While chatting idly with Tervan, Viola soon returned. She wore a displeased expression, seemingly unhappy with her latest dance partner.

“What’s wrong? Was he that bad?” Rachel asked, and Viola’s expression softened.

“I think dancing with Duke Bermund was definitely the highlight of my birthday ball.”

She blushed again as she recalled dancing with Duke Bermund.

Rachel smiled lightly.

“So he was really terrible.”

“Don’t even mention it. He kept making advances, saying things like he’s planning to submit a marriage proposal soon and wondering when would be a good time, asking about my dowry… Isn’t that too much when we’ve barely just met?”

As Viola grumbled, Rachel tilted her head.

“Didn’t you only invite your acquaintances to this ball?”

“Of course not. My parents also sent invitations to their acquaintances.”

“That explains it.”

Finally understanding, Rachel glanced at the nobleman who had danced with Viola. He was boasting and chattering about something to the people around him.

Rachel shook her head, guessing that his conversation topic was likely closely related to Viola.

“So, what did you say to that guy?”

“I just told him I have no plans to marry yet. Since my parents are involved, I couldn’t speak too freely.”

“You should make it clear to him later. Otherwise, it might cause more trouble.”

“Really?! What should I do? This won’t work. I should ask my brother for help.”

Viola shuddered at the mere thought. Rachel looked at her sympathetically before checking the time.

It was already past 7 o’clock.

“Viola, I hate to say this suddenly, but would it be alright if I leave now?”

“Already? It hasn’t been that long… can’t you stay a bit longer?”

Viola grabbed Rachel’s arm regretfully. Rachel removed her arm and shook her head.

“As you know, I’ve been through a lot lately. Maybe that’s why I feel tired. I want to go home early and rest.”

“Then Rachel, let me escort you to the entrance.”

It was Tervan who responded to Rachel’s words. Both women turned to look at him simultaneously. He was gazing at Rachel with quite an affectionate expression.

“That’s not necessary. I can go by myself. I’m not a child.”

Rachel firmly rejected Tervan’s offer.

“It’s just to the entrance. Wouldn’t that be okay?”

Tervan anxiously waited for her next words, wondering how to respond if she refused again.

However, it wasn’t Rachel who answered him.

“Then I’ll go too!”

Viola suddenly interjected.

Tervan turned to Viola in surprise. He had revealed his feelings to Viola partly to seek her help. But her unexpected intervention left him flustered.

Viola deliberately smiled brightly as she looked at Tervan.

“Would that be okay with both of you? It’s my house after all. Seeing guests off is also the host’s duty.”

“…”

“Would that be alright? You’re the guest of honor at this ball, Viola. What happens if the host leaves?”

While Tervan remained silent, Rachel expressed her concern.

“What’s the big deal? It’s my birthday. I can step away briefly. It’s not like I’m leaving for the entire ball, right?”

Seeing Viola shrug her shoulders dismissively, Rachel finally let out a small laugh.

She was exactly the same Viola that Rachel had always known.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

“Great! Let’s go together.”

Viola linked arms with Rachel and led her away.

Rachel pretended to give in and started walking with Viola.

Viola slightly turned her head to look at Tervan. Then she stuck her tongue out at him.

“…!”

When Tervan frowned, Viola quickly turned her head away.

Rachel belatedly noticed something strange about their reactions and looked back and forth between them, but couldn’t find anything particularly unusual.

Under Rachel’s gaze, Tervan smiled as if nothing had happened and stopped a passing servant to instruct them to prepare the Pluret family carriage.

“Having the three of us together reminds me of our academy days.”

Viola broke the silence as they walked.

Rachel and Tervan both looked at her simultaneously.

“Back then, we always went around together like this. We never thought we’d become adults so quickly. It feels both sad and strange.”

Rachel recalled those memories from long ago. Back then, she had been so innocent, unaware of the misfortunes that would unfold in the future.

“Yes, those days did exist.”

When Rachel agreed, Viola glanced at her. Then she hesitantly spoke.

“You might feel hurt by this, but you’ve really changed a lot, Rachel.”

“…I probably have.”

Rachel didn’t deny it. Though she added “probably,” she knew well how much she had changed.

For her, decades of time had passed and changed her, but her friends must have felt that her personality changed overnight.

“Do you dislike that?”

Rachel suddenly asked.

Faced with this difficult question, Viola hesitated to speak. It was a delicate subject to answer hastily. After taking more time to organize her thoughts, Viola finally spoke with difficulty.

“It’s true that I feel some distance from you now.”

“…”

“But if that change is positive for you, then I’m okay with it. I can adapt. I’m just worried because I have no way of knowing what that change means.”

Viola paused briefly and took a deep breath. She had wanted to say this to Rachel ever since the Witch’s Forest subjugation, but strangely, the words got stuck in her throat. Still, she gathered her courage and forced out her voice.

“Listen, Rachel. I’m your friend, so if you ever have concerns you can’t share with others, or if you’re going through something difficult, I hope you’ll come to me and talk about it.”

Viola’s voice grew increasingly weak. By the end, it was barely audible, but she didn’t stop speaking.

Rachel knew this was Viola’s hard-won answer after much deliberation.

She appreciated Viola’s words. It must have been awkward and unfamiliar to see her change so much in just a month, but instead of distancing herself, Viola had decided to accept Rachel’s transformation.

Rachel nodded slightly.

“Someday, when everything is alright, will you listen to everything then?”

Though she said it with a smile, Rachel was certain she would never reveal her secrets to Viola.

It was too heavy a burden for Viola to bear. And Rachel didn’t want to leave her with any guilt.

However, Viola’s expression softened at Rachel’s words.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

When Rachel nodded willingly, Viola laughed softly.

“Then I’ll wait. For as long as it takes until you’re okay. That’s what friends are for.”

“Rachel, it’s not just Viola. I’m here too.”

As soon as Viola finished speaking, Tervan immediately asserted his presence.

Rachel looked at Tervan with a dry gaze for a moment before smirking.

All three remained silent while waiting in the reception room.

The silence could have been uncomfortable, but strangely, none of them found it awkward or unpleasant.

After waiting for quite some time, the carriage finally arrived.

Rachel boarded the carriage with Viola and Tervan seeing her off.

“Take care on your way home.”

“Thank you. And Viola, happy birthday again.”

“Thank you!”

After saying goodbye to everyone, the carriage slowly began to move.

Viola and Tervan stood there, watching the Pluret family carriage depart.

“Why did you do that?”

Suddenly, Tervan asked Viola.

“Do what?”

Though she knew what he wanted to ask, Viola feigned ignorance.

“You said it yourself. That I seem to like Rachel. But you…”

“Do you want me to help you this time too?”

Viola cut Tervan off mid-sentence.

“But I have no intention of doing that. I can’t even begin to imagine how much Rachel has suffered emotionally. And now you’ve suddenly changed your mind? Then try to win Rachel’s heart on your own. I have no intention of helping you, Tervan.”

With a small “hmph,” Viola walked past the stunned and frozen Tervan.

Tervan couldn’t bring himself to stop her and could only stare blankly.

He hadn’t necessarily wanted her help, but he had hoped she wouldn’t interfere between them.

However, he couldn’t refute Viola’s words because it was true that Rachel had been hurt while he took too long to recognize his feelings.

Only after Viola had also left did Tervan roughly run his hand through his hair. Then, after letting out a small sigh, he headed back to the ballroom.