While dealing with various commotions, summer quickly passed, and autumn swiftly filled its empty place.

Once again, I noticed the passage of time through the flowers. The soft colors of cosmos and chrysanthemums gently dyed the garden. Their gentle fragrance scattered in the wind and flowed into the mansion.

Now that the commotion about the magical tools and mine had somewhat settled, I was busy preparing for Rashid’s birthday celebration.

Since my divorce plans had slightly evaporated, I wanted to focus more on that side, but I had already announced I would hold the celebration.

‘Since I said I would do it, I should do it.’

Actually, if it had been just a regular celebration, I might have postponed it. But since this had the special meaning of a birthday celebration, it felt awkward to cancel now.

‘You terrible person.’

While preparing for Rashid’s birthday celebration, I cursed him again in my mind.

These days, though his expressionless face was similar to usual, I could somehow sense he seemed a bit more excited than before. I thought Rashid was like that because he was pleased about my predicament. Though it’s a bit ambiguous to call it a predicament, that’s what it was to me.

‘Here I am working so hard to celebrate your birthday!’

I grumbled quietly while shuffling through documents.

His birthday was approaching soon. Even if I started preparing diligently now, time would be tight to hold the celebration. I began progressing through tasks one by one.

Everything was unfamiliar since it was my first time, and it was difficult to figure out exactly what needed to be done and how. With Harriet’s help, I managed to accomplish things one at a time.

First, creating the guest list was a challenge.

Too many would be chaotic, but too few wouldn’t do either. We needed to invite people befitting the prestige of a ducal house of the Grandia Empire to maintain the celebration’s dignity.

Questions like ‘How did that person get invited here?’ or ‘Surely that person wasn’t not invited?’ shouldn’t arise among people.

‘First, the Crown Prince.’

I wrote his name at the top of the list. Castor Fernan Grandia.

Second was naturally Jeanne. It wouldn’t make sense to invite the Crown Prince but not her. Personally, I wanted to just send a letter to Jeanne.

Then I carefully wrote down the names of the four ducal houses.

My hand soon stopped at one name.

‘Patricia… Limnike.’

Should I erase it or not. I’ve already written it…… Sending an invitation would be courteous to the ducal house. Since we’re already on bad terms, she might decline citing various reasons. That would actually be better.

‘Come to think of it, what if invited guests have awkward relationships with each other?’

This curiosity suddenly struck while making the list. For example, what if I unknowingly seated people who were on cold terms like Patricia and me next to each other at dinner?

‘Ah, my head.’

This was quite a serious problem. And it was also a problem I couldn’t solve alone. I needed help from those well-versed in social news.

‘I guess I have no choice but to ask Madame Spendal.’

I didn’t initially want to become this close with her…… You never know how relationships will turn out.

I invited her to the mansion to get her help. Madame Spendal came to the ducal residence with light steps in one breath.

“My, you’re being quite thoughtful about this.”

When I told her my concerns, Madame Spendal opened her eyes wide as if surprised. Her smiling face was bright and carefree as she said she hadn’t expected me to be so considerate.

“Marchioness Ellavonne and Countess Sione are rivals. They each try to attract better artists to their salons. Miss Catherine from the Baron Harringson family has weak family power, but she herself is outstandingly beautiful and eloquent, making her popular in social circles. As far as I know, Marquis Calein has a delicate relationship with His Grace the Duke, perhaps you should check with your husband?”

Having grown up as a merchant’s daughter and now reigning as the mistress of a wealthy count’s house, she was the eyes and ears of social circles.

I was even somewhat touched by her generous advice and straightforward consideration. I thought we just got along because we had similar spending levels, but today Madame Spendal appeared simply cheerful and kind.

“I’m glad you’re helping me, Madame.”

I expressed my gratitude to her with genuine sincerity, unlike usual. Madame Spendal lightly fanned herself.

“I’m glad I could be of help.”

“I didn’t expect you to spare your precious time so readily.”

“Who else would help you if not me?”

She was right. I couldn’t hold back my laughter and giggled out loud.

“That’s true. Thank you for keeping me company.”

“Not at all. Don’t mind the bothersome talk. What wrong have you done? You haven’t harmed anyone.”

Perhaps because she herself was wealthy and enjoyed spending freely, she seemed to think luxury wasn’t something to criticize.

Madame Spendal’s confident attitude had a dignity that prevented those who pointed fingers at displays of wealth as vulgar from wagging their tongues in front of her.

Though I had gained my notoriety because I wanted it, I still liked that she tried to see me beyond what was hidden between words. Amusingly enough.

“If it’s alright, would you call me Karla from now on?”

“Of course. Please call me Alisa.”

Walls crumble at unexpected moments, in unexpected places. Feeling a bit happy about this unexpected friendship, I kept breaking into smiles even after Karla left and I was alone.

The list was somewhat organized, and the banquet seating was roughly decided. Only one problem remained.

‘Count Verdin Legentia.’

Alisa’s father.

A person I couldn’t invite, but also couldn’t not invite.

After causing that commotion at the mansion last time, I hadn’t looked into him again. Several letters came but I burned them all without opening them. I felt I would get angry no matter what was written in them.

‘If I don’t invite him at all, there will definitely be talk.’

I don’t know whether that would be good for me or not. It was such a complex matter that I couldn’t easily decide.

It might not be bad to be called a wicked woman who ignores her own father after becoming a duchess…… But just as the lady of the household talk was unpleasant, this also felt quite uncomfortable and unsettling.

Let’s think about this slowly.

There were many other things to decide. I needed to plan the menu and return gifts considering the guests’ preferences, arrange entertainment according to the flow of movement, and consider how to organize the incoming gifts since it was, after all, a celebration of Rashid’s birthday.

‘But something seems lacking.’

Despite doing my best to plan and prepare for a successful celebration, somehow, it felt inadequate.

‘At this rate, there might be limits to how much people will talk about it. What could make it more interesting? What is it? What?’

I pulled at my hair. My hands filled with coral-colored strands.

Work, my brain. I can’t cause trouble at someone else’s birthday this time, so I want to be good and sincere about it, even to earn my keep, but why won’t you work?

While pulling my hair, I traced back through my memories. All sorts of things came to mind. Parties, events, functions. Gatherings and outings. Picnics. Palace. Night openings. Coupons. Halloween. Costume play and so on…… Thoughts kept connecting one after another.

“Ah, that’s right.”

Recalling things I had seen, heard, and experienced in my original world, I finally realized.

The fact that a party needs a concept.

I carefully pondered the methods.

‘A pirate ship? Or a countryside cottage? Mythological era? What would suit Rashid’s birthday celebration?’

After considering several options, I finally decided on <The Duke’s Library> as the concept.

More precisely, it was closer to <Into the Story>, where I planned to decorate the ballroom like a library and ask guests to become one of the characters from books. In other words, it was a masquerade ball with a theme.

It felt somewhat ironic that I, who had entered the world of a book, was planning such a concept.

‘Is this what they call a frame narrative?!’

While having such silly thoughts, I progressed with the preparations one by one.

That’s not all. I also needed to decide on my dress, shoes, and accessories.

The hostess’s appearance at a ball is bound to be talked about by many people. Now that rumors about my luxurious spending have been joined by news of acquiring the Celestial Necklace, even more attention will be focused on me. But what if I appear dressed modestly?

‘People might think the rumors weren’t true.’

So everything absolutely must be prepared at the highest level. I can’t let this turn into bubbles too.

With the current atmosphere, it seems I won’t be able to write things like ‘bad relationship’ or ‘hostile’ as grounds for divorce. So I needed to focus more on building up other reasons solidly.

‘And… there’s the most important thing.’

I decided to prepare a separate gift for Rashid. Unlike something that could just be bought, it required some effort, but it was worth the trouble.

‘Good. I’ll work hard!’

After renewing my determination once again, I called for Harriet.

“You called, my lady.”

Harriet greeted me politely. I invited her to sit down.

“I wanted to discuss the food preparations for His Grace’s birthday celebration.”

“Do you have any specific wishes?”

“Do you usually handle the preparations, Mrs. Ronan?”

“While we follow the madam’s wishes for formal dinners, I’ve typically prepared abundant refreshments for balls at my discretion.”

“That’s how it was during the previous generation?”

“……Yes, my lady.”