“Bess!”
At that moment, a sharp voice echoed from somewhere.
The maid standing nearby responded to the sound. It was clear to anyone that she was Bess.
“Go ahead.”
Lizelle handed over the bottle she picked up to Bess.
“I’m truly sorry.”
Bess quickly accepted the bottle, bowed deeply, and disappeared in a flash.
Watching Bess’s back quickly vanish, Lizelle turned and made her way toward the banquet hall.
* * *
At that time.
Chase, who entered the hall where the banquet was being held first, was greeting Count Humphrey.
“Your Grace, thank you so much for attending.”
“Congratulations on Lady Humphrey’s birthday.”
Chase offered a brief congratulation.
Count Humphrey beamed widely and began sharing updates about recent happenings with Chase.
He nodded slightly while listening. However, his gaze was directed towards the door in the center of the hall.
As if there was someone he was waiting for.
“Father.”
At that moment, Selena appeared from afar, her bright smile radiant, like spring blossoms.
The star of today’s birthday banquet had arrived.
Dressed in a stunning blue gown with her golden hair elegantly styled in an updo, adorned with chandelier-patterned earrings and a graceful butterfly-shaped necklace, Selena was more beautiful than ever.
She was so captivating that even the noblemen gathered in groups to exchange greetings couldn’t help but steal glances at her.
“Greetings Duke Chase Halos.”
Blushing shyly, Selena lifted the hem of her dress slightly as she curtsied to Chase, who was standing beside her father.
“Happy birthday, my lady.”
Chase offered her a polite but emotionless congratulation.
Then once again looked toward the central door.
“Your Grace’s presence makes this banquet even more splendid.”
Her cheeks flushed redder than cherry blossoms.
Chase always made Selena’s heart flutter.
The most perfect man in this world. And she was destined to be that perfect man’s match.
Selena raised her head with a pretty smile.
As expected, all eyes were on her and Chase.
It was thrilling. Whenever she was with him, the spotlight automatically followed her.
She liked those gazes.
The looks of envy and admiration people cast at her and Chase.
These gazes, filled with longing and desire for what they could never have, constantly reaffirmed her existence and status.
It gave her a sense of superiority and excellence.
“We’ll soon raise a toast. It would be an honor if Your Grace joined us.”
Selena said in a soft voice.
After hearing he would be getting married, she’d expected him to bring a partner, but he was alone.
Was it just a rumor?
Not that it mattered. Whether or not he had someone to marry didn’t change her plans.
“You’ll join us, won’t you?”
As if on cue, Bess appeared, carrying a tray with glasses of champagne.
Selena blinked repeatedly, her gaze filled with longing as she looked at Chase.
Chase reluctantly reached for a glass, but then…
“My lady.”
Spotting someone, Chase suddenly headed for the central door.
Like a large dog seeing its master.
Selena was left standing there in shock, staring after him in disbelief.
“Oh, it’s quite crowded.”
Lizelle said, looking up at Chase, who rushed to her side.
“If you’re uncomfortable, we can leave immediately.”
Chase said softly, concerned about her pale complexion when they first arrived at the mansion.
He was fidgeting, feeling like he burdened her by asking her to come with him.
“No. Since we came all the way here, I should at least offer my congratulations.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.”
Lizelle smiled brightly and nodded.
As expected, the hall was packed with people.
Everyone was dressed extravagantly for the birthday celebration.
While some people clearly came purely to celebrate Selena’s birthday, there were also quite a few who seemed to have other motives.
The noble young men, for instance, kept glancing around before approaching Selena to strike up a conversation.
This place felt like a jungle.
“Isn’t this Lady Frosier?”
Count Humphrey approached Chase, recognizing Lizelle, who was standing beside him.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Count Humphrey. I am Wilhazelle Frosier.”
Lizelle greeted the count politely.
Count Humphrey looked pleased with her impeccable demeanor but soon tilted his head in curiosity.
He hadn’t sent an invitation to the Frosier barony, but here she was.
Moreover, seeing her naturally conversing with Chase prompted him to ask.
“Are you the duke’s partner?”
“Ah, well…”
“She’s my fiancée.”
Chase answered quickly before Lizelle could respond.
The lively hall fell silent as if a bucket of cold water was poured over it.
A suffocating silence filled the air.
The atmosphere of the hall turned heavy.
“Haha, yes, that’s right.”
Lizelle tried to turn the mood around by smiling as naturally as possible and moving closer to Chase.
But her actions actually backfired.
As soon as she leaned closer to him, Chase naturally wrapped his arm around her waist.
Everyone in the hall gaped at the sight.
There were even people rubbing their eyes to make sure they weren’t imagining it.
Not only did the famous Chase have a fiancé, but he also showed affection by wrapping his arm around her waist in front of other people.
Chase had a reputation in social circles for being indifferent to the opposite sex.
Although he did not particularly like social gatherings, he occasionally attended banquets held at the palace, and each time, noble ladies approached him.
Because that was the only opportunity they had.
However, Chase coldly turned down every single one of them, showing an indifference that was almost cruel.
At one banquet, he even warned that he wouldn’t tolerate anyone coming closer to him.
That same Chase, who had never been involved in a single scandal until now, was getting married…
It was news that would receive major coverage and a revelation that would shake the entire social world.
“Greetings, Lady Wilhazelle. I’m Selena Humphrey.”
It was Selena who broke the silence.
Selena, who approached without them noticing, smiled very gently and greeted Lizelle.
However, Selena’s eyes, which were dark and jealous, stayed fixed on the ring on Lizelle’s finger.
“Lady Selena, happy birthday.”
Lizelle smiled brightly, offering her congratulations.
Selena Humphrey, the star of the birthday banquet, wasn’t a character Lizelle remembered from the original story.
She wasn’t sure if Selena was a minor character or simply insignificant. When Chase mentioned Selena Humphrey’s name, Lizelle wondered if there was someone like that in the novel?
All she remembered was that the Halos family and the Humphrey family were connected through business dealings.
‘Wait? That necklace…’
As Lizelle admired Selena, who was beautifully adorned as the evening’s protagonist, her eyes stopped on the necklace.
The ornate butterfly-patterned necklace was familiar.
‘That’s a necklace I resold.’
It was a limited-edition necklace bought during this body’s more indulgent days.
She had worn it so often that a small flower charm next to the butterfly had fallen off.
The missing charm wasn’t noticeable unless someone examined it closely.
She sold it to raise funds, and apparently, Selena purchased it.
Lizelle decided not to mention this fact to Selena.
After all, who would feel good about knowing their necklace previously passed through someone else’s hands?
“Lady Wilhazelle, if you’re not too busy, I’d like to introduce you to some of my acquaintances. Do you have time?”
Selena asked in a very lively voice.
The idea that Duke Chase would marry a rustic woman from a baron’s family was utterly unacceptable to her.
It was obvious that she was more beautiful and elegant than Wilhazelle.
Selena wanted to humiliate Wilhazelle.
To show her how insignificant and unworthy she truly was.
She wanted to make Wilhazelle realize that the position she sought was far beyond her reach—a foolish dream.
The one who deserved to stand by Chase’s side was none other than herself, Selena Humphrey.
“Yes, I’d be happy to.”
Although it was a sudden proposal, Lizelle accepted without hesitation.
Since she was already at the banquet, she thought it would be a good idea to interact with others.
After all, that was the reason she had come here and was playing her part.
“I’ll come along.”
Chase naturally intended to accompany her, because he wanted to be with her.
Also to keep an eye on anyone who might flirt with her.
She is so pretty that anyone would instantly fall in love with her.
A thought befitting a lovesick fool…
