"Did you forget?"
"Well, considering you were so drunk that you fell asleep mid-conversation, it makes sense."
Noticing my disapproving look, he stammered as he asked, "I'm really sorry, but… what did I say that day?"
"You said, 'I heard she's the most elegant lady in society, but somehow she doesn't feel quite noble. It's unsettling.'"
"…"
"And also…" I deliberately baited him with words he hadn't even brought up.
"You said you wanted to find her weakness—"
"Weakness? There's no way I said that! I don't even have ill feelings toward her! Well, not that I have good feelings either, but still!"
Rick was genuinely flustered.
'Even when drunk, you denied wanting to find any weaknesses.'
Could I believe him?
Feeling a slight sense of relief, I shook my head.
"No, you didn't say you'd exploit her weakness. You said, 'I have no intention of finding a weakness, but I was curious.'"
"…I was just startled."
"And you grumbled about receiving a rude gift. What was it again? Unwrapped cookies? Must've really hurt your feelings."
"…Please forget about that."
"Of course, I'll have to forget. After all, it could be a clue to discovering your identity if need be."
Rick flinched as if I'd struck a nerve, and I spoke to him gently.
"Don't worry. I'm neither close to Dory Redfield nor interested in uncovering your identity. If you like, I'll even stake my salon membership and my family on it."
Because I am Dory! And I already know who you are!
Technically, I wasn't lying.
Rick let out a deep sigh.
"Seems I made more than one mistake that day. Alcohol truly is harmful."
"You must've been deeply hurt from heartbreak. On a day like that, even something as trivial as cookies would've left a lasting grudge."
"Can we please stop talking about the cookies…? I envy you, though. You don't seem like someone who's ever experienced anything like that."
"What do you mean? Getting drunk enough to lose my memory?"
"Watching love slip through your fingers and losing yourself in the aftermath."
"…"
"I've never seen your true expression, but I feel like even outside the salon, you analyze everything with perfect composure."
"…You flatter me. I'm not strong. I've just never experienced heartbreak."
Even in my past relationship, I was the weaker one.
I slowly fell for a library visitor, started dating him, felt thrilled, let myself get swayed by him, and didn't realize how wrong it was until the illusion shattered one day. The entire process felt like a ferris wheel on a stormy day—lifting me up, shaking me violently, and eventually dragging me down.
And now…
"Maybe I just don't understand my own feelings."
"Your feelings?"
"Yes. Until recently, I believed something was truly mine."
"Are you talking about a man?"
"Yes."
There was no point denying it, he wouldn't believe me anyway. Instead, I continued with a tone of nonchalance.
"He was a man who always told me he loved me. He expressed his feelings with beautiful dresses, sparkling jewels, and large bouquets of flowers."
"Sounds like a wealthy man. I'm jealous."
"Spoken like someone who's never been dumped and can't even send a single flower—"
"Sorry! I'll stop talking."
"Anyway, our families both believed we'd eventually get married. I didn't actually love him, but… I accepted that he would be part of my future."
"…"
"But at some point, the frequency of our meetings decreased, and I caught him with another woman."
"Ah…"
"I don't love him, so there's no need to feel jealous. Marriage is a union of families, so the chances are high he'll return to me anyway. Logically, it's not a problem at all."
That's right. The prince will marry me eventually.
Life is 90% complete with a cozy bed and delicious food, and the remaining 10% can be fulfilled by a library managed by others. Love isn't essential.
The small unease stirring in my chest? It's something I can ignore.
"But why do people feel the need to dig up useless emotions in life?"
"…My lady, I…"
"Haha, never mind. You don't seem very skilled at comforting people."
"Ugh, you've hit the mark again."
"Enough. Since you've infected me with your gloom, repay me with a fun topic."
I purposely shifted the subject.
"I came here to relax, but now I feel like I'm about to dive into a spiral of melancholy instead."
Fortunately, Rick didn't seem suited to the earlier awkward atmosphere either, as he cheerfully responded right away.
"An interesting topic? How about this: do you know what gentlemen without someone to dedicate their prey to at hunting tournaments usually do? From what I've heard…"
To understand Dorys Redfield's preferences, Tristan naturally turned to Maria.
Despite Tristan's inappropriate behavior at the start of the social season, the friendship between the two women had begun and, after Tristan corrected his conduct, became a steadfast bond. Their camaraderie even sparked minor chatter across various salons in the capital.
Of course, Tristan had no right to comment on their friendship, no matter how many tongues he had.
'If only Dory had a friend other than Maria, I could ask someone else…!'
Even though Tristan had supposedly amended his ways, he couldn't outright arrange a meeting with Maria.
He devised a plan, using the recent meeting on the reconstruction of the training hall as an excuse. Tristan singled out a few nobles with estates that housed training halls, arranged separate meetings with them, and planned to visit their homes.
Naturally, he couldn't waste all that time, so he also gathered information on the training halls he visited. It was exhausting, but he endured it.
'Surely, I won't raise any suspicions after putting in this much effort!'
Finally, the day came when he could visit Baron Meyer's residence under the guise of business.
He was certain Maria would be home since she disliked going out, and the baron, who found social gatherings burdensome, would likely involve his household in the tea session to avoid meeting a prince alone.
All his predictions were spot on—except for the uninvited surprise that came along.
'What on earth was Dory doing there? Shouldn't rehearsals take place in the music room? And why today of all days?'
No matter how much he questioned it internally, Dory wasn't going to disappear from the table. She merely sat there, serene and composed like a delicate porcelain piece, smiling gently.
Some might call Dory uninteresting. But does being interesting matter? Just watching her makes time flow effortlessly. If she were also entertaining, life would truly feel wasted.
That day, Maria asked, "—Would any of you like to attend the first performance?"
"No. I'd rather savor the joy on the actual day."
Meeting Dory alone had already thrown his most important plan off course. If he were to hear her sing as well, could he even function properly for the rest of the day?
He politely declined in the most courteous manner.
But then, the irritating man beside him made an equally irritating comment.
"If you need an audience, I'm always available!"
'What am I supposed to say now?'
Tristan quickly redirected the conversation. Rehearsal and feedback? Of course, they were necessary! How could he ignore the wishes of his fiancée?
"If it's necessary, I'll watch—"
"After it's completed—"
'This guy, seriously?'
Tristan almost let out an audible sigh of frustration. If Rick Rey hadn't briefly shown an expression of disbelief, he might've actually said something.
'I really can't stand him.'
Usually, first impressions fade as you get to know someone, but Rick Rey continued to feel as irritating as he did initially.
His overly practiced eye-smile was grating. The sharp, cold gaze that emerged when the smile faded was even worse.
And most of all, what bothered Tristan most was that Dory didn't seem as uncomfortable with Rick as she was with him.
'They spent some time together during the hunting tournament.'
What could they have talked about then?
'…Not that I have the right to ask.'
Tristan had never offered an explanation or apology for the bouquet he gave to Maria or his dance invitation. He had no right to criticize his fiancée's behavior.
As he swallowed his rising frustration, time slipped by, and soon a servant came to the tea room to inform Tristan that the training hall was ready.
There was no time to waste. Feeling almost relieved, Tristan rose from his seat and spoke to Dory.
"I'm looking forward to your performance."
He was grateful for his ability to mask his emotions while speaking.
…At least when it came to speaking.
It was Dory who first withdrew her gaze, and now they wouldn't meet again until the charity performance.
As they walked to the underground training hall, Rick spoke up.
"I'm always grateful to Lady Redfield. Before becoming close to her, Maria often felt lonely."
"You seem very concerned about Maria. Are you two friends?"
"…To be honest, yes. We're friends. Of course, I am her subordinate in a professional sense, and I have no intention of overstepping those boundaries."
"Don't get ahead of yourself. I'm not here to lecture on etiquette."
"Ha ha, thank you."
The servant leading them wore an expression as though he wanted to bite his fingers off, but neither paid him any mind.
Tristan had one more question for Rick.
"You're friends with Maria, and Maria is friends with Dorys. So, are you friends with Dorys as well?"
It was a lighthearted question, born from the thought that Rick might be able to serve as a substitute for Maria in some way.
But the moment Rick heard the question, his expression froze, and he clenched his teeth.