“Lady Catherine, how have you been?”

Yulia hurried into Catherine’s open arms and was enveloped in a warm embrace.

A sweet fragrance from her perfume tickled Yulia’s nose.

“Congratulations on your graduation, my dear children.”

Catherine gently stroked their backs as she hugged them both.

“So, Yulia, you ended up as this year’s top graduate?”

“I wasn’t very confident this semester, but I guess I got lucky.”

“How can you be so humble, too?”

Catherine gazed at her with sparkling red eyes and a pleased smile.

Pretty, intelligent, and humble—this unexpected blessing of a girl was simply too perfect.

“Thanks to you, our Jerome graduated safely as well. You must’ve had a hard time taking such good care of him even while you were busy studying.”

Patting Yulia’s back repeatedly, Catherine led them toward the seats.

“Oh! This won’t do. You there—bring the special tonic I got from Doctor List.”

At her command, the maid quickly left and returned with a square box wrapped in navy cloth.

“Here, this is for you, Yulia.”

“What? I haven’t even finished the one you gave me last time!”

Yulia waved her hands in surprise.

“Just take it. It’s my graduation gift to our proud scholarship student. How do you expect to work in the future when you’re this skinny?”

Catherine grasped Yulia’s slender wrist and shook it lightly, feigning a stern expression.

Her wrist dangled easily in Catherine’s hand.

“Make sure to take it once a day. It’ll boost your appetite—and help you gain some weight.”

Yulia couldn’t help but feel deeply moved.

The Duke and Duchess of Duvert didn’t just sponsor her—they truly cared for her.

‘I won’t forget this kindness,’ she vowed quietly.

“Oh, right! I heard this year’s Royal Academy graduation banquet will be held at the newly opened Dunker Hotel?”

Catherine asked, lifting her golden teacup.

“Yes. Everyone seems excited for their first taste of a truly wild night after graduation.”

“Well, you’ve all been adults for years already… I always worried you were wasting your youth buried in studies. Honestly, how can anyone study that long?”

She muttered, popping a cookie into her mouth.

The academy’s standard curriculum lasted five years—from age fourteen to nineteen.

After that, students either continued with advanced studies or entered society.

Yulia had chosen the former, completing an additional three years.

‘The longer your education, the higher your income!’

For her, the answer had always been obvious.

“That sounds like so much fun!”

“Yes. Jerome, tell me how it was when you got back.”

“…You’re not going, Yulia?”

Catherine’s eyes widened.

“No. I plan to skip it. Now that I’ve graduated, I need to start preparing for job applications right away. Honestly, I’m already behind.”

Adjusting her large glasses, Yulia took a sip of chamomile tea.

She truly cared about nothing more than her success.

To get into a top company, she needed to study everything—from company history to potential interview questions.

“Well… why not go with Jerome and have some fun? If you only study when you’re young, life gets boring!”

“If you want something, you have to give something up.”

At Yulia’s firm response, Catherine looked flustered.

“Th-then at least go see the new hotel and meet your friends! They’re even providing rooms for guests. Opportunities like this don’t come often! The graduation banquet is one of the academy’s grandest traditions—everyone wants to attend!”

Since the banquet lasted from evening until dawn, rooms were available for guests to rest.

Of course, they weren’t just for resting.

Many couples who grew close during the party would slip away together.

‘There’s even a term—‘graduation banquet couples.’’

Yulia shrugged as if it didn’t concern her.

Hmm… ‘Is this teacup from one of Shifga’s subsidiaries?’

“Then how about this? I’ll give you some spending money! Think of it as my gift—just enjoy yourself for one day.”

At the word money, Yulia’s ears perked up.

Money ranked just below success in her priorities.

Noticing the subtle shift in her expression, Catherine smiled and pressed on.

“I’ll give you 800 lark. That should be enough for a beautiful dress—and a nice bag, don’t you think?”

800 lark…

Enough for a dress, bag, and shoes—with plenty left over.

She could even buy books for job preparation—or send money to her grandfather.

After running the calculations in her head, Yulia lifted her gaze, eyes sparkling.

Deal.

***

The faint sound of hooves and the crack of a whip echoed as a luxurious carriage bearing the Isheide crest passed through the noble district.

Inside, Cassian turned his head toward the window.

Grand mansions lined the streets, each displaying its owner’s wealth and taste.

The carriage slowed as someone crossed the road.

“Wow, is that the Duvert estate? No wonder they’re the richest in the empire—it’s massive.”

Lucas leaned toward the window.

Cassian, who had been sitting like a statue, suddenly focused his gaze outside.

He ignored Lucas entirely, his attention fixed on a woman exiting the Duvert gates.

Yulia—her brown hair neatly tied—was carrying a large box in both arms.

‘Is she carrying that alone?’

A faint crease appeared between Cassian’s brows.

“Oh? That girl’s wearing your academy uniform. Same ribbon color too—so she’s a graduate this year?”

Just as Lucas was about to say more—

The curtain snapped shut.

Cassian withdrew his hand and faced forward again.

“…What was that?”

“What?”

“Why’d you suddenly close the curtain?”

“I didn’t realize you were looking.”

“…What’s wrong with you?”

Lucas straightened, baffled.

“Speaking of that uniform—Cassian, you’re going to the graduation banquet, right?”

“I have to.”

“Lucky you. Enjoy it for me—I’ve always wanted to attend. The connections you can make there…”

“What’s so fun about it…”

“With the right mindset, you might even leave with a ‘graduation banquet partner.’”

Lucas grinned teasingly.

Cassian leaned back, closing his eyes, ignoring him.

‘The banquet…’

For a moment, a faint thought crossed his mind—

‘Would I at least be able to speak with her there?’

…Impossible.

He dismissed the thought.

Soon, the carriage arrived at Isheide Castle.

Cassian stepped out and entered without a glance back.

Lucas stood awkwardly until the butler, Abil, hurried over.

“Welcome, Young Master Lucas. I hope your journey was pleasant.”

“Hey, Abil. Long time no see.”

“His Grace had urgent matters…”

“Cassian’s like that, as always. Just show me to the room I’ll be using. I should be grateful just for you coming to greet me at the train station.”

Lucas shrugged in response.

Abil, instead of his cold master, kept expressing his apologies and gestured to the servants standing behind him.

The servants began to carry Lucas’s luggage one by one.

“Young Master, are you planning to stay for a while this time?”

“Well? I wonder how long I’ll be staying? I doubt that guy will let me stay at the estate for long.”

Lucas looked up at the Isheide estate.

“I don’t know if there’s anything I can help with.”

***

“Oh my goodness…!”

Catherine fanned herself dramatically.

To anyone watching, it was clear she was showing off her new fan.

“I knew you were pretty, Yulia—but dressed like this, you could rival any lady in the empire!”

“Oh, you flatter me.”

Yulia smiled awkwardly at her reflection.

In the round marble-framed mirror stood a girl she barely recognized.

The elegant blue dress shimmered, its hem embroidered with delicate gold patterns—so beautiful it almost felt unreal.