he was someone Rosia didn’t know at all.

“Hello.”

Rosia awkwardly greeted him. Who is he? Had they met before? People she had met quickly flashed through her mind, but she couldn’t remember at all. When Rosia stood silently with a confused face, the man softly laughed.

“I seem to have startled you. I’m sorry. I’m late with my introduction.”

The man bowed at the waist and then lifted just his head slightly to meet Rosia’s eyes. His eyes curved deeply.

“I’m Aiden Hess.”

“Ah.”

The Hess family. This person seemed to be the Count’s first son. Rosia finally erased her confused expression and returned his greeting.

“I’m sorry. I still……”

“It’s alright. It’s not impolite just because I alone recognized you.”

Aiden straightened up with a grin. As the calm music ended, a bright dance tune began to play. Aiden extended his hand toward Rosia as if he had been waiting for this.

“Would you like to dance?”

Rosia hesitated for a moment. Her partner was her employer’s son, and she was in a situation where she was receiving unfavorable attention. Would it really be alright to dance with this man? She had planned to stay quietly, trying not to draw attention today, but now things had become awkward. She was worried that Baroness Luther might start spouting nonsense again, and she was also afraid of people’s sharp gazes. However, it was somewhat awkward to refuse a dance with the count’s heir. Rosia would be working at this man’s mansion in a few days, so there was nothing good about making a bad impression. After contemplating for a brief moment, Rosia finally took Aiden’s hand.

“Please lead the way.”

Aiden skillfully led Rosia to the center of the party hall. Due to his height, Rosia had to take at least three steps for each of his single strides. Her high, small shoes uncomfortably squeezed her feet. The two danced to the music. Rosia smiled politely at her unfamiliar partner, and Aiden looked at her with eyes so warm and kind that it was impossible to tell if they were sincere.

As the music reached its middle section, she felt someone’s gaze. Rosia unconsciously looked behind while looking up at Aiden.

Ah.

Rosia almost lost her rhythm and nearly stepped on Aiden’s foot. The owner of that gaze was Nigel Gragford.

Nigel’s indifferent eyes were fixed on Rosia. How long had he been watching? Rosia’s face inexplicably burned and she wanted to hide, but the long performance showed no signs of ending.

At that moment, Greta Leblanc approached Nigel. She said something to him, and Nigel glanced briefly at Rosia before taking Greta’s hand. It seemed she had asked him to dance. Nigel and Greta merged into the crowd of people and began moving to the music.

Strangely, Rosia couldn’t take her eyes off them. Nigel seemed to be the same, as he kept staring intently at Rosia even while dancing with Greta. His golden eyes held an unreadable emotion. Rosia felt as if she couldn’t breathe. Her lips went dry. She felt like prey caught before a predator.

Rosia tried very hard not to lose the rhythm. It would be a great discourtesy to Aiden if she couldn’t dance well, especially when she was already having trouble concentrating.

It was the part where they had to let go of their partner’s hand and spin once. And then partners were supposed to change, which meant Rosia would have to dance with Nigel. Rosia pressed her lips together, not knowing what to do. At that moment, Aiden whispered in a low voice.

“Shall I help you?”

Rosia finally snapped back to her senses and looked up at Aiden.

“What do you……”

It happened in an instant when Aiden pulled Rosia’s hand and slipped out. An irregular gap formed among the people dancing at regular intervals. Rosia realized too late, but Aiden had already pulled her out of the group.

Rosia reflexively turned around. Nigel and Greta were no longer visible. They must have disappeared into the crowd as the formation changed. Rosia felt a bit deflated. Why did she keep caring about Nigel when they were nothing to each other now?

“Here.”

Aiden held out a glass filled with red wine. Only then did Rosia turn her gaze toward him. Aiden was looking down at her with a gentle smile. Rosia extended her still pale hand from tension and took the glass.

“Thank you.”