It was a night that had passed for several days since then. It was also a day when I had some free time after coming to the HoSha Village.

“What on earth is this? Rezhe.”

Stiana’s voice, restraining her anger, came from behind me. The maids, who had been busy, stopped their actions and looked at me and Stiana when she spoke.

Stiana, who had just finished shopping and returned, was followed by boxes full of items.

Even at a glance, it seemed like a considerable amount of money had been spent. Among those boxes, there were decorations to fill this entrance. She showed more obsessive attachment to the entrance decorations than I had expected.

“Have you arrived? Are you hungry? The cleaning will be done soon, and the meal will be ready in an hour.”

As I approached with a smile, Stiana frowned.

She glanced at the entrance. Although she couldn’t completely remove the decorations, it was somewhat neater. The problem was the flashy wallpaper; it would require major renovations to change that.

“What are you doing now, Rezhe?”

“Well, I was tearing down the decorations.”

Stiana teared up for a moment but then regained her composure.

“I see. I understand that you don’t like the mansion that came after a long time, Rezhe. Sometimes people pursue the original rather than change. But without change, there can be no progress.”

“Change is good, but it should change for the better. But this…”

It was just a mess.

“Is that so? I think I’m quite artistic.”

“Where did that go?”

“It’s fancy, isn’t it? The color combination is also good.”

“Is it?”

I had to suppress my laughter at the absurdity.

“…”

‘Efforts are always virtual.’

I couldn’t understand Stiana’s actions, but I couldn’t ignore her efforts either. When she first came to the Marsen mansion, she introduced herself as coming from a small noble family.

Not long after, I realized that her words were a lie.

She was not fit to be called a noble; she was clumsy in reading and lacked common knowledge. However, at some point, she made a great effort to become a suitable wife for the Marquis. She learned to read and etiquette.

“Rezhe. Nowadays, these colors are in fashion. There’s also a thesis that sparkling things make people feel good, so these decorations will help.”

She knew how to protect herself. And to avoid being ignored, she strictly maintained her dignity. She wanted to be a true example of nobility, not only in appearance but also in reality.

Her efforts were awkward but admirable.

“I don’t like it.”

“Rezhe.”

“Decorating is free, but I hope the entrance, which welcomes guests and is used by everyone, is normal.”

Stiana didn’t answer.

“Can’t you understand me, Rezhe? How can people only think of themselves and do only what they want?”

“You should say that to yourself, not to me.”

The reason why Stiana and I didn’t get along was precisely because of this situation. Whenever I talked to Stiana, I was always the villain.

“…”

A clicking sound came from Stiana’s side. Damian, who was standing next to her, lifted his foot and put it down, looking at the ground. Then he raised his head and looked at me with a firm gaze.

His lips moved silently.

‘Father.’

Huh? Father?

“Rezhe, I think we lack communication. How can we live together without understanding each other? We’re a family, so let’s have an honest and serious conversation. Tell me what you don’t like. I want to be a good mother to you. It will be tough, but… Damian, stay still for a moment.”

Stiana made strange remarks. Damian, unable to stand it, pulled Stiana’s hand, and her delicate face wrinkled. Damian looked at me again, opened his lips silently.

‘Father is coming.’

The gaze immediately went to the entrance.

At the same time, Father, who had just come home from work, opened the door and entered. He noticed the changed atmosphere of the neglected mansion and immediately frowned.

Oh, it’s awkward again. Did Damian notice this situation and secretly tell me about it?

“Hello, have you come?”
Stiana stuck close to her father, exuding a sense of uneasiness.

Normally, the father, who would scold me upon seeing me, ignored Stiana for some reason. He rummaged through his pocket and handed me an envelope.

“It’s for you.”

“What?”

“Seems like you haven’t completely shut yourself off from the world.”

“…?”

What is he talking about? I thought it might be another irritating portrait of some guy, but this time was different.

It was an invitation.

“I received an invitation.”

“What invitation?”

The next morning, Yune was eating ice cream despite the cold weather. Just watching her eat made my stomach churn, and I turned my head. The weather was nice, but my mood was awkward.

“Ugh. I feel like my stomach will burst if I stay in that mansion.”

“Just become a young lady of the Penton family? Sister. We all welcome it. Oh, except for my brother.”

Even after spending about an hour on the terrace of the coffee house, observing the ominousness of the Marsen mansion, there was still a mountain of things to say.