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“Ugh…”
The warmth of the previous night had vanished, and Harold awoke on the cold bed, clutching his throbbing head from a hangover. He had drunk far too much. Cursing under his breath at the splitting headache, he swung his legs over the side of the bed. Surrounded by nobles constantly offering drinks, he hadn’t been able to put his glass down long past his limit.
Those damn twins…
The main reason the nobles hadn’t let him go was the presence of the Deneuve twins. He had clearly said he wasn’t feeling well and needed to leave, but what did they say? “You must have a toast with Countess Levitt too, Your Highness.”
Harold ground his teeth, remembering Sart Deneuve egging him on with that smiling face. As the alcohol kicked in, the familiar frenzy had started—his memory broke into fragmented flashes: his heart racing, vision flushing red, heat rising to his head. Once the mania began, it wouldn’t stop until blood was drawn.
But last night had been different. He glanced at the space beside him. Silvery hair that shimmered in the moonlight, eyes like deep abysses reflecting his own face, a sensuous body arching to meet his movements, hands wrapped around his back… The memories weren’t clear, but there was no doubt he’d spent the night with someone. And when he held that woman…
“…Hah?”
Harold raised an eyebrow with a dumbfounded laugh. The bed next to him was empty, as if nothing had happened. Even though he remembered the night vividly, there wasn’t a single piece of discarded clothing on the floor—the woman had vanished.
Is this what they call “hit and run”?
There was no note on the desk, no trace left behind. She had disappeared overnight as if she wanted to erase the fact that she’d spent the night with him.
Me. She left me.
Harold Ludenheim. The sole heir to the Ludenheim Empire’s throne, had lost his first time to an unknown woman who then abandoned him?
Sweeping up a few fallen strands of his hair, Harold stepped out of bed. As rumors claimed, his handsome face, said to make women swoon with a glance and follow with a gesture, shone in the morning sunlight with effortless elegance.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand her behavior. Height, looks, wealth, prestige—he lacked nothing. Women normally threw themselves at him, even if they had to lie to do it.
He paused mid-motion while slipping his arms into his shirt. Taking it off again, he turned his back toward the mirror on the wall.
Red claw marks slashed across his broad back—sharp, stinging, not unbearable, but irritating enough to feel like a reminder: find her.
“She was different, that’s for sure.”
When he’d encountered her during his frenzy, the moment he held her, all the violent heat inside him had stilled. The chaotic noise in his mind had gone silent.
“I’ll have to confirm it myself.”
His crimson eyes glinted slyly in the mirror. Dressed again in the clothes from the previous night, Harold straightened his outfit. He hadn’t decided what he’d do once he found the woman who fled from his naked body—but find her, he would.
Retina arrived at the Sylas estate, stepping down from the carriage with Haint’s escort. He even courteously held her hand, perhaps realizing how uncomfortable the ride had been, cramped at his side the entire way.
“Do I really have to enter with you two?”
Retina smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress and looked at the twins beside her.
“Of course.”
“You’re the Deneuve family’s youngest lady.”
They answered instantly, in perfect sync as always in moments like this. Retina almost grabbed the back of her neck and collapsed in exasperation.
They’d entered separately countless times before—why drag her along now?
Unlike her brothers, who were always the center of attention, Retina hated being in the spotlight and usually attended parties on her own. She’d spent most of her life away in the countryside, and even the rare few times she’d attended events, it was by choice, not obligation.
“Ah, the young masters of House Deneuve! Thank you so much for gracing us with your presence.”
The moment the name “Deneuve” was spoken, countless eyes turned toward them. With both arms trapped, Retina was inevitably dragged into everyone’s gaze.
“Lord Sart Deneuve, Lord Haint Deneuve—how delightful to see you. And this young lady is…?”
“Our sister.”
“Oh, I see! My apologies, milady. Roman Stearns, Viscount of Stearns.”
“Ah… yes.”
Retina awkwardly pulled her hand back from the viscount’s lips after he kissed her knuckles.
A hand-kiss greeting? What century is this?
She shook her wrist slightly, forcing a stiff smile. Her lips were smiling brightly, but her teeth were clenched as she whispered to her brothers:
“Isn’t this enough? I can go off on my own now, right?”
“Of course not. You’re attending as our sister. This is the perfect chance to show your face to potential suitors.”
“Who decided that?”
“Father. He said since you didn’t do anything since being called back a month ago, at least greet some nobles before your debutante. If you have complaints, take them to him.”
Her forced smile cracked. Her lips were still curved, but her furrowed brow told the truth. If Father said so, escape was not an option.
“Oh ho ho, I haven’t been in the capital long since I’ve been recuperating in the countryside. Being in such a crowd is giving me a headache. May I take my leave early?”
“O-oh… of course! Lady Deneuve isn’t feeling well—we wouldn’t want to tire you further.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
She curtsied gracefully and began to retreat. Her steps were light—until she felt two very familiar presences stick close behind her again, weighing her down like sandbags.
“Who’s that plain-looking girl?”
“She’s walking with Lord Sart and Lord Haint! Could she be…?”
“The rumored Deneuve bastard?”
Whispers rippled through the hall. Though her family treated her kindly, bastard children were never welcomed by noble society. Retina clenched her fists under her skirt and walked briskly toward the back of the ballroom.
This is why I hate coming with them.
She let out a long sigh. Her headache had grown worse since arriving—unsurprisingly, with those two magnets for attention at her sides.
So much for keeping a low profile until my debutante…
Thankfully, the ballroom was already abuzz with gossip about the Crown Prince, which diverted attention from her. Some guests even wore wigs for the occasion; with so much to talk about, she faded into the background.
Aside from the fact that she herself was the subject of some rumors, this was ideal.
After the twins finished their obligatory greetings, Retina slipped away toward a quieter corner of the hall. Her plan was simple: hide until the party reached its peak, then sneak back to the carriage.
“Oh? Lady Retina?”
As she wandered around looking for a secluded spot to rest, three figures blocked her path.
“I didn’t think you’d show up in a boring place like this. What a surprise.”
The girl in front hid half her face behind a fan and spoke in a shrill tone.
“…Who?”
Retina had a terrible memory for faces to begin with, and with half the girl’s face covered, she stood no chance. Narrowing her eyes to focus didn’t help either; the other girls behind her didn’t ring a bell, either.
The girl’s powdered face cracked with indignation as Retina failed to recognize her. She snapped her fan shut and revealed herself, glaring.
“You didn’t forget me… did you?”
Her left lip twitched involuntarily.
Ah. Right. She was too plain to remember.
Retina studied her face, lips puckering. The girl was shaking with humiliation over something as small as not being recognized.
Should she say she thought the girl was wearing a masquerade mask because of the excessive makeup? Or that the weird lines around her eyes made her look like a pumpkin she once knew?
Oh right. She confessed to Haint at graduation and got rejected. Then she blamed me when she found out my brothers only came because of me.
Not that Retina ever mentioned what happened at the academy. If she had, that girl wouldn’t be walking around so proudly now.
“Of course I didn’t forget. I made sure to remember fools like you so I can avoid you at social events.”
“W–what?! I was being nice, talking to you since you were all alone, and that’s how you respond?!”
“How rude! How dare you speak to Lady Misha like that!”
And ambushing someone in a group to pick a fight isn’t rude?
“And ambushing someone in a group to pick a fight isn’t rude?”
The words slipped out, and Retina touched her lips in surprise. But the voice was lower and firmer than hers.
“What business do you have with my sister?”
Two towering shadows loomed behind Retina.
