Chapter 50

It was the first time I had been directly addressed by Duke Nightfellow.

"Hello, Duke Nightfellow. That's quite a compliment. I have been well taken care of by your son. He has always been there to help me."

I managed to return a greeting.

"That's good to hear."

"To call your son 'unworthy' is quite harsh, isn't it?"

The duke's gaze shifted from me to Derek, who nodded while stroking his chin.

"Then, is my son correct?"

"…It means the same thing, doesn't it?"

Derek sighed. Although I was friends with Derek, I had only spoken to his father, Duke Nightfellow, a handful of times, and even then, it was through Serius. This was the first time I had been spoken to directly by Duke Nightfellow, and it was also the first time I had seen a conversation between Derek and the duke.

"Then, about your son's engagement—"

The duke brought up a completely unrelated topic as if it were casual conversation. Derek, who had just taken a cup of drink from a servant and was about to drink, choked.

"Oh, are you alright?"

"…I thought I had already declined that matter."

"Of course, you did decline properly."

"Then…"

"But, it seems the talk of Prince Octavia having a lover has reignited interest. A second proposal has been made. Even after seeing you dance with the prince at the opening, or perhaps because of it—"

The duke's gaze shifted to a middle-aged nobleman and his daughter. I recognized the nobleman. He was a baron who belonged to the so-called Serius faction, someone I had to remember.

"They are aware of the male lover as well."

The duke's casual words left me flustered. It was a part of me that was still uncertain, something I understood intellectually but emotionally rejected. It felt as if I had been hit where it hurt.

Derek glanced at me and then replied to the duke.

"There is no such person."

"Do not take lightly the fact that the lady mentioned the lover. You must refuse it yourself, or they will not give up."

"…I understand."

Derek sighed, as if resigned.

"Sil, I'm sorry. I'll be stepping out for a bit. —Be careful. As I said earlier, we don't know who is watching. Don't let your guard down."

"I will be careful."

After emphasizing this to me, he started walking. Watching Derek's back, the duke smiled wryly.

"My son is just like Lady Burke's mother."

The flustered feeling lingered. It took me a bit longer to respond.

"…I think it's because I'm unreliable. Your son is very considerate."

"My son, as the heir to the duchy, is a bit too soft. He is easily swayed by emotions."

"I see it as a strength."

"From a different perspective, you are right. Sometimes, I envy my son. At the same time, I feel incredibly frustrated."

—White or black.

The phrase often used to describe Duke Nightfellow—Ralf Nightfellow—came to mind.

The duke is evaluated in starkly different ways by different people. He is compassionate and considerate of his subjects. He is a heartless demon. It's hard to believe these descriptions refer to the same person. However, it doesn't mean the duke's personality is flawed. It's probably simple. The duke is kind to his allies and merciless to his enemies. Whether you see him as white or black depends on which side you are on.

I still don't quite get it. I think it's because I am neither. Just as Derek consistently remained neutral regarding Prince Octavia, the duke is taking a neutral stance toward me. …He neither welcomes nor rejects me. And even though it's the same neutrality, it feels different from Derek's. Of course, I don't sense any hostility. But—

"Duke Nightfellow! You're here! Please allow me to greet you."

One of the guests called out and approached the duke. Then, people who had been waiting for an opportunity followed one after another. Many people wanted to connect with Duke Nightfellow.

"Then, Lord Burke. —Until we meet again."

…Until we meet again?

I returned a bow, and the phrase, which might have been just a social nicety, stuck with me. I quickly looked up, but Duke Nightfellow was no longer looking at me.

After parting ways with Derek and the duke, the situation was back to square one. I was alone. I could feel people watching me from a distance, wondering what I would do. Among them, there might be my real family or someone connected to them.

—Be careful. Don't let your guard down.

I had asked Prince Octavia for help, and I must return with results. …But, I'm in a bind.

Still feeling the gaze, I walked to a corner of the hall and observed the guests.

Even if I relied on my instincts, I didn't feel anyone who could be my real family. There was no sign of the 'someone' who had provided me with information making contact. Were they waiting for me to go somewhere less crowded? Should I leave the hall and go somewhere else? This could be possible now that Derek's eyes were off me.

However, if I found a clue and met my family, it would be fine, but what if it was a trap? Could I handle it if multiple people attacked me? Even if I moved to a less crowded place, I wouldn't do so until I knew it was safe.

I pondered for a while.

—Clank. A sound of something falling nearby caught my attention. I looked to my right.

It was a cane. A finely crafted wooden cane had fallen. A girl in a light blue dress was trying to pick it up, but her hand couldn't reach it.

"Here."

I approached and picked up the cane, handing it to the girl. When I touched the cane, her small white hand gripped it, looking relieved.

"Thank you."

The girl smiled. She must have judged my position by the sound of my voice, as her face was directed toward me. However, when she looked up, her blue eyes didn't reflect me. She looked to be about eleven or twelve years old.

—Even if she's a guest, surely not alone?

Most children her age attending a semi-ball are accompanied by their parents or siblings. Even if they are invited, there should always be an adult with them…

"Is your escort nearby? Should I look for them?"

This time, the girl tilted her head and smiled softly. Her silver hair, like cotton, swayed.

"You're worried about me. I have an attendant, so it's fine. They are getting me a drink right now. I'm staying here."

"Then, that's good."

But, it might be better to wait with her until her attendant returns.

"…I'm Lilianna. What's your name?"

At semi-balls, when people who don't know each other introduce themselves, they usually only state their first name, omitting their last name, to have a conversation without regard to status. It's similar to wearing a mask at a masquerade ball.

"My name is Sil."

"Lord Sil!"

Lilianna's face lit up.

The name 'Sil' is well-known in the capital, especially among the nobility, and even among children Lilianna's age. However, she seemed to be unaware. She must be a noble child from a distant region, here for the council of lords, and thus not familiar with recent events in the capital.

I felt a wry smile at the realization that I found this pleasing. …This is not good.

"Are you used to such semi-balls, Lord Sil?"

"I… I want to get used to them. How about you, Lilianna?"

"It's my first time. —Even though I can't see, I can feel the festive atmosphere, and it's enjoyable. I can't thank Duke Nightfellow enough."

"Duke Nightfellow?"

Lilianna nodded.

"Yes. He invited me yesterday when he had an opening."

…An opening? Yesterday?

On the contrary, after it was decided that Prince Octavia would attend tonight's semi-ball, people had been clamoring to get invitations.

"…Ah!"

Lilianna exclaimed, moving her cane and feet as if she couldn't wait.

"Lilianna?"

"It's the sound of footsteps. It's my attendant. I'll go meet them."

"Lili—"

I tried to follow to at least see Lilianna and her attendant reunite. But as I took a step,

"Oops, sorry."

A drink was splashed on me with a deliberately apologetic voice. The red-haired young man who had bumped into me with a cup in hand was slender and wore a mask the same color as his hair. …Wearing a mask to socialize. This was a feature of tonight's semi-ball, where some guests preferred to remain masked even outside the banquet hall.

The smell of white wine came from the wet part of my suit. The young man, whose face was visible even through the mask, frowned.

"This is terrible. I wasn't paying attention. —Let me apologize by preparing a change of clothes for you, Lord Sil."

"……"

Just a prank?

Or, if this was contact from the 'someone' to me—

I looked for Lilianna. She had successfully reunited with a young man, who seemed to be her attendant, and was talking to him with a trusting smile. Lilianna was safe. …What should I do?

"…If you follow without hesitation, you must be pretty stupid, right?"

The red-haired young man changed his tone and whispered in a low voice.

"I'm the duke's messenger. The duke said 'until we meet again,' didn't he?"

…He did.

But when I parted ways with the duke, this young man wasn't around.

—Is he a real messenger from the duke?

—Or did a guest who overheard our conversation use it to their advantage?

The young man walked away, waving a damp handkerchief.

"Cleaning with a handkerchief won't do much. I think you should change. Let me apologize."

After a moment, I nodded.

"…Alright. I'll accept your offer."

The room I was led to by the red-haired young man was actually a male-only changing room used for changing at 'Paradise in the Sky.' It wasn't unusual for me, with wine spilled on my suit, to be there. However, the person waiting inside was unusual. If it was for changing, he should have used a room reserved for high-ranking nobles. Even seeing it with my own eyes, I still felt a bit incredulous.

"Welcome, Lord Burke."

"…Thank you for the invitation."

Why did he need to call me this way? If he just wanted to talk, the hall would have been sufficient.

The person who smiled gently at me was Duke Nightfellow, with black hair and dark gray eyes.

"See, the duke wasn't lying. You can think of me as a passerby for this occasion."

The red-haired young man with a mask said in a deflated tone.

"…There's a way to say things."

Duke Nightfellow sighed deeply. This gesture, along with his appearance, made him resemble Derek, giving a sense of father and son. The difference was… if it were Derek, I wouldn't have any doubts even if he called me this way. But with the duke, I couldn't trust him that much.

"No, but in the end, that's what it is, right, Duke? Oh, by the way, listen. In the banquet hall, I asked a knight guarding Prince Octavia to dance, but he refused!"

"What are you doing?"

"Since he emphasized his duty, I was worried he might have figured out I wasn't just a guest. It was scary. I had no weapons. I looked weak and delicate, yet I felt alive during the dance with the prince! The prince almost stepped on my foot! …Was I being warned? What do you think, Duke?"

"An accidental dance? You're taking too many actions outside your orders."

"But, Duke. I'm always seeking encounters. I welcome both men and women. Only beautiful people, though! Beauty is a human treasure!"

"…Baldur will be disappointed."

"Father is probably commanding the garden guards. He might come back to lecture me… I don't want to be like that. Too rigid. It's your fault, Duke."

"Baldur is fine as he is. Everyone has a role to play."

"So, this is my role? I'm fine with that. Well, is Lord Burke feeling better? How about it?"

I swallowed and opened my mouth.

"…Duke Nightfellow. What do you need from me here? …Is it something Derek shouldn't know?"

At that time, I was too flustered to notice. Now, it feels like the duke was guiding me to be alone.

"My son is your friend. He is too emotionally close. If he knew what I'm about to ask you to do, he would surely interfere. That's why I had him step away from Lord Burke."

…What are you going to ask me to do?

"What do you want me to do?"

"Before that, I need to confirm a few things. Why did you decide to attend this semi-ball alone?"

This was something I had only confided in Prince Octavia. The duke continued without waiting for my response.

"Did you receive some information?"

"……!"

I stared at the duke.

—Did this person provide the information that my real family would attend the semi-ball at Lord Rendington's?

The duke shook his head calmly.

"Let me clarify. I don't know the content of the information. However, I made arrangements for it to reach you."

"…To reach me?"

If that's the case.

"Do you know who gave me the information?"

"—A type of rat."

"Rat?"

"A difficult-to-punish troublemaker. Someone who indirectly harms Esphera. There are various ways to describe them, but they are certainly enemies to be eliminated. If left alone, they will interact with other species, reproduce, and increase their nests. To reduce them, the main nest must be destroyed. But, they rarely come out of their nests, which is the problem."

"…But, the rat came out of the nest and tried to contact me."

The duke nodded slightly, as if praising a student, but the smile quickly disappeared.

"—I thought Lord Burke might be a type of rat."

The duke, who resembled Derek in appearance, had a gentle and calm demeanor. I realized this was due to his expression. When the fabricated expression disappeared, his chiseled face was left with a piercing coldness.

A shiver ran down my spine.

"If a royal is bewitched by love and brings the country to ruin—For example, if Lord Burke, under the rat's instructions, fell in love with Prince Serius? The prince could be used to disrupt the country's politics."

Instantly, anger filled my head.

"Serius is not that foolish. He is not the type to let his politics be swayed by his feelings for me."

"…I hope so."

I clenched my fists. My plea didn't resonate with Duke Nightfellow, and I could tell. It was frustrating.

"Did you call me here to confirm if I am a rat?"

"Lord Burke, you're being too harsh on him. Be kind to the beautiful! Don't worry, Lord Burke. All doubts are cleared. If we're talking black or white, you're white. They just have their eyes on you. That's why Prince Serius is under such strict protection."

The red-haired young man interjected.

If this is true, I am not considered a troublemaker?

Duke Nightfellow chuckled.

"Prince Serius is protecting you strictly. He ensures you are not bothered by anything unnecessary and keeps out any suspicious elements. No matter how much the rats try to lure you, there is no way in."

The person who provided me with the information is probably a low-level rat, according to the duke. Capturing them wouldn't lead to the main nest. —The duke chose to help the rats achieve their goal.

"…So, you helped the rats. Is that it?"

"The rats, who rarely show their tails, are particularly interested in you. You received the information and suddenly decided to attend the semi-ball. The information must have contained something that moved you. —What is important to me is that you can be used as bait for the rats."