Michael’s other letters contained news that he was doing well, along with complaints about being pressured by his parents about marriage.

Reading his letters made Roina feel as if she had returned to the past, and a small smile leaked from her lips.

‘This shows he’s still the same.’

Roina felt both grateful and sorry for her friend’s sincerity in consistently sending letters despite not receiving replies.

Soon, as she read what appeared to be a recent letter, the smile completely disappeared from her face.

I’ve been too busy with work lately to send letters.

Of course, you wouldn’t have been waiting.

Am I writing a diary now?

That’s how it feels, Roina.

I heard you’re spending time only at the estate.

I’m so worried about you, wondering if something’s wrong.

Roina…… you’re really okay, right?

If you need my help, tell me anytime.

—From Michael Bistanto—

Since the letter contained Michael’s feelings of worry and care for her, Roina felt uncomfortable.

“You still seem as affectionate as ever.”

Michael had always thought of her like family.

Sometimes acting like a younger brother, but other times taking on the role of a reliable older brother—that kind of friend.

After reading all the letters to the end, she put the letters back in the box.

‘Why did I refuse Michael’s letters?’

That was something she couldn’t know without recovering her memories.

“I should send a reply, even if it’s late.”

Roina began writing a letter to send to her friend.

Michael, it’s been a while since I’ve written to you.

Have you been well since the last banquet?

Writing this letter reminds me of old memories.

We were really cute back then.

Thank you for always caring, Michael.

But I’m really fine, so don’t worry.

I’ll try to send replies from now on.

With sincerity to my only friend.

—From Roina Asheter—

After writing the letter, Roina wanted to send heartfelt letters to the few people who were hers.

Since she hadn’t been close to many people to begin with, it would be at most Michael and Aila.

Thinking of them with a gentle smile, she decided to purchase high-quality ink and good-textured letter paper while she was at it.

※※※

Roina headed to a large shop on the plaza street, accompanied by her dedicated maid and escort knight.

The shop that handled the most writing instruments in the capital was bustling with many customers.

‘Come to think of it, this time of year was the academy graduation ceremony.’

In the Noxtan Empire, it was customary to give fountain pens as graduation gifts.

Roina had also purchased a gift here for her brother Bleon.

Fountain pen gifts contained the meaning of supporting new beginnings.

Watching people carefully choose gifts with a faint smile, Roina purchased the ink and letter paper she had always used.

“Now then……”

Just as she was about to tell her dedicated maid that they should return to the estate, she paused.

Sophie’s gaze was fixed on one place, and unlike her usual expressionless face, she rarely showed signs of life.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t Sophie say calligraphy was her hobby?’

Since she seemed quite taken with a quill pen made of glossy fur, Roina glanced at her dedicated maid and said:

“That seems to catch your fancy.”

“Oh, no, my lady.”

Startled, Sophie firmly shook her head.

But Roina wanted to give her what she desired.

Sophie was one of the few people who quietly helped her at the ducal residence.

After calling a clerk to pay for the quill pen and extra ink that Sophie had been looking at, Roina handed them to her saying:

“Don’t feel burdened and accept it comfortably.”

“My lady…… I cannot accept this.”

As expected, Sophie couldn’t accept the gift with a troubled expression.

Not wanting to burden her unnecessarily, Roina deliberately showed a gentle smile:

“I’m giving it because I’m grateful to you.”

When she added in a sincere voice asking if she wouldn’t accept it, Sophie, who had hesitated briefly, bowed her head and showed respect:

“Then I’ll gratefully accept it, my lady.”

At her appearance of joy despite not showing it greatly, Roina gently curved her lips.

“Yes, now let’s go back.”

After leaving the large shop, they headed toward where the carriage was parked with the escort knight who had been waiting outside.

Perhaps because the harvest festival wasn’t far off, many people were moving busily on the plaza street.

The festival contained the meaning of praying for abundant crops, and it seemed to be proceeding as grandly as ever, unchanged from three years ago.

Astor, who was escorting Roina on the crowded street, glanced at her and asked:

“My lady, how about returning to the estate now?”

“Yes, it would be good to do as you say, Sir.”

Just as Roina, who had stopped briefly to look around the plaza street, was about to move—

“Aren’t you Duchess Asheter?”

At someone’s friendly voice calling her, her gaze turned in that direction.

Then a woman wearing a wide-brimmed bonnet approached with a bright smile.

It was Adeline Rikeran, who had shown goodwill toward Roina at the last tea party.

Perhaps she had business at a salon, as bags carried by servants behind the woman were visible.

“Countess Rikeran.”

When Roina greeted her, Adeline nodded slightly and showed an affectionate appearance.

Then, seemingly suddenly remembering something, she carefully asked:

“Duchess, if you don’t mind, would you like to have tea with me briefly?”

“……”

Roina didn’t answer hastily and quietly looked at the countess.

From what she had learned since the last tea party, it seemed she didn’t have any particular friendship with Adeline.

Yet she was simply puzzled by the woman’s intentions in showing her goodwill and offering tea.

Perhaps thinking she felt burdened, Adeline hurriedly added:

“If it’s difficult to make time, that’s fine. I just wanted to have more conversation with the duchess……”

At the woman’s affectionate and friendly demeanor, Roina nodded slightly:

“No, let’s do that, Countess.”

Perhaps not expecting her to accept the suggestion, Adeline’s eyes sparkled as they widened:

“Really? There happens to be a cafe I frequent nearby.”

※※※

After dismissing all their respective servants, the two entered a cafe that seemed to have few people.

Perhaps because coffee beans had just been roasted, the cafe was filled with rich coffee aroma.

Adeline seemed to have a friendly conversation with the shop owner, then guided Roina to her usual seat.

A clerk soon brought a tray and placed two cups of coffee on the table.

The countess spoke triumphantly like she’s conveying a secret story:

“Please try it. The taste is truly excellent.”

Nodding slightly, Roina lifted her coffee cup and savored the taste.

“The flavor is really good.”

While drinking coffee with Adeline, Roina saw someone overlapping in her.

Since there was someone around her who created a comfortable atmosphere by considering others.

‘The more I look, the more she seems similar to Aila.’

Countess Rikeran seemed to have no prejudice in dealing with people.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be peacefully having tea with her like this.

Somewhat reassured by Adeline’s goodwill, Roina gradually lowered her guard.

Count Rikeran, who maintained political neutrality, was known to spend much time with his family.

He was also famous as a devoted husband, saying he would go to resorts with his wife on holidays.

‘It seems good people married each other.’

When Roina had emptied half her coffee, Adeline smiled brightly and said:

“Since coming to the capital, I could hardly find coffee that suited my taste.”

But this place’s coffee was different—toward the woman saying this, Roina asked with a puzzled face:

“You’re not from the capital, Countess.”

“Yes, I’m from the south.”

At Adeline’s gentle voice, her eyes widened and returned to normal.

She was surprised by the woman’s appearance of speaking perfect standard language without a trace of the southern accent.

“You must have made tremendous efforts.”

“Thanks to my husband, I learned relatively easily.”

“I see.”

Adeline, quietly looking at Roina, seemed to fidget with her coffee cup before slowly opening her mouth:

“Actually, I wanted to apologize to you, Duchess.”