“But that would make things annoying for me.”

Edelle, who had been sullen the entire journey back from the convent to the mansion, suddenly blurted out her complaint. Liam couldn’t immediately understand her words and gave her a puzzled expression.

“Pardon?”

“If I reveal that I’m the one hanging ribbons, people will target me instead of the ribbons.”

“Are you planning to reveal that you’re the one hanging the ribbons, Miss?”

Liam’s eyes widened. He was surprised because just a few days ago, Edelle had been explaining why she needed to sneak around with various excuses, and now it seemed she had changed her mind.

Edelle finally voiced the concern that had been circling in her mind.

“Master said that would reduce the number of people coveting the ribbons.”

“Of course, if you came forward publicly, stealing ribbons would become meaningless, but……”

“Instead, they’d harass me endlessly.”

In truth, confirming which restaurants truly had her ribbons wouldn’t be difficult. The real problem would be people seeking her out, asking her to hang ribbons at their restaurants.

‘Then it would become actual work.’

And it wouldn’t just be the work that increased. Thinking about the criticism that would be added to the already uncomfortable social gazes made her skin crawl.

Meanwhile, the carriage had stopped and the door opened. Edelle shook her head vigorously and leaned out.

“I need to eat some rib stew.”

“The one with fermented bean sauce, right?”

“Yes, with plenty of potatoes and carrots.”

Edelle’s voice was noticeably lighter as she responded. Her mood had improved at the thought of eating fluffy potatoes soaked in sweet and savory soy sauce marinade and rib meat juices.

“I’ll inform the steward.”

“No, I’d better tell Gale directly. While I’m at it, I’ll check how much bean sauce we have left……”

Her appetite, which had plummeted at the thought of work, returned instantly. Stress should indeed be relieved with delicious food.

***

At the same time, in the reception room of the Michelin residence.

Monty, unable to contain himself any longer, asked Eli Norton, the Grand Duke of Norton, who stood frozen like a statue in front of a large painting on the wall,

“Why are you doing something so out of character?”

The two men had visited the patrol guards at daybreak to find the potential thieves who had fled the night before, and had been guided to the Michelin residence. They were even waiting for the lady of the house, who was said to be out.

For Eli, who never deviated from his established routine, this was an extremely impulsive schedule. Yet Eli himself was merely tracing the herb garden in the painting with his eyes, without answering.

“Your Highness.”

“Monty, do you know where this is?”

Only after being addressed so familiarly did Monty realize that today’s Grand Duke wasn’t listening to him at all. He adjusted his slipping glasses with a disgruntled expression.

“How would I know that? Ask the Count’s daughter when she arrives.”

“There’s no need to ask.”

“Do you know where it is?”

“The herb garden at St. Heather’s Convent.”

At Eli’s unhesitating answer, Monty narrowed his eyes and examined the painting more closely. However, no matter how hard he looked, the garden in the painting just appeared intensely green.

“How can you tell if it’s an herb garden or a potato field?”

“I’ve been there before.”

“……To the convent?”

His repeated question conveyed clear skepticism. After all, the convent was off-limits to men, and Eli, a tall man no matter how you looked at him, could never enter such a place.

Guessing Monty’s thoughts, Eli let out a small laugh.

“I went with my mother when I was very young.”

“Ah.”

“Countess Michelin must be quite devout as well.”

The herb garden in the innermost part of the convent was a place difficult to access under normal circumstances. Eli remembered the herb garden because his late mother, the previous Grand Duchess, had been a devout follower of Riulism, the state religion.

As Eli turned away with eyes full of nostalgia and headed toward the sofa, Monty changed the subject for his sake.

“The more I think about it, that lady from yesterday must be the young lady of Michelin. It was obvious when the steward immediately mentioned ‘Miss’ upon seeing the patrol guards.”

“Perhaps.”

“The 〈Michelin Survey〉 is produced by Michelin Coach Builder, isn’t it? If it’s not their employees but the lady herself hanging ribbons, then last night’s incident makes sense. If that lady was trying to catch a thief.”

“We can’t know for sure until we confirm it.”

Eli didn’t want to jump to conclusions. Deep down, he hoped the lady he had confronted yesterday wasn’t the Count’s daughter.

‘If the young lady of Michelin is truly the owner of those ribbons……’

Just as Eli was discreetly wiping his sweaty palms on his trousers—

Click.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting. I heard you were looking for me.”

Edelle entered the reception room, and her eyes met those of Eli, who had abruptly stood up.

***

“It seems you’ve found the wrong person.”

After exchanging brief greetings and sitting down to hear the whole story, Edelle cheerfully denied Monty’s assumption.

She had been devastated when she encountered the Grand Duke instead of the rib stew she’d been looking forward to, but as she listened to their explanation, she saw a way out. All the lights in the shopping district where she had met the two men last night had been off, and Edelle had been wearing a wig with a hood pulled down low.

‘It’s fortunate Liam didn’t come in with me.’

Sending Liam to the kitchen as a precaution had been a stroke of genius. While suppressing a sigh of relief and smiling brightly, Edelle faced Monty’s narrowed gaze.

“Are you saying the patrol guards made a mistake?”

“From their perspective, they had to escort His Highness the Grand Duke somewhere, so it couldn’t be helped. The ribbon is indeed under my family’s jurisdiction.”

“Do you hang the ribbons yourself?”

Eli, who had been quietly observing Edelle, suddenly asked. His intensely blue eyes seemed to be trying to read her innermost thoughts.

“Or do the Michelin Coach Builder employees do it?”

“……Does that matter?”

Edelle carefully asked while maintaining her composure.

Though she didn’t show it, her mind was racing to figure out how to answer without offending the Grand Duke. She feared he might lecture her about noble qualities if she answered honestly.

However, Eli dispelled her worries with a single sentence.

“No, it doesn’t matter.”

“I’m relieved to hear you say that.”

“If it’s not too presumptuous, I’d like an explanation about that painting.”

Monty, who had been trying to follow the unpredictable conversation, whipped his head toward Eli. He was surprised by Eli’s polite request for an explanation, despite having said earlier there was no need to ask.

Edelle was equally taken aback by the Grand Duke’s request. Still, she responded as kindly as possible.

“It’s the herb garden inside St. Heather’s Convent. It’s a place Your Highness cannot enter.”

“……You must like that place.”

“It’s like a playground to me. The nun who manages that herb garden is my master.”

Edelle smiled softly, recalling her childhood when she would run through the herb garden and get scolded. Eli, watching her lavender eyes curve, opened his tightly closed lips again.

“My purpose has changed.”

“By purpose, you mean……”

“I’m planning to hold a small party at the grand ducal residence before the festival banquet……”

“What?”

Monty, who had been observing the somewhat strange behavior of Eli today, involuntarily questioned. A party at the grand ducal residence was something he had proposed for Eli, who had returned to the capital after a long time, but it had been rejected long ago.

However, Eli brazenly continued,

“I’d like the lady’s help.”

“My help?”

Edelle smiled awkwardly while trying to figure out why someone as high-ranking as a Grand Duke would need her assistance.

‘Surely he’s not asking me to be his partner? Why me of all people?’

Whatever the reason, it was absolutely impossible. Edelle Michelin was acknowledged by everyone who knew her as hopelessly uncoordinated.

“How could I possibly help Your Highness?”

“I guarantee it’s something you’re more than capable of doing.”

“I appreciate your high estimation of my modest talents, but……”

“I’d like you to take charge of preparing the food and beverages for the party.”

Edelle, who had been mentally sorting through plausible excuses, closed her mouth. She was surprised by the unexpected proposal.

Eli gazed quietly at her rabbit-like round eyes before adding,

“If you can make the most delicious and mood-enhancing food in the capital, you can spend as much money as you need.”

Edelle unconsciously gulped.

It was the most tempting offer she had received in both her current and previous lives combined. If her previous life’s chairman had been this generous, she might not have died from overwork.

“Well……”

Expectant eyes turned toward Edelle. However, she spoke as if she didn’t need to consider further,

“Thank you for the offer, but I must decline.”