Lloyd's smile made my eyes waver for a moment. Seeing that, he spoke gently.
"We met in front of the Bas Merchant Guild, remember?"
"Ah…"
Relief washed over me.
So that's what he meant.
"I didn't even get to greet you properly, but you remembered."
His silver-blue eyes curved beautifully as he smiled.
"You're not someone easily forgotten."
His suggestive words made Kallion's brow twitch slightly.
Even as a formal hostess of the Valdormer estate, Lloyd's remarks to me were obviously offensive to him.
Not wanting trouble to fall on Lloyd, I quickly ended the conversation.
"Then please enjoy yourself tonight, even if I'm not the perfect host."
***
As I walked away, Lloyd looked like he wanted to say something more but held it back with a disappointed look.
Kallion, watching him closely, spoke up.
"I didn't expect Silverstel to send you instead of the eldest son."
"My older brother was too busy. I volunteered to come."
Even as Lloyd spoke, his gaze remained fixed on me.
"And I'm glad I did."
Kallion's expression darkened at the clear meaning behind those words.
Lloyd bowed politely with a refined smile.
"I'll enjoy the banquet. Excuse me."
As Lloyd walked away, Kallion stared at his back with a hardened expression.
The way Lloyd looked at Yuliana was far too intense for someone he had just met.
And her flustered reaction wasn't like her usual self either.
Usually she kept a perfect poker face in front of him, but now—she clearly panicked around Lloyd.
That irritated him for no good reason.
'Still… Silverstel, of all people?'
Clenching his jaw, Kallion casually walked over to Yuliana's side, who was still greeting other guests.
As soon as she finished, he planned to ask her about Lloyd.
But just then, Margaret de Marcellino, head of the Marcelino family, approached.
"It's been a while, Kallion."
The middle-aged woman with kind green eyes smiled warmly.
"Welcome, Margaret."
"Where's Darkin?"
"He's greeting other guests over there."
She spotted him and smiled again.
"You've worked hard, standing in as acting head. Now that you're married, I'm sure Darkin feels more at ease, knowing you'll take over soon."
Kallion simply bowed without comment.
Margaret's eyes then turned to Yuliana.
"We didn't get a proper greeting during the wedding, did we?"
"It's an honor to meet the master of the Wooden Bell."
Yuliana bowed politely, offering formal respect to a head of one of the great families.
Margaret smiled, pleased.
"I didn't expect such a well-mannered lady to come from the Heister family."
The Marcelino family had lost their magical powers generations ago. The power, once passed down through males, ended before Margaret took over. Even so, she was wise and capable and was chosen as head.
They had once controlled plants and flowers, but now were no more than respected nobles with faint magical scent.
Seeing Yuliana show proper respect warmed her heart—especially knowing she came from the famously selfish Heister family.
"I'm a part of Valdormer now."
"Oh! That's true. My mistake. I have high hopes that you'll help heal the old rift between our families."
"I only hope to fulfill my duties."
Kallion silently watched Yuliana's graceful posture and polite tone.
It was just a formal talk, yet hearing her call herself part of Valdormer felt… strange.
She looked so composed and proper—very different from her usual sharp attitude.
"Well then, I'll leave the young ones to enjoy the party. I should greet Darkin."
With a mysterious smile, Margaret walked away.
Kallion leaned toward Yuliana and whispered,
"You could be an actress."
She glared at him in return.
"Want me to storm out and say I've had enough?"
Her bluntness made him chuckle.
It was easier dealing with this sharp-tongued version of her than the one who used to always fawn over him.
"Don't. Like you said, at least stay until the banquet ends, Lady Valdormer."
"Don't worry. I'll do my job. Just don't start anything with me."
"With you?"
He raised an eyebrow, but she ignored him and turned to greet another guest.
Then, the announcer at the entrance made another announcement:
"Heister's eldest son, Caesar de Heister, has arrived!"
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
Heister and Valdormer—long-standing enemies. Naturally, all eyes focused on their meeting.
Caesar, Yuliana's older brother and heir to the Heister family, walked toward them.
But their relationship wasn't close at all—more distant than strangers.
"Long time no see, Kallion. Father's busy with work, so I came in his place."
"Yeah, long time. Caesar."
While Caesar used formal speech, Kallion deliberately replied with informal language.
Their powers weren't even close—Kallion had no reason to show respect to an heir when he himself was practically the head of Valdormer.
Even marriage hadn't changed Kallion's view—Heister was still an enemy.
Caesar flinched at the slight but forced himself to stay composed and turned to Yuliana.
"Yuliana, you've really blossomed."
'Clearly, he hasn't really looked.'
Yuliana forced a polite smile.
"I hope you've been well, brother."
"Well? Not really. Unlike you, who got married off to a comfortable life, I'm buried in heir duties."
It was ridiculous—sending her off like a product, then blaming her for having it easy.
But they were basically strangers now, so no need to get upset.
"You must be busy, then. You'll be head soon."
"Yes, the pressure is huge. None of my siblings are any help. Still, lucky you, right? Out of all the worthless siblings, Valdormer still accepted you."
Arrogant and self-important, Caesar didn't even realize where he was—and blurted out an insult.
Kallion's brow twitched.
"So Heister sent Valdormer a defective product? That's what I'm hearing."
Caesar, stunned, turned to him.
Kallion's cold stare made Caesar visibly nervous.
"N-no! Not at all! Yuliana may not be useful, but she's definitely the prettiest of all my siblings! And isn't that all that matters for a woman? Haha…"
His pathetic excuse only made things worse.
Even though Kallion never fully accepted Yuliana as his wife, he respected her skill as a hostess.
Hearing Caesar belittle her so openly left a bad taste in his mouth.
"Don't project your low standards onto me. It's disgusting."
The sudden harsh tone stunned the crowd.
Caesar looked offended but held it in. This was Valdormer's home turf.
Forcing a fake smile, he mumbled,
"Haha… I'll just… get some food. I'm hungry from the trip…"
The other guests watched him back away awkwardly, murmuring amongst themselves.
"Did you hear what Lord Kallion said?"
"That thing about Heister sending a defective item?"
"Even though they're married, Valdormer still treats her like an object."
"That's what this marriage was about anyway."
But then, one lady tilted her head and added,
"Still… wasn't Kallion defending her just now?"
The women who had been pitying Yuliana stared in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
"I know Valdormer and Heister are enemies, but didn't it seem like Kallion was angry about what was said to his wife?"
Layla, who had been quietly listening, downed her wine.
She felt the same.
Even though he used cold words, Kallion had seemed genuinely angry that Caesar insulted Yuliana.
Layla deliberately drank more.
She knew Kallion was disappointed in her over the orphanage matter, but he couldn't just throw her away.
To him, she was like family—like a little sister.
"Miss Layla, are you okay? You've had too much to drink."
Ignoring the concerned words, Layla kept drinking.
Then, she "accidentally" spilled wine on her dress.
She staggered, pretending to be drunk, and reached for another glass.
That's when Kallion suddenly left Yuliana's side and walked toward her.
"Stop drinking."