As soon as the dance music showed signs of fading, Aaron invaded the stage.

Quickly closing the distance with his long legs, Lucilia promptly separated from the Duke.

Kel glanced at Lucilia and Aaron in turn with a peculiar gaze, then irritated Aaron with his characteristic smoothness.

“I see you came to retrieve her yourself, afraid I might not return what I borrowed.”

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to use expressions like ‘borrowing’ when referring to a person.”

“Is… that so?”

For some reason, the smile wouldn’t leave Kel’s face. His pale skin, untouched by hardship, was incredibly annoying.

But knowing he shouldn’t offend a royal’s sensibilities with rude remarks, Aaron reluctantly swallowed the bitter water.

When Aaron didn’t back down, Kel rubbed his smooth chin.

“I’ll take your advice to heart. Saint, I apologize for my thoughtless words.”

Though no one else acknowledged her as a saint, Kel, unaffected by the reactions around him, kissed the back of Lucilia’s hand.

No one noticed Aaron’s chest swell and then subside as he suppressed his irritation.

Just as he thought he should grab Lucilia’s wrist immediately, the King’s attendant approached Aaron.

“His Majesty calls for you.”

Aaron gently pulled Lucilia’s hand, which was still held by Kel.

After separating her from the fox-like Duke, he spoke in a low voice.

“I must leave my place for a moment. You’ll have to be alone briefly. I’ll be—”

He was about to add that he would return soon when:

“Ladies, please proceed to the banquet hall prepared on the right side of the ballroom for the tea time hosted by Her Majesty the Queen!”

Young ladies were excited at the thought of enjoying the party in the absence of adults, and noble ladies began to leave their seats one by one.

“Go ahead.”

Aaron gently pushed Lucilia’s back.

It seemed he meant that since she couldn’t avoid it, she should face it with dignity.

Though she agreed to do so, it was natural for her to feel intimidated.

Her mother would be attending too…

She couldn’t forget those resentful eyes.

As she hesitated, unable to decide what to do, the Queen glanced at Lucilia while walking to the banquet hall.

It was a look urging her to come.

She involuntarily swallowed and broke into a cold sweat.

Lucilia took steps as if bound by an invisible rope.

* * *

As if reflecting the Queen’s authority, the table was set with all kinds of rare tea foods.

Though they looked appetizing, Lucilia barely touched them, feeling she would get indigestion if she swallowed anything.

The Queen treated Lucilia, who had gone from being a Marquis’s daughter to a low-ranking noble in an instant, with a peculiar attitude.

“How does it feel to take your first step into society?”

Though she maintained formalities, it was impossible to hide her discomfort completely.

The King was considering Aaron as a close aide, so she couldn’t be cold to Lucilia, but she had no intention of treating her well either.

How could she miss the entertainment of seeing the lofty saint’s fallen status?

“It’s more nerve-wracking than I thought.”

“Is that so? Is Lady Teneri also nervous?”

With a refined tone, she cornered the two women who were once mother and daughter.

Flustered, her mother quickly took a sip of tea before bursting into a cough.

Then she subtly glared at Lucilia as if displeased.

“What is there to be nervous about? The relationship has already been settled.”

The Queen curled her eye corners and waved her hand.

“My… it seems I’ve said something unnecessary.”

At the Queen’s signal, an attendant came to Lucilia’s side and poured tea.

The sound of water dripping made her already chaotic mind even more confused.

Lucilia picked up her cup, suppressing the urge to run away.

The Queen surveyed the noble ladies rolling their eyes with interest, then covered her mouth and laughed.

“Seeing the Marchioness looking into the Young Baroness’s eyes without hesitation, it seems the rumors about her losing her sacred power are true.”

Some of the ladies couldn’t hide their surprise, even opening their mouths as if hearing it for the first time.

“If she had only lost her position, it would have been more dangerous. But since she’s lost her ability as well, she won’t be harmful.”

Her mother’s statement initially sounded like she was defending Lucilia.

However, everyone narrowed their eyes at what she added next.

“Though it would be a serious matter if demonic power had taken the place of her sacred power.”

The Queen also looked at Lucilia suspiciously.

“Demonic power… What do you think, Young Baroness? Do you feel any difference from before?”

“I am merely an ordinary woman now.”

Whether they believed it or not, she had to say it wasn’t true.

Despite her mother’s cold tone and everyone’s contempt, Lucilia maintained her integrity.

As she waited for the Queen’s response while focusing her gaze on the candelabra placed as a centerpiece, a soft laugh was followed by a rather benevolent reply.

“The past is just the past? Yes, I hope you stop dwelling on it and live in the present.”

“I will take Your Majesty’s words to heart.”

Though it was an honor for the Queen’s attention to reach a low-ranking noble, Lucilia felt crushed under a burden heavier than a rock.

Before they formally began having refreshments, the Queen addressed the pale Lucilia.

“You must find this gathering unfamiliar since you have no experience with such gatherings. I’ll allow you to do as you please.”

It meant she could leave, but Lucilia hesitated, unsure if she really could.

Then the inner thoughts of the noble ladies transformed into voices ringing in her ears.

Some didn’t look at Lucilia for fear of having their minds read, but even from the few who met her eyes, she could fully grasp their true feelings.

‘What nerve do you have to sit here?’

‘You’re not planning to ruin this honorable occasion of meeting Her Majesty the Queen, are you?’

‘If you have any sense, please just leave.’

Lucilia smiled without being shaken.

“May I leave after emptying this cup?”

“Of course. As always, I detest forcing anyone.”

The Queen, with a beautiful smile on her bright red lips, was satisfied with the minimum courtesy shown. For the King’s sake, for the country’s sake, it was enough to save Aaron Artnal’s face.

Since everyone’s thoughts aligned, there was no reason for Lucilia to stay longer, so she really did just finish her tea and stand up.

The noble ladies, without exception, kindly bade her farewell. Though their feigned kindness planted bitter roots in her heart, this was better.

It seemed far more beneficial to watch people dance than to sit with them and force a smile.

As soon as she left the banquet hall, she felt a weight lift from her chest.

When she returned to the ballroom, noble young men and ladies were enjoying dancing in a free atmosphere.

Lucilia stood against the wall to avoid being noticed by people.

A servant passing nearby with a tray of champagne glasses asked for her preference.

“Would you like a glass?”

“Ah… yes, please.”

It had been awkward just standing there blankly.

Lucilia lightly held the long stem and scratched the tulip-shaped surface with her left hand.

‘I wonder if Aaron has come to the ballroom too…’

Though her eyes and ears were delighted by the lively scene, she couldn’t stop the emptiness that instinctively rushed in.

As she widened her view to look for Aaron who should be beside her, she saw a group of men diagonally across from where she stood.

Aaron was among them, his distinctive appearance drawing attention without effort.

Even her brother and father were there, sneering at Aaron with expressions full of mockery.

Lucilia’s legs moved as if drawn.

As she narrowed the distance, she could clearly hear the conversation that had been inaudible from afar.

Her brother, Haight, disrespected Aaron, fearlessly.

“I wish you would realize where your current power comes from.”

“I’m not sure… Perhaps the Young Marquis would enlighten me.”

“Heaven and earth know that you have benefited from our Teneri family’s grace. Surely you’re not pretending not to know?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“What value does a title bought with money have? You’re nothing more than a corrupt noble, so don’t be too proud.”

Lucilia was appalled by Haight’s frivolous behavior.

‘It was truly outrageous!’

To corner Aaron, who had done nothing wrong—no, who was rather a victim of injustice.

Having been raised as the heir to a Marquis, he was naturally covered with a sense of superiority like skin.

But he should have cultivated the refinement befitting that position; looking at him now, her brother’s conduct was deplorable.

Perhaps because she had only seen him intermittently due to her stay at the monastery, she hadn’t realized he was this base.

Regardless of the process, they were now all bound as allies centered around the King. Even if they couldn’t warmly embrace Aaron, there was no reason to attack him so publicly.

It wasn’t helpful to them at all.

What good would come from allies biting and tearing at each other?

Her father’s behavior was also a spectacle.

Far from stopping it, he stood with his hands behind his back, merely watching.

No doubt he was indignant about Aaron’s continued success.

‘No matter how close a relationship you form with His Majesty, do you think someone like you could reach the same position as me?’

She could almost hear her father’s sneering voice.