‘Of course.’

Edward thought, suppressing his joy.

As expected, there was no way someone wouldn’t recognize his talent.

‘I knew someone like this would appear someday.’

“Hmm. You have quite the discerning eye.”

“As you know, hasn’t the music world become quite lax these days? Someone talented like you, Count, needs to sound the alarm.”

“Ahem.”

Edward felt his neck stiffen and his shoulders straighten involuntarily.

“Well said. Seeing such bizarre and childish songs becoming popular makes me sigh.”

“Ah, you mean that aria about adultery… Good heavens. To think respectable gentlemen and elegant ladies are reciting such vulgar lyrics.”

The man shook his head.

Edward felt even more encouraged by this sight.

When he first heard the ‘Adulterer’s Aria’ in Madeleine Square, he was greatly shocked.

He had painstakingly improved Ariana’s messy draft to make it artistic, but it had been completely changed into something vulgar and childishly ridiculous!

Moreover, it had the unpleasant characteristic of constantly lingering in one’s ears, which he disliked even more.

Yet all the islanders were singing this low-class music whenever they felt bored.

It must be because junk food is more addictive.

‘Ignorant masses. They don’t even know what real art is.’

“The masses don’t understand art, that’s true. But won’t the foreign dignitaries attending the Founding Festival be different? They will surely recognize your artistic world, Count.”

Edward’s eyes widened. The man’s words, seemingly reading his mind, resonated deeply.

‘Yes, that’s right.’

Until now, he had been unable to spread his wings, surrounded by those who couldn’t recognize his worth.

Just when he thought he was finally seeing the light, his wicked younger sister ruined everything.

But it seemed that heaven still provides opportunities for talented individuals.

Edward clenched his fist.

The Founding Festival is a dream stage for all artists.

If he could just perform a song there…

“Oh my, what is this beautiful and elegant music? It feels like my ears are being cleansed!”

“This is indeed on a different level from music made by a woman who has never properly studied composition!”

He could already hear the praises of discerning foreign dignitaries ringing in his ears.

They would be different from the low-class islanders and the ignorant students of the Ende Art Academy.

Yes. This was the perfect opportunity to take revenge on Ariana, who had stolen his orchestra and even his sheet music, and to establish Edward’s name.

“Thank you for graciously promising to invest. Though it’s shameless of me, I will gratefully accept your support.”

“The honor is mine.”

The two shook hands.

As Edward shook hands up and down, he suddenly asked.

“Come to think of it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves. May I ask your name?”

“Ah.”

The man smiled brightly.

“My name is Rionard.”

* * *

“Madam, Madam!”

…Madam.

Sophie came running, calling out the title I was still not quite used to.

“They’ve all been fired!”

“Huh?”

“Those nasty servants who only fawned over Miss Elena and looked down on you, Madam!”

Ah.

I gave a faint, bitter smile.

Elena’s close servants would often play childish tricks on me.

Like bringing me salads made with wilted vegetables, or subtly looking me up and down when I passed by.

Childish and petty, but annoying tricks nonetheless.

“I see.”

Given Edward’s personality, he wouldn’t have provided any follow-up welfare after firing the servants.

The servants, suddenly losing their jobs and full of resentment, what would they do first after pouring out of the Lopez mansion en masse?

The answer was obvious.

‘The newspapers and gossip magazines will be busy receiving tips for a while.’

I could already guess what would be on the front page of tomorrow’s .

“Madam. Um, and…”

As Sophie stood on her tiptoes, I lent her my ear. A whispering voice was heard.

After hearing the story, I smiled faintly.

“I see.”

So Edward called a bank employee to his home and had him take promissory notes, huh.

“Yes. He was so arrogant towards the bank clerk when handing over the notes, I was embarrassed just watching. And then he suddenly decided to hold a party and sent out tons of invitations!”

Sophie frowned as if it was strange.

“Where did the Count suddenly get all that money from? They say he had investments somewhere, did those do well?”

Looking at Sophie pouting her lips, I let out a soft laugh.

Throwing a party too. It seemed my elder brother was quite excited after finally getting some breathing room.

He might get sick if he gobbles up the bait too hastily.

“By the way, Sophie. If so many servants were fired, won’t the mansion be short-handed?”

“Well, yes, but it’s much better without Miss Elena.”

Sophie said with a bright smile.

Though she said that, she must be very tired. Not only had the workforce been drastically reduced, but she was also serving a hysterical employer.

I spoke with sincerity.

“Thank you so much for everything, Sophie.”

“Huh?”

Sophie’s eyes widened.

“Madam, what do you mean…?”

“Sophie, you should leave the Lopez mansion today too.”

All this time, Sophie had been my eyes and ears planted in the Lopez mansion.

While I focused on Lucas and Elena, I also needed to keep track of Edward’s movements without missing anything.

But from now on, Wilhelm alone would be enough.

“Become my real close attendant.”

“Oh, Miss!”

Seeming quite moved, Sophie called me by my old title, her eyes sparkling.

“I, I’ll do my best to serve you!”

“I’m sorry for leaving the mansion alone all this time.”

“Please don’t say that.”

Sophie shook her head vigorously and looked at me.

“I told you before. It might have been a small favor for you, but thanks to you, I was able to not lose my mother. Just thinking that my mom might have died alone in a place where no one was around…”

Sophie lowered her gaze slightly and bit her lip hard.

“I’ll repay you for preventing that from happening until the day I die.”

“…”

I know. I don’t deserve such excessive gratitude.

Unlike what Sophie thinks, I didn’t simply do her a ‘favor’. It was an action calculated to win this child’s heart.

So even though I know I don’t deserve such pure affection…

I stared blankly at Sophie for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“Thank you, Sophie.”

“That’s what I should be saying, why are you saying it, Madam? Oh! And I bought a newspaper on the way here because I saw an interesting article. You’ve probably already seen it though.”

On the front page of the newspaper Sophie handed me, I saw a very familiar name.

Lucas Fedegrin, When Will the Trial Be?

Lucas had his marquis title stripped.

It was the miserable downfall of a family that was once renowned as noble.

Soon, when the trial takes place, his full treatment as a criminal would also be decided.

‘Should I go visit him once?’

Although the last surprised face I saw was quite satisfying, it probably wouldn’t compare to seeing a truly desperate face.

I thought of another person who would be rejoicing at this news by now.

‘Elena.’

Are you toasting to this news right now?

Not knowing that you’ve cut off the last lifeline that could have saved you with your own hands.

If Lucas and Elena had stuck together, it might have given me a slight headache.

But as soon as crisis struck, they tried to cut each other off. So blatantly it was almost laughable.

‘So that was the extent of their affection.’

Well, I suppose that’s why they only whispered their love behind my back in my past life too.

A love that wouldn’t have burned if not for the thrilling kindling of deceiving me.

“Madam, what are your plans for this evening?”

Sophie’s voice snapped me out of my reverie.

As I turned my head, I saw Sophie slightly gauging my reaction.

“I heard there’s a festival in town today, perhaps…”

“Hm? …Ah.”

I quickly caught Sophie’s hidden meaning and gladly nodded.

“You’re asking for time off? Alright, I understand. I was thinking it might be too much to ask you to adjust here right after leaving the Lopez mansion anyway. Go and enjoy yourself.”

“What? No! That’s not it!”

Sophie waved her hands frantically.

“I was thinking it might be nice if you went on a date with the Duke. It’s supposed to last for three days!”

My body stiffened.

‘…A date?’

Reflexively, a strange image popped into my head.

Dante being jostled by the crowded people in the narrow streets.

Dante furrowing his brow at the cheap flavors of street food.

Dante watching the circus troupe’s shoddy performance with a fierce blank expression…

“…Hmm.”

Even if there’s a need to act like an affectionate ducal couple, there’s no need to go that far.

I quickly dismissed even a sliver of possibility and replied.

“Thank you for the suggestion, but I don’t have time for that. I have work to do starting today.”