MCFATTKM

74

Grace's voice trembled like a leaf as she spoke. Lelia pondered for a moment and asked,

"Ah, if you're saying that out of fear that Prince Damien might misunderstand..."

"No!"

When asked if it was because she really liked Prince Damian, Miss Grace waved her hands and denied it.

"I didn't stalk him! I never had it in mind in the first place. I was just misunderstood...."

"I thought so."

"......!"
Grace was choked up.

For she never thought that Sir Raymond, whom she had only talked to properly a couple of times, would trust her.

He also came to her while she was standing all alone.

Even her fiancé was laughing at her over there with other male nobles.

Her heart felt like a smoldering wreck, and she wanted to run away from this place. She was holding on because she feared that her family's honour would be irrevocably damaged if she fled.

Lelia began to say a few words instead of suggesting a dance again since Miss Grace was stiff with tension.

It was all small talk.

"It seems that many birds live in Auraria Imperial Palace. Thanks to them, no matter how late I fall asleep, I wake up early in the morning."

In times like these, light conversations can make a person feel more comfortable.

Lelia knew Grace's heart.

When she was younger, she was bullied by Superion territory nobles her own age. She did not tell her grandfather, uncle or aunt.

"Thank you, Sir Raymond."
Thanks to Lelia's consideration, Grace gradually felt better.

Just by having Sir Raymond stand with her, the eyes of the people no longer felt as frightening as the blade of a knife. Those who had been openly staring at Grace now glanced at the two of them and began to whisper.

Some nobles, who still had sympathy for Miss Grace, praised Sir Raymond.

"He is a true gentleman."
Most valued their positions and were wary of Prince Damian, but there were male aristocrats who valued chivalry above all else.

"You have such a beautiful appearance, but you also have a righteous side."

"Oh... It's so cool. I'm so envious of Miss Grace, it's so romantic."

The noble women looked at them with warm eyes, while smiling softly.

On the other hand, some male aristocrats gasped at the sight.

"Is that okay? To be a foreign aristocrat and openly disregarding Prince Damian."

"That's impudent of him. He looks so weak and nervous, women don't know what kind of man they like..."

"They must have damaged their eyes."

Romeo, who was watching this all from the terrace, rested his arms on the handrail upstairs and continued to observe Lelia.

His eyes were as sharp as a blade.

***

Lelia had her conversation with Grace, where she listened closely to her details of the misunderstandings about her.

Lelia pressed her lips together as she contemplated after everything she heard.

[Oh, my God.]

As expected, Miss Grace was in a really unfair position.