Upon arriving at the mansion, Viare immediately collapsed onto the floor, utterly taken aback. She had never expected Dension to visit Bernard Street No. 34.

‘Sion, you too are nearing the truth.’

He was investigating the case in his own way, but Viare was acutely aware of the danger this could pose to him.

‘What should I do…?’

Despite her rise to her current position, she felt utterly helpless to do anything for him. Overwhelmed, Viare took a deep breath and tightly shut her eyes.

‘Why did you ask for information about me…?’

She had already concluded that Dension might be planning to use her, the lady of the Ruschef family, for his purposes. If it could keep him from danger, Viare was more than willing to be used.

Such was her love for him, her desire to protect him.

Even if it meant trapping herself in mire, if it could save him from death, Viare was prepared to choose the same path repeatedly.

Therefore, to save Dension, she had to uncover the truth before he did, elusive though it might be.

‘Surely, my father knows the truth entwined with Sion.’

She had a feeling that this truth might lead her to confront other hidden facts, but she was determined not to back down anymore.

On a late winter afternoon, with the snow twinkling under the sun, a carriage trundled across the plain.

“Is there something special happening today for the lady?”

“It seems she has been invited to a new social club.”

“Then the lady will become even busier.”

The attendants whispered among themselves, and as Viare turned her gaze from the window, they pretended to look elsewhere.

Viare smiled at their behavior, feeling unusually elated and in high spirits. She had been invited to the Elmeda Social Club and had already received a schedule for the appointment.

To be a member, one had to be chosen by all their members, proving that her efforts were not in vain.

‘Such noble individuals.’

Winning their hearts would require more effort and diligence, but if it could yield information about Dension, it was a price she was willing to pay.

‘But why meet here?’

As they reached the address, Viare slightly furrowed her brow. Even Tonio seemed perplexed, confirming the location with the coachman several times. The place was none other than the Tanaasha Sanctuary.

Viare was puzzled why this was their meeting spot.

Today, due to the absence of a mass, there were fewer visitors, and the area around the chapel grew increasingly deserted.

The ornate doors of the resplendent sanctuary, with its marble columns more splendid than her last visit, suggested the duke’s donations were increasingly generous.

Entering the door, the light reflected from the beveled glass windows and the high ceilings momentarily dazzled Viare.

As she adjusted to the light, she noticed a priest sitting near the pulpit.

Thinking he was praying and intending to leave, she was surprised when he spoke in a voice audible only to her.

“Please follow me.”

“…….?”

“The noble heirs are waiting for you, Lady.”

The priest’s pocket appeared quite full, possibly already compensated by them.

‘Are they having him cover for them?’
The priest’s pocket seemed unusually full, suggesting he might have already received payment from them.

‘Is he covering for them?’ Viare wondered.

Following the priest, she soon found a door leading to a basement beneath the chapel and frowned slightly. Who would have thought such a space was hidden beneath the Tanaasha Sanctuary?

“Just open this door and enter,” the priest instructed.

Following his direction, Viare swallowed dryly and opened the door to the basement.

Upon entering, she hesitated as cheers greeted her.

“Welcome to Elmeda, Lady Viare of the Ruscheff family.”

“It’s our first time conversing with the lady.”

“You are even more beautiful in person!”

The relaxed atmosphere, in stark contrast to her initial tension, allowed Viare to breathe a sigh of relief.

Among the group, which appeared to be less than ten, she recognized some familiar faces.

The first to catch her eye was Rosalyn Dantell.

After exchanging letters following the dessert cafe incident with Gaizen, this was their first meeting since.

Viare felt reassured, expecting that Rosalyn had also recently joined this place.

Another familiar face was Gaizen’s longtime friend, Giuseppe Lissandro.

Viare hadn’t anticipated that Lissandro, a young count, would have recently become a member here.

“Long time no see, sister,” Giuseppe greeted with a sincere, unspoiled smile.

As Viare was assessing the situation, a man who appeared to be their leader approached her.

“It’s our first time meeting unofficially. I am Matteo Caenderson, leader of Elmeda.”

From the Caenderson ducal family, one of the oldest and most esteemed, he had recently become a duke.

Viare was familiar with him through the information guild, but they had never officially met in social circles.

“……Viare Ruscheff,” she introduced herself.

“Lady, you must have many questions. Please, take a seat,” Matteo suggested.