Unfazed by Viscount Belkein’s excessive praise, Reneb pointed to another object on the velvet cushion.

“This cameo brooch looks good too.”

Viscount Belkein seemed ready to give a positive response to whatever Reneb chose.

But it wasn’t that Reneb picked just anything.

Reneb mainly recommended items that were hard to find outside the Bashuker Empire.

“This one is good as well.”

Without hesitation, Viscount Belkein looked at the shopkeeper.

“Shall I wrap the mano pendant and the cameo brooch for you?”

“Do that.”

Viscount Belkein nodded, and the shopkeeper moved to the counter with a smile, taking the items from the shelf.

“Shall I wrap the pendant and the brooch together?”

Viscount Belkein hesitated for a moment, then shook his head slightly.

“Wrap them separately.”

Reneb looked away from the two and gazed at the displayed items.

Her eyes were caught by a decoration made of transparent yellow Andalusite carved into the shape of a small rabbit.

This item also looked familiar.

‘It used to be in Kael’s bedroom. I quite liked it…’

Then a muffled voice was heard.

“Do you like this one too?”

Viscount Belkein had come closer. Reneb shook her head.

“I was just looking.”

At that moment, the shopkeeper approached, carrying two boxes in both hands.

“Shall I load the wrapped items into the carriage?”

“Do that.”

Both Viscount Belkein and the shopkeeper seemed satisfied with their shopping, and the sky had turned red as they returned to the carriage.

“It’s getting late. Would you like to have dinner before we return to the palace?”

He seemed to want to reciprocate for helping choose the gifts.

Reneb was about to say it was fine when Viscount Belkein quickly added,

“I’d like to repay you for your valuable time.”

Reneb looked around.

People on the street were busy walking, paying no particular attention to her and Viscount Belkein.

In the indifference of the crowd, Reneb felt a strange sense of liberation.

Before her regression, she used to gather attention wherever she went.

Every dress she wore, every accessory she adorned, sold like hotcakes, and her behavior and speech were quickly picked up by the nobles.

Until Esika came into the picture.

But now Reneb was neither a married woman with a child and a husband, nor an empress of an empire.

To the Bashukerins, she was merely a foreigner.

‘Wouldn’t dinner be alright?’

It would also help Viscount Belkein shed his sense of obligation.

“Alright.”

Viscount Belkein’s face brightened at Reneb’s positive response.

“Let’s go then. I know a place that you will find surprisingly delicious.”

“Welcome.”

The restaurant manager personally greeted Viscount Belkein with a courteous bow.

Viscount Belkein exchanged pleasantries with the manager, who he seemed to know.

Reneb glanced around the interior.

The atmosphere inside was as luxurious as the exterior.

“Shall we be seated?”

Viscount Belkein handed a gold coin to the manager with a slight smile.

It was not a small tip.

Reneb immediately understood the manager’s courteous attitude toward Viscount Belkein.

“I’ll lead you to a comfortable dining area.”

The manager, who had received the gold coin, grinned and led them to a private room.

As Viscount Belkein had said, the food was indeed delicious, enough to stimulate Reneb’s appetite, which had always been lacking after her regression.

After a satisfying dinner, they returned to the palace by carriage.

Viscount Belkein also didn’t forget to escort Reneb courteously right up to the guestroom where she was staying.

Reneb gave Viscount Belkein a light bow and was about to enter the guest room.

Then, Viscount Belkein extended one of the boxes he had bought from the jeweler.
“Your Highness, I appreciate your valuable time and would like to offer something in return.”

“Isn’t a meal sufficient for that?”

“It’s a modest token of appreciation, I would hope you wouldn’t decline.”

As Renev hesitated on how to refuse, Amber, who happened to be walking by, struck up a conversation.

“Miss, you seem to be on your way back.”

Amber, who alternated her gaze between Renev, Viscount Belkain, and the object in his hand, opened her mouth.

“Is this perhaps a bribe for our young lady?”

Amber asked playfully, and Viscount Belkain chuckled, handing a small box to her hand.

“It’s something like that.”

Amber extended the small box she had received from Viscount Belkain towards Renev.

Viscount Belkain, who had been watching this, gave a light bow to Renev and turned away.

“Well, I must be going.”

Renev considered calling after Viscount Belkain but ultimately decided against it.

Though a bit excessive as a return for helping choose a gift for her younger sister.

The Bashuker nobles had sent gifts to Renev time and again despite their frequent declinations of invitations.

As long as it wasn’t too expensive, Renev had no objections to receiving it.

Because a return gesture was a return gesture.

Maybe it was because her first outing since coming to the Bashuker royal palace had left her with fond memories?