episode_0059

Lizy Lynn Auguste, the daughter of the prestigious Auguste Changbaek family.

A diligent noble lady who has immersed herself in high society since a young age, building a vast network of connections.

Up until now, she effortlessly accumulated relationships using her discerning eye and the influence of the Auguste Changbaek family.

However, at this masquerade ball, she was keenly realizing that something was amiss.

“Is that man really the illegitimate son of the Blackwood family…?”

Initially, she only thought he might be a minor aristocrat or viscount unknown to her.

With his slightly tousled black hair, well-defined muscles, and even donning somber black attire in such a festive setting, he was a type of person she had never encountered before, naturally assuming he must be an obscure noble from a remote region.

Considering that she had been involved in high society since the tender age of eight, it was unimaginable for her to think there could be an unknown high-ranking noble.

Moreover, the fact that her counterpart was Ethan Richard Blackwood, who was essentially making his first public appearance at an external event, was such an unprecedented case that it was nearly impossible to contemplate.

However, looking back at the situation, Lizy failed to recognize Ethan Richard Blackwood until he revealed himself, and the mistake she made was far beyond redemption by that point.

Having immersed herself in high society from a young age, Lizy had a knack for understanding people’s psychology.

In particular, speculating on the emotions the other party might be experiencing in a given situation to elicit the desired response was one of her skills.

In many instances, Lizy used this ability to make others feel indebted to her or subtly mitigate her own mistakes.

While accidentally bumping into someone else’s shoulder with the cocktail she held while searching for the masked Third Princess Seraphine was undoubtedly a ‘mistake,’ her reaction of not admitting fault but rather expressing anger towards the other person was a calculated move based on her assessment of the situation.

Given that both the other party and their partner were unfamiliar faces in high society, it naturally seemed unlikely that they were figures higher than the Auguste Changbaek family.

Clearly, Lizy bore more responsibility in the accident, yet the damage inflicted on the other party was greater.

If she had admitted fault first, it might have appeared as if the Auguste family owed a debt to the other party.

To prevent such a scenario, she proceeded with a brazen attitude, aiming to provoke the other party’s anger to draw out offensive remarks, ensuring that the blame wouldn’t solely fall on the Auguste family.

Although the response she received from the other party was unexpectedly composed and different from what she anticipated, suggesting to simply overlook each other’s mistakes and move on.

“…?”

She expected to receive anger for her audacious remarks to the injured party, but the other party swiftly concluded the incident as ‘mutual mistakes,’ bringing the situation to a close.

Upon regaining her composure, she found herself nodding in acceptance after hearing the other party’s apology.

Despite feeling a strange sense of defeat in the psychological battle, the situation was actually unfolding favorably.

From Lizy’s perspective, completely erasing her mistake seemed to be the most amicable solution, especially considering her radar, honed over a decade in high society, inexplicably sensing an instinctive danger.

It was a moment when a grim intuition struck her, suggesting that her life could be in danger if she did not simply accept the proposal.

“I have no choice. This time, I must forgive generously with mercy.”

Thus, as Riji tried to quickly tidy up the situation and hurriedly leave, the partner of Young-ae, who had suffered damage to her clothes after the conversation, called out to her again.

Reacting angrily to his words, engaging in another argument right after, today’s worst mistake she made was evident.

The fact that Young-ae’s partner turned out to be the eldest son of the Blackwood family was an unexpected situation even for Riji.

In a situation where she felt she might have to reveal the family name, she found herself engulfed in considerable worry.

“…What should I do?”

If he had known he was a nobleman of the Blackwood family, she would have prostrated herself on the ground for forgiveness the moment she made the initial mistake.

Even if she hadn’t directly offended a nobleman of the Blackwood family, the loss inflicted on his partner was akin to an act of insult.

However, since both the man and the woman were individuals she had never seen in high society before, Riji mistakenly assumed that both were lower in status than herself.

This critical error ultimately cornered her.

“If I kneel now and apologize, could I be forgiven…?”

If forgiveness were possible, she was willing to prostrate herself on the floor at that moment. However, her actions had escalated too much for that.

The nobleman of the Blackwood family exuded a palpable sense of danger, making it clear that she had missed her chance for forgiveness long ago.

The only possibility that seemed most likely to pass without incident was that the man might be a lower nobleman impersonating the Blackwood family…

“Ah…”

As she reached for the hilt at her waist, Riji discovered it.

The symbol of the Blackwood family, a design that only one family in the empire could use: the handle of a sword with a depiction of a black double-headed eagle.

“I need to escape.”

Since apologizing and being forgiven was impossible, and now that she was certain the other party was a nobleman of the Blackwood family, the best course of action for her, as a member of the Auguste Blancbaek family, was to flee this place hastily.

Not meeting Princess Seraphine, her original goal, was a painful mistake, but now the most significant loss was the deteriorating relationship with the Blackwood family.

Before more people gathered and someone identified her, she had to escape from this ballroom quickly.

“I need to find Karaham first within this ballroom. If he remains here, my identity will eventually be revealed. And once we return, I must change my hairstyle immediately. In addition, I should refrain from social events for a while…”

If she could swiftly leave the scene with her younger brother, who had attended the ball together, there was a good chance they wouldn’t be pursued to the end.

After all, their main goal was likely to build ties with the royal family, which would be more important to them than following an unidentified noble.

“It seemed like you had quite a bit to say, but suddenly you’ve gone quiet.”

“…”

“Since I revealed my family to you first, I’m curious to know about the family you belong to this time.”

“…”

Feeling pressured by Edan, who was approaching her step by step, Riji desperately searched behind her mask for her younger brother, Karaham.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for her to spot a man with the same sky-blue hair as hers.

Now she thought that all she had to do was quickly leave the ballroom with her younger brother.

Sadly, Lizzie Lynn August had one fatal flaw she hadn’t considered.

“You, you! Get away from that unpleasant guy!”

Her younger brother, Cahram Jaemyul August, seemed completely oblivious.

***

“It seemed like you had plenty to say, but suddenly you’ve gone quiet.”

“….”

“I revealed my lineage to you first, so now I’m curious to hear about your family.”

As Edan disclosed his lineage, the celestial-haired beauty fell silent instantly.

Seeing her hesitation, he could immediately tell that her family was not at a level to overpower the Blackwood family within the empire.

Although he doubted if any family could dominate the Blackwood family within the empire.

Edan revealing the name Blackwood was enough to anticipate this turn of events, and he cautiously speculated on what decision she would make in her predicament.

‘She’ll probably run. She won’t reveal her family until the end.’

Edan had already set a tense atmosphere against her, and with the magnitude of her offense, seeking forgiveness through apology was out of the question.

The only viable option left for her in this situation was escape.

…Well, it’s best to inform Edan. Let him know she’s preparing to flee.

Observing the swift movements of the beauty beyond the mask, I quietly whispered to him what I saw and felt.

“Ed.”

“L-Lilyss…?”

“She seems like she’s planning to escape.”

“Huh…?”

“Just keep it in mind.”

It was simply an informational message to keep in mind.

I didn’t demand that Edan stop her from escaping or prepare for her flight; instead, I hinted at being cautious due to Edan’s escalating actions, which could have political implications.

Even though I was not actually Edan’s fiancée but merely his exclusive maid, only a few people knew that fact here, including me and Edan (plus Princess Seraphine).

The recent incident where his partner was insulted could potentially be utilized by Edan as a significant political opportunity.

‘Considering the size of the other party’s family, wiping out enough debt seems plausible.’

While it was my commoner attire that the beauty’s cocktail spilled on, if desired, this incident could easily escalate into a matter between families.

Particularly, such unilateral humiliation could be exploited as a significant weakness in future dealings among nobles.

If considering potential involvement with the opposing noble in the future, definitively clearing the debt was advantageous in various ways.

‘It seems she’s been involved in managing territories lately, and her mind is sharp.’

Last year, when she pressured Emilia at the territory guard post, and now, she clearly understood what would benefit herself and her family.

Although I was taken advantage of twice in the process, I didn’t particularly feel bad about it.

Anyway, to me, that woman seemed like a despicable wench, and watching her get screwed over was quite a satisfying sight for me as well.

When I realized that maybe Edan wasn’t stepping in to protect me, I felt a bit embarrassed, but oh well.

“Still, looking at it from a results perspective, it’s a fact that I spoke up to the woman who put me in a humiliating position. Let’s consider it as payback.”

From now on, whatever I did was Edan’s prerogative.

Whether I casually chased after the fleeing woman,

Or prevented her escape and pinned her down for a bigger offense.

I was probably going to choose the latter, so I watched the situation with a mindset of observing a fire across the river. Edan, having heard my advice, began to mumble something quietly towards me.

“Got it. If that’s what Release wants.”

“…What?”

What did I want?

As I pondered Edan’s sudden muttering, the situation unfolded with Yeong-ae appearing to make a move as if she was finally trying to escape.

Both Edan and I focused on Yeong-ae’s movements with sky-blue hair, unable to relax our guard.

“N-Nunim! Please step away from that disgusting guy!”

“……!!”

“….”

“….?”

The voice of a man coming from outside their field of vision caused the attention of the three individuals, including that woman, to shift abruptly in that direction.

“Don’t you dare touch Lady Riji! You vile-looking scoundrel!!”

“…Huh?”

I recognized this voice distinctly.

No, it wasn’t just the voice.

Even though part of his face was obscured by a mask, I could clearly distinguish that character.

Sky-blue hair, a familiar physique, a voice I had heard before, and a recognizable black design.

…Moreover, he had just referred to that woman as Lady Riji.

Considering all these factors, there was only one character who fit all the conditions.

“…Karam Reuel August.”

Also known as the Black Knight.

Yes, some things are unforgettable.

Because he was the mid-boss character in Episode 3 of “Luminor Academy,” during the “Seraphim Kidnapping” incident.