Evandria stood in the mansion hall, wearing a silver-colored dress that shimmered softly under the chandelier light. Her long blue hair was styled into a loose side braid that flowed over her shoulder, with a few soft strands framing her face, making her look gentle yet elegant.

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

I’m still confused why Elion agreed so easily about us going to the event.

I thought, just like the rumors said, that he didn’t let his first wife go outside… so he wouldn’t let me either.

Are those rumors false?

No… that can’t be.

But why am I thinking so much about it… he agreed, and that’s a good thing.

She looked to her left.

Veronica was walking toward her.

Evandria watched her carefully as she approached.

“My lady, please let’s go to the car. We will head out as soon as Master arrives,” Veronica said.

“Yes,” Evandria replied.

But she didn’t move.

She looked at Veronica for a moment and then said, “Excuse me… can I ask you something?”

“Of course, my lady. You can ask me anything. And you don’t have to be so formal — you can call me by my name,” Veronica said.

“Oh, but—”

Before Evandria could finish, Veronica interrupted gently.

“It’s okay, my lady. You can call me by my name. So what did you want to ask?”

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

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 said.

“Oh, I’ve been to Dravaryn Kingdom before. Maybe you saw me once or twice there,” Veronica replied with a smile.

“I see…” Evandria murmured.

But she still didn’t feel completely satisfied.

After looking at Veronica for a few seconds, she turned her gaze toward the stairs.

“I think I’ll go call Master,” Veronica said.

“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 the chest. Tailored trousers and polished shoes completed his sharp, noble appearance, giving him a calm and commanding presence.

At that moment there was a knock at 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 at the car.”

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

He stepped outside the mansion and looked toward the car, where Veronica was standing and Evandria was already seated in the back seat.

As he walked over, Veronica opened the door for him.

Just as Elion was about to enter, he glanced inside the car.

Evandria was staring at him from inside the car, her mouth slightly open, she looked cute just like a startled rabbit.

Elion looked at her for a moment.

"She is looking beautiful". That's what he probably thought.

But he didn’t say anything, and simply got in and took his seat.

Staring out the window, he said,

“The weather is nice.”

The early spring weather was clear and pleasant.

Evandria, flustered by what he said, looked at him.

Did he just say that… to me? she thought.

But she didn’t say anything — she only looked at him silently.

“Let’s go,” he said.

“Yes, Master,” Veronica replied.

Vroom—

The car moved smoothly forward.

Elion sat upright with dignified posture.

Evandria sat with one hand resting in her lap, the other on the open window frame, her cheek resting against her palm as she gazed outside.

***

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 castel 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.

Instantly, all eyes turned toward them.

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

They walked along the red carpet together, guided by the staff.

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

As he entered the hall, an announcement blared, nearly startling him, it was an introduction announcing Elion’s arrival.

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

Elion nodded and proceeded inside, Evandria following closely behind.

The lights shimmered like stars, illuminating the vast and splendid hall filled with nobles.

Seeing familiar faces everywhere, Elion realized coming here hadn’t really been a choice.

There were too many well-known figures.

As they moved forward, some nobles approached him.

“Oh, Elion.”

Elion stopped for them, but Evandria continued walking ahead and took her seat.

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

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

“Elion, I heard you made huge profits reselling items from auctions. Share some secrets with us, haha.”

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

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

They bombarded him with words, some were requests for favors, others were personal worries, and a few were flirtatious offers.

By now, his head was starting to hurt.

Evandria watched all this from her seat.

He’s pretty famous, even among nobles…

So that’s what he meant when he said that, she remembered Elion’s words from when she said she wanted to go to the event.

Looks like he’s going to get a headache.

Good for him, she smirked.

But then, another thought crossed her mind —

why are the women surrounding him too?

She didn’t know why that thought suddenly appeared in her mind, but she didn’t dwell on it and looked away.