“Why are you pretending not to know?”

Irmin smiled slyly and continued.

“I came to collect something.”

His eyes were fixed on the invitation in my hand.

“…You mean this?”

“Yes!”

How did he even hear about it? Irmin’s network seemed too vast and sometimes even frightening.

“Congratulations on your engagement! After coldly rejecting Kabir, you’ve found new love?”

“Are you mocking me?”

“I’m sincerely congratulating you―”

Irmin pouted his lips in a mock offended manner. Even that gesture was irritatingly charming.

“You’re busy, why bother coming?”

“It’s not just anyone’s engagement, it’s a colleague’s. Of course, I should attend.”

Who decided we’re colleagues? Irmin seemed deeply invested in the role of being my collaborator.

“Are you properly fulfilling your ‘colleague’ duties?”

“I’m trying hard, but it’s still unclear.”

So, he hasn’t accomplished anything.

I narrowed my eyes at him, and Irmin started to ramble, seemingly cornered.

“But really, despite mobilizing all the information, I can’t find anything. It’s strange, even for me.”

If even the Crown Prince Irmin couldn’t uncover it, it was indeed peculiar.

As I was pondering this oddity, Irmin added another thought.

“Are you sure the perpetrator is human?”

“…?”

I frowned at Irmin’s nonsensical statement.

Irmin quickly clarified.

“I’m not joking. Listen, I’m connected with almost all the informants, but if even they can’t find out, it might not be human.”

“…Are you suspecting my viewers?”

“It’s not suspicion, just keeping an open mind to possibilities.”

It sounded pretty much the same to me. But it felt too unsettling to dismiss as mere nonsense.

‘…What if it really is the work of an angel?’

I recalled the angels I had met. Each one had been kind and treated me well. It was hard to imagine them engaging in such acts.

‘To steal points…’

The manager would have scoffed at this being my priority, but to me, points were more crucial than life itself.

“Just consider it. Well, I’m off!”

And just like that, Irmin made an abrupt appearance and vanished just as quickly. I blankly stared at the spot where Irmin had disappeared.

‘Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I’ve done a broadcast.’

I had been so busy with the engagement preparations that I hadn’t done a broadcast in quite some time.

Even though the manager’s presence often prevented me from broadcasting for extended periods, I felt it would be good to briefly go live just to send my regards.

I pressed the start button for the broadcast.

As expected, the regulars were the first ones to chat.

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Nuna, long time no see!ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

[Ian: Why didn’t you start the broadcast?]

[OnlyFinley: There wasn’t any trouble, was there?ㅠㅠ]

[FlowerFlute: It’s been a while, Jiha!]

Seeing them welcome me like this made me feel sorry.

“Sorry. I’m busy today as well, so I think I’ll just say hi and have to go again.”

[Poppopo: What happened?]

[Isaac: You’re busy.]

[SomeSuspiciousViewer: I’d rather watch Anaisㅠ]

It was hard to explain what was really going on. I had promised to keep the manager’s secret, after all.

“There’s nothing much, just that since coming to the duke’s residence, there’s been a lot to take care of. I guess the broadcasts will be scarce for a while.”

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Can’t help it if you’re busy…ㅠ.ㅠ]

[OnlyFinley: How can we endure not seeing our Jihaㅠㅠ]

The responses were all similar. There were some complaining viewers, but they were a minority, and almost everyone else respected my decision.

To think that such kind people exist, yet someone wants to kill me. Irmin’s words felt more and more absurd.

After the short broadcast, I pressed the end button.

‘I wish it could’ve been longer.’

Even as someone who enjoys broadcasting, the brevity of it was disappointing.

“Oh, the invitation.”

I momentarily forgot that I was on my way to deliver it to Selena.

Just as I was about to resume walking, I suddenly realized.

The invitation I was holding had disappeared.

“……”

Irmin, you’re talented at pickpocketing too, I see.

It seems like you’re determined to show up at the engagement ceremony no matter what. Annoyed, I tousled my hair.

In the end, I had no choice but to return to the manager’s room.

* * *

Upon returning to the manager’s room, I saw the manager organizing invitations. They were the ones I had carelessly scattered before leaving.

“I saw you went live.”

“You noticed right away.”

“It’s my job as a manager.”

It wasn’t like I secretly broadcasted or anything. Still, I felt oddly guilty.

“I just went live briefly to update. I didn’t mention you, so don’t worry.”

“Alright.”

The manager nonchalantly accepted it.

“Did you visit Selena?”

“No, I got the invitation stolen, so I came back to get another one.”

“Stolen? By whom?”

“…Someone, anyway.”

Considering the manager’s unfavorable view of Irmin, I chose not to mention that I had encountered Irmin.

The manager didn’t press for more details. I picked up another invitation and headed to Selena’s room.

“Unni!”

As always, Selena greeted me warmly.

“You said you wanted to see the invitation, so I brought it.”

“Ah!”

Selena received the invitation with a bright face.

She stared at the invitation for a long while, then suddenly, her eyes welled up with tears.

Why is she crying all of a sudden? I was taken aback and flustered.

“Why, why? Don’t cry.”

“No, it’s just…”

Selena wiped the tears welling up in her eyes and said,

“It just really hit me that Unni is getting engaged.”

Anyone would think it’s an actual marriage. Considering Selena’s deep attachment to me, her reaction was understandable.

“I’m glad you met someone good… But it still feels empty.”

“Why, you have Finley.”

“But, but― Finley is just a good younger sibling!”

When will these two progress in their relationship? Never thought I’d get engaged before Selena and Finley.

It’s not a real engagement, but still, it felt unique.

* * *

The day of the engagement ceremony arrived.

As a noble lady, I received special treatment, so the date was set quite quickly.

Hazel and I chose the dress for the engagement ceremony together. Preparing for the engagement ceremony was almost entirely Hazel’s help.

‘The viewers would have loved it if they saw this.’

I stood in front of the mirror and thought.

Anais, in her engagement dress, was incredibly beautiful. It reminded me of when viewers had appreciated my appearance at a ball.

“Unni, are you ready?”

Selena peeked her head in. She agreed to be my bridesmaid today. She, too, was all dressed up.

“Yes, I’m ready.”

“……”

Selena stared at me blankly.

She’s reacting like someone who’s supposed to be the fiancé. I didn’t mind the feeling.

“You’re so beautiful, Unni…”

“You always say that when I dress up.”

“Today is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen you, really.”

Selena looked like she was about to cry at any moment.

“Unni is this beautiful! What’s the fiancé doing not showing up?”

“That’s quite rude indeed.”

Just as Selena showed her indignation, the manager appeared, also dressed in formal attire.

The manager shifted his gaze from Selena to me.

“You look beautiful.”

I wasn’t sure if it was a mutter to himself or meant for me, but it was a compliment in its own way.

Feeling a bit bashful from receiving such a remark from someone usually sparing with praise, I wondered if that was the reason.

“…I’ll go and get ready!”

Taking a cue, Selena discreetly left, leaving me and the manager alone in the room.

The manager strode over and stood in front of me, extending his hand.

Just as I thought he might be about to smooth down my hair, he plucked something from the side of my head.

“There was a thread on you.”

“Ah.”

I couldn’t hide my disappointment, which seemed to puzzle the manager.

“What’s wrong?”

“I thought you were going to pat my head.”

“You get your hopes up for things like that?”

The manager looked amused but then placed his hand on my head.

“You seem to like having your head patted, huh? Are you a puppy?”

“Maybe I didn’t get enough love when I was younger.”

“Let’s not make sad comments so casually, please…”

I looked up at the manager and chuckled. I always seemed to laugh more in his presence.

“Let’s go, it’s time.”

The manager extended his hand, and I grasped it firmly. I could feel the warmth through his rough gloves.

“Even though it’s just a show engagement, it feels strange to have the ceremony with you, Manager.”

“It’s not a real engagement, after all.”

“Still. We are having a ceremony, aren’t we?”

Was it because such an occasion had never occurred in my life? I felt unexpectedly excited.

* * *

The engagement venue, as Hazel had promised, was very beautiful. I understood why they chose not to use the existing banquet hall but to rent a new one.

People were waiting at the venue. I had invited only those with whom I had a personal and close relationship, at my request. I didn’t want unnecessary rumors spreading.

Before the proper engagement ceremony began, I had to greet the guests.

Most of the guests were acquaintances of the Erpeso family, so the only people I knew were the future Count and Countess Daemon.

While being led around to greet people, the entrance of the engagement venue became agitated.

“……?”

Both the manager’s and my gaze turned in that direction.

Among the gathered crowd, I spotted a familiar face.

‘Kabir?’

Bewildered, I looked towards where Kabir was.

Kabir smiled as he looked at me and then approached.

Without any hesitation, he smiled and said to me,

“I trusted you would let me know about such news. Is it okay to feel slighted?”