“My goodness.”

Lina looked at her reflection in the mirror and uttered a sigh of mixed dismay.

“How could my eyes be so swollen?”

Her eyes were puffed up as if she had been proud of crying all night. Blinking several times did not change anything.

Mei handed her an ice pack and said,

“Lina, keep this on your face.”

“Thank you, Mei.”

“Count Lintz’s young master left the mansion as soon as the sun rose this morning.”

“……Really?”

“We should have watched that stuckup woman flee, shouldn’t we?”

Lina gave an awkward smile at Mei’s words, fiddling with the poor ice pack.

‘I never thought the situation would be like this just a day ago.’

She recalled the words of the Duke last night.

[Come to the capital with me. I’ve asked to look for a suitable family, so preparations should be mostly done by the time we arrive.] [A suitable family, what does that mean…] [I will make you the daughter of a noble family, whether you’re a Baroness or a Viscountess.]

‘A daughter of a noble family…’

Hearing those words, she was once again reminded of how different the world they lived in was.

‘Will it really be okay?’

She had hastily accepted his proposal because she wanted to be by the Duke’s side.

‘But what if the curse doesn’t break… What should I do then?’

The anxiety started to flare up again. If that happened, she might have to leave his side. People wouldn’t accept a Duchess who didn’t age.

As her steps towards the mansion’s entrance grew heavy with ominous thoughts,

“Lina.”

A man was waiting for her, extending his hand and looking at her.

“Duke.”

All the anxieties melted away like snow in the face of the man’s familiar gentle smile.

“Come, come with me.”

There was still a shadow in one corner of her heart.

But,

“Yes, Duke.”

At this moment, with this man,

She wanted to think only of today, not the future.

(This is a time separator.)

The capital, reached without rest day and night.

When Lina woke up, it was already past lunchtime, having fallen asleep as soon as they arrived.

“Have you awakened?”

As she emerged, feeling completely refreshed, Lawrence greeted her, his attitude entirely different from before.

“Oh. Yes, what…”

The sudden change in Lawrence’s demeanor made her trail off. His respectful bowing, as if greeting a Duchess, was very polite.

Of course, his face was still full of dissatisfaction.

“The Duke had urgent business and left early.”

“Yes, I understand.”

She responded casually, trying to avoid the awkwardness, when

“And.”

Lawrence grabbed Lina and handed her a document.

“This is…”

“The investiture document for Viscountess Dunamis.”

“Viscountess Dunamis?”

The words the Duke had spoken before coming to the capital brushed past her mind.

‘The Duke mentioned it, but things have progressed faster than I thought.’

Lina looked at the document Lawrence had handed her. The paper, already bearing the signature of Viscount Dunamis, was waiting only for hers.

‘But Viscountess Dunamis? Why does this feel familiar?’

When she was tilting her head at the somehow familiar feeling, Lawrence handed her a pen.

“By signing in the blank space, you become Viscountess Dunamis. Please sit here and sign.”

Lawrence guided her to the nearby reception room and sat her on the sofa. Then, as Lina examined the document more carefully, she picked up the pen on the table and scrawled on the paper.

“Is it all done now?”

Lawrence stood up, holding the signed document, and checked Lina’s signature.

“Congratulations on becoming Viscountess Dunamis, Miss.”

Lawrence, once again showing respect, intoned,

“And Madam Camel is waiting for you now.”

“Madam Camel…?”
“Yes, she’s currently one of the famous designers in the capital. You must have been in a rush and not able to pack properly, so you should entrust her with the urgent clothes.”

At Lawrence’s words, Lina looked down at the clothes she was wearing.

Although she was wearing her cleanest outfit, it was rather shabby for a noble lady to wear.

‘That’s right, with these clothes, I will only be a burden to the Duke.’

Lina nodded, thinking that she had to maintain the dignity appropriate for the noble lady status that the Duke had bestowed upon her.

As soon as she entered the room following his guidance, a middleaged lady in splendid attire bowed to Lina.

“It’s an honor to serve you, Lady Dynamis. I’m Madam Camel of Camel Boutique.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

Lina was well acquainted with Camel Boutique. It was a fashion studio in the capital known for its unique embroidery techniques and sophisticated style.

“I’ve brought some readymade items since you’ll need dresses soon. Will that be okay?”

“Of course.”

With Lina’s consent, Madam Camel and the other women who came with her quickly laid out dresses and all sorts of accessories.

Then the once empty room began to fill with colorful shoes, hats, and dresses.

She was slightly surprised by the abundance of dresses and accessories but asked nonchalantly.

“All of these are beautiful. Can I choose from these?”

“No, these are all already purchased by the Duke.”