Don’t you think you’re too close to the floor?
‘Hey, you don’t have to do that…!’
I looked around quickly. I could feel the stares of astonished nobles behind the dense veil.
This performance must have been very intense.
But even so, once wouldn’t be enough to pique their curiosity, would it?
How many more times would I have to perform this act, and how much longer would it take?
Once was enough.
After Astel and her companions left with their art acquisition, rumors of her spread like wildfire in the salon.
It was about the great knight Lord Mayer, revered by all, and the mysterious lady he served.
“Have you heard the story?”
“What story?”
“Why, about the lady who is said to serve as the Duke’s ward…”
“…The one that no one still knows her exact identity, right?”
“And why did she buy that most shabby painting?”
“I think it’s a piece that’s not worthy of a salon…”
“…I’m really curious, what could be wrong with it.”
That day, interest in Astel surged to a fever pitch.
The two bright-eared beasts pretended to leave the salon, leaned against the outside wall, and listened breathlessly to the commotion inside.
After a moment’s lurking, Ricardo smiled a sinister laugh.
‘You’ve earned your meal today.’
It had been a long time since anyone had petted him while he was a jaguar, and somehow, he felt like he might become addicted to the feeling of being a pet as if he were a cat.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Grandpa, I want to be petted too!”
“Let me pet you!”
They clasped hands and ran toward Astel and Mayer.
Instead of heading straight back to the ducal mansion, I stopped at a shop.
Wizard Street, to be exact, where they sell magical items.
Sally and Jenny, who had been lingering outside the salon, were quite curious about the events of the day and were about to chatter away.
But Lord Mayer, who had gotten a bit carried away with his pretend escorting knight, cut them off.
‘I’m afraid the effects of this performance will be long-lasting…’
I shuddered a little, but I didn’t hate Lord Mayer’s stern demeanor.
Maybe I’m just addicted to playing the overbearing aristocrat…
“What would you like to purchase, my lady?”
I turned to Lord Mayer and spoke lightly.
“Alas… I would like to make a gift.”
“…Something you wish to gift? What is it?”
At Ricardo’s question, I carefully showed him the bundles of magic threads on display through the window.
“These are magic threads. I’m going to knit a shawl! When I get better, I’ll make you one too.”
“That’s great, my dear!”
‘I’ll give them to everyone, and then I’ll sneak one for my brother.’
I giggled and nodded. I couldn’t wait to make all of them a scarf!
It’s been just a week since the events at the salon.
Astel received the painting and hung it in her room. She often invited Bell and Ricardo over to dine in front of it.
I haven’t forgotten to knit, and I’m almost finished with the shawl.
I hadn’t heard from Cassian since our meeting, and although I was on edge, I continued to live my life in peace.
Meanwhile…
The capital has been engulfed in a storm of interest in Astel.
From the salons to the streets, talk of Astel, the lady the Duke of Anais favored, was everywhere.
Lady of Lord Mayer and favored ward of the Duke of Anais.
But no one knows her true identity.
Rumors of her being a mere mortal, or of her having hybrid beast blood, have begun to circulate.
The legendary lady who appeared in the cafe and arrogantly raised her chin while petting a jaguar and a silver fox!
At every tea party, gossip and rumors about Astel spread rapidly.
Even the noble ladies, who usually revel in gossip and pride themselves on their nobility and elegance, were talking about Astel with their faces covered by veiled hats or fans.
“Someone saw her at the palace, and they said she was even younger than I thought!”
“No, that can’t be true, I saw her in the salon, and she was a ravishing beauty!”
Astel’s intention of covering her face while pretending to be an exquisite lady worked quite well.
Thanks to her deliberately false image, none of the rumors were accurate.
A figure so questionable and mysterious was bound to be the center of attention.
“Who exactly is she?”
The gazes of the young women met.
“Blond hair, green eyes… Yes, I can’t even guess! They say she’s an ordinary commoner, but maybe she’s a beast… Maybe she’s of the fox family?”
“From what I’ve heard, she’s also the Duke’s lover…”
A young lady’s words made some stagger.
The Duke of Anais was feared by many, but he was also the object of romance.
He was a mystery in his own right, and the Lord of the North.
“I assume that the Duke will be attending the Lore Foundation Ball with the Princess?”
“…I’m sure Her Highness will be there, too.”
There had been rumors of a marriage pact of sorts between the Duke of Anais and the Princess recently.
The Duke of Anais had brought a mysterious lady with him.
Could it be a love triangle? Or was marriage to the princess just a part of the imperial duties?
“I’ve never been so nervous to attend a palace banquet before…”
The noble youths exchanged glances with each other, all with serious looks in their eyes.
There were only ten days left until the Imperial Palace Banquet to celebrate the victory of the Demon War.
Duke Anais had already announced his intention to attend.
But would the mysterious Lady attend?
And so all eyes were on Astel to see if she would show up.
Don’t you think you’re too close to the floor?
‘Hey, you don’t have to do that…!’
I looked around quickly. I could feel the stares of astonished nobles behind the dense veil.
This performance must have been very intense.
But even so, once wouldn’t be enough to pique their curiosity, would it?
How many more times would I have to perform this act, and how much longer would it take?
Once was enough.
After Astel and her companions left with their art acquisition, rumors of her spread like wildfire in the salon.
It was about the great knight Lord Mayer, revered by all, and the mysterious lady he served.
“Have you heard the story?”
“What story?”
“Why, about the lady who is said to serve as the Duke’s ward…”
“…The one that no one still knows her exact identity, right?”
“And why did she buy that most shabby painting?”
“I think it’s a piece that’s not worthy of a salon…”
“…I’m really curious, what could be wrong with it.”
That day, interest in Astel surged to a fever pitch.
The two bright-eared beasts pretended to leave the salon, leaned against the outside wall, and listened breathlessly to the commotion inside.
After a moment’s lurking, Ricardo smiled a sinister laugh.
‘You’ve earned your meal today.’
It had been a long time since anyone had petted him while he was a jaguar, and somehow, he felt like he might become addicted to the feeling of being a pet as if he were a cat.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Grandpa, I want to be petted too!”
“Let me pet you!”
They clasped hands and ran toward Astel and Mayer.
Instead of heading straight back to the ducal mansion, I stopped at a shop.
Wizard Street, to be exact, where they sell magical items.
Sally and Jenny, who had been lingering outside the salon, were quite curious about the events of the day and were about to chatter away.
But Lord Mayer, who had gotten a bit carried away with his pretend escorting knight, cut them off.
‘I’m afraid the effects of this performance will be long-lasting…’
I shuddered a little, but I didn’t hate Lord Mayer’s stern demeanor.
Maybe I’m just addicted to playing the overbearing aristocrat…
“What would you like to purchase, my lady?”
I turned to Lord Mayer and spoke lightly.
“Alas… I would like to make a gift.”
“…Something you wish to gift? What is it?”
At Ricardo’s question, I carefully showed him the bundles of magic threads on display through the window.
“These are magic threads. I’m going to knit a shawl! When I get better, I’ll make you one too.”
“That’s great, my dear!”
‘I’ll give them to everyone, and then I’ll sneak one for my brother.’
I giggled and nodded. I couldn’t wait to make all of them a scarf!
It’s been just a week since the events at the salon.
Astel received the painting and hung it in her room. She often invited Bell and Ricardo over to dine in front of it.
I haven’t forgotten to knit, and I’m almost finished with the shawl.
I hadn’t heard from Cassian since our meeting, and although I was on edge, I continued to live my life in peace.
Meanwhile…
The capital has been engulfed in a storm of interest in Astel.
From the salons to the streets, talk of Astel, the lady the Duke of Anais favored, was everywhere.
Lady of Lord Mayer and favored ward of the Duke of Anais.
But no one knows her true identity.
Rumors of her being a mere mortal, or of her having hybrid beast blood, have begun to circulate.
The legendary lady who appeared in the cafe and arrogantly raised her chin while petting a jaguar and a silver fox!
At every tea party, gossip and rumors about Astel spread rapidly.
Even the noble ladies, who usually revel in gossip and pride themselves on their nobility and elegance, were talking about Astel with their faces covered by veiled hats or fans.
“Someone saw her at the palace, and they said she was even younger than I thought!”
“No, that can’t be true, I saw her in the salon, and she was a ravishing beauty!”
Astel’s intention of covering her face while pretending to be an exquisite lady worked quite well.
Thanks to her deliberately false image, none of the rumors were accurate.
A figure so questionable and mysterious was bound to be the center of attention.
“Who exactly is she?”
The gazes of the young women met.
“Blond hair, green eyes… Yes, I can’t even guess! They say she’s an ordinary commoner, but maybe she’s a beast… Maybe she’s of the fox family?”
“From what I’ve heard, she’s also the Duke’s lover…”
A young lady’s words made some stagger.
The Duke of Anais was feared by many, but he was also the object of romance.
He was a mystery in his own right, and the Lord of the North.
“I assume that the Duke will be attending the Lore Foundation Ball with the Princess?”
“…I’m sure Her Highness will be there, too.”
There had been rumors of a marriage pact of sorts between the Duke of Anais and the Princess recently.
The Duke of Anais had brought a mysterious lady with him.
Could it be a love triangle? Or was marriage to the princess just a part of the imperial duties?
“I’ve never been so nervous to attend a palace banquet before…”
The noble youths exchanged glances with each other, all with serious looks in their eyes.
There were only ten days left until the Imperial Palace Banquet to celebrate the victory of the Demon War.
Duke Anais had already announced his intention to attend.
But would the mysterious Lady attend?
And so all eyes were on Astel to see if she would show up.
