Chapter 36
The princess’s coming-of-age banquet had begun.
The lavishly decorated ballroom grew noisier as more guests poured in.
As if on cue, everyone began showing off like peacocks, each trying to outshine the other.
And yet, their attention was fixed on one thing—the door.
They were all waiting to see the “Mad Dog” make her entrance.
Everyone pretended otherwise, ears perked for the announcement, until finally—
“Young Lord Noah Winter, Lady Siena Winter are entering!”
At the herald’s booming voice, the bustling ballroom fell silent in an instant.
All eyes turned toward the door.
Of course they did. The nobles here weren’t interested in the princess—what they wanted to see was Siena, returning to society after a six-month absence.
Did Siena Winter really let go of Rio Maze?
They say she has a new man—who is he?
Rumor has it she doesn’t have much time left to live. Is it true?
And when Siena finally appeared, people audibly caught their breath.
“So the rumor was true. She… she really has a new man…”
Seeing the mysterious man escorting Siena, nobles snapped open their fans and began whispering.
“They say he’s a commoner. Could that be true?”
“If he were from a famous family, we’d have heard of him. He’s a commoner.”
“Well, it’s certain the lady has moved on to someone new. Miss Daphne can stop worrying now.”
“You never know. Maybe it’s just a jealousy ploy.”
“Oh, come on. Lady Siena’s pride is way too high for that.”
“Who knows? She was obsessed with the Marquis of Maze.”
“More importantly—did you see her dress?”
Nobles glanced at each other and nodded in agreement.
Today, Siena wasn’t flashy—instead, she radiated elegance. The soft, translucent makeup made her look pure and innocent.
“Which atelier made that dress?”
“I thought no one could outshine Daphne’s gown from Brook Atelier…”
Their murmurs naturally drifted toward Daphne.
Her dress, made by the Empire’s most famous atelier, was dazzlingly ornate… yet it honestly didn’t suit her.
It was less like she was wearing the dress and more like the dress was wearing her.
By contrast, Siena’s gown looked as if it had been made just for her.
This time, the lady wins.
It was the thought that crossed everyone’s minds—even though Siena herself had intended not to stand out.
Feeling the way people compared them, Daphne’s expression stiffened.
“…Rio. Lady Siena looks beautiful again today.”
“You’re the most beautiful in my eyes, so don’t worry.”
Rio’s answer was textbook, but it didn’t satisfy Daphne.
She wanted to be beautiful in everyone’s eyes.
“It’s fine, Daphne. Siena won’t bother you anymore.”
Gently, Rio comforted her—instinctively aware of Daphne’s lingering fear of Siena.
“…Do you think so?”
“Yes. And even if something did happen, I’d protect you.”
“…Alright. I’ll trust you, Rio.”
With a delicate smile that looked ready to crumble, Daphne leaned into his chest—then fixed her gaze on Siena and the man at her side.
Who is he? I’ve never seen him before…
At that moment, Siena’s crimson eyes met hers, and Daphne flinched.
Her eyes…
The fierce, predatory glare that had always seemed ready to devour her was gone.
Even though Siena was looking right at her, her eyes were calm as a still lake—and strangely, that filled Daphne with unease.
Siena seemed like a completely different person.
Why did she change? Can a person change like that overnight?
Without realizing it, Daphne’s grip on Rio’s hand tightened.
“Daphne?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Yes. It had to be nothing.
Still the center of attention, as always.
I accepted the stares from all directions with practiced ease.
Well, of course they were curious—after vanishing for half a year, they must have been wondering if I was even alive.
Behold—the return of the Mad Dog, here to put some tension back into this complacent society.
I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin.
Then, with the same arrogant look I used to wear, I swept my gaze around the room.
Those who met my eyes flinched and looked away in a hurry.
Hereis, clearly holding back a laugh, spoke in a low voice.
“So the ‘Mad Dog’ thing was true, huh.”
“What.”
“Intimidating people with just your eyes—you really are something.”
Trying to change the subject, are we?
“You seem used to the attention yourself.”
“I’ve been to plenty of banquets.”
Well, he was from House Eckbert—once a highly esteemed noble family, now gone from history.
If I remember right, they were famous for their swordsmanship.
For a mage to come from a martial family… unusual.
Escorting me with practiced grace, Hereis led us to a suitable spot.
“Siena, I’ll be right back.”
“Alright.”
Once Noah had stepped away and it was just the two of us, Hereis leaned in to whisper.
“Si-si, you said you didn’t like that guy.”
“I didn’t!”
“Then why are there rumors you were obsessed with him, hmm?”
His lips were smiling, but his eyes were cold.
“They say you’re using me to make your ‘ex-fiancé’ jealous.”
“Who said that? Which bastard was it?”
I glared around; people scrambled to look away.
But Hereis wasn’t interested in them—he was focused solely on me.
“Answer me, Si-si. Were you obsessed with him?”
“…Right now it feels like you’re the one obsessed.”
“Want me to show you what real obsession looks like?”
Before I could react, he grabbed my hand—his eyes glinting like someone half out of their mind.
He’s seriously jealous, isn’t he…?
I reluctantly opened my mouth.
“…I’ve always been possessive about what’s mine.”
Rio had been mine, so of course I hadn’t wanted to lose him—whatever the reason, he’d been my fiancé.
“Yeah?”
“…Yeah.”
Something felt… ominous. His eyes softened into a smile.
“Then you’ll be possessive about me too.”
He lowered his lips to my hand.
“Because I’m yours.”
My skin burned where he kissed me. Startled, I quickly pulled my hand back.
“Si-si, right?”
“Right, my foot—!”
“Oh my!”
A passing young lady, face flushed, stared at us.
“I-I beg your pardon!”
Hiding her face behind a fan, she vanished before I could stop her.
No doubt she’d be back among her circle by now, spreading the story.
“…You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
“I told you—I’ll be the perfect lover for you.”
I pushed him away in exasperation, but he stayed close enough that our shoulders touched.
“Once they see that, no one will say you’re using me out of leftover feelings again.”
“…Huh?”
Now that I thought about it—he was right.
I’d been too shocked by the sudden contact to notice, but his method worked.
It was a bit overbearing and sticky, but undeniably effective.
Just like he said, the stares we’d lost were returning, and words like lover and flirting drifted over from the music-filled hall.
“Heren.”
“No need to thank me. I can feel your gratitude.”
His shamelessness completely killed my urge to praise him.
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Fine. I’ll do it again whenever some fool talks nonsense.”
“No thanks.”
Really, I could never win against him in an exchange.
While I was grumbling inwardly, I felt a different kind of gaze.
It was Rio—and Daphne.
Their expressions were priceless.
Rio, who was always so expressionless, now looked dumbfounded, mouth slightly open.
His eyes flicked from me, to Hereis, to the hand Hereis had kissed—like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
And Daphne…
Wow… I’ve never seen her make a face like that before.
Even when I tormented her, she always managed to smile.
Now, for the first time, her pretty brows were furrowed.
This… isn’t bad.
For once, it felt like I’d gotten the upper hand on both of them.
Noticing my reaction, Hereis slipped an arm around my shoulders.
“That him? The guy who cheated on you?”
“Yeah.”
Instead of shrugging him off, I leaned my head against his shoulder.
If we were doing this, we might as well go all the way.
“And the one next to him is the woman he cheated with?”
“That’s right.”
Hereis gave them both a slow once-over, then curled his lips.
“Not much to look at.”
