The night after our stay at the official lodging passed, and the next morning arrived.

All participants gathered in a large room provided by the organizers to enjoy tea together. Of course, everyone could choose whether to join—it wasn’t required.

Since it seemed like a nice time for tea, I went with Edmund to the big room. Inside were several tables laden with fancy snacks.

“Edmund, try this. It’s really good.”

“You’ll feed it to me?” Edmund asked, opening his mouth playfully.

“…”

Everyone knew I was now competing as part of the Wolfgang family, not Venomain. But very few knew I was engaged to Edmund, so I wondered if it was okay to act so couple-like in public.
And isn’t this a public place…?

Though I thought of dozens of reasons not to, Edmund was looking at me so tenderly that I just fed him another bite.

“Thanks. But if you kissed me now, that would be just perfect.”

“Edmund, this is a public place.”

“Oh, so not in public? Later, when we go back—”

His talk nearly went too far, so I grabbed another cookie and gently stuffed it in his mouth to shut him up. He looked delighted that I “fed” him twice.

Taking a breath, I looked around. Other participants were chatting and moving between tables—many sitting with friends, others meeting new people. Important figures from the social scene were gathered at one big table.

Pearson Venomain isn’t here. That was a relief; I didn’t want to bump into him.

But why aren’t people joining us at our table? It didn’t matter much—I wasn’t there to socialize—and I had Edmund beside me. But it still felt strange that every other table was lively except ours.

Maybe because neither Edmund nor I draw attention in social settings.

Just then, someone seemed curious about our table from afar. A participant caught my eye and blushed, bowing. He gathered his things and started walking over.

Oh, is that Riarta? He moved well in the match.

But when he reached us, he froze—and turned and hurried back to his own table, looking scared.

“…Huh?” I frowned. Then I realized why: Edmund was giving him a deadly look—an unspoken warning like, “Step closer, and I’ll kill you.”

From that moment on, anyone—man or woman—who approached us was met with that same fierce look and quickly backed away.

“Um, Edmund,” I said.

“Yeah, Irine. What is it?”

But the moment Edmund heard me, his expression completely changed. His eyes turned soft, like a boy in first love, staring only at me. I scratched my cheek and spoke carefully.

“Edmund, could you… open your eyes a little more kindly?”

“Huh?”

“Just around me… please look a bit kinder.”

I felt foolish, but I was honest:

“Really, I’m sorry to say it, but your eyes are so scary, I think other participants are avoiding our table.”

“Oh, that? I do that on purpose.”

“…What?”

Calmly sipping his tea, Edmund replied:

“I don’t allow anyone to flirt with you, Irine.”

That obsessive, gleaming look in his eyes… I shivered and thought:

Did I make the right choice getting engaged to him?
I’d once worried how he’d hidden his feelings during the Academy.

“I think we need more tea leaves,” I said, wanting to ease the atmosphere.

“Want me to get them?” Edmund asked.

“No, I’ll get them,” I answered carefully. I didn’t want to trouble him more.

I walked over to the entrance, where extra leaves were. Edmund insisted, but I got up first and headed there.

He’s always been so thoughtful—was it because he had a sister? I wondered, as I watched wildflowers through the window.

Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned and saw a girl with brown hair and gray eyes—someone I thought I’d seen before. She looked nervous.

“…Bloa?”

“You remember,” she smiled shyly. “It’s been a while, Irine.”

Bloa was a fellow student at the Academy I’d talked to occasionally. She seemed nice, but we were never close. I was surprised to see her now.

“Hi, good to see you. How have you been?”

“I’ve been alright. But… listen, don’t misunderstand.” Bloa glanced around, then whispered into my ear, “Moving to the Wolfgangs… did Edmund Wolfgang find something to hold over you?”

“…What?”

“He used to pick on you a lot at the Academy,” she said, her eyes full of concern. That look made me worry she thought I was forced into this.

“He had such scary eyes watching you at the table…”

“B-Bloa, that’s—”

That look was probably meant for a different participant nearby. I realized.

“Maybe Edmund whispered that,” I tried to say.

Bloa squeezed my hand and lowered her voice: “Irine, you’re not being threatened by Edmund, are you…?”

I froze. I should’ve explained immediately, but I was too startled—and stayed silent. It was my mistake.

“Here. Take this.” She pressed a piece of paper into my hand. It had her home address and contact info.

“If I’m right, you can reach me there—”

“Irine, what are you doing?” A cold voice came from behind. Bloa jumped, startled.

“E-Edmund Wolfgang?”

“Hello, Bloa Staisman. Long time no see,” Edmund greeted her with a smooth smile, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

“So, Staisman, what brings you to my fiancée?” He smiled, but his tone and bright blue gaze turned sharp.

“Oh—fiancée?” Bloa gasped, and heads turned toward us.

“Yes—and we will be married in a few months.”

“Um, Edmund, why say that—”

With the fierceness of a wild beast, Edmund’s blue eyes glinted:

“Whoever thought of crossing boundaries with my fiancée—” He cut off but the message was clear: hands off.

Everyone who had considered approaching our table stepped back. It was clear Edmund was warning them, not Bloa.

Bloa didn’t know and turned pale. Edmund took my arm.

“Bloa, I need to speak with Irine alone.”

Before she could reply, he led me away. The poor girl trembled quietly. I felt sorry—thinking I should send her a note and cookies later.

Edmund said softly, “So many people were eyeing you, I don’t want that. Let’s go have tea back in the room. I’ll make it for you.”

I thought of several objections, but Edmund looked so happy offering, I decided to stay silent.

Later, we rested in the room drinking tea. I felt a bit dizzy and stifled. I asked Edmund to walk with me in the back garden.

Then he asked if I wanted a coat—it was chilly. I realized how thoughtful he’d become, likely because he had a younger sister.

After two days, I missed Rosette and Reyna. Tomorrow we’d return to the duchess’s mansion, and I planned to talk with them a lot.

At that moment, I sensed someone behind me.

Five people dressed in black were approaching.

I froze and drew a small dagger for defense. Edmund noticed and stepped in front of me, shielding me silently.

“If anyone dares hurt her, I’ll kill you. Now say what you want.” He showed his sharp nails, growling.

Everyone backed away, except one man in the center. He stayed and spoke calmly but coldly.

“Edmund Wolfgang, if you want to save face, step down now.”

The voice was too familiar—I stiffened.

“…Father?”

I forgot I’d stopped seeing him that way. The man removed his black-gloved hand from his hat, revealing purple hair and eyes shaped like Robelia flowers.

“Irine,” said the Duke of Venomain in a low voice—my name.

He knelt on the ground in front of me, something I’d never seen him do.

“I’m sorry… please come back.”