Loko returned to Teresa’s side, feeling slightly wronged after Eve scolded her for no clear reason.

Teresa set the food on the table before her but didn’t touch it. Instead, she stood.

“You wait here. I’ll be back shortly.”

With that, she stepped away and joined the nearby circle of young socialites.

Loko watched Teresa’s retreating figure with confusion—until a faint rumble from her empty stomach pulled her focus elsewhere.

Eyes fixed on the pile of food she’d brought, Loko swallowed hard.

*The young mistress did tell me to grab something to eat too, right?*

Well then…

Her hand reached for a small cake. She lifted it gently, glanced around to confirm no one was watching, then ducked her head and took a large bite.

It wasn’t that Loko couldn’t eat elegantly like nobles. But here, her status sat at the very bottom. While others chatted, eating slowly alone would only draw unwanted attention.

She didn’t want to cause Teresa more trouble—so she kept her presence low.

But when she looked up again, a sharp glare locked onto her.

Across several guests, Loko’s eyes accidentally met Eve’s.

This girl, usually so graceful beside Haya, now regarded her with clear displeasure.

Even piecing together Eve’s earlier cryptic words, Loko couldn’t make sense of it.

Thankfully, Eve gave her no time to ponder.

Spotting Teresa absent from Loko’s side, Eve strode straight over.

“Miss Loko, tomorrow at noon—meet me at the café on the corner of the academy’s commercial street. I’d like to speak with you privately.”

Her tone was far more polite this time, yet carried undeniable authority.

“I hope you’ll be there without fail.”

“Ah… uh…”

Though puzzled why Eve mentioned academy matters at a banquet, Loko nodded anyway.

Eve seemed about to add more—but at Haya’s call, she instantly turned and left.

Watching her go, Loko couldn’t help but think:

*She really is a loyal dog…*

Yet Eve’s approach had drawn others’ eyes.

“Well, if it isn’t Miss Loko—the Gallina Family’s second daughter.”

An arrogant voice cut in.

Loko looked up. A black-haired young man stood behind the table.

“Ah… Young Master Giovanni.”

Giovanni, eldest son of the Florence Family—a hereditary marquis of the empire. At Rickrode’s past noble banquets, he’d always played the show-off, surrounded by followers. Here at the royal banquet? None remained. Most simply lacked the rank to attend.

“I haven’t seen you at previous royal banquets, Miss Loko. Did the Gallina Family earn special merit? Did His Majesty grant you a promotion?”

Giovanni casually closed the distance. Loko, inwardly repulsed, shifted slightly aside but kept her expression neutral.

He said nothing, simply took the seat.

“By the way—you look lovely tonight. Would you share a dance with me later?”

This time, Loko finally replied.

“No… I’d rather not.”

Afraid to offend him, she quickly added, “I’m waiting for someone.”

Giovanni’s face darkened. He hadn’t expected the daughter of a landless count to refuse a marquis’s son.

In noble society, rank was everything—a higher title always overshadowed a lower one.

“Oh? I hear the Gallina Family is close to the Yorks. But for something this trivial… would the Yorks even care?”

His words sounded reasonable—but held a subtle threat.

Just then, Eve returned.

“Young Master Giovanni, Miss Haya requests your presence.”

At Haya’s name, Giovanni instantly stood, flashing Eve a smile. “Of course! Lead the way, Miss Eve.”

Eve shot Loko one unreadable glance before turning away.

Loko let out a quiet sigh of relief as he left.

Propping her elbows on the table, she gazed at Teresa chatting animatedly in the distance, lost in thought.

Soon, a faint sweet scent tickled her nose.

Her eyes dropped—a piece of cake hovered right before her lips.

Without thinking, Loko opened her mouth slightly, took a small bite, chewed, and swallowed.

A moment later, realization struck: *This isn’t home. No one feeds me here.*

She turned—and met a girl holding the half-eaten cake.

Long aqua-blue hair, porcelain skin, emerald eyes crinkled with amusement.

“Was it good?” the girl asked curiously.

“You… Who are you…?”

“Doesn’t matter.” She offered the cake back. “If it’s good, keep eating. It’s yours, isn’t it?”

“Thank you…”

Loko took it. Only after finishing the last bite did the girl speak again.

“Everyone’s chatting. Why are you sitting here alone?”

“I… came with the young mistress. Chatting isn’t really my role.”

Loko glanced toward Teresa. Seeing she hadn’t noticed, Loko exhaled softly.

“‘Young mistress’? But isn’t this a noble’s banquet?”

Confusion flickered in the girl’s eyes—but not a hint of disdain.

A quiet warmth bloomed in Loko’s chest. She briefly explained her role beside Teresa.

“So… smaller nobles basically serve the greater ones, right?” the girl asked, still bewildered.

“Mm.”

Suddenly, several women in lavish gowns hurried over, whispering into the girl’s ear. She turned to Loko with an apologetic smile.

“Sorry—I’ve got to go. But you’ll see me again soon.”

With that, she followed them toward the inner hall, leaving Loko standing there, dazed.