Biare quietly observed Rosalyn’s sparkling eyes and then nodded in response.

“Let’s call it a courtesy for a guest.”

The fifteen-year-old, blushing faintly, followed Biare demurely. Her resemblance to Gaizen made Biare smile slightly without realizing it.

“Why are you smiling, Lady Ruscheff?”

“Just reminded of someone.”

Despite being the same age as Gaizen, Rosalyn seemed significantly smaller than other girls her age. Biare had thought her naturally petite, but now realized she was stunted due to malnourishment.

Had Biare not known Rosalyn’s background, she might have misjudged her as just another noble lady, like many others.

“If you’re okay with it, we should have tea together sometime.”

Even though Biare intended to form a friendship with her, she wasn’t heartless enough to ignore a starving child. And wasn’t she to become Gaizen’s fiancée?

Past Biare might not have thought of this, but now she wanted to act on what she believed was right. If she could also win Rosalyn’s heart, all the better.

“I’d be honored, Lady Ruscheff.”

For Rosalyn, yet to debut, an association with the eldest daughter of the Ruscheff family seemed like an excellent opportunity.

Biare, while maintaining a decent position in society, never sought to elevate her status or power. Born into a prominent family with a harmonious life, she lacked nothing.

Content in her position, she focused on her family’s interests. But for Rosalyn, the ‘complete place’ she desired was to fill her own void.

Rosalyn spent her childhood with her mother, a concubine of the Duke, in a separate house. Neglected, she yearned to escape from the Duke’s estate.

Later, her father, recognizing her usefulness, allowed her to stay in the main house, but she had to live an unwanted life.

Thus, Rosalyn, like Gaizen, became a victim of adult schemes, leading to their engagement.

To Biare, such family unions were mere shackles, restricting and binding unwillingly. There was no need for them to succumb to adult coercion.

Deep in thought, Biare glanced at Rosalyn with a hint of pity.

“If you’re unhappy with this engagement, let me know.”

She was ready to delay or even nullify their engagement until they were of age.

However, Rosalyn shook her head, speaking more firmly than usual.

“I know what you’re worried about, Lady Ruscheff, but I’m fine.”

Rosalyn seemed to have accepted the engagement.

Biare hoped at least she and Gaizen would get along well.

“Gaizen… my brother, he’s not good with words.”

To Biare, he was a cherished brother, but to the Dantelro family, his behavior could be seen as rude.

“I didn’t mind at all.”

Fortunately, Rosalyn appeared unfazed by Gaizen’s demeanor.

Rosalyn seemed to have a stronger heart than Biare had anticipated.
Biare had thought that the relationship between the two was not much different from the past. They hardly ever talked unless in the presence of others, maintaining a distant relationship.

‘As long as it doesn’t become a relationship that hurts each other…’

Given Gaizen’s nature, similar to his father, he wouldn’t likely be interested in other women.

But indifference was another issue. If it continued, it could hurt the other person or lead to misunderstandings.

Concerned about this issue related to Gaizen, Biare thought, ‘I should subtly hint at this to Gaizen.’

At least showing proper courtesy to his fiancée was a virtue.

If Biare’s mother had been alive, she would have already scolded him.

As they decided to head back, Rosalyn seemed a bit disappointed but soon nodded and followed Biare to the terrace.

There, amidst the adults’ business talks, Gaizen sat with a gloomy expression.

“Gaizen.”

“Sister, you’re back?”

As Gaizen’s mood quickly brightened, the Duke and Biare looked at each other awkwardly.

The Duke cleared his throat and lightly reprimanded his son.

“You shouldn’t spend all your time with your sister while your fiancée is here.”

He meant Gaizen should pay more attention to Rosalyn, his future fiancée.

“What fiancée…”

Gaizen looked disgusted, and the Duke, feeling awkward, suggested, “Maybe Biare, you could join them.”

It was a drastic measure, considering his unpredictable son.

Biare, sensing a special connection with Rosalyn in this life, smiled in response.

“I’ll do that. Is that okay with you, Miss Rosalyn?”

“Yes, I’m fine with that.”

Leading the way, Biare took them inside the mansion.

She considered taking them to the drawing room, but with both of them remaining silent, it seemed difficult to make progress.

So, they arrived at the gallery, where portraits of past Dukes were displayed, which Biare thought was the perfect place.

“Gaizen, why don’t you do the introductions?”

“What? Me?”

“Yes, or shall I?”

“No, Sister, you should rest.”

Subdued by her calm voice, Gaizen sighed softly and then turned his attention to Rosalyn, starting to speak after a moment of silence.

“Miss, if you’ll follow me.”

“Please, lead the way.”

“Let’s start with the first Duke of Luschef…”

Initially reluctant, Gaizen became more engaged when talking about his family history.

Rosalyn listened attentively, showing no sign of boredom.

‘They do seem well-matched together.’

Watching the situation, Biare discreetly left the gallery, walking through the corridors to the garden, immersing herself in the deepening greenery of the season.

The summer air was heavy, and a warm breeze slowly wafted through.
“I didn’t dislike the idea of being engaged to you.”

Biare agonized over whether things would have been different if she had been engaged to her lover in the past, tormented by late regrets.

She had spent two years with Dension and hadn’t been averse to imagining a future together. Around the time she was nineteen, he had inquired about her thoughts on betrothal.

At that time, she had hesitated, using the excuse of not being ready, and Dension had waited for her indefinitely.

However, Biare’s hesitation had another reason.

‘He still hadn’t forgotten his deceased first love.’

After they became a couple, even if she tried to ignore it, there were moments that made it undeniable.

For example, the way he looked at her sometimes, reminiscent of how he might have looked at his precious person. Those looks were so poignant and intense that one day she cautiously asked him about it.

[About the person you mentioned before, Sion.] [Who are you talking about?] [The important person you told me about.] […….] [How did it happen?] [At the mansion.] [Huh?] [She took her own life.] [What? How did it…?] [Who knows. She left no note.] [Sion…….] [I’m okay now.]

‘Still having those sad eyes…’

Biare knew he had a sorrowful inner world after being left alone following his parents’ death, but he seemed to carry a greater loss than she had realized.

‘Can I really handle you?’

She loved Dension, but part of her was scared.

Scared that he might be projecting his deceased first love onto her.

And scared of being with Dension, who would never forget her.

These worries were enough to unsettle Biare.

After that day, she never brought up the subject again. Or rather, she couldn’t.

All she could do was hope and wish that Dension would soon forget her.