Even though the guests at Somnium House were clearly Burnett and Scarlet.

“I had dinner with Mrs. Burnett tonight. During the meal, we talked about books I wanted to read, and I mentioned it. She said that book was at Somnium House.”

“So you came to borrow the book.”

As if that were true, Scarlet was holding three books in her hand.

“Yes. It’s a book that’s hard to find in public libraries. Has Jane read it too?”

Scarlet held up the book. Jane scanned the title and nodded.

It was indeed a hard-to-find book. It contained the ideas of the philosopher Engelus, and it went out of print quickly because it wasn’t popular.

It was unlikely to be in public libraries. Public libraries don’t stock expensive books.

“It’s a good book.”

“I’m surprised Jane has read it too.”

Jane raised an eyebrow.

“You must have been too busy to read books for 7 years… So you read this book even before becoming an adult. Such a difficult book. Amazing.”

It was praise, but to Jane it felt like a subtle mockery.

Whether it was because of the rumors about Scarlet and Cain, or because of the memory of being shunned at the debutante ball, Scarlet didn’t seem as nice as her reputation suggested.

“Thank you for the compliment, Scarlet. Shall we go downstairs if you’re done? I’ll see you out.”

“It’s alright, Jane. Scarlet will be staying overnight.”

Jane turned her head to the left. She stared quietly at Mrs. Burnett.

“I wasn’t informed of this, Mrs. Burnett.”

“Do I need your permission every time I invite a guest?”

Despite the warning last time, Mrs. Burnett was still acting as if she were the lady of the Hastings house.

There was a need to make her understand properly, straightforwardly. The fact that Jane was the lady of Hastings.

Jane turned to face Scarlet.

“Scarlet, could you go down to the reception room on the first floor for a moment? It will take some time to prepare the guest room.”

Jane called over a passing maid and asked her to guide Scarlet.

“No, Jane. I seem to have caused trouble for you two. I’ll go home. But I sent my carriage back. Could you possibly lend me a carriage?”

Realizing that Jane disapproved of her visit, Scarlet lowered her eyebrows and put on a troubled expression.

She looked genuinely apologetic, making Jane inwardly sigh. But Jane didn’t let emotions sway her.

“I’ll have a carriage prepared.”

“Thank you. I’ll go home and read books all night. In exchange, please discuss this book with me later, Jane.”

“Of course, Scarlet.”

Jane looked at Mrs. Burnett as if asking what she would do now.

“I’m sorry, Scarlet. Let’s invite you formally next time.”

Mrs. Burnett took a step back. It must be a strategic retreat. She didn’t want to be embarrassed in front of Scarlet.

Mrs. Burnett was excessively attentive to Scarlet.

‘She was like this at the debutante ball too.’

Is it because she has Scarlet in mind as Cain’s match?

Rather, it feels like an even stronger bond.

‘I should look into whether there’s another connection between Mrs. Burnett and Scarlet.’

The three of them went down to the first floor together.

Jane called Norbert to prepare a carriage. The carriage was quickly ready.

“Lending me books, giving me a carriage, and even seeing me off late at night. I’m honored.”

Scarlet got into the carriage. The farewell greetings were brief as it was late at night.

When the coachman cracked his whip, the carriage departed.

“Jane, let’s talk.”

As soon as the carriage disappeared from view, Mrs. Burnett spoke.

“Yes, aunt. I had something to tell you too, so this works out well.”

The two headed to the reception room. The place where Mrs. Burnett passed felt as cold as if frost had fallen.

* * *

As soon as the carriage left Somnium House, Scarlet threw the books she was holding onto the seat.

She had coaxed Mrs. Burnett and managed to enter the Hastings house with difficulty, but Jane appeared and ruined everything.

〈The Duchess is quite full of herself.〉

Mrs. Burnett was right. Jane was very arrogant.

‘Acting like the owner when you’re just temporary?’

So Scarlet prepared a little prank. A prank for her, but something that would be a storm for Jane.

Scarlet grinned as she recalled the Rose Party flyer she had slipped between the bookshelves in the library.

* * *

Jane left Mrs. Burnett frowning alone and came out into the hallway. Standing in front of the door, she recalled the conversation she had with Mrs. Burnett.

Jane had spoken straightforwardly to Mrs. Burnett.

〈In the future, I’d appreciate it if you’d give me a heads up when inviting guests.〉

Of course, Burnett glared at Jane with all sorts of expressions. But she couldn’t refute Jane’s words.

〈I am the Duchess after all.〉

In fact, she probably just lost her words at the right moment.

Soon, the sound of something breaking came from inside the reception room.

‘What a temper.’

Jane was about to sigh when.

“My lady, are you alright?”

Mary asked with a worried expression.

Jane nodded with a faint smile.

Seeing Mary reminded her of something she had forgotten.

“Mary, I’m planning to invite guests soon.”

Jane explained the purpose of the gathering and the number of invitees.

“Since children will be joining, I recommend setting the meeting time during the day. If we suggest having a meal from the first meeting, they might feel burdened, so it would be good to have tea time in the afternoon.”

“I think the same as Mary.”

Jane and Mary communicated well. The two decided on the food to serve at the gathering before reaching the bedroom. Now they just needed to set a date, but Jane wanted to discuss that with Cain.

“Pick out a few dates. I’ll discuss it with Cain when he returns.”

“Yes, I understand.”

As they talked, they had already reached Jane’s room. After telling Mary to rest, Jane entered the room to find Hailey waiting with bath water drawn.

“I’ll bathe alone.”

“Again? I can help you.”

“I can wash myself.”

Jane quickly shooed Hailey out. Although it had been four days since she spent the night with Cain, the marks he had left on her body that night were still there.

Jane took off her clothes and examined her collarbone. As she caressed the now much lighter marks, Jane’s thoughts led to Scarlet.

She laughed at the contextless association, but couldn’t stop thinking about Scarlet.

The author of the book she was holding, Engelus, is a philosopher Cain really likes.

The reason Jane read that book was also because of Cain. He said he read a really good book and his eyes sparkled, so she got curious and borrowed the book that day, reading it in one go.

Cain had explained the parts Jane didn’t understand in a gentle voice back then.

Does Scarlet feel the same way she did in the past?

Did Cain tell her that he likes Engelus too?

When Scarlet reads the book and doesn’t understand parts, will she ask Cain?

Then he would explain kindly, just as he did to her.

Thinking about that, a bitter pain spread in her solar plexus, making Jane wrinkle her nose bridge.

Jane got into the bathtub and poured water over herself as if to wash away the idle thoughts. However, Jane’s mind remained complicated until she finished bathing and came out.

It would be nice to sleep at times like this, but her mind was strangely clear.

Even though she had been quite busy from dawn to evening.

She had a feeling that tonight would be very long.

‘Maybe I should read a book too.’

Jane had liked books since she was young. It was thanks to growing up watching her parents who always kept books by their side.

She learned a lot through books. General knowledge, various cultures, and the lives of others she hadn’t experienced.

It had been 7 years since she couldn’t do that favorite reading.

Because books were very precious, and time to read books became even more precious.

But not anymore. Now she has time, and Cain’s library is full of books.

Realizing that she could read books as much as she wanted, Jane couldn’t just lie still in bed.

Jane put on a shawl and headed to Cain’s study.

However, when she actually stood in front of the study, she hesitated to open the door.

This is Cain’s space. He never said she couldn’t enter, but he never gave permission to enter freely either.

‘I’ll read books later.’

Jane was about to turn around. Then suddenly she thought of Scarlet. Her face smiling with an armful of Cain’s books.

Even she, who had no relationship with Cain, borrowed books from the study, so what’s stopping her, the Duchess, from doing so?

Feeling foolish for hesitating, Jane deliberately opened the study door more forcefully.

The scent of books emitted by Hastings’ vast collection rushed into the corridor.

The bookshelves reaching up to the high ceiling overwhelmed Jane.

So many books were densely packed that a ladder was essential to take out books from the upper shelves. Although she wasn’t going to take out books from high places, Jane reflexively looked for the ladder.

The ladder was placed at the end of the bookshelf on the right wall. A ladder with traces of long use caught her eye. Jane approached the ladder.

“He didn’t change it.”

Jane stroked the ladder. It was the ladder that had been guarding the study of Somnium House 7 years ago, 10 years ago, and even before that.

“He’s unexpectedly sentimental.”

Cain might think he got rid of everything with memories of Jane, but there were still things left like the white bench or this ladder.

He probably just forgot about it.

Cain had taken out many books for Jane using this ladder. She could have climbed up and taken them out herself, but whenever there was a need to use the ladder, she always called Cain.

Because his back view climbing the ladder was so handsome, because Cain’s voice asking her to check the book as he turned around was affectionate, and because she liked paying for the book with a kiss when he handed it to her.

Jane’s cheeks flushed as she reminisced about the memories. Even though no one was watching, Jane looked around and fanned herself to cool her hot cheeks.

When the heat had subsided somewhat, Jane walked between the bookshelves looking for a book to read.

She passed by the shelves with philosophy books or history books. She didn’t want to torture herself by reading difficult books when she already had enough complicated problems.

Thinking it would be good to read a novel or poetry, Jane moved towards the inner part of the shelves.

She easily found the bookshelf with novels and poetry collections. Out of habit, she looked for books by authors she and Cain used to enjoy reading together, but not a single one remained.

The opposite emotion from what she felt when she saw the ladder earlier washed over Jane.

Even though he wasn’t here, he so easily swayed Jane’s mood.

Should she say he’s an amazing person, or is she the inadequate one?

“Let’s just choose a book.”

Jane muttered, running her finger along the book spines. He must have steadily bought new works over the 7 years, as there were numerous books Jane hadn’t seen before. Among them was a poetry collection by an author she liked.

“Poetry is good for light reading.”

Just as Jane muttered softly and pulled out the poetry book, the door opened.

Even though she hadn’t done anything wrong, Jane’s shoulders flinched.