Having forcefully dragged her wet body upright, Rosha washed her face and obediently put on her dress.

Then, while watching Berri skillfully tie a ribbon into half of her braided hair, she asked:

“Is it good now?”

“What do you mean by ‘good’?”

It seemed that no matter what Rosha said, Berri had no intention of taking back her statement about making medicine. No matter how bitter and disgusting it was, Berri claimed that health came first.

Ugh, of course, she’s right, but…

“I never imagined I’d be made to drink medicinal tonic just because I overslept…”

“It’s all your doing, kyakyakya.”

As Rosha grumbled during Berri’s brief absence, Koko, with a tiny bowtie around his neck, chuckled maliciously. 

At the Banquet Hall only small animals could accompany, and this tie was something Berri specially made for Koko.

Rosha responded with a shrug:

“I can’t help it if I need to train in magic. Thanks to it, I’ve made progress.”

She could feel the mana coursing subtly throughout her body. After diligently wandering through the rifts yesterday, she was able to store about twice as much magic power in her body.

“And you even saved your former fiance?”

“…Well, about that…”

If she had the power to save him, she couldn’t just watch him die. Besides, his promise to provide information was somewhat tempting.

But most decisively.

‘His attitude was awful. Maybe if he goes through some hardships, he’ll improve?’ 

Rosha glanced at the mirror. A young, seventeen-year-old girl with a fresh face stared back. The naturally flowing ivory skirt, a delicately pleated dress matching her eyes, and the half-tied hair secured with a jeweled pin looked stunning.

Although she looked beautiful, Rosha felt it was somewhat awkward.

Only two days remained until the trial. She felt out of place all dressed up and attending a banquet during these times.

However, she remembered the note from Duke Echerzen to meet him on the first day of the banquet at the second terrace. In order to gain his cooperation, she had to attend the banquet.

When she heard the carriage had arrived, a thought crossed her mind.

“I might run into Geoffrey at the banquet.” 

Ugh, I hate that.

Sadly, her predictions often came true.

* * *

The first day of the Banquet.

The grand and opulent banquet hall filled up with nobles as the evening approached, in line with the intent to give thanks for the year’s harvest.

The Emperor typically appeared on the last day, so today was mostly a massive social gathering for the nobility.

“My lady, if you’re alone, would you like to dance…”

“No, I have prior arrangements.”

From the beginning of the banquet, Rosha had declined an invitation to dance and sipped on champagne.

The food was delicious, the music was lovely, but after enduring it for hours, she was unbearably bored.

‘Why isn’t Duke Echerzen coming?’

Did he forget about their appointment to meet at the terrace today?

Seated where she could see both the entrance and the terrace, Rosha took another look around the banquet hall. Under a vacant high seat, people seemed to gather around a table adorned with golden vines. At their center was Cedric, dressed impeccably. 

‘He said it’d be better to keep some distance at the banquet, but he’s genuinely popular.’ 

An invaluable aide to the Emperor and the Emperor’s eyes overseeing the west.

His status was quite significant, especially considering Cedric’s young age, in his early to mid-twenties. Moreover, with his handsome looks and gentle nature, he was a person anyone would want to approach.

Cassis was also popular, though not as much as Cedric.

While people of all ages approached Cedric, young ladies approached Cassis. Was it because of his fit body and good looks?

“Tsk, so what? His personality is trash.”

Koko, having heard Cassis’s offensive remarks this morning about ‘he’s still alive, I thought he’d be dead by now’, began angrily preening his feathers. He then took a short flight outside the window.

Watching Koko’s retreating form, Rosha chuckled and continued her thoughts. 

‘And… it seems more people approach me now than before.’ 

Unlike before, when she was taciturn and depressed, this time she had confidence from her abilities.

Just as she felt different, others probably saw it too. Even if she kept declining their advances.

Rosha turned her head to decline another approaching person. However-

“It’s been a while, young lady. Almost a month since our meeting at the Marquis’s estate?”

Rosha stiffened slightly at the familiar yet unwelcome voice.

It was Geoffrey Lycaon, the eldest son of the Lycaon Marquis. The man with slightly faded red hair slicked back was dressed in flamboyant clothes, probably to hide his slender frame. 

However, seeing him, especially after witnessing his attempted murder the day before, didn’t improve her impression of him.

Maintaining her expression, Rosha greeted him.

“Lord Geoffrey. Yes, it seems so.”

“Last time at the mansion, we only exchanged brief greetings from a distance, but up close, you are very beautiful.”

“…Thank you for the compliment.”

Although she responded in such a way, she felt uncomfortable with his scrutinizing gaze that seemed to slide like a snake. Geoffrey, not noticing her discomfort, continued speaking.

“I have seen the letter stating you wish to break off the arranged engagement. I fully understand. Heres is rude and can’t even do his job properly. He’s a good-for-nothing.”

“…”

“Considering he didn’t attend this banquet, as you can see, even our family doesn’t think highly of him. So, I was thinking…”

Unaware of Rosha’s thoughts, who would rather he died than continue speaking, Geoffrey subtly proposed.

“Would you consider meeting with me?”

“Pardon?”

What kind of new bullshit is this?

“Forget the past engagement with my brother. After all, isn’t the marriage between nobles about the union of two families? Honestly… you’re too good for Heres.”

“…”

“And I find the young lady quite pleasant. Beautiful and calm.”

Geoffrey grinned. He then added that his offer to write off the debt and give her the diamond mines still stood.

Rosha looked at him incredulously.

“Is it all about what you want? I’m not okay with it.”

It’s unclear whether he genuinely thinks he’s better than Heres… considering his age and appearance. If she had to choose between the two heirs of the Marquis of Lycaon family, she would rather choose Heres.

But Geoffrey’s confidence probably stems from the fact that he is a magician.

Rosha, tired of his superiority complex, responded.

“No, I don’t have plans for an engagement right now. I will soon find a way to repay the family debt.”

“You have a way to repay? What do you mean? If you get engaged to me, you won’t have to repay it at all.”

“…What I’m trying to say is…”

Sigh, does she really have to explain this?

Rosha gathered her words and firmly stated:

“I’d rather repay the family debt than get engaged to the lord.”

“What?”

Geoffrey’s eyebrows furrowed in disbelief.

At that moment-

“If the young lady says so, please leave.”

A cold voice, carrying the outdoor chill, intervened.

Rosha instinctively knew who it was.

“Du-Duke Echerzen has arrived!”

A moment later, the name that popped up in her mind was announced.

Why is he making an appearance this way?