The next day, the Empire was in an uproar.

Somehow, a gossip-focused newspaper had gotten wind of the illegitimate child of the Ameron Ducal Family and made it a headline. People couldn’t stop talking about it.

The same was true for the Count Leon Family.

“Did you hear? The Ameron Ducal Family brought in an illegitimate child.”
“……”

The Countess chattered excitedly. Even though the Count said nothing, she continued speaking without pause.

“How arrogant the Duchess of the Ameron Family used to be toward us! It’s ridiculous when you think about it. She couldn’t even keep her husband in check, and now there’s an illegitimate child.”
“Ahem. Let’s refrain from talking about other families.”
“Yes….”

When the Count finally intervened, the Countess reluctantly shut her mouth.

But the Countess, pouting, turned her sharp gaze toward me again.

‘I’m just the punching bag around here, aren’t I?’

Whenever the Count scolded her, the Countess would glare at me with those terrifying eyes, as if I were somehow to blame.

And so, the awkward silence dragged on throughout the meal.

“You may leave the table now.”

As soon as the Count left, the Countess unleashed the words she’d been holding back.

“What’s wrong with talking about other families? All the other noble ladies gossip about them, too.”

The Countess glanced at me before turning to Rosette and continuing.

Rosette, who had been sulking after being scolded by the Count last time, lifted her head as soon as he left the room.

“Exactly. It’s absurd.”

“Anyway, that woman is ridiculous. She used to look down on us for being commoners, but now she’s raising a commoner as her daughter.”

“Right? Remember when we tried to sit with her, and she wouldn’t let us?”

“Exactly. She couldn’t even keep her husband in check, yet she used to criticize the Count endlessly. I can’t wait to see the look on her face.”

The one who cheated and brought home an illegitimate child was the Duke of Ameron, yet somehow, no one had a single bad word to say about him.

This was just how the rules of nobility worked—completely incomprehensible.

I was about to stand up, tired of listening to their conversation, when—

“Miss, you have a guest.”

“A guest?”
“Yes. Grand Duke Holt has arrived to see you.”
“What?”

I froze the moment I heard the name Grand Duke Holt.

“Grand Duke Holt? Why would he come to see Espin? Do you know him?”

The Countess, more surprised than I was, bombarded me with questions, but I ignored her and addressed the butler.

If the Countess found out, it would only cause more trouble.

“Please escort him to the drawing room. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Yes, miss.”

“Espin, why is Grand Duke Holt here to see you?”
“He must have something to discuss with me.”

I brushed past the Countess, who was asking the obvious and headed to the drawing room.

“I greet Your Grace, the Grand Duke.”

As I entered the drawing room, I saw Travis standing there in his knightly uniform.

‘Perfect as always.’

He was someone who never looked the slightest bit disheveled.

His attire, his appearance—everything about him was impeccable.

Today, he seemed even more radiant than usual. I nearly lost myself for a moment but quickly regained my composure.

“Lady Espin, I apologize for showing up unannounced. Today was the only time I had available.”
“It’s fine. What brings you here?”
“Well….”

Just as Travis began to speak, the Countess and Rosette entered the drawing room.

“Oh my, we have a guest.”

The Countess, who had followed me in after I left the dining room, feigned ignorance and barged in. Her eyes swiftly swept over Travis from head to toe.

It seemed like this was her first time seeing him, given that Travis rarely attended social events.

Judging by her expression, she seemed quite taken with him, as a smile spread across her face and she stepped closer.

“I was just about to have tea with Rosette. I hope we’re not interrupting. Espin, who is this gentleman?”

“I apologize for arriving without notice.”

Travis bowed slightly, but the Countess waved her hand dismissively.

“Oh, no need to apologize. By the way, may I ask your name?”
“Travis Holt.”
“Gasp, then you must be Grand Duke Holt! My apologies for the late greeting. It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace. I am the mistress of the Leon Family, and this is my daughter, Rosette Leon. Rosette, greet the Grand Duke.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. I’m Rosette.”

“May we continue our conversation now?”

“Oh, of course. We’ll stay quiet so as not to disturb you.”

Travis’s expression made it clear that he wished they would leave, but he didn’t seem inclined to deal with them directly.

“So, what did you wish to discuss?”

“Oh, it’s nothing major. I’ve come to inform you that I’ll be escorting you to the Imperial Ball. I’ll arrive at your residence an hour before the event.”

“Escort me?”
“Yes. Since I’ll be your partner for the ball, escorting you is only natural.”
“Ah.”

‘Wait, he’s seriously planning to be my partner?’

I had assumed he’d forget about it. After all, Travis was an incredibly busy man, and something like a ball was probably the last thing on his mind.

But for him to remember and even come to inform me personally—it was unexpected and inconvenient.

“So….”

“Espin, are you going to the Imperial Ball with Grand Duke Holt?”
“Yes, it seems so… for now.”

The Countess’s expression turned icy as she looked at me. Then, she turned toward the Grand Duke with teary eyes.

“Poor Rosette hasn’t yet adjusted to noble society. If you go to the ball with a partner, imagine how sad she’ll feel. Could you perhaps let her go in your place? You know how hard Rosette’s life has been.”

What nonsense.

She wasn’t even asking Travis directly to take Rosette instead of me—she was asking me to give up my partner.

But the Countess was always this absurdly rude to me.

‘Actually, this might work in my favor.’

Being near someone as perceptive and intuitive as Travis made me uneasy. It would be better to keep my distance from him whenever possible.

Thinking this was an opportunity, I looked at Rosette with a sympathetic gaze and agreed with the Countess.

“Well… that’s true. If Rosette doesn’t have a partner, she might feel very sad. I don’t mind. Your Grace, could you be Rosette’s partner instead?”

The Countess tilted her head, puzzled by my unexpected support. After all, I had been opposing her for days, so my sudden agreement must have been strange to her.

“Your Grace, I know this is a lot to ask, but could you please take Rosette as your partner instead of Espin? Rosette is still unfamiliar with social gatherings, and having you as her partner would be a great help.”
“Please, I beg you.”

“Hah.”

Travis let out a short laugh, clearly amused by the six expectant eyes staring at him. Then, with a slightly pitying look, he turned to me.

“There’s no need for you to give up your spot. I’ve already heard everything from Haren about why you need a partner.”

“Ah.”

I had no idea what Travis had heard, but if it came from Haren, it was probably far from the truth.

“No matter how much Lady Espin isn’t your biological daughter, pressuring her to give up her partner is unbecoming of an adult.”

“Pressuring her? I wasn’t doing any such thing.”

The Countess put on a falsely indignant expression, even though she had no reason to feel wronged.

“Didn’t you just subtly pressure Lady Espin to give up her partner? The fact that she agreed so easily suggests this sort of thing has happened often.”

“……”

‘Huh?’

I wasn’t sure what Haren had told him, but it seemed Travis had completely misunderstood the situation.

Thanks to his misunderstanding, the Countess and Rosette’s gazes became even sharper.

I could already feel the headache coming on from the tantrums they’d throw once Travis left.

T/N: Travis, you didn’t disappoint. Cheers to you! 🥂