I walked through the garden of the main palace in the imperial city, holding a book.

As I walked along the familiar path, I saw a round pergola in the distance. The person sitting inside it noticed her and waved.

“Veronica!”

Magnolia called out happily. Veronica walked towards her with a faint smile.

“Over here. Sit here. I was saving you a seat!”

Magnolia urgently patted the seat next to her.

Veronica obediently sat down. Overjoyed, Magnolia began to chatter.

“I’ve been waiting for you to come. I kept looking over there.”

“Is that so? I should have come earlier.”

“Next time, shall we set a time to meet? Let’s meet halfway! Or should I go to the Hardness residence?”

“Why bother? We can just meet here.”

“But if we meet sooner, we’ll be happy sooner.”

“I’m happy enough meeting here.”

“That’s true!”

It was a quick judgment and agreement. Magnolia kept smiling brightly.

Seeing her face full of joy, Veronica couldn’t help but smile too.

“I thought I would never be able to come to the Empress’s reading group again, but she invited me.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard the news.”

For a moment, it felt like gazes were pouring in. Veronica looked around.

The people sitting in a circle inside the pergola were either chatting with each other or admiring the garden scenery.

However, it was impossible not to notice the gazes that were subtly fixed on her while pretending not to be interested.

Being at the center of recent gossip, it was natural for people to be curious.

Veronica pretended not to notice and turned to Magnolia.

She was just smiling brightly at her. At times like this, her lack of awareness wasn’t so bad.

“I heard that our family and the Linings are having a dinner party together today, right?”

“Yes, I heard. That’s why I’m planning to go to the Hardness residence with Veronica after the reading group ends. I’ve already told my father.”

If that’s the case. After the reading group ended, Magnolia really came to the Hardness residence with Veronica.

The two spent time in Veronica’s room, eating snacks and having trivial conversations. And when the appointed time came, they went down to the dining room.

Harry and the people from the Lining family had arrived and were seated in the dining room.

Veronica sat down next to Harry, and Magnolia sat in the empty seat across from her.

Next to her sat two young men.

They must be her brothers that Magnolia had mentioned. Veronica stared intently at one of them.

When everyone had gathered, delicious food was served on the long table.

Thanks to her father’s efforts in welcoming guests after a long time, the dinner party proceeded pleasantly.

After the dinner party, Harry arranged a separate meeting with the Lining couple.

For paying off the Lining family’s debt, Harry had acquired a portion of the shares in the business that Baron Lining was conducting. Because of this, Harry had been even busier lately.

In another reception room, Veronica was being introduced to Magnolia’s brothers.

Magnolia pointed to the men on either side of her and explained.

“Veronica. This is my eldest brother, and here is my second brother.”

Veronica first greeted the man sitting on her left. It was her eldest brother who was studying abroad.

Magnolia’s wedding was originally planned to be held during the times when her eldest brother would briefly return from his studies abroad.

I heard that he’s been coming to visit the family whenever he has time due to recent events.

Scarlet eyes looked at the man sitting on Magnolia’s right, who was said to be her second brother.

He was a man with hair that was more reddish than hers and calm yellow eyes.

Veronica stared at him intently. He looked somewhat familiar.

“Your name is?”

“It’s Lake Lining.”

“Not Lake Fel?”

Lake’s eyes widened at that.

“How did you know? That’s my mother’s surname.”

“I think I heard it somewhere.”

“I see. I did occasionally use my mother’s surname, but I didn’t use it in official settings. I wonder where you might have heard about it.”

“Brother, why did you use mother’s surname?”

When Magnolia asked, Lake showed a troubled expression.

“There were some circumstances…”

He trailed off, but it seemed understandable.

It seems that this wasn’t the first time for Baron Lining’s misconduct. That’s why both sons who were supposed to lead the family as the next heads were out and about.

Veronica knew the man in front of her well.

The man she remembered used the surname ‘Fel’, and she wasn’t sure if he had a younger sister named Magnolia.

However, the reason she remembered him was because he was one of Cassian’s subordinates.

When Asher ascended to the throne, it was Cassian and his subordinates who prevented the Crown Prince’s rebellion, thwarted the second prince’s attempt at treason, eliminated the third prince who seemed likely to become a seed of discord, and then thoroughly dealt with other royal relatives and opposing retainers.

Among them, ‘Lake Fel’ was the most skilled and closest confidant among his subordinates.

He was always a loyal person who watched the situation from behind Cassian and followed his orders.

“You’re in charge of guarding His Highness Cassian Theron, right?”

“Yes. Actually, I’ve seen your face occasionally, but this is the first time I’m formally greeting you.”

Lake smiled slightly. Veronica had seen him when she visited the palace to meet Cassian.

She didn’t particularly try to build a relationship with him because there was no need to, and she didn’t know he was from the ‘Lining family’.

Judging by how Cassian didn’t recognize Magnolia when he saw her, it seems he didn’t usually talk about his family.

“Brother. You were Theron’s guard? Why didn’t I know? I couldn’t see your face when I visited last time.”

“It hasn’t been long. About a year? You must not have seen me last time because of other business. There’s not just me as a guard.”

“Then you must be close with the Prince.”

“Just because I’m a guard doesn’t mean I automatically catch His Highness’s eye. Moreover, he doesn’t pay attention to lowly people like us.”

Magnolia made a disappointed sound, and Lake patted her head. He seemed to be quite fond of his sister.

The man who was said to be the eldest brother also had an affectionate look in his eyes when looking at Magnolia.

She seemed to be a well-loved younger sister, but to Veronica, who knew the fate of these siblings, it didn’t really resonate.

Her eyes were fixed on Lake again.

His softened face didn’t look like the man who used to look at her more coldly than Cassian.

“I heard separately from Magnolia. If it weren’t for the help of Veronica Hardness, it would have been difficult to resolve this issue. We are truly indebted to you. We will never forget it.”

Lake gave a polite thank you with his left hand on his chest.

Magnolia’s eldest brother also bowed his head and gave a grateful look. Magnolia also had a similar expression.

Receiving the gaze of the three people, Veronica smiled lightly.

Even after the incident with the Lining family’s wedding was settled, Veronica often spent time with Magnolia. ‘Often’ might be an understatement; in fact, they saw each other almost every day.

Magnolia visited the Hardness residence frequently, seemingly without getting tired of it, and the two spent more days together in Veronica’s room.

When they got bored of staying in the room, they went out to eat delicious food or explore the streets, and sometimes they even went on picnics to slightly farther places.

On days when Veronica didn’t have classes, they would spend the entire day together.

At first, Veronica felt uncomfortable, but as Magnolia adapted well to her, it didn’t take long to get used to it.

Especially Magnolia’s sociability was beyond imagination.

Since her previous stay, she had gradually become acquainted with the servants of the Hardness family, and before long, she became close enough to exchange trivial conversations with them, and even reached a level where she could talk to Harry without tension.

Harry also quite adored Magnolia, who had a different personality from Veronica.

Magnolia also started attending the lessons with Lady Arin.

Magnolia wanted it, the Lining family proposed it, and Harry allowed it. When even Veronica didn’t object, it naturally became a regular time.

“Magnolia is good at embroidery.”

“Yes. I’ve been praised for having good hand skills. This embroidery here is also done by me.”

“Oh my.”

Magnolia pointed out the flower embroidery on her handkerchief to show off. Lady Arin, who received the handkerchief, didn’t hold back her praise.

“It’s so dense and pretty. Isn’t it, Veronica?”

“Yes, well.”

In between, Veronica responded indifferently and then savored her tea.

Embroidery or whatever wasn’t really a topic of interest to Veronica.

After that, the two continued to chat, asking each other about their hobbies, what they usually do in their daily lives, and other curious points about each other.

Lady Arin’s lessons tended to be learned while sharing everyday topics, so it wasn’t bad, but when did the title ‘Miss Lining’ change to ‘Magnolia’?

The sight of them smiling at each other was quite a beautiful time.

“It must be hard these days with the news of the broken engagement? People are talking a lot.”

“It’s okay, my lady. It was something I was prepared for.”

“It will die down soon. It was the same for me too.”

At Lady Arin’s words as she rubbed her teacup, Magnolia’s eyes sparkled.

“How did you meet your current husband, my lady?”

Finally, ‘that question’ popped up. Veronica lamented that she couldn’t stop it in time.

Lady Arin, whose face suddenly lit up, began to recite her love story from beginning to end, one by one.

The appearance of a new audience pleased her, and the audience listened to her love story with interest. And the regular audience had to endure another boring wait.

“So my husband still feels sorry for being cold to me back then.”

“He’s a good husband.”

“Isn’t he? Magnolia will soon find a good man too.”

“I really hope so!”

“I’m sure it will happen!”

Lady Arin held both of Magnolia’s hands and encouraged her.

Magnolia also nodded vigorously while looking at her.

In the end, the overall time of the lesson turned into a scene of Lady Arin and Magnolia’s friendliness, love, and enthusiasm.

“It’s amazing.”

“Huh? What is?”

After the lesson with Lady Arin ended, the two immediately got into a carriage and went out.

Magnolia, who was looking out the window, turned to Veronica and tilted her head.

While maintaining a casual and natural atmosphere, Lady Arin, who unexpectedly confirmed both public and private matters, had turned the lesson into a chat.

As they say, innocent people are scarier, and even she had fallen. Magnolia was already gradually conquering the Hardness family.

Looking at her innocent face, Veronica waved her hand saying it was nothing.

“By the way, are you really going to the imperial palace together?”

“Yes! To see my second brother! I’m going to tease him.”

Magnolia made a strange laughing sound, probably thinking of Lake’s face. Veronica, who was staring at her, asked.

“That man… You seem to be on good terms with your second brother. He seemed more affectionate than I expected.”