Chapter 8

                                    

                                          

From that day on, no one approached Luize. It seemed like almost no one was interested. Edward, who had initially watched her with interest, quickly lost interest in her after seeing her stand like a shadow during every banquet and then disappeared after a while.
In the end, she just didn’t fit in well in society and was boring. Nevertheless, strangely enough, when he was in the same place with Luize, he would always, like a habit, look at her once. Is it because of that mysterious and beautiful silver hair that attracts attention?
“Your Excellency, may I fill your teacup?”
“Do that.”
“Yes.”
The inn staff came in. The staff here were cautious with Edward. It was a natural reaction because there were all kinds of rumors about him, even among the commoners.
Most of the rumors weren’t very good to hear, but they became a very good shield for him to protect himself. It was necessary to make the imperial faction aware that he was not a very dangerous figure compared to the rumors.
Because of that, Edward often visited this place at the same time as other nobles’ visits to prevent the rumors from dying down. Despite rumors circulating that he was an oddity for staying holed up in his room without calling for anyone or for having only a certain group of people visit him multiple times.
Yesterday and today, he visited wearing a mask for two days in a row, so new news was expected to be added to the rumor. They must be thinking that he enjoys playing with his mask on or something like that. Edward laughed as he thought about the content. It wasn’t so wrong.
While the staff was leaning down next to him and carefully pouring tea, someone pulled back the curtain and entered.
“Umm... it looks like someone came in.”
Edward grabbed the sofa’s head and slowly picked himself up. A face appeared outside the door, seemingly waiting for him. Her cheeks were flushed red as if she had hurried over.
The woman who was pouring the tea opened her mouth in surprise. “Huh? Is someone else coming?”
“Seems like it.”
Edward smiled triumphantly from behind his mask. He had thrown out bait and was uncertain if it would work, but she really did come. In fact, he had been considering alternative plans if she hadn’t shown up in about three days.
“My name is Luize di Cloette. I heard you’re Ellisian, the best gigolo here…”
“The best gigolo?”
Hahaha. It was a soft, low-pitched laughter. Edward nodded briefly. Every time he moved, his slightly long black hair swayed gently.
“That said, are you Countess of Cloette?”
“Yes.”