TQV 08

Chapter 08

The person who greeted Emily cheerfully was Marlene, daughter of the Marquis of Wiffer.

While the House of Sinope was collapsing, Marlene easily snatched away the title of social queen from Emily. Of course, Emily had no interest in such titles anymore—her family had fallen, and she was now married.

“What business does the queen of society have in the lounge at the start of a party?”

But because she and Marlene had been rivals since childhood, Emily couldn’t help but wear a sour expression.

“Obviously, I was waiting for you.”

Marlene didn’t care at all about Emily’s sharp tone and giggled slyly. At that unpleasant smile, Emily raised a brow and asked,

“How did you know I’d come here?”

“Well, knowing you, I figured you’d avoid your old followers and hide here. Honestly, I’m surprised it was so predictable.”

Emily bit her lip, annoyed that Marlene had seen right through her.

“Emily, don’t you get it yet? No one knows you better than I do.”

“Wrong. There are plenty of people who know me better than you.”

“Oh really? Name one.”

“My mom and dad…”

Regrettably, she couldn’t think of anyone else.

“Do you really have to hear it all to feel satisfied?”

“Fine, then I’m the friend who knows you best.”

Emily had never actually considered Marlene a friend, but she let it slide and accepted it for now.

“So, why were you waiting for me?”

“Oh, that?”

Marlene’s lips curled up once more.

“If I stick close to you, I’ll get to witness something very interesting up close.”

Marlene was notorious for blowing small matters way out of proportion. Emily brushed off her exaggerated tone and expression.

“Why?”

“Oh dear, I guess you haven’t heard the news yet.”

“Well, unlike you, I’ve been quite busy.”

“Oh really?”

Even as Marlene mocked her, she looked completely at ease, while Emily felt increasingly anxious. Eventually, unable to shake off the unease, Emily asked,

“What’s going on?”

After toying with whether or not to say it, Marlene couldn’t hold back any longer and finally opened her mouth.

“Duke Sadi is attending the banquet.”

“What?”

Emily rubbed her ear, thinking she’d misheard.

“What did you just say?”

“Do I have to repeat myself? Your ex-fiancé, Duke Sadi, is attending tonight’s banquet.”

Emily’s carefully maintained composure snapped right then and there.

“Why is he suddenly showing up?”

Whywhywhywhyyyy?!

Her silent scream filled the lounge.

Duke Charles Sadi of the North.

He was Emily’s former fiancé. But when Count Sinope lost the dowry due to massive debt, a letter of annulment arrived via the Imperial Palace. Since then, the two had had no contact whatsoever.

“So he won’t bother to greet me.”

But Marlene thought otherwise.

Duke Sadi rarely appeared at social gatherings. Yet, of all times, he was attending the first party Emily had shown up at since her marriage? It was more than enough to raise suspicion.

“Marlene, I know exaggeration is your specialty, but could you tone it down today?”

“No, my gut is never wrong—just wait and see.”

The two returned to the ballroom together. Just as Marlene said, Duke Sadi had already arrived. He remained expressionless and aloof despite the swarm of people around him.

Even after all this time, the duke exuded a dark, decadent charm that was almost mesmerizing.

His sculpted nose and jawline, deep violet-blue eyes, striking platinum-blond hair, slightly arched eyebrows, and sharp red lips gave off a powerful impression.

Even just looking at his broad shoulders made it clear how tall and well-built he was.

But Duke Sadi wasn’t just a handsome face. He was the Empire’s only Sword Master and commander of the Penitus Knights, who defended the borderlands.

It was no wonder people flocked to him, desperate to leave an impression on someone so flawless.

Emily didn’t hold much of a grudge over the annulment.

Their relationship hadn’t been affectionate to begin with. If she had been in his shoes, she probably would’ve declined marrying into a debt-ridden household too. As she watched Charles with detached thoughts, their eyes suddenly met.

Should I at least greet him?

Emily hesitated, then gave a slight nod. But the duke began walking straight toward her.

What the—why is he coming over here?!

While Emily panicked, Marlene quickly scooted to the side.

“Lady Sinope, it’s been a while.”

In an instant, everyone’s attention shifted toward them. It was the kind of attention Emily had once craved but now dreaded. Forcing a polite smile, she responded,

“Your Grace, it’s been a long time. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I’m no longer Lady Sinope—”

“Yes, I heard. You married that mafia guy.”

Emily inhaled sharply. She looked around and, thankfully, it didn’t seem like anyone had heard that last part. Relieved, she tried to steer things calmly.

“Yes, but I’d prefer if you referred to me as Marchioness Starr.”

The duke shrugged, clearly indifferent, and extended his hand.

“Shall we dance?”

“W-What? Out of nowhere?”

Trying to manage her expression, Emily responded with a forced smile.

“It would be an honor, but I haven’t even danced with my husband yet—oh, here he is now.”

As Killian approached, Emily quickly stepped to his side as if she’d been waiting for him.

“Your Grace, this is my husband, Killian Starr.”

Then she turned to Killian to introduce the duke.

“Killian, this is Duke Charles Sadi.”

Watching the scene with great interest, Marlene added,

“For your information, the duke is also Emily’s ex-fiancé.”

“Marlene!”

Emily glared at her, but it was too late—Killian had heard everything.

“Ah, an ex-fiancé.”

Killian’s tone was flat, but there was no mistaking the chill in his voice. Emily awkwardly looked between the two and clapped her hands together.

“Well, introductions are done, so let’s part ways, shall we?”

Strictly speaking, no real introductions had been made. Only daggers of tension had flown between them. Feeling the weight of the standoff, Emily tugged at Killian’s arm.

“Your Grace, we’ll be taking our leave.”

“Wait.”

Charles looked Emily in the eye and said,

“I’ll be inviting you to the duke’s estate sometime.”

“Um…”

Not knowing how to respond, Emily plastered on a reluctant smile.

She could feel Killian’s fiery gaze from the side, but what could she do? Their status was lower—there was no choice. She hadn’t even been at the party for an hour, and she already felt completely drained.

“Then, we’ll see you next time.”

“Yes.”

And so, the encounter that captured everyone’s attention came to an end.

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Lucius, the guest of honor, appeared only after the commotion had settled.

With golden hair like sunlight and warm amber eyes, he was the very image of a fairytale prince.

Wearing a dazzling smile, he greeted people one by one, prompting the empress to tilt her head in confusion.

“That boy never comes out this easily…”

A lady-in-waiting cautiously suggested,

“Perhaps one of the young ladies at the banquet caught his eye?”

“What nonsense.”

He had turned down countless introductions to noblewomen over the years. Was it really possible he suddenly fancied one?

“The attendants from the prince’s palace said he requested to look his most dashing today.”

“What? Is that true?”

“Yes! I heard it clearly with my own ears.”

With cautious hope, the empress began scrutinizing Lucius’ every move.

At that moment, Lucius was blissfully unaware of the empress’s scrutiny. He was busy searching the ballroom for the woman who had stolen his heart.

But no matter how he looked around, she was nowhere to be found.

“Sigh… where did that woman disappear to?”

“Who are you referring to, Your Highness?”

His aide asked with curiosity.

“She looked like a goddess. Like a fairy. The kind of person you can’t find in reality—only in dreams.”

Lucius’ poetic description made his aide grimace. The prince clearly had a serious case of infatuation.

“Shall I find her for you? If you can give me a detailed description, I’ll do my best.”

Lucius’ eyes sparkled.

“Really? You’d do that?”

“Of course. I’m an expert at finding people.”

“Great! Well, she…”

While Lucius eagerly launched into his description, the woman he was so desperately looking for—Emily—was actually in the palace garden with Killian.

She was doing her best to explain what had just happened with Duke Sadi.

“You knew I was once engaged, right?”

“Yes, I knew.”

Emily let out a sigh of relief at Killian’s reply.

“But…”

Killian added with a displeased tone,

“I didn’t realize you were that close.”

“Me?”

Emily was flabbergasted. Far from being close, she could only recall two proper meetings with Charles.

“When was that ever the case?”

“Hm…”

Emily began reluctantly recalling those (unpleasant) memories to explain to Killian.

Their first meeting had been purely coincidental.