After Lirien left and the door closed, a silence settled in the office.

Edmun, having been reviewing documents for a while, sighed, unbuttoned the top of his shirt, and leaned back in his chair. His gaze inadvertently fell on the green grape tart Lirien had left behind.

‘It’s from a famous tart shop. Lady Ettrisha asked me to deliver it to you as a token of gratitude. She said she bought it keeping your preferences in mind.’

Edmun glared at the green grape tart as if in a staring contest.

He felt an inexplicable frustration and annoyance. He couldn’t understand why he was so irked that Ettrisha had drawn a line and refused his help, especially considering she had once tried to kill his sister.

He had been informed that she had cleverly reversed public opinion, feigning tears after boldly slapping someone… But isn’t she too defenseless? Isn’t it dangerous?

She, who flinches at ice and trembles at heights, acts fearlessly.

The thought of Ettrisha coldly distancing herself made him boil with irritation.

‘So, she’s disembarked from the boat we were on together? She does whatever she pleases.’

He regretted having let his guard down and being swayed by her false smiles. He chastised himself for that.

With a click of his tongue, Edmun picked out and ate only the grapes from the tart, then began working again, chewing aggressively.

Disheartened by the cancellation of her plans with Ettrisha, Lirien hurried home after hearing that she had bought her a tart.

Rushing out of the pastry workshop, Lirien came across a group of students huddled together. Intrigued by a familiar name mentioned, she pushed her way into their midst.

“Why Ettrisha?”

Startled, the students clutched at their chests or trembled.

As Lirien blinked her large eyes, the students, still unaware of who she was, spilled the story.

Incredulous and angry after hearing the absurd rumors, Lirien stormed off to her carriage.

Clutching the crushed box of pastries, she remembered the gossip.

‘They say the reclusive Countess Buell is staying at the Miphidian house. And the reason is, during Count Buell’s absence from the capital, she and Count Miphidian…’

‘Have been in contact since the forest?’

‘Oh, scandalous…’

Fuming, Lirien stomped her foot hard.

Who would start such a disrespectful rumor?

“If I find out who it is, they won’t get away with it…”

A thought suddenly struck her, causing her to pause.

‘…Should I let it go?’

The rumor, intended to insult her brother and Ettrisha, broke her heart. But upon reflection, it wasn’t entirely bad.

If the rumor became true, she could be with Ettrisha forever! And certainly, Edmun was a much better choice than her garbage ex-husband.

“Why didn’t I think of this before?”

She had been so distracted lately, thinking about having to live apart from Ettrisha, that even her pastry classes couldn’t hold her focus.

She barely passed her certification exam and felt the days dragging by painfully. She even felt a slight gratitude towards Devon for not finalizing their divorce yet.

Initially, she thought she would only stay in the Miphidian house until the divorce.

Lirien furrowed her brows, deep in thought.

‘First of all, it’s impossible that Edmun doesn’t like Ettrisha.’

How could he not? She’s like an unextinguishing flame of elegance and warmth. Then, what about Ettrisha?

Lirien pondered over her brother’s strengths.
Marie said that for men, it’s all about the face, and if they have wealth too, that’s a bonus. But she believes the gods are fair. In that respect, Edmun is someone who seems to have received an unfair share of God’s affection.

And soon, after the upcoming title ceremony, he’ll even have the status of a true duke.

So, as a spouse, he’s more than qualified. Moreover, she knows about Ettrisha’s secret preferences.

Lirien, whose expression had softened, stormed into Edmun’s office as soon as she arrived at the mansion.

Edmun was reading documents, maintaining his composure.

Contrary to her bold entrance, Lirien hesitated. It felt somewhat inappropriate to ask such a question, even to a family member.

“Uh, Edmun, I have something to ask you.”

“What is it now? My mind is quite occupied at the moment-.”

“Do you have, um, a big chest?”

“What did you just say…?”

Edmun’s gaze, which had been on his documents, slowly lifted.

Lirien’s face flushed intensely. Her brother’s eyes seemed to crinkle in bewilderment. But having already broached the subject, she didn’t care about saving face anymore.

“Can you let me measure your chest size just once?”

“Did Countess Buell teach you such absurd things?”

“Lady Ettrisha wouldn’t say such dreadful things.”

Sighing with exasperation, Edmun pressed his temples.

“Please leave.”

“Just let me measure your chest, okay?”

Edmun abruptly stood up, opened the door himself, and pushed Lirien out.

“If you can’t do that, how about doing some chest exercises? From what I know, Lady Ettrisha’s ideal type is-.”

Bang!