Episode 6

“Is the carriage ready?”

“What about the young lord and the master? What about Miss Aria…?”

“Hey! Go get new cushions for the carriage! How can you let Miss Aria use something like this!”

Even before I reached the main gate, I could hear the bustle. The servants were running around preparing for the duke’s family’s outing.

As usual, I stepped out wearing a fur shawl with a flashy robe draped over it. Perhaps because everything was so hectic, the servants only noticed me belatedly.

“Isn’t that…?”

“…Is that woman going too?”

Amidst the puzzled voices, the duke’s family appeared, ready to board the carriages. And there was an outsider as well.

‘Countess Claire.’

Count and Countess Claire were quite prestigious figures in the capital.

Being connected to the imperial family and controlling numerous businesses, they handled many of the investments needed by the imperial family and sometimes proposed ventures to other nobles.

Some whispered that such hands-on involvement in business was unbefitting of nobility, more suited to merchants. But no one dared say so openly.

That’s because investments through her were highly likely to succeed.

For such a countess to be here…

‘Aria’s prospective chaperone.’

I figured Aria would be brought to the banquet because she wasn’t quite ready for full debut in society, but to have a chaperone assigned already…

‘This banquet is definitely going to be all about Aria.’

I wasn’t surprised. The knights gathered from all over would serve to highlight the Crown Prince and Aria. I smiled faintly and approached the duke’s family.

There were two carriages prepared. One for the men of the ducal house, the other for Aria and the countess.

‘That means I know exactly which one I’ll be getting into.’

“Aria, are you all ready?”

“Of course. I’m so excited.”

“My, I never imagined the returned daughter of House Reinhardt would be this lovely…”

The friendly chatter cut off the moment I entered their view.

“Oh my. Hello, Countess Claire!”

The atmosphere immediately turned cold at my greeting.

“You.”

“What are you doing here…?”

Servitan spoke first. Seth also looked like he wanted to say something harsh but held his tongue—clearly wary of the outsider, Countess Claire.

“Don’t you remember? His Grace already permitted me to attend the banquet.”

“…Ah, right.”

The Duke, upon seeing me, turned his head away without so much as a change in expression.

‘He can’t retract his words in front of the countess now—it would damage his dignity.’

Just as expected. I raised my voice, addressing Aria.

“Aria!”

“Mindia, come here!”

“…Lady Mindia Reinhardt, it’s been a while.”

Countess Claire gave me an awkward smile.

“Are you going with us, Lady Mindia?”

“Yes! It’s been a while since I’ve wanted to attend the High Mass!”

A flicker of something passed across the countess’s face. Her expression seemed to say, ‘Of course, it’s not the service but the high-ranking noblemen that interest you.’ I smiled at Aria.

“I can go with you, right, Aria?”

“Of course! Father, you’ll allow it, won’t you?”

The permission was already given, but if she wanted to confirm it again, I had no complaints.

“…Of course. How could I refuse her?”

“That’s great, Mindia!”

Her smile was truly lovely.

Aria climbed into the carriage with a bright smile. The other members of the ducal family glared at me, clearly displeased at the thought of me influencing Aria in any way.

Countess Claire, following me into the carriage, glanced at the flashy robe I wore with a subtle grimace but said nothing.

Instead, she used the embroidery on the robe to start a conversation.

“The embroidery on that robe is quite exquisite.”

“Thank you. It’s one I’ve been saving…”

“Speaking of which, Aria, are you still keeping the embroidery you mentioned before?”

The topic quickly shifted to Aria.

I stayed silent without any awkwardness. It was easier not having to force conversation.

“Yes. I’m still clumsy at it… but as you said, I tried it on a handkerchief.”

“That’s quite impressive. It’s freesia, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s my favorite flower!”

“Oh my, Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager is also fond of that flower. How about gifting her that handkerchief?”

“To Her Imperial Majesty? Will she be attending this time?”

“The Imperial family and His Highness the Crown Prince will be attending this banquet.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince as well?”

Aria’s eyes widened. I already knew this, of course. I had no interest in the Crown Prince.

‘But considering my usual image, I should act surprised here.’

Mindia Reinhardt was known for her obsession with finding an excellent marriage match. The higher the man’s status, the more interested she’d be.

“I’m so excited!”

My sudden interjection made the countess smile awkwardly. I feigned excitement and reviewed the order of the banquet.

‘I’ll need some cooperation at the event.’

I was lost in thought, recalling the seating arrangement for the High Mass. As my thoughts wandered, we arrived in front of the Great Temple.

“We’ve arrived!”

The carriage came to a smooth stop. Aria was the first to step out.

A young nobleman, whose house I didn’t recognize, hurried over to offer his escort.

“Milady, please take my hand.”

“Oh! Thank you!”

All attention immediately focused on Aria as she appeared.

The attention on her was intense. The true daughter of the ducal house, returned after over a decade. Kind, beautiful, and pure-hearted.

‘She’s certainly a good headline.’

As I watched Aria bask in the praise, I slowly removed my robe inside the carriage, revealing the dress I had received from her.

“Aren’t you getting down…”

The coachman of House Reinhardt, who had peeked inside to hurry me along, trailed off in mid-sentence. He looked quite stunned.

‘Of course he is.’

It was probably his first time seeing me in such a modest dress, without my usual flashy attire.

Marie had done a great job. I was dressed well enough to stand beside anyone, anywhere. Unlike my usual heavy makeup, the light touch today suited my features surprisingly well.

At the moment, I didn’t look like a typical villainess, but rather an appropriately elegant young noblewoman.

That was good. First impressions mattered.

‘Though I doubt the Grand Duke… Chris would care about appearances.’

I glanced calmly at the coachman still standing at the carriage door.

“Would you step aside? You’re in the way.”

Flustered, the coachman quickly stepped aside. I slowly got out of the carriage.

“……”

“Who’s that…?”

“Could it be…?”

As expected, the mood shifted strangely. Many probably hadn’t expected me to come.

“Mindia Reinhardt?”

“That woman came too?”

Voices laced with open contempt could be heard. I ignored them lightly.

‘Back in the day, I would’ve made a scene.’

I might’ve stormed over, grabbed someone’s hair, or poured wine on them.

‘Then I would’ve been dragged away by Seth, beaten like a dog where no one could see, and sent home.’

Pretending I hadn’t heard a thing, I put on a cheerful face and scanned the area where eligible noble bachelors stood.

I could feel the men puffing up and focusing under my gaze.

‘But the important man today isn’t any of you.’

I glanced toward the crowd. The moment I saw the one I was looking for, my heart pounded.

“…Chris.”

The cold, indifferent face standing there brought a wave of memories—the voice that answered me.

‘…I’m here.’

‘…….’

‘I’m here…’

My heart fluttered for a moment.

His face up close…

It was like a delicately carved ice flower.

When I saw the portrait, I wondered if it was exaggerated—but seeing him in person, I realized the painting hadn’t captured him properly at all.

‘How could such kind words come from that cold face?’

It pained me to think this familiarity I felt might be one-sided.

He hadn’t glanced in my direction yet.

It was only natural. The Grand Duke and the Duke’s house didn’t get along. It wasn’t as though we’d warmly greet each other.

The only reason anyone from House Reinhardt even acknowledged the Grand Duke’s presence was due to his knights, who leaned toward him and whispered something.

“……”

Then, Chris slowly turned his gaze toward the Duke.

I struggled not to turn away from his piercing cold stare. I could read the contempt in his eyes clearly. That disdain was for the Duke’s family—and likely me as well.

Aria was too small to be seen, hidden among the gathered young nobles.

Chris withdrew his gaze before the Duke noticed. And in that brief moment, our eyes met.

“……”

It was an expressionless, unreadable stare.

It vanished quickly.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see more of it or not. It wasn’t contempt, which was a relief, but seeing such indifference made me feel… a little hurt.

‘Still, I must.’

I wasn’t going to waver over a single glance when I had already anticipated this.

Chris turned completely and began walking elsewhere—perhaps to greet a familiar noble.

His knights glanced toward House Reinhardt with distaste, then followed him. Just as I was about to quickly follow—

“Lady Mindia.”

Someone stepped in front of me.

“…Hello, Lady Helena.”

It was Helena Steins and her friends.

“What’s the occasion for such modest attire? Not using your usual revealing dresses to captivate the young lords today?”

Sharp words followed immediately.