As she gaped in shock at House Bersabet, the carriage passed through the main gates without hindrance. A maid guided Zendel to the reception room, where she waited anxiously. Why on earth is Bersabet looking for me? Though she had followed them blindly to survive, doubts plagued her mind. Who had rescued her, and for what purpose? Young Duke Sharlan? Or Rebecca? Neither option offered much comfort. Rebecca was a tyrant within the ducal house, and Sharlan was infamous for drai

Satina left Laura's shop and headed straight to the information guild. Hedzel spoke the moment she entered the room. [Hedzel] "I figured you would look for me, so I investigated in advance." [Satina] "Did you catch her?" [Hedzel] "Of course! It was a piece of cake. Missing someone who fled in the dead of night without a plan or backing would ruin our reputation as an information guild." He continued. [Hedzel] "We captured her alive while she was fleeing. Under questioning, sh

[Katan] "I didn't wish to see My Lady choosing items for someone else." [Satina] "It was merely a single present." [Katan] "It is not merely a present. When selecting a gift, one inevitably thinks of the recipient." He knelt at her feet. She caught a glimpse of the choker beneath his collar. He gently touched the band around his neck. [Katan] "Just as My Lady thought of me while selecting my gift. While I don't wish for My Lady to experience distress, I loathe the thought of

[Satina] "What are you doing?" He answered with an impassive face. [Katan] "Escorting you." [Satina] "It's fine. I'm just going right up front. You should go rest too." [Katan] "Still, escorting My Lady is my duty. Besides, I have been riding in a separate carriage this entire time." [Satina] "And?" Falling into step beside her, he whispered. [Katan] "I missed My Lady." Satina hastily glanced around. Fortunately, everyone else was occupied with their assigned duties, so no on

Scars and moles on a body could be forged, but fingerprints could never be erased or rewritten. Besides, they didn't change with age. Satina clenched her fists. From the moment of birth, nobles were registered in the family ledger as official heirs. Since the Marchioness' younger sister was Countess Olins, the child was Count Olins' eldest son and sole heir. Whether in the family ledger or the inheritance deed, a fingerprint taken from the infant's hand was bound to exist som

[M. Riermont] "...This child is my nephew?" The Marchioness stared at the boy before her in disbelief. She shook her head slowly. [M. Riermont] "I can't understand what you are saying. My nephew is clearly out in the party room. Did you not say you were resting because you felt unwell? What is the meaning of this sudden..." [Satina] "Something about the hunter bothered me, so I secretly investigated their house. I discovered this child there." She answered in a composed voice

The boy wore tattered clothes, his unkempt hair looking as though it hadn't been cut in years. A gag muffled his mouth, and handcuffs bound his wrists. Blood trickled down through his hair, likely from slamming his forehead against the wall. With reddish-brown hair, teal eyes, and the information displayed on the status window, this boy was undoubtedly the Marchioness' true nephew. Why is her nephew locked up here? Then the person at the estate... Realization struck, and a si

Undoubtedly, that boy matched the Marchioness' nephew from the game. The reddish-brown hair, teal eyes, four moles on his shoulder blades, and even the pendant were identical. In the game, the female lead accidentally ventured into the forest within the Idiris viscounty and discovered an injured boy. After curing his wounds, she spoke with him and realized through his watch that he was the Marchioness of Riermont's long-lost nephew. By assisting in their reunion, she gained t

[Katan] "Then grant me a reward." [Satina] "Huh?" He seized the opportunity, his expression bordering on brazen. [Katan] "Did you not say it was thanks to me? So please grant me a reward." His gaze dropped to her hand. Suddenly, she recalled the last time he had asked for a reward, when he kissed her hand and bit it. Heat flushed her face as if the ghost of his tongue on the back of her hand still lingered. She hastily hid her hands behind her back. [Satina] "I-I won't give y

Katan walked slowly past the carriage bearing the crest of House Riermont. Right on cue, a clamor erupted from an alleyway as two stray cats brawled, drawing the coachmen's gaze toward the commotion. [Coachman] "Phew, as soon as the weather warms up, the cats go wild." [Coachman] "I know that watchmaker is skilled, but his shop is far too out of the way. If he were in a busier district, coming and going would be much easier." Katan slipped past the coachmen, who were chatting

Her sharp retaliation made Coraline snap back. [Coraline] "What did you say?" Coraline thoroughly despised Satina. Though both held the title of a duke's daughter, they came from entirely different backgrounds. Coraline was the legitimate, blood-born daughter of Duke Radius and his Duchess. But what was Satina? If her mother had not seduced Duke Bersabet with a pretty face, Satina's status wouldn't have permitted her to exchange a single word with Coraline. She became a duke'

I thought he would gladly accept an annulment, so why drag me all the way here? Satina grumbled silently as she walked toward the Crown Prince's palace. Gilded in gold, the palace dazzled under the bright sunlight. Countless people dreamed of setting foot inside, yet coming here repulsed her. It held far too many painful memories. The last time I came here was on my birthday. Back then, Satina had not been in her right mind. Rumors that Lexion loved another woman had driven h