Chapter 29

I know Charlotte is somewhere in this world, but I'm taken aback when she's right in front of me.

More than anything, I had assumed that not only would I meet Lord Zain, but that I would meet her at a ball as well.

"Sorry, are you hurt anywhere...?"

Her large emerald eyes fix on me, and I snap back to reality. I quickly brush off the spot where we collided and glare at Charlotte, muttering under my breath.

"Do you think an apology will make everything okay?"

"N-no! I'm really sorry...!"

Charlotte, who hurriedly bows her head, is the kind of delicate and earnest girl that everyone loves. If I let my guard down, I might be captivated by her.

Her light brown hair, gently waved, and her gem-like green eyes. Her features are stunningly perfect, and she exudes an overwhelming heroine aura.

If she stands next to Lord Zain, they would surely be a perfect match.

Anyway, there's no good in getting involved with Charlotte here. I'm thinking of saying one more snide remark and leaving when I'm suddenly hugged from behind.

"Grace, you were here."

"...Lanhart?"

"Are you okay? This happened before, didn't it?"

Reflecting on it, I remember our first meeting was in a similar situation. Lanhart glances at Charlotte and then smiles at me again.

"I got lonely because you were late, so I came to find you."

"Yes, I'm sorry."

He whispers in my ear with a sweet voice, and I try to keep a composed face despite my inner turmoil.

In the midst of this, I notice Charlotte staring at us intently. She covers her mouth with her hand, seemingly realizing I've noticed her gaze.

"I-I'm sorry, but you two looked so perfect together that I couldn't help but stare..."

"Right? Thank you."

Lanhart smiles and slips his arm around mine, saying, "Shall we go?" I decide to skip my makeup touch-up and leave, pulling him along.

I can hear Charlotte's "I'm really sorry" from behind, and I repeat "Sorry for being mean" in my head.

When we reach a place where she can't see us, I let out a deep breath. I hadn't imagined I would meet Charlotte, and I'm really, really surprised.

"I'm sorry for the suddenness. There were various emergencies."

"It's okay. Do you know her?"

"Not exactly, more like a fan, or rather, a complete stranger..."

"Ahaha, what's that?"

Walking through the city with Lanhart, who is heading straight somewhere, I feel we stand out, and I can sense piercing gazes.

"But, she was really cute, right?"

"Well, she was beautiful, but she's not my type. I prefer you a lot more."

"R-really...?"

I'm surprised that such a rare type of person exists, and I continue walking.

◇◇◇

After that, Lanhart leads me to a casino, of all places.

He holds my shoulder, which is drenched in cold sweat, and smiles, asking, "Which one shall we start with?"

"Why a casino...?"

"The people here are mostly loose-lipped. Plus, you didn't seem to be in high spirits, so I thought a fun place would be good."

"Ah, thank you."

"I've seen you around a lot. You always won, didn't you?"

"I don't really remember that..."

He not only doesn't know that I'm a cheapskate but also knows that the original Grace was a casino enthusiast and was considerate enough to bring me here.

I'm deeply grateful for his kindness and try to smile and enjoy myself, but...

"What...? I-I just chose red or black, and 500,000 Mia is gone...?"

"That's right. Should we double down next time?"

"Sorry, I can't do this anymore. I feel like I'm going to throw up. Please, let's stop."

The financial sense of this different world is making me feel like I'm going to break down. Lanhart, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying my pale face.

"The last time I saw you here, you were betting in units of 10 million Mia. This is really amusing."

"I-I..."

I'm seriously feeling nauseous. Thinking this isn't a place I should be, I head to get a drink to take a break.

I see a familiar face and call out to them.

"Evan! What are you doing here?"

"Oh, Miss. I'm here for a very important job today. I can't say more than that."

Evan isn't always my bodyguard; he also has days when he works as a knight. I wonder what kind of job he's doing here, but I say goodbye, thinking I'll see him tomorrow. I return to Lanhart with a glass in hand, and he is surrounded by an astonishing amount of chips.

"I've won it all back for you. Don't worry."

"L-Lord Lanhart...! Thank you so much!"

"Ahaha, this should be enough to make a statement. Let's take a break in the lounge and then go home."

"Lounge?"

"You'll see."

Not really understanding, but deciding to follow his lead, I hand over the chips and head upstairs with him.

"Stay close to me for the next few minutes."

Curious as to why, I obediently cling to his arm. When we reach a floor a few levels up, I instantly understand.

"......!"

Couples are flooding into each room, creating a very adult atmosphere, and I gasp.

"The lounge here is mainly used for this kind of thing. If we spend some time here and then leave, our infidelity plan will be perfect, right?"

"Ah, I see... Lanhart is amazing."

I can't help but admire his expertise in such matters. It's a world I have no connection to, but I'm relieved that Lanhart's help will allow me to pull off the act.

"......"

All that's left is to maintain some distance from Lord Zain and say goodbye. Thinking about the day, my heart aches, but after meeting Charlotte, a strange sense of relief has settled in.

She is clearly the heroine, and with such a cute and earnest Charlotte around, everything will surely be fine.

"Yay! I finally won...!"

"Yup, keep it up. Should we bet money next time?"

"Please forgive me."

After that, we play card games in the lounge. Surprisingly, it's very wholesome. As I think about becoming friends with Lanhart, he glances at his watch.

"Ah, let's go back. It's about the right time to have a quick one."

"I...I..."

"Ahaha, you're blushing. You look so cute. If you go out like that, it will be more convincing."

He stands up, comes over, and lets down my tied-up hair.

"Yep, it looks post-coital."

"L-Lanhart, you're really amazing..."

"Didn't you choose me for that reason?"

Thinking that we live in different worlds, I let him lead me to the door. All that's left is to be seen leaving together and then get into the carriage and go home.

As we step into the hallway, a familiar silver hair catches my eye, and I stop in my tracks.

Lanhart, standing next to me, whispers, "This was really unexpected," and I can see him smiling wryly.

Please, please, just wait.

"......Grace?"

Lord Zain's sun-like golden eyes turn to us, and I inwardly clutch my head, thinking I didn't expect it to come to this.