I didn’t like the purple dress; it was pretty but had excessive decorations. Before showing it to Ulric, I nodded disapprovingly and chose a beige dress.

The voluminous skirt swept the floor, and the upper part was thin but quite lovely. I especially liked the intricate embroidery and the fluttering edge of the skirt.

“Would you like to try it on? There’s also a cloak that matches this dress, so it’s suitable for the cold.”

I changed into the beige dress immediately. The size fit perfectly on my body without the need for pins. When I twirled around once, the wavy skirt made the surrounding air refreshing.

“Surely your husband… I mean, your friend, will like it. You look so beautiful!”

“Do you think so?”

Choosing a thinner dress in a shop known for its thin clothes, I was conflicted. What if Ulric scolded me for my dress choice now? While contemplating whether to change into a different dress, a staff member pulled the curtain.

“Uh…!”

It was too late. As soon as the curtain opened, Ulric, who was standing in front of the dressing room chair, was revealed. He had been admiring other dresses and noticed me.

“……”

“……”

It was embarrassing.

Feeling barefoot, my body moved stiffly. My gestures awkwardly moved in all directions, and then they weakly dropped into the air. Right now, my expression would look extremely foolish and absurd.

Say something, please…

Reluctantly looking at Ulric, who met my gaze, he burst into a broad smile. Had I ever seen Ulric, who had become an adult, smile so brightly?

“Beautiful, really beautiful, Rezhe.”

…I hadn’t. Yeah, how could I just be friends with such a handsome man?

His smile made my heart flutter.

As if buying the beige dress wasn’t enough, Ulric bought another thick dress. He persuaded me that this price wasn’t expensive for the Marceau family’s eldest son.

I wanted to show the power of Marceau’s daughter as well.

“Tell me everything you want! Ulric!”

“Uh? Ulric!”

I wanted to give away an entire building, but in the distance, I heard someone calling Ulric. It seemed like they were quite close, as he approached, pretending to know Ulric.

The man, looking at me, hesitated for a moment. Then Ulric’s expression turned menacing, blocking my view.

“Sorry, Rezhe. I’ll buy you the gifts next time.”

“Hurry up.”

Ulric hesitated for a moment but eventually stepped away. As he approached the man, Ulric glared at him fiercely.

Ignoring it, the man greeted me and then grinned broadly. As I politely greeted back, the man’s lips stretched even wider.

His gaze was so blatant that it was hard to shake off. When Ulric patted the scabbard, the man’s head turned directly towards us.

Left alone, I walked through the square and entered the library to read a book. There, I met the young lady again after a long time, exchanged greetings, and had a meal together.
After that, I stopped by the chess class run by Viscount Kito’s friend and played chess. The day grew dark, and it was already evening by the time I entered the Marceau Mansion.

“…You’re not secretly meeting a man, are you?”

As soon as we arrived at the mansion, my father asked me. Ever since I mistakenly wore Ulric’s coat without knowing, my father had been worried that I might be secretly dating.

“I just met a friend.”

“If you’re meeting a man, sort it out. You might end up making things difficult for yourself with some unsightly man.”

“Yes, yes.”

“And you’re keeping the invitation I gave you safe, right?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll go.”

My unexpected answer seemed to surprise my father slightly.

“What’s going on, Rezhe?”

“If it’s not fun and boring, I’ll come back right away.”

“It will undoubtedly be enjoyable.”

As we climbed the stairs to enter the room, Damien appeared. His pale face brightened as soon as he spotted me.

He greeted me silently, and I approached him, gently patting Damien’s head.

“Lady.”

“Yeah, Damien.”

“Don’t believe Father’s words. In my opinion… the social scene seems boring.”

“I feel the same way.”

Damien and I laughed.

The residence of Viscount Lerruno was about a thirty-minute drive from the village of Hoša. Excited Yune chattered away, repeatedly sticking her head out of the window.

The breeze coming through the crack in the window was refreshing. When I tried to close my eyes briefly because I was tired, I heard the voice of the coachman saying that we had already arrived. Looking out of the window with Yune, I saw numerous carriages.

In front of the carriages were gigantic statues guarding the gate. Two goddesses on both sides held objects representing themselves.

Their size and height were considerable, overwhelming me even before entering the mansion.

“Those are ancient goddesses, Gowa. She’s the goddess who raises the nightingale, and there’s a rumor that when she sings, everyone’s hearts become devout.”

“Okay, now let’s go inside.”

I led Yune while presenting the invitation to the mercenary. After verifying it, he guided us inside the mansion.

“Sis, look at that! Isn’t it amazing?”

“Yeah. It’s really impressive.”

“Please, sis! It’s truly extraordinary!”

“Okay, okay.”

As we went deeper into the mansion, I felt gazes exploring me from all around.

Passing through the entrance and going up to this floor was no different. I, who had been uncomfortable with the gazes the whole time, had my eyes wide open as soon as I saw the railing on this floor.

“Wow…!”

“Now you’re impressed, sis.”

Yune laughed mockingly.

The view of the first floor from this floor was beautiful.

Harmonious colors and gorgeous dresses, people surrounding the golden tower in the middle of the entrance, flowers, wine, and candles placed everywhere.

It was an entirely new world.