10. There’s no way a woman like that could possibly exist.

‘There’s no way a woman like that could possibly exist.’

Rashid’s expression seemed to say exactly that.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace, but I am neither a young lady making her debut in society nor someone who enjoys balls. I suggest you find another partner.”

Even as the daughter of a fallen baron family, there were still occasions when Evelyn had to attend balls or parties.

Each time, she couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of isolation.

At twenty-five, she had already passed the prime age for marriage in this world—an age where one was expected to give up hope of marriage entirely. On top of that, her family had collapsed, and she lacked the kind of influential social connections others had.

‘So every time I went to a ball, I ended up a wallflower.’

At balls, unmarried young ladies who loitered by the walls without receiving a single invitation to dance were called wallflowers. Evelyn had been one for years now.

‘But at least I got to eat my fill of good food.’

The food offered at noble parties or balls directly reflected on the reputation of the hostess, so the hosts always prepared the finest, most exquisite dishes.

‘A ball at the Imperial Palace would probably have even more extravagant food…’

Still, going all the way to the Imperial Palace just to nibble on some canapés and finger sandwiches didn’t appeal to her.

Besides, considering the scandal involving her and Rashid had likely spread across the entire capital, there was no reason for her to go out of her way to become a public spectacle.

“Evelyn, are you saying you’re refusing to attend the ball with me?”

Rashid’s voice dropped low as he asked again. Evelyn answered with a bright smile.

“I would be grateful if you would respect my opinion, Your Grace.”

“That’s unfortunate…”

Rashid ran a hand through his hair once again. His beautiful platinum blond hair shimmered under the light.

“But that’s not an option, Lady Evelyn.”

“…?”

“I’m going to offer you a special bonus. If you attend the Imperial ball with me, that is.”

“Ugh.”

A small groan escaped Evelyn’s lips.

A special bonus? That was far too tempting…

Rashid’s brilliant blue eyes gleamed with confidence.

“Which means you have to attend the ball with me.”

Sigh…

Evelyn let out a deep breath.

Whether in this world or the other, being broke was the same.

Recalling the looming deadline to pay Alto’s tuition, Evelyn could only nod with a reluctant expression.

“…Understood, Your Grace.”

***

Unable to endure the chilly atmosphere of the room, Adelio had fled but now returned, only to be left stunned by the unexpected news.

“You’re really going to attend the Imperial Ball with Lady Evelyn?”

“Why? Should I not?”

“It’s just… won’t Her Majesty the Empress be upset?”

“I don’t care.”

“If you truly don’t care… then may I try guessing the reason?”

Adelio looked at Rashid with eyes brimming with curiosity.

“You dated Lady Cecilia to divert your mother’s—Her Majesty’s—attention, didn’t you?”

Jillian, the former Duchess of Egenhart, had become Empress after marrying the Emperor a few years back.

Since then, she had actively pushed for her son Rashid’s marriage and saw Evelyn—who had remained by his side for years—as an obstacle.

As if Evelyn were somehow the sole reason Rashid remained unmarried.

“You’re right that it was to divert the Empress’s gaze.”

“Oh!”

“But… things have progressed differently than planned.”

“…?”

“So now, I’ll have to try a different approach.”

Rashid quietly lowered his eyes, murmuring to himself.

“I just wish Lady Evelyn would realize how much you’re going through because of her,” Adelio said softly, touched by Rashid’s deep consideration.

But—

“Shh.”

Rashid raised a finger to his lips. Adelio quickly clamped his own mouth shut.

“Understood! I won’t say a word!”

***

“The total output from the northern mines has decreased by about a quarter compared to the same quarter last year. According to the report, it would be more efficient to either expand the tunnels or find a new vein.”

“……”

“The Central Railway Company is scheduled to issue stocks next month. The stock manager contacted us, asking for your opinion on how many shares to acquire.”

“……”

In the study of the Duke of Egenhart.

At the center of the study—almost large enough to be a mansion on its own—stood a broad table.

Duke Rashid Egenhart sat at the head of the table, looking thoroughly bored, while Evelyn stood holding a thick stack of documents, reporting on today’s agenda.

“And you must attend the Count of Andemion’s party today.”

“What’s the reason?”

“Count Andemion is a key member of the noble council. If you build a personal relationship with him, it will be a great help to Bris Company’s business in the future.”

“Are you trying to sell me off?”

When Rashid narrowed his eyes and asked, Evelyn responded nonchalantly.

“Oh, so you caught on.”

Evelyn shrugged.

“That’s it for today’s report. What follows now is a personal question.”

“…?”

“Are you really okay with it being me?”

Rashid lifted his head to look at Evelyn.

“Okay with what?”

“I mean the Imperial Ball. Are you really fine with attending it with me?”

Though parties and balls were held almost every day during the social season, some events carried particular significance.

The Imperial Ball was one of them.

Most couples who attended this event together ended up getting married not long after.

In other words, it was an unspoken rule in high society that one only attended the Imperial Ball with someone they intended to marry.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

As expected, his indifferent voice returned. Evelyn raised one finger.

“Lord Rashid and I are currently entangled in a very scandalous rumor.”

“I don’t care about that kind of thing.”

“But Her Majesty the Empress will surely care. She wouldn’t want a scene at one of the few Imperial events held in a year.”

“So, are you scared?”

Evelyn, who had been speaking passionately, was silenced by Rashid’s teasing tone.

A mischievous glint had appeared in Rashid’s blue eyes.

It was the same look he had often worn in childhood, right before playing a prank.

It had been a long time since she’d seen that playful expression.

“Even if you’re scared, I have no choice. It’s too late to find another partner now.”

Ugh.

‘You’re dragging me to the Imperial Palace for that reason?’

‘So in the end, you’re asking me to stand in for someone else.’

Evelyn sighed deeply in her heart.

The strict face of the Empress floated in her mind, but there was no way to run from this.

“If that’s the case, I suppose I have no choice. I’ll quietly attend the Imperial Ball with you, Lord Rashid.”

To her employer, who looked at her as if amused, Evelyn added one more thing.

“And if anything happens, I trust that you’ll save me.”

Her words were closer to a demand than a request. Rashid didn’t answer, simply gave a faint laugh.

“Come to think of it, Lady Evelyn, aren’t you attending the Count’s party today?”

“I’m buried in work, so I’ll be working late again tonight.”

“That’s unfortunate, then.”

Rashid replied with an expression that didn’t look the least bit regretful, prompting Evelyn to flash a bright smile.

“It’s fine. I’ll just charge a hefty overtime fee.”

“Hah?”

Rashid let out a disbelieving chuckle.

Evelyn gathered the documents she had brought with her and gave a final farewell.

“Well then, I hope you enjoy the party.”

***

“Haaah.”

A small sigh escaped Evelyn.

As she had just said, it was because of the mountain of paperwork.

These documents dealt with the Duke’s household budget for the quarter and couldn’t be reviewed carelessly.

Chewing on a peanut cookie she had brought as a snack, Evelyn began to carefully go through the paperwork.

“This job has no work-life balance…”

In this world, noble ladies usually received bridal training at home after graduating from the academy, but even that luxury was not permitted to Evelyn.

Fortunately, thanks to her excellent grades at the academy, she was able to land a job easily.

Still, many people whispered behind her back, saying it was improper for a noble lady to work and earn money.

Every time Evelyn heard that, she thought to herself:

‘Dignity doesn’t put food on the table.’

Evelyn had already experienced the brutal reality of capitalism firsthand.

After resigning from her previous job at a steel company, she became the secretary for Duke Egenhart’s household—because they offered the highest salary.

“The tea’s gone cold.”

Evelyn sighed as she absentmindedly picked up her teacup.

“At this rate, even staying up all night won’t be enough to finish all this.”

She pulled the bell cord on the wall to summon a maid.

While waiting, she continued scanning the documents but gradually drifted into idle thoughts.

“Everyone’s probably having a great time right about now.”

The ball at Count Andemion’s estate today had gathered all the prominent nobles of the capital.

Her employer, Duke Rashid Egenhart, would be there, of course, as well as several noble ladies Evelyn was acquainted with.

Even Evelyn, the daughter of a baron, had received an invitation. But given the economic state of House Berge, she was in no position to attend a ball in leisure.

“I am a little envious… But what can you do? Enough distractions. Back to work.”

Just as Evelyn refocused on the documents—

Creak.

She heard the office door open.

Without looking up from the paperwork, she spoke.

“Anna, I’m sorry, but could you bring me a full pot of hot tea? Looks like I’ll be working all night.”

「Yes, my lady. I’ll prepare it right away.」

That was the reply she expected.

But no answer came.

Puzzled, Evelyn looked up.

The next moment, her eyes widened in surprise.

“Lord Rashid? Why are you back already?”