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~Chapter 48~
The dance finally ended.
Right after, the very popular Duke was quickly surrounded by a crowd of nobles.
“I’m sorry, Lady Ansi.”
Of course, the Duke tried to escort me a bit longer.
It was such a classic male lead kind of gesture.
“It’s okay. I’ll step aside now.”
…I had no desire to get dragged into that massive crowd with him.
I smiled and stepped back.
Still, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
‘Didn’t something like this happen at the salon too?’
I clicked my tongue internally.
Well, it was understandable that the nobles were so eager.
When would they ever get the chance to meet someone like the Duke in a rural southern region like this?
Everyone wanted to say a word, make an impression, or get a tiny benefit out of it.
Just like Seraphina used to…
“…”
Thinking of her made me feel down.
I remembered how Seraphina would go around greeting high-status nobles with sweet smiles…
While I stood behind her like a prop.
‘Forget it. No use thinking about this.’
I shook my head to clear Seraphina from my thoughts.
‘Anyway, where’s the princess?’
Looking around, I walked out of the ballroom.
Earlier, when the Duke and I walked toward the dance floor…
“I’m going to get some fresh air. Lady Ansi, go enjoy your dance!”
…She said that as she pushed me forward.
Soon after—
I stepped into the garden.
The soft moonlight bathed everything.
A gentle breeze rustled the well-trimmed leaves.
It was peaceful.
I started walking slowly.
‘I’ve never felt this calm at a party before.’
Not having to care about Seraphina or Gregory made me feel so free.
I realized just how miserable I had been with them.
And how much better my life became with different people beside me.
‘The princess. And… the Duke.’
I clenched my hand.
I could still feel the warmth of the Duke’s hand in mine.
Those long, elegant fingers…
The strength of the hand around my waist…
Remembering it all made my mouth go dry.
‘Honestly… I think my heart fluttered a little.’
It was a natural feeling.
What woman wouldn’t feel that way in front of such a perfect man?
Every lady at the party stared at him like they were bewitched.
And I—got to dance with him.
Of course I’d feel something.
But since I know the Duke will end up with Seraphina…
It’s easier to push those feelings aside.
Then—
“Larit!”
Someone grabbed my wrist roughly.
“Ow!”
It hurt! I quickly turned around.
My eyes widened.
‘Why is he here?!’
Gregory Gusto.
My ex-fiancé. Seraphina’s loyal follower.
He glared at me with a cold, intense expression.
Meanwhile…
‘How long do I have to put up with this useless talk?’
Dietrich skillfully hid his boredom while listening to nobles talk.
“Our business is…”
“We’d love to host you sometime…”
“Could you review our proposal…?”
He let their words go in one ear and out the other.
What he really wanted was…
…to have a deeper conversation about his sister’s one and only friend.
When Lady Ansi gently pulled her hand away earlier,
Dietrich felt an odd sense of disappointment.
He genuinely enjoyed her company—something very rare for him.
‘Where is Lady Ansi now?’
He glanced up.
Even in a crowd, he spotted her clearly.
She stood near the window, quietly gazing out, as if detached from the noisy ballroom.
Her calm pink eyes…
Her soft expression…
Dietrich suddenly became very curious about what she was thinking.
“Your Grace?”
He snapped out of it.
He had lost track of the conversation.
“I’m sorry, could you repeat that? I was thinking of something else.”
He smiled politely.
As the noble scrambled to speak, Dietrich frowned.
‘That man…’
Larit had just stepped outside.
And someone followed her.
A noble nearby noticed Dietrich’s gaze and explained.
“Oh, that’s Young Master Gusto. I didn’t know he was here tonight.”
“That’s Gregory Gusto?”
“Yes. Normally his family hosts a summer party… maybe he ditched it to come here.”
The noble smiled flatteringly, hinting that the Claudius name must be powerful enough to draw people away from other major events.
But Dietrich didn’t even register the flattery.
Because—
“Seriously, Lady Ansi already broke off the engagement. Why is he still bothering her? So annoying.”
He remembered Evangeline grumbling earlier.
Gregory Gusto—Larit’s ex-fiancé.
Just thinking about it made Dietrich feel strangely irritated.
And judging by Gregory’s face…
‘…He’s definitely not following her with good intentions.’
Dietrich made a decision.
“Excuse me.”
He politely stepped away and began quickly following Gregory.
But then—
“Ah…!”
A soft cry rang out, and someone collapsed in front of him.
Dietrich instinctively caught her arm.
She was a very beautiful lady.
Light green hair like fresh sprouts…
Bright emerald eyes…
Her delicate figure made anyone instinctively want to protect her.
“Thank you… I felt a bit dizzy…”
It was Seraphina.
