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Chapter 52
“Miss Ermia?”
“Ah.”
Our eyes met. I swallowed once, then sharply turned my head and jumped down.
“Alright, let’s go now!”
Ignoring the duke who was looking at me strangely, I resolutely entered the Marquis’ residence.
In front of the huge hall where the party seemed to be taking place, three people were greeting guests.
Among them, the one who spotted us first was the Tower Lord.
“I am Rekbert Ginow.”
Well, good to meet you.
I wondered whether he understood my feelings or not.
“Welcome to the Ginow Marquis house.”
The Tower Lord smiled but only said what he had to.
“I suddenly sent out invitations, and I’m delighted you came. His Grace Duke Leandro, and…”
The Tower Lord quickly glanced me up and down.
Ugh, how annoying!
“Miss Ermia Tekins.”
“Thank you for the invitation.”
I fluttered my fan in reply.
“I didn’t know you were acquainted with the Tower Lord.”
I smiled brightly.
What I really meant was, ‘You invited me without even knowing me?’
Inviting someone without proper introductions was impolite.
“Oh my.”
The Tower Lord lightly clicked his tongue.
“I apologize. I heard Miss Tekins’ name so much from everywhere that I mistakenly thought we were acquainted.”
What he meant was, ‘I’ve heard so many rumors about you that I got mixed up.’
“Oh dear, but I’m hearing your name for the first time today.”
That was his way of saying, ‘You’re the Tower Lord, yet you have no achievements worth hearing about.’
“……”
The Tower Lord flinched several times, as if struck properly.
“Well, Miss Tekins might not know.”
Quickly recovering, the Tower Lord gave a sly smile.
“I’ve published several books and research results on mana control methods, but I suppose Miss Tekins…”
He looked me up and down again, sneering.
“Wouldn’t know.”
What a bastard.
‘Monat spent his entire life researching mana control methods.’
So this guy was shamelessly taking credit for it?
Like a jerk stealing a grad student’s thesis.
“By the way, you came a long way. Was the journey uncomfortable?”
When I didn’t say anything, the Tower Lord smiled satisfactorily.
“I hope the starlight was bright on your way here.”
Suddenly, he said something completely unexpected.
It was true I had come a long way, but the time was afternoon — no stars, not even sunset yet.
An elderly lady standing behind the Tower Lord burst out laughing.
She looked amused. The Tower Lord was watching me with the same expression.
I also wore the same smile.
“Oh, no.”
I slowly opened my mouth.
“Not only was the starlight bright, but the moonlight was also full, so I did not lose my way and arrived safely. Thank you for your concern.”
“……!”
In an instant, the three faces — the Tower Lord, the old lady, and a woman standing beside them — froze.
“How could someone like you know that greeting?”
The Tower Lord, who seemed shocked, blurted it out without thinking. Then he quickly cleared his throat, glanced around, and spoke again.
“That greeting is a very old etiquette used only in the Tower. How do you know it?”
“Oh, is that so?”
I tilted my head and smiled brightly.
“It’s in a book.”
“A book? What book?”
The Tower Lord pressed with a stern face.
“That’s etiquette known only to the people of the Tower.”
He seemed worried that maybe Monat had mentioned the Tower to me.
‘The Tower Lord just thinks I brought Monat out of pity.’
Maybe what happened with Monat is bothering him?
I suppose so.
The Tower was a very closed-off group. Inside it, the Tower Lord wielded power like a god.
So he recklessly did things like this.
What if someone leaked the Tower’s secrets even a little bit?
‘It’s over.’
They would be criticized and pulled down immediately.
So that’s why he was so nervous about a simple greeting.
‘He tried to trap me, but ended up trapping himself.’
“Well, what was that book? It’s been a long time, so I don’t remember well.”
I opened my eyes wide and kept tilting my head.
“Was it a book about myths? Or maybe a fairy tale? Ah, maybe a novel.”
Every time I tilted my head, the Tower Lord’s patience visibly wore thinner. It was so funny.
“Marquise, long time no see.”
“Oh, welcome. The Count is here too? It’s been so long.”
Ah, what a shame. That was fun.
I wanted to watch the Tower Lord’s reaction a bit longer, but a group of guests arrived, ending the show.
“Well then, we shall take our leave.”
Too bad, too bad — The Duke took me deeper into the party hall. The Tower Lord’s gaze persistently followed.
“Miss Ermia.”
Leandro, the Duke, whispered while holding my hand.
“How did you know that greeting just now?”
He had been curious but said nothing earlier. I smiled and gave the answer.
“I saw it in a book.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
I met his eyes.
“Why would I lie to Your Grace?”
There was no reason to lie.
You barely survive telling the truth.
“I will never lie to Your Grace.”
I smiled brightly at him.
After all, any lies would be found out quickly.
‘I was sure when I learned my information had reached him just hours after I arrived at the Duke’s.’
He won’t be fooled by lies.
“What good would lying do?”
So please look kindly on me and forgive my mistakes, okay?
Of course, since I signed the engagement contract, I expect some favors.
Though the fate of my neck being cut off is now far away, there’s always a chance.
And if I make a good impression, maybe later when I leave the Duke’s house, I might get something extra.
‘I want to take the Eddy ownership certificate with me.’
But I guess that’s something I have to leave behind.
“…I’ll bring you something to drink. Please rest here.”
The Duke led me to a three-seater sofa behind the curtains, then headed toward the food laid out.
“Uh.”
Every time the Duke walked, people stepped back.
‘I remember what happened at the temple.’
When I walked, people moved aside quickly.
But what kind of vibe am I? A mad dog? A mad teacher?
‘The Duke feels more like a noble beast being avoided.’
Respect, reverence, and instinctive fear.
That was the expression all three mixed.
“Tch.”
Same result, but a different feeling.
“Look over there, Tekins.”
While I was just moving my feet, I heard a whisper behind me.
“Did you hear?”
I thought they’d talk about Basel again and tried to ignore it lightly.
“That villain likes the sound of breaking jewels, right?”
