I tried to hold back the laughter that threatened to burst out and spoke kindly to her.
"Thank you for suggesting that we attend the banquet together. As you know, I have no memory, so this is my first time in a place like this, so I would like to go with Aileen and familiarize myself with the situation. Is that okay?"
Aileen took a step back with a stern expression. No one was openly whispering or laughing, but I felt strange stares. It's not like they don't have eyes either, so they probably noticed the difference between us when they saw Eileen and me standing side by side.
With my hair neatly tied up and wearing an open-shoulder dress, I gave off a mature and fascinating aura.
On the other hand, Aileen, wearing a bright yellow dress that a child could wear, with loose puff sleeves, a large ribbon decoration, hair down, and light makeup, looked like a 'child' much younger than her age.
'No matter how well you imitate, you can't be her dead daughter, right?'
At best, it is just a matter of pricking Madam Mancini's sore spot and catching her attention.
In the end, what Aileen ultimately wants is to have Madam Mancini at her back.
'And behind the scenes, the goal would be to find a better marriage partner than the one she can find now.'
Although it was informal, this was a banquet where the children of nobles who were getting married gathered together.
Next to Aileen, who looks young despite her age, I am the same age as her, but I exude a mature and charming aura.
If the two of us walked through the banquet hall side by side, what would people see?
A beautiful lady and her immature little sister.
No one would regard Aileen as a bride who has already reached marriageable age.
Considering her age, the fact that she was seen as such in the eyes of others was a blow.
Her little prank came back with a much more insulting result.
“Aileen.”
The woman's face, who was quietly looking at my dress, darkened little by little.
There was no way that she, who had been in a solid position in the social world for a long time, would not have been able to read the same numbers.
Even if Madam Mancini is soft on Aileen because of her dead daughter, her attitude toward her will inevitably change if disappointment is repeated.
"When I get back to the mansion..."
Madam Mancini spoke softly to Aileen.
"I think we have a story to share."
Aileen's face distorted.
She seemed to have realized that all her efforts so far could be in vain due to impulsive pranks to gain a little satisfaction.
'Well. I guess I can still move on if she asks for forgiveness.'
This is the level of fussiness that Madam Mancini can tolerate.
But I had no intention of letting Aileen come to her senses and stop there.
The attention of those gathered in groups of twos and threes was drawn to the sound of a bell ringing in the middle of the banquet hall.
All the actors who gave passionate performances were there.
Among them, Violet, who played the role of a villainess and a heroine alternately, was wearing a green dress and showing off her unique charm.
"Oh my, that..."
People were excited by the decent-looking man who appeared with his arms crossed around her.
A coat embroidered with platinum thread was a rare item not only in the vicinity but even in the imperial capital.
His outfit was surprising, but more than anything, his appearance was so decent that it could not be overshadowed by his extravagant clothes, which caught people's attention.
His sharp eyes gave him an intellectual feel, and his slim but fine physique supported his aura.
"I'm sure you've heard of it, but this is Baron Eric Berker, the largest shareholder of our theater. He is also my personal supporter."
The ladies were agitated by Violet's words.
Timona Trading Company, run by Baron Berker, was a promising new business that had been expanding for a long time.
"I never thought the owner of that place would be that young."
"I heard that he doesn't appear often in official settings."
Among the people whose eyes were shining with interest, I saw Aileen smoothing the hem of her dress.
'Although Eric does not come from a long-established family, in a family environment like hers where it is difficult to even raise a dowry, a marriage of that level would be a very attractive and eye-opening marriage.'
The problem is probably her current appearance.
A smile deepened on Violet's lips.
The inner feelings of joy and helplessness in front of a provocative show were clearly revealed.
"I hope you all have a good time."
The ladies' faces turned red as a soft voice echoed through the hall.
This place was different from the Harrison estate.
There were few nobles who clearly knew his 'true' origins and upbringing, and it was impossible for the ladies who came to have fun not to pay attention to the well-dressed, promising man who suddenly appeared.
Tap, tap, tap.
Eric unwrapped his arms from Violet and crossed the hall to stand in front of me.
"Would you like to dance with me?"
Then, in his characteristic soft voice, he asked me to dance.
I smiled slightly at Aileen, who had a blank expression and placed my hand on top of his hand.
"I'm worried because I'm not good at dancing, but since it's a long-awaited offer, I'll accept it as an honor."
The platinum embroidery that shone softly on the dark indigo coat harmonized with my dress as if it were tailored perfectly.
The sound of intake of breath could be heard here and there. Eric, who was taking graceful steps, took advantage of the space between us to narrow and whisper.
"It's shameful that you're already trying to take advantage of me. Didn't you say you would put the first button in place yourself?"
"Isn't this what someone who came out dressed up so excited would say?"
I asked him to talk to me about his face, and he showed up in an outfit that would make people's eyes widen.
Doesn't this seem like a more sophisticated attitude to anyone's perspective?
"Because I can't just come out to see you."
"..."
"Are you excited?"
"No. I thought there were oil glands under the tongue instead of salivary glands."
How can everything you say be so greasy?
"Pooh."
He lowered his head and slightly trembled his shoulders. It seemed like he had failed to hold back his laughter.
"I always wonder, where on earth did you learn those words? I never expected it to come out of the mouth of a noble lady..."
"Is it vulgar?"
"It's ingenious excessively."
Eric quickly adjusted his expression and smiled again.
I felt the invisible hot gaze of Aileen behind my back.
Several ladies also gathered their courage and danced next to the two of us.
"Are you going to go back right after the song is over?"
"Well. I'm thinking about raising the medication a little more."
It must have been stimulating enough, but Alfred was on my mind.
If only I could prevent him from taking rash actions, as he needs Aileen to keep me in check.
Wouldn't it be better to shake Aileen to the point where she loses her senses so much that she won't listen to his dissuasion?
"Personally, I recommend turning back around here."
"Why?"
When I looked up and blinked as if I couldn't understand, Eric answered quietly.
"I just confirmed that a troublesome human was here."
"He's a troublesome person..."
"At least not yet, we should not be seen by those who have deep or frequent interactions with the 'Brium family."
I felt strength going into Eric's hands that were holding me together.
"I never thought I would be here at such an important time."
"Is this a serious situation?"
"It's just annoying. I don't know why, but it keeps clinging to me."
"Hmm."
Even while I trying to control my expression, looking at his slightly stiff face, it seemed like he wasn't as easy an opponent as he said.
Then there is no reason to stay and cause further conflict.
As Eric said, it was better for now not to be noticed by the central nobles.
"Great."
I nodded as I confirmed that the song had entered the last movement.
"After the dance, I will go straight back with Madam Mancini."
To this extent, the purpose has been achieved.
***
As soon as the song ended, several courageous ladies surrounded Eric.
Some people seemed interested and wanted to talk to me, but I went straight to Madam Mancini's side.
The Viscountess greeted me with a faint smile.
"Your dancing skills aren't bad. But perhaps because you were so nervous, your steps seemed stiff."
"Madam told me again, but it was my first dance since I lost my memory."
As she smiled and shrugged her shoulders, happiness appeared in her eyes.
Although the dress was overly flashy, the movements were deliberately kept small and careful, so there would not have been much discomfort.
Madam Mancini glanced sideways at the downcast Aileen and asked cautiously.
"We just entered the banquet hall, so would you mind staying a little longer?"
"No. I've only been to the mansion, but I think it's still difficult to find a place like this. I know it takes some getting used to, but I think this is enough for today. What about Aileen?"
"Me too!"
Since she was the one who asked me to come to the banquet hall first, I guess she couldn't even tell me to go back.
Her impatience was clearly visible on her face.
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