Clemens finally opened his eyes feeling refreshed. He checked the guest list for the upcoming ball at the Duke’s mansion one last time.

Usually, Clemens had a cheerful expression. However, to his personal servant, Gordon, something seemed subtly different today.

“Master, is something making you particularly happy?”

“Oh, does it show?”

“Yes.”

At Gordon’s response, a soft smile graced Clemens’ lips again.

Clemens thought about what had happened yesterday.

The moment when Madame knelt, when Diane tightly held his hand.

It was the first time Diane had approached him. The first time she had reached out and grabbed his hand.

Upon seeing Diane’s actions, Clemens was flustered and his entire body stiffened. The anger that had been boiling up to his head quickly lost its force.

The only reason Madame Basilie, who had been rude to Diane, could spare her life was all thanks to that.

Diane had approached Clemens first. While Madame’s rudeness to Diane was despicable, it inadvertently led to a scene where he ended up saving the child.

‘She deserves punishment.’

He wouldn’t forget that Basilie had wronged Diane, and he would repay it.

But the immediate reason he spared Madame Basilie was because Diane liked the dress he designed.

‘I decided to buy it for Diane.’

He wasn’t particularly concerned about her, but, upon reflection, it was her first gift.

‘If she likes the gift I give, that’s not so bad.’

Gordon, unaware of such circumstances, simply thought that the master was in a good mood because a ball was being organized in the mansion.

“Checked it. We can proceed as is.”

Gordon expressed his doubt as he took the list from Clemens.

“Master, Prince Oliver is not on the guest list for the ball. Did you perhaps overlook him?”

He had always been invited to past balls.

Although it didn’t seem so, others viewed Master Clemens and Prince Oliver as quite close.

So naturally, Gordon thought it was an oversight and asked. The response he got was unexpected.

“I have no plans to invite him this time. So proceed as is.”

“Ah, did you two perhaps have a fight…”

“Fight? Regardless of how informal our relationship is, why would I do that with someone who’s practically foreign royalty?”

If they hadn’t fought, then what was the reason? Besides, that prince’s family had deep ties with the Duke’s family.

Even if Master and the Prince were not on the best of terms, considering the future relationship between their families, it wasn’t a matter to be brushed aside lightly.

As Gordon left the room worrying, he ran into Philen in the corridor.

“Sir Philen, may I have a word?”

He recounted what had just transpired in the master’s room in great detail.

Philen, who had significantly more experience than Gordon, listened intently.

After narrating all the details, Gordon cautiously voiced his thoughts.

“Shouldn’t we inform the master so that he can reconsider the invitation?”

“Um? No, no. There’s no need. The master agrees with it too.”

Unexpectedly, Philen gave an unusual reply as well. Confused, Gordon received Philen’s concise summary.

“The master also said he would sever ties with that family going forward, so don’t worry and proceed!”

Two days had passed since Madame Basilie’s visit. Today, the first dress arrived, and Sophia and Delma eagerly inspected it.

“Is this the socalled Pink Diamond? My God, I’ve never seen anything like it!”

“I’ve seen it just once. It was attached to the toys of the twin masters back then.”

“Baby! Baby, come here and look at this too! The dress is so, so beautiful!”
Despite Delma’s words, I didn’t get out of bed. No, to be more precise, I couldn’t get out of bed.

‘If I go out, she’ll definitely make me try those on!’

Just as I thought, Delma excitedly said, “Come out, young master! You must try it on!”

Those words chilled me.

‘How much does it cost to casually try it on!’

Though it was clothes bought by Clements, they seemed like garments to be carefully stored, given that I had only worn readymade clothes all my life. What if they get damaged while trying them on?

‘She’ll definitely not let it go.’

I worried habitually, but I knew too. Clements’ attitude towards me yesterday was genuine.

‘Tell him to take his hands off my sibling right now.’

The words that Clements had said were still vivid in my mind.

‘My sibling.’

Unwittingly, a smile slipped from my lips.

“Young master, hurry up!”

Just then, Delma tried to pull off the blanket, so I buried my face in the pillow.

“I’m sleepy; I’ll take a nap.”

“Already? It’s not even naptime…”

Though Delma found it strange, she didn’t rush me further. From behind, I heard the rustling sound, presumably her organizing the clothes.

The reason for my caution was not just the cost of the clothes.

‘Duke didn’t seem to like it either…’

After Clements bought me the clothes, he insisted on escorting me to my room.

But my wariness of Clements had lessened more than before.