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Chapter 53
The mansion’s security had seemed unusually strict, but it wasn’t just the Soro family being fussy—it was because of the royal visit.
“Your Highness, what brings you here?”
“Could it be that he came to celebrate Miss Drury’s coming-of-age?”
The nobles began whispering among themselves. The young ladies craned their necks, eager to catch a glimpse of the prince.
At that moment, the orchestra resumed its grand performance. Damia’s heart pounded ominously in sync with the swelling music.
“……”
As Vasili walked along the red carpet, his gaze lingered on Damia for just a moment.
‘Why is he smiling so meaningfully like that?!’
It was an instant too brief for anyone else to notice, but Damia felt her heart shrink.
When he finally stopped at the center of the ballroom, Drury approached him as if she had been waiting for that exact moment.
She carried herself as though that spot had always belonged to her.
The sight of the two, perfectly matched, created a strange atmosphere in the ballroom.
The implication of their stance was obvious: everyone held their breath, focusing solely on the prince’s lips.
He raised a champagne glass elegantly.
“To celebrate the coming-of-age of my beloved fiancée.”
He proposed a toast. Shock flickered across the guests’ faces, but no one dared utter a sound.
‘Drury is engaged to the First Prince?’
The Soro family had once been closely connected to the royal household, wielding considerable influence. Thus, Drury was by no means unworthy of being allied with a prince.
‘In the previous life, she seemed content with being the viscount’s fiancée.’
Was this all happening because Damia had interfered?
“Then, Miss Drury will become the princess?”
“Since Vasili will soon be the Crown Prince, she might even become the next empress…”
People whispered to their neighbors, their emotions complex.
Vasili Velotea was undoubtedly an excellent match.
Of course, he had been betrothed since birth—to a princess of the Kingdom of Parmia.
Yet even after reaching adulthood, their engagement had never progressed to marriage, continually delayed.
‘They supposedly broke it off recently.’
Outwardly, they seemed like a perfect couple.
No one could easily guess the reason the engagement had dissolved.
Rumors circulated: that the emperor cherished Vasili too much to let him leave the empire, or that he was wary of giving too much power to his still-prince son.
“Oh, they do look quite good together.”
“It seems they held the coming-of-age party just to announce the engagement, even though it’s not a birthday.”
A triumphant smile rested on Drury’s lips.
Whether she had truly fallen in love or was intoxicated by power, no one could tell.
What was clear was that she was thoroughly satisfied with the situation.
“They’re going to dance!”
People stepped back, making way for the day’s main pair to take the floor for their first dance.
Vasili and Drury moved through the hall, displaying perfect, flawless synchronization.
“By the way, I assume the emperor approved of this?”
“Of course. Earlier, Marquess Soro bragged that the engagement ceremony would be formally held at the palace.”
Even while dancing, Drury’s gaze often flicked toward Damia, her chin raised in arrogant defiance.
‘Was she trying to show off for me?’
Damia slinked toward the wall to hide herself.
Though she didn’t welcome Drury’s overt scrutiny, she did want to congratulate her on her new fiancé.
If Damia hadn’t intervened, Drury might have been engaged to Cassian again.
‘At least it’s lucky Drury isn’t entangled with Cassian now.’
She could still vividly recall Drury’s audacity when trying to frame Romie.
“Um…”
At that moment, a few young nobles glanced at Damia, moving closer. They seemed intent on requesting a dance.
Damia ignored them, quietly slipping back.
“Romie!”
She spotted Romie among the maids waiting nearby.
Approaching her with delight, she heard the young nobles muttering, probably annoyed at being ignored.
“You… came so late. I’m sorry, Miss.”
Romie’s bangs were plastered to her forehead with sweat. Though breathing heavily, her complexion remained pale.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes, much better. I guess I was just a bit nervous after so long.”
“You weren’t troubled, Miss?”
“…No.”
The image of Vasili she had encountered in the guest room flashed in her mind, but Damia shook her head slightly.
“Let’s find the right moment to leave. I have a bad feeling.”
Though she couldn’t outright refuse Marquess Drury’s invitation, she felt uneasy all along.
She had resolved to quietly observe Drury’s behavior, but even if she gained nothing, leaving quietly seemed wiser.
“Damia, are you enjoying the banquet?”
A nasal, playful voice called out, catching Damia’s attention. Drury, flushed from dancing with Vasili and numerous young nobles, approached.
Her usually lively tone now carried a hint of intoxication.
Coming all the way into the servants’ corner—did she want to say something specifically to Damia?
Damia forced an awkward smile, not wanting to draw more attention.
“Yes, thanks to your thoughtfulness, Drury. Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Really?”
Drury giggled, though there was no clear reason to.
Then, suddenly, she pressed her lips close to Damia’s ear.
“I leave a mark on whatever was once mine.”
“…Pardon?”
“So whatever it is, you’d better not think you’ve stolen it from me.”
Drury grinned, then stepped back without lingering.
“Um, Miss Drury…!”
Before Damia could react, Drury vanished into the crowd, her face radiant like a fully bloomed flower.
“W-What did she just say? Was she trying to threaten me?”
“No, not exactly…”
It sounded like a warning, but was ambiguous. Could she have meant Cassian or Romie?
Even if in a past life, Cassian had never belonged to Drury in this one.
And Drury didn’t seem the type to cling to a maid like Romie.
“Viscount Ponti’s daughter came without a chaperone? She’s still young, isn’t she?”
“Apparently, she didn’t have a proper maid to bring along. Well, a family in decline wouldn’t have loyal servants remaining.”
The young nobles who had requested a dance from Damia began whispering nearby, clearly hoping she would overhear.
‘Maybe I should have come with Mother.’
Practically, that was impossible.
The Viscountess of Sarkis was far too busy to attend a marquess’ daughter’s suddenly scheduled coming-of-age party.
Moreover, with Cassian away in the west, she had to manage the Viscount’s duties herself, leaving no free time.
Had Damia asked, she would have gladly assisted, but she didn’t want to be a burden.
And, whenever she recalled the Viscountess’ warm gaze, her conscience pricked.
She had never doubted Damia’s feelings for Cassian.
‘Right. I have to handle this myself.’
If she endured their rudeness quietly, greater insults would surely follow.
“Phew.”
Damia let out a deliberately audible sigh.
‘How upset would the viscount be if he knew I was hurt?’
The young nobles visibly flinched at her words.
“Someone with his temperament wouldn’t stop at just being upset.”
“Are… are you trying to threaten me in the viscount’s name? Have some shame!”
“Huh? I was just talking to myself, did you hear that?”
One of the nobles squealed in fright, and Damia widened her eyes, feigning innocence.
“Ugh…”
“Anyway, what do you mean by threat? Have you done something wrong to me?”
Damia smiled lightly, and the young nobles’ faces went pale.
