“Father must be well aware that I do not desire that position.”

“Yes, how could I not know that……”

However, in the end, her father had essentially accepted the Crown Prince’s proposal.

Only then could Biare understand Ivan’s behavior at the temple and the entire situation.

His arrogant attitude, acting as if he already possessed her, ultimately stemmed from her father.

Perhaps even Biare’s visit to the grand temple today was part of a hidden scheme between the Duke and the Crown Prince.

Biare was grateful that she had ordered her knight to guard the door before coming to the study.

The sharp-witted Tonio would surely keep quiet about these absurd sounds leaking through the door.

In the past, the Duke had always been displeased with the endless marriage proposals that came after Biare’s debutante.

Despite being such a Duke, he was personally proving that the blood of the Ruschef family flowed thickly in him when faced with power.

Looking at her father, who was still silent, Biare let out a shallow sigh.

“I’ve made my intentions clear. If you have nothing more to say, I’ll take my leave.”

Bang―

Before she could even stand up, the study door was roughly thrown open, and a boy with a red face sat down next to Biare, glaring at the Duke as if he would devour him.

Despite repeated warnings not to let anyone into the study, it seemed her knight had been unable to stop even the young lord.

“As expected, you’re impressive, Father.”

“……”

Despite Gaizen’s insolent sneer, the Duke merely observed, and only a stifling and chilly air filled the study.

“Are you now trying to drive my sister to her doom?”

The Duke tightly closed his eyes at his son’s words and raised his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.

When the Duke didn’t answer, Gaizen hurriedly asked his sister sitting next to him.

“Sister, surely you’re not thinking of accepting this marriage?”

Biare looked at her brother with a calm tone and replied.

“Well. It’s a matter that depends on Father’s intentions.”

“No matter what, this isn’t right. Of all people, that vulgar bastard!”

“Mind your language, Gaizen. Father must have his reasons.”

Biare looked at her father with an ordinary expression before asking with a cold smile.

“Isn’t that right, Father?”

Finally, unable to withstand the oppressive atmosphere filled with his children’s condemnation and criticism, the Duke let out a deep sigh and said.

“Alright, I’ll try to talk to the Crown Prince about it.”

They say there are no parents who can win against their children, and it seemed the old saying wasn’t wrong.

From his perspective, it must be a greatly regrettable matter, but Biare, having achieved a satisfactory result, finally raised the corners of her mouth slightly.

“Then we’ll take our leave now.”

Biare and Gaizen exchanged silent glances as they left the study.

Sunlight filtering through the leaves streamed into the corridor windows, and a gentle breeze still held the sleeve hems of late spring, fluttering softly.

On Biare’s desk in her room were scattered tea party invitation letters that a servant had delivered earlier.

She could only guess that nobles who had heard about her preparing for a charity event had sent letters through their children.

‘Of course, they probably want to impress Father, not me.’

Biare curiously looked over the names of nobles she had never met before.

‘Come to think of it, there was a time when they piled up like this before my regression too.’

Biare fiddled with one of the letters, reminiscing about her memories with Dension.

After Biare’s birthday banquet ended successfully, the Ruschef ducal residence was piled high with invitation cards sent by noble children.

Some families even sent marriage proposals, but Biare merely scoffed and paid them no attention.

The capital was in the midst of the autumn social season, so even families that rarely left their territories were staying in their capital mansions or townhouses.

Therefore, she pre-selected the families she deemed worthy of attending by looking at the family seals on the envelopes.

The event Biare carefully chose to attend was a social gathering hosted by the Lapiers family.

Although they might now appear to be an insignificant family with weakened influence, their military power was truly remarkable.

With a long history of producing the Imperial Knights’ Commander for generations, many knights admired their military prowess.

Long ago, the Lapiers family suddenly declared their neutrality, stating they had no interest in politics, and retreated to their territory. Since then, the family’s influence had been steadily weakening.

However, Biare still held the Lapiers family in high regard.

She was certain that maintaining a friendship with them would help the Ruschef family benefit from the Lapiers’ military power.

As Biare was satisfied with her choice and taking a sip of her Earl Grey tea, a young lady with clear, transparent eyes blushed and shyly said:

“By the way, did you all see Marquis Verdeum at the Young Lady’s banquet?”

Biare, who nearly spit out her tea, hurriedly took out her handkerchief and wiped her mouth.

Then, another young lady sitting across from her pursed her lips, and soon, as if trying to cover her mouth, she opened her fan and answered:

“Of course. He’s not called the Silver Owl for nothing……”

The other young ladies nodded in agreement, wearing pleasant smiles.

‘Just when I was starting to forget about that man……’

Biare’s brow furrowed involuntarily as an unwanted topic of conversation arose.

A young lady next to her looked at Biare with concerned eyes, asking if the tea was too hot, and called over a nearby maid to order a fresh pot.

Although that wasn’t the reason, Biare awkwardly smiled and accepted the newly brewed tea.

‘What on earth is so charming about him that he’s the talk of the young ladies?’

She tried to think that the Silver Owl might not be the man she knew, but soon had to accept it.

After all, the ‘Silver Owl’ was the animal symbolizing the wisdom of the Verdeum marquis family.

The surrounding young ladies, unaware of Biare’s feelings, continued to agree with the generous assessment of the marquis.

“He didn’t flirt with the ladies like other young men, and he didn’t seem frivolous at all.”

“His quiet demeanor was quite impressive.”

“But still, isn’t his appearance the most outstanding thing about him?”

Biare’s expression grew increasingly crumpled at their generous praise, leaving her at a loss for words.

‘If that’s not frivolous, then what is?’

Not only did he carelessly call her by name, but he also kissed her hand without seeking permission.

It was something that could never happen in her mind, and just remembering his rudeness made her laugh sarcastically.

“Huh―”

Startled by the sigh that involuntarily escaped, revealing all her emotions, Biare quickly hid her expression, conscious of her surroundings.

However, the young ladies around her had already heard the sound and looked at her. Biare smiled awkwardly and replied:

“There was a flying insect in front of my eyes.”

The young ladies, who had looked puzzled at Biare’s words, soon nodded in agreement.

“It does seem more like that since it’s autumn.”

She couldn’t remember what conversation followed after that, as if that moment’s memory had been erased entirely.

Biare’s mind was completely filled with whether it was a silver owl or a silver eagle.

She couldn’t understand why such a shameless man was stirring up her thoughts.

Even as she got into the carriage, Biare continued to wear a sullen expression, causing the knight escorts to watch her carefully.

“Young Lady, did something unpleasant happen at the tea party?”

When one tactless knight escort asked this outright, Tonio stepped hard on his foot.

“Ouch― Why did you suddenly step on my foot?”

She was embarrassed that her mood had been noticed, but pretending to be nonchalant, she replied:

“No, nothing like that happened.”

At those words, another knight gestured to him to keep quiet, indicating that the Young Lady was present.

“Let’s keep quiet since the Young Lady is here.”

Silence immediately fell inside the carriage, with only the clop-clop of horse hooves echoing outside.

Biare felt that she shouldn’t have attended the social event due to her unsettled feelings, but she tried to redirect her thoughts, considering it fortunate that she had been able to form a friendship with the Lapiers young lady.

Nevertheless, Biare continued to deny his presence, which kept appearing in her mind.

Reading a book to shake off distracting thoughts was one way to improve her mood when she felt upset.

Biare, who had been resting her chin on one hand while looking out the window, turned her head and asked Tonio:

“Sir Tonio, was this road close to the capital square?”

“Yes, if we take the right path, it’s close to the square.”

“Then let’s go that way.”

“Understood.”

Before long, the carriage entered the capital square, and the streets were bustling with people.

The largest bookstore in the Arkan capital was located in the square, and usually, when new novels were published, they were first supplied here.

As it happened to be the day when the new novels Biare was looking for were being delivered, she held expectations of purchasing the books herself.

Alighting near the bookstore, she instructed her knight escorts to spend time nearby, saying she would only be inside the bookstore and they shouldn’t enter.

They gave a short bow, and Biare hurriedly climbed the stairs and flung open the bookstore door.

As the largest bookstore in the Arkan capital, the interior was dominated by a grand atmosphere with high ceilings.

The book she was going to purchase today was a mystery novel.

Having enjoyed the previous work of Arend Lagers, Biare had high expectations for the author’s new work.

When she reached the mystery novel display, this month’s newly published books were all lined up together.

Just as Biare, who enjoyed reading, was about to pick up a book with a pleased expression:

“Are you planning to read that book?”

Startled by the sudden voice of a man, Biare looked up at the man standing next to her.