Eliza decided, just for a moment, to forget that she was helping Aedrin for entirely selfish reasons. Composing herself, she offered a polite greeting.

“Lord Phelin, thank you for your warm welcome.”

“Please, make yourself at home, Lady Ashton.”

‘Ah… please don’t be so kind, my lord.’

As Aedrin went on listing various types of tea, adding explanations one after another, Eliza simply chose one at random.

He smiled in clear satisfaction.

“An excellent choice, Lady Ashton.”

Eliza felt even more certain as she observed his manner. A man who was so good at putting others at ease would undoubtedly get on well with Lorina.

At the very least, it might stop her from contemplating poisoning his tea.

She couldn’t help but wonder what blessing Lorina had received. She lacked nothing in life, and yet Aedrin was more than she deserved.

Gently yet firmly, Eliza spoke.

“There’s something I’d like to confirm first, my lord. Do you intend to propose to Miss Winclaire?”

Aedrin, who had seemed slightly tense, parted his lips at her question.

“…To be honest, I’m surprised, Lady Ashton. You’re far more direct than you appear.”

Eliza smiled awkwardly, answering inwardly.

‘Because I don’t have the luxury of time if I want to avoid being killed.’

Carefully, she continued.

“I know it may be a bit forward of me to ask, but as I mentioned, Miss Winclaire already has everything she could possibly want. Even I, who know her well, find it difficult to think of a way to properly repay such a dear friend.”

The question of repayment would be left to fate — if Lorina were to choose the path of villainy once more.

Aedrin gazed into the distance for a moment, his expression turning serious, before speaking.

“I understand, Lady Ashton. To be frank, I fell for Miss Winclaire at first sight. Her charm was an overwhelming force of attraction.”

“……”

For a moment, Eliza felt a hint of pity for men. No — pity for all the fools who were so easily drawn in by her irresistible allure.

“However, despite her popularity in Athern society, I’ve heard that Miss Winclaire has never given anyone the slightest opening. Because of that, I wish to proceed with caution. Would that answer your question?”

Aedrin’s carefulness reassured Eliza. He was not a reckless moth drawn to the flame, but a thoughtful and composed man, capable of guarding himself against the allure of a dangerous woman.

“Thank you for your honesty, my lord. To be equally frank, I couldn’t think of anything ordinary that would be worthy enough to win Miss Winclaire’s heart.”

Taking Eliza’s words as a refusal, Aedrin spoke with clear disappointment on his face.

“On the honor of our friendship, you will keep this conversation confidential, won’t you? I would rather not be seen as a reckless man by Miss Winclaire.”

Eliza flinched at that.

‘What should I do…? There’s no such thing as friendship between Lorina and me.’

Even so, she answered with confidence.

“Of course—under any circumstances. If I had no intention of doing so, I wouldn’t have come to see you in the first place, my lord.”

“Thank you, Lady Ashton.”

“But I didn’t come here to refuse your request.”

“…?”

“Miss Winclaire holds her father in the highest regard. She trusts and follows Count Winclaire’s judgment absolutely.”

A spark lit in his eyes at the sudden turn in the conversation.

“There is no better way to win her heart than to earn Count Winclaire’s approval. Isn’t that what you ultimately want, my lord?”

“……”

“If you gain the Count’s approval, you won’t need any gift for Miss Winclaire.”

Aedrin’s expression stiffened ever so slightly. Eliza could tell that he was not particularly fond of the Count.

“Is there a problem?”

“I respect Count Winclaire’s business acumen, but I have yet to form any personal ties with him.”

So, it wasn’t that he was unable to do it; he simply didn’t want to. Nevertheless, the choice was his.

Letting out a soft sigh, she continued.

“My husband is the same. He is so consumed by work that, sometimes, I feel as though I have no place in his mind. Perhaps things would be different if I understood his work better and he could confide in me.”

Aedrin smiled faintly at her unexpected honesty before asking carefully.

“Are you suggesting that, to gain the Count’s approval, I should first become his business partner?”

Eliza was pleased that he had grasped her meaning so quickly.

‘Yes. That Count wants a son-in-law who will make him even richer!’

“I have no personal connection with the Count. Matters of business should, of course, be judged separately. I merely offered a way for you to win Miss Winclaire’s heart.”

“……”

“I’m not sure if it was of any help, though.”

Aedrin kept his gaze lowered to the table, his expression unreadable.

Eliza found herself sincerely hoping that Lorina would be content with Aedrin and continue living as she always had — still perhaps insufferable, but no longer capable of poisoning others.

Deep down, though, she knew this was unlikely. At best, Aedrin might buy her a little time.

Aedrin, who had remained silent throughout, escorted her to the carriage and said—

“Lady Ashton, I won’t forget this help.”

***

Even if the class system only existed in name, the nobility still found ways to display the prestige of their bloodlines.

One such way was through their polished carriages, adorned with family crests.

Eliza could not possibly arrive at her home in the Marquis of Phelin’s carriage, as this would attract the attention of everyone passing by, so she got out before the corner near her house and walked the rest of the way.

As she quietly made her way inside, Marie came rushing out, clearly alarmed.

“My lady, where have you been? I was worried!”

“Hm? I was just with Miss Winclaire for a moment—”

“Miss Winclaire came by!”

“……”

A soft, incredulous laugh escaped Eliza.

Lorina must have come rushing over, planning to cry in James’s arms—‘Darling, Eliza left me behind at the boutique!’—and get ahead of the story.

“Even when I told her you weren’t home, she wouldn’t believe me. She insisted on seeing you before leaving. But if you were together, how did you end up arriving separately—”

Eliza cut her off sharply.

“So, did you let her in?”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m asking whether you allowed a guest into the house without the owner’s permission, Marie.”

“N-No, that’s not it—no, I didn’t. Miss Winclaire left with her face all flushed.”

Marie was visibly startled by Eliza’s uncharacteristic firmness.

Unbothered, Eliza removed her hat and coat, placing them on the sofa.

“You did well, Marie. Once dinner is ready, you may leave.”

“…Yes, my lady.”

Still wearing a confused expression, Marie retreated to the kitchen. As Eliza moved to put away her coat, she noticed a telegram resting on the table.

It was from James.

“……”

‘What a way to speak!’

Although he was blessed with good looks, what had happened to his personality?

Eliza flicked the almost empty telegram in the air, clearly displeased, and considered how hurtful it would be to receive such a ‘notice’ from a loved one.

At least she had already cast him out of her heart.

***

The next morning, as soon as Marie had left, Eliza went out.

Lorina might come looking for her again, impatient and restless, but that was no longer Eliza’s concern.

She visited several jewelers, casually enquiring about current market prices. In truth, she was gauging which merchants could be trusted.

Eventually, she came across a shop where the owner seemed honest enough. She made a mental note to consider doing business there before stepping back out onto the main street.

Then, noticing a real estate office nearby, she headed straight inside.

As she had no social connections who could introduce her to reliable merchants, she would have to find what she wanted on her own.

Eliza had deliberately chosen to wear a black gown that day, her face partially hidden beneath a wide-brimmed hat veiled in fine mesh.

A real estate agent named Charles glanced at her with mild indifference as she entered and asked—

“What are you looking for, madam?”

“I have an aunt who was recently widowed…”

The older agent nodded, as if he already understood the situation.

“She is deeply grief-stricken. Because of that, she wishes to spend the rest of her life somewhere new, where no one knows her. My late uncle was… well… quite something.”

Eliza loaded that “something” with every possible implication. People of a certain age were bound to fill in the blanks themselves.

“I understand completely, madam. My own late mother used to say similar things.”

“I’m relieved you understand. Do you think it would be possible to find a house where my aunt could live out the kind of retirement she desires? To be clear, all my poor aunt wishes for now is a completely secluded life.”

‘Find me a place where no one can ever find me!’

Unaware of her true intent, Charles let out a genial laugh.

“Still, it’s not ideal for an elderly lady to live in complete seclusion. If her health were to fail, someone would need to reach her quickly. I would recommend a rural town on the outskirts of Athern, madam.”

No, that’s not it at all…

“What should I do? That’s not what my aunt wants.”

“Oh, madam, not all rural towns are the same. If you see it for yourself, I’m sure you’ll think differently.”

“In that case, I’d like to visit in person before deciding. What places would meet those conditions?”