“Madam, the Marquis is waiting.”
“Okay, get out now.”
As she went down the stairs, her eyes met with Enoch's, who was waiting at the front door.
The outfit that matched hers also suited Enoch very well. Agatha was satisfied with it and came down the stairs lightly to stand next to him.
“The clothes really suit you.”
“You look beautiful today too.”
The compliments exchanged seemed formal, but they were not. Agatha felt Enoch's sincerity and smiled slightly.
Sbe loved the white cravat made from the same fabric as her dress and the suit with the same subtle pattern as her dress.
“Let’s leave before it’s too late.”
As they exited the hall, the first vice-captain in charge of the escort, Leon Takran, was waiting next to the carriage with about ten knights.
“Take care of me today, Sir Leon.”
“I will keep you safe.”
As Enoch rode in a chariot, the knights surrounded the front and back of the chariot.
“We’re leaving now.”
The carriage set off immediately after Sir Leon's report. After passing through the gardens of the mansion and exiting the gate, it soon came out onto the street.
It was a road she saw often, but the night in the capital when the imperial ball was held was special.
As they got closer to the imperial palace, yellow leaves, which were like symbols of the imperial family, lit up the ground like daylight, and the carriages of the nobles were moving in a line.
After riding for about ten minutes, squeezed between numerous carriages, they came into view of the palace where the ball was to be held today.
The second largest party hall in the palace, Asagrat.
The ivory-white palace, shining brilliantly under the sunset, was splendidly decorated with flowers and jewels that were in full bloom at this time of year.
Certainly one got the feeling that the Emperor had generously allocated gold to this event.
"We're here."
“Thank you for your hard work, Sir.”
Agatha got out of the carriage elegantly and, escorted by Enoch, climbed the stairs and stood at the entrance of the palace.
The hall was dazzlingly lit by lanterns decorating the ceiling, centered around a crystal chandelier.
The spacious hall was already crowded with nobles who had already entered. The servant who checked the invitation shouted loudly.
“This is Marquis Aratus and Marchioness Aratus!”
The noise suddenly stopped, then grew louder. Agatha walked lightly down the red carpet and looked around.
It was a grand royal ball, so there were unfamiliar faces to see. Some of them might have come from distant regions, while others might be young nobles who had just debuted.
It seems like there were more attendees this year.
As Agatha walked, countless nobles' eyes were focused on her. Every gesture, every look, and every part of her outfit was not overlooked.
“Welcome, Marquis Aratus, Lady Agatha. I have been waiting for you.”
“I heard you’ve done something great. Word is already spreading throughout the capital.”
Before she could even leave the entrance, a group of ladies and young ladies came out to greet Agatha. They were Agatha's closest associates, including the Marchioness Iris Domunia.
“It’s been a while. Everyone, did you enjoy your vacation?”
“Of course. As soon as I returned to the capital, I heard various rumors about Lady Agatha and was delighted.”
“How was your honeymoon?”
“I heard you went to get your new dress fitted with the Marquis?”
“The social circles are buzzing about that these days.”
Agatha was laughing as she listened to Enoch about the trendy co-ed boutique visits that had recently become popular.
Pappabam-
A cheerful trumpet sounded. It was the appearance of the royal family.
“His Royal Highness Crown Prince Anthony Roxiba, the little sun of the Roxbard Empire, serves!”
All the nobles, including Agatha, immediately bowed.
Anthony was already wearing a couple of buttons undone, his gorgeous, royal-style platinum hair flowing down softly.
“Ah. Don’t worry about it and keep going.”
Anthony, who had been waving his hand as a courtesy, stopped walking towards his lover and started walking towards Agatha and Enoch.
Agatha covered her face with her fan and frowned faintly.
Good news or bad news?
“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Anthony smiled brightly, trying to dissuade those who were trying to set an example again.
“I heard that couples visiting boutiques together is popular in the capital these days? The harmony of the Marquis Aratus couple is shaking up the capital. It seems like newlyweds are having a good time.”
He guessed it was the former. Agatha's face brightened as she saw her childhood friend and cousin who had come to tease her for no reason.
The noble ladies and young ladies, led by the Marchioness Iris Domunia, moved away obediently.
“Why is Your Highness talking to me like this when you are sitting next to me?”
“I’m no exception. I’m the biggest rascal in Roxbard.”
“That’s why. Where did you leave all those lovers, you debaucher, and why did you come to your cousin for no reason like this?”
The reason the conversation between the two did not go beyond the line was because they were conscious of Enoch's gaze being on them.
Anthony grinned playfully and told Enoch a lie.
“My cousin treats me with contempt like this, Marquis.”
“You seem very friendly.”
While the meaningless conversation continued, the three moved to a corner of the hall. Before they knew it, the Crown Prince's knights and aides had naturally taken up residence around them.
As the attention began to diminish, Agatha grumbled softly.
“What are you doing today?”
“Isn’t it time for the Imperial Ball? I should at least show my friendship with the blood relative who is the sole heir to Nobilis and has a war hero as her husband.”
“You are His Majesty’s only legitimate heir, yet you speak well.”
Anthony added, scanning the hall nonchalantly.
“I had a feeling something interesting might happen.”
“...”
Enoch, who had been quietly listening to the Crown Prince's meaningful words, opened his mouth.
“Are you referring to Duke Theodore Neuta?”
“Oh, did you know?”
When Anthony looked back at Enoch with a curious look, Agatha opened the fan she was holding and covered her mouth with it as she answered.
“I thought you were talking about my relatives.”
“You both knew. I thought you didn’t.”
How could he not know?
She was always the center of attention, but today, there were special eyes following her.
It was Nobilis's relatives who became more persistent and her sixth ex-husband, Duke Theodore Neuta, who was constantly conscious of her.
However, Agatha did not know that Enoch was aware of Theodore's gaze.
After Fernand, Theodore.
'I hope he doesn't misunderstand.'
After the divorce, ex-husbands who had no particular contact with her kept showing up. It was a situation that Enoch would not feel good about knowing about Agatha's previous marriage.
Even if the relatives are like that, she doesn't know what's going on with Theodore.
Of course, Agatha didn't care if things were going strangely. She just had to make one thing clear.
If Theodore were to meet her, Enoch must not be left out.
It wasn't a happy conclusion, but it was the best way to go.
“Enoch. What do you think if we call Duke Neuta here now?”
After hearing Agatha's suggestion, Enoch locked eyes with her and fell into thought for a moment.
“If it can’t be avoided, now would be the best time.”
The Crown Prince, who happened to be present at the time to watch the mediation, was also present.
After Enoch finally agreed, Agatha turned around. Theodore Neuta, her sixth ex-husband, who had been gazing at her for a moment, was there.
The Duke, whose eyes met Agatha's, paused for a moment, then began to approach without hesitation.
“His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Welcome, Duke. Are you feeling well now?”
“Yes. It is thanks to Your Majesty and Your Highness’ concern.”
Unlike the haggard complexion she had seen him with at the wedding hall three months ago, his face now looked somewhat recovered.
The Duke, who had been paying homage to the Crown Prince as soon as he arrived, looked at Agatha for a moment. She spoke first.
“Hello, Your Excellency.”
“...Good morning, Marchioness Aratus.”
Theodore also gave a brief greeting to Enoch, who was standing next to Agatha.
After some polite greetings, Agatha asked directly without hesitation.
“If I’m not misunderstanding, I think you have something to say, right?”
“I have something to tell the Marchioness about our family.”
As soon as those words were out of his mouth, Crown Prince Anthony Roxiba released the arm he had been linking with hers.
Enoch, who was standing with a somewhat cynical attitude, opened his mouth and looked at Theodore.
“Is it okay if I listen to it together?”
“Yes, it’s okay.”
Theodore nodded heavily and looked at Anthony.
“If it is not too much trouble for Your Highness, I would like to ask you to come with me. It would be better for the Marchioness if Your Highness were to be present.”
“Oh. It seems the Duke still cherishes his ex-wife even after the divorce.”
Agatha stopped Anthony from teasing him mischievously.
"Your Highness."
“I just had that thought.”
Theodore smiled bitterly as Anthony shrugged and closed his mouth.
“That’s why we divorced. I couldn’t do any more harm to my wife, who is now an outsider in my family’s affairs.”
“...”
“I’ve talked too long, Madame. First, please consider my coming here as a sort of apology.”
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