This wasn’t what she had planned. 

 Claire kicked her feet at Cedric’s empty spot beside her when she woke up in the morning. 

 Everything was so vivid that she couldn’t forget, making her unable to leave the blankets for a while. 

 Swoosh–

 If it weren’t for Zeno casually opening the door and entering, she would have continued staring blankly at the ceiling from bed. 

 “Woowoo.” (Get up.) 

 “It’s ruined. This wasn’t the plan……” 

 “Grrrrrr.” (They were doing fine without you getting involved.) 

 “What?” 

 Claire bolted upright and looked at Zeno. Zeno rested his chin on the edge of the bed and mumbled. 

 “Woowoo woowoo.” (They met.) 

 “Really? No, how?” 

 When Zeno said something like this, it clearly meant something had happened. Claire leaned toward Zeno with sparkling eyes. 

 “Why did you stop talking?” 

 There were two reasons why people stopped mid-sentence — one was when they felt frustrated, and the other was…

 “……” 

 Looking at that tight-lipped expression, it seemed he wouldn’t tell her. Zeno was being petty, saying it was payback for kicking him out and not welcoming him. 

 “Meow.” (Claire.) 

 “Kitty?” 

 Claire spotted a wet cat coming through the window and reached out from the bed. 

 “Meooow.” (So cold.) 

 “You had nowhere to shelter from the rain.” 

 She laid the cat on the small bed and infused it with power. 

 “Fortunately, it’s not serious, so you’ll be fine soon.” 

 “Meow.” (……Hold me.) 

 At the cat’s whining, she wrapped it in a blanket and looked at Zeno. 

 “……Grrrrrr.” (No. I can see what you’re thinking.) 

 “Body heat is the warmest.” 

 “Grrrrrr. Woowoo!” (Am I some kind of nanny?) 

 Claire grabbed Zeno by the scruff of his neck. Then she put on his collar. 

 “Just until body heat returns!” 

 “Woowoo woowoo!” (This master, really!) 

 Though Zeno struggled, he eventually surrendered. She placed the blanket-wrapped cat inside the coiled-up Zeno. 

 “Warm, right?” 

 The cat must have been very tired, as she could hear its heavy breathing. 

 Purr purr purr purr purr purr. Purr purr purr purr purr purr. 

 Seemingly pleased with Zeno’s warmth, it didn’t forget to purr. After using healing power to dry its fur, the cat looked much more comfortable. 

 “Woowoo.” (How did I end up……) 

 Zeno heaved a deep sigh while looking at the cat sleeping in his embrace. Yet he didn’t get up from his spot. 

 “You always just talk tough.” 

 “Woof!” (By the way, has there been any contact?) 

 “Not yet, Father is probably thinking about how to handle this.” 

 Father must have received the letter. However, he wouldn’t reply immediately or come to visit. 

 “Now I don’t need to disguise myself to roam the city.” 

 This was just the beginning. First, she needed to prevent others from approaching this house. 

 Claire pulled the bell rope to call Alita. She assigned the mansion’s surveillance to Alita and other servants. 

 With Zeno here, there shouldn’t be other problems. Since Cedric would likely be busy, she planned to go to the city with Rien today. 

 ‘First, I should check on Isabelle.’ 

 After finishing her grooming, Claire went to Isabelle’s room. Though the maid knocked on the door, there was no answer. 

 “I’m coming in.” 

 Unable to keep waiting, she opened the door and entered to find Isabelle awake. 

 Isabelle’s face looked haggard as she stared blankly into space. She wasn’t usually absent-minded, but rather seemed lost in thought……” 

 Claire approached Isabelle and sat on the bed. 

 Something happened. 

 Anyone could see that something had occurred from her face. Claire’s eyes widened particularly at the box in her hand. 

 “That looks like a ring.” 

 “W-what? Why are you here? Do I have to see your face first thing in the morning?” 

 Isabelle responded irritably and closed the lid of the opened box. 

 Seeing that she hadn’t put it on yet, she must be confused. Well, even Claire would be flustered if suddenly given a ring. 

 “Why aren’t you wearing it? Isn’t it an engagement ring?” 

 “I don’t understand why he’s going this far. Shouldn’t we just play along? Why…… unnecessarily.” 

 “Don’t you know?” 

 Claire got up from the bed and went to the vanity. She picked up a small hand mirror and held it up to Isabelle. 

 “Does this face look like someone in love? If not, you should have acted like you were in love.” 

 “……” 

 Isabelle bit her lip. 

 “……I don’t know about that stuff. How would I know!” 

 She threw the ring on the floor. Claire sighed deeply at the emerald ring rolling on the ground. 

 “Don’t lose it. It might be your lifeline.” 

 After placing the ring back in Isabelle’s palm, Claire stated her purpose for visiting. It would be troublesome if she left without saying anything and Isabelle caused problems. 

 “I’m going to the city, do you need anything?” 

 “……Anything?” 

 “Yes, anything.” 

 “Then get me one set of men’s clothes.” 

 “Men’s clothes?” 

 Claire turned her head toward where Isabelle was looking. She saw a black jacket hanging on the chair. 

 “That must be Sir Benjamin’s?” 

 “He left it here on his own. Since you’re looking, get something nice to send back.” 

 “Hmmmm.” 

 Claire narrowed her eyes. Isabelle glanced at her before getting into bed and diving under the covers. 

 “I’m tired, I’m going to sleep so leave quickly.” 

 “If you’re sending new clothes, should I have a maid throw this away? If you think it’s such a terrible piece of clothing, why did you hang it up? Ah! You must have hated touching it!” 

 “……I just did it because it was bothersome. I couldn’t let the maid touch wet clothes.” 

 Since when did Isabelle care about the maids’ hands? 

 Claire nodded as if understanding and walked toward the door. 

 “I’ll send it in your name.” 

 “……Do whatever you want.” 

 Isabelle grumbling from under the covers didn’t seem to realize her ears were slightly showing. 

 Getting into the carriage to go to the city, Claire was thrilled that she didn’t need to disguise herself anymore. 

 “Wow, the imperial capital is really magnificent. It’s comfortable to move without wearing fur clothes!” 

 Rien kept admiring the view outside the window, clearly excited. She smiled constantly, apparently pleased with the more comfortable attire. 

 Seeing Rien like that made Claire happy too, and she smiled the entire way to the city. 

 After getting off at Rivelland Street, they entered a salon. Since they didn’t know Benjamin’s size, they couldn’t buy ready-made clothes. 

 So the solution was simple. 

 “Welcome! I’m sorry, but did you make a reservation?” 

 A quick-moving employee approached her. 

 “Um, I didn’t make a reservation.” 

 Claire tilted her head sideways as she looked at the employee. 

 “……Oh! I apologize. I’ll attend to you right away.” 

 Seeing the employee suddenly become flustered, it seemed they had recognized who she was from her hair color. 

 As mentioned before, people with purple hair were rare. Moreover, golden eyes were a symbol of the imperial family. 

 As they followed the employee inside, the attention of many people looking at clothes turned to her. 

 “My, why is she in the capital? I heard she married the Grand Duke.” 

 “I know. I couldn’t believe my eyes! She went to that cold North, but how is her skin still so good?” 

 “Think about it. What is there to do there? Just eating and sleeping, what else?” 

 Claire paid no attention to the ladies’ whispers. Their chatter now just tickled her ears. 

 It was better than being ignored at banquets. 

 “Your Highness. I’ll go shut those women’s mouths.” 

 Rien gripped her dress hem tightly beside her, angry. She looked ready to bare her claws like a fierce cat about to pounce. 

 “My, I seem to hear something. Rien, there’s no need to listen to meaningless words.” 

 “Yes, Your Highness.” 

 Rien turned her head sharply away from the ladies. Claire spoke to the employee who was watching cautiously. 

 “I’d like to order one premium jacket, and I was hoping someone could be sent to the mansion.” 

 “That’s possible. You just need to choose the design and fabric.” 

 “Prepare whatever is most fashionable recently. And one more thing, I’d like to order a suit for the Harvest Festival.” 

 “That’s possible.” 

 The employee, who had been diligently taking notes, quickly calculated the cost. 

 “Don’t worry about the price, use the best materials. Go to this address and take Sir Benjamin Alec’s measurements.” 

 “……Understood.” 

 “When it’s finished, don’t forget to include this letter.” 

 “Yes, yes!” 

 Claire handed the employee a small note. It was sealed in an envelope so others couldn’t open it. 

 “Please take care of this. He’s a very important person.” 

 Since he was one of Isabelle’s scandal partners to show Father, eye-catching clothes for the Harvest Festival were essential. 

 “Ah, one more thing. His Highness the Grand Duke needs clothes too. I’d like a black uniform that would match well with a pure white dress.” 

 “I’ll show you the designs.” 

 The employee immediately brought out prepared design sketches. After careful consideration, Claire chose one and gave the address of where she was staying. 

 “Similarly, please take His Highness’s measurements for a custom fit. Be careful with the measurements, as the shirt might burst if you make a mistake.” 

 The employee nodded repeatedly. 

 “Put the payment under my name. Once you have the estimate, let me know and I’ll send someone right away.” 

 “Thank you!” 

 Having finished her business, Claire tried to leave the salon. Though the gazes on her were sharp, she didn’t need to mind them. 

 “She just ordered clothes for another man besides His Highness?” 

 “My goodness! How can she be so brazen…… After marrying the Grand Duke in place of Her Highness, has she gotten involved with someone else?” 

 “Don’t even say such things. You’ll dirty your mouth. She’s probably acting just like her mother. What else would you expect from an Imperial Concubine’s daughter?” 

 Claire had truly intended to leave quietly without causing trouble. 

 If only she hadn’t heard those words, she would have. 

 Since they weren’t worth confronting directly, she just glanced at the three women’s faces. 

 After opening the door and looking at the street floor, she smiled and said. 

 “Go ahead and eat your fill.” 

 After saying that, she bent down and wedged a small stone in the door gap. 

 “Kyaaaaaah!” 

 A refreshing scream rang out behind her.