A few days ago, someone from the Hillan ducal family personally delivered a letter to Kisa.

Previously, Kisa had sent a letter to Sayerd through her father, Count Vanspelt, congratulating him on his debut in high society.

Even though there had been a sudden engagement announcement afterwards, he properly replied to her letter.

The letter contained words of gratitude for the congratulations, impressions that high society was not as easy as he thought, along with what seemed to be a request for a date.

“Would you grant me some of your time?”

Kisa gladly replied that she would.

And so, on the day of their first date, she was busily practicing embroidery to gift Sayerd a handkerchief with his initials.

In fact, this handkerchief that Kisa had bought herself at a handkerchief shop quite a long time ago to give to Sayerd still hadn’t been delivered to its intended owner.

After that, she met Sayerd twice, but once she only learned of his visit after he had already left, so she didn’t even think of the handkerchief, and the other time at the charity banquet, she didn’t bring it because she didn’t expect to have a chance to be alone with him.

This time, she was determined to give it to him no matter what. If possible, with his initials perfectly embroidered on the handkerchief.

Seeing Kisa diligently moving her hands again, her nanny teasingly said:

“My, do you like the Duke that much?”

“…It’s not like that.”

This wasn’t a matter of love, but simply because she had received so much from him that her conscience wouldn’t allow her to give him just an ordinary embroidery.

However, to the nanny’s ears, it sounded like the excuse of a woman smitten with her new fiancé.

“Ah, yes! Of course! Do your best!”

“It’s really not like that! Nanny! If you’re that free, why don’t you tidy up over there?”

Feeling inexplicably upset, Kisa pointed to her desk overrun with numerous letters.

Letters from various people were jumbled together in disarray.

“How could I refuse? I’ll do as you command.”

The nanny, still unable to wipe the smile off her face, reached out towards the desk.

Soon, under her deft hands, the mass of letters began to be neatly organized.

Suddenly, the nanny exclaimed in surprise.

“Oh my, why has Miss Melissa sent so many letters?”

“I know. I wonder if her hand doesn’t hurt.”

After their last meeting, Melissa had stopped sending letters to Kisa for a while as if she had no more business with her, and she didn’t visit either.

However, as soon as Sayerd and Kisa’s engagement was announced, she changed her attitude like a lie and was trying her best to contact Kisa. Very persistently, even though Kisa didn’t respond at all.

If one were to say it’s like her, it truly is like her.

In contrast, there was also someone whose letters had suddenly stopped. It was Princess Arta.

She hadn’t contacted Kisa at all since the engagement announcement.

Even when Kisa first sent a letter with casual greetings, there was no reply.

Even when Kisa had stopped her social activities due to the shock of her fiancé’s death, the princess would reply if she sent a letter…

Although she had been prepared for it, it was still unsettling to grow distant from the princess she had been quite close with.

No, the situation had already happened, so there was no use worrying about it.

Currently, what she needed to focus on most was the first date that was now just two days away.

‘I’ll definitely embroider it perfectly.’

Kisa gripped the embroidery hoop, burning with determination.

Two days later, as Kisa greeted Sayerd at the entrance of the mansion, she gulped.

“Um, Sayerd…”

“What’s wrong?”

Behind Sayerd, who tilted his head with an unconcerned face, people were constantly moving large and small boxes.

“What is all this?”

“I prepared some modest gifts to commemorate our first date.”

Modest? Was that the right expression to use in this situation?

Kisa bit her lip.

At this rate, there was no way she could give it to him. Her truly modest handkerchief.

Kisa’s attention turned to the handkerchief neatly wrapped inside her handbag.

Of course, she had done her best to complete the embroidery, but it was certainly not the work of a professional, and even if the embroidery was well done, it wouldn’t greatly change the value of the handkerchief.

In other words, the gift Kisa had prepared for him was just a slightly luxurious men’s handkerchief. Nothing more, nothing less.

‘On the other hand, the gifts Sayerd brought…’

Kisa looked with astonishment at the numerous boxes still being placed on the floor.

Seeing this, Sayerd seemed to think Kisa was anticipating what was in the boxes, so he smiled and wiggled his finger.

At that, the servants of the Hillan ducal family who had been carrying the boxes uniformly opened part of the packaging to show the contents.

Starting with dresses and accessories, there were all sorts of things including tea leaves, paintings, fans, music boxes, porcelain, clocks, and more.

There were even desserts from a popular bakery in the capital that were said to be sold out due to limited daily quantities.

At a glance, it was clear that the gift selection wasn’t simply expensive items, but showed consideration in various aspects.

However, the more Kisa examined each item, the heavier her heart felt.

Especially when she found out that handkerchiefs were included among them, that feeling reached its peak.

A golden-feathered canary sitting on a branch was intricately embroidered on the white cloth.

The depiction of the leaves on the branch and the bird’s fine feathers was undoubtedly the work of a master.

Needless to say, it was far superior to Kisa’s work, to the point where comparison would be embarrassing.

Compared to this golden canary, the initials she had embroidered were no different from a child’s scribble.

“Kisa?”

At that moment, Sayerd, noticing that Kisa’s expression was strange, carefully called out to her.

“Do you not like them?”

“Ah, no!”

Hearing his voice that seemed somewhat dejected, though it might have been her imagination, Kisa hurriedly waved her hands.

“I like them very much. They’re all wonderful gifts.”

“But your expression doesn’t look good at all.”

“Ah, that’s because I feel sorry.”

“Sorry?”

“I’m not sure if I should accept this when I’ve already received so much. And I…”

Kisa hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“Unlike Sayerd, I didn’t prepare anything. I’m sorry.”

After thinking it over several times, Kisa couldn’t bring herself to present her shabby handkerchief as a gift right after receiving such magnificent presents, so she unknowingly told a lie.

Unaware of Kisa’s true feelings, Sayerd’s clouded expression cleared and he smiled gently.

“There’s no need to feel sorry. I prepared these because I wanted to, without even telling you.”

“Still…”

“If you really feel burdened, why don’t you think of it as a token of gratitude for agreeing to my unreasonable request before?”

“What unreasonable request?”

“When I suddenly announced our engagement at the charity banquet. You graciously agreed.”

“Ah, that’s fine. Although I was surprised… actually, my heart was pounding a bit. It felt like I was playing a naughty prank.”

For Kisa, who had always lived by following set rules due to her father’s strict guidance, it was one of the biggest deviations in her life.

Even now, if she closed her eyes, she felt like she could still feel her heart beating rapidly from that time.

“I’m fine with it too. So please don’t worry about the gifts.”

Saying this, Sayerd winked his left eye with a mischievous expression.

“Moreover, after advertising myself as someone so blinded by love everywhere, wouldn’t it be strange to visit my fiancée empty-handed on our first date?”

It meant that to some extent, there was also a purpose of showing others.

Although it wasn’t exactly a lie, Kisa could feel Sayerd’s intention to ease her burden that much, so she nodded.

“Then I’ll gladly accept. Thank you sincerely for the gifts, Sayerd.”

“It’s nothing. I couldn’t ask for more if it brings you even a little joy.”

“But there’s so much that if we looked at each one in detail, the sun would set.”

“That would be a bit troublesome. Shall we postpone the detailed examination and go outside for now?”

Seeing him extend his arm to escort her, Kisa inwardly made a resolution.

For Sayerd, who was being so considerate of her, she would do her best to make today’s date the best time possible.

Even though her heart was heavy due to the gift in her handbag that she ultimately couldn’t give…

She couldn’t disappoint the person who had given her far more gifts, and above all, more thoughtful ones, than she had received from Daniel in over ten years.

The large carriage bearing the crest of the Hillan ducal family naturally drew people’s attention.

Even passersby hurriedly walking along the street lined with luxurious shops slowed their steps to look at the stopped carriage once they recognized the ducal crest.

Amidst their great interest, the couple who alighted from the carriage were the very subjects who had been heating up various newspapers in the Kingdom of Sorvi recently.

The new Duke of Hillan and his fiancée, Kisa Vanspelt.

A man who had to be expelled from the monastery due to his ominous birth, and a woman who took another man’s hand just days after breaking off her engagement with her former fiancé.

It was only natural that the gazes directed at the two were not entirely kind.

However, there was a truth that even those who gossiped about them couldn’t deny – that they were an incredibly well-matched pair.

While the onlookers momentarily lost themselves admiring their figures as if they had walked out of a masterpiece painting, the couple gracefully entered a building.

It was a restaurant famous for its breathtaking views from above.

The moment they entered the restaurant, Kisa unconsciously drew in a breath.

It felt as if the atmosphere inside had changed in an instant.

‘It was the same outside, but here too…’

The guests who noticed their presence all fixed their eyes on the couple, their gazes shining.

These were the gazes they would have to endure countless times in the future.