“So, shall we take a look?”

Madam Lachapelle began eagerly analyzing Riena’s surroundings.

“Your skin is truly fair. I heard that the southern sun is so hot that it easily tans the skin.”

“It must be genetics. My mother was from the north. Even though she spent a lot of time outdoors, her skin didn’t tan easily.”

“Moreover, your skin tone is beautiful, so cool blue dresses will suit you well. Come to think of it, are you having a dress made to wear to the imperial ball?”

“Imperial ball?”

Riena asked back, puzzled by the unfamiliar term. Madam Lachapelle kindly explained for her.

“The founding festival is coming up soon. There will be a hunting competition, and a ball will be held at the imperial palace. Festivals will take place throughout the capital. I’m not sure if you’ll attend, milady, but there are many things to see at the night market.”

“I didn’t know. I’ve never been to the capital during this time of year.”

“That’s understandable. I don’t know much about the southern part of the empire, so it’s only natural that you’re unfamiliar with the news of the capital. Besides, you’ll learn all about it after staying in the capital for a while.”

“That’s true.”

Riena quite liked Madam Lachapelle’s personality, which knew how to be considerate of others.

She wasn’t one to easily judge people’s character, but she felt she could quickly become friends with Madam Lachapelle.

“So, shall we also design a dress for the ball?”

“I think I’ll have to discuss that with the duke first. I haven’t heard anything about the ball. We might go to the Winkler estate before then.”

“Ah, that’s right. Usually around this time, the duke would stay at the estate. I heard that the previous duke rarely attended the balls for that reason. Then, what kind of clothes shall we make?”

“Please make some indoor dresses, light dresses for going out, and outerwear. Additionally, could I also request some alterations? I have to go out briefly next weekend, but I don’t have any clothes with me. I’m thinking of altering the previous duchess’ clothes for the time being.”

Madam Lachapelle accepted the request without any sign of displeasure.

“Of course. I’ll take a look at the wardrobe and pick out clothes that aren’t too different from the current capital fashion and alter them before you go out.”

“Thank you.”

Riena looked through the booklet Madam Lachapelle brought and chose dress designs.

After selecting a few, she carefully took measurements.

“Then I’ll see you again soon. Please think about the ball dress too and let me know. I happen to have a design that would suit you perfectly.”

“Thank you. I’ll leave it to you then.”

“Yes, just leave it to me.”

After Madam Lachapelle left with a happy face, this time the gardener Ryan came to visit.

“I brought the flowers I mentioned yesterday, miss.”

Placing the vase filled with lush pink flowers on the table, the dark room felt brighter.

“Thank you so much.”

“It’s nothing. I’ll bring more when the flowers wilt.”

Only after Ryan left could Riena sit at the table and catch her breath.

After spending the day in a flurry, it was already dinner time.

“How would you like to have dinner?”

Riena pondered for a moment at Amy’s question before asking back.

“Has the duke returned?”

If Cassel wasn’t there, she was going to ask to have a simple meal brought to her room.

She didn’t want to eat alone in that silence again.

“Yes. He just returned a little while ago.”

Riena brightened at that answer.

“Will the duke be having dinner in the dining room?”

Amy smiled brightly as if she understood Riena’s inner thoughts.

“Yes. He probably will.”

“Then I’ll have dinner in the dining room too.”

“Alright! I’ll let the kitchen know!”

Amy, who returned shortly after, guided Riena to the first floor dining room.

Entering, she saw Cassel already sitting in the seat that had been empty at breakfast.

As soon as he spotted Riena, he stood up from his seat to escort her.

He asked as he seated Riena in her chair.

“Are you not tired?”

“I’m fine. Maybe because I slept a lot yesterday, I’ve been full of energy since morning.”

“That’s a relief.”

Cassel sat across from her and gestured to the attendant with his eyes.

While the attendant brought out salad and soup, Riena observed her surroundings, swinging her feet under the table.

It definitely felt more lively compared to breakfast when no one was around.

Although Cassel was still quiet, his presence alone seemed to fill the dining room.

This time, Riena glanced at Cassel from the corner of her eye. She tried to find traces of Cass’ childhood appearance in his grown face.

At first, she thought he had completely changed, but upon close observation, she could unexpectedly find his childhood features.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No reason.”

Embarrassed at being caught observing him, she lowered her head to avoid Cassel’s gaze.

Suddenly noticing something, Riena muttered.

“I see you still don’t eat beans.”

Cassel flinched as he was about to pick up his fork. Riena rested her chin on her hand and smiled.

“There are peas on my plate, but none on yours.”

“……”

“You used to tell me that I shouldn’t be a picky eater if I wanted to grow tall.”

Amy, who was pouring water into Riena’s glass, couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.”

Riena gestured to Amy and continued teasing Cassel.

“Seeing this, you’re definitely the Cass I knew.”

Cassel averted his gaze from her and answered as if making an excuse.

“It seems that not eating beans didn’t have much effect on growth.”

“That’s true.”

Riena readily agreed.

Cassel had a very good physique.

Not only was he taller than the knights Count Dyke and Raoul, but it seemed like one couldn’t find anyone with a better physique than him anywhere in the empire.

“Well, if that’s the case, it’s fi-”

Just as she was about to say it was fine.

“Still…”

Cassel said, looking at her.

“I’ll try to fix that habit.”

“That’s a good attitude.”

It was Cassel who was going to fix his picky eating, but Riena felt strangely proud.

Perhaps it was thanks to sharing childhood stories. The stifling atmosphere seemed to have softened a bit.

She felt like the invisible wall with Cassel had crumbled slightly.

So, just like every time she ate with Cass as a child, Riena continued speaking in an excited voice.

“I toured the mansion today. I met Sandra, the head maid, and was introduced to others. Sandra was your nanny, right?”

“Yes, she was.”

Riena thought Cassel would close his mouth after that.

So she opened her mouth to continue the conversation, but Cassel spoke first.

“Did you enjoy the mansion tour?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. It was fun. It’s definitely bigger and more elegant than the Dyke mansion. If the townhouse in the capital is like this, I wonder how big the ducal estate is?”

“It’s big enough that I got lost as a child.”

“I see. I’ve never even thought about getting lost in my own house, but to think it actually happens.”

“The ducal estate is inefficiently large. The Dyke mansion is much better to live in.”

“Is that so? Still, I’d like to visit it sometime. I’m curious. I wonder if I’d get lost there too.”

“Although I’ve entrusted reliable people with the winter preparations, as the north officially prepares for winter in the fall, I’ll have to depart for the estate again soon to wrap things up. Of course, I’ll respect your wishes on whether to come along or not. If you’re comfortable in the capital, you can stay here…”

Riena quickly interjected.

“I want to go. I’d like to go. I don’t know anyone in the capital, so it’d be a bit awkward to stay here alone.”

“Then I’ll arrange the schedule accordingly.”

“Oh, right.”

Riena recalled what she heard from Madam Lachapelle.

“I heard the founding festival is coming up soon. Madam Lachapelle asked if I needed a dress to wear to the imperial banquet.”

Riena slightly pushed back her finished salad plate.

“But I guess there won’t be any occasion to go? The founding festival is about a month away, and as you said, we’ll have to go to the ducal estate. Madam Lachapelle also said it’s rare for the Winkler family to attend the founding festival banquet.”

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t disappointed.

She didn’t have much attachment to the imperial banquet, but it was a bit of a shame to miss out on the festive atmosphere pervading the entire capital and the night market.

However, she could enjoy that later, so it was alright.

But Cassel, who had been lost in thought for a moment while observing Riena’s expression, suggested.

“If it’s alright with you, how about going after seeing the founding festival?”

“Really? Is that okay?”

“We won’t be able to stay until the end of the founding festival, but I think it’s fine to stay for a few days and then go. I’ll instruct them to adjust the schedule accordingly.”

“Thank you for your consideration. To be honest, I was a bit curious.”

“As for the imperial banquet…”

Cassel hesitated again.

“We don’t know how things will turn out, so let’s go ahead and request the dress for now. It’s best to decide on attending the banquet later depending on the situation.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”