Perhaps the Orfe ducal family would resent Ansi. She had already anticipated that, so it wasn’t a big shock.

However, she didn’t expect that Damion de Orfe would have no will to resolve it.

Of course, Damion hadn’t taken the initiative to suggest finding the Duke of Orfe together until now. But… he always spoke highly of her, acting as if he loved her… and talked as if there was nothing bad about her.

Even if he didn’t say it, she thought he might be looking for an opportunity to arrange a meeting with Orfe. Even now… she thought he would rather like it if she suggested it first.

But that wasn’t the case.

No matter how much he says he loves her, what’s embarrassing is embarrassing. He also knew that he couldn’t realistically and objectively present her to his parents.

In fact, it would have been stranger if he didn’t know.

Even if he had acted like a hopeless romantic until now, as long as that man wasn’t a fool, it was right that he should have that much sense.

But why…

Does it feel so disappointing?

At that moment, Ansi realized.

The fact that she had been expecting something from him.

Without even realizing it… she had been relying on this person.

Ridiculously so.

“…I understand what Damion said.”

For now, a one-step retreat was necessary.

So far, the only route to enter the center of Orfe was through Damion de Orfe. If he was so firmly blocking it, she couldn’t insist on meeting the ducal family members.

Ansi smiled a lukewarm smile and hugged Damion back.

Damion hugged Ansi even more tightly.

However, his eyes looking at Ansi’s back were coldly sunken.

If possible, Damion wanted to prevent Ansi and the Orfe people from meeting for life. If that was impossible, he thought it should be at least for the time being.

How would Ansi react if she found out what kind of existence Damion was to them?

People tend to judge someone’s value in the eyes of those around them. In that context, Damion was not an important person at all, and the moment Ansi felt that atmosphere, she would naturally lower her evaluation of his worth.

Moreover, it was also unsettling to bring Ansi within Kardian’s sight.

The gaze full of interest directed at her during the banquet instinctively made Damion feel threatened.

So there’s nothing good about meeting.

Not for himself, nor for Ansi.

He thought she would rather be pleased not to arrange a meeting with the Duke, since she was a dry woman with no social skills.

But why does she look so… disappointed?

And why does his chest feel so tight seeing her like this?

At first, he just liked this woman as his chess piece. But occasionally, he found himself captivated by her expressions and movements more than necessary.

The way her large eyes were filled with light while her mouth was firmly closed. The way she used direct speech because she didn’t know how to embellish her words or speak flatteringly. And yet, when she smiled, she seemed to shine brighter than anyone else in the world.

It bothered him… that such a woman was so disappointed.

The body of the woman in his arms was small and fragile.

As if she would crumble if he hugged her too tightly.

How much of her lifespan would she have used for him?

Such a question arose.

Not just to gauge the remaining possibilities of Damion de Orfe, but out of curiosity about Ansi de Orfe’s remaining life.

At the end of May, a leisurely tea party was held in the center of the Duke of Orfe’s rose garden. The leaves were fresh with the energy of the approaching summer.

“Duchess, how is your new daughter-in-law?”

At the question from one of the nobles, Marianne stopped her fan. And she tilted her eyebrows sadly.

“Well. She hasn’t come to greet me yet.”

“Oh my! How terrible.”

“Oh dear, still?”

The nobles at the gathering began to offer words of comfort to Marianne. Marianne quietly savored those voices with her eyes slightly lowered.

“It must be because of my lack of virtue. Still, I’m happy. Because a lovely daughter-in-law has come.”

She wore a kind smile. At those words, people rushed to express their admiration.

“Oh my, how broad-minded Marianne is.”

“Ansi has such a good person as her mother-in-law, but she doesn’t know to be grateful.”

“Then… why don’t you call Ansi yourself, Marianne? Please introduce her to us as well.”

At the last question, Marianne raised the corners of her mouth. She closed her eyes and spoke in a gentle voice.

“Should I?”

“Yes, please invite her, Marianne.”

“You’ll invite me too, won’t you, my lady?”

Everyone at the gathering was Marianne’s close associates. They keenly read Marianne’s intentions and led the conversation to achieve what she wanted without her having to say it.

That impertinent child who took the Orfe name without knowing her place, and doesn’t even show her face.

Marianne gladly decided to invite her lovely second daughter-in-law.

Standing in front of a large full-length mirror, Ansi took off her indoor dress to examine the mark on her waist. A wrinkle formed between her brows.

“As I thought…”

A few days ago, the color of the pattern suddenly darkened. The faint shape had now become quite distinct.

Mother said this pattern was gradually darkening. But Ansi thought differently.

This pattern became clear on the day she prevented Damion’s death. Several days have passed since then, but it hasn’t darkened further.

Two things can be inferred from this.

First, probably, this pattern will become clearer every time she prevents that man’s death. If it became this clear at once… after three or four times, a complete shape would be formed.

Second, when this becomes completely dark… she might die.

‘It’s still okay for now.’

Just then, someone knocked on the door. Ansi hurriedly pulled up her dress again. And with an nonchalant face, she turned around.

“Come in.”

The door opened and Simon entered.

“An invitation has arrived, madam.”

Simon held out the invitation with sparkling eyes. Ansi took the envelope. The crest stamped on the sealing wax was undoubtedly that of Orfe.

“The Duchess has invited madam to a tea party.”

Ansi slowly nodded and opened the invitation.

I want to spend a pleasant time together and get to know Ansi. I hope you will attend. − Your new family, Marianne

Written in soft and elegant handwriting, the invitation was talking about a tea party to be held tomorrow.

Although it was a tight schedule, the invitation itself was welcome.

‘I thought they wouldn’t look for me first.’

She thought she would have to prepare the meeting herself because they didn’t like her. But if they invited her, there was no reason to refuse.

‘Should I tell Damion?’

Unless Damion intended to never show her to his parents, he wouldn’t be able to stop her now that she had received the invitation.

But if he does so…

The minimal path to be involved with others besides Damion would disappear.

Lost in thought, Ansi’s gaze fell on the pale golden flowers filling the vase. She stared blankly at that soft light.

“You’ll attend, won’t you, madam?”

Ansi took her eyes off the flowers. She nodded towards Simon.

“Of course I should go.”

She won’t tell Damion. While it might be fine to tell him after she’s gone, there’s no need to create an obstacle by informing him of the fact before going.

Anyway, he said he would return home late tomorrow… so she didn’t need to make up another excuse.

“We should pick out an outfit suitable for the tea party in advance. I heard the Duchess has a great style, I’ll make sure you don’t lose to her at all, madam!”

Simon grinned with an excited face.

“Has Simon seen the Duchess before?”

“No, I only saw her from afar on the day of your and the master’s wedding.”

It was strange. Even if Damion had moved out and was living separately, wouldn’t parents visit their son at least once if he’s in the same capital?

“Since when have you worked here, Simon?”

“For about half a year. Not that long, right?”

Then it wasn’t unreasonable that he hadn’t seen the Duchess.

She was going to ask what kind of person the Duchess was, but it seemed she would have to choose someone else from the mansion.

Duchess of Orfe, Marianne de Orfe.

To communicate smoothly at the tea party, it would be good to understand her personality and tendencies in advance.

“Who else is there in this mansion who came from the Orfe ducal residence?”

“Lady Elma. She says she has served the master since he was young.”

If she had been at the ducal residence for so long, she would know well about the Duchess. But she was too close to Damion. Ansi didn’t want the story of her inquiring about the Duchess to reach his ears.

“Who else is there?”

“Well… I don’t think there’s anyone besides Lady Elma.”

“Not even one person?”

“As far as I know.”

This too was unusual. Even if he had moved out, it’s customary to bring a few people from the main family.