After knocking on the door and speaking, a voice from inside told them to enter.

As they opened the door and stepped in, Baron Larishi, who had been waiting inside, jumped to his feet.

“Yvette!”

Baron Larishi greeted Yvette in a highly excited tone.

However, contrary to his widely smiling face, his eyes betrayed his anxiety.

“First, have a seat.”

Baron Larishi pointed to the chairs and immediately shifted his gaze to Noel beside her.

His expression quickly hardened.

After everyone had taken their seats.

Breaking the silence, Baron Larishi spoke first.

“What brings such a busy person as Your Grace to this humble place?”

Baron Larishi faced Noel with a forced smile.

As he took the initiative to adopt a submissive attitude, a cold smile appeared on Noel’s lips.

“Judging by the Baron’s expression, it seems I’ve come to a place I shouldn’t have.”

“Ah, no, not at all. How could that be? It’s just that you came without prior notice, so I was wondering what the matter might be…”

Baron Larishi kept bowing his head and watching Noel’s reactions.

Yvette, who had been quietly observing this scene, inwardly laughed mockingly.

‘Wow. Look at how different his attitude is.’

To think he had been spouting such harsh words to me, calling me an ungrateful wench and whatnot.

As Yvette silently glared at Baron Larishi, Noel lightly placed his hand on her shoulder.

Then he spoke with composure.

“I believe you were the one who made the appointment first.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“You called for my fiancée, didn’t you?”

Noel said this while turning to look at Yvette with affectionate eyes.

“Isn’t that right, Yvette?”

Yvette almost let out an exclamation at his suddenly changed attitude.

Right now, Noel’s eyes were dripping with honey.

‘As expected of a male lead, even his unnecessary acting skills are excellent.’

The fact that she felt her heart flutter despite knowing it was an act said it all.

“That’s right. Uncle called for me first.”

“I see.”

As Yvette belatedly nodded, Noel smiled gently and turned back to Baron Larishi.

However, Baron Larishi was no longer focused on his words.

“F-Fiancée, you say.”

As if he hadn’t expected this at all, the Baron momentarily wore a dumbfounded expression.

“Does that mean… the two of you are engaged?”

As he stammered out the question, Noel raised one eyebrow.

“Why. Is there a problem with our engagement?”

Though the tone was light, there was a sharp edge to his voice.

The atmosphere suggested that if there was a problem, he might slit the Baron’s throat right then and there.

“Of-Of course not. On the contrary, it’s something for us to welcome.”

Fearing he might offend Noel, Baron Larishi hurriedly resorted to flattery.

However, there was no way to hide his stiffened expression.

“That’s good to hear, then.”

Noel smiled gently and cast a glance at Yvette.

As their eyes met, Yvette also returned a bright smile.

Seeing Baron Larishi squirm in front of him was incredibly satisfying.

‘Go on, have a taste of power.’

Yvette inwardly sneered as she leaned back in her chair.

Some might call it a cowardly method. But Yvette had no intention of letting go of the opportunity given to her.

As the fiancée of Duke Averon, this much abuse of power should be fine, right?

It was just then.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

With a light knock, the drawing room door opened, and Baroness Larishi appeared.

The servants who followed quickly set down the teapot and cups before withdrawing.

“This is precious tea I received from my family. I do hope it’s to the Duke’s liking.”

Baroness Larishi smiled elegantly as she gestured to the teacups on the table.

Her gaze then lingered briefly on Yvette.

As their eyes met, Yvette pointedly turned her head away.

At this blatant disregard, Baroness Larishi’s expression hardened.

“…Well then, please continue your conversation.”

With a brief farewell, the Baroness left the drawing room.

After that, a heavy silence fell between the three.

None of them were quick to speak, but among them, Baron Larishi was particularly restless, glancing around.

‘How did it come to this?’

Baron Larishi chewed on his lip.

Originally, he had planned to lure Yvette out under the pretext of the seal, then secretly slip a sleeping drug into her tea.

After that, he intended to lock the sleeping Yvette in a warehouse and keep her confined until she agreed to transfer her assets to him.

‘That’s why I went to the trouble and expense of finding out her address.’

Who would have thought she’d get engaged to Duke Averon in such a short time?

The Baron looked down at the tea his wife had brought, his face pale.

The sleeping drug he had prepared was safely tucked away in the inside pocket of his jacket.

‘Given the circumstances, I have no choice but to change the plan.’

No matter how desperately he needed money, he couldn’t touch the Duke of Averon’s fiancée in front of him.

‘I should first repay Viscount Magnus’s debt and then reconsider.’

It wouldn’t be too late to prepare again after putting out the most urgent fire first.

After pondering for a while, Baron Larishi addressed Yvette.

“Ahem. Now that we’re on the topic of your engagement, how about entrusting the estate management to me for a while, at least until things settle down?”

“…Pardon?”

What nonsense was this now?

Yvette looked at her uncle with a disgruntled expression.

She couldn’t grasp what his intention was in bringing this up.

“You haven’t had a formal engagement ceremony yet, so you must have a lot to prepare before that. If you try to manage the estate on top of that, it’ll be too much for you.”

Baron Larishi prattled on in an artificial voice, as if he was concerned for Yvette.

However, Yvette wasn’t fooled by his words in the slightest.

‘In the end, he just wants to manage Blanche’s assets himself.’

To think he’s still trying to make money even in this situation.

It was hard to tell whether to call it impressive or pathetic.

Suppressing a mocking laugh, Yvette looked straight at Baron Larishi.

“I appreciate your concern, but I’ll handle my affairs myself. Fortunately, I have a reliable fiancé.”

Isn’t that right, Your Grace?

As Yvette gave him an earnest look, Noel let out a low chuckle.

He seemed to find this situation thoroughly amusing.

“Of course. Just let me know whenever you need my help.”

Noel murmured this as he gently took a lock of Yvette’s hair in his hand.

Then his lips briefly touched her white tresses before pulling away.

‘…!’

Yvette flinched and hunched her shoulders at the unexpected skinship.

The fleeting glance from Noel was warmer than she expected, startling her.

However, the most surprised was Baron Larishi, who had been watching the affectionate display between the two.

‘Are they really engaged?’

Baron Larishi anxiously bit his lip.

When he first heard about their engagement, he thought it might be a lie.

But now, the two looked every bit like a couple in love.

At this rate, even if he wanted to intervene, there was no room to do so.

“Still, wouldn’t it be better to receive help from family rather than outsiders?”

The Baron weakly voiced his opinion, but there was no way Yvette would agree.

Yvette shook her head with a resolute expression.