Chapter 21
Episode 21
The day of the party was even busier.
From morning, I had to check with the other maids to ensure nothing was wrong with the party preparations.
"It's done......"
Around afternoon, we were finally given time to rest.
But once the party started, we began working again.
I took my position quietly in the corner of the banquet hall.
As a maid here, I had a duty to attend if any nobles called for me.
"Just kill me instead......"
The other maids nearby muttered in a daze, their stamina utterly drained.
I turned my gaze to survey the banquet hall.
"Viscount Hessen has arrived!"
Nobles were busily entering the hall.
I stifled a yawn and watched the scene listlessly.
"Lady Reina Moldke of Marquis Moldke has arrived!"
"Heir Cyan Argo......"
How much time had passed? The announcements at the door grew fewer.
It seemed most nobles had entered.
Wishing the party would end quickly, I glanced around and leaned against the wall when—
"Count's Heir Yurta Herthas has arrived!"
What did he just say......?
Did I hear that right?
I blankly stared at the man entering the hall amid everyone's attention.
Jet-black hair and ruby-red eyes.
......Definite. That was the sub-gong.
......And I was probably his non-blood-related sister with a high probability.
Did he come to catch me?
No way. I hadn't given any clues so far, as far as I knew.
I subtly hid behind Emily's back.
I absolutely couldn't let him notice my presence. Fortunately, my body was mostly hidden by Emily's sturdy frame among the women.
Cold sweat beaded down my back at the thought that discovery meant the end.
"Rosie, what's wrong?"
"Well...... I have a phobia where crowds make me nauseous......"
"Really? Why didn't you tell me you had such a phobia!"
Because I didn't know that guy would come here!
'If I just survive this moment without getting caught.'
Please let it pass safely.
My heart pounded wildly.
As I pressed my trembling chest and thought to move away from Yurta, he suddenly whipped his head around, scanning the surroundings.
As if searching for someone.
Soon, disappointed at not finding who he sought, Yurta's lips parted regretfully.
He's not here.
His crestfallen expression was clear.
What to do, what to do—then Arjen appeared from afar and began his speech.
The bustling atmosphere focused in one direction.
"......Rosie, are you really okay?"
Emily asked worriedly, seeing me still huddled.
"......Emily, I'm feeling really sick, like I'm about to vomit, so can I leave early today?"
"If you're sick, no choice. I'll tell the others and the Head Maid, so go rest now, Rosie."
Emily puffed her chest, taking full responsibility, which oddly comforted me.
"What can we do if she's sick."
Anyway, I was quitting soon, so getting on their bad side didn't scare me.
"Thanks, Emily."
Finally, as Arjen's speech ended and the party livened up, I slipped away quietly.
I crept toward the hall door, using the crowd for cover.
I glanced at Yurta. Fortunately, he hadn't noticed me yet.
Good. Perfect. Just like this......
Distracted by Yurta, I failed to see the person right in front of me and collided with a 'thud!'
"Ack!"
I fell flat so spectacularly that my quiet movement felt pointless.
I hurriedly clamped my mouth shut over my loud cry.
Damn, damn.
Did Yurta see me......?
"How dare a lowly maid bump into someone!"
While fretting over Yurta spotting me, the noble yelled without restraint, drawing all eyes instantly.
The worst timing.
"Rosie!"
Emily, who had seen me collide with the noble, shouted my name loudly and ran over.
Cold sweat trickled diagonally down my spine vividly.
Not even cold, yet my nape prickled, and I slowly closed then opened my eyes.
I stiffly turned my rigid neck toward Yurta.
Sure enough, he was looking this way.
......Ah.
His red eyes met mine. Pleasant curves in those red eyes sent chills through my body, temperature plummeting.
"Hurry and apologize—what are you doing!"
Distracted by Yurta, I hadn't paid attention to the noble raising his voice.
Trapped in dismay, I bit my innocent lip.
"S-Sorry!"
Emily appeared then and apologized on my behalf.
She hoisted my body up with strong arms and hid me behind her back.
"R-Rosie is really sick......"
"You filthy wenches dare to be sick......!"
"Viscount."
The man was ignoring the attention and yelling when—
Arjen, the party's host, approached. Only then did the viscount soften his expression toward Arjen.
"Good day to raise your voice."
"......Marquis Evantes."
"Ruining the atmosphere you've built—what good does that do."
Shut up already.
The viscount got the message instantly and backed off meekly. Thorough 'strong-weak-weak-strong.'
At least the yelling noble was gone, a brief relief.
But it was too early to relax.
Yurta was still watching this way.
His red eyes, having spotted me, gleamed eerily bright.
......I'm screwed.
"Why aren't you going?"
Arjen giving me a look to leave was a small mercy.
I bowed deeply and fled the hall with quick steps.
I had to get far from here fast.
Rosie's body reacted violently upon seeing Yurta. Her
