“I would like to select a gentleman to escort me.”

“Must not be engaged or married. You are aware of that point, correct?”

“Of course.”

The atmosphere was softened by the presenter’s joking, and one sly gentleman made a joke.

“That’s so unfair! Married women can be queens, but married men cannot be chosen!”

“Yes, Yes. You should have been born a woman. Or better, be born about 10 years later.”

People burst out laughing at the presenter’s advice.

“Come on! Let’s pay attention for a moment!”

The presenter asked, silencing the rowdy sitting room.

The presenter then continued, “The gentleman you named, as I said before, absolutely cannot refuse the orders of our queen for one night as long as you do not have a fiancée or a wife!”

Rowena stood there, unfazed, and looked at Veronica. 

Veronica, who had been looking around the vicinity with her eyes, also felt the gaze and turned to look at Rowena. While an invisible tug of war was going back and forth between the two women, the presenter shouted loudly.

“Now then, would you like to nominate someone? I think you already know who it is!”

“Indeed.”

Veronica, her eyes fluttering in a haughty manner, turned to Kilian, who was standing in the distance.

“Killian – I mean his excellency, the Duke of Devonshire.”

“As expected!”

Veronica, who had pointed out the name of the duke as many expected, added.

“Please take care of being my escort tonight. Until I retire to my quarter.”

“Oh my, Your Excellency, you’ll certainly accept the lady’s offer, won’t you?”

People looked alternately at Killian, Rowena, and Veronica in the intriguing situation that had once again developed. While everyone silently waited for the Duke’s approval, Killian paced step by step. 

However, contrary to the expectation that he would naturally make his way to the platform, he made his way to Rowena, who was standing in the back of the room. It was a moment when everyone exchanged glances, wondering what this was all about.

“It’s unfortunate, but I must decline.”

As a startled and stiff Rowena tried to retreat, the shawl on her shoulders slipped off. Killian, who had taken off her shawl, kissed her exposed necklace.

“Miss Philone is already my fiancée.”

“What?”

“Oh my God. When did this happen?”

“All of a sudden?”

The declaration, which fell like a thunderbolt, quickly threw the surrounding area into confusion. This was when Rowena, who was also a concerned party, went blank and her mouth was hanging open.

“Impossible! Such obstinacy, without even passing through proper rituals!”

Veronica, who had come running down from the platform, approached them almost as if she were leaping to her feet.

“What do you mean by obstinate?”

“Countess, was there any misrepresentation in my words?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

Shaking her head as if she had been expecting such words, the Countess took a few steps forward and explained loudly to the surrounding area.

“An engagement is when a lady accepts and wears the engagement gift from a gentleman’s mother. You all agree with what I have said so far, right?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“That’s right. Although it’s an old custom.”

The frozen crowd nodded in agreement. The Countess, having gotten the people’s agreement, turned her head and pointed to Rowena’s neck.

“Everyone, please look at that beautiful necklace.”

Rowena and the Countess’s eyes met. Rowena instinctively recognized what words were coming out of the Countess’s mouth. No, don’t. You can’t talk about it. Noo! With a twisted expression, Rowena reached out to block her mouth when a strong force grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

“Rowena.”

Glimmering blue irises were locked with hers. At the same time, the final blade fell down on her neck. The countess testified with a confident face.

“I swear, on my honor, this necklace that Miss Philone has been wearing since she came here is indeed the engagement necklace of the previous duchess.”

****