Chapter 7
As the second song ended, the other nobles began to enjoy the evening in earnest.
Couples danced to the flowing music in the center of the floor, while others — especially the young ladies — gathered eagerly around Heilon, hoping to catch his attention or exchange a few words.
I sat far from all of it, at a quiet table away from the crowd.
Leaving too early would only worry my mother, so I stayed — simply passing the time.
I lifted the wine I had been drinking earlier and took another sip.
Hm?
It had been sweet before, but now it tasted faintly bitter.
Am I… drunk?
No, that didn’t make sense. If anything, the taste should seem sweeter.
Whatever the reason, I couldn’t afford to make a fool of myself on my first night back in society. I carefully set the glass back down on the table.
Clink.
“Not to your liking, milady?”
…?
The voice that came just as I set the glass down carried a hint of laughter — light, almost mocking.
“Who are you?”
The man standing across from me had pushed back his bright, chestnut-colored hair, his eyes meeting mine with unsettling confidence.
“Ah, forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself. I couldn’t help being distracted by such a beautiful lady.”
His slick tone and easy smile made my brows twitch before I could stop them.
So who exactly are you?
I regretted not saying it aloud.
“…I see,” I replied coolly.
“You’re Lady Clody, aren’t you?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I heard this is your grand return after quite some time. Why sit here alone?”
“As you said, it’s been a while. I’m just taking it slow.”
He gave a low chuckle and took a step toward me.
“Then why not spend that time with me?”
The sudden movement made me instinctively step back.
“No, thank you. I’m fine on my own.”
But he didn’t seem inclined to leave.
“Come now, a beauty like you returns to society — surely you intend to make a proper comeback. And without anyone to accompany you, wouldn’t a helpful friend or two be useful?”
His voice lowered as the distance between us disappeared. My back brushed against the wall.
Then he reached out — his fingers brushing lightly against the ends of my hair.
I grimaced before I could hide it.
“Remove your hand.”
“I’m not asking for much,” he murmured, smirking. “Just something mutually beneficial. Let’s be honest — what could anyone possibly gain from the Clody family now?”
“I said, remove it.”
My tone sharpened, but instead of retreating, he caught my wrist, leaning close enough for his breath to graze my ear.
“Don’t act like this. Didn’t you come here hoping to save your crumbling house?”
The soft tone didn’t match the strength in his grip — it hurt.
“If that’s your goal, you should know your place. Someone like me offering help? The Clodys should be grateful.”
“Let go.”
“What can a woman alone at a ball possibly—”
Crack.
“—Argh!”
He screamed and released my wrist.
“I told you to let go.”
My heel had driven down on his foot, hard.
“You— you crazy—”
“What? Did you think I came here to crawl into bed with someone like you?”
Such filthy proposals were the kind made by men who thought too highly of themselves.
As he bent to clutch his foot, I straightened and raised my voice toward the far end of the hall.
“Hard to believe the second son of a baron could behave so shamelessly, isn’t it, Lord Pheasant?”
“W-What— how do you—”
Please. Did he think I wouldn’t recognize one of the nobles I’d met at formal gatherings?
“I’d be more worried about that,” I added lightly. “Here comes Baron Pheasant himself.”
At my words, the man whipped his head around — just in time to see his father approaching.
I took the chance to slip away.
I didn’t want to risk him following me, so I quickened my pace toward the exit.
But just as I reached the corridor—
“Milady!”
A different voice called after me.
“Are you all right? You’re not hurt, are you?”
When I turned, I saw a young man who resembled that arrogant fool — but with gentler features, a kinder air.
I recognized him at once.
“You must be the Pheasant heir, correct? Earlier, that man was…”
“My brother,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry. I’m Bian Pheasant. What happened just now was my oversight. I turned away for a moment, and he—”
He bowed deeply, apologizing for something that wasn’t even his fault. The contrast between him and his brother couldn’t have been greater.
Pheasant family, I thought.
Not particularly powerful, but I’d seen the baron often at imperial events — a stern man, unforgettable. Only Bian seemed to have inherited any warmth.
“I’m Berian Clody. And really, it’s fine. I’m not hurt at all.”
If anything, I’d been the one to land the first blow.
As I offered an awkward smile, Bian’s gaze darted aside, equally embarrassed.
“Then, milady… may I at least escort you out?”
He spoke so sincerely that I couldn’t help but laugh softly.
What a strange man.
His gentle presence eased the tension in my chest. Since there was no harm in accepting, I began to reach for his offered hand when—
“Milady.”
Another voice cut in.
When I turned toward it, my eyes widened in surprise — far more than when I’d met Bian.
Silver hair, faintly tousled.
Eyes of deep violet.
There was only one man in the Empire who fit that description.
Duke Tehas.
Even after inheriting his title young — after his parents’ tragic accident — he had never faltered.
A master swordsman from childhood, brilliant, confident, and supported by the Empire’s sole ducal house.
A man most people dared not even approach.
“Carl Tehas,” he introduced calmly.
Why… is he here?
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace,” I said, bowing politely. “I am Berian Clody.”
He smiled faintly, and the light behind him glimmered across his silver hair. The young ladies nearby gasped softly; I could almost hear their envy.
Then he spoke again.
“May I have a moment of your time?”
At once, countless eyes turned toward us. The weight of their stares pricked at my skin — as suffocating as when I had danced with Heilon.
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, “but I was just about to leave.”
“Then I’ll escort you,” he replied without hesitation.
“…Pardon?”
Why? I wanted to ask, but instead, I looked toward Bian.
He had been the first to offer, and it would be rude to ignore him outright. Yet walking out with the duke would create rumors I could never undo.
Bian caught my glance and gave a small nod, silently telling me it was all right.
But no, it wasn’t all right.
My mind spun. No matter how I looked at it, there was only one safe choice.
I drew a deep breath and faced them both.
“No, thank you. Truly, I’ll be fine. I just prefer to leave alone. And Lord Bian — please don’t worry.”
Rejecting both of them.
It was the best compromise I could find.
I gave them a polite nod, then hurried away.
The moment I closed the carriage door behind me, my body slumped in exhaustion.
I’d expected things to go differently, but these new, unpredictable turns kept me off balance.
“…Ha.”
If this is how it starts, I can only imagine what comes next.
Leaning against the seat, I clenched my trembling hands and shut my eyes.
A week had passed since the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony.
Since that day, Heilon had been busy — consolidating his influence, appearing everywhere.
Some dismissed his actions as showmanship, but they soon fell silent.
In less than two weeks, he was expected to reopen trade with the Kingdom of Rica — a deal that had been suspended for years.
He had also begun attending the Emperor’s morning councils, securing the nobles’ trust, and gaining favor among the commoners through reform.
He was unstoppable.
And that terrified me.
In my previous life, the trade’s success had been followed almost immediately by a letter —
An engagement proposal.
Even with this second chance, I couldn’t just defy the Crown Prince openly. I had too much to protect.
If I acted too cautious, he’d corner me.
If I acted too boldly, I’d risk everything.
“Haah…”
I slumped over my desk.
Meisha approached with a chilled drink, setting it down gently.
“You’ve been overworking yourself again, my lady. Please take care of your health.”
“I know. I’m just… tired.”
Unlike my past life — when I wandered the estate aimlessly — my days were now filled with plans, decisions, and calculations.
I haven’t been idle this past week either.
I had been drawing up a plan to restore the Clody family’s standing.
We needed three things: capital, influence, and allies.
Money was the hardest. We had no steady source of income.
Mother rarely left the estate.
Father, as captain of the knights, had no time for anything else.
The last business my mother managed had already been sold off long ago.
And I couldn’t simply start a new venture out of nowhere. I didn’t even know anything about gambling or lotteries — even if I had, it had been five years.
Even if I did remember, it wouldn’t help much now.
As for gathering allies — that was no easier. The moment I appeared at a ball, I was met with wary, cutting stares. Who would want to stand beside me?
At this rate, rebuilding our influence seemed the only viable path.
Since I was the only one active in society, if I conducted myself well enough, perhaps I could rebuild our reputation.
Though few in history have ever managed to restore a ruined name…
Our reputation was already scraping the floor, our family barely holding together.
What could make people take me seriously again?
I thought, again and again, searching for an answer — but it always came back to the same thing.
I needed to reenter high society.
But after years of isolation, I was painfully out of touch. I needed guidance — someone who understood how the current circles worked.
And when I thought of who that could be, the answer came quickly.
“Meisha,” I said, straightening. “Prepare a letter. I have someone I need to write to.”
