RAL 24

“Lord Gae, wouldn’t you like to greet this young lady first?”

Cutting Rio off mid-sentence, Celestine looked at him with a deliberately bright smile.

“She’s someone I came with. If this meeting counts as fate, then it’s fate, wouldn’t you say?”

For a brief moment, Rio’s blue eyes quickly scanned Asha. He narrowed them slightly, then, as if finding it rather unexpected, spoke again.

“…Your companion, I see.”

In truth, Rio had probably already realized that the woman behind the wolf mask was Asha.

After all, the only person Celestine had been spending time with lately was Asha, whom she’d chosen as a conversation partner. And more importantly, it was rare—even in Yeshua—to find someone with both flowing silver hair and teal eyes.

Simply put, in novels, the designs of the female lead and side characters rarely overlap.

“…Though I must apologize, for today I will address you not with a formal title, but as ‘young lady,’ like the other nobles.”

Rio continued, looking at Asha.

“Otherwise, there would have been no point in preparing a mask.”

“….”

“Then please, make yourself comfortable, Lady Wolf.”

…What?

That’s it?

Shouldn’t there be something more dramatic? Like him staring blankly in awe of her beauty, or trying to strike up a conversation out of interest…?

But contrary to Celestine’s expectations, Rio didn’t say another word to Asha.

Deflated, Celestine stared at him in bewilderment—but his gaze had already returned to her.

Wait… hold on. The warning message only said to attend this party… so technically, I’ve already done what I needed to do, right?

Wouldn’t the comments from Rio’s fans be satisfied with this? After all, she did attend and made sure he appeared.

…In that case, there was only one thing left.

“Um, excuse me—could you two continue talking for a moment?”

Celestine spoke gently, glancing between Rio and Asha.

“I’ll go bring some tea for everyone to drink—!”

Before she could finish, a man who had handed out masks earlier approached them with a tray.

“…Actually, I haven’t drunk anything yet, but I’d like to use the restroom. May I step away for a moment?”

“Wait, Lady Celestine—no, Lady Tiger—”

Caught off guard, Asha hesitated and tried to grab her arm, but it was already too late.

“Then I’ll be back. Please enjoy your conversation!”

Carefully slipping out of Asha’s grasp, Celestine fled as if she were being chased.

Sorry, Asha. But it’ll be fine. Rio actually likes you a lot. And you wanted to make friends too, right? Two birds with one stone.

Swallowing words that would never reach Asha—

“……”

“……”

Left alone together, Rio looked at Asha awkwardly, unable to hide his discomfort.

The imperial princess…

Anyone in the Yeshua Empire knew how Asha was treated in the imperial palace. Rio was no exception.

I’ve heard plenty about her beauty, but this exceeds expectations.

She truly was beautiful. Not just pretty—her pale face and slender figure carried a fragile, sorrowful aura that seemed to spill over, the kind that men often found irresistible.

Even with her face hidden behind a mask, her elegance and beauty couldn’t be concealed. Even now, he could clearly feel the lingering gazes of men sneaking glances at her.

But what’s the use of all that?

In the end, Princess Asha has nothing. She grew up being treated poorly, so she must understand her own position well. Beauty is just a useless burden for a powerless princess. The Crown Prince Dvaltin may look after her for now, but that won’t last forever.

In fact, that dazzling beauty might only make her life more tragic.

Still, they had come this far—and she was Celestine’s companion.

Though he had a habit of judging people freely, Rio was still a nobleman raised with proper education.

At the very least, he should pretend to carry on a conversation until Celestine returned.

But then—

The Asha who had been quietly standing before him was now looking him up and down with a cold gaze, completely different from before.

Huh?

Caught off guard, Rio blinked.

“Lord Gae, it seems you are acquainted with Lady Tiger?”

Ignoring his reaction, Asha spoke in a strangely tense voice.

“I was under the impression that Lady Tiger hasn’t been active in high society lately.”

“….”

“Where did you meet her?”

Why is she asking this?

It would be a lie to say it wasn’t strange, but it wasn’t a question he couldn’t answer either.

“…I first saw her briefly at the debutante. And not long ago, we exchanged a few words at the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet.”

Asha’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I see. And after that?”

“…Pardon?”

“I asked whether you met Lady Tiger again after the birthday banquet.”

This is strange.

Why does this feel like an interrogation?

Was Princess Asha always like this?

No… that couldn’t be right.

“Lord Gae, I would appreciate it if you answered my question.”

“Ah… no. Today is the first time since then. I sent her an invitation when I decided to host this party.”

“A party…”

Asha let out a small scoff, as if she found it somewhat ridiculous.

“You may not realize this, but our Lady Tiger doesn’t particularly enjoy these cliché gatherings.”

What? She still came, didn’t she? It’s not like I dragged her here!

Rio rolled his blue eyes in disbelief.

“I’m sure she finds it far more meaningful to spend time talking with someone she connects with—someone like a dear friend—rather than wasting time with people like these.”

Asha continued.

“She’s kind-hearted and gentle, so after receiving an invitation, she wouldn’t have been able to refuse outright.”

“….”

“Wouldn’t you agree, Lord Gae?”

“…I’m afraid I don’t quite understand what you’re trying to say.”

Rio spoke in a low voice.

“Have I done something improper? If so, I apologize. Please, feel free to speak plainly.”

“Unfortunately, it seems your comprehension isn’t very good, Lord Gae.”

Asha let out a small scoff and stepped closer.

Then, leaning near his ear, she whispered in a voice dripping with mockery:

“What I’m saying is—stop bothering Lady Tiger. Stop bothering Lady Celestine.”

“….”

“Even someone as slow as you should be able to understand that much.”

That was all.

Having said what she wanted, Asha smiled sweetly—like a blooming spring flower—and turned away without the slightest hesitation.

She headed straight in the direction Celestine had gone