Chapter 9 Part 6
“Lady Laté and Young Marquis Feros have arrived!”
The consistently noisy interior instantly quieted, as if cold water had been poured, at the knight’s single shout.
Really, this stuffy noble group. It’s not the first or second time—shouldn’t they be getting used to it by now?
Amusingly, it was we who were becoming accustomed to the murmuring caused by our entrance.
“I thought she had left the social scene since she hasn’t appeared at private gatherings for a while, but it seems the Black Rose’s influence remains strong.”
“Not only is Lady Laté’s return surprising, but the fact that her partner is still Young Marquis Feros is even harder to believe.”
“She did the same at the last imperial party, and again…”
“As far as I know, she’s still engaged to His Highness the Crown Prince, yet how can she be so brazen?”
“How did the Feros come to associate with a demon? I wonder if they’re being blackmailed…”
Various perspectives were mixed in the voices heard here and there.
The last comment stings a bit. After all, I did blackmail him from our first meeting…
But regardless of the heated voices, no one approached us.
“Rosiel, just like last time, no one is coming to us today either.”
“Of course. If they approached carelessly and exchanged wrong words, it could be disastrous.”
Since I had neither officially explained nor acknowledged any of the rumors about discord with Abel or gossip with Hyle during those noisy past days, no one would want to get entangled in our suffocating, intimate relationship.
Similarly, if I were faced with dangerous elements like us, I would probably prioritize avoiding them and do my best to steer clear.
Therefore, I could understand the nobles’ feelings of avoiding me and Hyle one way or another.
But…
“Lady Laté! You came!!”
Even amid all this, there was exactly one person who approached us with a bright smile.
“Rosiel, that woman—”
“It’s fine, I know her.”
Hyle, who had extended his arm in front of me to prevent that person from coming closer, turned to look at me with dubious eyes when I said it was all right.
“Ugh… I really do know her. Besides, she wouldn’t greet me like that if we were strangers.”
“Well, I suppose so.”
Geez, he seems to have quite a lot of distrust in my relationships. Didn’t he give me that same look last time when I said I was friends with the Holy Maiden candidate, Tia?
What kind of image of me does Hyle have in his head, I wonder?
“Celi, thank you for the invitation. I was delighted.”
“Since your last attendance was several years ago, I hoped you would come this time. I’m even happier that my wish has come true! Thank you so much for coming.”
Celi, who was pouring out her joy like a machine gun, instructed the servant who had followed her to offer wine to Hyle and me.
Thanks to that, we ended up holding a glass of white wine each.
I had no intention of drinking, but since it was given like this, it wouldn’t be polite to refuse.
But this wine seems a bit strong… I’m sure it will be fine.
“I’m Celi Artine. It’s an honor to meet you, Young Marquis Feros.”
“Lady Artine, thank you for the invitation.”
After seemingly checking the atmosphere, Celi smoothly smiled and greeted Hyle.
In response, Hyle gave a simple answer along with a slight bow, and then… for some reason, he took my hand.
“The Young Marquis came as Lady Laté’s partner this time as well. I thought that would be the case, but indeed it is. I wondered if there might be an unexpected change.”
Hmm… looking at her carefully, Celi seemed to have a rather bold personality. Otherwise, she wouldn’t openly throw such a question.
“There will be no unexpected changes in the future. There’s only one place by Lady Laté’s side.”
Hyle nodded lightly with a fresh smile.
In truth, if we were just comparing appearances here, I would definitely be the leader, but somehow, my back was burning up due to the subtle power struggle between these two people who looked like puppies.
Hyle, who skillfully countered Celi’s probing words, lifted my hand that he was holding and kissed the back of it again.
A reddish glow spread across Celi’s cheeks as she witnessed this up close.
“Wow…”
Someone’s exclamation erupting from the crowd made Hyle’s action even more distinctive.
Hyle, who was kissing the back of my hand so intensely that people couldn’t take their eyes off it, finally released me when I narrowed my brow.
“Really, when I look closely, he seems to enjoy it more.”
“You’ve been a bad influence on me, Rosiel.”
Again, again! Shifting responsibility! Whenever this kind of situation arises, he always blames it all on me!
“Well, I’ve never taught you things like this.”
When I replied with a tone full of indignation, Hyle’s slender eyes curved coyly.
I was wondering what he was so pleased about to show such a subtle smile, when suddenly the knight’s booming voice echoed throughout the hall.
“His Highness Crown Prince Abel de Lascio has arrived!”
It was only natural that the numerous gazes on us instantly shifted in that direction.
With the Crown Prince’s fiancée—me—present here, who could the Crown Prince have brought as his partner?
“He really came.”
As Abel gradually revealed himself, Hyle’s voice carried a hint of amusement.
Although I didn’t want to admit it, it seemed Hyle had indeed been somewhat influenced by me.
To have an amused tone at a time like this—how did the once-pure Hyle become… Hmm, perhaps I really am the cause…
“Of course he would. He’s not the type to sit quietly and watch when I attend a party with another partner.”
Who could it be? In the original work, he had more than a few mistresses, so I don’t remember well.
Perhaps the first affair was with Lady Lefera of the Count family? After that, the youngest daughter of the Nayin Marquis family…
Whoever the partner was, they would likely be supporting character number 183 or so.
“Gasp…”
But… the atmosphere in the hall was slightly strange.
People who had confirmed who was by Abel’s side were all frozen, as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have.
For bringing a supporting character partner, the commotion seemed a bit excessive… who could it be?
Eventually, Hyle and I, upon confirming Abel’s partner, couldn’t help but freeze as well.
For me, it was the appearance of a being I had never even considered.
