The person who called Deborah was Cedric. Even though it was one mansion, it was so vast that it was surprising to run into each other by chance.

“It’s nice to meet like this.”

“Didn’t we just see each other earlier?”

“Even so, I’m still glad. Perhaps you’re not happy to see me, Deborah?”

Cedric said, lowering the corners of his eyebrows. Deborah smiled at his playfulness.

“Of course I’m glad.”

Cedric, smiling with his eyes crinkled, noticed the book in Deborah’s hand and said,

“Did you come from the library?”

“Yes. I spent quite a while choosing.”

Deborah said, waving the book in her hand.

“Is it a book you’d recommend to Lady Blaise?”

“No. It’s for me to read.”

“If I may ask, what kind of book is it?”

“It’s ‘The Murder on the Noa River’.”

“Pardon?”

Cedric asked, blinking his eyes innocently. Deborah held up the book so the cover was visible and said,

“It’s a detective novel famous for being a masterpiece. I’ve wanted to read it for a long time, and I was ecstatic to find it in the library.”

“Ah, I see.”

Cedric had thought Deborah would read warm novels, beautiful poetry collections, or informative non-fiction books.

But a detective novel? Judging by the title, the content seemed likely to be quite brutal.

‘It’s unexpected that she’d seek out and read something like that.’

Though he thought he’d been observing her for quite some time, Deborah kept showing new sides of herself. And if asked whether that was bad, the answer was absolutely not.

“By the way, have you eaten? The chef has been quite worried lately. Saying you haven’t been eating at all.”

“Hehe. The young lady said she was watching her weight, so I tried it too.”

“Goodness. Where do any of you have anything to lose?”

“The young lady might not, but I’ve gained weight! I guarantee if I’d gone back to Bermez before losing weight, everyone would say my face had become so round they couldn’t recognize me.”

“Surely not. If anything, they’d be relieved you look healthier.”

Deborah and Cedric walked slowly down the hallway. Just having another person’s warmth nearby made it feel less cold.

“Mrs. Brown looked quite anxious today, how is she?”

“She’s sleeping. Actually, she hasn’t slept a wink for several days.”

“Oh dear.”

“She asked to be woken when the young lady arrives, but I think it’s better to let her sleep. I’m worried she might fall ill if this continues.”

“Are you alright, Deborah?”

Deborah opened her eyes innocently, then clasped her hands together and said,

“Hehe. I’m not that nervous. I know the young lady will do well.”

Cedric smiled faintly. What he was worried about was her health.

Deborah’s complexion hadn’t been very good lately. According to Shelley, it seemed she wasn’t even sleeping well.

‘But if anything, she looks better today. As if she’s feeling more at ease.’

Cedric, who had been walking slowly, said,

“When you finish reading that book, will you tell me what it’s about?”

“My. You won’t read it yourself?”

“No. I prefer listening to stories rather than reading books.”

“Alright. I’ll be sure to do that.”

Hearing Deborah’s energetic response, Cedric continued to walk slowly.

Thinking of the pile of work on his desk, he should have been walking quickly, but somehow his feet felt heavy. As if they didn’t want to go fast.

[This is the timeline separator]

As soon as Zen left, the people around Dia began to murmur.

“Didn’t he say she was Lady Blaise earlier?”

“Blaise… Sounds familiar somehow.”

“Anyway, the important thing is that she’s a count’s daughter!”

“Good heavens… This country is doomed now.”

Voices of contempt could be heard, and

“Look at the size of that ring! As expected of a man with his reputation…”

“Their surnames were different, right? Then they’re not married yet?”

Voices dripping with desire could also be heard.

Dia didn’t know where to look. Even if she left her seat, the voices she was hearing now probably wouldn’t disappear.

A person who looked as if they had bathed in rose petals approached her.

“Hello, Lady Blaise?”

She was a beauty with thickly curled red hair, green eyes, a slender waist contrasting with a voluptuous chest, and lush eyelashes reminiscent of a peacock’s feathers.

“I’m sorry for suddenly approaching you. Was I perhaps rude?”

“Not at all.”

The woman smiled brightly at Dia’s response.

“I’m Jennifer Rose.”

‘Jennifer Rose?’

Dia found this name, or rather this surname, familiar.

‘Could it be…’

Dia clenched her hands and asked,

“Are you perhaps Baroness Rose?”

“Oh my. You know me!”

Baroness Rose smiled like a fully bloomed flower, delighted.

“Actually, I saw you when you came in earlier… You were so beautiful! I felt truly captivated.”

“You flatter me.”

“My! I have high standards, and I always speak the truth.”

Baroness Rose took two drinks from a passing waiter and offered one to Dia.

“Duke Delta doesn’t like strong alcohol, so he always prepares sweet drinks like this. It’s specially designed for this party, so you’d be missing out if you didn’t try it.”

“Thank you.”

As Dia carefully accepted the glass, Baroness Rose whispered,

“Ignore the words and glances of those around you. They’re just inadequate people trying to boost their self-esteem.”

Dia realized that she had deliberately approached her.

‘She’s such a kind person’

Baroness Rose was someone who led the conversation elegantly but wasn’t the type to only talk about herself.

Dia answered easily to the occasional questions thrown her way. After all, she had studied hard.

But Dia knew. If the person in front of her hadn’t been Baroness Rose, but someone less familiar, she wouldn’t have been able to converse this easily.

‘It’s thanks to Deborah.’

Dia had no time to worry about the gazes of those around her, thanks to her gratitude towards Deborah and the kindness of Baroness Rose in front of her, nor did she need to anxiously wait and watch for when Zen would return.

[This is the timeline separator]

After conversing with Belus and returning, Zen told Dia it was time to go home.

In the end, the two of them never danced. Dia thought it was for the best. She would have surely stepped on Zen’s feet repeatedly.

As the engine of the car they boarded noisily made its presence known, Zen asked,

“What did you talk about with Baroness Rose earlier?”

“We talked about the reading party that Baroness Rose is hosting.”

Zen was silent for a moment. Fearing that Zen might misunderstand, Dia hurriedly added,

“I probably didn’t make any mistakes. Deborah taught me about Baroness Rose. So…”

“Deborah, you say?”

At Zen’s question, Dia lifted her gaze from her knees. Zen was looking at her. Clear and pure eyes.

Right now, he didn’t look like a cold man at all. And he didn’t seem to be looking at her either.

Why? There was no one else in front of Zen right now except her.

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Zen turned his head back to the window. Despite the late hour, several shops were still brightly lit.

Zen thought that even these bright lights would soon disappear like a mirage as he watched the shops impassively.

At that moment, his golden eyes flickered as he spotted a particular shop.

Zen immediately stood up and knocked on the partition between the driver’s seat and the back seat.

“Stop.”

At his loud voice, Paul pulled the car over to the side of the road.

“What’s the matter, sir?”

Ignoring Paul’s question, Zen opened the car door and rushed out.

Dia’s large, startled eyes fluttered as they followed the flapping tails of Zen’s coat as he moved away.

“Ahem, ahem.”

The merchant, who was humming as he tidied up his shop, was startled when a young, handsome gentleman suddenly opened the door and entered.

“Oh my goodness!”

Whether the merchant was surprised or not, Zen caught his breath and ran his hand through his hair.

[This is the timeline separator]

Deborah had confidently told Cedric she would tell him about the book’s contents, but with this level of concentration, it seemed it would be difficult to finish even one book in a month.

“Haah.”

Deborah sighed as she rubbed her eyes.

‘Why does my heart feel so heavy…’

Deborah had done her best to change the future. Today’s party surely didn’t unfold as Deborah had known it would.

‘But unknown misfortunes might have occurred.’

Deborah was afraid that although the story had changed, Dia’s quota of misfortune might remain the same.

And she was afraid that she might become someone who contributes to her misfortune.

‘Even if I don’t want to…’

Deborah found it amusing that despite thinking worries were one’s own burden, she who had told Dia it would be a good day was feeling this anxious.

‘I have too little faith.’

At that moment, a familiar noise was heard from afar. Deborah got up to check outside the window and immediately left the room.

‘Why are they back so early? Usually, when attending a party, it’s common to return at midnight or even after midnight.’

Was there a special reason they had to return early?

Deborah was anxious. But she didn’t run.

Her heart wanted to hurry to the grand entrance and wait for them, but her legs wouldn’t cooperate.

It seemed the hardships of the past few days had taken their toll.

‘Really now.’

Deborah moved her heavy legs as if they were soaked in water.

Although she couldn’t run, she didn’t stop walking, and she managed to arrive before the two entered the grand entrance.

“You’ve come out.”

Cedric, who had been waiting first, smiled as if he had expected this.

“As expected, you were here first. I guess I can’t beat Mr. Lareford.”

Deborah joked needlessly. Cedric examined her complexion, then instructed the footman to open the front door.

As Deborah took a step to go outside, Cedric said,

“Your clothes are thin. You should stay inside.”

Deborah shook her head.

“It’s fine. It’s only for a moment.”

With a gentle smile, Deborah walked gracefully into the cold winter world.

Cedric, who had been watching her retreating figure with concern, followed shortly after.

“Ah, Deborah.”

Dia, who had just stepped out of the car with Zen’s escort, flashed a bright smile towards Deborah. How beautiful she looked.

‘Would it be a cliché to say she looks like an angel?’

Deborah felt relieved at Dia’s radiant smile. At least it didn’t seem they had returned early due to some misfortune.

‘Thank goodness.’

Just as Deborah was feeling relieved, a sharp voice addressed her.