The man continued, his voice steeped in nostalgia as if retracing a distant memory. [Man] "Due to circumstances, we parted when she was young and never reunited... but she was such a beautiful child. Her smile was so angelic that possessing it felt like holding the entire world." Satina shrank behind Katan, hiding her face. Her heart had pounded erratically from the moment she laid eyes on him. Time had aged his features, yet the man, with his neatly swept-back blonde hair an

[Dc. Duskel] "To be honest, I borrowed some money for a business venture." [Satina] "I see." [Dc. Duskel] "But the lenders turned out to be notorious scoundrels. They took advantage of my inexperience and demanded interest several times the principal. Now they use that as an excuse to repeatedly demand various favors from me." [Satina] "Various favors...?" The Grand Duchess offered a guarded look. [Dc. Duskel] "Ahem, well. You don't need to know the details." [Satina] "Ah, ye

The dark green handkerchief was standard issue for imperial palace knights. Though unremarkable, the cloth inexplicably grated on Lexion's nerves. Grand Duchess Duskel greeted Satina with a warm smile just as Lexion was about to speak. [Dc. Duskel] "Welcome, Lady Satina. It has been a while since you last met His Highness, hasn't it?" She seated Satina right beside Lexion and beamed approvingly at the pair. [Dc. Duskel] "Though betrothed, you two have kept your distance far t

Tyron had keen eyesight, yet he failed to spot Satina at first. Thoughts of her consumed his mind. He remembered her debut banquet years ago. Desperate to tie his daughter to the Crown Prince, her father had turned her debut into a public spectacle. [Noble] "Duke Bersabet is desperate to sell off his daughter." [Noble] "Her mother seduced the Duke with a pretty face, so he thinks the daughter can snag the Crown Prince the same way." [Noble] "She might be attractive, but a pre

[Satina] "Butler, you conducted body searches immediately upon exiting the vault, correct?" [Butler] "Of course." [Satina] "And you searched places like pockets thoroughly as well." [Butler] "Indeed." Then where on earth did it go? Satina decided to search the servants based on the evidence gathered so far. Identifying the culprit would make uncovering the method much easier. She had the butler inspect the belongings of the four servants. Coins, small combs, scraps of paper,

She shouted in disbelief. [C. Sorwen] "What absolute nonsense is that?!" The maid turned pale as she responded. [Maid] "I went to the vault to fetch the diamond as Madam instructed, but it vanished without a trace!" [C. Sorwen] "Vanished?" [Maid] "Y-Yes." The maid stared at the floor and nodded silently, unable to look the Countess in the eye. [C. Sorwen] "Why on earth... No, never mind. I must check personally." She led the way toward the vault. Satina sensed the tension and

Anyone else might have enjoyed the genuine concern and goodwill, but Satina found such constant solicitude unfamiliar and uncomfortable. It was a habit ingrained since childhood. Countless servants populated the ducal estate, yet none cared for her, nor was she permitted to use medicine freely. Furthermore, whenever word leaked that she was ill, Rebecca—who always viewed her as a thorn—would gleefully push her around. Showing weakness was out of the question. Satina believed

[Lexion] "Does such a man even exist?" Of course not. Still, if Satina looked carefully, men who commanded high society alongside Lexion did exist. The problem was that one was her stepbrother, and she had just kicked the other one's shin on her way here. She spoke in a steady voice. [Satina] "Anyone would be better than you." [Lexion] "Hmm?" [Satina] "At least other men possess enough shame to know they shouldn't see another woman while engaged." While nobles secretly kept m

[Satina] "I should be asking you. Why is someone who should be in the west standing here?" He snapped at her question. [Tyron] "Shut up. I didn't come because I wanted to, either. What were you doing here, anyway?" He appeared far more rational than expected, which relieved Satina. She answered in a bolder tone than usual. [Satina] "I was listening because hearing them badmouth you was entertaining." [Tyron] "Was it fun?" [Satina] "Yeah, immensely fun. Hearing 'impotent' and

Faced with such outrageous remarks from someone she had just introduced, the Marchioness anxiously watched Satina's reaction. Where other noble ladies might have taken offense or burst into tears at the insult, Satina replied with an unfazed smile. [Satina] "Thank you for the compliment. It seems you heard from the Marchioness why I require a recommendation letter." She understood precisely why Countess Sorwen had brought up the tale. Countess Sorwen possessed a deep apprecia

[Madrin] "I am suffering a grave injustice! I am the Empire's premier tailor! Why would I copy the design of a newcomer like Laura? This is undeniably her scheme to frame me!" Despite her protests, the cold stares directed at her didn't soften. Lady Luton fired back. [L. Luton] "You keep repeating that you are wronged. If you suffer such an injustice, explain what Thistle fabric is, just as Lady Satina asked!" [Madrin] "I never attempted to purchase Thistle fabric!" [L. Luton

To clear Laura's name, Satina needed to meet with Lady Saville and Lady Luton, the two noblewomen directly involved in the scandal, and convince them of the truth. Though Satina didn't know either lady, Marchioness Riermont enthusiastically offered her help after hearing the story and arranged a meeting. [M. Riermont] "I heard about the uproar over the dresses as well. I was already agonizing over how to reconcile the two of them, so this works out splendidly." Ever since the