“Uncle, you’ve worked hard until now. It’s time for you to step back and take a good rest.”

In other words, it meant giving up and not being greedy.

At this clear rejection, Baron Larishi’s face reddened.

“Oh, right. Since we’re on the topic, please return the seal. That’s why you called me here in the first place, isn’t it?”

As Yvette confidently held out her hand, the Baron silently gritted his teeth.

‘At this rate, not only will I fail to repay the debt, but I’ll lose the seal without getting a single penny.’

He had to avoid that at all costs.

Unfortunately, it seemed God was not on his side.

“It seems difficult to return the seal right away. We need to organize the ledgers and inform the estate, you know.”

As Baron Larishi tried to hold out till the end, Noel, who had been quietly observing the situation, spoke up.

“How interesting. Someone without qualifications trying to manage the estate. Your concern for your niece must be immense.”

Then Noel coldly curled up the corners of his mouth.

“Or perhaps you’re coveting my fiancée’s position?”

At this sharp remark, Baron Larishi flinched and shut his mouth.

He was furious, but he couldn’t think of a way to escape this situation immediately.

In the end, the Baron had no choice but to hand over the seal to Yvette.

“…Here, take it.”

Yvette carefully received the seal that Baron Larishi handed over with one hand.

The Blanche seal was in the shape of a ring.

In the center of the ring, a lily symbolizing Blanche was delicately engraved, and on the side, the word ‘Blanche’ was inscribed in cursive.

Yvette smiled faintly as she looked at the seal.

“It seems we’ve finished our business, so we’ll take our leave now.”

After confirming that the seal was in Yvette’s hand, Noel stood up.

As he rose, Yvette and Baron Larishi also got to their feet.

“Take care, Uncle. Please give my regards to Aunt as well.”

Having achieved her goal, Yvette smiled brightly as she bid farewell to Baron Larishi.

At the same time, she whispered softly so that only he could hear.

“Try contacting me like this just one more time. Then, I’ll really set everything on fire.”

At this blatant threat, the Baron’s face turned red with anger.

However, he didn’t dare to lash out in front of Noel, and only bit his lips in frustration.

“Let’s meet again when the opportunity arises.”

“…Yes.”

As Noel also bid farewell, Baron Larishi bowed his head with a sour expression.

Today was clearly his defeat.

***

In the carriage returning to the Duke’s residence.

Breaking the brief silence, Noel spoke first.

“So, how does it feel to use me to step on your uncle?”

Noel asked, raising the corner of his mouth crookedly.

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Yvette bit her lip slightly before releasing it.

“…Was it that obvious?”

“A little.”

Noel answered lightly as he leaned his head against the carriage wall.

Judging by his smile, he didn’t seem particularly upset.

“It seems you’ve lived quite a difficult life too.”

“Don’t even mention it. I wonder why my life has to be so eventful…”

Yvette shook her head, sighing as if the ground would cave in.

Both in her previous life and now as Yvette Blanche.

None of it had been an easy life.

“…So that’s why you did that back then.”

Noel murmured as he quietly observed Yvette.

His expression was peculiar, as if lost in thought.

“Hm? What did you just say?”

When Yvette asked curiously, Noel shook his head, saying it was nothing.

Soon, his gaze settled on the window.

Just then, their carriage was passing through the city center.

Among the people, there was a couple walking hand in hand with their child.

Whatever made them so happy, all three wore beaming smiles.

Noel watched them blankly before turning his gaze back to the front.

Then he noticed Yvette looking out the window.

She must have seen the same thing, as her gaze was fixed on the child.

Her expression had become bitter without her realizing it.

Noel silently furrowed his brow.

That expression was one he knew all too well.

A very long time ago.

It was the expression he had worn when he was abandoned by his family.

‘…How annoying.’

Noel clicked his tongue inwardly and spoke.

“Do you have any plans after this?”

Startled by the sudden question, Yvette lifted her head.

“I don’t have any particular plans, why?”

“Since we’re already out, I thought we might as well refresh ourselves.”

Noel said this with a meaningful smile.

***

“…So this is what you meant by refreshing ourselves?”

Yvette muttered with a troubled expression.

Currently, she was sitting in what was said to be the largest jewelry store in the capital.

As soon as they saw Noel, the store staff immediately ushered the two into the VVIP room.

The VVIP room was filled with precious jewels she had never seen before in her life.

Faced with this unfamiliar scene, Yvette froze in place, unable to move.

She was worried she might accidentally damage something if she moved carelessly.

In contrast, Noel seemed familiar with such places and casually picked up one of the boxes displayed on the counter.

“How about this design?”

The box Noel held out contained a silver ring with a sapphire the size of a pinky nail set in the center.

Diamonds were also set on the sides, making it look expensive at a glance.

“…You’re not planning to give this to me, are you?”

Yvette asked cautiously while observing Noel’s expression.

She had thought something was odd when he suddenly brought her to a jewelry store, saying they were going to refresh themselves.

Since entering the jewelry store, Noel had been recommending various accessories to her.

“If you don’t like it, should I ask them to bring something else?”

As Noel was about to call a staff member, Yvette hurriedly stepped in front of him, flustered.

“No, that’s not it.”

Yvette glanced around briefly before lowering her voice as much as possible.

It was because she was conscious of the staff nearby.

“…I don’t deserve to receive such gifts from Noel.”

Even today’s events wouldn’t have ended so smoothly if Noel hadn’t helped.

‘It seems too unconscionable to just keep receiving like this.’

Though she had left her conscience at home when she first asked Noel for help.

Still, there was a need to maintain at least a minimum standard.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard that one needs qualifications to receive a gift.”

Noel bent slightly to meet Yvette’s eye level.

His low voice tickled her ear, causing Yvette to unconsciously hunch her shoulders.

‘Goodness.’

The face she encountered up close was truly breathtakingly handsome.

And Noel knew all too well how to use that face.

“But I’m only receiving help from Noel…”

Yvette muttered, subtly avoiding Noel’s gaze.

“Isn’t it my choice to give a gift anyway?”

“Of course, that’s true, but…”

“If it bothers you that much, you could give me a gift too.”

Noel replied brazenly and turned his attention back to the display case.

Yvette quietly closed her mouth, unable to find words to refute.

‘What on earth has gotten into him?’

She had thought something was odd when he suggested going out to refresh themselves, but.

She never imagined Noel would act like this.