‘So my real talent wasn’t being a pushover—it was being a menace!’

Watching Lorina on the verge of tears, Eliza felt as though the decade-long knot in her chest had finally unraveled.

At this rate, she almost began to worry, what if Lorina simply decided to kill her out of pure hatred, rather than trying to steal James?

‘Heh.’

Eliza swallowed the wicked laugh rising inside her.

At that moment, Lorina strode over, seized her wrist, and yanked her around.

In a low, sharp voice, she said,

“A shawl? I clearly told you I’d buy you a dress. That’s why I brought you here. Do you not understand?”

For a split second, Eliza nearly snapped back at her, the pain in her wrist flaring—but she regained her composure just as quickly and let out an exaggerated cry.

“Ah—! That hurts, Lorina. Why are you getting angry?”

‘See? My reflexes are excellent. I told you, it’s talent.’

“What? It’s not like I grabbed you that hard—!”

The startled saleswoman stepped in.

“Is there something you need, Mrs. Ashton?”

The elderly woman’s tone carried a subtle offer of help, and Eliza felt a quiet heaviness settle in her chest.

‘She must see scenes like this all the time to respond so naturally.’

Ignoring Lorina’s trembling fury, Eliza turned to the saleswoman, her eyes glistening as she spoke as pitifully as she could,

“No, I’m fine. Thank you.”

Then she headed for the door.

“Lorina, thank you for the thought. But I understand now. You were right—I don’t belong in a place like this. James wouldn’t approve of me coming here anyway.”

“Eliza!”

Like someone unable to bear the humiliation, Eliza shoved the door open and ran out only to collide with an elderly woman passing by and tumble to the ground, nearly dragging her down as well.

Like a mermaid throwing herself into the sea.

“Ah—!”

Even as she reeled from the fall, Eliza thought the woman’s voice might burst her eardrums.

“Good heavens! What— Have I walked into a bear’s den instead of a boutique? Is it hunting season?”

“I—I’m so sorry! Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere? Let me take you to the hospital right away—ah, I’m so sorry!”

Flustered, Eliza forgot all about maintaining her façade in front of Lorina and hurried over to help the elderly woman up.

At that moment, her gaze drifted towards the entrance of the showroom.

Lorina, who had been about to follow Eliza out, noticed the commotion. Without hesitating, she shut the door and stepped back inside.

This was a place frequented by women of status, and Lorina had no intention of being criticized for bringing someone of common birth there only to have them cause a scene.

She therefore behaved as if it had nothing to do with her.

‘…Yes. That’s exactly who you are, Lorina.’

“Can you stand? I’ll take you to the fitting room.”

At the saleswoman’s guidance, Eliza helped the elderly lady up. Inside the fitting room, she sat before her, took her hand, and spoke with genuine concern,

“Ma’am, I’m truly sorry. If anything hurts, please tell me. If I’ve injured you, I won’t be able to forgive myself. I know a very capable doctor—Dr. Phillips—so…”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, quiet down! You’re giving me a headache!”

The woman’s loud voice startled Eliza, causing her to release her hand.

Meanwhile, the old lady accepted a glass of water from the saleswoman, downed it in one go, and let out a long sigh.

“Ah, that gave me quite a fright — what a shock!” Judging by the feel of it, my hip bones are still intact, though I’ve no idea where my poor heart has run off to! It’s a good thing I asked Madame to add extra padding to my petticoat last time, or I might not have survived that!”

As she burst into hearty laughter, the saleswoman offered a quiet, polite smile in return.

Only then did Eliza notice the voluminous skirts, wide enough to hide several people. She finally relaxed, letting out a small, helpless laugh of her own.

Truthfully, the sheer strength of the woman’s voice had already proved that she was fine.

Just then, the old lady turned sharply towards her and snapped—

“Stop making that vacant face. It’s irritating.”

“Ah—yes, ma’am…”

Only then did Eliza calm down enough to properly look at her.

She was well into old age, with a square jaw and slightly sagging cheeks that made her look like an endearing bulldog. Her bold, hearty manner only emphasized that impression.

“And you are?”

“Please forgive my rudeness. My name is Eliza Ashton. Ma’am, just to be certain, if you feel any pain at all—”

“I said that’s enough! Dr. Phillips? Ha! I don’t even know who that is, so stop going on about it. If I needed a doctor, I’d have already summoned my own—he used to serve as a royal physician!”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

A doctor who had once served the royal household—this woman certainly knew how to silence someone.

Noticing Eliza’s complicated expression, the old lady finally gave a crooked smile and said,

“My name is Rose. Rose Silmera. Hmph. You were just thinking it’s a ridiculous name, weren’t you?”

“No, Mrs. Silmera! Not at all.”

Eliza, who had just been thinking how much she resembled a bulldog, flinched at the name—Rose—and her face flushed faintly.

“I was only relieved to hear your voice. It’s clear you’re in good health.”

“Ha. I do hear people say I’ve got a voice like I’ve swallowed something fierce.”

“And… I also thought your name was a little unexpected.”

“Hm. …Ha, ha!”

The old woman laughed a moment later, and Eliza bowed her head again.

“Please forgive my carelessness, Mrs. Silmera.”

But Rose paid her no mind, staring off into the air as if lost in thought.

“Ashton… Ashton. I’ve definitely heard that name somewhere… Could it be one I know?”

“Ah… perhaps you might know my husband? He works at Roycobs Bank.”

“Ah, so he’s your husband?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’ve never met him myself, but I’ve heard there’s a man at Roycobs with an uncanny nose for money.”

Eliza could only offer an awkward smile.

It was the way Rose spoke of James like someone casually remarking on a neighborhood dog.

‘Oh, whose dog is that? Has an incredible nose for meat! Even dug up bones buried in the yard five years ago!’

Rose pulled out a small card from her purse and placed it in Eliza’s palm.

“Come have tea with me sometime. Or don’t.”

“…”

Eliza realized who Rose Silmera was the moment the card touched her hand.

Lorina had recently spoken about her: the wealthy divorcée who had returned from the Kingdom of Silomon, causing quite a stir in society in the process.

Originally from a side branch of the royal family, Rose had married the late king’s younger brother in Silomon, but ended the marriage last year and returned home.

‘I hear the Grand Duke of Silomon kept twenty-three concubines in total.’

At the time, Eliza had been shocked by the sheer scale of such infidelity across the sea, while Lorina had focused instead on the enormous settlement Rose had secured.

Now, standing before such a well-known figure, Eliza felt slightly dazed.

‘No wonder Lorina backed off. She didn’t want to get entangled with someone like this.’

Eliza assumed Rose had given her the card because of James. After all, no one would turn away someone capable of multiplying wealth.

Rose waved her hand impatiently, as though unable to tolerate even a moment of silence.

“Off you go now. I came here to buy a cocktail dress. What is this, a tea party in a cramped little room?”

“I hope you find a dress that pleases you, Mrs. Silmera.”

Behind her, Rose Silmera let out a loud snort.

“Ha! As if I’d know. I’ll wear whatever Madame hands me.”

As soon as Eliza stepped out, the elderly saleswoman approached her quietly.

As if reluctant to deliver unpleasant news, she leaned in and whispered,

“Miss Winclaire has already left.”

“….”

So she hadn’t just avoided it, she had run away entirely.

Eliza found herself almost incredulous at the situation, then quietly chided herself.

‘This is exactly who Lorina is. I should take it for granted… and yet I still feel betrayed?’

She let out a small, self-mocking laugh, recalling how her past self would have reacted—feeling lost at the thought of returning home alone, while also burdened with guilt for having put Lorina in an awkward position.

Offering the saleswoman a light smile, she said,

“Thank you. I’ll be on my way, then.”

But the moment she stepped onto the main street, the unpleasantness caused by Lorina faded quickly.

‘Well… I did get a free carriage ride into the city, after all.’

Eliza turned the card over in her hands, feeling her heart beat just a little faster.

This was only the second calling card she had ever received.

By stepping away from her old behavior, she was meeting entirely new people, which brought with it both fear and excitement.

If she ventured into unknown territory, she might truly escape her predestined fate.

‘Perhaps my new life has already begun.’

Taking a deep breath, Eliza raised her hand decisively and hailed a carriage.

“To the Marquis Phelin’s residence, please.”

‘I need to keep Lorina occupied while I prepare to leave.’

***

‘Good heavens…!’

Eliza felt overwhelmed when she stepped into the reception room at the Marquis de Phelin’s estate.

For two reasons.

Firstly, the sheer opulence of the mansion clearly displayed the Marquis’ immense wealth.

The second was Lorina.

‘She rejected a man like this?’

What kind of man must her father be, to turn down such a match for a son-in-law? Eliza couldn’t even begin to imagine.

Aedrin appeared soon after.

“Mrs. Ashton! I can’t tell you how pleased I was to hear you had come.”

Dressed in a shirt and silk vest, Aedrin looked nearly ten times more handsome than before—perhaps due to the halo of his surroundings.

Knowing he was the son of such a house made even an average man seem impressive.

Eliza smiled brightly at him, then paused inwardly, questioning herself.

‘Am I really being this generous to Lorina?’