“We are just admiring the scenery. Come to think of it, this is the first year you participate in fox hunting, right, Veronica? Are you enjoying it so far?”

“Yes, I’m. Due to my health and physical condition, I didn’t get to leave my house much to visit the capital to attend parties and participate in such events so I planned to enjoy this event to its fullest, it’s a beautiful sunny day too.”

Veronica, who answered the Countess’s words sweetly, turned to address Rowena as well.

“Miss Philone, you haven’t joined this event in a while so it must have been a while, right?”

“Yes, indeed.”

Rowena replied, her mouth pursed, unable to keep a straight face at someone who was clearly mocking as she spoke to her. But her expression hardened at the words which followed.

“When was the last time you were here? I think around five years ago?”

Veronica pretended that she was all clueless while daggers were thrown out of her lips. The startled countess looked alternately at Veronica and Rowena. The Five years gap, it was a controversial topic that everyone in the social circle wanted to know about, but no one had the guts to mention it in front of Rowena or inquire about. Even she, who had developed a certain degree of familiarity with Rowena, found it difficult to speak about it carelessly, so when Veronica, who was almost like a rival in love, mentioned it without hesitation, she was baffled.

The countess, who had been watching Rowena’s frozen expression, was about to open her mouth to say something when she heard Rowena reply.

“Yes, you are right. I see you know a lot about me! I didn’t know that you were so interested in me.”

Rowena, who had been staring at Veronica for some time, shot back. The other side seemed to be at a loss for words because of her unexpectedly nonchalant reply.

“It-.. Well,  rather than being highly interested… You’re so famous.”

Veronica was quick to grasp the physiology of the social scene for a girl who had just made her debutante, but not quick enough to handle Rowena, who had been through it all for quite some time. Veronica, pursing her lips at Rowena’s dismissive question about whether she was openly seeking her moves, stammered as she replied.

“Oh, my. Am I that famous?? I didn’t really know that.”

Rowena, who pretended to be surprised and opened her eyes wide, turned to the Countess.

“I think I’ll take this opportunity to be greedy, just as you said, countess.”

“Greedy, what do you mean?”

Veronica, who was barely smiling just the way Rowena did earlier, tilted her head. The countess, who was truly amazed and slightly admiring Rowena’s intimidating presence, answered for her.

“Tonight, the queen of the night thing.”

“I see ……”

The disguised peace was broken. Veronica, having taken off her mask, rose from her seat. The Countess’s eyes sparkled with interest at her quickly changing attitude.

“Sit with us a while longer, why are you getting up already?”

“I just came for a quick chat and have to go back now. Then excuse me, Countess, Miss Philone.”

Veronica quickly turned back and walked away. The countess, who had been watching her figure leaving, tapped Rowena on the arm with her elbow.

“What was that? You sent a shiver down my spine! you’re pretty good at that.”

“I just spoke out of anger.”

Rowena, laughing in embarrassment, also stood up and excused herself.

“I think I have to leave too. It’s almost noon.”

“Ah that’s right, you’ll be having lunch with his excellency today. Then I will see you later in the evening.”

The countess nodded pleasantly and waved her hand.

As Rowena left the space filled with noble ladies and headed for her private tent, Joanne followed close behind. And as soon as she walked into the tent, Joanne began to flood her with questions, as if she had been waiting for that all day.