First, let’s look around.

The servants and knights of the Duchy of Wheaton all seemed quite attractive, as if they had received a buff for being around the male lead. Even the gardener who was cutting branches was handsome.

But they cannot be considered as potential candidates. Pursuing Diart’s acquaintances and trying to seduce them is not only an unreasonable act but also something I don’t want to get involved in.

‘Pass!’

Then let’s turn our eyes to the outside. Except for the passers-by I’ve met since I possessed this body, there’s only Crown Prince Jarvis left…

‘I didn’t expect to be left with no one to choose from.’

…Pass.

I’ve been wandering around the central city and the capital of Bartley for a few days to find a new man, but…

‘I heard all the good men have already been taken.’

Most of the men who came into cafes or restaurants were already with their lovers, and many of those walking on the street had partners.

No, are they all under the same curse as me. Why are you roasting sweet sesame seeds¹this expression is used when someone senses the atmosphere of a couple deeply in love, as if the scent of roasted sesame seeds (깨) is in the air to show off your affection? My eyes are sore and I’m dying of envy.

Even if I occasionally saw a man walking alone, they either looked too old or too young, and if they seemed to be around the same age, they didn’t have an appealing appearance.

‘I wonder if there are blind dates or meetings in this world?’

No, even if such things exist, do I have any friends or close relatives to introduce me? It was also strange to go around bragging about ‘cheating’ on someone when there was no suitable person to be introduced to.

“Haa.”

As I let out a deep sigh, Lily, who was picking withered flower petals from a vase, turned her head.

“What’s troubling you, madam?”

“Lily, is there a ‘meet up’ place here?”

“What kind of place is that?”

“It’s an agency that arranges meetings between men and women.”

“Oh~ Are you talking about a matchmaker?”

“No, it’s a bit different from that…”

Where and how do people meet and start dating? I want to ask Crown Prince Jarvis how he manages to charm so many wealthy ladies.

Even if I want to cheat, I need to have a man.

“Why are you suddenly curious about that?”

Lily asked, tilting her head. If I were to say ‘to cheat,’ those innocent eyes would be shocked in an instant, so I summoned my imaginary friend that I had used once before.

“Remember my friend’s father-in-law, whom I mentioned before, who’s still not getting his act together and continues to meet and date women? My friend sighed, asking where and how he met them. It seems like chaos is happening in his household.”

Lily nodded seriously as if I were that friend and let out an ahhh.

“By the way, I received a letter from a friend who works for Count Norman recently, saying that they are extremely busy with preparations for a masquerade ball.”

“A masquerade ball?”

“Yes. It seems to be a masked ball where families and names are hidden, and faces are covered with masks. Maybe your friend’s father also meets people there?”

Where else would there be a better opportunity for men and women to make eye contact than at a dance. I had been wanting to attend a ball anyway, so my eyes lit up involuntarily.

“How can I go there?”

Since it’s a hidden ball, they probably won’t invite me in the usual way.

“I’m not sure about that. Should I ask my friend?”

“Yes. And could you also ask if it’s possible to get an invitation if needed?”

“Of course!”

Thinking that Lily must think I was worried about my friend, she nodded with a mischievous look in her eyes.

Although it pricked my conscience a little, I had discovered an unexpected route. To meet men, it was important to go where men gather. Among the many men at the ball, there must be at least one who matches my taste.

Even if I don’t find a man I like, it will still be helpful to gather information about such social gatherings.

I smiled brightly, feeling refreshed as the blocked road had suddenly been cleared.

* * *

“There’s no lunch.”

Milto, who had finished the morning training and was sitting in the shade catching his breath, sighed and spoke.

“Normally, at this time, Madam would bring delicious food….”

As if everyone had the same thought, without any reason, they started opening their mouths.

“It was a struggle to endure the hellish training.”

“Why doesn’t she come as often these days… Is she still not fully recovered?”

“Well, she was seriously ill.”

“But I heard that she goes out every day recently.”

“Then why doesn’t she call for us? Madam goes out without any escorts…”

“Could it be that we made a mistake towards her?”

The knights, wondering if they had done something wrong to Roeni that she had stopped going to the training ground, recalled their last encounter with her.

“Oh, come to think of it, I don’t think Sie Jetho thanked her for the meal back then!”

“No, I did! I don’t think Sir Philip did, though?”

“What are you talking about? I definitely greeted her too. More importantly, it seems like Alex stuffed food in his mouth. No matter how much of a rush you are, it’s not polite to act like that in front of Madam! That’s not polite!”

“Hey, you did the same thing!”

You were wrong. No, you seem to be more wrong. The knights who were arm wrestling recalled the person who was with Roeni last.

The knights, who had been silent for a moment, turned their heads at the same time.

Diart was lightly swinging his sword.

‘How cruel did you treat her!’

Lambert, who had left the timid knights behind, walked up to Diart as he entered the training ground.

“Your Excellency.”

Diart, who was holding his sword up in the air, turned his head.

“This time it’s for Count Norman.”

Lambert, who handed over the letter he was holding, let out a sigh.

“We should be able to catch him this time. I don’t know how many times this has happened. Is there really a spy inside. I don’t really like those kinds of situations as a hobby.”

“I’ll go.”

Diart, who quickly read the letter, spoke in an indifferent tone.

“What?”

Lambert’s eyes widened. He knew Diart well enough to know that he despised social gatherings as much as he did, or even more.

“Are you serious?”

“As you said, we can’t drag this out forever.”

“If Your Excellency is willing to go, I won’t stop you. Well, Your Excellency has much better judgment than I do. I’m sure we can catch him this time!”

Lambert clenched his thumb, trying to suppress the smile that kept wanting to emerge at the fact that he didn’t have to go to that boring gathering.

As Diart glanced briefly at him, Lambert followed behind him. Seeing him move, the knights realized that their break time was over and gathered around.

“What’s wrong.”

“Yes?”

The knights looked puzzled when Diart suddenly asked.

“You’ve been glancing at me and whispering to each other.”

“Ah…”

How did he find out again? The knights, who couldn’t criticize him for gossiping, exchanged embarrassed glances. Among them, Milto cautiously stepped forward.

“Um… Your Excellency. What did you say to Madam?”

Diart narrowed his eyes as if asking what he meant. Milto hesitated but managed to speak.

“Madam hasn’t been feeling well lately. I was wondering if you said something to her, Your Excellency…”

As Milto looked at him with suspicion, Diart suddenly became curious.

‘When did these knights become so friendly with her?’

Roeni used to follow him everywhere he went, but she didn’t come to the training ground. It was probably because she didn’t want her hair and dress to get dirty with the dust. Even when she came occasionally, she just watched from afar. That’s the reason why Diart, who had always enjoyed practicing his swordsmanship, had practically lived in the training ground.

But from some point on, she had been pushing her way into the training ground without hesitation and sitting around with the knights, sharing snacks. The knights were uncomfortable at first, but were now following her.

“As expected…”

Milto nodded his head as if he had expected it. Diart didn’t say anything, but he understood through his silence. Soon, his eyes were filled with criticism.

“That’s too much!”

Not only Milto but also the knights who were waiting for Diart’s response behind him sent him a disapproving look.