Desperately, I realized that reality hadn't changed.
The request from Duke Partlan was just a personal favor. Since it wasn’t a quest, there was no possibility of skipping it.
Having pulled myself out of panic, I expressed my refusal to the duke. No matter how I thought about it, it didn’t seem like anything good would come of it. However, the duke did not accept my plea.
“Lady, you have defeated the First Prince. If you were to remain silent about your feelings, what would others think?”
The Duke of Partlan’s stern voice warned that it could be perceived as a blatant disregard for the First Prince.
Even though he usually chuckled at being called the "Flimsy Duke," his firmness now seemed to stem from concern for me, Joie’s friend.
Realizing this, I reluctantly nodded, and the duke smiled as if he were in a thriller movie.
...That smile meant he thought I had made the right decision, right?
After his headache-inducing words and his request, the duke left, and I urgently called out for the old man.
With my limited intellect, I couldn't see a way out of this situation.
<...Please give me a moment to think. My head hurts.>
However, just because he was an old man didn’t mean he had a magical solution to this predicament.
Since my actions were limited by skills, no matter how politically savvy he was, there were still limits.
<First, let's keep the premises short. We can’t predict which direction this might go.>
‘Right.’
<After that, what we need to consider is...>
Summarizing the old man's words led to minimizing damage.
As long as the Mesugaki skill existed, we couldn't prevent an explosion, so we should at least try to lessen its size.
Hearing that, I couldn't help but let out a sigh.
If I had known this, I might as well have just lost to the First Prince and worn the dress...
No, that’s not quite right.
But isn’t it also a bit ridiculous to say such foolish things in front of numerous influential nobles?
As I pondered this, I ultimately reached the harsh truth.
No matter which choice I made, the only path ahead led to hell.
I thought I had crushed the ridiculous divine being’s scheme, but I was wrong. The moment he gave me the quest, I was destined to fall into the abyss.
Which deity would trap their own apostle in a trap like this? This ridiculous, trashy idiot!
Many wanted to participate in the party held by the Partlan family.
The authority of being one of the few duke families in the kingdom.
The reputation built from the many achievements of the Partlan family.
The honor born from their dedication to the kingdom.
The Partlan family possessed all three of these.
Would there be only a few who wanted to have any kind of connection with the people here?
Because of this, the number of attendees at the Partlan family party was always far less than the number of those wishing to attend.
Given the situation, the names of those attending the party were certainly not light.
The two princes of the Soladin Kingdom.
Heirs from other duke families excluding the Burrow family.
The famed swordsmen from the Kent family, the immensely wealthy Rummery from fertile lands, and powerful noble families like the Valken family, who are supporters of the Blue Magic Tower.
Saints of the Divine Church, leaders of the frontline for various dungeon raids, heads of the Claw Mercenary Corps, apostles worshiping the God of Arts, and successors of the Dragon’s Breath Guild, which connects various countries on the continent.
Regardless of their status, there was no one with a light name among them.
While that was true, there were still differences in greatness.
All gems in the world shine beautifully, but the value of those gems varies.
The same was true for those attending this party.
Some people were anxious to talk, while others lurked in the corners, observing quietly.
And at this very moment.
The name of the family waiting for the door to open beyond the party hall was undoubtedly the former.
After the person guarding the door seemed to receive some information through magical tools, they took a deep breath.
“Sir Benedict Alrn of the Alrn Count family and Lady Lucy Alrn are entering!”
With a voice that echoed throughout the party hall, everyone's attention focused on the entrance. As the massive doors opened, a father and daughter stepped into the party hall.
To describe their appearance in one word, it would be a monster and the fairy captivated by it.
A massive physique that could easily make any average man look like a child, with muscles that seemed ready to burst out of a suit.
A fierce expression.
The bravado that emanated from the strength of a man.
The awe born from the legendary tales he created.
Benedict Alrn.
Once known as the kingdom's fang, even though he had secluded himself in his territory for a long time, his name was always mentioned when discussing the strongest on the continent.
The gazes directed toward him were filled with admiration, gratitude, awe, and respect.
That name, which had protected the kingdom through countless adversities, deserved such attention.
Beside him was a petite girl, seemingly able to rest her head on his waist.
Her attire was exceedingly simple and plain.
A dress primarily white with occasional golden accents.
Had it been worn by some nameless noble girl, it would have been criticized as too plain.
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However, there was no one who could throw such words at the girl.
She was too beautiful for anyone to call her plain.
With snow-white skin, a gentle smile, and confident red eyes that mixed purity and mischief. Her twin tails swayed like waves in the air.
She looked like an angel that the gods had meticulously crafted.
She transformed the evaluation of her outfit with her beauty.
Plainness became elegance, confidence became poise, and simplicity became space.
Anyone who saw her would be enchanted and gasped in awe, yet the gazes directed at the girl were far from kind.
Those who had long participated in high society knew what lay beneath that angelic exterior.
Lucy Alrn.
A girl who had made a name for herself through numerous misdeeds.
Had it not been for her connection to Benedict Alrn, she would have long since fallen into the devil’s embrace.
Since all light was given to Benedict, she was considered to have received God’s neglect.
Recently, rumors circulated that Lucy Alrn had changed since entering the academy, but hardly anyone believed it.
Even if her latent talents had bloomed, her nature would remain unchanged. The malice she had previously displayed amidst countless hatred wouldn’t simply disappear.
This was the judgment of those who had faced Lucy Alrn and had been wounded by her venom.
Given the circumstances, the gazes directed at Lucy Alrn were not favorable.
“Why is that girl here...”
Someone expressed hatred.
“Leeching off the mercy of the Partlan noble...”
“Isn’t it funny how she dared to confront the First Prince without knowing her place?”
Someone expressed jealousy.
“She must have made a contract with a demon.”
“Right? That trash suddenly grew up.”
Someone even boldly threw out malicious words.
For Lucy Alrn, this space was a place of punishment.
A punishment wandering through the needles of others’ hostility.
While any ordinary person might have faltered under the pain, Lucy Alrn was different.
Without a hint of wavering, she stood before the duke and duchess.
Seeing this, Duke Partlan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“Thank you for the invitation, Duke and Duchess Partlan.”
“Thank you for the invitation, Flimsy Duke. Flimsy Duchess.”
As the Alrn father-daughter entered, a multitude of murmurs filled the party hall, but all sounds vanished the moment Lucy Alrn spoke.
It was a grave breach of etiquette.
A serious breach of etiquette.
To utter such nonsense to the host of the party, and not just any noble family, but the Duke and Duchess of Partlan!
If they mistakenly spoke out of turn, sparks might fly, and everyone was holding their breath, stealing glances when suddenly, the Duke and Duchess Partlan burst into laughter.
“Bwahaha! My lady! Did you hear that?”
“I did. I never thought I’d hear such a thing in this place.”
“That takes guts. Truly worthy of being Benedict’s daughter.”
Benedict, hearing this laughter right before him, stammered in surprise.
“I’m sorry, you two. My daughter...”
“What are you talking about, Benedict? I like this nickname. Until now, all I heard from the child was crying, but Flimsy Duke! If only other children were treated so kindly.”
“Me too. Until now, all I heard were names like ‘demon’ and ‘witch,’ but Flimsy Duchess?”
The two smiled as they patted Benedict on the shoulder, but neither he nor anyone else took those words sincerely.
They only thought that Lucy, being the daughter of a great hero and Benedict’s friend, was being forgiven for her rudeness.
After all, those who uttered those words were at the center of many terrifying rumors about the Partlan family.
If someone believed those words, filled with mere politeness, and behaved similarly, their life would surely come to an end that day.
“Oh dear. I’ve been holding onto you too long. It’s been a while since I attended a party; I should enjoy myself. I’ll take my leave now.”
Amidst the duke’s terrifying laughter, the party attendees mustered their voices.
No one could think that the duke’s words about enjoying the party were merely directed at the Alrn duo.
Was it because it had been a long time since I was outside the mansion? Benedict was busily meeting people.
There were so many who wanted to greet him that a circle had formed around Benedict.
Watching this, I quietly slipped away from his side and headed to a corner of the party hall. Unlike Benedict, the gazes directed at me were anything but kind.
<Their hostility is quite direct.> ‘Indeed.’
While I was at the academy, most people didn’t hate me; rather, they feared me.
However, this place was different. The people here didn’t hide their animosity toward me.
Even when I stood a little way in front, it felt suffocating. How did Lucy endure that?
Now I even felt a sense of respect. Truly.
<How much karma must she have accumulated in the past? Even with the duke showing his protective intentions, it's still this intense.>
The old man sounded as if he were shocked, but I didn’t respond.
Maybe he didn’t expect a reply. The old man quickly changed the subject.
<At least not everyone is filled with hostility, which is somewhat reassuring.>
As the old man said, not everyone was watching me with sharp eyes.
There were people who seemed unfamiliar with high society. Those who appeared to distance themselves from noble status were looking at me with curiosity.
Could this be part of the reward given by the trashy deity?
I still didn’t quite feel it yet.
Arriving in a less noticeable corner, I scanned the party hall, searching for acquaintances.
Joie and Faybi stood at the center of this party. Surrounded by a multitude of people, it seemed they wouldn’t be able to escape from that crowd.
Prey was busy munching on food in another corner. Had Arthur not arrived yet?
Ah, there’s Avery.
When our eyes met, I frowned slightly.
Hey, you know about what happened at the auction, right?
Avery nodded eagerly.
Despite her character, she certainly had quick wit.
As I thought this, I propped my chin up and noticed Jeff walking toward me from afar.
The prince of the Partlan family, who should be at the center of this party, had come all the way to this corner.
There could only be one reason for that.
“Lady Alrn, are you ready to present your thoughts?”
No, I’m not.
I’m prepared, but I don’t want to present.
Can I pass?
You just saw it, right? If I step onto that stage, something is definitely going to go wrong.
Do you really want such a disaster to occur at the party?
Though I grumbled internally, my outward words were completely the opposite.
‘Yes, I’m ready.’
“Of course, my sly prince.”
I wasn’t the kind of person who would have the courage to flee from this situation.
Well then, let’s go and tarnish my reputation.
...
I really don’t want to go...