With a contemptuous look, Emma looked at Edward, who made a grimace.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, nothing. It must be nice to be so simple, brother.”

“What are you talking about.”

Emma shook her head back and forth, then folded her arms and looked at Alicia’s closed room door.

‘Is she really dating?’

Considering Alicia’s reaction to the men she’d seen so far, it was unexpected.

Edward often passed on things that men asked him to deliver to Alicia, but Emma was different.

‘The brotherinlaw must be a rich man. Sister shouldn’t get her hands dirty. He should be a very rich man who can sit elegantly and read sister’s favorite books.’

She had felt sorry for her sister who had been working as the head of this house instead of their father.

She didn’t go to the balls that everyone else went to, she didn’t have a hobby because it cost money, and she was just working, uninterested in men or dating.

So, she wouldn’t know much about men and Emma was always worried that she might pick up some rubbish somewhere.

And then Alicia, who had been like that, announced that she was suddenly engaged.

Moreover, with a man she had only met twice.

‘What kind of person is he? Even if he has reformed, he’s the subject of such rumors.’

Emma began to meticulously recall Eric.

‘Appearance? Yes, he was handsome. He was tall. I admit this. Abilities? He’s a knight’s commander, so he must be competent? I’ve seen it in the newspaper, so it’s not a fraud. This, too, I admit. Family? He’s a duke’s heir, and he himself is a count, so this I admit. Wealth? Hmm, I have a lot to say about this part.’

Emma recalled a conversation she had with Alicia before.

“Sister, what is this? What’s this ring?”

“Why? Is it strange?”

“No, is it 500 years ago in the Dark Ages? In the age when they wore gold rings or something, got married by laying purification water, is that the time?”

“What are you talking about?”

“A gold ring, a gold ring without even a speck of a gem, what are you talking about?”

“Oh, that. I chose it. It’s comfortable to wear.”

“You chose it yourself? This? Are you crazy?”

“I thought it would be comfortable for Eric, too.”

‘A duke’s family? Does he hold a count’s title? Is the family good but there’s no money? Is that it?’

Looking at Alicia’s face, which seemed to have no idea what was wrong, Emma really lost her words.

‘It’s like my sister who doesn’t know the ways of the world. That’s why I’m worried.’

Emma looked at the silver bellflowers placed here and there while leaning on one foot.

‘Looking at the amount of these silver bellflowers which are known to be expensive, there’s a high chance he’s rich, right? If he has money to spend on these, he should have at least put some gems on the ring.’

While checking Eric piece by piece, Emma suddenly had such a thought.

‘…Why does this person want to marry my sister? Does he have an unspeakable flaw? Or is there another reason?’

“Miss has come.”

“On a weekend?”

Reading a book leisurely in the study, Eric raised his head and looked at the butler who was laughing and humming familiarly.

“She sent silver bellflowers to the Lancaster Count’s house yesterday.”

“Oh.”
“How wonderful it would have been if you had taken it yourself. Weren’t you curious? How much the lady would have liked it?”

“I couldn’t help it because I also had to work overtime yesterday.”

“Then you should have hurried this morning. You are quick at other times, but not at times like this.”

“……”

“And from next week, it will be busier, won’t it?”

When Eric was letting the butler’s nagging go in one ear and out the other, fortunately, a knock was heard.

“Come in.”

Alicia soon opened the door and entered.

The butler, who was going to tell Eric quickly and go to pick up Alicia, quickly made an excuse in embarrassment.

“Lady. I was going to escort the Earl down soon.”

“It’s fine, I’m not a guest.”

“That’s right, of course, the lady is not a guest.”

The butler grinned again.

How could he look so happy after nagging and fussing just a moment ago? Eric, astounded, stared back at the butler and closed the book he was reading.

And the expression he’s been seeing the most lately has made him too tired to find it strange or even to say a word.

Alicia walked up to the desk where Eric was sitting.

“What were you doing?”

“This.”

Eric showed Alicia the book he was reading.

“Did you buy it?”

“I thought it would be fun. It was okay for me, was it not good for you?”

“No, it was fun. So far.”

“I’m glad.”

And then Alicia awkwardly smiled, fiddling with her hands.

She was just stopping by to say thank you, but she was unnecessarily tense.

In fact, before coming to Earl Russell, Alicia had many concerns.

She had received so many flowers that it was too much, and she came to express her gratitude, but she was concerned whether she should only say it in words.

Of course, Eric probably didn’t expect a return when he sent them.

But even if she did, she had no idea how to repay this man.

“What’s the matter? You surprised me when you said you wanted to see me suddenly.”

Jenna sat in front of Alicia with a puzzled face.

“I need advice.”

“Advice?”

“That is.”

Alicia hesitated and opened her mouth.

“What would be a good gift for a man?”

“I guess. Something he likes?”

“Um.”

When Alicia closed her mouth with a troubled face, Jenna asked.

“Why? Is it the Earl’s birthday?”

“No, not that. I don’t know how to return the favor.”

“Return? What return?”

“He sent me flowers out of nowhere. A lot. Enough to fill the house.”

“What, did you call me to brag?”

“No, I really need advice. I’ve never done anything like this before.”

When Alicia spoke as if she was really troubled, Jenna chuckled.

“I understand. It’s a joke, a joke. Let’s think. What does the Earl usually like?”

“Books?”

“That’s not it, girl.”

“I think so too. Or a sword?”

“Sword? It’s not bad, but if he’s a knight captain, wouldn’t the sword be custommade and not a supply item?”

“Um. Then how about being his training partner? A duel?”

“That’s a joke, too.”

At Alicia’s serious answer, Jenna waved her hand and suddenly grinned.

“Oh, if it’s a duel, would you have a strength competition? There are other strength competitions, too.”

“Other ones?”

When Alicia asked with wideopen eyes, Jenna grinned.

“You fall first. You go first.”