An awkward silence filled the air.

The opera, which I didn’t particularly like before, now seemed even less appealing.

Melly took a sip of the orange juice in her hand and glanced at the man beside her.

With sparse brown hair and stern black eyes,

He looked at the stage with a displeased expression, as if saying “Why pay so much money to watch such a boring thing…”
Melly briefly took in his appearance before turning her head away again.

‘Of all people…’

Melly inwardly sighed.

When the dowager duchess Eida suggested they go on a date together before she left for the duchy, Melly had gladly agreed.

She was even more delighted when she learned the destination was the opera house.

It seemed like proof that Eida cared for her, bringing her to a place where they were likely to encounter many socialites.

While happily thinking she should treat Eida to dinner with her saved emergency funds,

‘Pleased to meet you, Miss Enwood.’

Lord Blair suddenly appeared.

Eida Pelton, with a very surprised face, said this must surely be fate and willingly handed over her date rights with Melly to Lord Blair.

Blair, who ended up accompanying her, looked Melly over as if appraising the value of some product. Melly found his gaze quite unpleasant but couldn’t show it.

During the opera, he occasionally spoke to Melly.

“The seating in this theater is ridiculously spacious. If it were up to me, I’d arrange the seats more tightly to increase profits. What do you think, my lady?”

“That sounds… good.”

“As I thought, opera is not to my taste. I can’t understand what they’re saying mixed with the singing, and the gestures are too exaggerated. I truly admire how nobles can endure watching this.”

“…”

Melly kept her mouth shut for a long time, not knowing how to respond to his words.

As the opera was nearing its end, he complained once more.

“The free plays performed in the bustling square seem much more entertaining. Next time, I’ll take you there.”

“Yes…”

Melly thought awkwardly with a forced smile.

‘So there will be a next time.’

The opera ended with the heroine deciding to leave in search of her true self. The velvet curtain fell, briefly hiding the stage. The finale bows of the lead actors were to follow. However.

“Let’s go quickly. Watching any more would be a waste of time.”

Blair urged.

Melly had no way to refuse.

She grabbed her juice and rose from her seat, following Blair as he strode toward the exit with quick steps.

Perhaps due to his background of establishing himself and accumulating wealth in a harsh environment,

True to being a businessman who equated time directly with money, he seemed too busy.

Still, she thought he was better than those noble men who often indulged in debauchery, unable to control their excess time and money. If not for what happened next, she would have surely thought well of him.

Because Lord Blair, who had gone out first, didn’t hold the sliding door for Melly to exit, she collided with the door rushing towards her and spilled her drink all over her chest.

“Oh no!”

Melly looked devastated at the juice stain spreading like a map on her cream-colored blouse.

Then Lord Blair said nonchalantly,

“Let’s go. I’ll buy you a new outfit at a nearby clothing store.”

“…”

He probably thought that was considerate. But to Melly, it was not at all appreciated and only made her feel more upset.

Hiding her displeased expression, Melly maintained her manners to the very end.

“I appreciate your consideration, but I’m fine. I’ll just quickly wash up in the restroom.”

Melly left her seat and headed to the nearest lavatory.

Standing at the sink, Melly began wiping her front with a handkerchief dampened with water from her handbag.

Though the yellow color transferred to the handkerchief, the stain on her blouse remained just as yellow, showing no signs of fading.

It seemed nothing was going right.

She ended up having to meet the man she wanted to avoid, and now her favorite blouse was ruined.

As much as she wanted to go straight home…

‘Since it’s come to this, have dinner together before returning. Understood?’

That’s what the lady had said. And this man had nodded in agreement.

Huu-.

Melly let out a long sigh.

“Alright. How hard can having dinner together be? It’ll be better than the performance at least.”

Melly reassured herself as she left the room.

However, contrary to Melly’s thoughts, dinner time with Lord Blair was even more painful than watching the opera together.

It wasn’t a problem that he used the cutlery incorrectly.

It was fine when he had rum brought over, saying the wine was too weak, and then emptied a whole bottle in one go.

His comment that it was unsightly for women to drink alcohol wasn’t pleasant to hear, but it was good that he didn’t force her to drink.

What made it torturous for Melly was having to listen to boring business talk throughout the meal and his criticisms of the food, going on about cost-effectiveness.

Since it was Melly who had recommended this restaurant, she felt like prostrating herself in apology every time he complained.

She couldn’t tell if the food was going into her mouth or her nose, but she managed to eat it all anyway.

If she didn’t, it seemed he would lecture her about waste and how nobles don’t know the value of money.

When she got out of his carriage upon arriving home, Melly felt a deep sense of liberation, like someone released from a long imprisonment.

So she accepted without resistance his words that clearly hinted at a next meeting.

For now, she could end the current meeting, and leave the next one to her future self.

But the peace of mind gained from parting with Lord Blair lasted only the few minutes it took to reach the front door from the estate entrance.

“Welcome back.”

Eida was waiting in front of the entrance.

“Did you… wait for me?”

Though as warm and affectionate as a mother, Eida rarely came out to greet Melly. Even during her schoolgirl days when she returned late from the distant girls’ school.

The reason she came out to greet her this time was undoubtedly to ask how the impromptu meeting with Blair went.

Melly was certain.

“I was just about to go for a short walk.”

“…”

“Would you like to walk together?”

Eida smiled kindly as she suggested to Melly. She probably thought it would be impolite to ask directly to someone who had just returned. Melly calmly complied with her wishes. It was something she had to face sooner or later anyway.

The cool evening breeze cooled down the heat of the late summer that had been baking hot. The sound of insects chirped gently like soothing music.

Just as they passed the fountain that spread cool streams of water in all directions, after circling about half of the garden, what was bound to come finally came.

“So, how was it?”

“…”

When Melly remained silent, Eida’s expression turned apologetic.

“Oh dear, it seems it wasn’t good. I made a mistake. It just felt like fate when we happened to meet him there… Please forgive me, won’t you?”

Melly couldn’t bear to see her kind guardian blame herself.

“No, my lady. I had a good time. Mr. Blair seemed like… a good person too.”

“Really?”

Eida’s eyes suddenly sparkled. Melly had a feeling she might have said the wrong thing, but it was too late.

“See? You never know a person until you meet them.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Eida continued excitedly, not giving Melly a chance to speak.

“That man, everything he touches flourishes, so he’s sure to do well in family life too. You’re set on an easy path now, Melly.”

Melly found Eida’s overly excited demeanor strange. But thinking about it, she realized it might be because she was happy at the thought of marrying off the child she had cherished like a daughter to a wealthy family.

“Now I can finally keep my promise to Jasmine.”

When she even mentioned her mother, Melly couldn’t deny that her thoughts were correct. This made it even harder to answer.

‘I don’t need an easy path. I have no intention of starting a family with that man.’

It felt like a sin to take the smile off the face of the lady who seemed so happy.

“I’ll meet him a few more times first.”

That was all Melly could manage to say.

“What’s there to meet a few more times for? If he’s a good person, you should grab him quickly. If you hesitate too much, you’re likely to miss out.”

But Eida showed no signs of backing down.

Does she think no one else will take me if not him?

Though she felt somewhat bitter, escaping this situation seemed to be the priority for now.

“Lord Blair said he would contact me in a few days, so I’ll think about marriage after that.”

Having succeeded in buying some time, Melly politely excused herself.

As she climbed the stairs, she tried to recall when Lord Blair had said he would contact her.

She had barely listened to his last words, elated at the thought of parting with that man.

‘Was it tomorrow, or the day after?’

It was certain that there weren’t many days left until the promised date.

Melly fervently hoped that Lord Blair, with the shrewd judgment befitting a successful businessman, had seen through her worthless value as she reached her quarters.

The room was dark, but a warm air permeated it.

It seemed the fireplace had been lit until just before her return.

“Phew…”

Melly was so tired she wanted to just flop down on the bed, but she held back.

She still needed to change her clothes at least.

She dropped her handbag with a thud and unpinned her shawl. The fringed shawl fell to the floor with a rustle, revealing the cream-colored blouse underneath.

Though it was too dark to see clearly, there would surely be an orange map drawn in the middle of it.

‘I wonder if it will come out?’

It won’t be easy, but I should try tomorrow.

Right now, everything felt too bothersome.

As she undid the buttons and slightly pushed the collar over her back, the clothes settled softly onto the shawl, gently brushing against her bare skin.

The navy blue skirt slid down her hips in the same manner.

Just as she was about to take a step towards the bed, now clothed in only a thin silk slip,

She saw a figure slowly rising from the chaise lounge.

“You’re late.”

Melly’s eyes widened in shock as she recognized the owner of the voice.

She hurriedly clutched her shoulders and cried out.

“E-Edric?”