But her true feelings seemed to go unnoticed. Only after Christoph had earnestly pleaded several times did he finally take his leave.

It’s not because of what Christoph said. Because Lady List is waiting…

Marianne muttered another lame excuse to herself. Just as she unintentionally clenched the hem of her dress,

“Would it be alright if I walk you part of the way?”

“Of course, Liam.”

Marianne let out a sigh of relief and cheerfully nodded her head.

Leaving the police station behind them, the two started walking side by side. The sky was turning to twilight. A red glow enveloped the world like a blanket.

“What happened?”

A few steps in, Liam casually asked. Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Marianne’s eyes widened slightly.

“What do you mean, ‘what happened’?”

“Well, your face looks darker than usual. Of course, I’d prefer it was just my imagination.”

“Ah…”

Marianne avoided eye contact, her face flushing. She could easily recall the cause—her newfound feelings of inferiority and jealousy, those dark emotions.

As she remained silent, Liam gently added in a familiar, comforting voice, “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. But if you need someone to talk to, you can always come to me, Marianne. After all, we’re friends.”

“……Thank you, Liam.”

His kind words seemed to caress her troubled heart. Marianne looked at his face, colored by the setting sun. He looked utterly gentle and soft.

She thought Liam would quietly listen to even her worst emotions. While she couldn’t share them with anyone just yet, if she ever had to, Liam would be the person.

He would listen without blaming or scolding her, then he would likely smile warmly. That would undoubtedly be more reassuring than any comfort.

“Of course, though I’m a friend with hidden motives.”

At Liam’s joke, Marianne, who had been downcast just a moment ago, burst into laughter. Liam watched her with satisfied eyes.

“Well, I have to go this way.”

At the fork in the road, Liam paused, pointed to the left, and bid her farewell. His easy departure lightened Marianne’s mood as well.

“I’m taking the right. See you, Liam. Have a good evening.”

“You too, Marianne.”

With a light wave, Marianne moved on.

Liam stood there, watching as Marianne’s figure disappeared around the corner. Only after she had vanished did he retrace his steps.

Opening her wardrobe, Marianne inadvertently sighed. The five dresses she had bought with the money borrowed from Count Schneider were too shabby for a ball.

“Wearing that dress would make a mockery of the Count. I might even end up on the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper.”

Next, she opened the drawer beneath the wardrobe. She didn’t have much money left. It was an amount far too small to even consider buying an evening dress.

“I should have said I can’t go… But then the Count might be disappointed. Even if I order a dress now, there’s not enough time.”

Marianne clicked her tongue at herself, too preoccupied with work to care about her dress. She would have to meet Christoph tomorrow.

“In a pinch, I could borrow some money from Christoph to buy some ready-made clothes…”

Just then, she heard the sound of a carriage stopping in front of her house. A flicker of confusion crossed Marianne’s eyes. Only one reason came to mind for a carriage to arrive here.

She walked to the window and looked outside. As expected, a carriage bearing the Schneider crest was there.

“I’m not ready yet.”

Taking deep breaths, Marianne descended to the lower floor. The words asking for a loan seemed stuck in her throat.
But it was none other than Count Schneider’s birthday celebration. Marianne couldn’t afford to miss it. She was quite fond of the Count and wanted to reciprocate his kindness. She didn’t want to see him disappointed.

Just then, Lady List opened the front door. Marianne, who had taken a short breath, headed straight for the entrance.

“Ah, Louis.”

“Mother, have you been well? Nothing wrong?”

Hmm?

Marianne’s pace gradually slowed. It wasn’t Christoph. It was Lady List’s son and the assistant butler, Louis.

As if she had been waiting for Christoph, Marianne let out an awkward laugh. Louis, who met her gaze, greeted her.

“Hello, Mrs. Schneider.”

“Nice to see you, Louis.”

“Mrs. Schneider?”

Lady List looked at her with a surprised face. Marianne met her eyes with a bitter look. So, she had finally found out.

She seemed to be pondering something as she stared at Marianne for a while. Perhaps she was recalling past events one by one.

Then, she opened her mouth again. A suspicious tone flowed from Lady List’s voice.

“Marianne…?”

“Yes, it’s me, Marianne.”

There was much she wanted to ask. But she asked nothing. She was too old to be throwing parched questions. Sometimes, indifference is better.

Lady List turned to her son and asked, “What brings you here at this time?” Louis, holding a box smaller than his height, answered.

“I’ve come on an errand.”

He handed the box to Marianne with a grin.

“I hope you like it, Mrs. Schneider.”