As Martin had said, there was nothing Evelyn could really do at the ball except stay in her seat.

Yesterday, she had returned early due to an accident, but today, she had to remain at the ball until late.

The lavish ballroom sharply contrasted with her own presence.

Though she too was adorned in a dazzling and elegant dress—something she had never worn before in her life—and prettied up by many hands, she couldn’t help but feel that she simply didn’t belong in a place like this.

‘I want to go back soon…’

Just sitting still was starting to bore her.

She took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled as she looked at the people chatting and laughing merrily.

Whatever it was that amused them so, they couldn’t seem to stop laughing.

Judging by how they occasionally glanced her way, Evelyn could easily guess that she was the subject of their conversation.

It felt as if she were on display.

And truthfully, it wasn’t far from the mark.

This ball was also meant to introduce her face to the nobles, after all.

Evelyn slowly opened and closed her eyes, then looked toward the terrace.

She noticed a few people stepping outside from time to time to rest and take a seat.

‘Would it be alright to just get a bit of fresh air?’

She had been inside the ballroom the entire time, and it was becoming stifling.

The scent of various perfumes clashed in the air, and the room was filled with noisy chatter and laughter, making it hard to bear.

‘Just for a little while. It’s not like anyone’s going to come talk to me anyway.’

With that thought, Evelyn cautiously stood up from her seat.

She then slowly began walking toward the empty terrace.

Evelyn had assumed that no one would pay her any mind—but that was her mistake.

Every time she moved, people’s gazes followed.

Among them was Greta, who had been watching the ball from afar.

As Evelyn stepped through the terrace door and out into the open air, a rush of fresh wind greeted her.

She took a deep breath, feeling the tightness in her chest ease.

The cold air filled her lungs and slowly flowed out again.

“I feel alive.”

Evelyn murmured under her breath, almost like a sigh.

That was when it happened.

“Seems the ball’s a bit suffocating for you.”

A stranger’s voice suddenly came from behind.

Startled, Evelyn quickly turned around.

There stood Greta Emmett, looking straight at her.

“If you don’t mind, may I join you, Your Majesty the Empress?”

“I, um…”

While a flustered Evelyn stumbled over her words, Greta strode confidently out onto the terrace.

It seemed she never needed Evelyn’s permission in the first place.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Majesty. I’m Greta Emmett, daughter of Duke Emmett.”

“Nice to meet you, Lady Emmett. I’m Ophelia Flourette Fabian—no, Ophelia Theodore. It’s a pleasure.”

As Evelyn returned the greeting, Greta smiled warmly.

“You look surprised by my sudden visit. Ah, I brought two glasses—would you like one?”

She offered Evelyn a glass of wine.

Though Evelyn thought she ought to refuse, she ended up accepting the glass Greta held out.

As soon as she took it, Greta stepped closer to the railing and tipped her glass to wet her throat.

Evelyn, who was absentmindedly watching her, let out a soft breath and stood beside her.

“It’s not poisoned or anything. You can drink it without worry.”

Greta spoke casually, having noticed that Evelyn hadn’t taken a sip.

“That’s not why I’m not drinking it.”

“Then what is it?”

“I don’t really like alcohol.”

“Ah, I see. That happens.”

Greta nodded and emptied her own glass without hesitation.

Then she reached out her hand to Evelyn.

“May I? I enjoy drinking.”

“Oh, sure.”

Though Evelyn hesitated for a moment, she handed her glass back to Greta.

Greta took the wine from Evelyn and drank another mouthful.

“It’s strange. Don’t you think so?”

“May I ask what you mean?”

Evelyn asked in response to Greta’s vague remark.

Greta, who had been staring straight ahead, answered slowly.

“The way His Majesty the Emperor reacts. I simply can’t understand it. You, Your Majesty, are from Hesta. You know how that’s perceived in Bait, don’t you?”

Evelyn answered with a silent nod.

“Have you ever thought it was strange? That His Majesty the Emperor seems to genuinely treat Your Majesty as the Empress.”

“……”

It was something Evelyn had also found puzzling.

Why was Reynard treating her so well?

For a time, she had even indulged in the fluttering thought that perhaps he liked her.

But just moments ago, through their conversation, she realized that he had someone else he truly cared about.

So it couldn’t be because he liked her.

That left only one possibility.

It must be, after all, that he was trying to keep the Emmett family in check—including Greta.

Reynard, even if she was a fake, needed an excuse in the form of Princess Ophelia.

An excuse not to marry Greta Emmett.

That was why he treated Evelyn kindly—so that she wouldn’t become frightened and run away.

He needed a decoy to protect the woman he loved and simultaneously keep the Emmett family at bay.

But she couldn’t say such things aloud.

As Evelyn smiled awkwardly, Greta offered a faint smile and shrugged.

“Well, I suppose it’s strange of me to ask such things of Your Majesty. Just… I had a feeling you might be in the same situation as I am, and I ended up rambling. Please forget it.”

‘The same situation?’

Evelyn couldn’t begin to understand what Greta meant.

‘What does she mean by being in the same situation?’

As far as Greta knew, Evelyn’s situation was that she had been forced into marriage with Reynard due to the agreement between Hesta and Bait.

Did that mean Greta was also living a life she didn’t want?

But Evelyn knew so little about Greta that she couldn’t guess any further.

Knock, knock.

Just as a silence settled between the two, the sound of someone knocking came.

Both of them turned their heads at the same time to see where the sound had come from.

Beyond the terrace doors stood Reynard.

Opening the door and stepping in, Reynard scanned the atmosphere with a pleasant smile.

It didn’t seem to be a particularly bad mood, but it was clear he had no intention of leaving Evelyn alone with Greta.

“The conversation looks lively—may I join you?”

Reynard asked Greta.

“Of course.”

“Lady Emmett seems rather drunk.”

“I can handle my drink better than expected. A few glasses of wine won’t faze me.”

Greta countered Reynard’s words without backing down.

After a brief pause, Reynard smiled and continued.

“I see. So, what were you two talking about?”

“It wasn’t anything special. I brought some wine and offered it to Her Majesty, but she said she doesn’t like alcohol. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”

Greta gave Evelyn a subtle look as she asked.

It wasn’t so much a nudge as it was a look that asked her to agree with what she said.

Reynard, too, looked at Evelyn as if to confirm.

Receiving both of their gazes, Evelyn nodded awkwardly with a small smile.

“That’s right.”

As Evelyn agreed, Reynard’s gaze landed on the two empty glasses in Greta’s hand.

“I see. I’m quite confident when it comes to alcohol myself. I should have brought more.”

“No need. Since Her Majesty doesn’t drink, it wouldn’t be right for the two of us to drink alone. I suppose I should excuse myself now so the two of you can enjoy your time together.”

Greta stepped away from the railing and gave a light bow toward the two of them.

“Well then, I hope to see you again soon.”

With that parting remark, Greta turned and walked back into the ballroom.

Evelyn found herself unable to take her eyes off Greta, who had come and gone like the wind.