Evelyn was in an area outside of the main event but still visible to the nobles. She was standing alongside two other maids and quietly listening to them talk, though she would sometimes say one or two words.

Arthur glanced at her before focusing his attention on the attending young nobles. So far, neither his target nor Christopher’s daughter appeared, so the guests were enjoying the luxurious food, chatting, and fooling around.

As a middle-aged noble and someone with a notoriously bad attitude, no one approached Arthur or greeted him. They paid him no heed and treated him like air, which was preferable for him, who was impersonating Leonis. The less people approached and talked to him, the better it was for him. There was simply no need to go out of his way to talk to strangers as it’ll potentially raise suspicions and garner unwanted attention.

Finally, after half an hour of doing absolutely nothing but sipping on his glass of wine, the star of the hour made her appearance.

Aveline Lerandal gracefully walked to the stage; She wore a flashy violet dress embedded with glistening small diamonds, its lower half was cut to reveal part of her thighs. In addition, she wore an eye-catching dark golden pendant which rested slightly above her half-exposed breasts. She had short auburn hair decorated by a golden hairpin, a short-bridged nose, rosy lips, and slightly freckled face.

The moment she made her entrance, everyone stood up and clapped, some excited youngsters even gave one or two whistles. Aveline was truly an enchanting young beauty, just like her father enthusiastically described her, however, Arthur was disappointed not to see Julie, who he had thought would accompany her friend.

“Thank you all for attending my birthday party!”

Aveline held her dress and inclined her body, elegantly bowing to the crowd. Merely one minute after her arrival, she was already surrounded by her girl friends, all complimenting her appearance and congratulating her.

Meanwhile, Arthur stood up and walked to the nearest balcony, somewhat annoyed and bored of this party. If he does not get to meet Julie, then this would have been a waste of time.

As he was making his way to the spacious balcony, Arthur noticed a silhouette rapidly walking in the unilluminated corners of the vast hall. After a momentary hesitation and a quick glance at the excited and busy crowd of nobles, he followed the silhouette.

“...”

Fortunately, he did not have to follow whoever it was for long as he reached a dead end. There was only a small balcony on his left, in which he spotted a short girl frantically looking around and trying to hide from him.

She had the same hair as her older brother, silky long and golden, like the sun. Her dress was shabbier than Aveline but nonetheless attractive; It was jet black and reached her ankles, which was odd as the fashion dictated to reveal your thighs or at least your knees.

Julie El Lernon hid her flushed face and sneak glances at the expressionless red-haired noble staring back at her. She seemed to have recognized him but was too flustered or scared to say anything.

“Miss Julie?”

Upon seeing the hovering translucent blue system window above the girl, Arthur broke into a faint smile, which, from her perspective, was a bit creepy.

“I’m Leonis Sanguis.”

“Y-yes… it’s n...n-nice to meet you, my lord.”

Julie tried to bow but failed as one of her hands was behind her back, clearly hiding something.

Arthur did not press her to talk or do anything, he merely walked to the only table present in this small balcony, pulled a chair and sat down.

Julie kept looking at him, seemingly wary and in hesitation. After what seemed to be an eternity, she moved by continuously side-stepping, trying to keep her back and hand hidden from his sight.

When she managed to leave the balcony, at last, Arthur spoke again,

“You look like the sort of person who does not enjoy parties.”

Hearing this voice again, Julia was startled and let out an inaudible squeak. She looked at him but did not speak, still trying to leave.

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“This is a good place to relax and read a book. If you want to stay then stay, don’t let my presence bother you.”

On the mention of ‘book’, Julie squeaked again and hid the visible book more thoroughly, but, by then, it was already too late.

After one final look at him, she disappeared into the hallway. However, even though she escaped him, Arthur did not follow her or try a more assertive method. He leaned against the chair and gazed at the starry for a minute or two before hearing light footsteps heading his way.

While hugging a book, Julie timidly came back and sat across Arthur. She kept her head lowered and refused to speak again. Time slowly crept by and only the deafening silence could be heard, Arthur kept star-gazing whereas Julie put the book on her lap and started reading it.

“What’s it about?”

Interrupted from her peaceful reading time, Julie was a bit startled. After spending a couple of seconds in deep bondering, she shyly raised the book cover and showed it to him.

“My life with the Pervert Vampire? Is it a novel?”

“...”

She meekly nodded her head but still did not speak.

“A romantic story, huh. Tell me about it.”

Julie did not expect him to be interested so she gazed at him with a half-opened mouth.

“Y-you want me to tell you t-th..the story?”

Of course. The title is interesting.”

Obviously, Arthur couldn't care less about the story. He’s not an avid reader of stories, nevertheless, he had to look intrigued or else the rest of the night would be spent like this. Then again, girls her age would naturally like romance novels.

“E-ehm… okay.”

…

"Hehehe, you’re right! It ended like that!”

An hour later, the shy and reserved Julie was nowhere to be seen. it was as if a switch has been turned off, her attitude changed dramatically once she started talking about the book and got more comfortable with Arthur.

Admittedly, Arthur was eloquent enough to lessen the tense atmosphere and get her to speak her mind, but the common topic and his small yet useful knowledge about Earth’s romance movies and stories did help him reach this point.

Julie turned out to be a cheerful and innocent young girl, who was particularly fond of sad stories with good and happy endings. Thus did the two engage in a relatively long conversation regarding ‘My Life with the Pervert Vampire’.

“What did I tell you? There’s no way the Vampire would abandon the love of his life.”

Arthur put down the book and chuckled, somewhat enjoying this talk over staying at the main hall and watching nobles dance and whatnot.

“Mister Leonis… you’re not a bad guy.”

Julie looked at him with shiny eyes and spoke her mind, sounding earnest and slightly apologetic.

“Of course not. Why would I be a bad guy?”

"E-em…” She momentarily averted her gaze and continued, “People say you’re bad.”

“What’s bad, Julie, is believing everything other people say.”

As if she learned her lesson, she nodded her head and looked at him in silence, which was soon broken by him.

“Anyway, I’ve really enjoyed talking with you. Now, at least, I have a motive to attend future parties… if you’re going to come too, that is.”

The girl chuckled and fiddled with her book, her face slightly flushed.

“Me too, mister!”

“Then it’s a promise. Next time, we need to sneak into a place like this. I’ll rely on you to bring me an interesting book.”

“Yes!”

Arthur smiled at her and stood up, about to leave, only to be startled by a figure who appeared from the darkened corner of the hall.

“Master, Lord Christopher is waiting for you.”

Evelyn glanced at Julie then directed her gaze toward Leonis. She had been looking for him everywhere and did not expect him to be with Julie, who was also not seen in the main hall.

Arthur waved goodbye to Julie and followed his personal maid. However, as they were making their way back, she could not help but speak,

“Master, what were you doing with Miss Julie?”

“Why? Does it bother you that much?”

“Not at all, master. I’m just worried about your public image.”

“Your worries are unwarranted, my dear Evelyn. I was just captivated by Julie’s enthusiasm and spent some time talking to her.”

After he said that, Arthur could’ve sworn he heard Evelyn snort but he did not raise any comment and continued walking.

“Master, it’s a bit strange for an old man to be seen alone with a young and sweet girl such as Miss Julie.”

“What can I say? My charms have mesmerized her. Julie and I clicked and are now friends.”

“It’s even more strange that you’re friends. As your maid, I’m disheartened when I think about your reputation if this goes out.”

“Wait… you don’t really think I’m a pedophile, right?”

The maid halted her steps and looked at him with an expression of mockery and disgust.

“I hope it’s not the case, master.”

“Your expression says otherwise, though.”

“There is no shortage of pedophiles amidst the aristocracy, master. I had hoped your eccentricity might have changed your taste but…”

“...”-Arthur