Adeline opened a small notebook and carefully wrote down everything Mrs. Lien said, determined not to miss a single detail. Hobbies, food preferences, dislikes, even minor habits.

Even after losing her husband, Isabel must have hit countless walls among executives who naturally wielded power under the name of men, simply because she was a woman. 

Yet she’d taken on and led the position of head representative at Belliche Trading Company’s headquarters—Adeline admired this inwardly. 

She figured Isabel must be someone who fit the description of a formidable woman.

〈When she was younger, she enjoyed many outdoor activities quite actively.〉

〈Really? Outdoor activities—did she have any particular hobbies?〉

Mrs. Lien nodded. She recalled that Isabel especially loved horseback riding. Apparently she was quite skilled at riding.

Adeline felt pleased by this story, if only briefly. She couldn’t say she rode very well herself, but she’d learned the basics. Though recently she hadn’t ridden for quite a while, so she didn’t know if she still had the feel for it.

And the fact that Isabel liked books was also unexpectedly similar to Adeline. Isabel apparently also enjoyed collecting fountain pens and high-quality paper with beautiful patterns. 

Also, hearing that she wrote in her diary without missing a single day made Adeline’s face grow hot for no reason. She occasionally wrote too, but not consistently, and lately she’d barely touched it at all.

During this time, Adeline decided to go out to buy a gift for Isabel. She hadn’t yet decided what to choose. Though she didn’t want to, she ended up going out with a driver, Alisha, and even Tanya trailing along.

She wondered where to go. For a moment she thought about visiting Number 17 at the end of Libello Street, where high-end boutiques lined up. 

But if she wasn’t planning to gift custom clothing or accessories, she concluded it would be better to slowly browse a department store instead. So the destination was set for Melter Department Store, the largest on Libello Street.

Inside the department store bustled with people, but there was a certain order and leisure within. Adeline slowly looked around the stores, lost in thought.

What should I give her?

Would something money could buy even be meaningful to someone already immensely wealthy?

She must have excellent taste, so I shouldn’t create unnecessary trouble instead.

Her worries only deepened. Adeline looked up at the spiral staircase connecting the department store floors. Going up and up would reach the fourth floor.

…If I look around everything, at least one decent thing should catch my eye.

But her mind wouldn’t settle easily.

The more she went up and down floors examining displays, the more scattered her thoughts became, and her body gradually grew tired. Eventually Adeline decided to rest and found the tea room inside the department store.

The place with a pure white indoor fountain making gentle water sounds was filled with exotic plants surrounding the space. Sitting at a table beneath large glass windows, sunlight poured in softly, tickling her eyes.

Adeline ordered various sweet things along with drinks. The staff member taking the order looked puzzled for a moment, but soon a luxurious tea set was arranged on the table.

“Tanya, Alisha, sit with me too.”

Tanya nodded like she was used to it, but Alisha looked noticeably uncomfortable. At her attitude of firmly declining, Adeline thought for a moment then said with a smile.

“Then sit at the next table with Tanya.”

Reluctantly, the two took seats at the next table. Leaving them sitting facing the display windows, Adeline pulled out a small notebook from her bag. 

She also spread out catalogs she’d picked up at the department store. She wrote down gift candidates as they came to mind, then drew lines across them when she didn’t like them. The pages grew increasingly messy.

That’s when it happened.

She felt the surrounding gazes drawn to one direction.

Adeline didn’t lift her head, but seeing Tanya and Alisha’s gazes simultaneously turn the same direction, something seemed to be catching attention.

An actor? A dancer?

Adeline wasn’t well-versed in such things, so she wouldn’t recognize a face even if she saw it. Though judging by their reactions, it seemed to be quite a talked-about figure.

Adeline watched them with a small smile, then stood up.

“Take your time enjoying. I’ll look around a bit more and come back. Since she likes books… I think something like a fountain pen, bookmark, or paperweight would be good.”

Alisha hesitated briefly then nodded.

“Don’t go far.”

Adeline answered with a smile and stood up.

Going down the stairs to the lower floor, she stopped by several fountain pen shops. 

After carefully examining the displayed nibs and bodies, she chose a bookmark with tassels strung with sparkling beads and a crystal paperweight. 

And recalling that Isabel wore glasses, she was moving to look at glasses cases and handkerchiefs.

Among the well-dressed ladies and gentlemen, one woman particularly stood out, slowly approaching. Her face was half-hidden by a wide-brimmed hat. She couldn’t say for certain, but the visible lines of her body alone were recognizable.

It was Eva Lorenz.

Adeline’s steps stopped for a moment.

The atmosphere of that night she’d wanted to forget, the memories, quietly revived from deep in her chest.

〈When did I entrust that person’s treatment to him, and why is she still in that state?〉

An awkward person to encounter. But changing direction noticeably now would be ridiculous. Wouldn’t that be avoiding her?

Adeline asked herself.

I’ve done nothing wrong, so why should I avoid her?

The disgusting one was actually the other side. A woman who’d borne a child for a man with a wife and still showed her face in society without a care, a woman who’d been William’s mistress.

Adeline steadied her breathing, straightened her back, and held her neck upright. She continued forward with her gaze ahead. After a few steps, their eyes met. But Adeline neither bowed nor raised her head. She planned to simply greet with just her eyes, very lightly, and pass by.

But at that moment, Eva, having dismissed those following her, spoke. Her voice was far too calm, like nothing had happened.

“I didn’t expect to see you here. Have you been well?”

Adeline’s steps slowed very briefly. But she didn’t stop. Could it really be a coincidence? Here, at this time?

She tried to judge what would be best but soon abandoned that effort. 

She didn’t want to feign pleasure she didn’t feel and craft a welcoming smile. But there was no reason to be overtly cold either. So she answered in a flat voice, emotion removed.

“Indeed. I’ve been well.”

Though Eva must have read the coldness, she didn’t care and stepped closer. Her perfume smell was excessively strong.

“I’d like to invite you for tea—would you accept?”

Adeline immediately shook her head. Polite but firm.

“I’m sorry, but I just came from the tea room.”

She didn’t add empty words like “Let’s do that next time we have a chance.” Just the facts. Meaning she didn’t want to associate with her. Yet Eva lightly grasped Adeline’s wrist.

“I have something to tell you. That day… I’m sorry.”

Adeline’s eyebrows furrowed slightly at the warmth touching her wrist. Without lowering her gaze, she replied calmly.

“About that day, I don’t think there’s anything I need to hear separately from you, Miss Lorenz.”

The corner of Eva’s mouth lifted very slightly.

“Really?”

She tilted her head pretending to be concerned.

“I was worried you might misunderstand why I visited.”

Then she naturally added a remark.

“I’m from Frenon.”

With those words, Eva’s eyes changed overtly. It was a provocation. 

Adeline met that gaze head-on. Heat flashed across her face for a moment. Not embarrassment but a reaction closer to anger. She felt heat rising to her ear tips without realizing it.

Eva laughed low.

“Ah, so you really didn’t hear.”

That laugh mixed with mockery she didn’t even try to hide.

Adeline slowly steadied her breath that threatened to scatter. She filled her lungs deeply with air, then exhaled carefully. She knew well that if emotions took over, she’d lose in this situation.

Steadying her scattered breathing, Adeline replied calmly.

“If I’m curious about anything, I’ll resolve it through my husband.”

Eva was certain.

That Adeline—the innocent, oh-so-innocent princess—would surely grab onto her and persist. 

That bound by things like dignity and propriety, she wouldn’t be able to turn her back and would ultimately try to explain or make excuses.

To offset the humiliation from that day, she wanted to see Adeline’s shabby face.

So she’d already drawn the picture in her mind of how to handle her.