He Said He Loved Me, but It Was Because of a Potion - Chapter 3

3

The man scanned the banquet hall, where the party was in full swing.

This victory banquet was the largest event the imperial family had hosted in recent years.

Thanks to that, the banquet hall was packed with envoys from neighboring countries, priests and holy knights sent from the temple, a few rare mages, famous dancers, and highly skilled musicians. It was a grand spectacle.

“Hey! What are you standing there for? Hurry up and serve the drinks!”

“Ah, s-sorry!”

The man quickly bowed his head at the scolding from his senior attendant.

It would be troublesome if he made a bad impression and got kicked out of the banquet hall.

“Get going.”

“Yes!”

Avoiding the narrowed eyes of his senior, the man hurriedly pushed his way into the crowd.

The strong perfume of nobles mixed with the scent of powder and the floral fragrances decorating the hall made his head spin.

But he did not forget his mission.

‘Secretly dispose of these three glasses somewhere in the banquet hall.’

What was in them wasn’t his concern.

As long as he finished this job, he wouldn’t have to grovel for nobles all his life.

Recalling the reward promised by ‘that person,’ the man casually placed the first glass beside the dessert table.

And a little while later—

A sky-blue-haired attendant, worn out from fending off the aggressive advances of a noblewoman, picked up the glass with an exhausted look.

“Is she nuts? She has a husband… Damn it, how do they always sniff out the handsome ones so fast?”

Elsewhere in the banquet hall at the same time—

“Don’t just stand by my side. Why don’t you enjoy the banquet too?”

“No, I’m fine. Please don’t mind me.”

“But how can I not? Especially on a day like today.”

“……”

“Ah, right. I hear these glasses are for low-alcohol champagne. Have one.”

“But…”

“Now, now.”

“…Thank you.”

A man with silver hair as radiant as moonlight, tied neatly and draped down his back, drained the glass in one go.

And finally—

“Your Grace, this glass.”

“All right.”

Black eyes that gleamed like glass fixated on the contents of the glass.

And at that perfect moment—

The sound of an announcement rang from the entrance of the banquet hall.

“Baroness Anastasia Roxan has arrived!”

Nearly every noble turned their gaze in one direction.

Their shocked expressions were vivid.

Only the foreign envoys and a few guests from outside the capital who didn’t know whose name it was looked around in confusion.

Perhaps because of that?

Even though it wasn’t as loud as a marketplace, the hall, which had been constantly filled with murmurs, laughter, and clinking glasses—

Fell so silent it gave the illusion of complete stillness.

As people stepped back on either side, a woman appeared.

Her presence alone was enough to demand attention.

With sleek black hair adorned with golden flowers like ornaments—

And golden eyes below that shone brightly, as if holding light.

At one point, everyone had been fooled by those eyes.

They had made people believe all the world’s passion and pure love were contained within them.

A gaze that seemed endlessly sweet yet utterly firm now evoked discomfort in everyone.

Even after committing such a terrible deed, even with the entire world knowing it—

How could that woman still appear before everyone with those same eyes?

And so, in the end, it was they who looked away first.

As if afraid that the golden flames might leap onto them if their eyes lingered too long.

***

As I stepped into the banquet hall, the stares rained down so heavily, it felt like my skin was burning.

While shamelessly taking in the shocked, uncomfortable, and speechless faces around me—

I finally realized it.

It was my first official banquet in four years.

This wasn’t a dream.

I couldn’t hide my excitement as I walked, but had to stop before reaching the area lined with drinks.

Someone was blocking my path.

“Well, isn’t this Baroness Roxan? I wonder whose heart you’re planning to steal this time.”

“And who might you be?”

The man’s smug expression twisted at my reply.

Sure, everyone knew me by name, but I didn’t know you—how would I?

I resisted the urge to point that out.

Julie told me not to cause trouble.

Besides, I had no intention of ending this long-awaited banquet on a sour note.

It wasn’t because I had any lingering attachment to the life I could’ve enjoyed as a noble.

But because I’d only be losing out if I got kicked out now.

Wouldn’t it twist those nobles’ guts more to see me enjoying myself?

No way I’d give them an excuse to throw me out.

“Pretending not to know won’t help you.”

“……”

I really don’t know you, though.

“I understand you might feel uncomfortable due to your old acquaintance with the Count.”

Count?

Only then did I start to guess who he meant.

The Count he was referring to must be Rohwinas Canesion, the third son whom the Duke of Canesion especially cherished, who had already inherited his title at a young age.

Popular young lords always attracted their share of flies.

I suppose this one was just another among that swarm.

Unfortunately, I still had no memory of who he was.

“Just get to the point.”

“I don’t know how you managed to get in here, but why don’t you spare the nation the embarrassment and quietly leave?”

“……”

“Or we could step outside for a bit. To the terrace, perhaps?”

It had been a long time—

Since I felt like this.

Regrettably, my fists itched, never having been properly swung before.

Was today going to be my first?

“Honestly, you’re at the age where you should be desperate to marry. Who would even take you? No man in his right mind would.”

“……”

“I’m guessing the reason you forced your way in here today is to fish for a man, right?”

“……”

“I couldn’t take you as my wife, but if you want, I could offer you a spot as my concubine. On the condition you bring whatever little inheritance you have, of course.”

To primitive character, one must respond with equally primitive treatment.

Time to set aside my pride as a civilized person for a moment…

Just then, I felt someone’s gaze from a distance.

When I turned my head, I saw Rohwinas.

Golden wheat-colored hair. Clear emerald eyes beneath it.

He didn’t spare a glance at the man, once one of his buzzing pests, now persistently bothering me.

He simply withdrew the gaze he had fixed on me, as if tired of even looking.

“Well?”

The guy must’ve thought I was silent because I was considering it.

I gave him a cold smile. “Who even are you?”

“……”

“Stop pestering me and get lost.”

“……”

“Wife? Concubine? Don’t make me laugh. What, you think you’re some duke’s son or something? Sorry, but trash like you doesn’t even make the cut.”

I smirked at the fool whose face turned red and purple with anger.

“Want me to shout it so everyone hears? So the whole room knows you got rejected after hitting on the woman from that infamous scandal?”

“……”

“Rohwinas is at least handsome. You’re not even that. Bad personality, average build, and judging by your complexion, your health is trash too.”

“……”

“You should work out. Don’t end up suffering miserably in your old age, clinging to life.”

“Just wait.”

“Oh my, I’ll apologize in advance. I don’t have enough free time to bother with someone like you.”

With all the poise of a civilized person, I sent him packing and strode off to the liquor corner.

It wasn’t until I emptied three glasses of champagne in a row that the heat in my head began to cool.

What was that all about?

Why was that oh-so-great Count even looking at me?

I picked up a fresh glass of champagne the attendant had just filled.

I felt an indescribable wave of discomfort.

Why? What?

Stepping in dog crap happens. Bad luck, that’s all.

What’s so wrong with my life?

As if he’s never had a moment like that.

“……”

Guessing what kind of crap he might’ve stepped in suddenly made me more annoyed.

My hand moved from the champagne to the brandy.

Usually, banquet halls only had low-alcohol drinks, but strangely, there was brandy here.

Only after a while did I remember the Duke who had invited me.

I glanced up at the platform where Duke Gladinare stood.

He was surrounded by nobles like ants swarming melted candy.

Since I had been invited, I should at least greet him.

But now wasn’t the time.

So I sipped my drink and simply observed.

My gaze naturally lingered.

He looked like… a flower.

Like the deep red bloom of a flaming bombax tree in full bloom.

His flaming red hair was cropped short, making his sharp eyebrows and jawline stand out.

Wearing a pristine white military uniform with his cravat tightly fastened, the man had a strangely neat and meticulous appearance. He looked about my age.

His eyes were sharp and angled, yet held depth.

His thin lips, combined with his blunt impression, gave him a cold look.

In any case, he exuded the air of a soldier from every angle.

And yet, the white uniform he wore somehow felt out of place.

Even though it was the first time I’d seen him—

I was strangely certain that he rarely wore white.

It didn’t look bad, but… how should I put it?

It was a sight I’d never seen before, so it felt unfamiliar to my eyes.

Maybe that’s why I couldn’t take my eyes off him for a long while.

‘Why did you invite me?’

As if he’d heard the question—

He suddenly looked up and stared right at me.