In Viscount Grellint's home in Backlund's Empress Borough, Miss Audrey Hall, who had only just come of age socially, stepped into the mansion being prepared for a banquet, accompanied by her maid.
Although Miss Audrey often attended the balls and salons hosted by Viscount Grellint, choosing his event as her second social ball after her coming-of-age ceremony inevitably gave some people ideas.
It made Grellint feel several prickling gazes.
After all, that was Audrey Hall!
Yet Grellint's anxiety at the moment did not stem from those jealous looks. He would rather Audrey truly had chosen him as a shield, but the problem was...
He was here to see that person!
Although Earl Hall did not seem to have realized that his daughter was frequently associating with that Lady Killer, still...
"Oh, Grellint, it's rather impolite of you to be so distracted!"
Audrey's cheerful voice sounded beside Viscount Grellint's ear. Grellint sighed faintly, but driven by the instincts of an old Loen aristocrat raised under the Union Jack, he still put on a smile tailored for social occasions. Taking Audrey's offered hand, he brushed a kiss over it before saying with a smile:
"Oh, Miss Hall, your beauty has left me spellbound."
Only after saying that did he lower his voice and add:
"Audrey! I didn't send that guy an invitation today! You have to understand, this is your first ball after coming of age socially. A great many people will be watching!"
"I didn't come for that." Audrey revealed a perfect smile and said softly:
"Do you remember the surprise I mentioned before?"
"As long as it isn't a fright." Grellint felt his heart twitch, afraid that Audrey would voice some shocking request.
However, Audrey did not seem inclined to explain immediately. Instead, she blinked playfully and said:
"Meet me