It was when the light murmuring of the nobles who had been watching the situation passed by. Hafron Jag, who had been persistently talking to Gael and Helena, did not chase after them and instead approached Erin.
“Thank you for inviting me today.”
“Your sudden invitation could have upset me, but thank you for having me.”
“I doubt that. Whatever the intention was for calling me, it is an honor for me to be able to be here.”
“I hope you have a pleasant time today.”
“I will. It’s not often that I come, so I should enjoy it to the fullest.”
Hafron Jag consistently appeared cheerful.
“Oh, by the way, I heard that Lady Endermia has been wanting to acquire something recently. She’s been inquiring quite a bit because she can’t find it in the empire.”
“Really? I see.”
Hafron Jag’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“If you’re a trader, you might be able to find it.”
Erin deliberately leaked information to him.
“Whatever it is, if you search the whole world, you’ll find it. I was sincere in saying that I’m satisfied just with the invitation today.”
“I was sincere in saying thank you for accepting the invitation.”
Erin lightly smiled and turned away.
As per the information obtained from Erin, Hafron Jag approached Lady Endernia, just as she planned.
***
It was when Helena, Gael, and Mila were hurrying back. They ran into Aiden on their way back to the banquet hall.
“When did you arrive?”
“Hahaha. I thought you were leaving without even saying hello. It’s nice to meet you here.”
Helena awkwardly greeted, trying to hide her embarrassment.
“It’s a good day for both of us, so I had to come.”
“Let’s schedule a meeting next time. There are some important matters to discuss.”
Gael extended his hand to Aiden and said.
Aiden hesitated for a moment before shaking Gael’s hand.
“Alright.”
Aiden shook Gael’s hand and said, “I will contact you soon. Then we will go.”
After that, Gael and Helena walked away without looking back.
Only Mila politely greeted Aiden before following them.
“Hmm. It seems like something happened inside the banquet hall.”
Events related to Lord Hafron always seemed to bother Erin. But by the looks of it, she seemed unaffected this time. It was quite the opposite.
Aiden walked leisurely, observing the situation.
***
The banquet hall had become quieter without the nobles who had attended leaving. This was because a renowned poetess, specially invited this time, was tEring stories from a room set up on one side of the banquet hall. She was the poetess Erin intentionally invited. She told romantic yet intriguing stories, and the ladies were completely immersed.
Erin, too, quietly listened to them. It was when the poetess’s story came to an end.
“Oh my, it feels familiar for some reason.”
“Yes, I thought the same while listening. It’s not just a story, but something real…”
The noblewomen and young ladies couldn’t hide their excited expressions as they looked at Erin. The poetess’s story revolved around the divorce of a couple. Everyone thought that the story the poetess told was similar to Erin and Aiden’s story. Their expectant gazes towards Erin were clear.
Perhaps they were hoping to hear intimate details about the rumored divorce between Erin and Aiden. Erin spoke with a wry smile.
“It seems like it’s similar to mine. Well, nearly getting a divorce is quite similar, after all.”
No one directly asked Erin about the divorce, but their expressions and glances were enough of a question. Erin didn’t intend to just show that her relationship with Aiden was intact. That’s why she brought up the topic of divorce first.
Erin slowly opened her mouth amidst everyone’s expectations.
“It’s similar, but… not entirely the same. It can’t be, right? I love my husband very much.”
Erin confessed her feelings for Aiden with a casual expression.
A silent sigh flowed among the noblewomen and young ladies who had been curious about what Erin would say.
“The brief mention of divorce was ultimately a time to confirm each other’s feelings more deeply.”
As Erin continued her words, their faces gradually became awkward.
Meanwhile, Erin had a contrasting expression.
With a bright smile, Erin spoke again.
“I will never divorce Aiden.”
Erin deliberately exaggerated her happy married life with Aiden, showcasing it.
It meant not to leave even the slightest suspicion, given the depth and goodness of our relationship.
“But don’t misunderstand.”
Erin still had more to say.
Just as Erin had been boasting about her relationship with Aiden, saying ‘but’ stirred a different curiosity among the ladies.
Erin confidently looked around at them, without any hesitation.
“I think it’s natural to divorce if we can’t live together.”
Erin’s emphatic declaration that she would not divorce was solely for Aiden.
“It’s because we shouldn’t force ourselves to endure it.”
Erin spoke honestly.
The emperor might have expected Erin to make negative remarks about divorce at this banquet.
“And tying my statement to the atmosphere of the empire, perhaps she’ll use it as a pretext to prevent Lady Quiness’s divorce.”
Erin kept her promise to the emperor and stated that she had never considered divorce.
However, publicly expressing her affection for Aiden made it impossible for her to do as he intended.
That’s why when the emperor hears Erin’s statement today, he will surely be displeased.
But Erin had anticipated this from the start.
“Everyone will confirm our close relationship in the future.”
That day, there was nothing Erin did not keep in mind when speaking in front of the emperor.
Even if he realized she was playing with words, the emperor couldn’t press Aiden and Erin on the same issue any further.
To drive the point home, Erin added a word.
“I just love Aiden too much to want to divorce.”
Every word from Erin dripped with infinite trust and affection for Aiden.
This banquet ended with Erin getting everything she wanted.
***
After satisfactorily concluding the banquet held by the Lienster family, Erin spent a week relaxing at her mansion. It was her first outing since then.
The event Erin attended today was a tea party-style gathering exclusive to ladies in society, which tended to be more exhausting due to the need to be conscious of each other, resulting in the deployment of all kinds of dresses and accessories.
However, today Erin opted for a more modest appearance. Her dress was not eye-catching, with a simple pattern, and her hair was neatly tied back.
“How about changing the dress to a brighter color?” Mona expressed a slight disappointment as she observed Erin’s completed preparations.
“I don’t want to attract much attention today, so this look suits me fine for now,” Erin replied.
“Well, I guess I can’t help it then,” Mona’s face still held a sense of regret and reluctance.
“I’ll let you do as you please next time.”
“Really?”
“Sure. After all, I can leave my hair and clothes to you as much as you want.”
Finally, Mona’s face brightened.
“Shall we go then?” Erin had been working hard in society activities to establish her position among the nobles.
After creating her own place, she tended to avoid stepping out unless it was necessary to attend an event.
However, it had not been long since Erin personally hosted a banquet.
There was an implicit expectation to engage in social activities externally after hosting a banquet of such scale.
So, Erin carefully selected a suitable event from the many invitations she received. Erin got into the carriage to attend the tea party.
Since there was no particular purpose today, she set off with a light heart.
***
The attendees of the tea party ranged from the late teens to the early and mid-thirties.
It was a natural atmosphere that arose as people of similar age groups gathered to interact and build friendships.
As it was a tea party format event, there was no social dancing. Instead, opera singers and poets were invited.
To prevent the tea party from becoming too dull, the opera singer’s voice echoed throughout the venue. All the ladies from various families were present, including Julia.
Erin exchanged a brief greeting with Julia.
“How have you been lately? Are you doing well?”
“Yes. I’m still quite unfamiliar with everything, but I’m working hard.”
“I’ll cheer for you.” Erin said with a gentle smile towards Julia, then exchanged a few more words before turning away.
“By the way, did the Countess not come with you?” Although the gathering had formed a certain age group, the atmosphere was naturally occurring and other age groups occasionally attended.
Therefore, Erin had thought that Countess Charte would be attending today.
“I came alone today. I probably haven’t fully adapted yet. Is it okay to be alone?” Julia wasn’t a child, yet Erin found herself worrying about her.
“Doing things by yourself helps you adapt quickly, so it’s okay,” Julia said enthusiastically.
“My mother is so concerned about me that she can’t focus on anything else. She can’t keep worrying about me forever.”
So, intentionally coming alone meant that. She was indeed brave and resolute.
“You will adapt soon.”
“Yes. I’m trying hard to do so,” Julia said with a bright smile.
Watching her, Erin thought that everyone would like Julia. Erin and Julia had a conversation and then moved away.
When Erin turned around after exchanging greetings with other ladies, she saw people gathering around Julia.
“As expected, there is strong interest in her.”
