Ignoring Arpeggio’s growls, Alten smiled and turned away.

“Yeah, the choice is yours.”

After Alten left, Arpeggio sat hesitantly in his chair. Then he muttered with a bitter smile.

“…I’m really an unlucky rich man.”

“A birthday party? Am I attending it too?”

Ryan nodded as if it were obvious in response to Claire’s question.

“Of course, the whole family should attend. Madam Mastop said she would reveal Riley on that day.”

“…Finally!”

Claire barely held back a scream of joy.

In the midst of enjoying the scholarly life as if a dead mouse, this unexpected good news came flying. Finally, she could properly exploit the names of Riley and Gibnen.

Moreover, the fact that the occasion to introduce Riley is not just for prominent figures in the academic field but also includes nobles makes it an excellent opportunity to leave a lasting impression.
Ryan and Lady Viscountess also declined the event for the same reason.

“When is the birthday party?”

“It’s four days from now, and it will be held in the palace hall.”

“The palace? Does that mean we’re entering the palace?”

“That’s right.”

“…Unbelievable!”

The palace was a place where one’s feet would never step in a lifetime, and furthermore, a place one couldn’t reach even after death. It was so far and high that it would be almost sinful to even wish to step in.

The moment to step into such a palace had come! It was unbelievable.

Claire, Ryan, and the Viscountess all seemed to be moved in various ways.

“In life, such days come.”

“That’s right… Suffering and enduring hardships make life worth it. It feels like something that was blocked has finally opened.”

“In the future, we will be better. Surely we will. Maybe we can reach much higher positions than we think.”

“Whatever.”

While celebrating, Ryan glanced at Claire.

“Be careful not to be as clueless and talkative as last time.”

“Why do you bring that up again… I know very well.”

“If you embarrass the family again by not understanding the situation like last time… it won’t end with just a disciplinary measure.”

“I get it! I’m really reflecting on it.”

Ryan still felt that Claire couldn’t read the atmosphere. It wasn’t just once or twice.

Initially, she touched Gibnen Liensdter’s feelings and heard a malicious gossip, and during the courtesy visit, she couldn’t control her mouth and almost ruined the courtesy.

Ryan hesitated whether it was appropriate to bring a daughter with two previous incidents to the party at the palace.

And noticing Ryan’s hesitation, Claire, unexpectedly, put her fist around his arm and acted affectionately.

“Oh, please trust me, Father. I’ll be quiet as a mouse, I promise.”

Claire, who always passively glanced at Ryan, was no longer like that.

Although Ryan wondered when his daughter had changed like this, he couldn’t help but nod reluctantly at her cute appearance.

“I’ll be watching.”

“Thank you, Father!”

The delighted Claire immediately ran upstairs to choose the clothes she would wear that day. And later, Baron MacDallin approached.

“Sir, there’s a letter from Count Ermaintz.”

“A letter from Viscount Ermaintz… sent as usual.”

As with the last time, he prepared to go out as soon as he opened the letter.

After returning to the room, Claire immediately opened the wardrobe door and entered the wardrobe.

“It was worth preparing so many dresses in advance.”

It was a brilliant move to purchase several dresses for the purpose of wearing them at Riley’s wedding.

The dresses that filled the wardrobe were the ones she had received just a week ago when the dressmaking was finished. They were high-priced dresses that couldn’t be bought even if she sold all the clothes Claire owned.
“I’ll make sure to prepare properly this time.”

The memories of the last reception were still vivid.

Despite arranging things as splendidly and extravagantly as possible with what was available, it was an endlessly shabby setup. Everyone who attended the reception didn’t seem impressed, as if they were witnessing the epitome of extravagance.

Certainly, it wasn’t that they had overly decorated, but there was a difference in the luxuriousness of the fabrics.

Not to mention the jewelry and accessories worn on the body.

Leading the latest trends in design, the use of luxurious materials, and an elegant attitude—among people perfectly equipped in every aspect, there was no room to look unsophisticated.

Already, if it became known that Riley was introduced and was from a humble family, it would undoubtedly become a subject of ridicule for some people. There was no need to add one more thing to mock about.

In that regard, the newly made dress, gloves, shoes, accessories, and jewelry for this time were very satisfying.

Upon arriving at Blesstige, Claire wandered around the main square, closely observing the attire of the nobles. She carefully selected things by looking at the latest trends in the upscale designer brand shops here and memorizing them.

“Good, it’s perfect.”

Having gathered everything from the dress, shoes, gloves, fan, feathers, and jewelry to the wide-brimmed hat adorned with harmony, Claire now opened the jewelry box to choose accessories.

Humming a tune and choosing matching jewelry and accessories, Claire suddenly felt something strange and paused.

Something familiar was not in sight. The brooch that was always in its designated place, that is, frequently worn and always positioned on top, was missing.

The precious brooch given by her father was still one of her most cherished accessories.

“Did I lose it?”

No. It couldn’t be. It had become a habit to always take off the brooch and put it in the jewelry box when going out, so there was no way she would make such a mistake.

Certainly, there should be something that must be there. It was there just a few days ago.

There was no way she could quietly stay put, and it was clear that someone had tampered with her belongings.

“Everyone, come up to my room right away!”