Arasila immediately attempted the dispelling magic but failed. The intricate and complex magical formula wrapped around the jewelry box made it difficult to approach.

‘This level of magic seems to have been cast by a fairly high-ranking magician.’

Moreover, judging by the somewhat unfamiliar composition of the formula, it appeared to be an old item made at least several decades ago.

Whatever was inside, it must be something important enough to warrant such thorough security.

‘This won’t do. I’ll take it with me to show Demian and we’ll solve it later.’

Arasila, who had picked up the jewelry box, left the room. Then suddenly remembering something, she turned her steps towards the dressing room.

A moment later, as she came out locking the door, her arms were full. She had brought out the dress from the portrait along with the jewelry box.

Vicky nearly fainted when she saw her taking things out of the room, but with time being short, she had no choice but to just take the key and hurry back.

As Audrey received the dress from Arasila and tidied it up, she asked.

“My lady, why did you bring these?”

“The jewelry box is to check what’s inside. The dress is for a gift?”

Arasila smiled sweetly.

Although the dress she had received was ruined by spilled wine, it was only right to reciprocate. So, she intended to use this as a substitute.

For the Duchess’s birthday gift.

“Audrey. On the day of the Duchess’s birthday party, can you dress me up as I request?”

“Of course. How shall I dress you?”

“Well, about that…”

The Duchess’s birthday party, which had been prepared with great effort over a long time, was held grandly.

For today, even the ladies who had been shunned and ostracized were invited. It was to show off her own prestige to them as well.

The Duchess glanced down at the crowded hall and smiled contentedly.

She was so pleased to confirm that she was in such a high position that so many people would come.

It was something unimaginable in her past as the fourth daughter of a mere count’s vassal family. Back then, she was overshadowed or forgotten, pushed aside by her sisters.

The resentment she felt at that time had now transformed into a desire for ostentation, making her want to shine more than anyone else in her current position as a Duchess.

‘It seems Arasila and Demian’s relationship hasn’t recovered enough for them to attend together.’

The Duchess’s smile deepened as she spotted Demian alone at one corner of the party without his wife.

She descended the stairs holding her husband’s hand and entered among the people.

The dress adorned with dozens of jewels prepared for today sparkled dazzlingly in the chandelier light.

Everyone looked only at her and applauded. She began to get excited, feeling as if she had become the main character.

“Happy birthday, Madam!”

“You look so beautiful today!”

“We truly respect and love you!”

The nobles rushed to flatter the Duchess, vying with each other. She lifted her chin high and smiled arrogantly.

It seemed her smile wouldn’t disappear from her face for the entire day.

“Lady Vandermir is entering!”

At least, that’s what she thought until the servant’s cry rang out.

At Arasila’s considerably late appearance, everyone’s gaze turned to the entrance. The ducal family was no exception.

Demian was standing at the doorway, though it wasn’t clear when he had gone there. The Duchess’s expression hardened as she saw Arasila slowly entering the hall with her hand on his arm.

Arasila was wearing a navy blue halter neck dress that gradually took on a strange purple hue towards the bottom, like a starry night sky. Her side hair was naturally braided down and fixed with white flower ornaments.

Although her height and appearance were completely different, there was someone who came to mind from that image.

‘…Monica?’

The Duchess flinched, unconsciously recalling her dead friend.

However, she wasn’t the only one who discovered Monica in Arasila, as a small ripple spread through the hall.

Those who didn’t know the former Duchess well were just mesmerized by Arasila’s beauty, but those who remembered how much she cherished and often wore that halter neck dress were showing reactions close to shock.

Moreover, the sight of her entering arm in arm with Demian, who closely resembled Duke Vandermir, evoked memories of the former Duchess and Duke’s married days.

Seeing the ducal family frozen and unable to move, Arasila smiled slightly.

‘Their reactions, as if they’ve seen a ghost, are a masterpiece.’

It felt worthwhile to have dressed in Monica’s dress and made herself up to look as similar as possible to her in the portrait, with Demian’s permission.

Meanwhile, only Oscar looked blank, knowing nothing, which was almost amusing.

Arasila leisurely approached the Duchess, who was glaring at her with wide eyes.

‘A person who has committed many sins doesn’t deserve to have a happy birthday party.’

Since she had received much from her since coming down to the duchy, she had to return it equally.

Arasila smiled brightly, intending to make this the most memorable birthday party for the Duchess in many ways.

“Happy birthday, Duchess.”

“You… How dare you, that dress…”

“Oh, this? Lady Fanning gave it to me as a gift. She said you recommended it.”

Lady Fanning, who was mixed in with the crowd with her mouth open, was startled.

She tried to deny it, but Arasila spoke first, making her miss the timing.

“I was so grateful that I wore it here. How is it, does it suit me well?”

“…”

The Duchess didn’t answer, her lips trembling. Although her murderous gaze scanned Arasila’s entire body as if to tear her apart, Arasila remained calm.

She clapped her hands to draw attention.

“Ah, I brought a gift for you personally. Please check it.”

With that, she gave Demian a look, and he took out a small box from his jacket pocket and held it out.

The Duchess had no choice but to accept it, conscious of the gazes around her as it was given so openly in front of everyone.

She opened the box with a displeased look. Inside was a pure gold pendant decorated with three types of jewels.

Perhaps the gift was prepared normally after all.

Just as the Duchess’s wariness was about to ease slightly, she casually picked up the pendant and turned it over. Her complexion turned pale.

Sophie Meyer

Her long-discarded maiden name was engraved there. As if telling her not to forget the past.

“These…!”

The Duchess momentarily lost her reason and was about to burst out in anger, but was stopped by the Duke grabbing her arm.

It would be to her disadvantage to throw a tantrum and confront here. There was a risk that her pre-marriage days, which had just been buried from people’s mouths, could resurface.

The Duchess closed the box lid and smiled, gritting her teeth.

“Yes…, thank you. I didn’t know you had prepared a gift.”

“I’m glad our gift seems to please you. Especially Demian, who carefully selected and custom-ordered it thinking of you.”

At these utterly detestable words, the Duchess clenched her fists tightly. Her jaw muscles trembled as she tried to suppress the rising anger.

Arasila calmly looked at her and then suddenly took a step closer.

Monica with black hair and golden eyes, and Arasila with lavender hair and blue eyes were clearly different.

Even if they wore the same clothes and had similar hairstyles, those two people could never be the same.

And yet…

Strangely, the Duchess kept seeing Monica’s image in Arasila and flinched.

“I hope today becomes the happiest day in your life, Madam.”

Arasila embraced her shoulders, speaking in a soft voice. The Duchess remained still, unable to push her away or hug her back.

In that state, Arasila whispered quietly into her ear.

“You’ve briefly met your old friend through me, after all.”

“…!”

The Duchess turned her head sharply and glared fiercely at Arasila.

She wanted to slap this person who seemed determined to ruin her birthday right then and there.

However, she couldn’t because the Duke was sending a stern look telling her not to make a scene, as he cared about others’ attention.

Arasila slowly pulled away from the Duchess, smiling as sweetly and gently as if painted.

“I hope you have an enjoyable day. Let’s chat pleasantly again if we get the chance later.”

Arasila lightly bowed her head and moved away with Demian.

As if they had never been distant, holding his hand tightly.

The tumultuous atmosphere of the party gradually returned to normal, centered on people laughing and engaging in casual conversation.

It helped that no one dared to bring up the topic of Monica, with the ducal family glaring daggers.

Arasila crossed through the groups of people chatting in threes and fives, holding a champagne glass. Her feet stopped in front of a certain noblewoman standing alone against the wall.

“You said you wanted to be close to me. What are you doing here, Baroness?”

Yona flinched and raised her head. Her face turned aggrieved as she faced the person before her.

Because Arasila had pointed to her as the one who gave the dress, the Duchess wasn’t even sparing her a glance.

Accordingly, other noblewomen also no longer acknowledged Yona as before. All her efforts to recover relationships over time had turned to nothing.

“Are you really asking that now? Because of you saying I gifted that dress…”

“Why are you like this? It’s true that you gifted the former Duchess’s dress.”

Yona couldn’t refute those words and her lips quivered. Clear guilt and shame rose to her face.

Arasila looked at Yona without emotion and put her hand on her shoulder.

Yona, finding it hard to meet those transparent eyes, averted her gaze.

“Madam, I understand your circumstances. You must have had reasons why you had no choice.”

“…”

“But understanding and forgiveness are different things. You know that, right? That you don’t need to forgive just because you understand.”

Yona’s lips trembled. She couldn’t say anything and just looked down at the floor.

Arasila, who had been quietly watching, reached out and pulled Yona’s arm towards herself. Then she deliberately hit her own hand holding the glass, spilling champagne on Yona’s dress.

“Oh my, Madam! Are you alright?”

“…What is this?!”

“I’m sorry, I made a mistake because I bumped into your arm.”

At this blatant excuse, Yona looked very flustered and didn’t know what to do. Arasila added gently.

“But it’s fortunate, isn’t it? It’s clear champagne, not a dark-colored drink like wine.”

“…!”

Realizing that this was a similar retaliation for her spilling wine and ruining Monica’s dress, Yona couldn’t even argue.

Arasila patted Yona’s shoulder affectionately and said,

“Since your dress is ruined, unfortunately you’ll have to go home now. Take care on your way back, Madam.”

Yona looked tearful, having not only been marked by the Duchess but also being forced to leave the birthday party early.

However, unable to withstand the pressure Arasila was applying with a smiling face, she eventually stumbled out of the hall.

Arasila, who had been watching expressionlessly, also left the hall. The champagne had splashed a little on her hand, making it sticky.

As she came out after washing her hands and was about to return alone, the Duchess blocked her way.

“Wicked bitch.”

Arasila wasn’t surprised to see her appear suddenly and spout profanity.

It was understandable that she would be so heated as to throw away her dignity as a noblewoman, given that Arasila had brought to life someone she wanted to erase from her memory on her birthday.

As if intentionally controlling the surroundings, not even an ant was in sight in the corridor where the two were standing.

This made it quite convenient for not just the Duchess but also herself to speak, so Arasila curled her lips.

“Me?”

“How dare you appear wearing Monica’s dress and ruin my birthday? You cunning wench!”

The Duchess, who hadn’t lost her reason earlier, now shouted having lost it.

Today’s party, which should have been perfect, had become a mess since Arasila’s appearance.

Although she had tried to silence people by giving them pointed looks, there were limits to that.

Everyone might not be talking loudly, but they were whispering in hushed tones or gathering in small groups and giving strange glances, clearly discussing Monica.

Even though it had been over a decade since she ascended to the position of Duchess, Monica’s traces appeared like a ghost to torment her whenever she thought she could forget.

As if to show that no matter how much you try to erase sin, it remains as a stain, never completely wiped clean.

Thinking that this was all because she hadn’t eliminated Demian earlier, and because he had taken such a cunning woman as Arasila as his wife, the Duchess couldn’t contain her anger.

“How did you get that dress anyway?! Did you sneak into the 3rd floor room like a rat behind my back?!”

Honestly, since it was true that she had snuck in like a rat, Arasila didn’t particularly deny it. The Duchess grabbed Arasila’s shoulder in agitation.

“Speak! Did you enter that room?!”

“I’m sorry. Perhaps due to the side effects of the Markas herb, I don’t remember well.”

“…!”

The Duchess, who had been fiercely pressing Arasila, paused. She bit her lower lip surreptitiously.

It became clear why the relationship between Arasila and Demian, which had been distant until just a few days ago, had recovered today.

Arasila, who had been blankly staring at the Duchess grumbling even after her dirty trick had been exposed, smiled brightly.

“Why are you angry in the first place? You should be grateful to me instead. You seemed very pleased that your close friend came to celebrate your birthday.”

Although her voice was soft, the Duchess was provoked by the words clearly full of mockery.