“…You’re quite perceptive.”

“Your expressions are so varied, it was easy to tell.”

Harzen watched her expression as he made the light joke. Rizel sighed and shook her head.

“I’m at a loss for words. Still, it’s better than someone harboring dark intentions, right?”

“Yes.”

Harzen nodded, his lips forming a gentle curve. Rizel took a moment to collect herself before asking seriously:

“Harzen, are you curious about what was discussed during the tea time?”

“No. If I was the topic, I can roughly guess what was said. It certainly wouldn’t have been pleasant words or well-wishes.”

Harzen’s face remained composed. In the original work, he lived while pretending not to notice his mother, with lingering guilt and attachment settled deep in his heart, and it seemed the reality wasn’t much different.

‘It’s not something I should get involved in anyway, and things will work out somehow when he connects with Parsene later…’

She felt inexplicably frustrated. Rizel unconsciously grumbled like her mentor:

“That’s right. Even though I knew they were probing to assess me, I got upset in a way that’s not like me.”

“It’s fine. You are now the Marchioness of Darkus. There’s no problem at all.”

Harzen gently patted her back. When Rizel silently nodded, he casually added:

“Thank you for your concern.”

“It’s nothing.”

There was no benefit in continuing this topic for either of them. She naturally changed the subject of conversation.

* * *

Before long, the new year approached. Rizel came to the town house in the capital with her employer ahead of the New Year’s banquet at the imperial palace.

‘Since the contract period starts counting from this year… it will end after this year and next year pass.’

It felt nostalgic to stay at the place where she had first made the contract with her employer. She reviewed the contract alone in the reception room before carefully placing it back in her spatial pocket.

Not long after, Romari, whom she had arranged to meet beforehand, visited the Darkus family’s town house. She waved her hand, laughing cheerfully.

“Rizel, it’s me!”

“Welcome, Romari.”

As always, Rizel brightened up and guided her energetic friend to sit across from her. Romari sat down and casually asked:

“Where’s your husband?”

“He went out on business.”

They had come to the capital early because of her employer’s work. She openly revealed that she was alone. Romari accepted this and moved on.

“Hmm, I see. Have you been well?”

“Yes, though I’ve been busy. There’s been a lot to study and people to meet.”

Rizel recalled her cultural studies and social gatherings. In particular, she had met with her employer’s family and some noblewomen and ladies from the southern region.

Some were friendly, some were probing, some were displeased, some looked down on her, some showed curiosity… Though the timing was awkward and she hadn’t met many people, she could say she had encountered various types.

Romari realized that the omitted content in her friend’s words was quite similar to her own situation and empathized deeply.

“Ah, I can well imagine what kind of life it’s been. It must have been tiring in many ways.”

“Still, it was bearable in its own way. People’s lives are similar everywhere, aren’t they?”

“True, and mercenary work was even more challenging.”

“Exactly.”

The two looked at each other and burst into refreshing laughter. While reminiscing about the past and engaging in casual conversation, Rizel carefully broached a subject:

“Romari, the people at the social gatherings you attended were mainly nobles from the eastern region, right?”

“Yes, honestly it was bothersome, but I showed my face out of consideration for the Harrington family’s reputation. Why?”

“Have you ever seen someone named Parsene Latis there?”

It was a question she threw out on the chance that the female protagonist was from the east. As Rizel’s eyes lit up, Romari rubbed her chin and carefully searched her memory.

“Ah, I haven’t seen her directly, but at some gathering, I heard a chatty young lady looking down on and mocking the Latis family as an insignificant house.”

“Really?”

“Yes. She said Lady Latis was a quiet, frail, and gloomy young lady. Apparently, she’s been secluded in her mansion since slipping and falling into a lake. The girl sneered that if Lady Latis was unlucky, she’d be sold as a second wife to an old nobleman. My ears were rotting from hearing such talk, so I didn’t listen further.”

Romari crossed her arms and snorted in obvious contempt for the unnamed young lady.

Rizel fully understood her friend’s feelings. The “chatty young lady” mentioned in her words was a typical example of the type of person they disliked.

Separately, she felt some dissonance in the information about Parsene.

‘What’s this? There seems to be something different from the original work.’

Parsene was typically a quiet and gentle character, but that didn’t mean she was frail or gloomy. Hadn’t everyone close to her praised her as being like sunshine?

‘…Did Parsene ever fall into a lake?’

Her knowledge of the original work was shallow, but she remembered the major events differently. If the female protagonist had experienced an accident falling into a lake, it would certainly have been mentioned in the story, but she couldn’t recall anything like that.

‘At least the last part somewhat matches.’

It was a motivating factor for the female protagonist to escape her bleak background and a kind of crisis element, but she remembered that the situation was well avoided thanks to the male protagonist and the supporting male characters.

Romari waved her hand up and down in front of her friend’s pensive face.

“Rizel, are you okay?”

“As you can see.”

Rizel smiled awkwardly and shrugged. Romari blurted out, seeing her friend’s inadequate response:

“You have more you want to ask, don’t you?”

“Yes, I wonder if Lady Latis will not attend this New Year’s banquet?”

Rizel spoke speculatively while fidgeting with the handle of her teacup. Since her separation from her employer was still far off, the possibility of encountering the protagonist was naturally low, but now that she had heard news of her, she was curious.

Romari scratched the back of her head and answered:

“I’m not sure. If she has a strong will, she might come, but given the circumstances, it’s more likely she won’t. It’s not my place to say, but that young lady doesn’t seem to attend social gatherings much.”

“I see.”

Rizel decided to just check on the day of the event. If the female protagonist attended, she would be impossible to miss. Romari tilted her head and narrowed her eyes.

“But why are you so curious about Lady Parsene Latis? Is it just simple curiosity?”

“Just, I wanted to know.”

“Hmm, really? If I hear anything more, I’ll let you know.”

Romari found Rizel’s evasive answer a bit strange but didn’t press further. Her friend wasn’t someone who acted without reason. Rizel’s eyes curved gently.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. We’re friends, after all.”

Romari grinned and gave a thumbs up. A warm atmosphere filled the reception room. Rizel sipped her tea and changed the subject.

“Romari, how are things with your spirit?”

“As you felt through spirit communication, it’s peaceful.”

When Romari opened her hand, a small flame flared up on her palm and then subsided. It was certainly stable. Rizel continued the conversation with a pleased smile.

“That’s good. Have you resolved your family concerns?”

“Yes, I’m just quietly staying in the separate building, and when the Viscount Harrington inherits the head of the family position, or even earlier, I plan to prepare my own mansion and leave. Of course, plans might change depending on the situation.”

Romari smiled brightly. It was an unrestrained attitude befitting a spirit contractor with a fire spirit. Knowing her friend’s abilities well, Rizel sincerely encouraged her:

“Right, you’ll do well no matter what you do. I’ll support whatever choice you make.”

“I knew you’d say that.”

Romari nodded as if she had expected it and then spoke through spirit communication:

[What will you do after your contract marriage with the Marquis of Darkus ends?]

[I’ll think about it when the time comes. Well, my future self will figure something out.]

Rizel answered indifferently, blinking her eyes. Romari’s eyes widened.

[Somehow you seem unusually downcast. Well, if the situation isn’t favorable when the contract expires, how about staying with me?]

[That’s a good idea.]

[Right? After all, I’m something of a duke’s daughter now, so I should have the ability to protect one friend.]

[That’s reassuring.]

Rizel quietly laughed as she looked at her friend, who had somehow clenched both fists. Romari straightened her shoulders proudly, then suddenly asked as if she had just remembered:

“Rizel, by the way, does Veronica know about your marriage?”

“No. My mentor probably just thinks I’m working in the south. Given the circumstances, it’s a bit difficult to tell her directly…”

Rizel avoided her friend’s gaze and trailed off. Romari hesitated before carefully advising:

“I completely understand how you feel, but she might be hurt if she finds out by chance later.”

“Hmm, actually, my husband suggested that we should visit Latun together next year, saying he should also greet my mentor.”

“Wow, that’s surprising. Is he serious?”

Romari raised her eyebrows, doubting the Marquis of Darkus’s intentions. Rizel shook her head, half resigned.

“I don’t know. Honestly, I’m more concerned about the three-way encounter between my husband, my mentor, and me. Will it be okay?”

“Don’t worry too much. It might work out better than you expect.”

“I hope so.”

Rizel dispelled her anxiety upon hearing her friend’s encouragement.