Aria, who was not embarrassed by the glare of the several eyes around her, laughed leisurely and got up from her seat to approach them, who were all still young.

Its been a long time, Cain, my brother, and Mr. Oscar.

Her curtsy was so gentle and graceful that once again the words were blocked out of the mens minds. When she saw Mielles face turning pale next to them, Aria struggled to resist the impulse to ridicule her.

Well, did I make a mistake?

When Aria asked that out of those who had not answered even though she had said hello, Oscar, who came to his senses, finally replied. Cain still seemed unable to adapt to Arias change in appearance.

Forgive me for my rudeness. I havent seen you in a long time.

Forgiveness? Dont say such a word.

Oscar turned his eyes straight after he said hello. Noticing that his vision was slowly creeping back to her, Aria realized it wasnt because he didnt want to see her or because he hated her that he hadnt responded.

He couldnt help it because peoples eyes fell upon her naturally. Aria expressed her feelings with a fresh smile when she felt she had ruined Mielles birthday even though she hadnt acted as planned.

Are you sick, brother?

Cain was still gazing silently at the changed Aria. Even after she pointed him out twice, he did not think of correcting his behavior, only staring at Aria more intently.

Brother?

It was only then that Cain responded with a quick blink. But instead of greeting his stepsister, with whom he was being reunited after a long time, he turned to face the other way and replied shortly, No.

Aria smiled awkwardly at this.

Isnt he like a child? When it comes to a womans age, he is an adult now, so why does he turn his face, too scared to give a proper answer?

In the past, she had been afraid of him. She had surrendered and let him take her life Thinking of it even now, it was not funny.

Only the melody coming from the string instruments filled the quiet hall, so Aria lowered her gaze. She lowered his eyebrows sadly and bit into her pink lips. Now was not the time to insult Mielle. There was a man there who would give her greater torment than a mere insult.

Oh, I dont think this place is for me So, Ill go up.

Aria, with her wretched expression and shoulders hunched over, looked very pitiful.

Oscar, who forgot when and where he was, reached out to her. However, his hand quickly returned to its place after she hurriedly bowed and disappeared. In the hall Aria had left, Cain, Oscar, and Mielle remained silent, different emotions swirling within them.

* * *

Aria didnt go back to her room. Her destination was the indoor garden on the second floor. The place was open to guests, so it was fully decorated, but no one was there because the center of todays party, Mielle, did not leave the first floor.

Aria enjoyed the refreshments that Jessie brought with the hourglass on the table, wondering whether Oscar would appear there or not. Judging from her long experience of having played with men in the palms of her hands, Oscars eyes and disposition evidenced his good feelings toward her.

He didnt even know what his heart was due to his brusque character, but she could tell because his eyes and attitude were different. Perhaps, he was tormented by his constant swaying in Mielles presence.

So, thats why he came to the birthday party? Did he want to ease his guilty mind a little? Hes cute.

The green tea was still sweet without a cube of sugar. Aria, who enjoyed the sweetness with her red tongue, eased her posture and leaned back on the sofa. The process of turning someone she didnt like into hers was very enjoyable and exciting.

Does he think of my face every night? That was why he couldnt reply to her letter. He might have suffered from a guilty conscience. What Oscar had just shown of himself made Aria think so.

Whatever the reason, it was good. The relationship between Oscar and Mielle would go wrong if it continued like this. It was enough to create a rumor about their broken relationship yet, but she would be a hindrance. That way, Mielle would taste despair bite by bite, until her life was forfeit.

Jessie, who was attending to her, also smiled cheerfully when Aria burst into laughter. That was because her master had looked very unhappy at the party, but she had managed to regain her smile. Of course, Jessie was confused by the sudden change in mood, but anything good was good. She was only happy when her master was happy.

Aria waited for Oscar in the garden alone for a long time. She waited until the tea had been changed three times and the refreshments had become damp. Because she was bored, she even asked Jessie to bring her a book. And luckily, Oscar appeared around the time Aria had turned a few pages.

Am I disturbing you?

Not at all. Its a garden open to all.

His expression was complicated. He seemed to be regretting something, but that didnt change anything. He was in the garden where Aria was enjoying herself. Oscar, sitting opposite of her, pulled something out of his sleeve.

What is this?

Its a reply letter. I brought it because I thought wed meet today anyway.

It was the long-awaited reply letter from Oscar. She didnt think he would bring it in person, so Aria accepted the letter without being able to hide her expression. It was warm because it had been put inside his sleeve.

Thank you.

It shouldnt have been possible, but she had been worried because he had not replied. So, receiving the warm letter made her feel strange.

It might just be about everyday occurrences, but the fact that he had gone there to deliver it in person made her feel strange. Aria, who blinked a few times to shake off her strange feelings, reapplied her mask.

Did you enjoy the party?

Well, I didnt like it very much.

Oh, I understand.

The party was not a pleasant place. It was more like a place to test and speak ill of others.

In the past she had enjoyed and attended many parties, but rather than the parties itself, she had enjoyed the people there who had loved her. Of course, all they had loved had been Arias appearance.

Without acquaintances, its even more difficult.

I agree. I dont have any acquaintances with whom to attend the party.

Would the party be a fun place to make an acquaintance?

Well, personally, I find it better to meet new friends at other places.

Because of the consensus between them, the two were able to talk without any sense of disapproval. Oscars expression of regret loosened a little.

Thats right. Its more convenient to talk now, in the garden, than when we met on the first floor, right?

You can say so, Oscar answered Arias question after pausing a little.

It wasnt just the place that made it easier to talk to her. It was because Mielle wasnt there. He felt guilty talking to Aria in front of Mielle.

Why, why?

A brief surge of agony passed through Oscar.

If Aria was a simple acquaintance, a letter exchange with her as a friend would not be a problem for him, whether Mielle was present or not. However, why couldnt he be honest when Mielle was around? He couldnt even tell Mielle that he was exchanging letters with Aria.

He didnt hate the exchange of letters. On the contrary, he was a little pleased by Arias letter, which had conveyed her simple, daily routine. Before falling asleep, he even thought of Arias face as she wrote her letter earnestly, even though he had never thought about Mielle that way.

When are you going back?

Ill head back around evening.

Are you going back after dinner?

He wasnt planning to. Unlike last time, he had let the dukes mansion know of his whereabouts this time, so he would go to his house and have dinner there.

Besides, he was there for a minors birthday party, so it would all be over before sunset. Therefore, there was no need to waste time late into the night in that inconvenient mansion. He hadnt planned to do that.

Yeah.

Thats great! Itd been a long time since Id met my friend, so I wanted to talk to you a little bit more.