Remy opened her eyes wide in surprise.

The romance between the Duke and Duchess of Egenhart was fairly well-known, but she hadn’t expected such a backstory.

“I used to hate parties much more than you do. But due to pressure from the adults, I was forced to attend and ended up just another wallflower.”

“My mother also forced me to attend today, saying I have to meet a marriage partner…”

Remy caught herself mid-sentence and quickly bowed her head toward Evelyn.

“A-Ah! O-of course, it’s an honor to be invited to a party hosted by the ducal family. I’ve said something disrespectful…”

Her face turned bright red at the slip of her tongue.

Evelyn looked at Remy with gentle eyes.

“So, did anyone today catch your eye?”

At that question, Remy recalled the candidates she had been dragged to meet by the countess earlier.

“Not at all…”

The gloomy answer came instantly, and Evelyn smiled inwardly.

Even this part is just like me.

“Besides, I have no dowry, my family’s situation is terrible… I’m not good at speaking, and I’m not very social.”

“Young Lady of Baron Chabre. If any man rejects you for such reasons, that man isn’t worth much at all. You should be the one to dump him first.”

At Evelyn’s bold statement, Remy’s eyes widened.

“Maybe even kick his shins to knock some sense into him. I’ll take responsibility.”

“Ah…”

“You’re far too good for some foolish man like that. I’m sure a better partner will appear for you.”

There was something refreshing about the Duchess’s firm tone that made Remy feel unexpectedly relieved.

Until now, no one—not even her family—had ever told her that her red hair was beautiful, or that she didn’t need to go through with a marriage she didn’t want.

“Duchess, if I may… could I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“How did you know that His Grace the Duke of Egenhart was your destined partner?”

At Remy’s cautious question, Evelyn gently furrowed her brow.

‘How should I answer this…’

After a brief moment of consideration, the Duchess responded to the young lady who was gazing at her with earnest eyes.

“It’s a bit cliché, but I suppose I’d say it was fate.”

“Fate…”

“I’d known Rashid for a long time, but one day it just suddenly hit me. This is the one. I was born again just to meet Rashid.”

She couldn’t very well explain that their fateful meeting had spanned two lifetimes, but somehow, her sincerity reached Remy.

“Fate…”

Evelyn gazed at the quiet noble lady murmuring softly with a kind expression.

“I believe that one day, your fated partner will appear too.”

“Thank you, Duchess.”

Remy bowed her head once again. As her rich red hair cascaded down again, Evelyn removed the hair ornament she was wearing.

“I’ll lend you this. Use it for now.”

“I-I can’t possibly, Your Grace. I couldn’t accept such a precious piece.”

Remy was flustered and tried to refuse, but Evelyn smiled and tucked the ornament into her hair.

“My hair is this color too, so I never used ruby accessories. But now that I think about it, ruby probably suits red hair best.”

“Ah…”

“That combination feels the most natural and radiant. And it suits you quite well, Young Lady.”

Evelyn looked fondly at the jewel sparkling amidst Remy’s thick locks and concluded.

Remy, deeply touched, gently stroked her hair. Evelyn smiled as she watched the timid motion of her fingers.

“Now then, shall we fix your hair and head back to the hall?”

Evelyn offered her hand to Remy.

“Who knows? Your destined one might be in that ballroom.”

Remy hesitated for a moment at the suggestion, then finally found the courage to take the Duchess’s hand.

But Evelyn’s care for the overlooked noble lady didn’t end there.

She called a maid to help tidy up Remy’s hair and then, deliberately holding her hand, entered the ballroom together.

Naturally, attention fell on the young woman being personally escorted by the Duchess of Egenhart.

“Oh my, who is that young lady?”

“To think the Duchess herself is escorting her… how enviable.”

The party guests all stared at the two with astonishment. Among them was Countess Langriel, who had been fuming because her niece had suddenly vanished.

“How on earth did that girl get acquainted with the Duchess?”

The Countess looked bewildered at the unexpected behavior of her niece, who had never shown even a sliver of sociability before.

“Hoo…”

Feeling the attention on them, Remy took a deep breath without realizing it. Evelyn, noticing how tense she still looked, asked gently:

“Come to think of it, I haven’t even asked your name yet.”

“Ah, please forgive me, Duchess. My name is Remina…”

She trailed off with an awkward expression.

“My full name is Anais Remina Chabre. I’m terribly sorry to share your daughter’s name…”

Anais.

It was a name given to her by her late grandfather.

Though it had prestigious origins—taken from the empire’s first princess—Remy had always felt burdened by it. That’s why she preferred to be called by her middle name, Remina, by family and friends.

“There’s nothing to apologize for… In fact, it makes me feel even more fond of you, sharing a name with my daughter.”

To Remy’s surprise, Evelyn gave her a bright smile and took her hand again.

“At the ducal house, we host a small tea gathering every Tuesday afternoon with close friends. If you’re available, would you visit us next Tuesday?”

“Thank you for the invitation. It’s truly an honor, Your Grace.”

With a flushed face, Remy accepted the invitation, then quickly added as if she just remembered:

“I’ll return this hair ornament then. I’m truly grateful for the kindness you’ve shown me today.”

Evelyn smiled warmly as she saw how lively Remy had become—so different from before.

“Then I hope you enjoy the rest of your time. I must excuse myself—there’s someone waiting for me.”

When Evelyn returned to Remy’s side, it was already quite late. Because of that, not only the guest of honor, Anais, but also Louis had already been taken to the nursery by the nanny.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”

Evelyn spoke warmly to Rashid, who had been waiting for her all that time.

Rashid, who had been sulking with a sour expression while waiting for her return, looked at his wife and opened his mouth.

“Did you save another poor young lady lost in the ballroom again today?”

“It reminded me of the old days. I couldn’t just stand by.”

Evelyn approached her sulky husband and gently linked her arm with his.

“That young lady reminded me so much of myself—back when I was a social outcast in the ballroom before I married you.”

“Hmph.”

“That’s why I couldn’t just watch and do nothing.”

Evelyn glanced discreetly at Remy, who was now surrounded by people and chatting.

‘The fallen daughter of a baron, without a dowry, having missed the prime age for marriage… It all feels like such a long time ago.’

As Evelyn briefly drifted into thought, Rashid spoke softly.

“There’s one thing I need to correct. Even back then, you weren’t alone.”

“?”

“Because I was by your side. Ever since we first met, I’ve always had my eyes on you.”

Evelyn smiled, recalling the little boy who used to long for attention from his older playmate.

“You’re right. I take it back. I wasn’t alone… because I had a cranky, sharp-tongued playmate constantly glued to my side.”

She deliberately stressed each word, and Rashid snorted in amusement. Then, he politely bowed toward Evelyn.

“Then this cranky, sharp-tongued former playmate would like to ask the Duchess for the first dance of the evening. Will you grant me the honor?”

“I gladly accept.”

The moment Evelyn took Rashid’s hand, the waiting orchestra began to play.

The two of them began to dance to the music. In their unwavering gazes toward each other was an unspoken, infinite affection that words could not describe.

***

“Either way, this turned out well. Once it’s known that you’re acquainted with the Empire’s First Duchess, people will begin to take notice of you.”

On the way home to the baron’s estate after the party, Countess Langriel spoke with a satisfied smile to her niece.

“If you’re lucky, you might even receive the Duke’s family’s patronage. I don’t know how you became close with the Duchess, but don’t you dare let this chance slip by.”

Only half-listening to the Countess’s repeated advice, Remy nodded absentmindedly.

「I believe that one day, your destined partner will appear too.」

The encouragement of the Duchess of Egenhart had had quite the effect.

Thanks to her, Remy had been able to enjoy pleasant conversations with a few people at the party.

Though none of them had shaken her heart with the force of fate…

‘Someday, I’ll meet someone destined for me too.’

Recalling the Duchess’s kind words, Remy raised a hand to touch the ornament in her hair.

And at that moment…

Anais…

In the thick of the deepening darkness, someone called Remy’s name.

“?”

Remy stopped walking and perked up her ears.

“What’s the matter?”

Countess Langriel turned around, puzzled, to look at her niece.

“Aunt, did you just call me?”

“No. I didn’t say anything.”

At the Countess’s denial, Remy tilted her head in confusion.

And then—

Anais!

Carried on the gentle breeze of the night, the voice was unmistakable—it had spoken her name, the name she often avoided because it felt like a burden.

Startled, Remy looked around. But in the darkened garden of the ducal estate, there was no one in sight who could have called her by name.

‘That’s strange… Am I so tired I’m hearing things?’

“Remina! What are you doing, dawdling over there!”

At the Countess’s impatient call, Remy quickly hurried to the carriage.

Young Lady Anais Remina Chabre of House Chabre didn’t know yet.

That soon, someone truly destined for her would appear.

That this special encounter would turn her ordinary life completely upside down.

All she sensed for now—

Was merely the faint premonition of fate.

The future prepared for her…

Had only just begun.

~~End of The Original Male Protagonist Started to Become Obsessed~~