It was already quite dark by the time we arrived at the duchy residence.

I went straight to my room and sank into the bath that Ann had prepared in advance.

After relaxing for a while and getting out, Ann, who had been waiting with comfortable clothes ready, whispered to me.

“Miss, Miss Vivian has arrived.”

“Really?”

Noticing my excited mood, Ann hurriedly dried my hair. As I walked to the center of the room, I saw Vivian lying on the sofa in a rather cute posture.

“Vivian, what are you doing here?”

Vivian, who had been glaring with one arm propping up her head, calmly sat up.

“Vivian was so bored, so I came.”

“What about Cayden?”

“I don’t know. He doesn’t play with Vivian much these days!”

Vivian looked like she was about to jump up at any moment. Judging by her sulky expression, she seemed very upset with Cayden.

“Is that so?”

“It’s hard to even see Cayden’s face.”

Is he training hard?

Cayden, who grew up receiving the full support of the Winters family as well as Olivia’s maiden family, the ducal Riley family, was Olivia’s great pride.

It’s understandable since there was nothing he couldn’t do well since childhood.

If Olivia found out that Cayden, whom she had raised so preciously, wanted to join the White Knights, she wouldn’t just sit still.

“Rose unni, are you okay?”

I came to my senses at Vivian’s touch, tugging at the hem of my clothes.

“Huh?”

“You were frowning like this just now.”

Vivian scrunched up her face as if trying to imitate me. But seeing her cute appearance, I burst out laughing.

“Vivian, what do you want to do with me?”

“Can you read a book to me?”

As I sat down on the bed and patted the spot next to me, Vivian came running with a book.

“Then I will bring some dessert.”

“Please do, Ann.”

Soon the door closed. Vivian peeked out her head and looked around, then suddenly started rummaging through her pocket.

“What are you doing, Vivian?”

“I have something to give to unni.”

After fiddling for a while, Vivian held out a small fist in front of me.

“This is…”

What was in her open palm was none other than candy.

Although it looked a little different from the candy Ian had given me, judging by its round shape and the size of a fingernail, it seemed to be candy.

Is it a trend in the capital these days?

“I’m giving this to unni specially.”

“Where did you get this?”

“Mark secretly gave it to me.”

Mark, the head chef, had a particular weakness for Vivian. Vivian used to say that Mark’s desserts were the best, and Mark always smiled shyly but couldn’t hide his smile.

“Can you give it to me?”

“Vivian ate a lot already. I saved this to give to Rose unni because you like sweets too.”

Saying such pretty words, no wonder she receives affection from everyone.

“Thank you, Vivian.”

Vivian stared at me as I gently stroked her head, then immediately handed me the book.

After turning about three pages, I heard the sound of soft breathing coming from somewhere. When I rolled my eyes, I saw Vivian dozing off next to me.

As I carefully closed the book, Ann entered the room with a tray of desserts.

“Miss, the dessert…”

“Shh.”

Noticing Vivian soundly asleep next to me, Ann approached with muted footsteps.

“It seems Miss Vivian was sleepy.”

“Right. I guess she came to me because she was sleepy. What is Mother doing now?”

“Madam is in the drawing room. Sir Dylan has arrived.”

So that’s why Vivian came to find me.

Vivian was a bit timid and wanted someone to stay by her side until she fell asleep.

Usually when she was sleepy, she would act up to Olivia or Cayden, but these days Cayden was nowhere to be seen, and even Olivia was talking with Dylan, so she must have come to me.

“By the way, Miss.”

“Yes?”

“You said you weren’t going to the knights’ order tomorrow, right?”

“I did.”

Sensing an ominous feeling, I was about to change my words right away, but Ann smiled.

“Then you must fit your dress tomorrow.”

Dress?

Does that mean I have to do that dress fitting that Rosebelia really hated?

“Do I really need to get it fitted? Can’t I just wear anything?”

I answered in a deliberately curt tone and quickly covered my mouth.

Rosebelia had little interest in dresses, but I was secretly looking forward to choosing a dress.

How could I dislike the chance to freely try on pretty dresses?

Even in my previous life, I took anything related to dressing up seriously.

With this face and this figure, I need to dress it up properly.

“No, you can’t. Cayden’s birthday is coming up soon.”

If it’s Cayden’s birthday…

Come to think of it, the Winters family appears in the original story soon. In the original, Daisy was invited by the Winters family but did not attend the party due to poor health.

That invitation sent by the Winters family must have been to attend Cayden’s birthday party.

“So I called Madame for tomorrow. So you can’t suddenly say you have something to do and go to the knights’ order.”

I reluctantly pretended to nod.

The Rosebelia in my memory always wore dresses that mostly hid her figure, but this time I’ll make sure to wear a dress that properly shows off my figure.

By the way, I wonder if Daisy will not attend the party this time too?

*

“Miss, an invitation has arrived from the Winters family.”

“The Winters family? Bring it here quickly.”

At Daisy’s urging, Lucy’s footsteps quickened towards the sofa.

“Here it is, Miss.”

Daisy’s eyes sparkled for a moment as she looked at the invitation, then quickly faded.

“There’s still quite a bit of time left until the date.”

“Will you be attending?”

“Of course I have to go. It says I can see Lady Rosebelia if I go there, right?”

“I suppose so.”

Daisy hugged the open invitation tightly to her chest. Lucy looked at Daisy’s face, which was suddenly full of life, as if it were strange.

“I really want to meet that person again. No matter how I think about it, it’s unfair that Big Brother went alone to meet that person.”

“But Miss, you were not feeling well…”

“I’m fine now.”

Since meeting Rosebelia in the square, Daisy had completely changed. The somewhat gloomy and lethargic appearance was gone, replaced by overflowing vitality.

Although her frail body still seemed unable to handle that energy, just seeing Daisy show the will to do something made all the members of the ducal family happy.

“But Miss…”

“Besides, Big Brother couldn’t even invite that person to our house.”

“But Miss, you also predicted that the knight would not accept the invitation.”

Daisy chuckled, shaking her head.

“Big Brother’s appearance is quite impressive.”

“It’s more than just impressive. I heard that even the First Prince’s appearance is excellent, but since he never makes public appearances, it’s just a rumor. Wouldn’t Lord Renart’s appearance be considered the best in the empire?”

Lucy’s voice, as she mumbled with her hands clasped together, was as soft as melting ice cream.

“I had a small hope that maybe, like other women, she might agree because of Big Brother’s appearance. But as expected, that person wasn’t someone to be swayed by such things.”

“If that beauty didn’t work, that person must be as steadfast as a rock.”

“Lucy, that analogy is inappropriate. Even Big Brother’s appearance can never compare to Lady Rosebelia’s beauty.”

Lucy swallowed her dry saliva as she met Daisy’s gleaming eyes.

‘Those eyes, they’re the eyes Miss has when she starts praising that knight…’

“You, you told me everything last time, Miss. The exquisite appearance…”

“Right? I heard she’s also outstanding in skills and is considered a candidate for the next leader of the White Knights. Isn’t that so cool? I wonder how much more beautiful she will look in a dress?”

Since it was a story she had heard to the point of her ears getting calluses, Lucy could only nod repeatedly.

Rosebelia, was it? Whenever talking about that knight, Daisy’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

Actually, Lucy didn’t dislike Daisy like that. The lively appearance seemed much better than Daisy blankly staring out the window.

“Miss.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you know that you’ve been really full of energy these days?”

“Really?”

“Yes. You look like you’re in very good condition too.”

Daisy, who had been quietly reflecting on Lucy’s words, suddenly got up from the sofa.

“I don’t think I can take it anymore. I’ve made up my mind.”

“Pardon? What have you decided…”

Lucy’s eyes shook helplessly as she looked at Daisy, whose face was flushed.

“I have to meet her in person.”

“Who, who are you talking about?”

Instead of answering, Daisy showed a brighter smile than ever.

*

“It’s been a long time since the whole family has gathered for a meal like this.”

I quietly put down my fork. I felt a strange sense of incongruity from Olivia, who seemed unusually excited today.

“Indeed.”

Herman replied, taking a sip of wine. Olivia glanced at Herman, then suddenly turned her gaze to me.

“Rose.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I heard you called Madame today.”

“Cayden’s birthday is coming up, so I chose a dress to wear then.”

“You did very well.”

Olivia’s voice was gentle and affectionate as always. With her usual serene smile, she looked like the epitome of a benevolent mother.

No wonder everyone thinks Olivia truly cherishes Rosebelia.

“Vivian helped me choose.”

Vivian, who was sitting across from me, suddenly said.

“Vivian helped you choose?”

Herman, focusing his gaze on Vivian, asked in a loving voice.

He didn’t even spare a glance my way, but he knows how to use such a voice?

I struggled to swallow the empty laugh that threatened to burst out at any moment.

My mother who passed away early, my father who started a new family, and my new stepmother. And me, who felt like an impurity that could never blend in with them.

Perhaps Rosebelia’s situation is similar to mine in my previous life, making it easier for me to empathize with her.

“Yes, it’s a very pretty dress. But unni is prettier than the dress.”

When even Cayden joined in praising me, Olivia’s brow twitched for a moment.

“Speaking of which, Her Majesty the Empress also…”

“You met Her Majesty the Empress?”

“Yes. I visited the imperial palace a while ago, and she said she would grace the occasion by sending His Highness the Second Prince to Cayden’s birthday party.”

As the topic changed in an instant, a smile spread across Olivia’s face as if she had never shown any discomfort.

“It’s truly a grateful thing for her to do so much for Cayden.”

“By the way, don’t you think it’s about time to look for a match for Rose?”

A match?

I’m already on the verge of getting neurosis just hearing the word ‘marriage’ after what happened at the knights’ order.

“A match… I haven’t thought about it.”

“I actually asked Uncle Dylan to find a good match…”

“I have no intention of getting married.”

For the first time, Herman’s eyes turned towards me. His golden eyes were exactly the same as Cayden and Vivian’s.

That’s not all. Even his black hair was identical to Cayden’s.

Anyone could see they were undoubtedly father and son.

On the other hand, Rosebelia and Herman had nothing in common.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s exactly as I said. I have no intention of getting married right now.”

“Oh my, Rose. Marriage isn’t something you should delay. Later on, even if you want to get married, it may be difficult to find a suitable match. Of course, I won’t let that happen, but finding a match for you when you’re even a year younger…”

There was a hint of delight in Olivia’s soft voice. She seemed genuinely excited.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t particularly want to get married anyway.”

“Mother, Father. It seems Rose doesn’t want to get married yet, so can’t we take our time looking for a match?”

When Cayden intervened, unable to watch any longer, Olivia gently waved her hand.

“Cayden, this is for Rose’s sake. Rose, I know you value your work at the knights’ order, but there is nothing more important for a woman than finding a good husband.”

“I clearly stated it. I have no intention of getting married.”

I faced Olivia squarely, completely erasing any hint of a smile. Olivia seemed a bit flustered by my firm attitude.

Olivia’s intentions were as clear as day. Since Rosebelia had been the type to avoid conflict so far, she must have intended to pressure me by building up the atmosphere this time too.

I tried to maintain my composure and spoke again.

“So don’t proceed as you please, Mother.”

For a moment, a heavy silence descended. The one who broke that silence was Herman’s angry voice.

“What kind of way of speaking is that, Rosebelia?”

“…”

“You really haven’t changed at all. Olivia cares for you so much, how long are you going to keep acting so twisted?”