“What?”

“I said, you hide a lot of things.”

She felt her tongue twisting and her body contorting, but it didn’t matter. In this state, she felt she could say anything. So she had to speak now.

Medric sighed and raised his hand to ask the waiter for water. He personally handed the water to Eve and said:

“First, drink this and take a deep breath.”

“No, no. I’m fine. I’m not thirsty.”

“No, you must be thirsty.”

Eve shook her head. Cutting off his unusually stubborn words today, she said:

“Listen to me.”

“…I am listening.”

“I’m not thirsty, and please answer my question. Why are you hiding things from me?”

“Do you even know what you’re saying right now?”

Medric pressed his hand against his forehead.

“Of course I do.”

‘I still don’t understand why you helped me. I don’t understand why you’re treating me so well. I don’t understand anything.’

Eve firmly closed her mouth, unable to express her true feelings. People around her said Medric cherished her. But those were just words from people who didn’t know the whole truth.

Eve and Medric were connected by a contract. A relationship that would easily end when the contract was over. Nothing more, nothing less.

But why did he keep treating her so well?

Eve shook her head as her eyelids kept drooping.

“Duke…”

She wasn’t sure what words she uttered at the end.

Medric looked down at Eve with a bewildered expression.

And that’s where Eve’s memory cut off.

***

The next day, as soon as Eve regained consciousness, she kicked off her blanket.

She couldn’t remember anything that happened afterward, but she vividly recalled the embarrassing behavior she had shown to Medric.

‘I’ve gone mad. Completely mad.’

As Eve was rubbing her face in shock early in the morning, Marie entered the room.

“Miss, are you awake?”

“Yes.”

She wanted to crawl back under the blanket and fall asleep again. She wanted to believe that what happened yesterday was just a dream.

“Marie, yesterday…”

“Yesterday?”

Eve was afraid to ask Marie how she had returned home. If she were to hear that she had come home in a less than dignified state, she wouldn’t know what expression to show Marie.

“No, never mind.”

In the end, Eve couldn’t bring herself to ask and lowered her head.

Ah, how wonderful it would be if everything could be undone when she closed and opened her eyes.

While Eve was busy blaming herself, Marie, who was arranging the curtains, asked her:

“By the way, the items you ordered from the merchant have arrived today. Would you like to go see them?”

At times like this, staying cooped up in her room wasn’t good. It was better to keep her body moving to forget painful thoughts.

Eve nodded.

After preparing to go out with Marie, Eve headed to the main lobby of the mansion.

The place was bustling with staff moving the various items purchased from merchants.

In the midst of it all was Hans, assigning responsibilities and giving orders to the servants.

Eve approached Hans.

“Have the ordered curtains and tapestries arrived safely?”

“Miss. Yes, I’ve checked both, and the tablecloths have already been placed.”

“I’ll take a look around now. Hans, please check the ceremony hall again. We need to be as attentive as possible so the visiting guests won’t be uncomfortable.”

“Yes, understood.”

Eve checked each item that had arrived. Only after examining everything multiple times, from the tablecloths to the curtains replaced in the banquet hall, could she feel at ease.

With just over a month left until the wedding, Eve was being extremely cautious.

‘All that’s left now is… the fresh flowers.’

Having been so thorough, Eve hoped there would be no issues with the upcoming wedding.

***

A young lady with hair that looked as if it were made of golden thread, braided long down her back, and wearing a dress embroidered with elaborate designs, was climbing into a carriage.

Her large eyes sparkled like embedded jewels, her cute nose stood straight, and her red lips were full, as if holding a strawberry.

She was so beautiful that anyone who saw her would want to speak with her, even if just a few words.

“Miss! Miss…!”

“Why are you calling me? We need to leave quickly. Will you take responsibility if we’re late to the party?”

The maid who came running breathlessly grabbed her foot, causing the young lady to become irritated.

“That’s not it… We received news that Duke Archild has announced he will be holding a wedding ceremony.”

“Ceremony? Wedding ceremony? What nonsense is this? Suddenly getting married. I confirmed just recently that he had no partner.”

“It came in a letter to our family, so it must be true.”

“What…! Is it really true? That Duke Archild…?!”

As the young lady frowned, the maid who delivered the news began to cautiously watch her reaction.

“If it came by letter, how many families received invitations?”

“I don’t know the details, but they say there will be a large reception.”

“You don’t even know that properly?!”

When she lashed out at the maid, the startled servant made an undignified “hic” sound and bowed her head deeply.

Looking at the maid and clicking her tongue, the young lady turned abruptly and climbed into the carriage.

“By the time I return from today’s party, find out how large the ceremony will be. No, first gather information about his partner!”

The only sound that followed was the order to start the carriage.

The maid, who had expected to be rewarded for bringing the news faster than anyone else, slumped her shoulders when she didn’t even get her due.

Setting aside her own feelings, the maid hurried back into the mansion and began busily working to find out what the young lady had asked for.

If she failed to complete the assigned task within the given time, she couldn’t imagine what she might hear.

***

Eve had planned to avoid Medric because of her embarrassing memory of drinking wine.

But there was no need. Medric was too busy processing the documents to adopt Eve into Baron Hesse’s family and dealing with the plague spreading from the northern part of Ptotr to the territory.

Eve also needed a lot of time to cram not only social etiquette basics but also history and information about the nobles of Ptotr into her head. That wasn’t all. She also had to order items for the wedding and prepare for the reception.

With less than a week left until the wedding, the Madam from Laurent Fashion House visited several times a day because of the dress that was nearing completion.

Due to the tight schedule, the Madam had been working through the night on the dress, and dark circles had formed under her eyes since Eve had first met her.

After meeting with the Madam for dress fittings and having disputes with merchants, Eve would meet Lady Anna.

“Oh my, are you not feeling well? Your complexion looks terrible. Should I call for a physician?”

“No, I’m like this because I’m trying to manage everything at once.”

“Oh dear, you should rest well and receive proper care the day before the wedding.”

Lady Anna placed her hand on Eve’s face, concerned.

Eve herself had been surprised when she looked in the mirror that morning. Her lips were dry, cracked, and without any moisture.

Eve smiled awkwardly.

“But it’s worth the effort. You’ve acquired so much in just two months, which makes me feel proud and fulfilled.”

Eve smiled gently at Lady Anna’s voice, which was filled with pride.

Eve was absorbing everything like a sponge soaking up water. She had already acquired a decent understanding of etiquette, history, economics, society, and even basic arts.

It wasn’t for nothing that she had been called a prodigy as a child.

Although the tight schedule was certainly difficult, she was satisfied with her own progress.

Her once raw conversation style now had some cushioning. Anyone who spoke with Eve for just a moment could tell she had become noticeably gentler than before.

“By the way, you’ve received the Hesse family name now, correct?”

“Yes, I hear the adoption into the Baron’s family was processed successfully.”

“Congratulations. Everything is going smoothly until the wedding.”

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you, Lady Anna.”

Eve smiled and expressed her gratitude. While it was true that Eve had prepared for the wedding alone, Lady Anna had been very helpful in giving advice and making decisions.

Especially when Eve couldn’t memorize all the noble genealogies, Lady Anna had told her who to send invitations to. Thanks to Lady Anna, she also learned that the relationship between the Archild ducal family and the royal family was quite friendly.

“To think it’s your wedding day—I’m the one feeling nervous. Yet you don’t seem nervous at all.”

“That can’t be. I’m very nervous too.”

When Lady Anna laughed softly, Eve responded naturally.

The comfortable conversation continued.