As soon as I stepped into the ballroom, all eyes turned to me.

After three seconds of silence, the whispering began, and it was so loud I could hear it even if I covered my ears.

‘Where’s the marquis? Why is she here with the Praviche lord?’

‘The rumors must be true. There’s no way a man like the marquis, so free of ambition, could handle Lady Praviche’s temper.’

‘Her marriage prospects are ruined now. Who would want to marry someone even the Celestian marquis gave up on?’

I couldn’t listen to this any longer.

‘For heaven’s sake, what’s so wrong with me?’

Unintentionally, my gaze sharply turned toward them, and the startled gossipers scattered like leaves in the wind.

‘…Finally, some peace.’

Just as I relaxed my expression, Asil muttered beside me, “Viscount Thales’ family, Count Northon’s family, Baron Dimitri’s family…”

…The very families who had been gossiping just moments ago. I grabbed Asil’s arm, drawing his attention to me.

“Asil.”

“Hmm? What is it, Evelyn?”

The fierce expression from before had vanished, replaced by a playful smile as he looked at me like a happy puppy.

‘What a double-faced guy.’

Like father, like son. Sighing, I calmed Asil’s anger.

“Let it go, just this once.”

“They were insulting you, Evelyn.”

“Deal with them on the third offense.”

“I can’t just let them badmouth you until then.”

Getting insulted now and then makes you live longer, right? If I’m rich and get to live long, what’s the harm? While I took it in stride, Asil remained stubborn. Still, seeing him try to cheer me up, I couldn’t help but smile.

I raised my hand and ruffled his hair gently.

“You don’t want to ruin your business, do you?”

“My business can stand without those nobodies, Evelyn.”

“Are you sure about that?”

I shrugged. I was certain I’d tie Ulysses and Dahlia together, which meant Dahlia’s social standing would eventually rise. Who knows what might happen if the nobles started avoiding the Praviche family just to stay on the Emperor’s good side? Asil’s business might not be so safe after all.

“You never know what the future holds. Don’t come crying to me if your business fails. You love getting involved in things, after all.”

I spoke sharply on purpose, but Asil, as always, looked touched. He grinned, patting my head in return.

“Evelyn, you really don’t need to worry about my business. I started it for you, and if it ever stands in the way of your happiness, I’ll drop it in a heartbeat.”

Having someone make my happiness their top priority was more touching than I’d expected. But Evelyn wouldn’t show such emotions so easily—that would be out of character.

“I hate broke brothers. I like a brother who can give me money whenever I need it.”

“Well, I don’t want to be a broke brother either, not one who can’t even give you an allowance.”

…I was being sarcastic, but he took it seriously.

Sighing, I reminded him of the real reason I was at this party.

“Anyway, don’t forget, Asil. I’m here to sow the seeds of a breakup with Raphael. I’ll be pretending to mope around on the terrace, so go handle your business.”

“But…”

Asil still looked worried. It was sweet, but also starting to get on my nerves. Playing the role of Evelyn in front of the Praviche family was more draining than I’d anticipated.

“Haah.”

With a deep sigh, I faced Asil directly and spoke sharply.

“Asil, do you think the fact that my name is on the tongues of a few nobodies is going to leave a single scratch on me? Not a chance. How could a shard of glass ever scratch a diamond?”

I swept my gaze arrogantly over the room. The people who had been glancing at us immediately looked away, pretending they hadn’t been watching at all.

Taking in the sight, I raised an eyebrow at Asil.

“See?”

Clearly biting back words, Asil stayed silent. This could go on forever.

“Asil, if you really want to do something for me, just send a bottle of champagne to the terrace where I’ll be.”

With my arms crossed, I jerked my chin at him. He finally seemed to realize he couldn’t sway me and nodded in defeat.

“Alright, Evelyn. Call me if you need anything.”

His shoulders drooped slightly, and though I wanted to thank him, Evelyn wouldn’t say something like that.

Instead, I turned my back on him and strode toward the terrace, the sound of my heels sharp and impatient. I yanked the curtains open and slammed the door behind me.

‘That should be enough for people to think I’m sulking.’

Ah, being alone was a relief. I collapsed onto the sofa with a sigh of exhaustion. Not long after, a bottle of champagne and some finger foods arrived, courtesy of Asil.

“Let me know if you need anything else.”

Finally alone, I stretched out on the sofa, sipping the fizzy champagne as bubbles popped against my lips.

“Ah, this is nice.”

With the alcohol warming my insides, my mood brightened. Honestly, I hadn’t been that upset earlier.

Compared to the vicious gossip during family reunions where everyone critiqued each other’s children, this was child’s play.

‘Besides, once I get through this, my life will be smooth sailing. Money, success, everything. My future is set.’

The thought made the champagne taste even better, and I quickly finished my drink. Before I knew it, the finger food was gone, too. Just as I finished, I noticed some commotion outside.

‘What’s going on?’

From the snippets I caught, it sounded like Ulysses and Dahlia had arrived. Glancing at my empty plate, I realized it was probably too late to order more finger food.

‘And I don’t want to draw attention from the original couple by staying here.’

I wasn’t about to let them turn me into a spectacle, no matter how many rumors I’d started about myself. I had to maintain at least some dignity as a villainess.

Reluctantly, I decided to just stick to drinking.

“Ahh.”

One sip of champagne, and it felt like the weight on my chest lifted. The noise from outside was no longer bothering me, and the drink was doing wonders for my mood.

As I lazily tilted my head back to gaze at the night sky, I noticed my vision blurring.

‘…Did I drink too much?’

But no, I was still far from my limit.

The reason for my hazy vision soon became clear: a swarm of butterflies was approaching, their purple wings shimmering in the moonlight as they headed straight for me.

‘Seriously? Why me again?’

Panicking, I covered my mouth. The last thing I wanted was a butterfly landing on my lips again.

Thankfully, this time they seemed to have other targets in mind, settling on my head, dress, and fur cloak. Within moments, I looked like some enchanted Cinderella.

“Why do they keep coming to me? What’s their deal?”

I may like butterfly accessories, but real butterflies? Not so much. Their wings, while beautiful to others, always struck me as somewhat creepy.

But tonight, perhaps thanks to the alcohol, I couldn’t be bothered to chase them away.

‘As long as they stay still, I suppose it’s fine. They’re harmless, right?’

The butterflies were calm, their wings resting quietly. I finished off the rest of my champagne.

‘The moon’s pretty, and it’s a beautiful night. If only Goldie were here, everything would be perfect.’

I wondered if Sophie had remembered to feed my precious Goldie.

Gazing at the deep blue moonlit sky, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of homesickness, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.

*Knock knock.*

Someone tapped lightly on the terrace door. Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t hear it, too caught up in memories of Goldie’s soft fur.

‘Forget these butterflies. Goldie should be here with me.’

*Knock knock.*

‘Come to think of it, Goldie’s running low on toys. How can I get more toys here?’

*Knock knock.*

‘And treats. There aren’t enough treats either. Why isn’t there anything like those squeeze treats here?’

*Knock knock!*

‘Ah, I miss Goldie so much.’

A tear finally slipped down my cheek just as the door swung open with a bang.

Whoever had been knocking apparently lost patience and entered without waiting for my permission, startling the butterflies into flight.

‘Who is it? …Who’s here now?’

Footsteps clicked sharply across the floor as the intruder approached the sofa where I lay. 

Still groggy from the champagne, I turned sluggishly to see who it was, and the sight sobered me instantly.

“…Young Lady Hebe?”

“Alone, as I thought, Lady Praviche.”

Dahlia stood over me with a smug smile.

“I’ve come to discuss something with you, so I hope you don’t mind sparing me a moment.”