Tick tock. 

 She buried her forehead in her interlocked fingers at the sound of the clock ticking. 

 Unable to bear it any longer, she lifted her head and gulped down her tea. Her gaze naturally drifted to the clock. Though it was still early, she couldn’t sleep and had spent almost the entire night with her eyes open. 

 Knock knock knock. 

 “Your Highness Grand Duchess. It’s Rien.” 

 “Come in.” 

 Rien’s eyes sparkled brightly. It was pleasant to see those brown eyes shine like that. 

 Perhaps she brought the news she had been waiting for. She looked at what Rien held in her hand. 

 It was a newspaper from the imperial capital. 

 ‘Not a letter.’ 

 She couldn’t help feeling disappointed. Father always made people wait at times like this. 

 Even though he must be anxious and impatient, he acts like a well-fed beast pretending to be leisurely. 

 Though she didn’t like it, he wouldn’t let it go past today. 

 “Please look at this. His Highness the Grand Duke brought this newspaper this morning.” 

 She took the newspaper Rien handed over and read through it. 

 A mysterious lady who appeared recently. The social circles are buzzing about a lady who purchased all the dresses from Haul Salon and Bomenta Salon, which are difficult even to get appointments for. Speculation about her, with her red hair, continues to grow. Just who could she be? 

 ‘I’ve successfully made my face known.’ 

 Now that there was a response from the newspaper, it was Father’s turn. She put down the newspaper and savored her tea. 

 “Rien, the tea’s fragrance is wonderful today too.” 

 “I’m glad because Your Highness seems to be in a good mood.” 

 She patted the seat next to her and said. 

 “Sit down quickly. Let’s drink tea together until the news we’re waiting for arrives.” 

 Rien sat down quietly in the chair. 

 “No one has come to the mansion yet?” 

 “No, they all seem to be lingering around but lack the courage.” 

 “Courage……” 

 She took a sip of tea. 

 The attitude of the imperial capital’s nobles was more lukewarm than she had expected. 

 She thought someone would secretly come asking for investment or requesting help, but the imperial capital’s nobles seemed to have rather stiff necks. 

 Having spent that much money in one day, they should be curious. Not receiving even one invitation…… could this be because her acting was insufficient? 

 Hmm. 

 She recalled her behavior at the salon. Cedric and she had acted quite naturally. Even thinking back to the salon madams, they seemed completely taken with her. 

 Actually, it wasn’t her but the money she spent, but still. After pondering briefly, her eyes suddenly flew open. 

 “Then. We should give them some courage, huh?” 

 If they wouldn’t take the bait, she just needed to throw more. 

 “Rien, I need you to go into the city today. Go out with Dame Alita, eat something delicious and have a nice outing.” 

 “Really?” 

 She nodded and smiled broadly, then pulled the bell cord. 

 When the maids entered the room, she had them put down the tea in Rien’s hand. 

 “Could you call Dame Alita as well?” 

 After making the request to the maid, she positioned Rien in front of the mirror. She put on a wig and began adorning her. Soon after, Dame Alita, who had been summoned, also began being adorned by the maids’ hands. 

 “Mm! Good!” 

 “Y-Your Highness Grand Duchess. What’s this all about suddenly……” 

 “It’s simple, right? Just go to a cafe, spend some money while talking, and come back?” 

 The two nodded. It wasn’t a difficult task since they just needed to throw out bait and return. 

 The two, dressed like imperial capital nobles, left the mansion with determined expressions. 

 “Hmm, it should be fine?” 

 She watched the two through the window. Come to think of it, the friend she sent hasn’t returned. She looked at the hole she had made in her room. 

 Should she at least send a friend since she’s worried about those two? They won’t be able to step forward since it would be dangerous to reveal their identity. 

 She opened the window. As she was about to whistle to call a bird, she saw a cat walking along the railing. 

 “Kitty, would you listen to my request? It’ll be very fun.” 

 “Meow.”(……What is this.) 

 The cat turned its head to look at her with a somewhat dumbfounded expression, as if it hadn’t expected a human to call out to it. 

 ‘Still, I’m glad I wasn’t ignored.’ 

 She extended her hand toward the cat with relief. 

 “Lying down for a nap on the mansion roof might be nice, but there might be something more fun.” 

 “Meow.”(Bothersome.) 

 Ah well. Can’t be helped. She slipped back into the room. Then she pulled off the brush attached to the bed. 

 Swoosh— 

 She threw the brush out the window. Then she stealthily moved it with her hand. 

 ‘When will there be a response.’ 

 Unable to see outside, she had no choice but to wave the string flamboyantly several times. 

 She repeatedly pulled it sharply then threw it back out, varying the movements. At one point when she suddenly pulled it in, something heavy came with it. 

 “……” 

 “……” 

 She made eye contact with the cat that had been dragged in while firmly gripping the string. Its surprised eyes widened. A staring contest began between her and the odd-eyed cat with one yellow eye and one blue eye. 

 “I could play with you like this for an hour every day while I’m here.” 

 “……” 

 “I’ll really play differently every day.” 

 “……” 

 The cat’s eyes returned to their normal size. As if it hadn’t just been wagging its bottom and pouncing at the string, it sat down calmly and began grooming itself. 

 “Not interested?” 

 She slowly pulled the string inward then whirled around toward the room. 

 “Meow!”(Yah!) 

 The cat flew straight into the room. Precisely in the direction the string was moving. 

 After that, she shook the string until her arm nearly fell off. And that’s how she won the cat’s heart. 

 ❖ ❖ ❖ 

 Rien and Alita sat in the cafe sipping their tea. 

 “Oh my, that’s so pretty. It’s a necklace that’s quite difficult to see……” 

 Rien brought up the topic while speaking to Alita. Alita’s lips trembled slightly with a start. However, she quickly responded to Rien’s words. 

 “You recognize this. This is all thanks to visiting that person. We became close while talking, you see.” 

 Alita’s heart was pounding. She had felt the glancing gazes since the moment they entered the cafe. 

 ‘Just need to do as told.’ 

 There was nothing to be nervous about. She would only be able to face the Grand Duchess if she perfectly fulfilled her role. 

 “Indeed……! This is also from that person. I did some arranging for them, you see.” 

 Starting with Rien setting up the bait, Alita only needed to play along well to complete the mission. 

 “Arranging?” 

 When Rien asked, Alita made a small gesture. Then she whispered in a voice slightly lower than before. 

 Actually, it was too loud to be called whispering, but others focused on listening to their conversation didn’t mind. 

 “Magic stones. They say they have many magic stones in Kvarando. So I’m looking for people who want to buy them.” 

 “What?! Magic…… stones! Oh my, really?” 

 Rien exclaimed in surprise. Then hurriedly lowered her voice. When she whipped her head around, the gazes that had been directed at them quickly returned to their original positions. 

 Rien subtly showed a thumbs up to Alita. Only then did Alita’s stiff face relax. 

 “Excuse me, ladies, may I ask you something?” 

 A man stopped in front of the two. 

 “I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but I’m very interested in magic stones. If it’s alright, may I join you?” 

 At the gentleman’s words, Rien exchanged glances with Alita, appearing flustered. 

 “Oh my, I’m sorry but that would be difficult. We’re in the middle of business talk……” 

 Rien covered her mouth with a fan as if telling him to leave. The imperial seal was attached to the chest of the man wearing a uniform. 

 ‘What should we do?’ 

 If they went to the imperial palace like this, they would be discovered. The disguise would last half a day at most. They had already spent three hours talking in the cafe. 

 If the imperial palace stepped forward, both Alita’s and her identity would be revealed. 

 “Your Majes……” 

 “Meooooooow!”(Get lost!) 

 At that moment, a cat flew in from somewhere and latched onto the man’s face. As sharp claws scratched diagonally across, the man jumped up. 

 “Aaaaagh!” 

 “Kyaah! What is this!” 

 The cafe turned into chaos due to the cats that suddenly rushed in. Ladies scattered from their seats in panic, and the waiters moved quickly to drive out the cats. 

 “Lady Rien.” 

 Alita carefully pulled Rien’s arm. She nodded with a startled face. 

 “Get away! Cats in a cafe!” 

 While the men struggled to remove the cats amidst the ladies’ screams,

 Not missing their chance, Alita and Rien quickly slipped out of the chaotic cafe. 

 “Let’s depart quickly!” 

 Rien and Alita shouted as they got into the carriage. Soon after, the carriage wheels began to roll. 

 The two burst into laughter as they caught their breath inside the carriage. 

 Because they seemed to know who had created this chaos.