Rain Burton stuffed bread into her mouth, then made eye contact with me across the table and opened her mouth.

“Uh, ugh, ah.”

“You can talk after you finish eating.”

I said with a slight smile. Rain Burton’s Adam’s apple bobbed once, and she spoke with bread crumbs on her lips.

“I’m sorry. After the news of Countess Vuel’s divorce came out, and it became known that I was her legal counsel, I’ve been swamped with clients for days.”

“That’s something to celebrate.”

“It’s all thanks to Countess Vuel.”

Rain Burton said with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“Then you’ll need to relocate your office? Shall we wrap things up before getting into the details of the fees?”

I said with a smile, wrinkling my nose. Following up on before, she quickly gathered articles and documents related to the trial and explained them to me with a serious face.

“We’ve recovered the joint assets of Count Vuel’s estate that were seized by the imperial palace. Of course, not a single ogrant went to Devon, that scoundrel.”

“You’ve done an excellent job, Ms. Burton.”

“And although the trial didn’t end with a verdict due to Devon’s appeal, we resolved it by submitting a petition to the Minister of Justice in collaboration with the Vuel family’s lawyer. And this is based on your father’s will.”

Rain Burton pushed two documents on the table towards me and handed me a fountain pen.

“You just need to sign these papers to inherit all the assets and businesses.”

I took the fountain pen and carefully examined the documents before signing.

When I finally dotted the ‘i’ after signing my name, a shiver ran through me from my tailbone to the crown of my head.

‘Ah, I’m happy.’

It’s just reclaiming what was taken, but to become a billionaire overnight.

After I signed the two documents once more, Rain Burton took them back with a pleased smile.

“Congratulations, Count.”

The added honorific title was very satisfying. She said she needed to submit one copy to the court, so she took one and left one with me. Now, once that’s submitted, I’ll officially become Count Vuel.

“Oh right, about the recovery of Miss Berita’s ancestral home that you specially requested.”

That’s right, there was that. I had forgotten about it with all the other things going on. If she hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have remembered for quite some time.

“Was it successfully recovered?”

“Yes, although it was quite difficult because your father was still alive when Miss Berita received the rights to the mansion.”

“How did you handle it?”

“You said Miss Berita begged and pleaded with your toxic father to get it, right? We obtained a medical certificate from the attending physician at the time, introduced by the Vuel estate’s lawyer. It supported the claim that your father transferred it while in a delirious state due to severe illness, allowing us to recover it. Once we receive the documents from the court, she’ll need to find a new nest.”

“What’s there to worry about? Berita has the Dien viscounty.”

I waved my hand dismissively and then discussed Rain Burton’s fees.

The fee was agreed to be 1% of the inherited assets, as I was penniless at the time of the contract.

You might say it’s just 1%, but even that amount was enough to purchase a building in the center of the capital.

‘The fee that was once a year’s worth of food expenses has now become enough for ten years.’

It was the first time I’d seen Rain Burton’s mouth open so wide, except when she was eating.

Eventually, I stored the relevant documents in my artifact and stood up.

“Thank you for all your hard work.”

Rain Burton wiped her hands on her clothes and then shook mine.

“It’s been a pleasure working with you.”

“You too, Ms. Burton. The tax accountant will handle the rest, so don’t worry about it. And the end is just another beginning, right? I’ll come visit often.”

“You’re welcome anytime. We always welcome the Count.”

Rain Burton said with a satisfied smile, letting go of my hand, then suddenly looked as if she’d remembered something.

“You’ll need to find a new residence, won’t you?”

“Pardon?”

“Oh, am I mistaken? I thought you said you’d move out after the divorce, since you’ve been staying at the Mifidian ducal residence after your mansion burned down.”

“Ah… right.”

I had completely forgotten about that.

What I had remembered until just before going on vacation had been completely forgotten due to the various incidents I experienced there.

I swallowed a groan of self-reproach and then smiled calmly so that Rain Burton, who looked puzzled, wouldn’t notice.

Then I left the office, got into the carriage, and after thinking for a while, came to a conclusion.

‘I don’t necessarily… have to rush to move out right away, do I?’

More accurately, I didn’t want to leave.

The mansion that exuded a gentle and warm atmosphere reminiscent of Lilien, the servants, the flowers from Lilien’s garden that adorned the table every day, the fragrant aroma of freshly baked bread. And Edmond.

I enjoyed living in the mansion with the two of them.

Suddenly, the Emperor’s words invaded my hazy mind.

‘I’m glad you’ve found your place, Etricia.’

Though we’re not blood siblings, he seems to have realized that I have quite a close relationship with those two.

He saw it clearly even before I, the person involved, realized it. At this rate, forget about the tiger’s den…

‘It seems you think of them as family.’

Ha. A laugh escaped me, both incredulous and self-deprecating.

I covered my mouth with the back of my hand as if someone might see, letting out small chuckles, then turned my gaze to the sunset light seeping through the carriage window.

As I gently stretched out my hand, my hand, which had turned slightly yellow, felt warmly pleasant. That warmth felt just like Edmond’s hand that had wrapped around my shoulder during the vacation.

I closed my eyes for a long time until we arrived at the mansion, listening to the murmuring chatter from the square.

The next morning, the two of them were not present in the dining room.

On the six-person table that was always filled in the center and opposite sides, only a vase of camellia flowers sat lonely.

‘I wanted to let them know that the divorce proceedings were completely finished.’

The newspaper in my hand had an article on the front page about Etricia Vuel inheriting a massive fortune and becoming a glamorous single Count.

I was about to place the newspaper next to the table, but feeling a bit shy about putting it on the empty table, I left it on the chair beside me instead.

Rail caught my eye as he was filling my water glass and smiled gently.

“The master left early this morning for estate business. Miss Lilien attended her morning class due to the instructor’s personal circumstances.”

“Is that so?”

Feeling a bit embarrassed that Rail had seen through me, I tried not to let any disappointment show in my voice. Judging by the slight upturn of Rail’s lips, he had already noticed.

I rubbed my cheek while pressing my lips together firmly. It felt like my chest was sinking.

‘There was no mention of this until yesterday… It’s a bit disappointing.’

I had wanted to tell the two people who supported my divorce first.

I soon lowered my gaze to the plate placed in front of me. My appetite, which had been so voracious until the day before that I could have eaten rubber, was nowhere to be found as I picked at my food halfheartedly.

Letters arrived from the estate upon news of my inheriting the title and property.

After sending a reply that I would visit soon, I fell asleep while reading the male accessory category for the Le Bron accessory business progress.

When I suddenly opened my eyes again, I heard Lilien’s joyful laughter.

Opening the door and looking out, the maids seemed unusually busy today. Tilting my head in confusion, I asked a maid if Lilien had returned and then headed towards her room.

Lilien, having sought advice from Mary, headed to the party supply store the next morning, leading the maids.

They were party supplies to be used in the banquet hall, which the maids were secretly decorating with flowers for Etricia.

Mary, looking at the supplies piled high on the desk, shook her head with a disapproving expression.

“Would Countess Vuel really-”

“Ahem, Mary!”

A stern voice immediately cut in.

Lilien tapped the newspaper lying next to the table with a pretend stern face. Even though she was frowning, she didn’t look scary at all.

Mary asked, trying to hold back her laughter.

“Yes, the Count. Would the Count like these things?”

“Is, is it that strange…?”

She had gathered all the trendy party supplies in the capital. Cute garlands, party hats, colorful curtains. But it would all be meaningless if Etricia didn’t like them.

Seeing Lilien quickly become dejected, Mary hurriedly spoke up.

“It’s alright, Miss. We can make it work with these peculiar garlands.”

“Peculiar? Mary, you were excited picking them out too. That’s too much.”

Knock knock.

At that moment, Lilien stared at the door as the sound of knocking intruded. She had told the maids not to visit for a while as they were discussing an important matter.

“May I come in, Lilien?”

A gentle and elegant voice came through the door, as if parting clouds.

“E-Etricia?”

Lilien’s pupils shook in panic. Lilien, who had been frozen, exchanging glances with Mary, grabbed the blanket placed beside her.

The blanket, held by both Lilien and Mary on each side, fell like a parachute over the table.

Just as Lilien sprawled over the table, the door opened completely and Etricia appeared.

“Wh-what brings you here, Etricia?”

Etricia seemed momentarily taken aback by the unexpected scene, but soon smiled gently.

“I heard Lilien had returned, so I came to see. We didn’t get to see each other this morning since you left early for your lesson.”

“Th-that’s right.”

“If you’re free, would you like to have some tea in the garden?”

“Now? Now is a bit…”

Lilien smiled awkwardly, glancing at the blanket. She was so focused on the paper party supplies hidden under the table that she didn’t even know what she was answering.

Etricia’s gaze moved from the bulging blanket to Lilien, who was sweating profusely.

“Is something wrong? Can I help?”

“No!”

Etricia’s steps into the room halted at the firm answer. She stared at Lilien with a blank look, then smiled, crinkling her eyes.

“I see. Alright. Oh, by the way, are you free tomorrow?”

Etricia shrugged, narrowing her eyes.

“As you know, I’ve become quite wealthy. I can buy Lilien all sorts of nice, pretty, and precious things. Tomorrow, let’s go out together-”

“I’m sorry, but tomorrow is…”

“Oh… Do you have plans?”

“W-well…”

Lilien rolled her brown eyes around, searching for an excuse. With her arms wrapped around the table feeling numb and her back aching, she wanted to get up quickly and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.