Karl, now dressed in his formal attire, stepped into the living room. Just as his mother-in-law had warned—Mia still hadn’t come down.
After another ten minutes of waiting, Mia finally descended the stairs in a white dress edged with blue.
Honestly? The dress looked incredibly cute on her.
“Brother-in-law~~~ Do I look pretty???”
Mia twirled before Karl with a bright, expectant smile.
“Not pretty.”
“Ugh, brother-in-law, you—”
Mia was about to snap, *“When did you go blind?”*—but Karl cut in smoothly:
“But very cute.”
“That’s more like it.”
Mia’s face instantly lit up with satisfaction.
Seeing both were ready, his mother-in-law stood. “Let’s go. Don’t want to be late.”
She led the way out, maid Nana trailing quietly behind.
Literary events like poetry gatherings only interested Mia and Lucina. Freya? All she cared about was sword training and rebellion—zero patience for scholarly soirées.
The carriage rattled swiftly to the venue: the Lord Mayor’s mansion.
Hosted by none other than Madam Rosalie, the Lord Mayor’s wife.
Karl blinked. *Wait… your husband was nearly assassinated yesterday—and today you’re hosting a poetry gathering??*
*Is that… appropriate???*
*Definitely not……*
Thank goodness Mother-in-law hadn’t brought Calis. Otherwise, this event would’ve ended in chaos.
At the entrance, Nana announced their household. They were ushered into the main hall.
A slightly aged but warm-faced woman hurried over.
“Lucina~~ You’re finally here! We were just talking about you!”
It was Rosalie herself.
“Talking about my beauty again?”
A rare smile graced Lucina’s lips—and honestly, it made her glow even more.
“Don’t flatter yourself; you’ll make me jealous. We were praising your little prodigy, Mia.”
Mia offered a polite curtsy to Rosalie and the surrounding ladies.
“Mia, dear,” Rosalie beamed, “we’ve invited Jasont today—a brilliant scholar from the Imperial Capital. Handsome, talented. If you like him, just say the word—I’ll arrange everything.”
Mia smiled gently. “Aunt Rosalie, I’m still too young for that.”
“Nonsense! You’re sixteen. Time to consider a betrothal. Jasont—he’s an inspector at the Ministry of Culture and Etiquette. Perfect match.”
Mia shook her head. “But… I already like someone.”
As she spoke, she stole a shy glance at Karl—then quickly looked down.
Lucina’s brow furrowed slightly.
*Mia has a crush?? Since when??*
*Which guy caught my daughter’s eye??*
Rosalie chuckled. “Still, meet Jasont first. You might change your mind.”
The ladies tittered.
*If we weren’t married, Jasont wouldn’t be Mia’s to have!*
*…Though marriage never stopped hope, right?*
*What if Jasont has a thing for older women??*
While noble ladies gossiped about daughters and sons, Mia and Karl nibbled cake nearby. Nana stood rigid beside Karl, barely breathing—terrified of knocking something over.
To Karl’s surprise, his mother-in-law launched into full brag mode:
“My son-in-law? Crushed top students at the Imperial Royal Academy’s recruitment event—caught Lord Glott’s eye! And his storytelling? Mesmerizing. If he ever writes them down, instant bestsellers!”
Karl offered an awkward smile under the ladies’ sidelong glances.
The idle chatter droned on—until Lucina asked gently:
“Rosalie, I heard your husband Went was attacked yesterday. Is he well? Any leads on the culprit?”
Rosalie sighed. “Went’s safe—lucky escape. But the assassin vanished unseen. And Roy and Rod, who chased him… gone. No word if they’re alive.”
Karl took a silent sip of wine.
*Roy and Rod are probably ashes by now. Hope Calis buried them properly… not just scattered.*
Still, relief washed over him. No one but Roy and Rod saw Calis’s face. She was safe.
And her safety meant the Sovani family—and Karl—were safe.
*Why is Calis even at my house? Please leave soon…*
More guests flooded the hall. Today’s crowd wasn’t just nobles—writers from famed literary societies dominated. Their works were devoured by these very ladies.
The real stars? The writers.
And the undisputed centerpiece? Jasont.
Even Karl, indifferent to literature, knew the name. His poem *“Intoxication”* had been praised by Lucina for days.
*If Mia says she likes him… Mother-in-law will approve instantly.*
But Mia claimed she had someone already. True? Or an excuse?
Karl was genuinely curious—which guy had caught the eye of this homebody who never left the house?
Just then, a refined man with sharp features and golden hair approached Mia.
“Beautiful lady,” he murmured, “I spotted you the moment I entered. You shine like the brightest star in the night sky—utterly captivating.”
Mia rolled her eyes. “Yep. I’m that star—the dad you’ll never have.”
“……………..”
The man froze. *What did she just say??? Is this a rejection??*
*Impossible!! No woman rejects me!!*
Before confusion deepened, Rosalie swept over, beaming.
“Jasont! You’re finally here.”
The flustered gentleman? None other than the Imperial Capital’s celebrated scholar—Jasont.
