The Duke’s eyes softened once more after hearing my response. He stroked his beard and muttered to himself.

“I was curious why my daughter liked you so much, but I suppose it was because you were bold.”

“Pardon?”

Why was Rosemary being brought up here?

Blinking in confusion, I couldn’t grasp the situation, and the Duke crossed his arms loosely and questioned me.

“My daughter said she made a friend, so I was curious and wanted to meet you. Or did you think a duke of a country had nothing better to do?”

“…No, I didn’t.”

I quickly bowed my head. The Duke, who was observing my every move with interest, stroked his chin and asked, “Young lady, you seem well-versed in etiquette for someone from a humble family. Where did you receive your education?”

“My parents were strict.”

“Strict parents likely wouldn’t allow you to run a flower shop.”

“…That’s correct. They don’t know yet.”

I felt a pang of guilt because, contrary to being strict, I was the only sane person in that household. However, the Duke didn’t seem overly suspicious and nodded calmly.

“I hope you succeed and confidently go to meet your parents.”

The idea of a noble lady working was socially unconventional, and the Duke’s words revealed his thoughts clearly.

‘So, if I succeed, he might acknowledge my business or whatever else.’

Perhaps because of the Duke’s character, Rosemary had felt free to extend her hand to me. After concluding our conversation, the Duke turned his attention to Charlotte.

“Charlotte.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Do you have any lingering attachment to that family?”

Charlotte’s face turned bright red in an instant, as if she might explode.

‘You need to answer.’

I could instinctively tell that the Duke’s question was extremely important. His interest in Charlotte would depend on her answer.

‘Please!’

Don’t cry. You need to answer clearly.

Even though the question wasn’t directed at me, my heart shrank, and I clasped my hands tightly in prayer.

Charlotte responded louder than I had ever heard before.

“…! I want to escape!”

It was the perfect answer. I looked at Charlotte, feeling both surprised and proud.

“Having someone to help you is also a skill.”

The Duke nodded approvingly.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure those embezzlers never see the outside of a prison again.”

He snapped his fingers and spoke to Charlotte.

“And Charlotte, pack your things and move back home today.”

“What? Yes!”

He intended to provide Charlotte with a proper job so she could become independent. Having achieved everything I came here for, I smiled broadly, feeling much lighter.

The Duke gave me a warm smile and bid me farewell.

“Thank you for your concern, young lady.”

***

With unexpected gains, I accomplished all my objectives at the Morphe Duchy.

As I left the drawing room, I tightly grasped Rosemary’s hand, who had been waiting for me, and bowed my head.

“Thank you so much, Rosemary.”

If it weren’t for Rosemary, I wouldn’t have been able to meet the Duke. In response to my gratitude, Rosemary glanced sharply at Charlotte and said, “It seems like the one who should be thanking me isn’t Titiana, but her.”

“Th-Thank you, my lady!”

Charlotte, who had been flinching, quickly bowed her head. Even so, Rosemary seemed displeased, twisting her lips as she whispered to me, “I didn’t know you were so meddlesome. In the end, you owe me, and you gained nothing for yourself.”

I had no way to explain that. I simply wanted to repay the moral debt for taking Charlotte’s idea.

But that was something only I, who remembered turning back time, knew. So I could only respond with a vague smile.

“I don’t do it often.”

“Hmm, I’m curious why you went out of your way for Charlotte when you just met her that day.”

Rosemary’s eyes gleamed like a predator eyeing its prey. I chuckled softly.

“Is that the question you want to ask me?”

Did Rosemary not say she had something she wanted to inquire about in exchange for arranging the meeting with Duke Morphe?

When I asked if that was her question, Rosemary quickly shook her head.

“No, no. I wouldn’t waste such a precious opportunity on a trivial question.”

“So, what is it that you want to ask me?”

What could she possibly want to know? My heart raced a bit as I listened intently to her voice.

Rosemary Morphe asked a truly unexpected question.

“Titiana, did you attend the summer festival and watch the fireworks?”

“What?”

Why would she ask something like that?

Regardless, it wasn’t the sensitive question I had anticipated. I nodded calmly and replied.

“Yes, I watched the lanterns being released. I was quite surprised when the fireworks suddenly started.”

“Were you alone?”

“No, I was with an employee who has been helping me.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Rosemary’s usual smile seemed a bit different, almost mysterious.

‘Why does she look like a satisfied fox?’

I tilted my head in curiosity.

“Is that the question you were curious about?”

“Yes. I was very curious. Now that my curiosity is satisfied, I’m very happy.”

“…….?”

She certainly looked delighted, but I couldn’t figure out what had made her so pleased.

‘Well, if it was just a harmless question, that’s a relief for me too.’

It was then that I sighed softly through my nose. Rosemary took my hand and asked seriously,

“If I ever find myself in trouble, will you step up to help me like this?”

Her voice, which didn’t match her confident smile, sounded unexpectedly vulnerable. I chuckled and replied, “It seems like any trouble would run away from Rosemary.”

“Oh, what do you mean? I have plenty of worries, you know. I don’t even have anyone to share my romantic troubles with. You wouldn’t listen either, would you?”

The idea that someone destined to be the crown princess had no one to share her worries with was rather endearing, considering her influence in society. I waved my hand dismissively and replied,

“I may not be of much help, but I’m always willing to listen.”

“Oh my, oh my. I’ll remember that. Is that a promise?”

There was no way they would have an amateur like me sing at the crown prince and princess’s wedding. Knowing the future, I nodded absentmindedly.

We left the mansion with Rosemary seeing us off. Charlotte and I had taken a commercial carriage to the Morphe estate, but we returned in the Morphe family’s carriage, accompanied by a servant to help with Charlotte’s belongings.

‘There really wasn’t much to call Charlotte’s belongings.’

Still, thanks to this, we could return to the shop comfortably, which was a nice bonus. After arriving at the shop, I sat in a chair on the first floor, patiently waiting for Yuri to bring me coffee.

Just then, Charlotte, who had packed her few belongings, approached me with something in her hand.

“Uh, um, Titiana, th-this is a gift.”

“This is…”

“I felt sad that the flowers you gave me were wilting.”

What Charlotte handed me was a dried rainbow rose. Unlike the petals, the entire rose had been preserved in its original shape.

I widened my eyes in surprise and asked, “How did you dry it?”

“I-I hung it upside down to dry.”

“Wow. It’s really beautiful!”

When I expressed my admiration, Charlotte fidgeted with her fingers and said, “Not only fresh flowers, but wouldn’t it be nice to sell them dried like this too?”

“Sell dried flowers?”

That was a field I hadn’t considered.

Until now, I had only thought of drying flowers for keepsakes, but selling them beautifully preserved like this meant they wouldn’t wilt, and their shelf life wouldn’t be an issue. I beamed at Charlotte and said,

“That’s a really great idea! Charlotte, you might be a genius!”

“N-no…”

Charlotte’s face turned as red as an apple. She lowered her head and mumbled in response.

“Y-you’re the only one who has ever said that to me, Titiana. Th-thank you.”

“Charlotte.”

The many hardships she had endured flashed through my mind. I held her hand. There was only one thing I could say for her sake.

“Charlotte, many good things will come your way. Be happy.”

***

The coffee Yuri brought was delicious as always. Sitting across from me, Yuri tilted his head and pointed at the dried flower Charlotte had left behind.

“What’s that?”

“A gift from Charlotte.”

“I’ve never seen a flower dried whole like that before.”

That’s why I told Charlotte she was a genius.

‘Usually, flowers turn yellow as they dry, but this one, while faded, has kept its original color.’

Moreover, the shape of the flower remained intact.

I put down my coffee cup and asked Yuri seriously, “You know, Yuri, couldn’t this be profitable too? Dried flowers don’t change and can be admired continuously. They’d make a great gift for people who want to preserve memories.”

At the mention of business, his eyes turned serious.