‘Is it because I’m with Kiriel that we’re drawing attention?’

Ethan, dressed in his usual black uniform, was familiar, but the remaining three were complete strangers to her.

Liriel Curtis. Her braided blonde hair was adorned with a flower-shaped hairpin, and she wore a deep blue dress. Like her brother, she was a talented mage, deeply interested only in magic.

Her languid expression exuded a dreamy atmosphere. Her purple eyes, identical to Kiriel’s, flickered with a peculiar interest.

Seria Hail. A woman with short black hair tinged with blue and deep navy eyes, she had a sharp and strong appearance.

Dressed in a crisply tailored uniform and adorned with numerous pure pearl accessories, it was evident she had many contracted spirits. She truly lived up to her reputation as a talented spirit summoner.

Lastly, Dain Serade. A handsome man with red hair and intense golden eyes like a raptor. As expected of the female protagonist’s brother, he bore a striking resemblance to her.

‘Letie wouldn’t like hearing this.’

Kana smiled slightly, recalling Letie’s cynical demeanor whenever her brother was mentioned. Of course, with years of experience, she concealed her smile behind her fan so that others wouldn’t notice.

“Lord Kiriel, why do you think they can’t take their eyes off us?”

“Perhaps they find our combination refreshing.”

Kiriel sighed lightly as he answered Kana’s whispered question. Sure enough, the four individuals naturally approached them.

Uncharacteristically, Ethan, usually taciturn, spoke first.

“We meet again. Weren’t you two together at the weapon shop as well?”

“Yes. Duke Cardium, you didn’t bring a partner today.”

In response to Kana’s polite remark, Ethan nodded slightly and changed the subject.

“Too troublesome. More importantly, are you still training in swordsmanship?”

“Of course. My parents opposed it at first, but they eventually supported me as I kept at it.”

“That’s good.”

Despite his curt tone, it was clear that his response carried good intentions. Watching their conversation, Liriel interjected.

“Hmm, you converse well with Duke Cardium. No wonder you’re partners with my brother.”

“Nice to meet you, Lady Liriel Curtis. I’m Kana Round.”

“Hello. Who asked to be partners?”

Liriel’s question, straight to the point like her brother’s, was answered by Kiriel.

“I did, sister.”

“Wow, amazing. You should be grateful to the lady for accepting.”

Liriel clapped soullessly. Kiriel grumbled about his sister being equally formidable. As Kana felt awkward, a husky voice reached her ears.

“The ring on your hand, it’s a pure pearl ring, right?”

“Yes. As a novice spirit summoner, it’s an honor to meet you, young duke Seria Hail.”

Kana expressed her respect and greeted her. Even if it wasn’t about spirits, maintaining a friendly relationship with her, who was a great supporter of the female protagonist, was beneficial.

Seria laughed heartily.

“Haha, it’s always nice to meet a fellow spirit summoner. Is it a wind spirit?”

“Yes. You recognized it instantly.”

“I can tell just by the aura. Keep up the good work.”

Seria encouraged the fellow spirit summoner with a smiling face.

The warm atmosphere took a sudden turn when Dain interjected.

“Are you the lady who invited Letie to the tea party?”

“Yes.”

Since Kana had invited Letie and enjoyed the tea party together, she was confident. His golden eyes narrowed.

“Even knowing her reputation?”

“Yes.”

Kana straightened her body and walked out confidently. As the atmosphere grew tense, Kiriel shielded her with his arm, frowning. His voice came out cold and heavy.

“Young Duke Serade, did you come to fight with my partner?”

“No, I did not.”

Dain took a step back. Seria, who had been watching, patted his shoulder.

“That’s right, stop it. Why are you being so hostile?”

“We’ve exchanged greetings, so let’s step aside.”

Liriel gestured with her hand. The four naturally dispersed. Ethan moved to one corner, Dain joined a group of other male nobles, and Liriel and Seria joined a group of other young ladies.

Kana took a deep breath and fanned herself lightly.

“Wow, that was intense earlier.”

“…Are you alright?”

Unlike Kana, who brushed it off nonchalantly, Kiriel frowned. His entire demeanor reflected discomfort, befitting his prickly personality.

‘I feel like I should be the one asking if he’s okay, not the other way around…’

Kana was truly unbothered. After all, this was within the range of what she had anticipated. Folding her fan, she responded calmly.

“Of course. I expected at least this much when I became Lord Kiriel’s partner.”

“I mean, weren’t you uncomfortable with Young Duke Serade suddenly picking a fight?”

Kiriel’s voice was clear and heavy, filled with strong displeasure. Except for his sister Liriel, no one had particularly bothered him. Kana smiled faintly and answered softly.

“Well, I was a bit taken aback, but Lord Kiriel blocked it appropriately, so it’s fine.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Having played supporting roles, she had encountered far worse characters; this level of confrontation was hardly worth calling a fight.

Kiriel stared at her calm face in silence. Kana tilted her head.

“Lord Kiriel?”

“Miss Kana is strange. You actively accommodate others, yet sometimes you act as if you have nerves of steel or like an observer.”

For a prickly sub male lead who usually ignored supporting characters, his observation was quite perceptive. Kana, looking into his purple eyes that reflected her image, responded calmly.

“Well, people inherently have various facets, don’t they? Just as Lord Kiriel does, so do I.”

“….”

Kiriel closed his mouth at her skillful evasion.

While they conversed, the surrounding nobles were still gossiping about the imperial family and the two young ladies from the Serade family, who had yet to appear. At that moment, the imperial family and the two young ladies made their entrance.

The Emperor and Empress. And Cordelia Serade, escorted by the First Prince Riden Irgis. Letie Serade, escorted by the Second Prince Richard Irgis. The villain and the protagonist were perfectly contrasted.

The First Prince Riden, with silver hair and red eyes, had a sharp and handsome appearance. In ‘Fake Saint,’ he was somewhat arrogant and belligerent, though he didn’t show it outwardly.

The villain, Cordelia. With her wavy pink hair and golden eyes, her drooping eyes added to her innocent and lovely appearance, exuding a pure atmosphere.

Her light yellow dress and topaz accessories made her look like a fairy of spring. Smiling brightly, Cordelia gave off a universally likable impression.

The Second Prince, Richard, with silver hair and lake-blue eyes, had a gentle and refreshing look. Unlike Riden, his friendly eyes exuded a warm and cool feeling. As the male protagonist, he too had a glamorous and handsome appearance.

Richard, unlike his brother, was a cautious and patient character. Befitting the virtues of a male protagonist, he had his own wounds but never showed them, always supporting and caring for the female protagonist.

Next to him, Letie had her red hair down and wore a light purple dress. Her accessories were unified with topaz, but the feeling was slightly different from Cordelia’s.

When her eyes met Kana’s, a friendly emotion flickered in her golden eyes. Kana responded with a friendly nod.

“My goodness, the partners of the princes are all from the Serade family.”

“Indeed, their appearances and atmospheres are quite contrasting.”

The surrounding people were busy talking about the two princes and the two young ladies. Kana naturally blended into the conversation of the other young ladies, praising Letie.

“Indeed, Lady Letie’s aura is unique. She exudes the strength typical of the Serade family.”

“Now that you mention it, Lady Round, I think you’re right.”

Before any negative topics about Letie could arise, Kana smoothly inserted favorable opinions. Kiriel couldn’t understand why she subtly played the role of a wind-catcher¹바람잡이 is a person who distracts others to achieve a certain goal he/she has plotted in collusion with someone else.

After easing the atmosphere with her smooth talk, Kana quietly stepped back to rest. Kiriel tapped her shoulder and grumbled.

“Miss Kana, do you really have to go that far?”

“Pardon?”

When Kana blinked and asked back, Kiriel asked seriously.

“Did you promise to receive something from Lady Letie Serade?”

“No.”

“Then, were you threatened?”

“It’s not that either. I just did it voluntarily.”

Unlike the frustrated Kiriel, Kana answered nonchalantly, waving her hand. After all, he would never know about her work even if he died and came back to life.

Suspicion lingered in his mysterious purple eyes. He tilted his head.

“Why? You don’t seem like the type to do that, Miss Kana.”

“When I keep hearing bad things about someone close to me, it makes me uncomfortable. It’s better to hear some good things too, don’t you think?”

Kana mixed a bit of her true feelings with the reason for smooth work.

Kiriel lowered his head to look down at her. From a distance where their faces were suddenly close, he asked quietly.

“Miss Kana, do you defend close people even if many others criticize them?”

“Well, it depends on the reason for the criticism… but if it feels unjust, I would defend them.”

Kana responded calmly. Her unwavering attitude made Kiriel’s head return to its original position. Around that time, the Emperor and Empress on the dais gave their greetings.

“Welcome, everyone, to the royal banquet.”

All the nobles in the hall bowed to the Emperor and Empress. Kana followed the atmosphere. They waved lightly.

“No need for formalities. Please enjoy yourselves.”

With the Empress’s words, the pleasant music that had been flowing softly grew louder. The imperial family stepped down from the dais and moved to one side, and the nobles straightened their bowed bodies.

As the atmosphere of the banquet formed, the people around began to dance with their partners. Kiriel extended his hand to her, who was watching the spinning figures.

“How about a dance for us too?”