Cedric Lowell stared at Eileen Cassier for a long moment before finally speaking.
"...So you really aren't wearing any earrings."
"No. They confiscated all of them."
It might have sounded like a joke, but unfortunately, it was the truth.
Suppressing a sigh, Eileen recalled the small pieces of jewelry she had carefully set aside to match her extravagant evening gowns.
Those were all she had left now.
Even so, she had no desire to be pitied.
Soon, she would have to return to the Cassier territory. The people who had seized control there might not tolerate her causing any more trouble.
...The Emperor?
If she tearfully pleaded for help, perhaps he would intervene.
But the man who effectively controlled the Cassier County now was skilled at flattery. He had already secured the Crown Prince's favor at an alarming pace.
The Crown Prince was moving to acquire the immense wealth and influence of House Cassier and was handling most state affairs in the Emperor's stead.
Even an engagement personally endorsed by the Emperor would not be enough.
Relying on the Imperial Family was now nearly impossible.
Besides... the Emperor never cared much about someone like me in the first place.
The younger sister he had truly cherished was already gone. Her death had dealt a fatal blow to the Emperor's already failing health.
"...Confiscated?"
At that moment, Cedric's face entered her field of vision. He was looking at her with obvious confusion.
Cedric Lowell.
He was the sort of person whose emotions—whether anger or sadness—showed plainly on his face, yet he seemed completely unaware of that fact.
"You don't look like someone who lets other people take things from you."
"I didn't give them up willingly."
Eileen answered briefly and fell silent.
Cedric waited.
Normally, when people said something like that, they continued with an explanation. Diana, his childhood friend, certainly would have. Once she started talking, she rarely stopped.
But Eileen said nothing.
As though that was the entire story.
I told her everything...
The thought surfaced in Cedric's mind.
The last time they had spoken, he had revealed far more of his heart than he ever intended. He had regretted it for days afterward.
Yet now he had come to a conclusion.
Perhaps he had never treated Eileen Cassier fairly from the beginning.
So if she shared even a little of what she truly felt—if she confided her worries or wishes—he intended to listen, even if he pretended he had no choice.
If they each revealed one weakness, perhaps things would finally be equal.
"What are you doing? Let's go inside."
"...Alright."
But Eileen still seemed to have no intention of sharing anything.
He shouldn't have felt disappointed.
And yet he did.
Extending his hand, he guided her into the ballroom, unable to shake the strange heaviness settling in his chest.
"My, my. What a lovely couple you make. Lord Lowell must be so fortunate to have such a beautiful fiancée."
A noblewoman's compliment immediately caught Cedric off guard.
His expression turned serious, but in truth he was desperately searching for an appropriate response.
"Thank you, Madam. Have you been well recently?"
Before the awkward silence could stretch any further, Eileen smoothly stepped in.
Cedric's gaze naturally shifted toward her.
Unlike him, she moved through the ballroom with practiced ease, exchanging greetings and pleasantries wherever she went.
"Oh, I'm always the same. But truly, you look radiant today. If only my daughter resembled Lady Cassier half as much."
"No matter how much effort I put into etiquette, I could never compare to Lady Child's embroidery skills. I'm the one who should be learning from her."
"Exactly, Madam! Everyone was praising that embroidered handkerchief!"
To Cedric, these noblewomen were far more difficult to deal with than the young ladies who approached him with obvious interest.
Yet strangely enough, even they seemed gentler whenever they spoke to Eileen.
"Cedric. That man over there—the head of a famous western merchant company. Remember him."
She lightly tapped his arm and whispered the advice.
"...I already know who he is."
"Then don't stop at knowing him. Build a relationship. There's never any downside to being friendly with wealthy, well-connected people."
It was a completely practical observation.
Yet for some reason, Cedric couldn't answer immediately.
"The duchy isn't short on money."
"I'm not talking about power. I'm talking about influence. If his company is looking to expand, he could become useful."
Eileen genuinely believed that although Cedric possessed pride, he still didn't fully understand the extent of his own influence.
"Even if you never conduct business directly, it's important to earn goodwill."
"...Fine."
The answer was reluctant, but Eileen was satisfied simply because he agreed.
Then, suddenly, she found herself wondering something.
Why was she helping Cedric this much?
An image flashed through her mind.
Cedric with his shoulders slumped, exhausted beneath the weight of countless responsibilities.
Always carrying everything alone...
But she had no time to dwell on the thought.
Before she had taken more than a few steps, another noble intercepted her.
"Eileen! It's been so long. Have you been well?"
"Yes, thanks to your concern."
"Oh, this is my nephew. He recently arrived in the capital..."
The noblewoman eagerly introduced her nephew, hoping to expand his social circle.
In the process, Eileen failed to notice that Cedric had quietly slipped away.
"Cedric, you—"
By the time she finished the conversation and turned around, he was gone.
Startled, she looked around.
A short distance away, he was speaking with a group of noblemen.
At the center stood a large middle-aged man, and the atmosphere around them was lively.
The man was none other than Baron Rotner, the head of the largest merchant guild in the western region.
The very person she had pointed out to Cedric moments earlier.
Did he really listen to me and act on it immediately?
Eileen slowly wrapped up her conversation and watched him.
"Lord Lowell truly is..."
"Indeed..."
The Baron laughed heartily as he spoke, and Cedric, surprisingly, looked completely at ease.
Far from being intimidated, he was exchanging opinions naturally.
Maybe I worried for nothing.
At that moment, Cedric turned his head.
Their eyes met.
After a brief hesitation, he said something to the Baron.
The Baron glanced toward Eileen and smiled.
Then he lightly patted Cedric's shoulder and gestured as if telling him to go ahead.
"...Well, of course..."
She couldn't hear the conversation clearly, but she could easily guess what had been said.
Cedric had undoubtedly told him he was going to see his fiancée.
He began walking toward her with light, easy steps.
Why now of all times...
Just then, Countess Cassier and her two daughters appeared from the opposite side of the ballroom, dressed in extravagant finery.
Eileen's expression instantly hardened.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Having reached her side, Cedric immediately noticed the change in her face and frowned.
"...My feet hurt a little. I'd like to rest for a moment."
"Are you alright? Does it hurt badly? Should I walk with you?"
Was she really feeling unwell?
Noticing the tension in her body, Cedric's concern only deepened as he studied her carefully.