Chapter 60

Next, Mary headed to Mauro Jose's place.

He was talking to a few people, and when he noticed Mary, he greeted her politely. His greeting was somewhat exaggerated, yet it seemed refreshing to onlookers. Mary muttered to herself that it was insincere as she responded.

It seemed he had been talking to the Jose family and a few nobles, and he approached Mary casually while everyone around him praised the party. Before she could respond, Adi suddenly hugged her from the waist, turning her words of response into a gasp of surprise, which was then muffled by a collision with his body.

How forceful, Mary thought as she looked up at him, then took a small breath.

While hugging Mary, Adi was looking straight at Mauro.

His expression was calm, and his smile seemed confident. Combined with his good looks, it gave off a mature and even dignified air.

"Indeed, Miss Mary, what a wonderful party."

"Well, it's all thanks to everyone's cooperation."

"Everyone, you say. I would like to be one of them, if possible."

Mauro said with a gentle smile.

In response, Mary opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Adi forcefully pulled her closer. Her words turned into a gasp of surprise, which was then muffled by a collision with his body.

How forceful, Mary thought as she looked up at him, then took a small breath.

While hugging Mary, Adi was looking straight at Mauro.

His expression was calm, and his smile seemed confident. Combined with his good looks, it gave off a mature and even dignified air.

"Sir Mauro, and everyone else, I apologize for the sudden invitation."

"N-no, not at all..."

"I am grateful for your presence. I have thought about how to welcome everyone with Mary, so please enjoy yourselves."

Adi's demeanor was impeccable. His attitude was so dignified that even Mary was impressed, and he responded with ease.

His appearance and behavior were so composed that if no one had told her he was a servant, she might have doubted it. Mary even wondered, "Is this really Adi...?"

Perhaps his inner self had changed to Patrick. His behavior was that impressive.

Of course, the hand on her waist was definitely Adi's.

"Mary has something to say to everyone. Right, Mary?"

"Y-yes... that's right... I have something I want everyone to hear."

Encouraged by Adi, Mary responded, and everyone present became interested.

"Let's go, Mary."

"Right, see you all later."

Mary gave a small bow and left the scene, still being held by Adi.

Those who saw them off commented on how well they got along and how beautiful a couple they were, with bright expressions.

...Except for Mauro.

Perhaps because he had just seen a couple-like interaction, or because he had a bad feeling about "Mary's talk," or because he was dissatisfied with Adi's attitude, he alone had a rather sour look.

This made Mary feel comfortable, and she leaned into Adi, basking in the afterglow of victory.

"Your behavior just now was impressive."

"R-really?"

"Yes, you even called me Mary. It's fine now."

"I decided to behave appropriately because you made a decision. It's for you."

"You reverted as soon as I praised you."

"Disappointing," Mary said, dramatically shrugging her shoulders, and Adi gave a dry laugh, trying to cover it up.

His attitude was back to his usual self. The dignified and confident young man had disappeared, and when Mary teased him, he scratched his blushing cheek.

"If you are hosting, I, as your husband, thought I should respond appropriately. I got advice from Sir Patrick last night."

"From Patrick?"

"Yes, that's where I learned it."

Apparently, last night, Adi visited Patrick's room and asked for advice on how to stand beside Mary, the host of the party.

However, with the party the next day, or rather, just a few hours away, there was no time to learn proper etiquette or speech. It was a last-minute effort.

Patrick, understanding this, looked at Adi seriously and emphasized, "I will tell you only one thing, and you must always remember it: never bow your head."

Adi's eyes widened at this advice, and he tilted his head, not understanding.

But Patrick continued.

"Even when apologizing for the sudden invitation or expressing gratitude to the guests, never bow your head. Don't look apologetic; smile when you apologize or express gratitude."

This might not seem like an apology or a show of gratitude. But that is the attitude of a person of high status.

The hierarchy never changes, whether apologizing or expressing gratitude. This attitude shows that you are superior.

For a regular noble, this could be seen as insolent, and even more so if it's a last-minute effort, it could provoke anger.

But for the "Albert family," everything is forgiven. And to show that you belong to a family that is forgiven, you must never bow your head.

"Typical Patrick. That's just like him."

"I can't thank him enough for everything. ...And, when I was about to return to my room..."

Adi returned to his room with Patrick's advice in mind.

But in front of his room, he found Lang and Lucian. When they saw him, they asked where he had been...

"Lord Lang exclaimed, 'This guy looks so smug!' and Lord Lucian said resentfully, 'Someone got the upper hand... Patrick...!' and they both ran away at almost the same time."

"Your brothers were trying to give you advice too. At least acknowledge their intentions."

Mary tried to smooth things over.

They had acted out of concern for Adi, but he had already taken action on his own. And he had sought advice from Patrick.

What bad timing for the brothers. This would be a topic of complaint for a while.

Adi, seeming to understand this, nodded with a wry smile, saying, "I'll be holding my head down for a while."