Camilla’s gaze, mingling madness and despair, slowly moved behind me.

Cedric, unable to hide his pathetic expression, and Bianca, looking at her as if she were a monster.

Camilla’s eyes, looking at those two, shook uncontrollably.

“To think that both of you are here…”

From her husband’s abandonment, her pitiful state rolling on the ground, to the current situation where she clung to me.

Camilla’s face turned shamefully red as she laid bare everything to the Ducal family.

“This kind of appearance…”

“We should go ahead, Camilla.”

“…”

“I’ve heard about the Dimitri family’s situation… I hope everything resolves well.”
The only words I had to leave her were just that.

I turned back to Bianca, holding the child’s hand, urging us to move on.

After a few steps, I looked back. Camilla was still standing there, staring at our departing figures, looking pathetic.

Fortunately, the shock caused by Camilla did not last long. While strolling through the streets full of women’s clothing boutiques and jewelry shops, Bianca quickly regained her cheerful demeanor.

“It seems more fun to come out to the street and see the designers in person than when they come to the castle!”

“That’s right. It’s more enjoyable when I’m with Bianca, too, isn’t it?”

I stopped in front of a jewelry shop window and stood there with Cedric, who had also stopped by my side.

“Is there something you like?”

In response to Cedric’s question, I nodded.

“That bracelet would suit Bianca quite well.”

Various gemstone bracelets in small sizes for girls were displayed in different colors.

I had intended to give Bianca a beautiful gift before heading to the capital.

‘I should boost her spirits in advance just in case she encounters those insufferable noble ladies again! I need to see what kind of people those parents of those kids are!’

With a twinkle in my eye, I immediately grabbed Bianca’s hand.

“Let’s go in, Bianca!”

“What? Why would we go to a jewelry shop?”

“Why not! It’s an opportunity to showcase the sophisticated jewelry craftsmanship of the North to those uncultured noble ladies in the capital!”

Even though Bianca looked bewildered as she was led by my hand, she asked with a slightly surprised expression.

“Ding—.”

When the small bell hanging on the glass door rang, the owner of the jewelry shop casually turned his head towards us.

“Welcome… Oh!”

As the owner exclaimed in surprise, the attention of those around us focused on us.

“Your… Your Grace came shopping in the city?”

“Oh, the Duke even came! What special day is it today?”

The fact that the twins’ family came to the market street, and not just one person, but everyone, was quite surprising.

The shop owner hurriedly approached us with a face full of memories.

“For the Duke’s family to visit our store directly, this will undoubtedly be the honor of my lifetime!”

With shining eyes, she quickly presented a catalog to me, afraid to miss this opportunity.

“If there’s anything you desire that’s not currently here, please feel free to ask, Your Grace!”

The owner didn’t doubt that I had come to buy jewelry for myself, given the notorious luxury of the LeBeck family, something that was well-known in the North.

However, I lowered my head towards the owner who sparkled with anticipation.

“I came not for myself but to see jewelry that would suit our Lady.”

“For the Lady…?”

The owner asked, puzzled.
My eyes, which slowly nodded, once again glowed with determination.

“I don’t care about the price; just choose the finest regardless of what it is! Select something that can widely showcase the excellent jewel craftsmanship of the North to the capital!”

“Excellent craftsmanship in the North… to be widely known in the capital…”

The owner, passionate but confused by my vague order, quickly noted it down in her notepad. Then, with a determined expression, she sparkled her eyes.

“I completely understand Your Grace’s words. At the upcoming imperial banquet in the capital, I will do my best to serve Lady Twins, who are our pride in the North, so that she can become the Empire’s top beauty!”

After Bianca was led away by the owner to the back of the store.

All the attention inside the shop was directed towards Cedric and me, the only two left.

‘It’s awkward enough being alone with Cedric, and now I have to worry about the gazes around us…’

I hadn’t even considered such a situation, only caught up in the excitement due to Bianca.

At that time, as I rolled my eyes in embarrassment, I suddenly felt warmth in my hand.

“…?”

Looking at Cedric with a puzzled expression, he grabbed my hand and shrugged his shoulders.

“A lot of eyes are watching.”

I blinked in surprise.

“Are you… not angry with me?”

Ignoring my question, Cedric turned his head and scanned the display shelves.

Then, he nodded towards a necklace with large rubies carefully embedded.

“It seems like it would suit you.”

Indeed, the necklace was beautifully crafted, perfectly matching the color of my red eyes.

However, I shook my head.

“I’m fine. I came in just to buy something for Bianca from the beginning.”

I couldn’t afford luxury like I used to, similar to the old Rebecca.

‘Investing in the welfare foundation turned into a disaster again, so well, whatever…’

When I go to the capital’s gift exchange, I’ll surely hit the jackpot.

That was the moment I reaffirmed my determination.

Suddenly, Cedric, who had taken out the ruby necklace, approached me as if trying to fill it.

“I think it would be nice if you lifted your hair a bit.”

His gentle tone echoed in my ears.

After a moment of contemplation, I nodded.

‘Well, it’s not like I’m spending money on it; why not give it a try.’

As Cedric held my hair up slightly, he gradually approached me.

While Cedric was putting the necklace on me, his warm breath intermittently touched my neck and then retreated.

In that subtle sensation that gradually became noticeable, I closed my eyes tightly.

“Rebecca.”

Cedric’s voice, thick and resonant, settled heavily on my ear, crossing our faces.

“Do you still consider that night a mistake?”