Chapter 45

In the chill of winter, smooth silver hair fluttered in the cold wind. Though it was the dead of winter, the figure clad in a light, flowing dress that seemed more suited for spring was someone who didn’t belong in this place.

“Eos Liche…?”

Why was that person at Harriet’s celebratory banquet?

Even knowing she was a fraud, Bleria’s heart skipped a beat. At that moment, a familiar hand rested on her shoulder.

“It’s alright, Bleria.”

Without offering much explanation, Gopher spoke briefly and gestured towards Harriet. Bleria instinctively turned her head.

At that instant, Harriet, with a cheerful smile, poured wine all over Eos.

***

A short time earlier, while Gopher braided Bleria’s hair, Eos entered the banquet hall.

She wasn’t warmly welcomed. Seeing her silver hair, those who initially approached her with delight changed their expressions upon recognizing her face.

Some, however, were more malicious. They approached her knowingly, aware of her reputation. Hyacinth Violet, the host of the tea party Eos had once attended, raised her wine glass and greeted her.

“Well, well. Fancy meeting you here, Lady Eos.”

“Oh, Lady Hyacinth. Hello.”

“Yes, indeed. By the way, is that a locket?”

Raising her voice to attract attention, Hyacinth cast formalities aside.

“Yes, it is. Is my pendant strange?”

“Well, one wouldn’t typically wear something so mismatched at another’s banquet. But I suppose it’s fine, given that Lady Eos isn’t used to such gatherings and Lady. Harriet is such a gracious host.”

It was clear that her words were meant as a veiled insult.

Eos habitually reached for her pendant but stopped herself. Instead, she clutched at the hem of her dress, her fingers trembling as whispers of ridicule filled the air.

The atmosphere was reminiscent of her time with Mixel, but the recent rumors branding her a fraud made things significantly worse.

It’s okay

Even in this way, drawing attention wasn’t necessarily bad. Because—

“Did I just hear someone mention my name?”

At the sound of an unfamiliar voice, Eos looked up.

A tall woman with rich golden hair stood before her. Her upward-slanting eyes and defined brows gave her features a sharpness, creating a strikingly vivid impression despite her smiling expression.

She was a stunning beauty, but Eos had recently encountered even more remarkable figures, so she wasn’t shocked.

“And you are?”

“Eos of Liche. Thank you for having me.”

“I see. Lady Eos, thank you for coming. And you as well, Lady Hyacinth.”

After a light greeting, the woman playfully squinted her eyes.

“You two seemed to be talking about me earlier. Surely it wasn’t anything bad?”

“Of course not, Lady Harriet. I was simply curious about Lady Eos’s pendant.”

“A pendant, you say?”

Harriet Heaven’s gaze dropped below Eos’s neck. For a brief moment, her eyes turned icy before regaining their previous warmth.

“What a lovely necklace. I assume it holds a portrait?”

“Ah, um, inside, there’s…”

Eos faltered, her palms growing clammy. Sweat soaked her body as she struggled to maintain composure and meet Harriet’s eyes.

“Your name is Harriet Heaven, correct?”

“…Haha. Who would bring a girl like this, unaware of the hostess of the banquet?”

“No, I didn’t ask because I didn’t know! Ah, I’m sorry for raising my voice.”

Eos, flustered, tugged almost violently at her skirt.

“It’s just that you feel quite familiar. Your name, too. Perhaps you’ve gone by the nickname ‘Harry’ before…?”

“…”

“So, could it be that we’ve met before? Maybe not recently, but long ago? I’ve been searching for my family since I was young. Perhaps you recognize me, or—”

“I can assure you I have no memory of meeting you.”

“…I see.”

Eos slumped her shoulders, dejected. Finally, she fiddled with her pendant as if remembering something.

“Oh, you asked what was inside the pendant, right? It’s a childhood portrait of me. Would you like to see it? I apologize for being presumptuous, but this feeling is new, so I must ask.”

Eos’s voice echoed clearly as the surrounding guests held their breath, tension thick in the air.

People exchanged nervous or curious glances, their eyes darting between the frostily composed Harriet and the increasingly desperate Eos. Finally, Harriet sighed.

“I already said I don’t know you, yet you seem certain I would.”

“That’s not what I meant—”

“Fine. Open it.”

“Yes, yes!”

Eos hurriedly opened the locket. The portrait inside was small, barely large enough to discern.

Many strained to get a better look, but only Harriet Heaven and Hyacinth Violet, standing closest, could see it clearly.

And that was all it took. Harriet stared intently at the image before lifting her gaze.

“It’s a child, I know.”

“Really? You truly recognize me?”

“This is a portrait of Bleria.”

Gasps rippled through the room. Before confusion could escalate, Harriet spoke again.

“Judging by the distorted signature, it seems to be the work of Bennox.”

“Bennox?”

“A counterfeiter specializing in forgeries. Recently apprehended.”

Harriet tossed the locket aside and snatched the wine glass from Hyacinth’s hand. She tipped the contents over Eos without hesitation.

The wine spilled down her sleek silver hair, streaking her pale cheeks and soaking her white dress. Drops fell from her chin, splattering onto the floor.

Eos blinked, stunned, as though unable to comprehend what had happened.

“I overlooked your name on the guest list, not because I’m deaf, but because I wanted to confirm the rumors with my own eyes.”

“A-ah…?”

“And yet, you dare come to Heaven’s banquet, impersonating Bleria? It’s beyond belief. Do you think so little of me, Heaven, or all the distinguished guests here?”

“I, such a thing! I just—!”

“Let’s save the excuses for a more private setting, not the banquet hall.”

A rough voice suddenly interrupted as Harriet was about to summon one of Heaven’s knights.

“Calm yourself, madam.”

The tall man with deeply tanned skin was Mixel. He attempted to mediate the situation by raising his left hand, now free from its splint.

“You are—?”

“Mixel Luke Dice, Count of Dice. I’m also the one who gifted that pendant to Eos.”

Harriet let out a scoffing laugh.

“Are you saying the count commissioned a forgery? For what purpose?”

“Eos originally had a similar pendant. She was incessantly pestering me about losing it. I found one that roughly resembled it, though I couldn’t recall the details of the contents. Since Lady Bleria was the only silver-haired person in the capital, I referenced her childhood portrait. Of course, Eos didn’t know about that.”

“Do I look foolish enough to believe such a story?”

“If you doubt my words, you can investigate me directly. Not Eos—me.”

Harriet’s lips curled into a cold smirk.

“It seems the Count places immense trust in Duchess Allnight.”

“Her Grace will handle this matter with absolute impartiality.”

“Very well. I’ll do as you wish, Count.”

At Harriet’s signal, Heaven’s knights escorted Mixel away. He followed them willingly, without resistance. Passing by Eos, he gave her a wink, which made her swallow a curse internally.

Bleria, who had been quietly observing the situation, eventually turned her gaze back to Eos. The same was true for everyone else, including Harriet.

Eos stammered out an explanation belatedly.

“Y-you’re misunderstanding! I never had any intention of impersonating the Lady! The picture in the pendant is a forgery or swapped out—those are absurd claims! I may have lost it once, but the picture is still—”

“Sigh.”

“Please don’t look at me like that, Harriet. Please, I beg you…”

Despite calling her by name without permission, Harriet didn’t even respond to his impertinent words. Instead, she ran a hand through her hair with a weary expression and then belatedly noticed Bleria.

“Bleria?”

She brushed past Eos and approached Bleria and Gopher. Bleria, staring at Eos’s wounded expression, finally tore her gaze away.

Harriet greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.

“When did you come out?”

“A little while ago.”

“Then you saw everything. Was it too noisy?”

“I don’t mind, but are you alright, Harriet?”

“Well, it’s unfortunate that someone uninvited caused such a commotion, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“To be clear, Allnight will not intervene in the Count of Dice’s affairs.”

Gopher said with a light laugh. Only then did Harriet’s eyes turn to him—though her gaze toward him had been far from kind since the rumors of his infidelity.

“I appreciate the reassurance. And, of course, your presence at the celebration.”

“It’s a joyous occasion; naturally, I came to congratulate you.”

“You’re not disappointed that Heaven now has an heir?”

Harriet tossed the barbed remark with a sly smile.

“Just kidding. I do hope you enjoy yourself. Young Duke Allnight and Damian will be down shortly, so we’ll have a proper conversation then.”

“Once again, congratulations on your pregnancy, My Lady.”