13.
The Subject of Gossip
“Pfft,” a soft laugh was heard.
Trish turned to the side with a dazed expression. Damian was laughing in disbelief. After a moment, he composed his expression and spoke coolly.
“Apologies. I was beginning to wonder if I came to a theater performance instead of a party today.”
Laughter erupted from the people surrounding them. Trish, flustered, mouthed silently before grabbing someone nearby to seek agreement.
“It’s true! She used to be a maid working in our household…”
“Miss Ansi lived in a house I own in the East. Not the Ziden estate in the South.”
The interruption came in a firm voice. The man’s expression, now icy, was nothing like the one laughing moments ago.
The person Trish grabbed quickly pulled away, unwilling to be involved. Trish, now aimless, reached toward Ansi’s hair.
“Even this hair is fake! She’s actually a brunette!”
But before her hand could touch Ansi, the people around them stopped her. Frowns spread among the onlookers.
“No matter how badly you want to degrade Lady Rubelsa, this is too much.”
“She’s telling the truth!”
“Why don’t you stop now?”
What had seemed amusing moments ago was now making people visibly uncomfortable. Disapproving tsks were directed at Trish.
Suddenly, Trish realized that the arrows of scorn that had once been aimed at Ansi had now changed direction.
She was the new target.
“Why does everyone hate me?”
She burst into sobs, realizing just how cruel the capital could be.
Following discreet signals from a few guests, attendants approached and escorted her outside under the pretense of helping her get some fresh air. Everyone knew, however, that it was in fact her removal from the event.
At that moment, music signaling the start of the first dance filled the hall. It seemed like an attempt to change the mood.
People quickly paired up. Ansi and Damian did as well. They greeted each other, took hands, and began to move together.
“I didn’t expect the Lady of Ziden to show up.”
Moving to the rhythm of the music, Ansi spoke quietly. Damian responded lightly.
“Neither did I.”
“For someone who didn’t expect it, you sure lied smoothly. An estate in the East? That’s the first I’ve heard of it. Do you really think deceiving everyone is okay?”
“In Belgader’s high society, you of all people know how much past professions and status affect one’s reputation. Even if someone becomes a noble, if they weren’t born one, they’re looked down on. And if they are born noble but their work isn’t considered prestigious, they’re still scorned.”
Ansi spun in time with Damian’s lead and looked at him again. He continued.
“Polishing one’s past to return to society isn’t deception—it’s simply protocol. Isn’t that why you pretended not to recognize Lady Ziden?”
He wasn’t wrong.
But it still felt a little wrong.
Because she knew exactly what it felt like to stand at the center of sharp stares, to be called a liar by everyone.
A ridiculous thought crossed her mind: Had Damian invited Trish to this party just to humiliate her? She didn’t voice it, though.
“Thanks for helping me.”
At her formal thanks, Damian’s brows lowered slightly. After a short hesitation, he confessed.
“To be honest… I’m not used to lying like this either. I’m trying to seem composed in front of you, but I don’t know if I’m doing it right.”
The cold voice he used earlier was gone. Perhaps he had only pretended to be indifferent.
“…You’re doing well. Well enough to fool everyone.”
“Really?”
Damian’s eyes curved languidly. Smiling as if finally at ease, he held her hand more firmly.
Ansi brushed the thoughts from her mind and focused on the dance.
Meanwhile, Damian watched her relaxed expression with quiet satisfaction.
Everything was going exactly as he planned.
While staying at the Ziden estate in the South, Trish had mentioned she would be moving to the capital soon.
That meant her running into Ansi was inevitable.
Damian didn’t like the idea of it happening outside of his sight, in a place he couldn’t control.
So, he invited Trish to this party.
She performed even better than he expected.
He had even planted traces of a mother and daughter living in the eastern house. There should be no more issues arising from this.
“I heard the Orphe dukedom has strong family ties. Do you dine together often?”
It seemed Ansi decided to let the incident go, shifting to casual conversation.
Though the question wasn’t exactly welcome.
“Well… I’ve spent so long on the battlefield, it’s been quite some time since we’ve done that.”
“Then, what do the Duke or the young Duke enjoy? Any particular interests…?”
“Aren’t you curious about what I’m interested in?”
“…And what is that?”
“You.”
“…”
“Eep.”
Ansi, startled like a broken machine, stepped on Damian’s foot. He winced for a moment but then burst into laughter.
“Sorry. I’m not used to dancing.”
“Did you do that on purpose?”
“…No.”
“You were slow to answer.”
“It’s your imagination.”
“Everyone in House Orphe likes polo. Will that answer suffice?”
Damian said with a chuckle. Ansi nodded. Following the dance steps, they parted briefly before rejoining hands.
“How do you get along with your brother?”
“Really going for the background check, huh?”
“I want to know more about you.”
“We have an ordinary sibling relationship. May I ask… how were things with your brother?”
“My brother and I…”
Ansi trailed off.
She didn’t enjoy reminiscing. Memories only made her feel weak and vulnerable.
“If it’s uncomfortable, you don’t have to say.”
“…Sorry.”
In the end, Ansi asked nothing more about the Orphe family. As the music ended, Damian gently placed her hand on his arm and led her away from the center of the hall.
A few young women glanced at Ansi. Their hesitant steps and lingering looks hinted they wanted to approach.
Noticing this, Damian whispered to Ansi.
“If it were up to me, I’d monopolize you all night. But from your perspective, some socializing might be wise. Go on.”
“What about you?”
“Worried about me? Afraid I’ll be left all alone?”
Damian laughed with pleasure and gestured toward a group of young men watching them.
“See you later.”
He gently tucked a lock of Ansi’s hair behind her ear and stepped away. The soft gesture drew gasps—part admiration, part envy—from the watching women.
And, as if waiting for their chance, they immediately approached Ansi.
“Lady Rubelsa, it’s been a while.”
“Yes.”
Ansi wondered what they would say. Something about her father? About how she had the audacity to show up here?
Ansi braced herself, wary and withdrawn.
But what came was unexpected.
“We’ve missed you, Miss Ansi.”
“Yes, we often wondered how you were doing. It’s so good to see you again.”
One of them took Ansi’s arm affectionately. Another handed her a glass of champagne. A third offered a plate of dessert.
“You must’ve been so startled by that southern lady earlier?”
“…Not really.”
Ansi replied quietly.
Their warmth and friendliness relaxed her guard a little. Maybe they hadn’t truly hated her all that much.
As the atmosphere eased, one woman hesitated and began to speak.
“So, um, Or—”
“Lady Nyze.”
A voice interrupted. It was Elise de Bailis, the hostess of the party. She smiled brightly at the group.
“Lady Henge, Lady Maniron. I’d love to introduce you to my friends over there. Shall we go?”
“Of course!”
“Let’s!”
Elise smiled and turned away. The other women followed her, leaving Ansi behind.
“….”
In the grand hall, Ansi was alone again. Amid the boisterous laughter and lively chatter, she stood quietly, saying nothing.
It wasn’t a big deal.
She had expected this when she came. Besides, she wasn’t the type to enjoy mingling with people anyway.
Still, the realization that she was alone hit her. If she stayed like this, someone might notice her unhappiness.
She stared at the untouched champagne, then took a small sip. After finishing the glass, she stepped outside.
She needed some fresh air.
* * *
“Be honest, Damian. You’re not seriously dating her, right?”
A low voice questioned Damian. The men around him sighed in relief, finally asking what they’d all been dying to know. They had tiptoed around it for a while, skirting the topic with vague small talk.
But Damian simply sipped his wine leisurely. The others grew frustrated and spoke up.
“Come on, it’s Rubelsa. Even if that woman seduced you, you shouldn’t let her get away with it.”
“Seriously, how did she even rope you in? Maybe she looks cold but turns wild at night or something…”
“Hopeley.”
Damian finally opened his mouth, smiling faintly.
“Watch your words.”
The lively group fell silent, as if doused with cold water. The gentle melody of a piano continued obliviously.
“S-sorry.”
“I was the one who begged her to date me. Miss Ansi kept refusing, but she finally gave in.”
“You did…?”
“Yes. Is there a problem with that?”
