* * *

Our engagement had been verbally agreed upon by both families, with no formal ceremony.

Though we could have held a grand event, the engagement wasn’t born out of love but necessity, so it was commemorated with a modest banquet instead.

As such, we didn’t even have engagement rings.

My gaze fell on the silver ring on the butler’s finger as he poured wine into my glass.

Jerome returned from greeting the family elders and leaned down to whisper:

“If there’s a gemstone you like, let me know. I’ll send someone to fetch it.”

“I’d rather not add rumors of extravagance to my existing reputation as a suspected serial killer.”

I sipped my wine indifferently.

The banquet hall was packed with nobles eager to reap the benefits of an alliance between two powerful ducal families.

Though they acted subtle, I could feel the sharpened gazes toward me—it was only natural.

‘After all, it’s not every day you see a lady falsely accused of being a serial killer.’

Attending a celebratory banquet right after a trial felt like a public execution.

While enduring the stares, someone called out to Jerome from behind, sounding delighted.

“Lord Jerome!”

I turned to see a young lady I didn’t recognize.

Pale-skinned with droopy eyes, her delicate appearance resembled that of a small animal.

She completely ignored me as she approached Jerome.

Annoyed but curious, I held back and observed.

“Hello, Lord Jerome. I’m Amela Nov, the eldest daughter of Marquis Nov. We attended theology classes together at the academy a few years ago. Do you remember?”

“Theology classes?”

“You don’t remember… Well, it has been a long time…”

Amela trailed off, sounding disappointed.

Watching her, Jerome’s lips curved into a smile.

On anyone else, that expression might suggest interest, but I knew better.

Having been by Jerome’s side long enough, I recognized that gleam in his eyes—it wasn’t interest but the look of someone eyeing prey.

Before he could act, I intervened.

“Am I nothing more than a flowerpot to you? Or are you disregarding the House of Efilia entirely?”

I stepped in front of Amela, deliberately cold.

Just hours ago, Jerome had said he’d steal cherries off everyone else’s cakes for my sake.

Cherries could symbolize many things—wealth, life, or even someone’s affection.

‘Or perhaps someone’s love.’

Knowing I couldn’t stop Jerome’s behavior, I at least wanted to prevent innocent people from being dragged into it.

Jerome chuckled at my actions, clearly entertained.

Startled by my frosty demeanor, Amela quickly bowed her head and apologized:

“I-I’m sorry, my lady. I was just so happy to see Lord Jerome again that I…”

“…”

“I didn’t mean to be rude. Please forgive me.”

“Fine. Apology accepted. Now leave.”

With a frustrated expression, he waved his hand dismissively.

Please, just leave.

If a hamster-like girl like her gets into trouble because of Jerome, I’ll end up feeling guilty.

Watching me, a few noblewomen whispered among themselves.

I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that a rumor about me having jealousy issues might soon spread.

Jerome, as if reading my thoughts, smiled and chimed in.

“Don’t be like that. Let’s at least hear her out. She seems to have something to say.”

“……”

“Come on, I don’t have suspicious thoughts every day.”

No, from what I’ve seen of Jerome, that’s exactly what he does every day.

But Amelia, who clearly had no clue about the real Jerome, looked at him with sparkling, awe-filled eyes.

To her, I probably looked like a jealous devil while Jerome appeared as a perfect gentleman.

It was irritatingly unfair.

Finally, Amelia, glancing nervously at me, began to explain.

“Well, the thing is… I have two invitations to the Belleau social gathering. Since you two have recently formed such a great connection, I thought you might want to attend together.”

“A social gathering?”

“Yes. It’s the empire’s most prestigious social club, where gentlemen and ladies from all walks of life gather. Normally, they don’t accept new members, as it’s a very exclusive group… but I thought the two of you might be an exception.”

Belleau. It was one of those elite social circles where only the most refined individuals—those with looks, wealth, and talent—were allowed.

While attending wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, letting Jerome into a place like that felt like unleashing a swarm of locusts in a cornfield.

Without hesitation, I delivered my verdict.

“I appreciate the thought, but… mph!”

“We couldn’t possibly refuse such a wonderful opportunity. We’ll definitely attend.”

Jerome cut me off, literally clamping his hand over my mouth as he grinned and answered for me.

Amelia beamed, promising to send a carriage for the event, then left.

Once she was gone, Jerome removed his hand, and I shot him a sharp look.

“What’s going through your head?”

“What do you mean?”

“You never cared about social gatherings before. And honestly, all I’m going to get there are judgmental stares. I don’t want to go.”

My voice came out weaker than I intended, betraying the weariness I felt.

Ever since Luke testified about the divine oracle, rumors labeling Jeanne as a harbinger of calamity had spread like wildfire, with Mia at the center.

That was the reason behind the hostile gazes that followed me wherever I went.

I suddenly recalled the contemptuous glare of a waiter when I was at a café with Jerome.

Even someone like me couldn’t help but feel crushed under the weight of such an atmosphere.

It was almost as if Luke had orchestrated this perfectly.

‘Jeanne gained some renown after sealing Parak. Luke must’ve noticed and fabricated the oracle to isolate her socially before her reputation could grow further.’

As I mulled over this, Jerome slipped an arm around my waist, completely unfazed by the onlookers.

His nonchalant boldness left me momentarily frozen. He leaned in and whispered.

“The best way to combat rumors is with more rumors. Giving gossipers something to talk about can be a strategy, too.”

“And what if our reputation gets even worse?”

“It can’t get any worse than it is now.”

A harsh truth, but oddly comforting.

Even negative attention was still attention.

If the nobles’ fascination with Jeanne was at its peak, perhaps it was better to use it to my advantage than to shrink away.

Determined, I clenched my fists and raised my gaze.

“You’re right. There’s nothing left to lose.”

With that, I steeled myself.

I wouldn’t let Luke’s schemes succeed in isolating me from society.

One of my tutors once said that in noble society, social connections were like invisible weapons.

Pressing my tired eyes with the back of my hand, I asked.

“By the way, what’s the mood among the family elders?”

“They said I should reconsider.”

“And? Did you?”

“I told them it’s too late—there’s already a child involved.”

I turned to stare blankly at Jerome.

He returned my look with a radiant smile, as if he’d done nothing wrong.

Just as I opened my mouth to correct him, he grabbed my wrist.

“Kidding, kidding,” he said, feigning innocence. I glared at him and sighed deeply.

“Don’t joke about things like that. This engagement is temporary. I don’t want to ruin your future prospects because of me.”

“……”

“Once Mephisto is destroyed, I’ll leave this place anyway…”

“Leave?”

The warmth drained from Jerome’s voice, and my heart sank.

When I looked up, his expression was darker than I’d ever seen.

That’s when I realized—I’d never openly discussed my plan to retire as a noblewoman and disappear from people’s memories.

“Explain what you mean by ‘leave.’”

Jerome gripped my wrist firmly. Abandoning my attempt to deflect, I confessed.

“…Jerome, I just want to live as my true self. Not trapped in a nightmare where I’m constantly hiding my secret. I want to live freely.”

“……”

“So, since we’re on the topic, can I ask something?”

I hesitated, but finally met his gaze.

“Is it possible to erase myself entirely from people’s memories?”

* * *