I looked incredulously at Karl, who brazenly responded.

“One can’t give cheap gifts for their only sibling’s wedding.”

“Still, you should spend within your means. This is excessive.”

“He’s a sibling of special significance to me.”

Unexpectedly, he seemed quite attached to his family.

Nevertheless, I couldn’t argue further. I browsed the accessories, unlike Karl, who seemed indifferent.

“You said he’s a special sibling.”

“Yes.”

“Then why are you looking so carelessly?”

“I am being very serious.”

Karl shrugged.

‘No one would believe that, given his reluctant demeanor.’

Eager to finish and leave, I inspected the accessories and picked out one that looked nice – reasonably priced and not a bad design.

“Is that to your taste?”

“Does my taste matter?”

“If possible, it’s better to match a woman’s preference.”

“For a brother? Why?” I questioned, but he smirked.

“Aren’t accessories worn to impress someone?”

“Most people wear them for self-satisfaction. Anyway, I think this one is the best.”

I pointed to a bracelet next to the one I was holding. Karl nodded and took the bracelet I offered.

“Do you want to get married?”

“What? Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

His abrupt, context-free question caught me off guard.

Then it hit me – he was referring to my meeting with Gebis. I cringed, recalling the sleazy man’s leering gaze.

“Princess Floria arranged it. She’s busy enough with her own marriage, yet she cares for me too. It’s truly kind of her. Though the man I met today wasn’t to my taste.”

I answered indifferently, and Karl looked down at me curiously.

“So, what is your type?”

“What?”

“Do you like those scholarly types, always buried in books?”

His question felt pointed, as if he was alluding to someone specific.

Could Floria have mentioned Matthias? Unlikely. She had no reason to. He must have been referring to the time he saw me with Matthias.

“A scholarly type is different. They’re serious, calm, and intelligent from reading a lot. I think I’d prefer such a man if I were to marry.”

Karl snorted and crossed his arms.

“So, if Princess Floria introduces another man like that, you’ll rush to meet him?”

“Of course. She’s taking the trouble to arrange it. But why are we even talking about this?”

“I don’t know either.”

He seemed genuinely perplexed, which was odd. He appeared somewhat upset.

‘What’s with him?’

As I gazed at him curiously, I overheard a conversation nearby.

“Did you hear? That Renéollet Violet is causing trouble again. She’s been terribly cruel to the other maids, so many have quit.”

“Yeah, she should be grateful for Princess Floria’s kindness and behave. It would be terrible if her actions caused trouble for the princess.”

There’s never been any maid who left because of me.

I wanted to retort, but doing so would reveal my identity, so I refrained.

I’ve been the subject of malevolent rumors for a while now, but it didn’t matter as I didn’t plan to stay in this country.

Ignoring them, I turned away, and Karl commented, looking in the direction of the conversation.

“The rumors about you seem to be getting worse.”

“It’s nothing new.”

“It seems like someone might be deliberately spreading them.”

That someone is your adored and trusted Princess Floria.
I shook my head inwardly, thinking about Karl. Despite his airs of knowing everything in the world, he fails to see the true nature of the person I serve. That’s what you call pseudo-intellect.

Karl’s eyebrows raised at my disdainful look.

“What’s with that look? It’s quite offensive.”

“Just pay already.”

What’s the use of talking? I urged him to finish quickly, eager to part ways. But Karl was relaxed.

“Aren’t you bothered by such bad rumors?”

“They’re just the result of my own actions. I did trouble Princess Floria in my reckless days. Even though I received her gracious forgiveness, I humbly accept such rumors as part of my penance.”

“Huh.”

Looking at me incredulously, Karl headed to the checkout.

As soon as we left the jewelry shop, I bid farewell to Karl.

“I’ll go now. Consider this a repayment for your help today. Don’t change your story later.”

“Why so hasty? Let’s have tea at the bookstore.”

“That crazy tea of yours?”

“There are other kinds of tea.”

“No, thanks. I’ve had enough of being your experiment.”

Once fooled, twice shy.

“Enjoy it by yourself then. Goodbye.”

I turned away before Karl could hold me up any longer.

Back at the palace, I flopped onto my bed, exhausted from dealing with the crazed Gebis and Karl.

Ginger seemed eager to know how my meeting with Gebis went.

I couldn’t ignore her, so I briefly mentioned Karl’s interruption, leaving out certain parts. Sylvia vented her frustration at Gebis’s rudeness but was relieved to hear how things turned out.

“Don’t get involved with such weird people again, Renéollet.”

However, Sylvia’s hopes were shattered the next day. Floria seemed to have heard everything from Gebis. She consoled me, holding my hand.

“I’m sorry to hear about the disappointing meeting.”

I hid my true feelings and smiled resignedly.

“It seems it wasn’t meant to be. After all, I…”

“But the earl still likes you. He’s reflecting on leaving you alone like that. It seemed he panicked. Why not try meeting him again?”

‘Damn it.’

Floria was determined to pair me with the earl. Knowing resistance was futile, I reluctantly nodded.

Her satisfied smile made me feel uneasy.

“By the way, are you acquainted with the man who spilled food on the earl?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Gebis mentioned you seemed to know each other.”

I had to be cautious. I couldn’t let her suspect anything.

“Yes, I know him. He was one of the attendants Princess Floria sent to escort me.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Don’t misunderstand. It wasn’t intentional to ruin the meeting.”

“Why would I think that?”

Floria’s sly smile told me otherwise. She was certain of some connection and seemed to be figuring out which attendant it was.

I worried whether Karl would suffer any consequences. His well-being did concern me a bit.

“Do women these days fancy such types?”

Cahilrin’s question drew Machi and Randol’s attention to where he was looking. Librarian Matthias was struggling with a few books.

“It’s astonishing. He looks so frail that a simple kick could knock him over.”

“Your Highness, anyone would fall if kicked by you. Not just fall, but break a leg. So please refrain from doing so.”
Randol nodded at Machi’s words.

“Are you going to keep watching?”

Machi sighed in exasperation. They had been hiding in the library, observing this Matthias fellow for already two hours.

The situation was driving them crazy. Randol, especially, seemed more agitated, restlessly shaking his leg, eager to leave.

“He’s insane.”

Machi, who had hit Randol’s thigh to stop his fidgeting, looked at Cahilrin, who was intently staring at Matthias.

Their master had been in a sour mood ever since he heard Renéollet Violet mention her affection for the librarian.

Unaware, his fondness for the lady seemed to be growing.

For example, yesterday, he unnecessarily showed up at her meeting with some dandy, causing a scene under the pretense of a ‘slippery hand.’

The bracelet she picked out as a gift for the second prince, which was now on his wrist, was likely never meant for its purported recipient.

And today, he was spending hours glaring at the librarian.

Matthias, who seemed sensitive despite his frail appearance, kept looking around, probably feeling the intense scrutiny.

Randol nudged Machi’s side and whispered.

“Our master is really interested in that brown-haired lady, isn’t he?”

Yes, Machi nodded. The master probably thinks he’s just amused by an interesting person, but it’s more than that.