The Ruschev family’s charity event filled the Arcan capital’s square with more people than usual, bustling with activity.

If the past Viare only managed the event, now she also had to oversee Cheylo Trading Company’s affairs, leaving her with no time to spare. Her loyal servants each played their part in lighting up the charity event.

As the charity performance began, dazzling performances, like those from the East, poured forth. A few weeks ago, when the scheduled performer had personal issues, causing a hiccup in the event plans, Viare urgently sent a letter to Ushua. Despite the unexpected request which might have been a bother, Ushua happily selected performers from the Eastern countries and sent them on a fast ship.

Watching their performance, Viare thought to herself that she must write to Ushua as soon as she returned to the mansion.

It was when Viare arrived at Cheylo Trading Company for the upcoming donation event and was checking the ordered goods.

With heavy footsteps, Tonyo, carrying boxes, approached her.

“Ma’am, you’ve been working hard. But where is Gaijen?”

“Weren’t you with the young Duke, ma’am?”

His counter-question with a tilted head made Viare frown, thinking of her annoying younger brother.

‘Where could he be…’

Lately, Gaijen, as if caught by a late wind, often disappeared, leaving his busy work behind. His evasive attitude to questions about his whereabouts was bothering Viare.

With a sigh, she finished checking the goods and headed to the charity event venue with Tonyo.

At the event, many citizens gathered to receive donated goods, and knights stood guard to prevent any unforeseen accidents. As high-quality goods, usually for nobles, were unpacked from boxes, the crowd started murmuring.

The financial situation of Cheylo Trading Company, already good, was improving day by day, leading the Duke to order more goods than before.

In the bustling atmosphere, those with numbered tickets approached one by one, and Viare carefully distributed the donations.

While handing out goods, she noticed a young child holding his mother’s hand and asked with a smile, “You look smart. How old are you?”

The child grinned, counted his fingers, and exclaimed, “Four years old!”

His mother, caught off guard by the situation, bowed her head and tightly held her child’s hand. For them, the nobility was still an intimidating presence, and she was worried her child might misbehave.

Seeing this, Viare approached them in a friendly manner and handed over the donations. The child joyously thanked her, “Thank you, pretty princess!”

“Oh, I’m not a princess.”

At her response, the child, looking puzzled, insisted with bright eyes, “No, mommy said princesses are all pretty!”

His look towards his mother made Viare and her servants break into warm smiles.

“I apologize, Lady.”

The mother, bowing as if she were a criminal, made Viare feel sorry. She shook her head and said, “No need for that. Your child is very clever. Right, Tonyo?”

“Yes, the child seems to have a good eye.”

Quick-witted Tonyo naturally played along with Viare’s lighthearted comment. Relieved, the mother’s face relaxed, and she bowed before walking away.

Watching them leave, Tonyo turned to Viare with a softly curved gaze and said, “Children are very perceptive, aren’t they?”
“Lady, I never thought you would play such a prank.”

“A prank? Surely, Tonyo, you’re not joking about my looks?” Viare glanced sideways at him, asking teasingly. Tonyo waved his hands, vehemently declaring his innocence.

“Ah, how could I possibly?”

Watching her escort knight handle social interactions naturally, Viare burst into laughter.

As time passed and the donated items gradually disappeared, the crowd at the event also began to disperse.

Just as Viare turned to finish organizing the remaining items, a man’s low, middle-aged voice asked, “Are there any items left?”

Viare turned back to face a robed man.

‘Why is he wearing a robe in broad daylight?’

Suspicious, she was about to hand over a donation item when the robe slightly lifted, revealing a cufflink.

‘…What’s that?’

Unable to close her mouth, Viare fixated on the cufflink and swallowed dryly. It was identical to one she had.

Every day she had wondered about this cufflink, and now seeing the same pattern, Viare silently screamed with joy.

‘Maybe now I can get closer to the truth.’

She handed over the donation item, feigning nonchalance, and the man quickly walked away without looking back.

Urgently, Viare quietly said to Tonyo, “Tonyo, can you help me?”

“Just tell me what you need, ma’am.”

“Follow that man, please.”

“Understood.”

Tonyo, without asking why, began to stealthily follow the man. Viare also followed, but catching up with a trained person’s pace was challenging.

After a while, she finally caught up with Tonyo.

“Tonyo, where is he?”

“He seemed to notice something and disappeared just up ahead.”