“She’s my husband’s sister.”
Vanessa, who immediately realized why Isabelle was with Agatha, greeted her with a bright smile.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Aratus. Now that you have become part of the family with Lady Agatha, I think we will see each other often. Would it be okay if I call you by your name?”
“Of course. Rather, I would like to ask.”
Vanessa Beatriz was one of Agatha's closest associates, and along with Duchess Kate Evelyn, she was a high-ranking socialite who held her own despite being not much older than Isabelle.
Although she has called upon the ladies of several families, these two will be enough to help Isabelle with her social activities and form a decent network of connections.
Agatha, who also helped greet Lady Kate Evelyn, who entered next, welcomed the ladies.
Agatha's closest associates and aides, including the Marchioness Iris Domunia, as well as those on the neutral side.
The attention of the guests was definitely directed towards the newly renovated Aratus Mansion.
“Indeed. It is said that His Majesty has appointed the craftsmen of the imperial family. Even the smallest decorations show delicacy and sophistication.”
“The garden is also very beautifully designed. I guess this was also directed by Lady Agatha?”
“Isabelle and I worked hard. Lady Isabelle also helped us a lot in organizing today’s sponsorship.”
"Oh my goodness."
Other topics covered included tea leaves and desserts, current social news, and upcoming late-summer concerts.
Madame Iris took a sip of tea, smiled, and waved her fan.
“Oh, by the way, I heard that the Abrum Orchestra sponsored by Madame Agatha will be performing for the first time at the Armand Hall this time too?”
“I heard the news. It turns out that Madame Agatha is the patron of one of the most prestigious orchestras in the capital every year.”
“I guess this was expected. You will attend, Ma’am? Are you going with your husband?”
Agatha smiled and nodded.
“Of course. I hope I can meet the people here then.”
“Of course, I have to go. It’s the first concert of the Abrum Orchestra. It’ll be nice to hear it after a long time.”
Time passed quickly. Agatha stepped aside and left the finishing touches of the tea party to the second host, Isabelle.
Butler Ben approached quietly and whispered.
"Lady."
A smile appeared on the butler's lips as he nodded slightly, meaning to speak.
“The Master has come.”
“Hmm?”
Agatha turned his head and a familiar skeletal figure appeared across the hallway.
The moment their eyes met.
Agatha looked down, covering her face with her fan, feeling a little sad. Her heart was a mess, a mixture of joy, sadness, and anxiety.
"Brother!"
Surrounded by guests and experiencing the tuning of her first makeshift salon, Isabelle was the first to react and smile brightly.
Enoch, who had been hesitating, approached Isabelle and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s been a while, Isabelle.”
“Excuse me, ladies. This is my brother, Marquis Enoch Aratus.”
The nobles smiled and greeted Enoch at Isabelle's dignified introduction.
“It’s been a long time, Marquis Aratus. Is it because of the tea party held today?”
“You may have come to see Madame Agatha. You two are newlyweds.”
As Agatha, who had quickly regained her composure, was about to join in with a smile, a soft voice cut through the silence.
“As you just guessed, I am indeed here to see my wife. If it is not too much trouble, may I take my wife with me for a moment?”
"Oh my goodness!"
The lady and the young lady fanned themselves even faster. Agatha, who had been dazed for a moment, smiled and reached out her hand to Enoch.
“That’s right. I’ll take a walk, everyone. Isabelle, can I leave the salon to you later?”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
Enoch naturally took her hand.
Hearing the nobles' muffled exclamations, Agatha walked across the corridor to the garden.
'What could be the reason for your coming?'
She was happy to see him in the salon without being invited, but she also felt uneasy about the man she had been avoiding suddenly appearing.
Usually, in these cases, it is after something has been decided.
“Agatha.”
Her fingertips twitched at the return of the title.
Agatha lowered her gaze so as not to reveal her passionate feelings.
“What brings you here?”
“I heard from my aide that there will be a tea party at the Aratus Mansion today. Since this is your first salon here, I thought it would be nice to show up.”
“...”
“I wanted to ask if I could escort you to the Abrum Orchestra’s first concert soon.”
A soft voice pierced her eardrums cruelly. Agatha raised her trembling eyelashes.
A calm gaze.
Dark, gray eyes stared at her without wavering.
Agatha's face distorted slightly.
'This is this man's answer.'
Going back to the same relationship as before as if nothing had happened.
Agatha let out a trembling breath, smiled, and tightly clenched the fan in her other hand.
“I see. That’s good. My maids were worried that you might not come with me.”
The man's lips moved slightly as he looked down.
“There’s no way I could send you away alone.”
“I know. But that’s fortunate. I was wondering if I should ask you to accompany me through the butler.”
Agatha took a step back from him, covering her face with her fan. It was difficult to control her facial expression.
At that moment, the images he had shown her during their honeymoon came to mind.
"Your Highness, you said that you covet my wife in public."
"I'll gladly cross swords with you."
He smiled coolly at Fernand's trick and kissed her wedding ring.
"I made a mistake."
He was the man who shook her heart by telling her that her ex-husband's existence was no longer okay.
But now, here it comes.
'I shouldn't have confessed.'
Only then did Agatha regret it. It wasn't just that she had been swept away by her emotions by the appearance of his ex-fiancée.
Agatha felt like crying. If she stayed longer, she felt like she would get angry at the man in front of her.
“Okay. Then I’ll assume we’re going to the show together.”
The man, with his posture lowered, met her gaze and attempted to start a conversation.
“Agatha. I didn’t mean to dislike you.”
“I know. I don’t hate it, but I don’t like it either.”
“Agatha.”
“Please go away.”
“...”
“Once I calm down a bit, I’ll make a decision too.”
A crack appeared on the man's face, which had been silent until then.
“What kind of decision?”
“I’ll come see you when I’m done thinking about it. Until then, let’s just stay like we are now. We act together and go out together when we need each other.”
Like a political marriage.
His face hardened noticeably as he read the hidden meaning.
The man who had been silent for a while opened his lips.
“Do you think it will take a long time?”
She couldn't figure it out. This was the first time Agatha had ever experienced something like this.
It was hard when she realized he was avoiding her, but now that she has the conclusion, she feels like she's going crazy.
Could she also become attached to Enoch, like the noble love stories that sometimes appear in high society?
Agatha knew there was nothing more ridiculous than clinging to someone who had no interest in her.
'When you proposed marriage, shouldn't I have mentioned love rather than respect as a wife?'
Agatha, who had been imagining something absurd, laughed lightly. It seemed like she had gone crazy.
Now that she looks back and sees such regrets.
“...I don’t know. You were my first.”
There was a faint gasp from above. Agatha smiled bitterly.
“It’s good that we don’t have to avoid each other anymore. Please make sure there are no more rumors of discord in the future, Enoch.”
“Agatha.”
“I’ll be going now. I left it to Isabelle, but it’s her first salon, so it’ll be tough.”
Agatha slightly lowered her head and turned around. She noticed him raise his hand and then slowly lower it, but she didn't look back.
Straighten her back and lift her chin.
Agatha crossed the garden like that, but her heart was in tatters.
The maid who was standing at a distance, the first vice-captain, and Leon Takran followed her with worried faces, but she ignored them.
Agatha crossed the corridor and went to the backyard, smiling brightly.
The nobles, including Isabelle, welcomed her.
The only area of the Aratus Mansion that visitors are permitted to view is the first floor.
But it didn't stop her from looking outside the window.
Although they could not set foot in the sponsorship building, eyes were staring at them from the first floor of the main mansion.
The woman's gaze remained fixed on the man, who remained in that spot for a long time even after Agatha left.
The lady standing by the window in the hallway had greenish-black hair and eyes like the blue sea.
As the woman's footsteps lingered at the window for a while, those who had been viewing the mansion with her approached her.
“Mrs. Esther, what’s out there?”
“What do you see, ah! Isn’t that the Marquis Aratus?”
“I think so. I guess he came to see the Marchioness of Aratus.”
“Oh my, my goodness! It looks like he’s going back now. What a shame. If you had come a little later, you could have at least exchanged a natural greeting with the Marquis.”
Vanessa, who immediately realized why Isabelle was with Agatha, greeted her with a bright smile.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Aratus. Now that you have become part of the family with Lady Agatha, I think we will see each other often. Would it be okay if I call you by your name?”
“Of course. Rather, I would like to ask.”
Vanessa Beatriz was one of Agatha's closest associates, and along with Duchess Kate Evelyn, she was a high-ranking socialite who held her own despite being not much older than Isabelle.
Although she has called upon the ladies of several families, these two will be enough to help Isabelle with her social activities and form a decent network of connections.
Agatha, who also helped greet Lady Kate Evelyn, who entered next, welcomed the ladies.
Agatha's closest associates and aides, including the Marchioness Iris Domunia, as well as those on the neutral side.
The attention of the guests was definitely directed towards the newly renovated Aratus Mansion.
“Indeed. It is said that His Majesty has appointed the craftsmen of the imperial family. Even the smallest decorations show delicacy and sophistication.”
“The garden is also very beautifully designed. I guess this was also directed by Lady Agatha?”
“Isabelle and I worked hard. Lady Isabelle also helped us a lot in organizing today’s sponsorship.”
"Oh my goodness."
Other topics covered included tea leaves and desserts, current social news, and upcoming late-summer concerts.
Madame Iris took a sip of tea, smiled, and waved her fan.
“Oh, by the way, I heard that the Abrum Orchestra sponsored by Madame Agatha will be performing for the first time at the Armand Hall this time too?”
“I heard the news. It turns out that Madame Agatha is the patron of one of the most prestigious orchestras in the capital every year.”
“I guess this was expected. You will attend, Ma’am? Are you going with your husband?”
Agatha smiled and nodded.
“Of course. I hope I can meet the people here then.”
“Of course, I have to go. It’s the first concert of the Abrum Orchestra. It’ll be nice to hear it after a long time.”
Time passed quickly. Agatha stepped aside and left the finishing touches of the tea party to the second host, Isabelle.
Butler Ben approached quietly and whispered.
"Lady."
A smile appeared on the butler's lips as he nodded slightly, meaning to speak.
“The Master has come.”
“Hmm?”
Agatha turned his head and a familiar skeletal figure appeared across the hallway.
The moment their eyes met.
Agatha looked down, covering her face with her fan, feeling a little sad. Her heart was a mess, a mixture of joy, sadness, and anxiety.
"Brother!"
Surrounded by guests and experiencing the tuning of her first makeshift salon, Isabelle was the first to react and smile brightly.
Enoch, who had been hesitating, approached Isabelle and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s been a while, Isabelle.”
“Excuse me, ladies. This is my brother, Marquis Enoch Aratus.”
The nobles smiled and greeted Enoch at Isabelle's dignified introduction.
“It’s been a long time, Marquis Aratus. Is it because of the tea party held today?”
“You may have come to see Madame Agatha. You two are newlyweds.”
As Agatha, who had quickly regained her composure, was about to join in with a smile, a soft voice cut through the silence.
“As you just guessed, I am indeed here to see my wife. If it is not too much trouble, may I take my wife with me for a moment?”
"Oh my goodness!"
The lady and the young lady fanned themselves even faster. Agatha, who had been dazed for a moment, smiled and reached out her hand to Enoch.
“That’s right. I’ll take a walk, everyone. Isabelle, can I leave the salon to you later?”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
Enoch naturally took her hand.
Hearing the nobles' muffled exclamations, Agatha walked across the corridor to the garden.
'What could be the reason for your coming?'
She was happy to see him in the salon without being invited, but she also felt uneasy about the man she had been avoiding suddenly appearing.
Usually, in these cases, it is after something has been decided.
“Agatha.”
Her fingertips twitched at the return of the title.
Agatha lowered her gaze so as not to reveal her passionate feelings.
“What brings you here?”
“I heard from my aide that there will be a tea party at the Aratus Mansion today. Since this is your first salon here, I thought it would be nice to show up.”
“...”
“I wanted to ask if I could escort you to the Abrum Orchestra’s first concert soon.”
A soft voice pierced her eardrums cruelly. Agatha raised her trembling eyelashes.
A calm gaze.
Dark, gray eyes stared at her without wavering.
Agatha's face distorted slightly.
'This is this man's answer.'
Going back to the same relationship as before as if nothing had happened.
Agatha let out a trembling breath, smiled, and tightly clenched the fan in her other hand.
“I see. That’s good. My maids were worried that you might not come with me.”
The man's lips moved slightly as he looked down.
“There’s no way I could send you away alone.”
“I know. But that’s fortunate. I was wondering if I should ask you to accompany me through the butler.”
Agatha took a step back from him, covering her face with her fan. It was difficult to control her facial expression.
At that moment, the images he had shown her during their honeymoon came to mind.
"Your Highness, you said that you covet my wife in public."
"I'll gladly cross swords with you."
He smiled coolly at Fernand's trick and kissed her wedding ring.
"I made a mistake."
He was the man who shook her heart by telling her that her ex-husband's existence was no longer okay.
But now, here it comes.
'I shouldn't have confessed.'
Only then did Agatha regret it. It wasn't just that she had been swept away by her emotions by the appearance of his ex-fiancée.
Agatha felt like crying. If she stayed longer, she felt like she would get angry at the man in front of her.
“Okay. Then I’ll assume we’re going to the show together.”
The man, with his posture lowered, met her gaze and attempted to start a conversation.
“Agatha. I didn’t mean to dislike you.”
“I know. I don’t hate it, but I don’t like it either.”
“Agatha.”
“Please go away.”
“...”
“Once I calm down a bit, I’ll make a decision too.”
A crack appeared on the man's face, which had been silent until then.
“What kind of decision?”
“I’ll come see you when I’m done thinking about it. Until then, let’s just stay like we are now. We act together and go out together when we need each other.”
Like a political marriage.
His face hardened noticeably as he read the hidden meaning.
The man who had been silent for a while opened his lips.
“Do you think it will take a long time?”
She couldn't figure it out. This was the first time Agatha had ever experienced something like this.
It was hard when she realized he was avoiding her, but now that she has the conclusion, she feels like she's going crazy.
Could she also become attached to Enoch, like the noble love stories that sometimes appear in high society?
Agatha knew there was nothing more ridiculous than clinging to someone who had no interest in her.
'When you proposed marriage, shouldn't I have mentioned love rather than respect as a wife?'
Agatha, who had been imagining something absurd, laughed lightly. It seemed like she had gone crazy.
Now that she looks back and sees such regrets.
“...I don’t know. You were my first.”
There was a faint gasp from above. Agatha smiled bitterly.
“It’s good that we don’t have to avoid each other anymore. Please make sure there are no more rumors of discord in the future, Enoch.”
“Agatha.”
“I’ll be going now. I left it to Isabelle, but it’s her first salon, so it’ll be tough.”
Agatha slightly lowered her head and turned around. She noticed him raise his hand and then slowly lower it, but she didn't look back.
Straighten her back and lift her chin.
Agatha crossed the garden like that, but her heart was in tatters.
The maid who was standing at a distance, the first vice-captain, and Leon Takran followed her with worried faces, but she ignored them.
Agatha crossed the corridor and went to the backyard, smiling brightly.
The nobles, including Isabelle, welcomed her.
The only area of the Aratus Mansion that visitors are permitted to view is the first floor.
But it didn't stop her from looking outside the window.
Although they could not set foot in the sponsorship building, eyes were staring at them from the first floor of the main mansion.
The woman's gaze remained fixed on the man, who remained in that spot for a long time even after Agatha left.
The lady standing by the window in the hallway had greenish-black hair and eyes like the blue sea.
As the woman's footsteps lingered at the window for a while, those who had been viewing the mansion with her approached her.
“Mrs. Esther, what’s out there?”
“What do you see, ah! Isn’t that the Marquis Aratus?”
“I think so. I guess he came to see the Marchioness of Aratus.”
“Oh my, my goodness! It looks like he’s going back now. What a shame. If you had come a little later, you could have at least exchanged a natural greeting with the Marquis.”
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