"It seems that the navy ship was docked in the harbor at that time."
"Yes, I was going to surprise you by coming ahead of schedule... What's wrong, Eva?"
"Hmm... No, I don't."
Her eyes glowed as she thought of someone who had sneaked away to surprise her, like Kirion. However, this was not a place where she could express her feelings as she pleased. For Kirion, who would be embarrassed by this, Evangeline quickly regained her smile.
"Kirion, I'm glad you arrived safely. Really."
"Eva, that's even better because you're doing well."
"..."
His consideration for not asking painful words made Evangeline feel at ease for the first time since she came here.
That's why she likes old friends.
When Philip offered her news of Kirion, she refused because of her own circumstances, but she didn't feel comfortable either. For Evangeline, who had traveled around the world and had few childhood friends, Kirion was her only childhood friend.
She first met him when she was ten years old, when she was staying in the colonial city of Addis with her father. At a welcome party given by his father, Count Lebel, who was the governor of Addis in the Eastern Continent, Evangeline was the only one of his age.
Unfamiliar with the heat and exotic culture of the Eastern Continent, it was Kirion who reached out to her first. He stayed by Evangeline's side until she hurried back to her home country, and Kirion followed her into the navy.
Even for her, who still can't get used to it.
"Eva, I always miss all your important news."
"Huh?"
"I'm so sorry for your father. I'm sorry I couldn't be with you sooner."
"Why are you?"
She shook her head to say she was fine, but Kirion lowered his eyes grimly. The seriousness of his expression made her laugh.
Or maybe she wanted to laugh at least once. She had finally wiped her grief away, and while she smiled faintly, a long shadow swept past behind the curtains on the balcony.
***
"They're already amazing."
Whoa. Viscount Chloe, who was puffing out cigarette smoke, raised his eyebrows in interest. The speed at which they inhaled the smoke varied, but the men's eyes were on one woman. It was too far away to hear the conversation, but he couldn't help but notice that she was in a bad situation when she faced the wives of the Imperial faction.
"It makes sense. Even if they didn't say anything, they must have been waiting for Young Lady O'Hara."
"Young Lady O'Hara? Why?"
"She suddenly appeared and took the position of Duchess of Theses, and what a thorn in their side. They couldn't even curse because of her enormous wealth, but now they think they have an opportunity."
A few men added their words as if they were sorry, but they also had a slightly different way of looking at Evangeline. If she had been a flower on a cliff that they didn't dare to touch, now it seemed that they couldn't touch it differently.
If you enjoy it for a while, you don't know if it's just a light opponent.
"By the way, it's really a waste. If I don't see that face in the future, the fun of the banquet will be cut in half."
"Ha, she's been amazing since she first appeared in the social world. There are so many strange things in the Eastern Continent, so I thought Count O'Hara had brought us a talking doll."
They didn't even dare to say it, but today they were as outspoken. Thanks to the title of Duke of Theses's fiancée, they only keep the last courtesy.
"...Anyway, I don't know what is going to happen like that. Baroness Carlisle is no different from the Princess's handy. I think she was catching the wind first..."
"Young Lady O'Hara won't be beaten easily. She has lived in the same house as the famous Duchess of Theses."
"Then shall we make a bet?"
Viscount Chloe mischievously brushed off the cigarette ash.
Suddenly, the nobles who had been chatting and giggling quieted down. The Viscount's complexion turned stunned, wondering if there was anything else interesting.
"Oh, sir duke."
"..."
Could it have been heard?
When the Duke of Theses entered the place, the men bowed their heads spontaneously because of the many stings. As the leisurely pace made its way to the architect's seat, an empty throat gulped here and there.
Since they couldn't guess his feelings or thoughts from his facial expressions, the expressions of the onlookers became even more urgent.
"Oh, Sir. Are you here?"
"Be at ease."
"..."
The smooth voice of the Duke was as fluid as ever, and a silent sigh of relief flowed from the mouths of the men present. Although he was young in terms of age, Duke Deccarno was their undisputed leader. Viscount Chloe, who was trying to curry favor with him, crept up to his side.
"I was waiting for Your Excellency to come at any time."
"Did you?"
"Actually, we are not very interested in this kind of position. It is meaningful to see you one more time."
The Viscount slipped into his seat and set down his hat on the table next to the Duke's armrest. Anyway, there is nothing decided here except for the position of the Duke, so the person who takes the position first is the one who takes the position. He was proud of the eyes of others who were disappointed and worked hard to keep up with them.
"Since Your Excellency adjusted the interest rate of the Central Federal Bank at the last meeting, there has definitely been some breathing room."
"I see."
"Of course. Not only I, but some nobles do some business in Loark who have not benefited from it. Oh, sorry, Your Excellency."
Viscount Chloe, who had been talking nonstop, suddenly looked at the Duke's hand with a cigar. The burning cigarette ash was about to fall. The Viscount realized that his hat was covering the Duke's ashtray, and he immediately tried to remove it.
"Haha, I forgot. I want to talk to you as closely as possible. I'll clean it up quickly..."
"No, you don't. That's it."
"Yes, Sir."
The cigarette ash that had been shattered from the cigar fell onto the Viscount's hat. The Duke, who didn't even blink an eye, seemed to have lost interest and pressed the fire of his cigarette against his hat. A burning smell, more acrid than cigarette smoke, rose between the two.
"I hate someone to touch mine, Viscount."
"...That's not the case."
"I will not forgive you twice. Whatever it is."
The Duke of Theses, who had finally taken away the cigarettes, turned his head back to the front. It ends up with a hat now, but it may be a head next time. In the silence of the tired people, the Duke's nonchalant gaze crossed over the window for a moment.
"..."
His eyes furrowed in the smoke of the burning cigar. Just as he was about to get up, squeezing down his hardening jawline, the entrance to the party became noisy.
"Your Highness, the Princess has entered! Please stand up and greet everyone!"
With the loud voice of the knight, people bent their knees or bowed their heads. Men who didn't usually like the Princess so much quickly left the place to welcome her. But of course, the first thing she sought out was Duke Deccarno.
"Ah, Duke, you're here!"
"Thank you for inviting me, Your Highness, the Princess."
"Thanks. I always wanted to call you."
Bellona, who blushed even at the slightest greeting, looked innocent. It was a dreamlike moment to face Deccarno again after a long time.
"I was surprised that the Duke would be there. You're always busy, so you don't come to this kind of place."
"I heard it was a celebration for the Navy."
On the other hand, the Duke's answers and expressions were very polite. It was such a polite attitude that she couldn't find fault with it, but at least it didn't show any selfishness towards the other person.
Normally, Bellona, who would have been hurt inside, was full of laughter today. It was very satisfying to know that Evangeline, who was always by the Duke's side, was not there.
"Well, actually, I thought about it a lot. I wonder if it's a good thing to invite Young Lady O'Hara to a place like this."
"...Why?"
"That's right. It might be a difficult position for a Young Lady."
"Unless she's going to stay at home for the rest of her life, she has to deal with it herself."
After all, that's right!
The Princess's lips twitched with joy at the emotionless voice of the Duke of Theses. There is no way that the Duke of Theses would reveal his heart to anyone. Of course, his fiancée wasn't "just anyone," but he liked her more. After Evangeline went to the Imperial Palace, she became even more irritable and lost sleep.
"I agree with you. The nobleman has to take care of what he did."
"..."
"My father, who ascended to the throne, always told me. Please honor your noble lineage and take responsibility as a saint..."
But where is this man looking now?
As she tried to get the most time out of him, Bellona noticed his gaze strangely misaligned. His silver-gray eyes, which gazed out from the edge of the second floor, shimmered darkly. That place is just an empty balcony. She flinched at the emotion of seeing him for the first time, and goosebumps rose on her arms.
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