“What happened after finding the treasure?!”

“…Ah!”

Oh no! She just remembered.

“What! What! What?”

The other three leaned in with round eyes at Saena’s dismayed expression.

“The dolls I found then… I lost them all…”

After all that trouble finding each type… she didn’t even know what happened to them in all the chaos that followed.

The trio stared at the dejected Saena with disbelief.

“Is that what’s important right now!”

“But… it was so hard finding the Erenhorn…”

“Why did you lose them?”

“Why else? She must have been too excited jumping around when His Grace the Duke suddenly proposed!”

“……”

That wasn’t it — there were circumstances…

This wasn’t the place to explain everything. The imperial family was involved, so she couldn’t speak freely.

Saena could only press her lips together and smile ambiguously. That smile was interpreted as ‘Yes, though I’m embarrassed.’

“If you love Erenhorn so much, why are you marrying Duke Kramer! You could have seen it every day if you married my brother!”

“…F-Floria? What are you saying?”

Saena wore a blank expression at the sudden comment.

Hadn’t she previously accused her of aiming for the duchess position?

“No, Floria. I didn’t expect you to think that way too? I’m already angry enough because of the idiot at my house.”

Even more unexpectedly, Kirsten narrowed her eyes and questioned Floria in an interrogating tone.

“No, Sister, that’s not it. I just meant if she’s going to marry an Oathkeeper anyway, wouldn’t the owner of her favorite Guardian Spirit be better…”

“Why do I sense ulterior motives?”

“A-hem. You misunderstand.”

Though I like Guardian Spirits, I wouldn’t marry someone just for that…

Their mutual misunderstandings were deepening.

“Hoho. Shall we begin?”

Fortunately, the mood shifted as fresh refreshments were served.

“Yes. Let’s address why we came here first.”

“Good idea.”

Madame Charlize clapped twice to call an employee and instructed them to bring in the prepared items. Soon, several design books, fabric samples, and mannequins wearing basic designs were brought in.

“I thought we could first decide on the basic shape looking at these mannequins, then move on to detailed designs.”

“Oh. Good idea.”

The mannequins displayed various basic designs—mermaid style, A-line, empire waist, long sleeves, sleeveless, off-shoulder, and more. The Madame then showed different combinations by laying out wedding-appropriate fabrics over them to guide the decision.

The four engaged in heated discussion to find a design that would make Saena look most beautiful while leaving the attendees in awe.

‘Amazing…’

Though she thought she had learned much about style while being a viscountess, she realized she knew almost nothing compared to the other three.

Sometimes she wondered if they were even speaking the same imperial language when they used certain terms.

However, the design taking shape would clearly be beautiful to anyone’s eyes and would suit her perfectly.

It was definitely different from when Elizabeth had helped.

Though the process took several hours, no one showed signs of boredom or fatigue.

If anything, Saena, the bride herself, seemed the most tired.

“I can’t think of anything else.”

“Let’s stop here for today and add more if we think of anything.”

“Hoho. Please let me know as soon as possible if you have any additions~ Though minor decorative details are fine.”

If she had come alone, she would have simply chosen from Madame Charlize’s suggested designs and specified only a few details. She admired them all.

“Yes, Madame. I’m counting on you.”

“I will do my utmost in creating it. Hoho. Don’t worry.”

The four asked Madame’s permission to stay for a brief chat in the reception room before leaving.

“Oh, of course! Please stay as long as you like. Just allow me to have the cold tea replaced.”

An employee entered to replace the tea and closed the door on their way out.

“Saena. What are you doing for the Blessing Night?”

“Hm? Blessing… Night?”

“I was wondering why no one asked yet… Surely you haven’t been not thinking about it at all?”

“……”

Seeing Saena’s silence confirm it, Evian smirked.

“I won.”

“No, how could you not have thought about it at all?”

Kirsten looked at Saena as if it was absurd.

“……”

In the Macfeyden Empire, there was a custom where the bride and groom would each spend the night partying with their friends a week before the wedding.

This was called the ‘Blessing Night’, sometimes shortened to ‘Blessed Eve’. It included inviting married women as messengers to receive teachings about marriage, and exchanging well-wishes and gifts for the bride and groom.

“Well, I’ve been so busy lately… I didn’t think about it.”

It was true. With the wedding happening in just a month, she had been overwhelmed. Even though Constantine’s side was handling all the wedding preparations, there were still quite a few matters the bride’s side needed to attend to.

“Isn’t that fortunate then? If you had already made plans, it would have been hard to change them, right?”

But Floria said something strange.

“Change what?”

“Actually, Her Highness the Princess made us a proposal.”

“Her Highness?”

“Yes. She suggested having the Blessing Night ceremony at the imperial palace. She offered to lend us her palace.”

Though the bride and groom were consulted about the Blessing Night, it was basically an event prepared by friends on both sides. That’s why the Princess had contacted Saena’s friends rather than Saena herself.

“I’m grateful, but isn’t that too much trouble?”

“Her Highness seemed to want to attend, but since she can’t stay overnight outside the palace, she wants us to come in.”

“Ah…”

Still, it was unexpected. Though she had built some friendship with the Princess, she hadn’t expected such a favor.

The Prince was somewhat concerning, but refusing the Princess wasn’t an option either.

Since each palace existed independently, they just needed to stay within the Princess’s palace grounds.

“She said there’s a perfect spot for watching the sunrise, and we won’t regret it.”

Though the bride and groom spent the night separately with their respective friends, they had to spend the final moments together.

Watching the sunrise together as bride and groom was the conclusion of the Blessing Night. They prayed for a bright future as a couple while watching the rising sun.

‘Sunrise…’

In her past life’s marriage, they only went through the motions of the Blessing Night ceremony. She had no friends then. Though Elizabeth was there, she was the only one, so they just chatted a bit before falling asleep.

Still, feeling they should watch the sunrise, she went to the appointed place, but George Hollander never showed up.

Later, she heard he was found drunk in some tavern.

And even later, she learned that place wasn’t just a regular tavern, but by then the wedding had already taken place.

“Don’t you like it? If the palace makes you uncomfortable, we can politely decline and use my mansion.”

Saena was startled from her brief reminiscence.

“Oh, no. I was just surprised by the unexpected news…”

“That’s understandable. I was surprised too.”

Kirsten nodded with a long smile.

“So shall we proceed with this?”

“Yes. I’ll contact them separately, but please convey my deep gratitude.”

“Alright.”

She should send a letter first, and prepare a gift too.

“Basically it’ll be the five of us—us four plus the Princess. She said to bring only one maid each. Is there anyone else you’d like to add?”

“Hmm, no. We’re more than enough.”

It really was. Saena was satisfied with neither more nor less, and was truly happy.

“Thank you, really.”

Saena expressed her gratitude again with a bright smile.

“Oh! Our Saya, why are you getting married so early!”

“Sister?”

Kirsten suddenly came close and pinched Saena’s cheek again.

“Right. What’s the rush… My brother is still single…”

Floria grumbled quietly.

“I didn’t expect Duke Kramer to be such an opportunist.”

Evian added her piece.

“…His Grace is innocent.”

“Are you saying he’s not the one rushing this quick marriage?”

“Well, that part is true.”

Though he set the one-month timeline, it was because of her…

“Are you sure he didn’t hastily seduce and pressure our innocent you into this?”

“Eh? No! He asked very politely… and I agreed.”

Saena felt sorry for Constantine who kept being misunderstood when he had only helped her in her trouble.

“Hmm. Saya? Then…”

Kirsten, who had been listening, narrowed her eyes and asked in a silky voice.

“How much do you like His Grace?”

“……”

Like him? She didn’t dislike him, but… it was a question she had never thought about.

“What an interesting reaction, huh?”

“Hmm. Indeed?”

“…At least she doesn’t seem to dislike him?”

The three shared their observations while intently watching Saena.

Somehow, Saena suddenly felt embarrassed and wanted to hide her face. But thinking that would be more suspicious, she smiled ambiguously and rolled her eyes slightly.

“This isn’t the time or place.”

“True. We’ll let it go for today… but be prepared to spill everything on the Blessing Night, okay?”

“We’ll hear all about how shameless Duke Kramer is!”

“……”

Saena could only smile nervously at their deepening misunderstandings.

‘A beast, that’s right.’

She wasn’t sure why that memory suddenly surfaced at the word ‘shameless.’ Remembering their kiss and his intense gaze from that time made her cheeks feel warm.

“Should we look forward to that day?”

But her friends, thinking her expression was just from embarrassment, left with mischievous smiles, promising to meet again.