“Your Majesty, that’s not fair. Exchanging pleasantries with only Lady Charlotte.”

One young lady from the group following us quickly approached and adorably whined to the Queen.

“Oh my. I’m sorry, Lady Kate.”

The Queen unlinked her arm and turned to Kate, who had addressed her. Kate Deliant had been one of my followers in my previous life. She was also a close friend I’d grown up with since childhood.

That friend now glared at me with jealous eyes. I raised one eyebrow in response.

“People must have nothing better to do. Right, Lady Charlotte? Spreading such ridiculous rumors. I never believed such rumors from the start.”

Kate looked me up and down while subtly mocking me.

“Why not?”

“Given Lady Charlotte’s usual personality, there’s no way you’d date the Duke. No, rather, the Duke would have been horrified, wouldn’t he?”

“Why do you think the Duke would be horrified, Lady Kate?”

I tilted my head slightly, genuinely curious. On one hand, I knew why Kate was acting hostile.

To be precise, it was directed at “Charlotte,” not “me.”

“It’s obvious. You’d be too shy to even make eye contact, just twisting your fingers together. What man would find that interesting?”

“That did happen before.”

Despite her sarcastic words, I simply looked at Kate affectionately. Kate disliked “Charlotte.” The reason was exactly that.

She thought “Charlotte” was pretending to be innocent and acting coy. Kate found such behavior truly irritating.

“Besides, today proved the rumor about dating the Duke was false.”

“Really? That’s welcome news.”

I was genuinely pleased.

“What do you mean it was proven false?”

The Queen asked with a puzzled expression.

“Look over there, Your Majesty!”

Kate triumphantly pointed somewhere. The gathered crowd parted to both sides, revealing a couple.

I glanced that way without much interest. The moment I recognized the familiar person, my eyes widened.

“Clayton?”

His name burst out before I could stop it. One half of the couple was Clayton.

People stood around him, but he looked as aloof as ice floating in the North Sea. His sculptural appearance and glossy black hair. The blue-gray tailcoat perfectly wrapping his well-proportioned body and the pure white ruffled shirt underneath were both sophisticated and aristocratic.

He exuded an intimidating, unapproachable aura like a god from legend. Unlike gods who supposedly love humans, he surveyed his surroundings with emotionless eyes.

His silver-gray eyes were darkly submerged like deep seawater. Those eyes seemed to brush past me, then immediately stared piercingly.

“Duke Medvez is with a beautiful companion.”

Surprise colored Queen Christine’s voice. Then Kate spoke excitedly.

“Seeing him escort someone to the ball, you can tell that rumor was wrong, can’t you?”

“I see.”

“Don’t they look wonderful together?”

I looked away from his piercing stare to the side. There stood a beauty who barely reached his shoulder.

The person I’d been curious about since arriving at the ball. Evelyn Lorenfort, who was once me.

‘I’m finally seeing “myself.“’

I gazed at Evelyn with deep emotion.

‘This is what I look like through someone else’s eyes.’

Evelyn, wearing a gorgeous dress decorated with floral patterns, was dazzlingly beautiful. Her reddish-brown hair flowed down like a halo, framing her slender face.

Her round forehead, prominent nose bridge, and full lips formed perfect harmony, displaying heavenly beauty. People used to say this about Evelyn Lorenfort:

“A lady who combines the atmosphere of an untainted, pure young soul with the gaze of a seductress sending languid temptation.”

True to those words, Evelyn’s eyes shone moistly like wet brown pebbles. Those large eyes were looking up at Clayton.

With a gaze that didn’t know what to do with her happiness.

‘Why am I making that expression?’

I found it somewhat absurd. I originally had no interest in Clayton.

No matter how attractive a man he was or how much the King favored him. I too was the only daughter of a powerful marquis family and possessed the most unparalleled beauty in Serhart.

So men pursued me even when I did nothing. Everyone who saw me fell in love.

Whether romance or marriage, I could have either with anyone I wanted. There was no need to concern myself with a man who had no interest in me.

But now, what about “Evelyn,” who was once me? She couldn’t take her eyes off Clayton like a girl fallen in first love.

“They say rumors can’t be trusted. That’s certainly true. Duke Medvez seems interested in Lady Evelyn, not Lady Charlotte.”

Kate spoke mischievously. Then Clayton, who had been fixing his gaze on me the entire time, turned his face. He then bowed his head to Evelyn, who was speaking to him.

Black hair flowed over his high forehead and his red lips curved in what seemed like a smile. Evelyn, who had been moving her lips busily, looked up at him rapturously, seemingly forgetting her words.

The two focused on each other, seemingly seeing only the other person. They seemed unaware that people around them were stealing glances with curious faces.

“My, don’t they look like a painting?”

“…”

Honestly, I felt uncomfortable. I wanted to run to Evelyn right away and teach her, “Snap out of it! You weren’t this kind of girl! You should act proud and dignified!”

Being completely entranced by a man wasn’t like Evelyn. That wasn’t the only reason I felt uncomfortable.

‘You asked me to date you?’

He even offered to give me time to think.

‘And now you’re entranced by another woman?’

I unconsciously gripped my dress hem and trembled. I didn’t know why such fiery emotions surged up, but I was very displeased.

While I couldn’t take my eyes off the two of them.

“Lady Kate, I don’t think we need to jump to conclusions yet.”

Queen Christine spoke gently.

“But Your Majesty, that’s Duke Medvez. He’s never shown interest in the opposite s*x, not even common scandals. For such a person to keep a particular lady by his side means his feelings have changed.”

“I respect Lady Kate’s opinion. However, couldn’t those two have coincidentally met at the ballroom and be having a brief conversation?”

“But…”

“And didn’t you say rumors can’t be trusted? I think rumors don’t just arise. There must have been something between Lady Charlotte and the Duke for that to happen.”

“Something seems to be happening between those two right now though?”

“I acknowledge it. Since the two are affectionately close, there’ll be rumors by tomorrow. But would that be good for Lady Charlotte and Lady Evelyn?”

At the Queen’s words, Kate looked at Evelyn with a worried face.

“If the Duke deliberately spread such rumors, we’d have to view him differently, wouldn’t we? It’s practically two-timing both ladies.”

When the Queen winked, Kate, finally taking it as a joke, relaxed her stiff expression and burst into laughter. The Queen also smiled broadly and turned to me.

“Now, Lady Charlotte. I’ll ask again. Was it really a false rumor?”

Without giving me time to answer, the Queen continued with mischief-filled eyes.

“Would you be okay with Lady Evelyn stealing the Duke like this?”

My mind suddenly cleared. The goal I’d resolved from the beginning.

Pairing Clayton and Evelyn together. So of course I’d be fine with him being stolen!

No, I hoped he’d stop two-timing and go all-in on Evelyn! I pushed away the unpleasant feeling I’d briefly had and smiled brightly.

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Really?”

“I’d also like to pass on a man who two-times.”

“Oh my, Lady Charlotte. That was a joke just now. Others might two-time, but Duke Medvez isn’t that kind of person. I guarantee it.”

“I know you were joking. But my thoughts remain unchanged.”

“Won’t you regret it? The Duke would be the best man as a marriage partner in many ways…”

“Not at all. Rather, I think it’s fortunate. A marriage between Lady Evelyn and Duke Medvez—isn’t it wonderful just imagining it? There probably won’t be a more beautiful couple than those two. It’s too good for me.”

At my firm, clean answer, the Queen, Kate, and several ladies showed surprised expressions. Kate especially stared at me with a very confused face.

“If Lady Charlotte’s heart is set, it can’t be helped. Or perhaps you have someone else in mind?”

“…”

Crown Prince Leon, Your Majesty’s son. I answered inwardly.

But outwardly I only smiled while standing demurely.

“Oh my, I’ve kept you too long. You must have been bored conversing with an old woman like me?”

“Not at all, Your Majesty.”

“Well, shall I move elsewhere now? Many people want to make an impression on me.”

The Queen laughed heartily and left. I curtsied respectfully until the Queen’s party moved away.

Shortly after straightening up, I heard murmuring from behind.

“Poor Her Majesty. It would have been nice if she were just a bit more beautiful.”

“She’s beautiful enough now… but she doesn’t satisfy His Majesty the King’s eyes.”

“Let’s speak correctly. Even if Her Majesty were a beauty, His Majesty would have turned his eyes to other women.”

“That’s true. He’s such a virile man.”

“How is that a matter of virility? Of course taking concubines isn’t a flaw, but there should be some moderation.”

“Hoho, our King certainly has many lovers.”

“It’s because she’s the Queen that she stays quiet. If it were someone else, there would have been trouble from palace intrigue.”

“Right. Her Majesty doesn’t show jealousy and serves His Majesty devotedly, performing her role as Queen without fault.”

“I wish she were just a bit healthier.”

“I think the same.”

I listened carefully to the conversation coming from behind. While doing so, I looked at the Queen buried in the crowd.

Come to think of it, her back looked very frail. I heard she’d been ill and seemed to have lost much weight.

Queen Christine’s health was poor, so even when she held balls, she couldn’t stay long. Yet today she was spending time mingling with people specially.

While worrying and watching the Queen.

“Lady Charlotte.”

Kate called me with an odd expression.

“What is it?”

“I was too harsh earlier.”

Surprisingly, she apologized.

“About saying the Duke would be horrified seeing me act coy?”

“I’m… sorry.”

Kate’s cheeks flushed.

“Why apologize? It wasn’t wrong.”

“Pardon?”

“You were just pointing out facts. It’s true that happened.”

“You speak much better than before.”

Kate narrowed her eyes and scrutinized me closely. Her puzzled look was the same as she usually showed only to me, and it was cute.

“Lady Kate, it’s nice to see you unchanged. I’m also envious of how you care for Lady Evelyn.”

Grateful and glad for her sincerity toward Evelyn, I unconsciously grasped her hand and patted it while speaking.

“Please continue to cherish Lady Evelyn.”

“…!”

She flinched at the sudden contact. Simultaneously, my left palm tingled with a zing.

I quickly pulled my hand away and looked at my palm. A pattern like faint traces of light appeared in the center of my palm, then disappeared.

‘What on earth is this? Has this strange pattern been appearing every time similar pain occurred until now?’

I stroked my palm, wondering why such a phenomenon was happening to my body.

“What’s that?”

I quickly looked up at Kate’s surprised voice.

“That on your palm.”

She pointed at my left hand.

“Oh, you saw it too, Lady Kate?”

“Yes! But it’s fascinating. Appearing and disappearing like magic.”

“Indeed.”

“Doesn’t it hurt? Does this happen often?”

“It appears occasionally but doesn’t hurt. Thank you for worrying.”

“Could you have an incurable disease… Oh my, I’m sorry! I spoke carelessly again.”

She covered her mouth with an apologetic expression. Then she cautiously gauged my reaction and took my hand.

“If you need my help, please tell me anytime.”

“Uh… okay.”

I couldn’t quite adjust to Kate acting friendly. Just moments ago she’d disliked me as “Charlotte.”

But honestly, I didn’t feel bad. It felt like we’d briefly returned to being friends who laughed honestly and openly.

“Um, Lady Charlotte.”

Kate opened her mouth again, seemingly having more to say. Then the ballroom began buzzing.

I casually raised my gaze toward the commotion.

“Oh.”

I exclaimed without thinking. One handsome man and several young noble gentlemen were just entering the ballroom.

Bright laughter flowed wherever they passed. The ballroom quickly overflowed with vitality.

The distance between us gradually closed. Noble ladies blushed and paid respects to the handsome man.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“We greet Your Highness.”

The man with aristocratic features and gentle, smiling eyes was the Crown Prince of Serhart, Leon Arthur Valekdrogo. He stopped right in front of me.

“Good evening, Your Highness.”

I gracefully grasped my dress hem and curtsied. He raised one eyebrow while maintaining his smiling face.

I slowly straightened and smiled brightly at him. My next target had approached me on his own feet.