Chapter 8

The party was so enjoyable, but my mood slightly dampened when I found someone unpleasant.

Let's eat some delicious sweets and enjoy myself again.

Thinking this, I returned to where my entourage was, and there was someone at the center, talking.

With hair as blue and smooth as the deep sea, a face as handsome and gentle as a prince, and an outstanding, slender figure.

That man, like me, is one of the Four Great Dukes.

“Lord Alexis, good day.”

When I greeted him, Lord Alexis turned to me with a gentle smile.

“Miss Asaria, it’s been a while. Do you remember me?”

“Yes, of course. I could never forget the heir of the Modenes Duke Family.”

“Ahaha, that’s right. I also remember you well as the daughter of the Spencer Family.”

Alexis Karl Modenes, the heir of the Modenes Duke Family, one of the Four Great Dukes.

He is about two years older than me and has already been fighting against the beasts in the eastern fortress, as I heard.

The Modenes Duke Family, known for their mastery of water magic, is characterized by their sea-colored hair and clear blue eyes, traits inherited from their lineage.

As the heir, he is very talented and is expected to become the next head of the Modenes Duke Family.

However, he doesn’t seem to have a fiancée yet... The young ladies in my entourage are looking at him as if he’s their prey.

“I couldn’t greet you at the National Foundation Day party. But I’ve heard some very interesting rumors, you know.”

Saying this, Lord Alexis winked.

The young ladies around him were squealing... Well, this person does have a very good face.

“Interesting rumors? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Huh, is that so? Well, if the daughter of the Spencer Duke Family says so, I guess it’s fine.”

I didn’t have much deep involvement with this person even two years after the regression, but he always gave me the impression of being somewhat light and carefree.

However, his abilities are very excellent, and he became the head of the Modenes Duke Family at the young age of twenty-two, two years after the regression.

So, it would be good to deepen our relationship now for the future.

He seems to have already heard about the incident I caused at the National Foundation Day party, but he calls it an interesting rumor.

I don’t quite understand his sensibilities, but if he has a good impression, that’s fine.

“Lord Alexis, it’s rare for you to attend such a tea party.”

“Yeah, to be honest, these kinds of events are more like a place for men and women to meet. I don’t really like them.”

I could tell the young ladies around him were flustered.

As the heir of a duke family, Alexis is often approached by many young ladies, so he probably doesn’t like tea parties.

“Then why are you attending today?”

“Well, of course, because I heard Miss Asaria would be here.”

“Me?”

I didn’t expect it to be because of me, so I asked back.

The young ladies were squealing again, but I don’t think it’s in a romantic sense.

“Do you have any business with me?”

“Hmm, I don’t really have any business. I just wanted to meet you because I heard some interesting rumors.”

“But didn’t you say there were no interesting rumors earlier?”

“Ah, that’s right. Then maybe I just wanted to meet you because you caught my attention.”

The young ladies were covering their mouths and letting out high-pitched squeals again.

Sigh, I can’t tell if this person is targeting me or not.

“...I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to say such things to someone who is already engaged.”

“Ahaha, you’re right. I apologize.”

Lord Alexis, who doesn’t seem to have any intention of apologizing.

He is indeed a person who is hard to grasp, and I’m not very good at dealing with him.

“By the way, how is your brother?”

“My brother?”

Yes, I have one brother.

Ivan Rel Spencer, two years older than me, is a very strict and strong brother.

Before the regression, I hardly interacted with him until my engagement was broken, but after that, I met him multiple times while training in magic... and was beaten up during training.

Even now, I shudder when I think about it... but I did become stronger because of it.

“My brother Ivan is stationed at the southern fortress.”

“Right, he is very serious and strict. I’m sure you know that, Miss Asaria.”

“...Yes, of course.”

How many times did I fall to the ground...

By the way, Father said he would teach me magic training. Will it be my brother Ivan again this time?

...I’m starting to feel scared.

“Hmm? What’s wrong? You’re shaking a bit.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

No, I can’t show my weakness here. I am the daughter of a duke family.

“Then I’ll be leaving soon. I’ve achieved my purpose.”

“Was talking to me really your purpose?”

“Of course, I don’t lie much.”

...So, he’s telling a little lie.

“And Miss Asaria, since we’re not that different in age and both from duke families, we don’t have to use formal language, you know?”

“...No, I don’t think it’s appropriate for someone with a fiancé to speak informally with other gentlemen.”

“Ahaha, I see. Then I’ll save that for when you no longer have a fiancé.”

With a final wink, Lord Alexis left.

It seems he has realized that I am planning to break my engagement with Prince Louis, based on the interesting rumors.

Well, if he couldn’t figure that out, he wouldn’t have become the head of a duke family at the age of twenty-two.

After that, nothing special happened, and the tea party ended.

Today was a pleasant tea party, and I met Lord Alexis, the heir of a duke family, so it turned out to be a rather good tea party.