“Lady Iz.”

Iz Efreni turned around to the sound of someone calling her name. The handsome blonde man seemed to have called her name. She replied, feeling her heart beginning to pound naturally. “Yes, Sir. What is the matter?”

The Marvinus Empire had just finished the coronation of the new Emperor and was buzzing. Banquets were being held all the time, and the nobles spent their joyous nights intoxicated with luxury and pleasure. As the daughter of a Marquis, Iz Epreni was no exception.

“You dropped your handkerchief.” The blond man politely handed over a white handkerchief.

Iz Efreni blushed as she accepted it. “Thank you, Sir. I was so careless.”

“Not at all. I am relieved that I discovered it.”

“Right, more than that… How did you know my name?” When asked by Iz Efreni, the man raised a friendly smile.

“I had heard that there was a famous beauty about, and I was able to figure out you were the one right away, Lady Iz.”

“Oh my.” Iz Efreni’s face reddened further at the compliments from the man. She asked him, “But who are you? I do not remember meeting you…”

“Ah, I have not yet introduced myself.” The man greeted her politely with a bow. “I am James Newton Lee Headwick from the Headwick family.”

“I am Iz Catia La Efreni from the Efreni family. Are you then the son of Baron Headwick?”

“That is correct.”

“Ah.” Iz internally muttered her disappointment to herself. He was a handsome-looking man who also seemed affectionate. However, he came from a much lower-ranking family. A marriage to a lower nobleman. Her father would never grant permission for such a marriage. She tried to hide her disheartened expression as she told him. “Thank you anyway, Sir. Then, I hope you enjoy the banquet today…”

“Wait a minute, my Lady.”

James called out to stop Iz. Iz peered up at the tall James with a puzzled look on her face. He showed her a smooth smile as he asked. “If you have not found a partner yet.”

“…”

“Lady Iz, would you please be my dance partner?”

“Ah.” Iz could not refuse and gave a small nod. She definitely had a crush on him from that moment on. With her agreement, James’ smile became brighter than before.

“It is an honor, my Lady.”

“…”

Iz’s cheeks continued to be colored pink. The two soon began dancing together. James waltzed expertly, as if he was a longtime socialite, and led Iz well. Iz, who was confident in her own dancing skills, had no choice but to fall for him even more. After the dance ended, Iz bid her farewell with a slightly flushed face. “I had a great time today, Sir.”

“I did as well, Lady Iz.” He did not lose his respectful smile to the end as he asked her. “Are you thirsty? I will bring you a cocktail. Please rest for a moment.”

“Ah… Thank you.” Iz nodded and moved over to a secluded corner. He was a caring man. If only his father’s status had been just a little higher…

“What are you thinking about, my Lady?”

While Iz had been thinking about this and that, he had come back. Iz replied with a soft smile on her face. “Just, some useless thoughts.”

“You must have a lot of thoughts.”

“Just a little.” With that said, she downed the cocktail that James had brought. It was sweet. She asked him. “I have a low tolerance when it comes to alcohol. I am afraid I am going to get drunk and show a bad side of myself.”

“Please put away those concerns, my Lady.” James smiled charmingly as he whispered in her ear. Was it because he also drank some alcohol? Her ears felt hot at the touch of his breath. As Iz felt a bit lightheaded and stumbled, James was right there to catch her. “Be careful, my Lady. No matter how low the alcoholic content in the cocktail is…”

“Oh dear, I did not think I was so weak that I would get drunk off of one glass of cocktail. I must be getting old now.”

“Please do not say such sad words.” He shook his head as if it was not true. “Then, shall we go to the terrace?”

“Sounds good.” She agreed, and the two moved to the terrace. The two of them sat on the bench of the terrace, as they continued to sip their remaining cocktails. Iz felt she was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol, as she started to feel good. Iz murmured, thinking that it might be because of the person sitting next to her. “It is a little hot.”

“Are you hot?”

“My body… seems to be getting hot… ugh!” She suddenly let out a shriek. Ah, it was strange. Her body was not the same as usual that day. It seemed like heat was coming out from the core of her body… She spoke with a shaking voice. “My body feels strange.”

“Oh my.” He muttered with a shocked voice. “Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”

“Ugh… just…”

“You put so much effort into your dancing earlier, your body must have been shocked.”

He placed a hand on her body with a worried tone. “I can loosen up your muscles.”

“I am fine… haugh!”

James pretended to loosen up her muscles and discreetly stroked her bare skin. The truth was, the cocktail that James had given her had included an aphrodisiac and sleeping pills. There was no way for Iz to know this, as she begged James with a face full of tears. “Strange, Sir. My body is too… because it is hot…”

“My Lady,” James called out to her in a subtle voice. Iz looked at him with reddened eyes. He whispered to her carefully. “I love you.”

“I am sorry?”

At the sudden confession, Izu forgot all the heat radiating from her body, and asked him in a startled voice. He confessed to her with a shy-seeming voice. “To be honest, from the very moment I laid eyes on you…”

“…”

“I fell in love at first sight.”

“But, we met for the first time today… Ah!”

Iz could not finish her sentence. It was because James kissed her right away. Iz thought that she would not be able to keep her senses with his soft lips, so she pulled her body away from him. As she did so, she could feel her awareness gradually fading.

“Ah… Sir… ”

With those words, Iz lost consciousness…

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Translated by Haeli

Edited by RED