AMLA 18

Chapter 18

At the Marchioness’s words, not only I, but the entire Luceironia family widened their eyes in surprise.

“Sir Bayron spoke about Felice?”

The Count asked in confusion, and the Marquess couple nodded with teary eyes.

“Lady Felice became our Roy’s only friend.”

“She’s the first friend our Troy has ever had.”

At the couple’s tearful and emotional words, all eyes from the Luceironia family turned to me.

“Felice, when did you become friends with Sir Bayron?”

“Well, about that… friends…”

‘I want to say we’re not friends. We’re basically strangers.’

But with the Marchioness right in front of me, wiping away tears with her handkerchief, I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

“Friends…?”

Count Luceironia looked at his daughter, who couldn’t finish her sentence.

‘Why is she looking at me with such a sorrowful expression?’

Seeing the Marchioness with such tender eyes, I could only give up and nod.

“Yes… we’re friends. We met by chance and became friends.”

At my answer, the Marquess turned his head as if holding back tears, and the Marchioness covered her mouth with her hand, overcome with emotion.

“Oh dear, this isn’t the time to be like this…”

The Marquess, looking up at the sky, shook his head.

“We must call for our Roy.”

‘What? He’s calling for Troy?’

I stared at the Marquess in alarm.

“Steward.”

The Marquess immediately turned to the steward behind him.

“Yes, sir?”

“Where is Roy right now?”

“The young master is currently in his room.”

“Goodness, we’ve invited guests and he’s still in his room. Steward, bring him right away—”

Seeing he was about to summon Troy immediately, I hurriedly stepped forward to block him.

“N-no!”

“What’s wrong, Lady Felice?”

The Marquess didn’t seem upset that I stopped him and instead asked with a gentle smile.

‘What’s wrong? I don’t want to meet Troy, that’s what.’

Of course, I couldn’t say that to his grandfather. I forced a strained smile and began to explain.

“I don’t want to disturb him. I’d prefer to quietly congratulate him in my heart.”

“But still… You came all this way, Lady Felice…”

“I’m truly fine. This is Troy’s first debut in society today—he must be very nervous. I think he needs some time alone.”

‘So please, don’t call him here.’

I placed my hands over my chest and tried to express sincerity.

The Marquess nodded in agreement.

“Sniff…”

And just then, the Marchioness beside him burst into tears.

She completely covered her face with her handkerchief and sobbed softly.

‘Why is she crying now?’

A hostess crying in front of guests during a banquet—how unusual.

Everyone held their breath at the unexpected sight.

“My dear.”

The Marquess placed a hand on her shoulder.

Finally, she wiped her tears with the handkerchief and slowly lifted her head.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right.”

Count Luceironia answered on behalf of the family, looking slightly embarrassed.

“I just got overwhelmed knowing that someone cares so much for our Roy. Silly of an old woman, wasn’t it?”

At her words, not only the Marquess but the entire Luceironia family—and even the servants of House Bayron—looked at me with touched expressions.

“Not silly at all. It just shows how much you care for Young Master Troy.”

“Thank you for understanding, Lady Felice.”

“Yes. Today, I will quietly congratulate him from afar, very far away, as he takes his first step into society.”

Though the situation was a bit awkward, I was secretly relieved that I wouldn’t have to meet Troy.

Worried the Marquess couple might say something else, I quickly emphasized my point again.

The couple, unaware of my true feelings, looked at me as if I were the most admirable child they had ever seen.

* * *

The Luceironia family followed the Marquess couple to the estate’s garden.

‘Wow, they really poured money into this.’

The garden was big enough to be mistaken for a public park.

Adorned with a variety of extravagant flowers and decorations, and filled with music played by over a hundred musicians, the outdoor banquet venue clearly cost a fortune.

“Marquess Bayron and Count Luceironia are entering.”

At the announcement, the crowd in the garden turned their attention.

“Were Marquess Bayron and Count Luceironia always this close?”

“I know, right? He’s personally escorting them.”

Normally, the Marquess would only appear after the banquet began, so nobles began to murmur about him personally escorting guests.

The young noble ladies also gathered and began gossiping about me.

“Is that the Lady of House Luceironia?”

“Yes. I saw her briefly at the Count’s birthday banquet.”

“Is it true she’s engaged to someone from the Spencer Duchy?”

“It’s true. The rumor is all over noble society right now.”

“Which one?”

“She hasn’t decided. She’s going to meet both and then choose.”

“What? Isn’t that greedy? Meeting both?”

“Exactly. Do you know how many noble ladies are after the Spencer heirs? And she wants to have them both to herself.”

“Just choosing one of them would be more than enough. She’s too greedy.”

Baseless rumors were spreading.

‘If you like them so much, why don’t you take both?’

They didn’t even know how things ended when you maxed out both affection levels.

I wanted to shout, What do you know?!—but I suppressed the urge, not wanting to cause a scene.

‘If I react here, it’ll only make things worse.’

In the game, low social reputation meant frequent harassment like this.

‘But why is my social reputation this bad despite having a paid membership?’

Affection levels rose quickly with the membership, but social reputation was just as difficult to build.

Once again, frustration toward the game bubbled up inside me.

As I fumed, the music that had filled the banquet hall suddenly came to a stop.

With the music gone, the chatting guests also fell silent.

The banquet was about to begin.

“We will now commence the birthday banquet of Young Master Troy Bayron.”

With the announcement, the music resumed.

‘I need to leave this area.’

If Troy appeared now, he would definitely spot my silver hair shining under the sunlight in the middle of the garden.

Especially since I was with Count Luceironia, who had the same hair color—it’d be too easy to find me.

“Anthony, I’m going to stand in the shade. The sunlight is too much.”

I whispered quietly so only Anthony beside me could hear.

“Want me to come with you?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Leaving behind Anthony, who looked at me like I was a helpless child, I walked to the large tree at the edge of the garden.

‘This should be far enough.’

I hid behind a father and daughter who were standing near the big tree.

“Father, is it true that Young Master Troy killed his own parents?”

The young lady in front of me asked her father.

“That must’ve been an accident.”

“But people say it’s because he’s a cursed child.”

“Rumors like that did go around… But Talyn, why does that matter?”

The two exchanged serious glances.

‘That young lady is Lady Talyn…’

One of the noble girls—along with Nezwin and Lady Karen—who bullied Felice in the game.

She was persistent, attending every social event just to torment Felice. And here she was again.

‘Of course she’d come. Talyn wouldn’t miss this.’

Talyn scowled and continued.

“Still… it’s creepy.”

“Talyn, all you need to do is seduce Young Master Troy, just like I told you.”

“They say he’s hideous. Like a monster. Father, I don’t want to marry someone like that.”

Talyn, who had never even seen Troy before, already looked at him with disgust.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

‘Hideous? He’s the very person you’re going to fall for at first sight.’