“Hmm.”

Robin only gave a troubled-looking smile in response to Aria’s question.

Not all nobles are wealthy.

Even noble families often go bankrupt due to failing to manage their estates or various other reasons, leading to a situation worse than wealthy commoners.

Robin’s Stamper family was like that.

Robin Stamper was an ambitious young man who would not hesitate to study abroad in Zak Hang, a long-time rival of his homeland, if there was something to learn. However, the Stamper family did not have the means to support his studies.

For the Stamper family, who had lost most of their fortunes, including their estates, due to a series of misfortunes over several generations, just getting by was all they could do.

In that situation, there was someone who recognized Robin’s true worth and actively stepped up to support him, and that was his sponsor.

With the generous support, Robin successfully completed his studies abroad, returned home to become a royal official, and was on the road to success in his own way.

As such, it was only natural that he referred to his sponsor as his lifelong benefactor.

The mysterious sponsor who hid their identity. Aria did not know their name, where they lived, whether they were male or female, what their status was, or even if they were an individual or an organization.

Robin was a loving husband who enjoyed sharing his daily life with his wife, but he kept his mouth shut only when it came to his sponsor.

Aria only knew that he regularly communicated with his sponsor and sometimes worked for them. But she didn’t know what kind of work it was.

“Robin, isn’t it time you let me know too? We’re husband and wife, you know.”

As his wife approached and pressed him, Robin scratched his head.

“It was just a simple greeting and inquiring about the developments in the royal court.”

“Then why are you trying so hard to hide it?”

“As I told you before, my sponsor is firmly determined not to reveal themselves to the world. So any letters containing their information are immediately disposed of after being checked.”

“Isn’t that too thorough for keeping the secret of a faceless angel? It’s not like they’re a secret agent.”

Aria put her arm around her husband’s shoulder and gave a seductive smile.

“And your wife is confident she can keep a secret to the grave. You don’t distrust me, do you?”

“I trust you.”

The answer came back without hesitation as soon as her question ended, but it didn’t mean Robin had yielded.

“But I hope you can understand me, dear wife. I have already promised to keep their secret for the rest of my life.”

“……”

After silently gazing into his eyes for a while, Aria soon burst into laughter.

The seductive smile quickly turned into that of a mischievous one.

“I know. I know. I heard about that promise before. I just said it because it’s amusing to see you being so serious every time.”

She loved this honest to a fault side of her husband, and in fact, she wasn’t that curious about the sponsor’s identity.

What does it matter who they are? Judging by the fact that they gave Robin their full support, they must be a person of outstanding insight and good character.

Robin sighed in relief as he looked at his wife.

“I’m glad you understand.”

“Come, let’s have dinner together.”

“Ah, just a moment. I have some work left, so I’ll finish this and come out soon.”

“Alright. Then I should write letters to my friends in the meantime.”

Aria hummed in a cheerful voice as she left the study.

“I’m thinking of inviting Kisa to the very next meeting. I’m going to ask for agreement on that.”

“…That’s a good idea.”

After his wife disappeared, he picked up the paper knife on the desk and stirred the inside of the ashtray.

The charred paper pieces completely lost their shape and turned into ashes.

“…So I’m also going to read that novel called ‘The Paradox of Sorrow’. I heard it’s quite long, so I think I’ll have to read diligently to finish it by the next meeting.”

At the dinner table with Seyard at the Hillan Duke’s residence, Kisa chattered away in a rather excited manner.

“Ah, by the way, have you also read that novel, Seyard? I heard it was quite famous when it was published, although it’s a rather old work.”

Seyard lightly nodded at his fiancée’s question.

“I don’t remember the details, but I think I read it when I was young. It’s probably still in my study.”

“Then can I borrow it? It might be in my family’s study too, but I need my father’s permission to enter there. It’s a bit awkward in many ways…”

He loosened his lips and readily answered.

“Of course. In fact, you don’t even need to ask me. You’ll soon be the mistress of this mansion.”

“What?”

Kisa’s cheeks flushed a faint red at the unexpected blow.

“Ah, that’s right. But we’re not married yet, so…”

As she muttered as if making an excuse, Seyard looked at her fondly and picked up a small dessert spoon.

Then he reached out, took the ice cream cup from the seat opposite him, scooped up a spoonful of ice cream, and held it to Kisa’s mouth.

“Seyard?”

“Ah, open up.”

“I, I can eat it myself.”

“You’ve been so engrossed in talking that you’ve neglected the dessert, haven’t you? The ice cream will melt at this rate. Ah.”

Since he showed no signs of backing down, Kisa hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.

Soon, a cool and sweet sensation spread through her mouth.

“How is it?”

Seyard asked, resting his chin on his hand, and Kisa readily answered.

“It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Even though he didn’t eat it himself. Kisa glanced across the table, feeling a little wronged.

In fact, the ice cream in front of Seyard had only melted slightly and remained almost in its original state.

As if sensing Kisa’s gaze, he soon ate his own ice cream.

“It’s really delicious.”

For reference, Seyard did not particularly change his spoon.

Realizing that fact, heat rushed to Kisa’s face.

As if to cool her heated face, Kisa silently brought her share of the ice cream to her mouth.

Seyard was so nonchalant that it made her feel like she was the one being strange.

‘No, is it really strange?’

For a couple who had even kissed, overreacting to using the same spoon was a bit…

Having recalled the memory of the kiss, Kisa was engulfed in an even more peculiar feeling.

It had been nearly half a month, but whenever she thought of that day, she felt like hiding in a mouse hole.

After that day, Kisa avoided Seyard’s gaze at every opportunity for a while.

Because whenever she faced him, her eyes kept drifting to his smooth and well-shaped lips.

Like a pervert.

Even when Seyard wasn’t by her side, the vivid memory of that day relentlessly invaded Kisa’s daily life.

It came to mind while eating, while taking a stroll in the garden, while playing the violin to calm her heart…

At night, lying in bed, she had to twist her body in shame that resurfaced every single time.

That’s how overly stimulating the kiss she shared with Seyard was. Especially for Kisa, who had never experienced a proper romance.

‘I had just buried it!’

The reason Kisa was able to have a relatively normal meal today in front of Seyard, the root cause of all this, was thanks to the gathering Aria had invited her to.

Her friends were more unique than Kisa had expected.

A diverse group of people from various backgrounds and age ranges warmly welcomed Kisa.

There were young noble ladies who had not yet fully reached adulthood, as well as elderly women who had gained extensive life experience as merchants in their youth.

To be honest, Kisa was curious about how Aria could have formed friendships with such a diverse group of people.

For Kisa, who had mainly interacted with people similar to herself, such as at Princess Arta’s tea party gatherings, it felt like entering a new world.

The gathering, which started as a book club and had now become more of a social club, immediately captivated Kisa.

Before she knew it, the gathering had ended, and it was almost time for her to meet Seyard for dinner as promised.

For that reason, Kisa was just telling him about what had happened at the gathering a little while ago.

However, it seemed that even the shock of such a unique gathering was no match for the person known as Seyard Hillan.

Seeing how Seyard’s kiss had once again consumed Kisa’s mind, not even half a day had passed.

‘We only held hands on dates after that day…’

Unaware of his fiancée’s inner thoughts, who was pondering if this was too much, Seyard put down the dessert spoon with a refreshed face.

“Anyway, I’m glad to see that the gathering seems to suit you well, Kisa.”

“Ah. Yes. Indeed.”

Kisa, who had also emptied her ice cream cup, put down the spoon and replied.

“I’m really grateful to Aria. She was already a benefactor to me just for telling me the truth about Daniel, but she even introduced me to such delightful friends.”

In fact, until a few days ago, Kisa had been secretly wishing for someone like her.

A same-sex friend with whom she could share her heart.

Of course, Seyard was the closest person to Kisa, but the feeling of approaching the opposite sex and the same sex was naturally different.

The time spent with Aria brought Kisa a different kind of joy.

‘After ending things with Melissa like that, I thought I’d never be able to make friends again…’

Who would have thought that such unexpected fortune would come her way?

“It’s like a miracle. Don’t you think?”

At Kisa’s words, Seyard smiled softly.

“It sure is.”