After touring the greenhouse, Lirien and I headed to her favorite garden.

Lirien shyly smiled and linked arms with me. Her concealed smile, full of fresh and fluffy emotions, made me gently tap the back of my hand before hesitantly speaking up.

“Lirien, remember you said you wanted to help with my divorce?”

“Of course, is there something I can help with? I’m happy to do anything that helps you, Etrisha.”

Lirien’s eyes sparkled with pure innocence.

The plan to bury Antla in the social circles at the upcoming grand banquet, attended by the entire upper echelons of the empire, was going smoothly. My only concern was Devin’s attendance. If Devin and I crossed paths, both of us would be in utter shock, and the nobles wouldn’t miss the subtle hints.

I wanted Lirien to enjoy the banquet. To be adored in a place so splendid and enchanting.

“Lady Lirien, are you aware that you might run into Devin at the banquet?”

Lirien looked bewildered, as if she had completely forgotten about it.

“That’s true.”

Her tension-free demeanor made me laugh lightly.

I unlinked my arm and faced Lirien directly.

“Even if you do meet him, don’t show any concern and enjoy the banquet. I’ll handle Devin. That day is about enjoying the event.”

“Etrisha…”

Lirien looked up at me with moist eyes. Crossing her pure white gaze, I felt as if my heart, darkened by deceitful people, was being purified.

Lirien suddenly raised her head. If I hadn’t quickly moved back, her head would have hit my chin.

“Etrisha! I’ve made up my mind.”

“About what?”

I rubbed my chin unconsciously and responded.

“Please become part of my family!”

Her abrupt answer shocked me, and I withdrew my hand from my chin. Family? I knew Lirien was fond of me, but to want me as family…

“What do you mean by family?”

I asked, half-hoping it was a joke. I looked down at Lirien, ready to pat her shoulder in jest.

“With Edmun…”

Unfortunately, Lirien twisted her body, hiding her unfinished sentence. It was evident enough.

Is she asking me to marry Edmun? I stared at her in disbelief. Despite my reaction, Lirien’s earnest face showed she was serious.

“Have you discussed this with Lord Edmun?”

“Of course!”

…So an assassin was close by.

I sighed and rubbed my forehead. If Edmun knew about this, it explained his prickly behavior. With such rumors and his sister supporting them, no wonder he was sensitive.

Divorce in noble society may be legally acceptable, but it’s still frowned upon in conservative and narrow-minded circles. A flaw as a person maybe, but as a partner, it’s considered a defect.

“Lady Lirien, are you aware of the recent scandal involving me?”

“Yes, I heard about it and thought of this.”

Devin, you’ve crossed the line this time.

I struggled to contain my boiling frustration and took a deep breath. Lirien clasped her cheeks, lost in a blissful daydream, probably imagining our wedding and catching the bouquet.

That was never going to happen.

I smiled wryly.

“Lady Lirien, I appreciate your kind thoughts, but it’s complicated.”

“Why? Why?! My brother is handsome, wealthy, and has a robust chest!”

Chest? I blinked in confusion, my eyelids fluttering.

Even with my usually good tact, this time I was caught off guard.

‘A robust chest…’

Ah, I’m not denying it, of course.
Edmun’s sculpted physique is indescribably magnificent. Especially, the firm chest and the muscular arms I felt when he embraced me in the vineyard last time were incredibly… no, not the point.

I shook my head, clearing the impure thoughts that momentarily surfaced.

Innocent Lirien seems to interpret a man’s physique merely in terms of his chest size.

After resolving the scandal, here I am, a sister plotting to match her soon-to-be-divorced brother with a man of impressive credentials.

Why would Edmun want to be with someone like me, especially someone who’s cautious and uninterested in romance or marriage? It would only be a source of displeasure for him.

Sighing deeply to calm my fluttering heart, I started speaking.

“Lady Lirien, mentioning such a thing would anger the count. I’m about to be divorced, and someone as admirable as the count wouldn’t suit me-.”

“What are you talking about, Etrisha!” Lirien interrupted me, jumping up in protest.

“I was actually worried that you might like Edmun, Etrisha.”

“That’s ridiculous. The count is a hero commanding the monster subjugation force and charming enough to make many women’s hearts flutter.”

“So you mean you do find my brother attractive…?”

“No!”

Shocked by her immediate assumption that we were practically set for marriage, I raised my voice, surprising Lirien, who blinked her large eyes in confusion.

Feeling sorry for yelling at the doll-like adorable Lirien, I sighed and gently stroked her head.

“What I mean is, if the count finds out his sister is trying to match him with someone about to be divorced, he’ll be displeased.”

“Edmun would be displeased…?” Lirien frowned in confusion, as if to say ‘What’s so great about him…?’