“I have prepared a suitable place to hide the person entrusted with the safety of Basker. I hope they can return today if possible.”

Though it seemed like Dréhan was regretting the words spoken by her past self, there was no indication of any issue as she asked.

Afterwards, she glanced around the reception room with a gaze that seemed to inquire about the whereabouts of the person to be taken to Basker.

‘Are they running late? Or did they change their decision…’

Due to Countess Henrike’s delay, who hadn’t arrived even after the agreed-upon time had passed, Renève felt a bit uneasy.

However, expressing such concerns to Dréhan, who had come here during a busy schedule, was challenging.

‘I should wait a little longer.’

With that decision, Renève recommended the softest and best sofa in the Siren Marquis’s mansion to Dréhan.

“Siren Marquis, Dréhan. There is still some time until the agreed-upon time. Would you mind sitting for a moment?”

With a suspicious gaze, Dréhan glanced at Renève, who soon walked towards the recommended sofa.

“I won’t decline then.”

As they sat down, Dréhan’s eyes slightly widened.

“Oh…”

Judging by the slight exclamation, it seemed that the sofa truly appealed to Dréhan.

‘It gives a feeling of embracing the back and buttocks softly.’

Nodding to herself, Renève gestured for Dréhan to sit still.

“I won’t decline then.”

As Dréhan tried to get up from the sofa, perhaps feeling awkward about receiving tea personally prepared by the future empress, Renève signaled for her to remain seated.

“Since the distinguished guest, Siren Marquis, came to visit me in person, it seems appropriate to treat her accordingly.”

It was a kind of display, showcasing that she treated Dréhan well. This also carried the meaning that Renève considered Dréhan precious.

Although it was a statement to make her feel better, fortunately, Dréhan’s lips curled up slightly.

‘It’s an easy-to-understand personality.’

Smiling faintly at Dréhan’s simple and honest reaction, Renève proceeded to make tea.

Pouring precisely timed hot water into a beautiful teacup, Renève placed it on the table in front of Dréhan.

Looking down at the pretty teacup with rising steam, Dréhan nodded politely to Renève and lifted the cup.

“I’ll… drink it well. Thank you.”

Renève smiled lightly as she filled her own teacup.

As Dréhan sipped the tea, her eyes widened a bit.

“It’s delicious.”

“Does it suit your taste?”

“Yes. Honestly, I was a little worried that the tea poured by you might be terrible, but it’s unexpectedly good.”

Perhaps it would have been better not to say the latter part. Due to Dréhan’s unnecessarily honest nature, Renève’s eyebrows involuntarily twitched.

Pretending not to notice and acting nonchalant, Renève lifted her teacup.

‘She got annoyed. She got upset.’

Seeing Dréhan, who showed a slightly sulky expression despite seeing her for the first time in a while, Renève concluded so.

It wasn’t just Icarus who harbored dissatisfaction with Renève leaving Basker and living in Paradisium.

“Miss, I brought the dessert you asked for.”
“Fortunately, before the tea cooled down, the maid brought the dessert.”

Renève, with a friendly smile, placed a dessert plate in front of Dréhan.

“It will go well with the tea. Please try it, Siren Marquis.”

“…Yes.”

Dréhan, with a slightly suspicious look, glanced at Renève, then soon picked up a fork.

For some reason today, she seemed to find Renève’s excessive kindness a bit suspicious.

‘Eating sweets can improve the mood.’

And Renève’s prediction was spot on.

“…Lately, have you been feeling irritable?”

While eating a dessert plate served alongside the tea, Dréhan talked about the affairs in the Basker palace.

“Her Majesty?”

It was hard to imagine Icarus being irritable.

“Yes! Please don’t mention it.”

Dréhan, gritting her teeth, glanced at Renève with a sidelong glance, reminiscent of a younger brother sulking.

“I miscalculated my embarrassment. Again… Does it mean that matter still hasn’t been resolved?”

Dréhan said, frowning deeply, imitating Icarus as if mimicking Vane.

Renève, touching her forehead, looked away slightly.

‘Ah… On that day, was Icarus trying to hide his true feelings as much as possible?’

A few days ago, when he visited Siren Marquis’s mansion, Icarus did things he hadn’t done before.

Biting Renève’s cheek, biting her shoulder. Like a puppy beginning to grow teeth.

That wasn’t all.

It wasn’t until the morning sun began to rise that he finally left Siren Marquis’s mansion.

It was Renève who forcibly sent him away, unwilling to let him go.

‘…Separation anxiety?’

After contemplating Icarus’s psyche for a moment, Renève reached a conclusion.

She needed to quickly wrap up the affairs here and return to Icarus’s side.

During the conversation with Dréhan and the accumulated conversation, Countess Henrike arrived.

Accompanied by the maid, Countess Henrike, entering the reception room, bowed to Dréhan, who was seated directly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time.”