A moment later, as the carriage window opened, a small and delicate face appeared.

“It’s alright. Don’t worry, you can start moving.”

At the gentle and soft-spoken words, passersby couldn’t help but stare at the man.

The luxurious attire visible through the window clearly indicated he was a nobleman. However, it wasn’t just the clothing that caught their attention. The face revealed beneath the golden hair swept back was not merely handsome, but dazzling. While everyone was staring in awe, they couldn’t help but be surprised once again by the appearance of another person.

“It’s dangerous.”

The man with the deep voice carefully pulled the golden-haired man back inside.

He had vivid green eyes amidst jet-black hair. His appearance gave off an impression completely opposite to that of the dazzling golden-haired man. Though as delicate and beautiful as a sculpture, a strange killing intent seemed to permeate his entire being.

“Shall we depart quickly?”

At that moment, another man inside the carriage urged the coachman. The man leaning his arm on the window had such light ash-gray hair and eyes that one might mistake it for white at first glance. Despite his friendly curved eyes, he gave off a chilling impression. Surprisingly, the three men in the carriage had completely different impressions, with no similarities to be found. The only clear commonality was that all three possessed an otherworldly beauty rarely seen anywhere.

“Ah, yes!”

As the coachman turned, the window closed with a thud. The onlookers let out a sigh. These were beings of such heavenly beauty that they would be unforgettable for a lifetime.

However, the atmosphere inside the carriage was completely different from the heaven imagined by those outside.

“……”

It couldn’t be more murderous than this.

Oscar looked back and forth between the two with a slightly nauseated expression.

In front of Zachary, who was tightly holding Oscar, Erhan was smiling, but his eyes were cold as if he might cut down his opponent at any moment.

Oscar pressed his forehead, feeling a throbbing headache. He hadn’t expected the two to suddenly get along now. But even so, it was truly exhausting, feeling like he was holding a time bomb that could explode at any moment.

“Oscar, I’m really sorry, but I’m not feeling well. Erhan says he’ll go instead, is that alright?”

The problem was that Oscar’s mother, Adelaide, had suddenly caught a cold. She had been excited about going to the banquet with Oscar after a long time, but she couldn’t go due to a severe throat cold. That’s when Erhan stepped up, saying he would deliver the gift she had prepared instead. And the result was…

‘I can’t even drink water…’

This combination of the three.

It feels like I’m going to choke. Oscar looked back and forth between Zachary, who was tightly embracing his shoulder, and Erhan, who was smiling faintly, before letting out a deep sigh. During the journey to the Raven family, the two didn’t exchange a single word.

‘I’m worried.’

What if these two cause trouble at the banquet meant to congratulate Genevieve? Oscar began to doubt whether his decision to attend the banquet was the right choice.

However, it was already too late to turn back. When he slightly opened the window due to the commotion outside, he saw not only the Serpentine family’s carriage but carriages from all sorts of families lined up.

“We have arrived.”

Without time to hesitate, Oscar stepped into the lavishly decorated Raven family mansion.

***

‘What on earth…’

I was astonished.

It was beyond ordinary, just as mother had said it would be a large-scale banquet. As soon as I saw the people filling the banquet hall, I inadvertently made a nauseated expression, and quickly tried to manage my facial expression.

‘Is it because it’s been a long time since I’ve attended such an event?’

It’s not like it’s unusual for there to be many people at a banquet. But previously, even with such a large crowd, I hadn’t felt this exhausted. Perhaps it’s because it’s been too long since I’ve mingled with so many people. I felt nauseous. When I stumbled for a moment after being slightly bumped by a passing person’s arm, Zachary firmly caught me.

“Thank you.”

As I raised my head while leaning on him, Zachary was staring at me. It seemed he had been looking only at me from the beginning. Zachary also seemed uncomfortable in this place, with his brow slightly furrowed. But his concern and worry for me seemed even greater.

“Be careful. There are too many people.”

I was fully reflected in his deep green eyes. The green eyes that had initially felt only awkward now seemed quite familiar. However, I still couldn’t get used to his tone that suggested he was worried I might get lost, as if I were a child.

“You be careful too.”

At my words, he tilted his head with an expression that seemed to ask what I meant. Seeing him like that, I barely managed to hide a bitter smile.

‘He really is the protagonist.’

Zachary, dressed up for the banquet, was incredibly beautiful. Of course, despite wearing dark attire as per my mother’s instruction not to stand out too much, his appearance couldn’t be hidden. His sturdy body, with contours visible even through his clothes, and his strong impression were enough to draw people’s attention.

Even now, it’s evident. I could feel glances from nearby directed towards us. It was clear they were all looking at Zachary.

“I’m more worried about you than myself.”

My voice came out a bit grumpy without me realizing it. Am I being petty if I’m bothered today by the gazes of others pretending not to look at him?

Although I had wanted to go to the banquet together, now that people were paying attention to him, I felt constantly on edge. As the glances increased one by one, I even started to regret suggesting we go to the banquet together.

“Hmm…”

Zachary blinked and tilted his head slightly. As I kept my mouth tightly shut, he seemed to wonder why I was suddenly acting this way, but he brought his face closer to mine.

“I’ll bring some drinks and light snacks. Please wait here.”

He probably thought I was being sensitive because I hadn’t eaten since morning. But that wasn’t it. By the time I thought about suggesting we go together, Zachary had already disappeared, smoothly making his way through the crowd.

“Oscar!”

“Genevieve.”

Just as the Raven family head’s speech ended, Genevieve, the protagonist of this banquet, called out to me. She must have spotted me while greeting the invited guests.

She was incredibly beautiful, befitting the protagonist of the banquet. With her jet-black hair styled up and wearing a snow-white dress, she was undoubtedly the star of this event.

“You look so beautiful, Genevieve.”

“Who’s more beautiful to say such a thing? Thank you for coming such a long way. By the way, what kind of gift is it to be so large?”

In front of her were piles of gifts for her. Among the many gifts brought by the nobles, the one I had chosen stood out particularly due to its size.

“Well, it’s nothing special.”

Honestly, I hadn’t known they would display the gifts like this when I brought it.

“It’s a baby crib.”

“A baby crib? But why is it so…”

“It’s big enough for the parents to sleep together with the baby.”

It was a large baby crib. In this world, all baby cribs were uniformly small. So I had pestered a craftsman to make a special custom one.

“Oh my, thank you.”

Fortunately, Genevieve seemed to love it. I had gifted it remembering how she had talked about wanting to hold the baby close while sleeping.

“Genevieve, you must be very tired, right?”

“Well, I…”

Genevieve’s face looked extremely tired. It was just last week that she had given me the invitation, but it looked as if years had passed since then.

Well, the number of guests she had invited was enormous.

‘Everyone’s looking this way.’

The gazes touching my cheeks all felt prickly.

“I guess they’re curious to see an ex-husband at a safe childbirth banquet.”

Genevieve, also feeling those gazes, whispered to me. Of course it would be intriguing to see a divorced couple standing so close together.

“Genevieve…”

There were quite a few people whispering, unaware of the circumstances of our contract marriage. I didn’t mind since I wouldn’t be showing my face in social circles much anyway, but was Genevieve really okay with this?

“Look over there. That noble usually doesn’t care about these things, but they’re staring this way. They must find it really interesting.”

…She seems fine.

Judging by her slightly flushed face and faint smile, she seemed to be quite enjoying the attention directed at us. As I let out a small laugh in disbelief, Genevieve smiled back at me. As we were exchanging brief pleasantries, someone came looking for Genevieve.

“Genevieve, I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Why are you moving around so quickly?”

The person who appeared, grumbling at Genevieve, was holding a cane. And I could immediately recognize who he was.