After making up her mind, Yurina unfolded the card with a confident express. The fact that the combination of cards wasn’t bad gave her more confidence in winning.

And exactly ten minutes later, Yurina looked at Reynard’s hand on the table in bewilderment.

“This is nonsense.”

Red heart-patterned cards were arranged neatly from 5 to 10. It was a royal flush, the best hand in poker.

There was no need to even look at Yurina’s cards. After all, in front of her lay an ideal combination that couldn’t be beaten by anything.

He was yielding to her all this time, but as soon as the two made a bet, he put up such cards?

“Are you not cheating?”

“Cheating? You don’t believe me?”

“But how could this…”

“I told you. I’m good at card games.”

Raynard sighed and looked at Yurina’s cards.

“Two pairs? Looks like I won.”

“No, but wait. It’s some kind of nonsense.”

“Where is the nonsense? I didn’t do any tricks.”

He slowly showed his cuffs and pockets. There were no cards to be seen anywhere.

Yurina narrowed her eyes and looked at Reynard’s cards. Meanwhile, the latter approached Yurina and whispered.

“A bet is a bet. Fulfill my wish.”

Yurina stopped thinking about this bizarre situation and sighed in defeat. There is nothing wrong with granting Reynard’s wish. In any case, even if he had deceived her, he must have had some special desire that he had previously hesitated to tell her.

“And what will be your request?”

“Come to this party as my partner.”

“Partner?”

“Yes, partner.”

He looked into Yurina’s eyes and emphasized it once more. Yurina couldn’t reply right away, so she fidgeted nervously with the cards.

“You don’t want?”

“That’s not the point, but how can I?”

Although she entered the official tournament on behalf of Marquis Carthia, Yurina had yet to make her debut in high society.

This is because the age required to debut is usually 18 years old. In the original story, Yurina and Lydia debuted at the age of 18.

If she participates in this party as Reynard’s partner, it will also be her debut night.

And the debut of the daughter of the famous Marquis Carthia will attract a lot of attention. And that’s not counting the fact that her partner is ‘Blessed’ Reynard, the favorite of the goddess, and who graduated from the academy ahead of schedule.

If these two enter the hall arm in arm, this will cause an explosive resonance in noble circles.

In addition, the partner was of great importance at the debut evening. Usually the whole family decides this.

Therefore, no matter how much her lover asked, Yurina couldn’t decide on her own. She needed to talk to her father and mother.

‘But…’

Yurina studied the expression on Raynard’s face, who was looking at her with a serious look. He didn’t say anything, but continued to bite his lip in impatience.

She rubbed her lower lip gently with her thumb.

“What are you biting?”

“I’m worrying.”

He closed his eyes tightly, as if he wasn’t confident enough to meet her gaze.

‘Is it okay for someone other than Ray to be my partner?’

It doesn’t look like it. If the three older brothers became partners at the first debut party, it would be convenient in its own way, but it would also leave some regrets. Moreover, if Reynard enters the banquet hall holding another woman’s hand…

‘I would feel bad.’

Just thinking about it made her angry. To the point of laughing at herself for thinking like this.

If they arrive for the evening as partners this time, there will be a lot of talk around them. Along with the rumors that the two are lovers, there may be rumors that are hard to put into words.

But Yurina wondered how Reynard would feel about it.

‘Because it’s true.’

It is true that they were lovers, and it is unlikely that they will love anyone else in this life. If so, her answer was simple:

“Okay. Let’s go together.”

Raynard slowly opened his eyes and looked at Yurina in disbelief.

“Really?”

“But a bet is a bet, isn’t it?”

“Do you really agree?”

“What is this reaction? Did you think I’d say ‘no’?”

“To be honest… Yes.”

“Don’t you know that I’m very proud?”

Yurina flicked her finger on the tip of Reynard’s nose, who was still dazed.

“And now honestly. You’re kidding, right?”

“No.”

“Really?”

“I don’t have time for this. Come on, we need to get ready.”

Raynard hurriedly picked up Yurina and walked towards the door. Yurina, unable to resist, glanced over her shoulder at the cards Betsy was laying out.

At that moment, it became clear that all of Reynard’s cards were red as long as the latter held them in his hands. Now they are all different colors.

* * *

“How about this?”

Yurina came out wearing a new dress and spun around in front of Reynard. It was exactly that dress, inherited from Marchioness Carthia.

The chest and waist were pulled up to fit the curves of her body, and below the waist, the fabric was draped profusely. Therefore, whenever Yurina moved, the hem of her dress floated in the air.

Raynard, who was looking at the tailcoat design book, looked at Yurina admiringly. His lips twitched, but no words came out.

It was clear why he was making such a face, but Yurina asked, pretending not to know:

“Something is wrong? This is my mother’s dress. Probably doesn’t fit me…”

But he remained silent. Betsy looked at his frozen face, sighed and laughed.

“Ray?”

As Yurina patted his shoulder, Reynard barely spoke a single word.

“Pretty.”

He stood up and approached her with a hazy look, as if driven by something otherworldly.

“Really pretty.”

The moment she saw his smile, Yurina’s cheeks turned red. It was a desired reaction, but Yurina felt a little embarrassed as it was an overreaction.

“I’m going to wear this dress to the party.”

“This? But why?”

The questioning voice was a little strange. Besides, why? Why is he asking her why she wants to wear a dress like this?