Chapter 21

At those words, Yvette rose from her seat and looked out the window.

There, her eyes met Noel’s just as he was stepping down from the carriage.

For some reason, Noel, who usually preferred neat attire, was wearing a splendid ceremonial uniform.

The black uniform with gold detailing suited him very well.

‘……Goodness.’

Yvette hurriedly turned her head the moment their eyes met.

When she had last seen him, his air had been more relaxed, but today’s Noel looked as though he had dressed with full intent from head to toe.

He was already a man whose face was a weapon, and now that he had dressed up, it was doubly bad for her heart.

‘To have my heart flutter just from meeting eyes. Anyone would think I was a girl in puberty.’

Yvette shook her head and moved away from the window.

* * *

“You wore the earrings I gave you.”

On the carriage ride toward the Theron marchioness’s estate, Noel, sitting across from Yvette, spoke.

When his gaze reached the earrings, Yvette gave a light shrug.

“I thought they would suit this dress. And it happens to be the day I’m meeting you.”

“So you mean you wore them to show me?”

“Let’s just say it was ‘by the way.’”

At her prim answer, Noel wore a faint smile.

“They certainly suit you well.”

At that, Yvette answered with a smile.

“Perhaps because you’re my fiancé, your eye for these things isn’t bad.”

“That goes without saying.”

Noel answered shamelessly and reached his hand toward Yvette’s face.

As his hand drew close, Yvette flinched and closed her eyes without realizing it.

In that moment, the memory of him kissing her cheek surfaced.

“……Anyone would think I was about to devour you.”

Noel let out a soft laugh and settled back into his seat.

When she cautiously opened her eyes, she saw a small leaf held in his hand.

Yvette cleared her throat softly and avoided Noel’s gaze.

“……Something just got in my eye for a moment.”

“Of course it did.”

With Noel’s low laugh, a shallow silence flowed between them.

Noel quietly gazed at the passing scenery, and Yvette repeated in her mind the etiquette she had crammed into her head over the past two weeks.

How much time passed like that?

The carriage, which had been racing along endlessly, finally came to a stop before its destination.

The two stepped down from the carriage and immediately entered the Theron marchioness’s mansion.

Noel handed the invitation to the attendant guarding the entrance.

Then the attendant, after checking the invitation, announced in a ringing voice.

“His Grace Noel Averon, Duke of Averon, and Her Ladyship Yvette Blanche, Countess of Blanche, are entering.”

That was when Yvette first learned that a bustling ballroom could fall this silent.

The people lined up throughout the hall were all staring at a single spot.

Yvette could easily guess where their gazes were directed.

“……”

At the ensuing silence, Noel furrowed his brow.

It was a face full of irritation, the likes of which Yvette had never seen.

Seeing his expression, the nobles flinched and turned their heads away.

Then, as if by magic, conversation began to flow through the hall again.

“Ho ho, ho ho! So, the dress trend this time is……”

“I heard game has been dwindling in the Wolf Forest lately. Did you hear that news?”

“Haha, your daughter has grown up so beautifully.”

Only then did Noel wear a satisfied expression and offer his arm to Yvette.

“Allow me to escort you inside, my lady.”

His voice was playful, as if he had never worn that stern face at all.

Yvette looked at the arm he offered and hesitated for a moment.

‘There’s no helping it today.’

Even considering the complications for their research, it seemed better to play the part of his fiancée diligently today.

That way, she could at least lessen people’s suspicions a little.

Yvette subtly took Noel’s arm.

As the distance between them closed, Noel smiled brightly at her.

“First, let’s greet the marchioness.”

Yvette obediently followed where Noel led.

Where their steps took them stood a middle-aged woman with an elegant impression.

“Duke Averon!”

The woman brightened the moment she spotted Noel and welcomed the two of them.

“Thank you for coming again this time. Perhaps because word spread that you would be attending, twice as many invitations went out.”

“Is that so.”

Noel gave only a slight nod with an expressionless face.

At his somewhat stiff response, Yvette’s eyes went wide.

‘Was Noel originally like this?’

Unlike the surprised Yvette, Marchioness Theron seemed accustomed to Noel’s response.

She let out a delighted laugh and covered her mouth with her fan.

“And is the young lady beside you the fiancée you praised so highly?”

When the marchioness showed interest in Yvette, Noel reluctantly nodded.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then you must introduce her to me right away! What are you doing just standing there, honestly.”

Unable to resist the marchioness’s urging, Noel introduced the two of them in turn.

Since it was the first time Yvette had been formally introduced to someone, she could not help feeling awkward.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, madam. I am Yvette Blanche.”

When Yvette cautiously offered her greeting, the marchioness examined her with sharp eyes.

“Welcome, Countess Blanche. I have heard your reputation through rumors, but this is the first time I’ve seen you in person.”

“My reputation?”

Yvette asked in confusion.

‘Aside from being Noel’s fiancée, was there any reason for me to be talked about?’

As if to resolve Yvette’s question, the marchioness continued slowly.

“My daughter is currently attending the academy as well. It seems your name comes up often there.”

At the unexpected words, Yvette’s eyes went wide.

‘Academy—surely she doesn’t mean Luhen Academy?’

There were several academies in the Aiden Empire, but among them, Luhen was regarded as the most prestigious.

It was a place where examinations were taken purely on talent, regardless of status, so it would not be an exaggeration to say that all the empire’s talent came from Luhen.

‘And it’s also where the protagonists first meet in the original story.’

The moment that thought reached her, Yvette furrowed her brow.

Because the original story had suddenly come to mind.

‘Come to think of it, I completely forgot about the female lead.’

The point at which she had possessed this body was before the original story had begun.

The original story began some time from now—on the day of the 100th alumni reunion at Luhen Academy.

‘How could I have forgotten that? It’s not just the female lead; it’s also where the mastermind first appears!’

Like a wave rushing in, the settings of the original story she had forgotten surfaced.

It was not only Noel and the female lead who appeared at Luhen Academy’s alumni reunion.

Kerbel Petoras, the mastermind of the original story, also made his first appearance there.

“Yvette.”

When she gave no answer for a while, Noel, unable to bear it, spoke.

Only then did Yvette snap to her senses and turn to look at him.

“……What? Did you call me?”

“The marchioness is asking whether you plan to attend this year’s alumni reunion.”

At those words, Yvette hesitated for a moment.

“A-alumni reunion? I’m not sure what alumni reunion you mean……”

“Why, obviously the Luhen Academy alumni reunion being held in a month.”

Marchioness Theron folded her fan quickly, as if to ask what kind of question that was.

“The invitation should have already been sent. Don’t tell me you didn’t know until now?”

At the marchioness’s question, Yvette wore an awkward smile.

‘Of course I didn’t know! How would I know that an extra who doesn’t even appear in the original story attended Luhen Academy!’

Yvette barely suppressed the urge to tear at her hair and forced a smile.

“Ah, haha. I suppose I forgot for a moment because I’ve had so much on my mind lately.”

“And you’re still young. What a thing to say already.”

The marchioness clicked her tongue softly and persistently continued her questioning.

“So, does Countess Blanche plan to attend?”

“Ah, I—I probably will attend.”

Unable to overcome the marchioness’s momentum, Yvette reluctantly nodded.

Saying she would not attend here would make the atmosphere very awkward.

Whether his answer satisfied her, the marchioness wore a beaming smile.

“Then please look after my daughter at that time. She seems to admire Countess Blanche greatly.”

With those words, the marchioness excused herself, saying she had other guests to attend to.

The moment the marchioness disappeared, Yvette let out a deep sigh.

She had only exchanged a conversation, yet she felt completely drained.

“You look exhausted.”

Noel, who had stayed by her side the entire time, muttered low.

Yvette shot him a reproachful look.

“You said this was one of the less bothersome places. Is this what ‘less bothersome’ means?”

“It’s only the beginning. You can’t be tired already.”

Noel smiled crookedly and gestured with his eyes over his shoulder.

The moment the marchioness left, the other nobles who had been watching their chance were quietly approaching.

Yvette forced a smile, enduring the headache that was rushing in.

This was only the beginning of the ‘less bothersome’ party.

* * *

‘……If this is a less bothersome party, just how bothersome must a bothersome party be?’

Watching the nobles approach in what was almost a line, Yvette wore a fed-up expression.

Nobles who were acquainted with Noel greeted him busily, all while gauging his mood.

Each time they approached, Noel maintained the same blunt attitude he had shown the marchioness.

The only person he showed warmth to was Yvette.

Even while dealing with the nobles, Noel occasionally turned to look at Yvette.

He would lightly brush aside a strand of hair that had fallen loose, or meet her eyes and smile faintly.

Every time he made such an affectionate gesture, exclamations rose from those around them.

At the same time, the murmurs of the nobles reached Yvette’s ears.

“The Duke of Averon really must love that woman. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him like that.”

“What on earth did he see in her to fall for her? Aside from her face being somewhat pretty, I don’t see any particular merit.”

“I’ve heard of the Blanche family, but……until recently, wasn’t the Larishi baron’s household managing that estate?”

“Now that I think of it, I think I heard that too. The former Count of Blanche died in an accident, and Baron Larishi took in his daughter to raise……”

The conversation that began with Noel gradually drifted toward discussing Yvette’s family affairs.

Even though she did not want to hear it, the words kept reaching her ears, and Yvette unconsciously furrowed her brow.

‘Do I have to listen to talk about those people even here?’

As she let out an inconspicuous sigh, Noel asked from beside her.

“Is something the matter?”

Regardless of whatever the noble who had just approached was prattling on about in front of them, Noel kept his gaze solely on Yvette.

His calm silver-blue eyes were tender.

Yvette shook her head as if nothing was wrong and smiled brightly.

“I’m just thirsty, so I’ll go grab something to drink for a moment.”

“Do you not want me to come with you?”

“I’m not a child. I can go that much on my own.”

“If anything happens, call for me. I’ll come right away.”

“Got it. Then I’ll be right back.”

With those words, Yvette moved away from Noel.

The moment she left her spot, the young ladies nearby flocked to Noel as if they had been waiting.

Thinking that was just the popularity of a male lead, Yvette headed toward the tea room where various drinks and refreshments had been prepared.

Unlike the crowded hall, the tea room did not have many people.

As she entered, the nobles who had been conversing inside gave her curious looks.

Yvette lightly ignored their gazes and took a glass of a cool drink in her hand.