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The words spoken were meaningless, but as Becky’s gaze fixated on Lyna’s lips for a moment, their true meaning became clear.
Even Jane could sense an air of strangeness around Lyna’s lips.
The servants, too, were aware of the situation, but they remained silent, waiting for Lyna to speak first.
Lyna, smirking and holding a fan, winked at Becky and whispered,
“If anything happens today, stay away from me.”
It was the moment when Lyna arrived at the Bolsheik Theater.
Despite the strong sun during the day, the evening retained some warmth, so it wasn’t too chilly.
However, in the outdoor hall of the Duke’s garden, where a tea party with the theme of ‘Blue Night’ was taking place, a cold breeze swept through.
No, it wasn’t just cold—it was harsh enough to make you instinctively recoil.
At the center of it all, two individuals locked eyes, their gazes as piercing as the day itself.
One was a young lady from an Earl’s household, while the other hailed from a different Earl’s household.
Both young ladies stood their ground, refusing to back down, their unwavering stares fixated on each other.
Those who had been seated nearby had already migrated elsewhere, wearing a mixture of discomfort and displeasure on their faces.
“Hahaha!”
The young lady let out a boisterous laugh, her hair adorned with a vibrant yellow ribbon that fluttered in the wind.
“You truly have no understanding.”
She spoke with a voice and expression that conveyed pity and disdain towards her opponent.
Even the Duke’s son, who happened to pass by, could discern the mockery, prompting the young lady with the blue choker to retaliate immediately.
“And what, pray tell, do you believe you know?”
“I know more than you, at the very least.”
“Such baseless confidence. We have barely crossed paths.”
The young lady with the yellow ribbon retorted with an air of assurance.
“Does time hold importance? The depth of the connection matters far more.”
“What depth, with him? My, how delusions run wild.”
As the young lady with the blue choker shook her head, the one with the yellow ribbon cut her off.
“That’s why you fail to understand him.”
Anyone within earshot could recognize that this was an obvious lover’s quarrel, and those observing the exchange frowned.
“Oh dear, quarreling over someone who isn’t even present.”
“It’s an unpleasant sight, to say the least.”
Some openly clicked their tongues, while others shook their heads or let out soft sighs.
One of those sighing individuals spoke up, as if lamenting.
“It may be excessive, but it’s not incomprehensible. Love blinds even the most rational of minds.”
At these words, someone else nodded in agreement.
“Especially when it concerns Bartolomeo’s son…”
As soon as that name was uttered, some attendees at the tea party gasped or fell into a trance-like state.
“Bartolomeo’s son, you say?”
“Yes, precisely.”
Neither the person who posed the question nor the one who answered chose to continue the conversation, and no one present pressed for further details.
It felt rather crude to delve into the matter any further.
However, someone voiced a rather plausible explanation.
“He’s a lover to everyone.”
Yes, putting it politely, he was a lover to everyone. Bluntly put, a playboy.
Who else in the empire could it be but Rione, the second child of Count Bartolomeo?
“What’s going on?”
And as luck would have it, the very person who had been the topic of discussion among the noble ladies and on everyone’s lips made an appearance.
Rione Bartolomeo, the charismatic blond with delicate green eyes.
His presence exuded not the light and captivating aura usually associated with a playboy, but rather a sense of dignity.
His shirt was buttoned all the way up to the slightly raised collar, with minimal adornments on the cuffs and jacket, and his expression nothing more than a friendly smile.
As he entered, the hall fell momentarily silent.
Accustomed to attracting attention, Rione remained composed and unrushed.
However, the silence lasted but a moment.
“Rione!”
“Rione, this young lady!”
The two countesses approached him with hurried, confrontational steps, causing Rione to instinctively take a step back.
“What is going on?”
“She’s the cause of it!”
With Rione standing before them, the two ladies resumed their fierce quarrel.
“Rione! Tell me who it is now!”
“That’s right! I’m your lover, right?”
“It’s me!”
Observing their squabble, Rione opened his mouth with a perplexed expression.
“I regret having to say this under these circumstances, but I am not involved with either of you in a romantic relationship.”
His voice remained calm and resolute, leaving no room for misinterpretation despite his troubled look.
Upon hearing this, the two ladies, who had been blinking with wide eyes, suddenly turned bright red.
They had caused a commotion when Rione had no such intentions.
The lady wearing the blue choker murmured with difficulty.
“So, you’re not deeply involved, never spent a night together…”
“I have never done any of that.”
His response was gentle yet firm.
Indeed, Rione had never spent a night with either of the two ladies.
In fact, he had never even held their hands or whispered words of love to them.
His kindness was simply a considerate gesture toward the shy young ladies, an act of compassion that would have been understood if it were anyone other than Rione.
The two countesses exchanged glances, their faces flushed, and hastily departed as if fleeing the scene.
And among the onlookers, someone sighed and remarked.
“He has done it again.”
“You saw it coming, didn’t you?”
“That’s right…”
Those who had witnessed such spectacles at least once a month narrowed their eyes.
“Indeed, it becomes crystal clear when observed from an outsider’s perspective.”
Indeed. For those who are not directly involved, it becomes clear that Rione does not show any special interest in either side.
However, once someone becomes entangled in the matter…
“Love truly blinds people,” sighed someone, nodding as if it were a well-known fact.
They had once fallen for Rione and experienced the flurry of emotions that came with it.
Even if they didn’t openly express it, they likely had the experience of engaging in silent battles or enduring heartache over Rione.
“Should we call it magic?”
Someone muttered, and another person eagerly agreed.
“That’s right! What Rione Bartolomeo possesses seems to be more than just charm—it’s like magic.”
There are various types of attractions that draw people in.
Some may be physically attractive, while others may possess outstanding talents or excel in rhetoric. Silent actions can also be captivating.
However, Rione doesn’t fit neatly into any of these categories.
Is he good-looking?
Certainly, he is handsome, but not to the extent that would make everyone admire him.
Is he talented?
As the second son of a renowned count’s family, he is not lacking in talent, but there is nothing that particularly stands out.
Is he a skilled conversationalist?
He can hold decent conversations, but he is not a master storyteller who can captivate everyone.
Does he have a silent allure?
That would be considered average at best.
If we analyze each aspect individually, there is nothing that appears particularly special about him.
So, why has he become the object of affection for everyone, regardless of age or gender? Why do they yearn to whisper words of love to him at least once?
“Tsk, if we sugarcoat it, we can call it magic, but the fact that these situations keep happening must be because of young master Bartolomeo…”
Someone clicked their tongue dramatically, but once Rione was brought up, they found it difficult to continue.
The reason for this unusual situation lies in the young master Bartolomeo himself—his kind demeanor, thoughtful nature, and endearing smile.
Yet, none of these qualities deserve criticism.
Even if given the opportunity, those who have interacted with him would shake their heads.
After all, he is simply polite.
“It’s embarrassing to cause such a commotion on such a lovely evening.”
Even now, Rione was apologizing for the earlier incident.
“It’s not your fault.”
Responding matter-of-factly, Rione remained calm.
“Because I am the cause.”
That one statement shifted people’s gazes from slight irritation to sympathy towards him.
And as the two young ladies rushed out, Lyna, who had just entered the hall, observed Rione silently.
She sighed softly, her eyes narrowing.
‘Ah, what a distraction.’
Recalling the information from her previous life and having chosen this family as an investment for the future, it had to be…
The Bartolomeo Count’s family.
No, if we exclude Rione, the Bartolomeo family is an excellent investment and trading partner.
Thankfully, both before and after her regression, Lyna had no interest in Rione, not even a flicker of emotion.
In her previous life, she had been infatuated with Smith, and now, she didn’t even have the energy to fall for someone.
And just as someone who noticed Lyna shaking her head lightly was about to open their mouth in surprise…
“Oh my, isn’t that…”
“Rione!”
A man entered from the opposite side of the hall, where Lyna was standing, and called out.