“I thought it would be a passing rain, but it seems the storm is stronger than expected. It seems even the heavens have noticed my reluctance to send the guests away.”

People’s tense expressions relaxed at his bright smile as he joked leisurely.

“Please stay at this mansion tonight. However, the servants will need time to prepare the beds, so it would be good to play some card games lightly in the meantime. Of course, I don’t think anyone here can beat my skill, so I won’t place any bets.”

I laughed briefly, admiring Kirhin’s amazing talent for easily lightening the mood. However, people’s laughter didn’t last long. A heavy knocking sound came from somewhere.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

It was a strangely intimidating and unsettling sound. Seeing anxiety return to the faces of people turning around, Kirhin called Brook.

“Go check who it is. It might be someone bringing an urgent message.”

“Yes, master.”

“It could also be a guest who misunderstood the party time and came in a hurry.”

Chester added a word. Though it seemed unlikely in this weather, I nodded, understanding his intention.

People tried to laugh again, but everyone became alert when some commotion was heard from afar. A stranger’s voice overlapped with Brook’s voice. Soon, the heavy footsteps of two people began to be heard.

I stood up silently. Whether it was a guest or a messenger, I needed to greet them as the host. Kirhin, seeing me, pulled the corner of his mouth and placed his hand on my shoulder.

And as we turned our heads, we first saw Brook’s pale face, and then the towering figure behind him.

What first announced his presence was the strong smell of blood.

Lady Rangler, sitting at the end of the table, reflexively raised her handkerchief but didn’t use it to cover her nose. Perhaps because she didn’t want to draw the man’s attention with such a movement.

His reddish-black face seemed out of place, and his dull gray hair, as if faded, was soaking wet. He was the tallest person I had ever seen in my life and had unusually long arms.

His black fur coat, which might have been made from the skin of a beast, looked heavy enough to weigh down a person, but it seemed effortless for him. The black fur was glossy but pointed and rough like thorns, probably from a bear.

I was holding my breath without realizing it. This was because as soon as he appeared and swept his gaze across the gathering, he fixed his eyes on me.

The man’s eyes were very unique. They were transparent gold-green like glass beads, but one eye was divided half blue and half gold-green.

Everything about him seemed to say, “I am a different species from you.” And in a very violent and threatening way.

There were many people, but all that could be heard was the sound of the storm coming through the broken window and the crackling of burning logs. Everyone remained silent as if seeking his permission to speak.

Finally, the man’s thin lips curved. He slowly shifted his gaze from me to Kirhin and said.

“Sorry to interrupt the party. I needed shelter from the rain.”

Only then did I feel pain. Kirhin’s fingers were digging into my shoulder like hooks.

His trembling, which he was trying hard to suppress, was fully transmitted to me. I thought I knew the name that would come from his mouth.

“……L-Lord Balshwin.”

Someone who had been holding their breath made a sound like “hiiic.” At that sound, everyone bent their knees and paid their respects as if released from a curse. Among them, only Chester maintained a relatively composed face.

“I didn’t expect to see you here. It’s been a while, Lord Beitram. Do you remember me?”

“Ah, Chester. I hear you’ve been frequenting the Baron Bickman’s house lately? To meet that young lady.”

Beitram’s gaze, placing clear emphasis on “that,” coiled around my neck like a sinuous snake. When I tried to move, Kirhin flinched, but I stepped forward anyway, stood directly in front of Beitram, grasped my dress, and bowed my head.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Count Balshwin. I am Lucienne Bickman.”

Fortunately, my voice didn’t tremble. I tried not to show my tension, but seeing the strange humor dancing in Beitram’s peculiar eyes made me feel a chill inside.

He moved readily, closing the distance between us, and bent down to kiss the back of my hand. His lips, which brushed against my skin, were ice cold.

“Lady Bickman. Among recent rumors, there isn’t one that doesn’t include your name.”

“People always enjoy talking about something. I hope your sudden visit today will not tarnish your honor, Count.”

When I reversed the topic, a piercing gaze flew at me, but I didn’t avoid it. Soon, Beitram’s lips formed a crooked curve, seemingly finding me interesting.

“I was out hunting when I got caught in a storm. My carriage was destroyed, and only one horse remains. This place was the closest. If it’s inconvenient, you can throw me out, Baron. I’m an uninvited guest after all.”

Beitram grinned. Throwing someone out in front of so many guests would be extremely rude, especially when that someone was a nobleman of higher rank. Swallowing dryly, Kirhin laughed and shook his head.

“Not at all. Since we don’t know when the rain will stop, please rest here. Brook.”

Brook, whose complexion had not yet returned to normal, approached Beitram with forced calmness. As Beitram threw off his heavy fur coat, Brook’s body momentarily staggered when he caught it.

With the coat removed, the smell of blood actually intensified. Beitram wore tight black clothes on his robust body, which seemed to be wet with something other than rain.

Moving with the ease of someone returning to his own mansion, he walked over and plopped down on a chair at the dining table. People hesitantly stepped back, creating a wide space around him.

Beitram picked up the wine glass in front of him, downed it in one gulp, then noticed someone and raised his eyebrows.

“Good to see you, Lord Penu. I understand you missed the year-end party at the Balshwin house, but it seems your cold has recovered by now.”

Penu smiled with a somewhat stiff face and bowed his head.

“My old body recovers slowly. Since colds are going around, please take care of yourself as well, Lord Balshwin.”

“Yes, I should be careful. At that age, death comes easily.”

As Beitram revealed his beast-like canines and spoke quietly, people’s bodies stiffened again like posed dolls. Roughly stabbing the remaining steak on the plate with his fork and tearing into it, he tilted his head.

“So. Do you all plan to stay here?”

His slow speech created a feeling of compressed silence for a moment. Someone who had been rolling their eyes trying to understand the intention behind his words quickly raised their hand.

“B-Baron Bickman. I just remembered an urgent matter and must return home.”

“Ah, now that I think about it, I’ve stayed too long. I should be going now.”

Following the lead of the quick-witted person, everyone began to move without exception. Kirhin looked around at them in confusion.

“But the rain is coming down so heavily. You’re going to leave?”

The roads had long since turned to mud, and if the horses were startled by the gusts, accidents could happen. Nevertheless, people packed their belongings without looking back.

After seeing off the guests who left with hasty farewells, the once bustling reception room emptied in the blink of an eye. Only the sound of Beitram chewing meat could be heard.

Chester shrugged and approached me.

“It’s gotten quiet. Shall we start a card game among ourselves?”

“Do you plan to stay here?”

When Beitram asked while wiping his mouth, Chester smiled gently.

“The weather is bad, and since all the guests suddenly left, I thought the Baron and Miss Bickman might feel lonely.”

“You attended as Miss Bickman’s partner, didn’t you?”

Chester tried to answer Beitram, who had thrown down his napkin, but he wasn’t given the chance. Staring at Chester with transparent eyes, Beitram spoke in a rough voice.

“Then you should be even more concerned about the lady’s honor. If all the guests were staying, it might be different, but if you alone remained, another tag would be added to the many rumors about Miss Lucienne Bickman.”

“If I may be so bold, what rumors are you referring to?”

When I asked, Beitram’s eyes narrowed. Kirhin, who had stiffened, made a warning sound in his throat without moving his lips.

“Lucy.”

“Nothing much. Just rumors that you killed an arrogant tutor, were kidnapped by her lover, suffered terrible things, and then swung a knife at the man and killed him?”

“Lord Beitram!”

It was Chester who raised his voice. Because the same mouth that had spoken of considering a woman’s honor was now sullying that very honor.