When I said I wanted to go, I thought he wouldn’t agree, Evandria thought.

She was still thoroughly confused by how easily Elion had given in about attending the event.

I thought, just like the rumors said, that he never let his first wife go outside… so he wouldn’t let me either. Are those rumors actually false? No… that can’t be. But why am I overthinking this? He agreed, and that’s a good thing.

Breaking her train of thought, she noticed Veronica walking toward her from the left. Evandria watched her carefully as she approached.

“My lady, please let us head to the car. We will set out as soon as Master Elion arrives,” Veronica said politely.

“Yes,” Evandria replied. But she did not move. She stared at Veronica for a moment, hesitating, before finally speaking up. “Excuse me… can I ask you something?”

“Of course, my lady. You can ask me anything. And please, you don’t have to be so formal with me, you can call me by my name,” Veronica offered with a warm smile.

“Oh, but—”

Before Evandria could protest, Veronica interrupted gently.

“It’s truly alright, my lady. You can just call me Veronica. Now, what did you want to ask?”

“Umm… have we met before? I mean, before I got married to Elion,” Evandria asked, searching her face.

Veronica looked at her quietly for a moment, then smiled lightly. “I don’t think so, my lady.”

“Hmm… but I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before. That’s why I asked,” Evandria murmured.

“Oh, I have traveled to the Dravaryn Kingdom in the past. Perhaps you might have caught a glimpse of me once or twice there,” Veronica replied smoothly.

“I see…” Evandria whispered.

She nodded, but she still did not feel completely satisfied with the answer. After watching Veronica closely for a few more seconds, she turned her gaze toward the stairs.

“I think I should go call Master Elion,” Veronica said, bowing slightly.

“Okay,” Evandria nodded.

***

Elion was standing in front of the mirror in his room, lost in thought.

He wore a long dark coat over a fitted, high-collared shirt and vest, fastened with a gem-like brooch at his chest. Tailored trousers and polished shoes completed his sharp, noble appearance.

At that moment, a sudden knock rattled the door.

Knock! Knock!

“Master, it’s Veronica. Are you ready to attend the social event?” Veronica said after knocking.

“I’ll head down soon,” Elion replied.

“Yes, Master. We’ll be waiting by the car.”

After a few moments, he opened the door and headed out.

Stepping outside the mansion, he walked toward the waiting vehicle. Veronica was standing by the door, while Evandria was already seated inside the back seat. As he approached, Veronica pulled the door open for him.

Just as Elion was about to slide in, he glanced across the seat.

Evandria was staring right at him, her mouth slightly agape. With her wide eyes and startled expression, she looked incredibly cute — just like a startled rabbit.

Elion caught her eye for a brief moment, but his expression remained completely passive. Without a word, he stepped into the vehicle and took his seat beside her. Staring out the window as the engine hummed to life, he muttered, “The weather is nice.”

The early spring air was indeed clear and pleasant.

Evandria, completely flustered by his sudden remark, turned to look at him. He looks incredibly handsome tonight, she could not help but think, her eyes lingering on his sharp profile. Then, a sudden wave of confusion hit her. Wait... did he just say that… to me?

“Let’s go,” Elion said.

“Yes, Master.”

Vroom!

The car moved smoothly down the driveway. Elion sat upright, maintaining a dignified, flawless posture. Evandria, on the other hand, sat with one hand resting in her lap and the other propped against the open window frame, her cheek resting against her palm as she quietly gazed at the passing scenery.

***

They soon arrived at their destination. It was a grand castle in the heart of Haelwyn, the most glamorous part of the capital. This entire castle in the middle of the city served as a social space for nobles.

“We’ve arrived, Master.”

Veronica got out first and opened the door for Evandria.

“It is an honor to meet you, Head of the Goldleaf Family,” a team of well-trained attendants said, greeting them first.

Guided by the staff, Elion and Evandria walked along the pristine red carpet together.

—The distinguished head of the venerable Goldleaf family, Elion von Augus-Goldleaf.

As they entered the hall, an announcement blared, nearly startling Evandria. It was an introduction announcing Elion’s arrival.

“Have a pleasant evening, Lord Goldleaf,” one of the attendants said.

Elion nodded and proceeded inside, with Evandria following closely behind him.

The chandelier lights inside shimmered like a sea of stars, brilliantly illuminating a vast, splendid hall. Seeing familiar faces everywhere, Elion realized coming here was not a good choice.

As they moved forward, some nobles approached him.

“Oh, Elion.”

Elion stopped for them, but Evandria kept moving ahead, slipping away from the sudden crowd to take a quiet seat nearby.

“Elion, what a surprise! I didn’t know you were coming,” one of the nobles said.

“Yeah, we don’t see you at parties often,” another noble chimed in.

“Elion, I heard you made an absolute fortune reselling those artifacts from the auctions. Come on, share some secrets with us, haha.”

“Well, what else do you expect from the head of House Goldleaf?”

“Elion, do you happen to have time tonight?”

The nobles bombarded him with words. Some were requests for favors, others were personal worries, and a few were flirtatious offers from the noblewomen.

Within minutes, Elion could feel a massive headache brewing right behind his eyes.

Evandria watched all this from her seat.

He really is famous...

Remembering Elion’s warnings from a few days ago, when he told her that these events were exhausting, a small, satisfied smirk crossed her lips. Looks like he’s actually going to get a massive headache. Good for him.

But as she continued to watch the crowd swarm him, a completely different thought suddenly invaded her mind. Why are there so many women surrounding him too?

She did not know why that sudden prickle of irritation had surfaced, but she quickly forced herself to look away, refusing to dwell on it.