Just as the unintended period of self-restraint was starting to become tedious, the gossip about Biare Ruschef was also gradually dying down.

Next to her, there was an overflowing pile of tea party invitation letters, more than enough to accumulate.

Even from the few prestigious families who usually despised her family, the fact that they personally sent letters seemed to reveal their sinister intentions.

With a faint smile at the obvious ploy, Biare calmly examined the letters, and picked up one that caught her eye.

‘Monterio Literary Society Poetry Recital’.

Biare could dare to be certain that among social gatherings, this was the one created with the purest intentions.

A place where there was no power struggle between nobles, and where other families were not looked down upon for being of a different level.

The Monterio Literary Society was a place where only those truly sincere about literature gathered.

This society was born from the Monterio Count family, which has been discovering literary figures for generations, and had the purpose of pure literary exploration rather than a combination of powers.

Of course, there were quite a few noble children who tried to approach it to use the literary society for social activities.

To prevent this, the Monterio Count family set entrance exams with questions that only those with deep literary knowledge could solve.

As a result, they failed the exams one after another, and eventually gave up, it was said.

Before her regression, Biare, who enjoyed reading books, started attending the gatherings with a light heart, but became so engrossed in it that other tea parties seemed futile in comparison.

Not only was it interesting that a small number of young nobles gathered to have heated discussions about literature, but what was most unique was that she could recognize how deep her own knowledge of literature was.

Therefore, unlike other gatherings, during that time she could comfortably talk about her thoughts and views.

Putting down the invitation she was holding, Biare thought that she must definitely participate in the literary gathering.

It had been two years since she joined the Monterio Literary Society, and as it was an unofficial place, she could visit comfortably.

‘Come to think of it, Sion, you were there too.’

Recalling her past life, she remembered Dension, who was one of the members of the Monterio Literary Society.

He was not only the last member of the literary society, but surprisingly, he was the one with the most passionate academic enthusiasm and participated most actively in discussions.

“There was no need to go that far. Foolishly.”

That day was a tranquil time under an exceptionally high and clear autumn sky with a gentle breeze blowing, no different from usual.

The select few noble children gathered at the Monterio Count’s residence were greeting each other warmly, asking about each other’s well-being.

“Lady Ruschef, it’s been a while since we’ve seen you.”

“I’m looking forward to what kind of poem you’ll recite today.”

Biare gladly responded to their kind questions, stemming from a pure love for literature.

“As it happens, I’ve brought a poetry book that I like.”

Biare shyly showed the poetry book she was holding close to her chest and smiled softly.

She had heard from Manolin that this old poetry book, which she had accidentally found in the mansion a few days ago, was a book that the Duchess used to enjoy reading when she was alive.

Surprisingly, it contained verses that the Duke and Duchess had exchanged, written in between, filled with their deep feelings for each other.

Biare had decided to take this poetry book back and give it to her father.

The poem she was going to read today was “So That You Love Me Again”.

The Duke and Duchess must have particularly liked this poem, as it showed more signs of wear than other pages.

‘They must have read it more often.’

After reading the poem that naturally conveyed their affection, Biare felt as if she had unintentionally peeked into their love story.

She thought she should casually hand over the poetry book later, imagining the Duke’s embarrassed expression when he received it.

It would be the most necessary and comforting gift for her father, who still loved and missed her mother.

Finishing her thoughts, Biare looked around and asked about the whereabouts of the literary society’s host.

“It seems the Monterio Count’s daughter is late.”

She had set out to find her first, as she hadn’t yet greeted the host of the recital.

“Yes, usually she would have arrived first…”

Just as they were starting to worry if something had happened, the Monterio Count’s daughter appeared in the garden.

“Everyone, I’m sorry for being late. Did you wait long?”

The members shook their heads out of courtesy, indicating it was fine, and the Count’s daughter’s expression, which had been clearly apologetic, gradually brightened.

“Actually, there’s someone I’d like to introduce to you all today.”

People began to gather and murmur as they noticed her intention.

“Could it be what we’re thinking?”

“I suppose so? It’s been quite some time after all.”

While everyone was showing interest in her words, not missing a beat, one young nobleman raised his hand and asked.

“Is this finally good news after two years?”

Until now, the last member of the Monterio Literary Society had been none other than Biare Ruschef.

She, who loved books, had applied for the test belatedly after hearing about the literary society hosted by the Count’s residence.

The entrance exam questions she took to become a member were all difficult and complex, so she was worried that she might fail.

But Biare was secretly proud when she confirmed the letter that arrived in the form of an acceptance notice, and was able to take her first step into the society.

During the two years that passed, no new member followed her.

Someone jokingly asked if our generation would be the end of the society, expressing worried questions.

Most members seemed to agree with his words, but they just tried not to show it.

And now, breaking through this barrier, a new member had appeared after two whole years.

The members interpreted the Monterio daughter’s satisfied, gentle smile as a positive answer.

“It seems everyone has guessed correctly.”

Then she soon called the protagonist standing far behind and had him stand in front of the members.

“Please come here and introduce yourself.”

The appearance of a man who walked out majestically left the people gathered at the recital hall utterly surprised.

Biare’s blue-green eyes were also darting back and forth at his unexpected appearance.

“Isn’t that Marquis Verdeum?”

“Looking at that silver hair, it seems to be him.”

The low, quiet voice that flowed through the noisy recital hall silenced the surrounding noise as if nothing had happened.

“I am Dension Verdeum.”

The young nobles were just blankly listening to his brief greeting without any additional words.

Only after hearing someone’s cough did they start to applaud.

“Congratulations, Marquis!”

“We look forward to working with you.”

As everyone was sincerely welcoming the new member, Biare also found herself clapping along in a daze.

In fact, the person who would be most proud in this place would be the Monterio Count’s daughter, who was the host of the literary society.

The young lady, who had taken over the society that had been passed down for generations, had been secretly anxious, wondering if it would end with her generation.

“I didn’t expect the Marquis to show interest in participating either. It’s good news we’ve heard after two years since Lady Ruschef. I’m just grateful to the Marquis.”

As she was mentioned, Biare smiled awkwardly, pulling at the corners of her mouth.

Although the unexpected reunion with the Marquis was somewhat surprising, as expected, he seemed to like literature. Quite a lot, at that.

When their eyes met for a moment, an inexplicable tickling sensation settled near her heart, and she quickly averted her gaze.

Yet, she couldn’t understand why she was the first to avoid the Marquis’s eyes.

This was clearly a matter of pride, not any other emotion.

Biare tried not to pay attention, but the back of his head, sitting diagonally in front of her, felt strangely annoying.

As she was lost in her thoughts, forgetting the passage of time, her turn came.

Only when she heard someone calling “My Lady!” several times did she come to her senses.

“My Lady, it’s time for you to go up.”

Feeling the gaze of the members looking at her, Biare hurriedly stood up and headed towards where the podium was set up.

“The poem I will recite today is…”

As she began her recitation, her eyes met Dension’s once again.

Her voice trembled with the surging emotions, but she tried to continue speaking calmly.

“‘So That You Love Me Again’.”

At that moment, why did she look at him? Biare still couldn’t find the answer.

But he was looking at her too. With sad eyes mixed with various emotions.

A gentle breeze blew from the other side, and the flower petals in the garden were fluttering and scattering here and there.

Tucking her fine wheat-colored hair behind her ear, Biare began to recite the poem she had prepared.

The poet must have pledged eternal love while knowing it was an unfulfilled love.

It was a passionate and tender love story, but too difficult an emotion for her to fully understand.

However, the man standing in front of her didn’t seem to be so.

Biare, who had been conscious of him throughout the poem reading, found herself following him with her eyes at some point.

Every time she had encountered him before, he had never revealed any of his inner thoughts.

But today, his eyes clearly showed embarrassment and anxiety, and even seemed impatient.

What part of it had moved his heart?

‘Could he be thinking of someone he likes?’