The winter dawn air exuded a bitterly cold chill, causing Viare to shiver slightly. With a duty to report to the Duke early in the morning, she let out a shallow sigh and headed towards his study.

For the past two years, she had made it a routine to visit her father once a week at this early hour to update him on the progress of her work.

Arriving at the study, Viare took a deep breath and knocked on the door twice.

Knock-knock―

“Come in, Viare.”

After a brief bow, she succinctly explained the results of the work she had overseen at Cheilro Trading Company over the past week. In the result-oriented Ruschev Ducal House, outcomes were more crucial than processes.

“Regarding the oil drilling rights we secured recently, I’ve arranged a visit with Gaizen to the western seas.”

“That’s good. It seems like things are finally moving forward.”

Viare had received a response from a western merchant late the previous evening.

She nodded slightly and cautiously brought up a negotiation right her father had recently taken interest in.

“By the way, I heard there’s a plan to promote a train project in the east. Did father know about this?”

The Duke’s eyebrows raised at this news, wondering where his daughter had heard it.

“Viare, how did you come to know this?”

It was a matter not yet released to the press, so he was curious how this information had leaked.

With an innocent expression, Viare calmly replied, “I was tipped off by a lady I befriended at a recent social gathering.”

The eastern part of Marta Empire, renowned for its railway industry, contrasted with the western region’s shipbuilding fame. The Duke quickly deduced the identity of the lady Viare mentioned – the young lady of a household that had recently acquired the oil drilling rights Cheilro Trading Company was handling.

As the Alhenbar Count’s family controlled the eastern train project, the Duke smiled satisfactorily, recognizing the strategic alliance his daughter had formed.

“My daughter, you are truly commendable.”

This was equivalent to Viare forging a new bridge of connections for the Ruschev family through her social endeavors.

The Duke, ever the businessman, seemed to have already calculated the benefits in his head.

‘This should suffice.’

Having dropped the hint, Viare knew her father would willingly exploit it, and she planned to visit the east as soon as preparations were complete.

‘But first, I need to find that key.’

With a faint smile, Viare politely excused herself from the study.

Arriving at the Lanvin Arts District close to noon, Viare greeted the cultural foundation’s staff busy with the festival’s preparations. The Ruschev Cultural Foundation had agreed to collaborate in the festival, an event significant for the artists as it provided them a chance to gain wider recognition and potential sponsorship.

As the trumpet sounded, announcing the festival’s grand opening, people began to trickle into the foundation’s gallery.

Among them were familiar faces, and Viare approached the group with a bright smile.

“Thank you for visiting us today.”

In the midst of aristocratic ladies who valued etiquette, she respectfully greeted them.

“The artworks sponsored by the Ruschev family are indeed beautiful.”

“Thank you for your kind words, madam. However…”

Blushing slightly, Viare decided to modestly correct the lady’s compliment.
This was a place brought about by the effort of the cultural foundation, not the Ruschev family per se.

“It’s thanks to the hard work of the foundation’s staff and artists.”

Hearing this, the aristocratic ladies raised their eyebrows and smiled softly, responding with grace.

“You’re right, my lady. As one gets older, such mistakes happen occasionally.”

“No, not at all, madam. We’re just grateful for your interest in the cultural foundation.”

The ladies, with their kind smiles, seemed impressed by the young lady’s capable management of the cultural foundation.

After all, their visit here would serve as a foundation for supporting the artists.

As Viare greeted the visitors to the gallery, time flew by quickly, and before long, the day was drawing to an end.

Exhausted from the demanding day, Viare decided to give the foundation’s staff a break and sent them out as the evening approached.

With the gallery quiet, Viare finally felt a sense of relief. She closed her eyes for a moment, basking in the sunset light filtering through the windows.

‘Did I fall asleep for a moment?’

Startled by the sound of approaching footsteps, Viare struggled to lift her heavy eyelids.

“……Dension?”

The figure she had longed for stood before her, making Viare wonder if this situation was just a dream.

It made no sense for the Dension of now, who had no connection with her, to visit this gallery.

‘How I’ve longed for you…’

“Why did you only come now?”

Overwhelmed by the nights of yearning, Viare felt like bursting into tears.

Facing the silent and indifferent Dension, her heart shattered.