For a while, Viare secluded herself in her office, coping with her forlorn and pitiable feelings.

Despite Gaizen’s warnings not to overexert herself, she immersed herself in work, finding busyness the best way to shake off her thoughts.

While focusing on her tasks, she meticulously examined a pile of letters a servant had left.

‘This is…’

Upon seeing the black envelope with the sealing stamp, Viare felt an overwhelming joy.

The sender was none other than the ‘Elmada,’ an unofficial social club.

Elmada wasn’t a place one could enter just by wishing. Even with high status or vast wealth, entry to this coveted social club was not guaranteed.

Rumors had it that Elmada was the first to know about the nobles’ affairs, generating rumors and serving as a hub for hidden connections.

Being an unofficial club, its elite members were not publicly known, but Viare had managed to gather information about it through Gaizen.

One thing stood out in particular.

‘Noble lineage.’

Despite their diversity, their commonality was being from noble lineages.

As a lady of the Luuscheff house, Viare had forsaken it, striving to build connections in other social circles.

‘But an invitation for me?’

Already a central figure in the social world, Viare’s position remained ambiguous.

Some high nobles still scorned her for her lowly commoner heritage.

‘They invite new members by unanimous decision, don’t they?’

Regardless of the reason, being formally invited was surprising and joyous.

She might even gather information about Dension, which she hadn’t yet obtained.

With some time until the next meeting, Viare decided to observe them more closely before responding.

She had to prepare for an afternoon tea party at a nearby Earl’s estate.

With Diane’s help, who was still her personal maid despite her promotion, Viare completed her preparations and headed to the courtyard.

There, Tonyo and Joyan awaited her, along with Diane. These retainers had been her staunch supporters for the past two years.

Initially skeptical of their loyalty, their steadfast devotion eventually opened Viare’s heart.

‘People who serve not my father, but me…’

They were her loyal confidants.

Despite occasional squabbles, the sight of them getting along brought a smile to her face.

Arriving at the tea party, Viare approached acquaintances to greet them.

She had solidified her position in the social world by personally engaging in it, something she once paid no heed to.

Initially, they were wary of her, wondering why the usually aloof lady was so approachable.

However, Viare’s efforts led her to this solid standing.

While Viare was mingling, Rosalyn approached her.

“Lady, it’s been a while.”

“Welcome, my lady.”

Rosalyn, a debutante of the Dantero house, had grown close to the Luuscheff lady after her debut. After getting engaged to the young duke this spring, she became a frequent topic in gossip circles.

With her striking appearance and witty conversation, she held a central place in the social world alongside Viare.

“I have a gift for you.”

Viare spoke softly, ensuring only Rosalyn could hear before others noticed.

“A gift, you say?”
“Now that the lady is about to come of age too.”

Rosalyn’s birthday approached at the end of the year, while Gaizen’s was at the start of the new year, both celebrating their coming of age around the same time.

Hence, Viare had prepared small gifts for both, who were turning eighteen.

“Lady Viare…”

“Of course, I’ve prepared birthday gifts too, so please consider this a token of my regard.”

Touched, Rosalyn gazed at the gift box Viare handed her, her eyes moistening with emotion.

“I’m not sure if I should accept this.”

“It’s a gift for a lady entering adulthood. Please excuse my humble skills.”

The gift Viare presented was a handkerchief embroidered with forget-me-nots, a personal handiwork she had done in commemoration of their coming of age.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you, Lady Viare. But…”

“Please, feel free to speak, Lady.”

Viare patiently waited, allowing Rosalyn to speak comfortably as she hesitated.

“Did I receive my gift before the young duke?”

“Yes, I haven’t given it to Gaizen yet…”

Thinking it might be better to let her have the first turn, Viare considered presenting the gift to Rosalyn first.

After all, Rosalyn was also Gaizen’s fiancée, making Viare naturally cautious.

“Then I won…?”

“Excuse me? What did you just say?”

“Oh, nothing. It’s truly an honor, Lady Viare.”

Although Viare found Rosalyn’s behavior a bit puzzling, she looked at her with a generous smile.

‘Perhaps it’s better to reveal later that they both received the same handkerchief.’

Viare had embroidered the same forget-me-not pattern for both Gaizen and Rosalyn’s gifts.

Though their engagement might have been for their respective purposes, Viare hoped they would find genuine happiness.