“What’s going on here?”

“I heard news that the expedition force returned while the house was empty. Is everything alright? Did you get hurt anywhere?”

Olivia approached me with elegant steps, partially closing her eyes as she spoke.

“Yes.”

“Thank goodness. I stopped by briefly on my way back after acknowledging the Empress’s presence at my family’s estate. I never expected to meet you here. I thought you had no interest in jewelry, but…”

“I just had some business to attend to briefly…”

As I was about to hurry to explain, the owner’s voice was heard.

“Customer, I’ve selected a brooch that would suit the gentleman.”

Even after the resonating voice filled the store, Olivia’s widened eyes turned to me.

“That man, what is he talking about? Is he saying something to you, Rose?”

“He’s talking to me, but it’s not what you’re thinking…”

“You said you had no intention of getting married, but were you seeing someone else?”

Denying Olivia’s assumption, I chose my words carefully.

Stay calm. Getting worked up here would only make things stranger.

Considering Olivia’s position as the one trying to marry me off as soon as possible and send me away from the Duchy, it wasn’t surprising for her to make such an assumption.

Just as I was finally calming myself, Ian, who had silently approached, subtly blocked my path. Even when I tried to push him away, he didn’t budge.

What’s he doing? Doesn’t he remember that Olivia is my stepmother?

“This is my knight junior, Klein. And this is my mother.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Klein.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Olivia Winters.”

“I came with this friend because I received help from him.”

Olivia’s eyes, which had slightly lifted at her amused smile, turned to Ian once again.

“Oh my, is that so? Earlier, the name…”

“Klein.”

“I see. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

Acknowledging it with a slight nod, Olivia covered her mouth with the fan she was holding. It was clear what she was thinking.

“Well, I should drop by next time.”

“No need for that. We’re leaving soon anyway…”

“Oh, dear, do you think I’m so clueless? You two enjoy your time together and come in, Rose.”

“What you think, mother…”

Before I could say that it wasn’t like that, Olivia, who had been standing there, looked at the empty space where she had been. I laughed briefly, realizing that even if I had said something, she wouldn’t have believed me.

She must be in high spirits, considering she was going out.

“Senior.”

“Yeah?”

“I unavoidably heard this girl’s inner thoughts.”

A low sigh followed. Now that I thought about it, Ian mentioned that he could hear people’s inner thoughts.

But what did he just say? This girl?

“What did you say?”

“That… Think of this girl as someone with a difference between her appearance and her inner self.”
Ian’s gaze, watching Olivia leave, was stern, unlike usual.

“I told you last time, she’s my stepmother. I’ve known that she dislikes me for a long time, so it’s not surprising.”

“But still, that woman…”

Ian bit his lower lip after hesitating for a moment. Was it something he couldn’t express?

Seeing the worry in his eyes, I forced a smile.

“I’ll be careful, alright?”

“That’s not enough. It’s better to be cautious in everything.”

“Alright, let’s go pick out a brooch.”

“Customers, please come and have a look.”

The owner brought out five brooches. Each brooch was contained in a box, and they came in blue, green, yellow, red, and purple colors.

“But earlier, you said you brought a brooch that would suit this guy…”

Isn’t this just displaying good items?

“The customer’s taste is more important. All of these are top-notch, so just choose according to your preference.”

“Now that you mention it, that makes sense. What do you like? I prefer this one…”

“I prefer this one…”

Ian pointed to a transparent, sparkling green brooch, while I pointed to a blue brooch resembling the sea.

“Do you like this one? I think this one suits you better.”

“No, I like this one.”

“Really?”

Smiling alternately at me and Ian, the owner spoke.

“Then the lady can take the blue brooch, and the gentleman can take the green one.”

“Oh, I don’t need it.”

Rosalía wasn’t interested in accessories, so unused jewelry overflowed in the jewelry box.

“Lately, it’s trendy in the capital for lovers to give each other brooches. A brooch that represents one’s characteristics, like a token.”

“But we…”

“Then I’ll give you this one as a gift.”

When I grabbed Ian’s hem, he slowly lowered his gaze and looked at me. Waiting for our eyes to meet, I tilted my head slightly toward him.

He must have understood everything.

Although I conveyed the message with my eyes, Ian blinked as if he couldn’t understand.

Is he deliberately pretending not to hear my thoughts?

“I’m fine with mine. Just wrap the green brooch, please.”

“I’m sorry, but you can’t take it with you today, sir. It arrived yesterday, so we need to make the setting and do a bit more crafting. It won’t take long.”

“Oh? When will it be ready?”

“It won’t take too long.”