As they got into the details of the work, her face became quite serious.

“Do you have any preferred colors, or conversely, any colors you dislike?”

“I prefer shades of blue, and I dislike red?”

“You like colors that match your eyes, I see.”

“Yes. And red reminds me of blood, so I’m not fond of it.”

Given that her life could end at any moment, she couldn’t help but be sensitive to things related to life, like blood.

Berry nodded slightly and continued with her questions.

“Do you prefer elaborate designs?”

“No. I don’t like designs with lots of lace hanging off or skirts that are too puffy. As I said earlier, I prefer comfortable clothes.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

After discussing the design for quite some time, Berry suggested taking measurements.

When Yvette mentioned it might be a bit awkward to do so in the living room where anyone could enter, she led Berry to her bedroom.

Philia also came along, citing that Yvette shouldn’t be alone with a stranger.

Berry positioned Yvette in front of the mirror and slowly took her measurements with a tape measure.

As it required precision, Yvette held her posture, even holding her breath.

Only after this time of endurance passed could she finally be released.

“I’ve finished taking the measurements. I’ll send you the initial design drafts soon.”

“How long will it take to make the dresses? I think I might have to attend a party soon.”

“It probably won’t take too long. The Duke ordered me to focus solely on your attire.”

‘There was no need to go that far.’

While thinking it was excessive kindness, Yvette couldn’t help but smile.

It seemed Noel Averon was quite invested in his role as a fiancé.

“Then I’ll see you next time.”

Berry, gathering her things, bid farewell to Yvette.

In response, Yvette waved her hand lightly.

“I’m looking forward to your work, Berry. Thank you for coming all this way.”

“……Thank you.”

With those final words, Berry quietly left Wheatley.

After confirming Berry’s departure through the window, Yvette turned to Philia.

“Philia, do we have any stationery left in the mansion?”

“Stationery? We should have some, why?”

“I think it would be good to send a thank you note in advance.”

“Oh my, are you going to write a letter to the Duke?”

Philia exclaimed, covering her mouth with both hands.

“I’ll go get the stationery right away! And a quill pen too!”

“Thank you.”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than Philia ran out of the room.

Yvette smiled at her maid’s enthusiasm, which was no different from usual.

After sending the letter, about a day later.

Noel responded to her in an unexpected way.

***

“Count, a carrier pigeon has arrived.”

“…Pardon? A carrier pigeon?”

Yvette, who had started her day as usual, received the note that Herbert handed her with a puzzled look.

‘Sending a carrier pigeon means it’s urgent news.’

Unless it was extremely urgent, communication by letter was the norm.

Birds trained as carrier pigeons were not common, and if misused, one might not be able to send a message when it was truly important.

‘Was there someone who would send me something like this?’

As she opened the note with a frown, Yvette paused as soon as she saw the contents.

‘What’s this?’

“Who sent it?”

Herbert asked cautiously. It seemed he was also curious about who had sent the carrier pigeon.

Yvette answered while carefully folding the note.

“Who do you think it’s from?”

“Could it be… from Duke Averon?”

“Correct.”

“To send a carrier pigeon at this hour. Has something happened at the Ducal house?”

A look of concern appeared on Herbert’s face.

In contrast, Yvette didn’t seem fazed at all.

“No. It’s not that……”

Yvette trailed off for a moment. An incredulous laugh escaped her.

“He says he’s on his way here right now.”

***

A few hours later.

Yvette was enjoying tea time alone in the drawing room while waiting for Noel.

In her hand was a cup of tea that Herbert had prepared in advance.

After waiting for about 10 minutes while sipping the warm tea.

The long-awaited guest appeared in the living room.

“……Even after not seeing you for a while, you’re still as beautiful as ever.”

As soon as Noel laid eyes on Yvette, he greeted her with affectionate words.

It was clearly meant for Herbert, who was waiting nearby, to hear.

‘……So this is how he’s going to play it.’

Yvette’s eyebrow twitched once before she greeted him with a bright smile.

“You too, seem to have become even more handsome since I last saw you. I might fall for you all over again.”

Noel’s eyes widened for a moment, apparently not expecting Yvette to respond in kind.

Soon after, a deep smile appeared on his lips.

“I should have come to see you sooner. I’m sorry for making you wait.”

“Not at all. Time flies when I’m waiting for you.”

Yvette and Noel exchanged embarrassingly sweet words as if in a battle of wits.

Knowing it was all an act, they seemed to speak without hesitation.

However, Herbert, who had no way of knowing this fact, ended up becoming a supporting character awkwardly caught between the seemingly affectionate couple.

“Ahem, ahem. Then I shall take my leave.”

Herbert cleared his throat as if choking and hurriedly left the room.

It seemed he had fallen for the couple’s method acting.

Yvette sighed as she watched Herbert leave with clouded eyes.

Now that they were alone, a belated sense of self-loathing washed over her.

“……Do we really have to go this far?”

“We’re engaged out of love, isn’t this much natural?”

Noel muttered with apparent enjoyment. Yvette shook her head, silently conveying her exasperation.

She didn’t have the energy to refute his words.

“I heard Berry stopped by recently. Did you like her?”

“Yes. As you said, she’s very skilled. The design was exactly to my taste.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

Noel smiled slightly and lifted his teacup.

Yvette waited until he had taken a sip before continuing.

“So, why did you come today? I don’t think it’s because of Berry.”

“I thought it was about time we met.”

Noel’s gaze shifted to Yvette’s neckline.

At his meaningful look, Yvette fidgeted with her innocent collar.

“……You’re like a mind reader. The flower has been wilting since yesterday.”

“I’ve often been told I have good intuition.”

Noel chuckled and moved to sit beside Yvette.

As he suddenly closed the distance, Yvette unconsciously backed away.

“……Why are you coming closer?”

As she sent him a wary glance, Noel raised an eyebrow in response.

“Well, did you plan to have skinship while staying far apart?”

“Ah.”

Yvette, now embarrassed, returned to her original position.

“Are we going to hold hands this time too?”

Unlike the slightly tense Yvette, Noel remained nonchalant.

As he gestured towards his hand with his eyes, Yvette slowly shook her head.

“I think we should move to the next step this time.”

“What’s the next step?”

“Well, obviously it’s hugging.”

Yvette looked at Noel as if to say, ‘Why are you asking such an obvious question?’

Noel tilted his head skeptically in response.

“Didn’t we already hug at our first meeting?”

“That’s true, but still. Usually, after holding hands comes hugging……”

“It seems rather inefficient to repeat an experiment we’ve already completed.”

Noel met Yvette’s eyes with a grin. His slightly upturned lips seemed mischievous.

“To properly conduct our research, we should start from the next step.”

“……”

Yvette quietly closed her mouth.

Thinking about it, Noel wasn’t wrong.

‘……But I’ve never thought about what comes after hugging.’

Yvette bit her lip slightly and then released it.

Usually, when thinking about the stages of skinship, one would think of hugging after holding hands.

And after that……