The person who greeted Emily was Marlene, the daughter of the Marquis Huppert.

After the Sinope family’s downfall, she easily seized the title of social queen in place of Emily. Of course, after her marriage and her family’s ruin, Emily was no longer interested in that title.

“What’s the social queen doing in a lounge at the start of a party?”

However, since Marlene had been Emily’s rival since childhood, it was inevitable that an uneasy expression would appear on Emily’s face.

“Naturally, I was waiting for you.”

Marlene sighed, completely disregarding Emily’s ticklish tone. At that eerie smile, Emily raised one of her eyebrows and asked.

“How did you know I was coming to the lounge?”

“I thought you would definitely come here to avoid your past  followers. Rather, I was surprised that you were so predictable.”

Emily bit her lip, angry that she had been seen through.

“Emily, you still don’t know? No one knows you better than me.”

“That’s not true. There are many people who know me better than you.”

“Hmph, you’re amusing. Tell me who then.”

“My mother and father…”

Unfortunately, no one else came to mind.

“Do I really have to list them all for you to be satisfied?”

“Fine, then I know you best among your friends,.”

Emily had never particularly thought of Marlene as a friend, but she decided to reluctantly admit it for now.

“But why were you waiting for me?”

“Ah, that?”

Marlene’s lips curled up again.

“If I stay by your side, I can witness some very interesting things up close.”

Marlene was known for exaggerating even the smallest things. Emily casually brushed off her exaggerated tone and expression and asked, 

“Why?”

“Oh, I guess you haven’t heard the news yet.”

“What news? Unlike you who are free, I have a lot of construction work.” [T/n: honestly I don’t exactly get what she is referring to when she means construction work, but it literally translates to ‘construction, structure or composition’ so your guess is as good as mine. Maybe she is talking about remodeling her room?? idk]

“Oh, is that so?”

Emily, feeling restless as she watched Marlene, who appeared calm despite her taunting, couldn’t resist and asked first.

“What is it?”

After hesitating for a moment, Marlene, who had been teasing her, couldn’t hold back any longer and opened her mouth.

“Duke Sadie is attending the reception tonight.”

“What?”

Emily asked again, rubbing her ear, wondering if she had heard it wrong.

“What did you just say?”

“Do I have to say it again? Your ex-fiancé, Duke Sadie, is attending the banquet today.”

Emily’s feigned composure shattered in an instant.

“Why on earth would that man suddenly…!”

What a great love! [T/n: She is being sarcastic]

Emily’s silent clamor filled the break room.

Duke Charles Sadie of the North.

He was Emily’s ex-fiancé. However, when Count Sinope lost her dowry while incurring huge debts, a letter of breakup came through the imperial family. Since then, there had been no communication between the two.

“He won’t bother coming to me and pretending to know me.”

But Marlene thought differently.

The Duke of Sadie rarely attended social gatherings. That kind of person happens to attend Emily’s first party since she got married? It was a situation worthy of suspicion .

“Marlene, I know it’s your specialty to dramatize things,  but please refrain from doing so today.”

“No, I think my guess is right, so let’s go see.”

The two of them returned to the reception hall together. As Marlene had said, Duke Sadie had arrived at the banquet hall. He maintained an indifferent attitude amidst the swarm of people who flocked to him.

The Duke, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, exuded a mysterious and decadent aura.

A sharp nose and jawline that was close to perfection, deep blue-violet eyes, vivid platinum hair, slightly raised eyebrows and sensitive-looking red lips created a strong impression. Even by just looking at his broad and well-defined shoulders, one could tell how agile and robust his body was.

But the Duke of Sadie was not only handsome. He was also the sole Sword Master of the Empire and the commander of the Penitus Knights, who guarded the frontier.

It was not unreasonable for people to gather around him to make a good impression.

Emily had no regrets that they broke up .

Their relationship wasn’t even that affectionate. If she were in his position, she would also hesitate to marry someone from a heavily indebted household. Lost in her thoughts, Emily absentmindedly looked in Charles’s direction, and their eyes met.

‘“Should I at least greet him?”

As Emily hesitated, slightly lowering her head to offer a greeting, the Duke approached her directly, stepping forward.

“What? Why is that man coming this way?”

Abandoning the flustered Emily, Marlene slipped to the side before she knew it.

“Lady Sinope, it’s been a while.”

Instantly, all eyes turned in their direction. It was the attention she had wanted before, but now Emily didn’t want it at all. Forcing a smile on her face, she replied.

“Your Highness has been well, I presume? I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I am no longer Lady Sinope …”

“Ah, I’ve heard. You married a Gangster.”

Emily held her breath. Looking around, it seemed that fortunately, their conversation didn’t reach anyone’s ears. 

Emily let out a sigh of relief and spoke in an admonishing tone.

“Yes, but I think it would be better to call him Marquis of Starr rather than that title.”

The duke shrugged his shoulders and held out his hand, as if he had no intention of doing so.

“Shall we dance?”

“So Suddenly?”

Putting aside her embarrassment, Emily said, trying to control her expression.

“It’s such an honor, but I haven’t even danced with my husband yet. Ah! There he is coming over now.”

As Killian drew closer, Emily quickly stood beside him as if she had been waiting.

“Your Grace, this is my husband, Marquis Killian Starr.”

And Emily also introduced the Duke to Killian.

“Greetings. This is Duke Charles Sadie.”

Marlene, who watched the three of them with interest from behind, added an explanation.

“By the way, the Duke is also Emily’s ex-fiancé.”

“Marlene!”

Emily glared at Marlene with burning eyes, but Killian had already heard it.

“Ah, so you’re the former fiancé.”

Kilian’s tone was monotonous, but his coldness was evident to anyone. Emily glanced between the two of them and clapped her hands together.

“Well then, since we’ve exchanged greetings, shall we part ways?”

Strictly speaking, they hadn’t exchanged greetings. There had only been sharp glances exchanged between them. Dragging Kilian by the arm, Emily bid farewell forcefully.

“Your Grace, we shall take our leave.”

“Just a moment.”

Charles spoke up, locking eyes with Emily.

“I’ll invite you to the duke’s residence later.”

“Um… .”

Emily rolled her eyes, unsure of how to respond, but couldn’t help but give a positive smile.

Though she could feel Kilian’s intense gaze beside her, she couldn’t help it given their difference in status. [T/n: They are a marquis so it would be rude to reject the invitation of a duke who has a higher status than them. ]

It hadn’t even been an hour since they arrived at the party, and it felt like time flew by.

“Well then, until next time.”

“Sure.”

The high-profile meeting ended like that.

***

Translator note: 

 ^_^
( •o•)
( >?  <- Marlene being nosy af and stirring up shit 

Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/maetranslations