“Ah, right. This is your first time meeting, isn’t it? This is…”

“Hello. I’m Dave, Genevieve’s husband.”

“Nice to meet you, Dave.”

Genevieve’s lover, Dave, matched the description she had consistently given in her letters.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Oscar.”

Although they hadn’t held an official wedding ceremony at the Raven family, it seemed they had ultimately accepted him since they were having a child.

As he had mentioned living by the sea, his large frame was covered in tanned skin. Despite his friendly demeanor, he seemed to be subtly wary of me, which made me smile awkwardly.

‘I suppose that’s natural.’

Seeing Dave, who knew all about our circumstances, make such an expression, I could understand why Zachary had been so cautious of Genevieve. Even if it had been a relationship bound by a mere contract, we had been married on the surface. It was natural for things to be awkward.

“By the way, I was wondering why there were so many people gathered here…”

As Genevieve had said, there were unusually many people in this area. As I blinked and looked around, Genevieve glanced over my shoulder and chuckled.

“I’d want to come here too if I were them.”

As I widened my eyes at her cryptic words, a silky voice came from behind.

“I finally have the chance to greet you.”

Erhan, who had been surrounded by people until just now, had somehow approached and was greeting Genevieve with a smile.

The problem was that people were still swarming around Erhan like bees. Well, he is the young Duke of the Serpentine family and unmarried. Moreover, he’s involved in various businesses, so there were always many people around Erhan.

“It’s a pleasure to see you. I never expected the Duke of Serpentine to come in person.”

“The honor is mine to be able to attend this event blessing the precious child of the Raven family.”

I looked at the two of them anew. Although the Serpentine family wasn’t on particularly good terms with the Raven family, perhaps due to my marriage to Genevieve, there were no anxious gazes watching this meeting of the two families as there might have been before.

“What kind of combination is this? So, ex-husband, current husband, and…”

“Speak quietly!”

“How interesting. I guess the world has really progressed a lot.”

…Of course, people were still looking at us strangely, but for different reasons.

“Along with the gift prepared by my mother, I’ve also sent a small token from myself. I hope they will be of use.”

“Of use? Please don’t say such things. Your thoughtfulness alone is more than enough.”

The two of them probably had very few occasions to face each other directly. That’s why their conversation looked quite awkward to me. Genevieve smiled like a picture, and Erhan responded with elegance. I couldn’t help but admire the graceful gestures and speech they both used.

“Well then, I hope you enjoy the banquet, humble as it may be.”

“Thank you.”

After finishing her greetings with Erhan, Genevieve’s gaze immediately turned to me. To be precise, she seemed to be looking just beside me.

Before I could turn my head to see who was there, a familiar scent wafted by. Someone had pressed close to me and naturally placed their hand on my shoulder. It was Zachary, who had quickly returned with snacks and drinks. He took my hand and placed a glass in it.

“It’s water. I thought you might be thirsty.”

“Thank you.”

My throat instinctively tightened at the voice close to my ear.

“…Oh.”

Seeing Genevieve’s surprised eyes, I couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. It seemed she hadn’t expected Zachary to actually come either. After a moment of surprise, Genevieve stumbled slightly as she began to speak.

“Za… Mr. Kale, you came too. It’s nice to see you.”

Kale. The owner of that name, so awkward and unfamiliar that one might wonder who it could be, was…

“Thank you for your kind hospitality.”

It was Zachary. Zachary spoke with an expressionless face, but his brow was slightly furrowed as if he didn’t like this situation. Zachary was currently using the fake identity of Kale, provided by my mother.

‘It really doesn’t suit him…’

The problem was that the name Kale didn’t suit Zachary at all.

However, feeling that I shouldn’t burst out laughing here, I turned my head slightly, but Zachary seemed to have already noticed. He sighed lightly and bowed his head slightly. Then he pressed close to me, almost as if embracing me from behind.

“…Oh.”

I widened my eyes in surprise, not expecting him to act like this in public. Erhan clicked his tongue, and Genevieve let out a small exclamation of “Oh my.” I could feel the gazes of the nobles focusing on us once again.

Zachary didn’t stop there. Still standing close behind me, he reached out his hand. His hand was aimed at the glass I was holding.

He lightly brushed over my hand as if enveloping it, and easily snatched the glass away. Then he immediately brought it to his own lips and drank. His movements were so fluid, like flowing water, that I couldn’t help but turn to look at him.

“I hear that a lot. It doesn’t seem to fit me, does it?”

He merely answered calmly after lightly wetting his lips with the glass. His brow was still furrowed as if he didn’t particularly like the situation, but the problem was that my face was starting to turn red at the sight. He smiled faintly as he handed the glass back to me.

‘I guess I’m weak to a dressed-up Zachary.’

I quickly turned my head and barely managed to hide my reddening face by lowering it.

How can a person be so provocative? We’ve had much more intimate physical contact than this before, but for some reason, my heart just sank and fluttered at that moment.

“…Oscar?”

When I suddenly turned my head forward, Zachary called out to me, looking a bit surprised. He was clearly about to ask if I wasn’t feeling well.

“Ah, I’m just hot.”

If I hesitated any longer here, Zachary would come even closer. I smiled as I gently pushed Zachary away, saying it was probably because he was so close.

“Hot, you say? Are you running a fever?”

The problem was Zachary’s reaction. He seemed to move away obediently at my words, but immediately came close again.

‘This won’t do.’

At this rate, I felt like I would end up revealing my reddened face to everyone.

This is troublesome… As I was about to step back again, my lips quivering.

“You’re being excessive.”

Fortunately, Erhan pulled on my wrist.

As I was dragged along by Erhan, moving away from Zachary, I couldn’t help but make a relieved expression.

Now that I seemed to have calmed down a bit, I raised my head again, only to freeze. Zachary was glaring at Erhan, not hiding his sharp expression.

It was different from the cold look I had seen in the carriage. Zachary, who was glaring at Erhan with a fierce expression as if he would tear him apart at any moment, pulled me back to his side.

“You’re touching him carelessly again.”

Despite his fierce tone, the hand pulling me was full of caution. So before I could even refuse, I was immediately back with Zachary, looking at Erhan.

“Carelessly, you say?”

Erhan’s mood seemed to have soured, his mouth twitching greatly. Even the smile he had been wearing out of courtesy until just now was gone.

“That’s an arrogant expression, Kale.”

Erhan emphasized the word ‘Kale’. It looked as if he was trying to give a warning.

Erhan stared coldly at Zachary with a deeply sunken voice, not hiding his expression that showed how utterly displeased he was. Naturally, Zachary’s expression hardened even more fiercely in response.

“Stop it. We’re not the only ones here…”

A chill ran down my spine. If these two were to clash in the midst of so many people, it would be a disaster.

I looked at Genevieve, trying to gauge the situation. I was checking her reaction because it felt like we were ruining her celebration, but…

‘Why is she making that expression?’

Genevieve’s expression was completely unexpected. Even though her banquet might be ruined, her expression looked more intrigued than anyone else’s. Only Dave, standing beside her, had an uncomfortable and fearful expression, as if he had sensed the killing intent between the two. Well, that’s probably the more normal reaction.

‘This won’t do.’

I sensed that this was not the time to be leisurely enjoying the banquet.

We had come to the banquet, seen Genevieve, and given her the gift. Just as I was about to say we should leave early…

“Um, I’m sorry to interrupt your conversation suddenly, but…”

A small voice cut in before I could even open my mouth. It was a very small voice, but strangely, it pierced my ears clearly. I slowly turned my head. It was a woman with a very small build.

Wearing a pale green dress, with long black hair neatly tied up, she slowly raised her head. I took in a breath.

“Is your name… Kale, by any chance?”

“Oh my. Laura?”