“Aren’t you deeply immersed in the sweetness of newlywed life? The rumors say that things are very passionate between you two.”

As another noblewoman spoke subtly while covering her mouth with a fan, knowing laughter erupted here and there.

Some people looked at the memo pads they had received with curiosity.

“By the way, are they really giving out memo pads as souvenirs?”

“It’s interesting. They’re a kind of keepsake… It certainly seems to be creating buzz.”

Someone answered while looking at the bustling guests.

“Oh, there are two words drawn on this memo pad.”

“The memo pad I received has title candidates written on it. This is fun.”

As the invited guests gathered and lively conversations bloomed here and there,

Edward, standing at the podium, cleared his throat and tapped his glass.

“It seems the souvenirs are becoming a topic of conversation. I’m deeply moved that so many of you still remember my grandfather.”

Edward gave a polite greeting to the guests who were now paying attention to him.

“Some might look unfavorably upon casually dispersing my grandfather’s belongings. However… I wanted to share traces of my grandfather with more people. If I keep them to myself, it’s merely longing, but…”

A solemn sadness settled on Edward’s expression.

“If we share together, it becomes a memorial, a commemoration.”

As the handsome young man showed his sorrow, a considerable number of nobles wore sympathetic expressions.

After composing himself a moment later, Edward spoke with a serious face.

“As some of you may know, this year marks the 10th anniversary of my grandfather’s passing. And so…”

Edward swept his gaze over the audience, as people often do when about to announce something important.

Then, when everyone’s attention was fully heightened, he opened his mouth.

“At the upcoming Founding Day Festival, I plan to unveil Part 3 of .”

Commotion broke out here and there.

“Did he just say ?”

“He said Part 3. It seems the rumors of an unpublished work were true after all.”

was the unpublished final masterpiece of a musical genius.

The series, which captivated not only the public but also critics with its mysterious melody in Part 1, reached the level of a complete masterpiece when the more grandiose and rich Part 2 was released.

However, it remained an ill-fated masterpiece as Eduardo passed away before the release of Part 3, which should have been the grand finale.

“Of course, since my grandfather met with misfortune while composing Part 3, it’s not a complete work. I have humbly attempted to complete the lacking portions, so I hope you will listen favorably.”

As Edward bowed politely, applause erupted from the audience.

Clap clap clap clap!

“Now we have one more reason to attend the Founding Day Festival.”

“Indeed. I’m extremely happy that we’ll be able to appreciate the unknown Part 3 in some form.”

Amidst the cheerful atmosphere, music enthusiasts quietly exchanged glances and whispered.

“Well, it seems the Count has decided to sell the late maestro after all. It’s understandable, given that this is his first important appearance at the Founding Day Festival.”

“But how long can one survive on the legacy of someone who has already passed away… I wonder if he has any original works of his own?”

“He has been releasing quite impressive original compositions recently. Though not yet finely polished, they contained such explosive power that I had high hopes for his future. It’s a shame.”

“Well, given that incident not long ago, he’s probably being cautious for now. His talent won’t go anywhere, so let’s wait and see. If he succeeds at this Founding Day Festival, wouldn’t he challenge with his own original work next time?”

Some expressed expectations, some disappointment, and some excitement.

Amidst the lively atmosphere, someone shouted.

“Oh, isn’t that the Heigenberg family’s carriage?”

At that voice, everyone’s gaze turned towards the right window.

Edward’s expression cracked for a moment, but no one was looking at him yet.

“My, are the Duke and Duchess attending?”

“Goodness! I’ll finally see that talked-about couple with my own eyes!”

Soon, the butler announced the arrival of a new guest.

“The Duchess of Heigenberg has arrived.”

* * *

“Lady Heigenberg, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“We’ve met before, I wonder if you remember…”

A swarm of people flocked to one woman.

At the center of it all, Ariana Heigenberg responded to the countless greetings with a picture-perfect smile.

“It’s nice to meet you, pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Of course I remember. Didn’t you personally attend the wedding to give your blessings, Count Rengton?”

Each flowing response was flawless.

People marveled at the grace and elegance that was hard to believe came from a lady who had just turned twenty.

‘Indeed, she is worthy of being a Duchess.’

‘His Grace certainly didn’t choose his bride carelessly.’

And with that daffodil-like beauty to boot.

The Count’s mansion, decorated with winter roses everywhere as if to flaunt the family’s prosperity, was so red that it was somewhat tiring to the eyes.

In the midst of this, encountering Ariana, who shone freshly in just a simple elegant cream-colored gown without any flashy accessories, gave a feeling of restful relief to one’s eyes.

“Sister!”

At the clear voice, people turned around in unison.

Elena, adorned in a bright red dress with red flowers, pushed through the crowd with Adolf to approach Ariana.

Reaching Ariana, Elena beamed with a smile as bright as a fully bloomed rose.

“You came. Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how happy I am!”

Then, as if showing off that this was her sister, she embraced Ariana tightly.

Seeing this, people whispered quietly.

“They seem to have a good relationship.”

“It looks like the Lucas Fedegrin incident really was resolved that way.”

Instead of pushing away the clinging Elena, Ariana raised her hand and slowly patted Elena’s back.

At that touch, Elena unconsciously smiled triumphantly.

‘Of course.’

Over the past month, Elena had fought her own fierce battle, like a swan paddling furiously under the water.

Thanks to her act as a pitiful victim at various social gatherings, there was now quite a bit of sympathy for her in social circles.

That’s not all.

By completely transforming her image to a mature and fatal one, and always being accompanied by Adolf wherever she went, it seemed the gaze of men towards her had intensified.

Wasn’t it always said that the most beautiful woman is another man’s woman?

In the end, she had succeeded in turning crisis into opportunity.

This couldn’t be the situation Ariana had wanted.

Yet Ariana was embracing Elena instead of pushing her away and humiliating her.

‘I guess sister can’t turn the situation around anymore.’

Elena struggled to hide the smile that was trying to leak out.

She remembered Ariana who had stepped forward on the wedding day, urging her to boldly accuse Lucas and flustering her.

At that time, Ariana must have wanted to see Elena make a fool of herself by trying to accuse a high-ranking nobleman like Lucas.

However, the goddess of fortune had smiled upon Elena.

As if waiting for Lucas’s immunity to be temporarily lifted, an ‘anonymous accuser’ had consecutively reported tremendous allegations.

The result was, as you can see.

The traitor who had insulted Elena had his much-boasted title revoked, and Elena was ready to rise again as the rose of social circles.

“But where is the Duke?”

Elena looked around with a lovely smile.

“You came together, right? I don’t see him anywhere?”

“Ah.”

Ariana smiled lightly.

“I didn’t come with the Duke.”

At the news that Dante had not accompanied her, there was a slight commotion around them.

Elena inwardly sneered.

It was well-known that Ariana had been secluded for the past month.

There were rumors that it was because she was spending a passionate honeymoon with the Duke, but if that were true, shouldn’t the Duke be unseen as well?

However, Dante was still going about his social life as usual.

The truth was obvious. Dante was a man notorious for being licentious and dissolute.

Such a person wouldn’t settle for just one woman, especially not a boring woman like Ariana.

‘He must be tired of her already.’

Swallowing her conviction, Elena tilted her head.

“Really? Why? You should have come together, being newlyweds and all. The Duke must be lonely being apart. Besides, today is… your first official event since becoming the Duchess, isn’t it?”

The casually thrown words had a barb to them.

People quietly exchanged glances.

As Elena savored the feeling of victory, sensing the atmosphere with her whole body,

Ariana smiled a pretty smile.

Elena suddenly felt an ominous premonition at the smile that was too fresh to be hiding defeat.

In the past, she wouldn’t have cared how Ariana smiled, but… after being blindsided severely a few times recently, she couldn’t help it.

“It’s just visiting my family home, hardly an official event.”

“…Ah, yes. I suppose so?”

Having the event she had spent weeks preparing described as ‘just’ was upsetting. But Elena struggled to maintain her smile.

“Anyway, about His Grace the Duke-”

“By the way, Elena.”

Ariana said abruptly in a nonchalant voice.

“That tiara, I haven’t seen it in a while. It’s mine, isn’t it?”

“…Ah.”

Elena blinked, a bit flustered.

She had been wearing it as if it were her own for so long that she had forgotten it originally belonged to Ariana.

“I’m glad to see you’re using it well. You still have similar tastes to mine. Well.”

Ariana smiled a spring flower-like smile.

“You’ve always liked inheriting things I used to wear.”

Having said that, Ariana gently bent her waist.

Her sweet voice tickled Elena’s ear.

“Even men.”