Lobby Floor of Iridescent Department Store

After entrusting a small gift box adorned with elegant silver foil to his attendant, Joshua repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Cordelia.

“Thank you so much, madam.”

“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Reginald. I’m glad you liked my recommendation.”

Cordelia curved her eyes with elegant grace.

The upper class were notoriously indifferent to “best-selling” items. Such things were chosen by those who lacked refined taste or understanding of quality materials.

What they truly valued were the so-called hidden gems—items you wouldn’t even know existed without a recommendation from a very close and high-ranking manager.

That was why no one but Cordelia could have suggested the antique-style perfume in a gold-embellished bottle, now gaining considerable attention.

Joshua bowed deeply in thanks, far more respectfully than the casual tip of the hat her husband’s friends usually offered. It had been a while since she’d been treated like a proper lady.

“This time, I’ll finally shake off the label of being the tasteless older brother who crawled his way through gift shopping. Honestly, even asking for help from the managers here wasn’t easy for me…”

“I was the same in the beginning.”

Cordelia responded kindly to his shyness, then gently pressed into the question that had been lingering in her mind for some time.

“But your sister is living alone out west, you say? That’s quite impressive.”

Although the East was said to be as developed as the Old Continent, the West was still widely regarded as a backward frontier. For an unmarried woman to be living there alone was surprising, as she would normally find it difficult to relocate by herself.

Joshua smiled sheepishly at the compliment and gave a small nod.

“It’s due to the government’s western migration policy. There’s also a program promoting women’s entry into society, and she’s currently establishing herself in Quercus as part of that effort.”

“How long do you think that support will remain active?”

“Hmm, I’d estimate about three more months from now. After that, government funding will likely shift to other programs.”

Cordelia bit the inside of her cheek without showing it outwardly.

‘It’s a relief the New Continent isn’t as strict as the Old one when it comes to status verification… Still, it’d be best to settle somewhere safe while support is still available, wouldn’t it?’

If she was seriously considering going to Quercus, she’d need to leave within that window.

While Cordelia remained deep in thought, Joshua continued his explanation.

“And my sister is working in administrative support for that very policy.”

“I see. And the other women entering society—what kinds of jobs are they doing?”

“Everything from opening small shops, becoming teachers, to administrative support like my sister. Ah, and there are a great many typists as well!”

“Everyone sounds so incredible. Truly… I envy them.”

The word envy wasn’t just flattery or a hollow nicety. Cordelia had seen typewriters a few times in shops back in her hometown when she was young, but she had always had to suppress her desire to have one.

Her mother had told her that such modern devices were wicked things. A proper lady of the Old Continent, she insisted, should only write with a fountain pen, and rather than proper spelling, the beauty of one’s handwriting was all that mattered.

Unable to defy those words, Cordelia grew up unable to perform any practical tasks.

Whenever she met her husband’s intelligent university friends, she would feel ashamed once again.

“…A typewriter, isn’t it hard to use? I heard it’s very loud, and the keys are heavy.”

Cordelia asked hesitantly, feeling a bit embarrassed. Joshua smiled kindly, as if charmed by the way this elegant lady now seemed like a shy girl.

“They’ve been much improved lately, so they’re easier to use. In fact, they’re considered essential in offices and many shops now.”

“I see… But could someone like me really use one?”

“If you follow a manual, you’ll pick it up quickly! And I’m sure you, madam, would learn it in no time at all.”

How fascinating! For the first time in a long while, Cordelia felt a ticklish flutter in her chest. It was much like the feeling she’d had long ago when she crossed the ocean with Lucas — the fear of falling into the vast blue sea, coupled with the thrill of the spray of foam and the wind slicing through the waves.

Hearing praise — something she couldn’t remember receiving lately — lightened the heaviness in her chest and the ache that had been pressing against her heart for days.

Cordelia tilted her head and smiled softly.

“Mr. Reginald, for my father-in-law’s upcoming party, would you perhaps—”

But before she could ask Joshua if he’d like an invitation, before she could even finish her thought, her assigned manager, Lester, approached swiftly and silently.

“Mrs. Duquesne, pardon the interruption. Your husband has just arrived at the main entrance.”

“…!”

At Lester’s words, Cordelia froze from head to toe. The contraceptives were safely tucked inside her clutch, yet suddenly, they felt like a ticking time bomb in her hands. Her whole body began to tremble with fear.

‘He couldn’t possibly have come here knowing about the doctor I’m meeting… Could he? No, that can’t be. Surely not.’
‘But then why… why is he suddenly here?’

As she turned pale and clutched the small bag tightly with both hands, Joshua, watching her expression, furrowed his brow in concern.

“Madam, are you all righ—”

“Cordelia. Joshua.”

But at that moment, a smooth baritone voice echoed through the lobby, resonating off the polished tile floors.

A man with well-kept platinum blond hair was approaching at a leisurely pace, his long strides unhurried. Dressed in a navy suit with a black silk tie, Lucas looked as if he owned the department store itself—his presence radiated throughout the space.

He glanced between the two of them, nodding. His smile was smooth and affable, but the sharp chill in his eyes made it twice as unsettling.

“What a coincidence. Feels like we’ve been running into each other quite a bit lately.”

“I’ve been well, Lucas.”

Joshua replied curtly yet politely, saying only what was necessary. He then promptly turned his gaze back to Cordelia. Judging by the look on Lucas’s face, he would seize on any mistake.

“Well then, madam. Until next time. Thank you again for the recommendation.”

“Take care, Mr. Reginald.”

Eager to learn more about the Western Territories, she had thoroughly enjoyed their discussion about typewriters. Cordelia couldn’t hide her slight disappointment as she watched Joshua disappear into the distance.

She had already decided that if she were to flee without Lucas knowing, she would take whatever valuables she could find. But what about a typewriter? If she learnt to use one, wouldn’t that give her at least one more option?

“…It seems you were enjoying yourself, madam?”

“Ah.”

Cordelia, lost in thought about the typewriter, quickly looked up. Lucas was staring down at her with a look of disbelief.

But then, his expression shifted—transforming into that familiar, polished sneer.

“Well then. I had thought of picking out a new gift for you… but I suppose there’s no point escorting someone who’s already so worn out.”

“…”

“Let’s go, madam.”

Though wary of his extended arm, Cordelia carefully accepted it. While Iridescent’s employees were trained to remain discreet for their high-profile clients, they were still in public.

And she was in no position to afford any scandal. So she had no choice but to play the role of a dutiful wife, accepting her husband’s escort with grace.

All the way out, an icy silence settled between them. It wasn’t until they got into the carriage that Lucas finally broke it with a sigh.

“Haa… Cordelia.”

“Yes?”

“No matter how much things have changed between us, I hope you’re not seriously thinking of taking someone like that as a lover.”

“…? A lover…?”

A thin layer of cold sweat formed on Cordelia’s hand as she clutched her clutch bag. It was still better than being found out for secretly visiting Caroline, the unlicensed doctor—but still, a lover?

“I simply recommended a gift for Mr. Reginald’s family, that’s all.”

“A gift—for someone you’ve barely even met…”

“He’s—”

“If I hadn’t shown up, the rumors would be spreading already. That Mrs. Duquesne has fallen for Reginald’s eldest son and was seen smiling sweetly at him.”

“What are you saying? I was only smiling out of courtesy.”

Cordelia always maintained a pleasant expression around her husband’s acquaintances. He was her only connection to this vast land, and because of that, she had developed the habit of being kind to anyone associated with him. So, when she smiled sweetly at Joshua, it was also because of her lingering attachment to Lucas.

But she didn’t want to explain that to him. He had already twisted the situation to suit himself. Leaning loosely against the window frame with one arm, he spoke lazily.

“It’s fine that you’re looking for a new kind of amusement, madam… but isn’t that a rather low-grade choice?”

“Are you talking about Mr. Reginald like that?”

“Of course. You do understand that even in choosing a lover, one should show some respect for their partner, don’t you? It’s moments like these that reveal whether someone has any real taste.”

“Lucas, how could you say something like that about me—”

This was precisely why being in such close proximity was dangerous. Last time, being reminded of the restaurants they had once visited together had made her heart ache with wistful tenderness.

Now, however, she only felt a bitter desire to hurt him, just as he had hurt her.

“…If only… if only it had been Mr. Reginald who came to the Old Continent.”

And so, forcing the words from her trembling lips, Cordelia made a quiet, reluctant attempt at defiance.

“If someone like Mr. Reginald had proposed to me first… maybe that would have been better.”