"Audrey, I heard your father kept a close eye on you a few days ago. Is it really alright for you to come to a ball as soon as he relaxed a little? I remember you didn't like balls, did you?"
Viscount Grellint courteously brushed a kiss against Audrey's hand, then asked in a low voice.
"Don't worry. My father didn't mean to interfere with my social life. I was just too frightened to go out after Zilingus tried to assassinate me."
Audrey gently shook her head. Having advanced to Telepathist, she easily saw that Viscount Grellint was worried about being blamed by her father.
Though he was an independent nobleman in sound financial health, he could not help feeling somewhat intimidated when compared with Earl Hall, a great banker.
"That's good. By the way, did you come here for something?" Seeing Audrey's calm tone, Viscount Grellint relaxed considerably, though he also guessed that she had only attended the ball because she needed something.
To spare the lady the awkwardness of having to voice her request herself, Viscount Grellint, well versed in social etiquette, immediately handed her an opening.
"I'd like to borrow your music room. A friend of mine wants to learn the piano." Audrey blinked adorably, her face carrying an apologetic expression. Grelint had known Audrey for years, and the moment he saw that look, he immediately had a bad feeling. Nervously, he asked:
"Could you tell me who this friend is?"
"Sno. Sno von Pandax." Audrey softly gave Mr. Devil's name, then obediently added:
"Grelint, you've been talking with me for too long. You should go entertain the other guests."
As she spoke, Audrey lightly turned and began greeting the nobles she knew with practiced social steps, leaving Viscount Grellint standing stiffly in place with his rigid