MLBR 30

chapter 30

“Impressive… really impressive! I’m cheering for you. I hope you know that I always support you with all my heart.”

Count Hannis’s praise was sincere. Perhaps because Herace had played a decisive role in repaying his debt, his gaze was filled with affection. It was the halo effect in action.

Unlike Count Hannis, many of the other nobles’ faces turned pale. The rest backed away with looks of contempt.

First, I shook the wine glass I had finished according to plan.

“Your Grace, thank you for the water, but if we don’t clear the glasses, it could be dangerous for others. I’ll call the servants. We need to remove them quickly.”

Herace’s posture changed instantly. He leaned forward as if I were the only person there and stared intently into my eyes.

“It’s good that you’re thinking about the other nobles. But why are you the one moving?”

His voice was as sweet as honey, leaving all the nobles astonished. Some rubbed their eyes, wondering if this was real.

“Do you just want me to clear this glass? If you need anything else, please tell me.”

“You just need to clear it, but I can do it myself.”

If a woman could control such a rogue… could it really be possible? They seemed confused, realizing they had misunderstood until now.

“Then there’s nothing I can do for you today. I’ll bring more water. Wait here.”

After giving Count Hannis a brief greeting, Herace walked into the crowd. Even after he disappeared, a calm lingered in the air.

Perhaps Herace’s presence had left a strong impression. The nobles, who had only exchanged subtle greetings, began conversing more openly.

I maximized the social skills I had developed with the help of Melissa and Herace. I used a calm tone and tried to maintain an elegant gaze. Slowly, the nobles’ attitudes began to soften.

‘Not bad.’

Honestly, it was a little fun. Watching their reactions change exactly as I intended made me curious about how they would behave next.

As I continued brief conversations with several nobles, Whistler suddenly stopped right in front of me. He scanned my dress, froze like stone, and then seemed completely mesmerized.

“Lady Light… was that woman you back then?”

What was he saying? Was I hallucinating?

As uneasy Whistler appeared, the nobles around us subtly backed away. Perhaps to accommodate him, they created a space for us to talk privately.

This was the power of wealth, honor, and reputation. Even without asking, people instinctively watched out for me and gave me consideration.

One day, I would take it all for myself.

“Duke Gas, I don’t know who that woman was, but I am Philena, and she is not me.”

Oops, was that too direct? I quickly added, remembering not to be rude like I had with Mille.

“But if you tell me who she is, I could help you find her.”

Even if it were a hallucination, I would need a doctor, but still, my behavior had just now been convincingly non-villainous. And I responded calmly even without Herace around. I shrugged my shoulders with quiet satisfaction.

At least this situation had already been discussed during the carriage ride.

‘If Whistler comes looking for me, just draw a polite line and act courteous.’

Any noblewoman accustomed to maintaining composure could perform this role easily. After all, I had experienced romance once before—and even a contractual romance.

“Did you attend the masked ball that night, Lady Light?”

Ah, I had secretly attended that night. But did that secret even matter now? Reflecting on the past, I decided to reveal the truth.

My plan had failed that night, so I had changed the direction of my revenge. There was no need to hide anything anymore, and being caught in a lie could cause problems later.

I feigned ignorance and asked Whistler in return.

“When exactly are you referring to?”

“Wasn’t there one held two months ago? Philena, were you there that day?”

A line a male protagonist might deliver. Seeing this side of Whistler for the first time, I nodded subtly, impressed.

“Yes, I attended that day. I did try to find Duke Gas, but it was a masked ball, so it was difficult. What a pity.”

I lowered the corners of my mouth to express my embarrassment.

“So… that means…”

Uncharacteristically, Whistler hesitated. His eyes burned intensely, filled with complex emotions.

“So according to what you’re saying, you went to the masked ball and met my brother that day.”

“I never said I met Herace.”

I quickly scanned my surroundings. Fortunately, the other nobles were still keeping their distance. I tried to maintain my composure while formulating a clever response, but Whistler fired questions like a machine gun.

“Did you wear the same red dress that day? The one with a mask in white and red?”

How could he know that? No, stay calm.

“Yes, I met Herace that day, and I did wear a red dress and the colored mask.”

The day Herace decided to approach me head-on had long been arranged. The masked ball. So there was no need to hide it.

“So it was you. My brother knew it too.”

Whistler wiped his face with his hand, twisted his lips, and approached boldly. Unusually, he invaded my space.

At a formal event, with so many eyes on us, Whistler stood uncomfortably close. As I blinked at his unusual behavior, his furious voice cut into my ears.

“Philena, don’t think you can run from me. Today, you will become my lover again, and even if not today, you are destined to be mine.”

Then, as if nothing had happened, Whistler stepped back. Amid the sudden shift, I awkwardly nodded. Herace had told me a light nod was enough to defuse a situation.

Anyway, was Whistler really seeing hallucinations? He certainly wasn’t in his right mind.

For the first time, Whistler felt less like a male protagonist from a novel and more like a tangible living being. I realized maintaining mental health in this harsh society was important.

But that didn’t mean I enjoyed being in his proximity. I felt uncomfortable. Touching my neck, I came to a conclusion.

‘He must feel inferior to Herace. He’s excited because I met Herace at the masked ball.’

I thought I should report back quickly. A hand came from behind and rested across my shoulders, handing me a wine glass.

Drinking was impossible at this party! But I didn’t need to look back to know it was Herace.

“Duke Grey, it’s been a long—”

Turning around, I exhaled a breath laced with a smile. In the direction Herace pointed, a table had been neatly arranged with chairs and snacks.

“How did you bring all this?”

“Blackmail… oh, slip of the tongue… negotiations, actually.”

Herace grabbed my shoulder and nudged me.

“Shall we go there? I gathered everything in one place so you’d be comfortable. I even got permission, so don’t worry.”

This could ruin a party, but it was possible because it was Herace. Knowing this was today’s surprise, I extended my hand to act like I didn’t want to refuse and not appear rude.

“Well done, Philena. Now I’ll pull you along and have you sit.”

“Alright.”

“It must have been exhausting attending a party after so long, right? Rest. We’ll get up after a short break.”

Escorted by Herace, I recounted what had happened with Whistler, gradually enjoying his surprise as a bonus.

“Did he say you’ll be his lover today?”

“But that’s impossible. Since Whistler isn’t the host of this party, he can’t take the initiative. It’s basically impossible for him to confess here.”