“Surprisingly, the Duchess of Poel has invited your father and me to a party. Not just us, but you as well. She must think we’ll be envious, but that’s not going to happen.”

“What? Me too?”

“Let’s take this opportunity to show that we’re still going strong. This is about our family’s honor.”

“You said something similar a few days ago.”

“Will you come with us, Leon?”

Without waiting for my response, my mother smiled contentedly at Iscallion. Naturally, he readily agreed.

“Yes. Just call me anytime.”

“You’re so reliable.”

‘Excuse me, what about my opinion?’

It was the first time my opinion had been so thoroughly ignored at home. This sense of deprivation was also a first. Whether they knew my feelings or not, my mother and Iscallion were engrossed in planning their outfits for the party.

***

Two days later, I headed to the Poel duchy with my parents and Iscallion. We were dressed just as splendidly as when we attended the palace party. Unlike me, who was already tired before we even arrived, my mother was full of enthusiasm.

“We must put the Duchess of Poel in her place.”

“Of course. The Dronay family is the best.”

‘Since when did those two get so close?’

My mother and Iscallion were like a perfect team. Iscallion’s reactions were so good that neither my father nor I could properly join their conversation, only managing awkward smiles.

As my mother said, the party was indeed grand. It was rare for a regular noble family to host such an extravagant event.

‘They must have spent a lot of money.’

As soon as Iscallion appeared, gasps of admiration erupted from all around. My parents, seasoned nobles, didn’t show it, but their pride was evident. The atmosphere of the party lifted with Iscallion’s arrival.

On the other hand, the Duchess of Poel and Ines wore sour expressions the entire time. Ines was being escorted by her brother. Judging by the atmosphere, it was clear they had invited the Crown Prince and been rejected.

Rather than feeling pleased, I was puzzled. Despite showing clear disdain, the Crown Prince had always attended my birthday parties. Although he wasn’t officially engaged to Ines yet, it was customary to attend such events to honor his prospective fiancée.

‘Well, it’s none of my business.’

Thanks to this, my parents were in high spirits. My father mingled with familiar nobles, drinking, while my mother was busy introducing Iscallion to the noblewomen. In the meantime, I slipped outside for a moment. The moon was shining brightly in the sky.

“Hello, Lady Dronay. We meet again.”

Someone approached me. I recognized her instantly. She was the woman who had mysteriously disappeared at the palace.

“Nice to see you.”

As we exchanged greetings, I tilted my head in curiosity. Given that she was invited to both the palace and the Poel family’s party, she must be from a prominent family, yet I couldn’t recall meeting her before. Sensing my gaze, the woman smiled and introduced herself.

“It’s finally nice to formally meet you. I’m Janet from the Vlad family.”

‘Vlad…?’

It was a name I had never heard before.

‘Is she from abroad? Or a branch of a major noble family?’

“We’re a new family from the provinces, so you probably wouldn’t know us.”

“Ah.”

I nodded. For the daughter of a new family to come to the capital, they must be quite wealthy. Sure enough, her clothes and jewelry were exceptionally luxurious.

“I’m sorry. I’ve never heard of the Vlad family before.”

“Don’t worry about it. Our family only received our title three generations ago, and we’re from the countryside, so it’s natural you wouldn’t know us.”

Janet shrugged nonchalantly. Her beauty and easygoing personality made me instantly like her. Like at the palace, she was alone without any escort. Though I was the same, it was uncommon for unmarried noblewomen to wander alone. The reason was probably…

‘She’s being ostracized.’

Nobles had always been conservative, but those from the imperial capital were particularly so. Just because her family was less prestigious, such a beautiful and kind person couldn’t make a single friend. I suddenly felt a sense of kinship. Even though I was notorious, my family’s status prevented open ostracism, but Janet wasn’t so fortunate.

“It’s been over three months since I came to the capital, but it’s so hard to find like-minded friends.”

Sure enough, Janet sighed bitterly.

“Don’t worry too much. Someone who understands you will come along.”

“Thank you. You’re very kind, lady.”

“Hahaha…”

Suddenly, Janet hesitated, her lips twitching as if she wanted to say something.

“Do you have something to say?”

At my question, Janet hesitated for a long time before finally speaking in a small voice.

“Would it be too presumptuous to ask to be friends with the lady of the Dronay family?”

“No! Not at all. I’d be happy to be your friend.”

Her face looked so forlorn that I nodded without thinking.

“Really? I’m so glad to finally have a friend.”

Her red eyes sparkled. I found myself mesmerized by those eyes, thinking they were as beautiful as the finest rubies.

“I’m happy to be friends with you too, Janet.”

“If we get closer, can we go out together? It’s embarrassing, but my dream has been to shop and eat delicious food with a friend.”

Seeing her excited face, I felt a pang of sympathy.

“That’s not difficult at all. Just let me know whenever you need a shopping buddy.”

Janet’s face lit up like a blooming flower.

“Really? I’m so happy.”

Seeing such a beautiful woman happy made me happy too.

“Then, can I send you a letter soon? If it’s not too much trouble, please come out with me.”

“Sure.”

That day, instead of returning to the ballroom, I spent a lot of time talking with Janet. Thanks to my new friend, the party that had been so uncomfortable became a bit more enjoyable.

***

A few days later, a letter from Janet arrived. The content was simple. She asked to meet at the fountain in the bustling district after sunset if I was free the day after tomorrow.

“Sunset?”

I didn’t understand why she wanted to meet so late. Although Arcadia, being the imperial capital, had excellent security, and women could walk around at night without much issue, popular shops usually closed early.

I gave a silver coin to the boy who brought the letter.

“Wait a moment. I’ll write a reply right away.”

When I asked if we could meet a bit earlier, Janet replied that she was sensitive to the heat and preferred not to go out during the day. Though it was a bit disappointing, I decided to respect her wishes.

And so, the appointed day arrived.

As I was about to leave, I noticed a piece of coal sitting alone. I realized I hadn’t paid much attention to it recently.

“Shahar, would you like to go out for some fresh air? I’m going to the bustling district.”

“If I’m with my mate, I’ll go anywhere.”

“But today I’m meeting a friend, so we can’t talk. I don’t want to scare her.”

“It doesn’t matter. Being by your side is enough for me.”

Could there be a more understanding stone? If it weren’t for his species, I would have fallen in love with him long ago. Though I regretted it every time, there was nothing I could do. I chose a pretty bag, placed the coal inside, and headed to the bustling district.

Even though I arrived slightly earlier than the appointed time, Janet was already waiting by the fountain.

“You’re early. Have you been waiting long?”

I greeted her warmly as I approached. Janet was beautiful once again. Her unique, alluring, and mature aura wasn’t something one could achieve just by aging.

‘If only Janet were the heroine, the world would be safer…’

I looked at Janet with envy. She lowered her gaze and smiled shyly.

“I was so excited that I couldn’t stay at home.”

Internally cursing the mean noblewomen who ostracized such a kind and gentle person, I took her hand.

“Let’s look around before the shops close.”

Surprisingly, she wasn’t interested in jewelry or clothes. I also had no desire to buy dresses or accessories, as I had more than enough. Instead, we visited wine, tea, and perfume shops, tasting and smelling various products. We bought a few items we liked. It was a much more enjoyable time than I had expected.

Before heading home, we passed a small jewelry shop. The elderly owner was just about to close up.

As I glanced at the display case, my eyes were drawn to a small piece of jewelry.

It was a pair of cufflinks set with lapis lazuli. Lapis lazuli wasn’t very expensive, but the deep blue stone with gold flecks seemed perfect for Iscallion.

I quickly approached the owner.

“Excuse me. Can I buy those cufflinks?”

The owner nodded cheerfully.

“Of course.”

I turned to Janet.

“Would you like to come in and look around?”

“No, I’ll wait here.”

She really seemed uninterested in jewelry. I left Janet outside and entered the shop.

“I’ve had hardly any customers today. I was about to close up when you came.”

“Really?”

The owner next to me was chattering dramatically. I responded absentmindedly as I waited for the packaging to be completed.

The owner glanced around and cautiously asked,

“By any chance, is there nothing else you’d like to see?”

“Hmm, if there’s something suitable for a middle-aged man, please show me.”

There was a jeweler that my family had been doing business with for a long time, but if I only bought something for Iscallion, Father would surely be displeased.

After selecting a gift for Father, the owner still kept bringing out this and that to show me. Since I was already here, I also chose a gift for Mother.

Seeing the young me boldly purchasing expensive jewelry without even asking the price, the owner seemed to have hooked a big catch, as his mouth hung wide open.

I pointed to a garnet earring as a final item.

“I’ll take that one as well.”

“This is a rare top-quality garnet. Are you buying it as a gift for a friend? The young lady outside has hair the exact color of this stone.”

I nodded with a smile.

‘I said it was my first time going out with a friend since coming to the capital.’

I wanted to give a small gift as a memento.

Looking at the tabletop mirror in front of me, I discreetly held the earring up to my ear.

As I thought, this color didn’t suit me at all. But it would certainly match Janet perfectly.

As I put down the earring and absentmindedly looked at the mirror, I suddenly realized that Janet’s reflection was nowhere to be seen.

“Hm?”

Did she leave her spot?

Curious, I turned my head, and there she was, standing in her place. A passerby was speaking to her, seemingly asking for directions.

I blinked stupidly and then returned my gaze to the mirror.

My heart sank.

This time as well, Janet was not visible in the mirror. The passerby was talking to an empty space.