Considering the continued commotion and Saena’s situation, the guests announced they would leave now.

Saena personally guided them to the mansion’s entrance porch. She felt sorry for making them leave before it was time to go.

“I’m sorry about the strange ending.”

“Don’t be. How could you control such coincidental events?”

Saena apologized and received small boxes from a servant beside her, handing one to each guest.

“It’s Kalua tea. Share it with your families.”

“Wow, coming for a sick visit and getting such a treat?”

“No, it’s just a small amount. I couldn’t purchase it in bulk.”

“We couldn’t even get a look at it before, so this is amazing.”

Evian thanked her with admiration.

Meanwhile, the family carriages that had been parked behind the mansion lined up in front of the porch.

Evian got into her carriage, and as Floria was about to board, she hesitated and approached Saena.

“If you ever have any trouble, tell me. I’ll try to help somehow, even if I have to ask my brother.”

Saena startled at the words whispered near her ear. It was unexpected.

Though her round drooping eyes wore an uncharacteristically prim expression, it made her even cuter. Like a puppy pretending to be a cat.

“Thank you, Lady.”

“…Oh, why.”

“Thank you, Floria.”

“……Tch.”

Saena formally thanked the lady, then thanked Floria again, now seemingly a true friend. Floria seemed to understand her meaning, glancing sideways before getting into the carriage.

Finally, Kayan and Kirsten remained.

“…Are you okay?”

To Kayan’s question that seemed loaded with meaning, Saena just smiled.

“Saya. If you’re feeling well, shall we meet again next week?”

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

After all, though the accident was dramatic, nothing particularly hurt.

“We’ll continue our talk about your ‘guests’ next time too.”

“…Huh?”

“Without fail.”

Leaving a firm promise with a sly smile, Kirsten climbed into the carriage.

Soon the three carriages departed from the mansion in a line. As she watched them for a while, another carriage pulled up in front of the porch.

A large black carriage. It belonged to House Kramer.

As soon as she recognized the carriage, she suddenly felt a presence nearby. No, rather than a presence, it was more like an aura or existence behind her back.

The Duke, despite his huge frame, made absolutely no sound when he walked.

“…Your Grace.”

“……”

Soon, the servants lined up on both sides of the porch, and Sage and the butler came to bid farewell.

The Duke should have turned around to give her a chance to speak, but he didn’t move and just stared intently at Saena. Once again under his overwhelming gaze, Saena lowered her eyelids to hide her wavering pupils.

Finally, a low voice escaped his lips.

“Do you know what it means when a man gives a dress to a woman?”

What does giving a dress mean?

Could the Prince’s gift to her have more meaning than just ‘compensation for the ruined dress’?

Well. Even if it did, she didn’t really want to know.

“The Prince’s interest seems to have crossed a line… is that okay?”

“…Pardon?”

“I mean, something seems a bit strange….”

The Duke’s lips moved as if he wanted to say more, but he closed them and let out a short sigh.

“If there’s anything too difficult to handle alone, you can tell me. I’ll help as much as I can.”

“How could I……”

This was already several times he’d offered to help her. She should be grateful to have so many good people around her.

Still, the Duke was unexpected.

Regardless of right and wrong or ability to help, he didn’t seem like the type to meddle in others’ affairs.

He had no particular need to, and it wasn’t his position either.

“You are, after all, my helper.”

“……”

Helper. At that, Saena raised her eyes to look up at him again.

Their gazes met those piercingly blue eyes again. As if she could find some reason or something in them, Saena focused.

She sank into those lake-like depths. She fell in. Surely….

Swoosh.

But just as she felt she might grasp some tiny thread of understanding, the Duke turned his gaze away. He was already climbing into his carriage as the butler and Sage bid him farewell.

Watching the black carriage fade into the distance, overlapping with the blue afterimage in her eyes, Saena fell into thought.

‘Do you know what it means when a man gives a dress to a woman?’

Then… what meaning did the dress the Duke sent her carry?

* * *

What remained was Elizabeth.

Thinking her head felt complicated, Saena entered the mansion.

“Where is Elizabeth?”

“She has awakened, so we guided her to the reception room. The small reception room.”

“I see.”

As she walked, the Duke’s gaze from earlier floated back into her mind. Lost in thought, she felt like she’d forgotten something…

“Ah, butler?”

“Yes.”

“I forgot to prepare a gift for His Grace……”

Realizing this now made her extremely embarrassed.

“Young Master put it in the carriage. Don’t worry.”

“That’s a relief.”

I should thank brother later… and it seems we need to have a talk.

Knock knock. With a short knock, Saena entered the small reception room.

She had instructed the maids to help Elizabeth with her grooming when she woke up. They had followed through well — her hair, which had been disheveled from Yolly’s biting, was now neatly arranged. She had also changed out of the dress that had been full of holes from the biting.

Since people don’t usually carry spare dresses, they had to dress her in Saena’s clothes. Strangely enough, it suited her perfectly as if it had been made for Elizabeth. This was because it was made before the time reversal and incorporated more of Elizabeth’s taste in design.

Of course, it was brand new, never worn. Though it might have been a bit long, they had it hastily altered while Elizabeth was unconscious. Fortunately, it seemed to fit well enough.

“Close the door! Quickly!”

Elizabeth looked around anxiously, urging Saena to close the door quickly in case Yolly might come in again.

“How are you feeling?”

Saena asked lightly as she sat on the sofa.

“Hah……”

Elizabeth pressed her forehead as if her head was throbbing.

“I don’t think we can fix the dress you were wearing. I’m sorry.”

“…It was one I cherished.”

“I’ll have a new one made for you. It can be exactly the same or a new season’s design.”

Elizabeth lowered her hand from her forehead and looked this way.

“Have the bill sent to me. Go to whatever boutique you want and give them this when you pay.”

Saena held out an envelope containing a card with her personal seal and signature. It was like a one-time credit note.

“Hmm. Though it was a dress I cherished… alright.”

Elizabeth said as she took the envelope and put it in her pocket. Seeing her eyes sparkle, it seemed her anger had subsided somewhat.

Elizabeth’s appearance, neat and proper in the bright room, still maintained her lovely features.

“Light tones definitely suit you better. This design looks prettier on you than on me.”

“Oh my, Saya.”

“Would you like to have it if you don’t mind? I had quite a few made, but now that I see them, they don’t suit me well so I probably won’t wear them.”

She had over a dozen dresses that would suit Elizabeth well. Since they were just taking up space in the dressing room anyway, she thought it might be better for them to go to someone they suited.

“They’re all unworn. They’re from Charlize’s Boutique, though you’ll need some alterations for length.”

When she mentioned Madame Charlize, Elizabeth’s lips parted slightly before closing. However, without any clear affirmation, Saena took it as a rejection.

True, though they were new, in reality, they were second-hand. She could understand that.

“I shouldn’t have said anything. I just mentioned it because they seem to suit you better.”

Saena added, worried she might have hurt her feelings.

“No! Give them to me. Hmm, it wouldn’t be right to refuse when a friend is thinking of me.”

Elizabeth suddenly answered, almost shouting. Though she had seemed reluctant, now she appeared pleased — her expression was complex.

“Well then, pick the ones you like. You have better taste in these matters than I do.”

Saena immediately had a maid bring the dresses. Elizabeth’s lips curved up considerably at the sight of the splendid dresses suddenly displayed in the reception room.

Though they might be second-hand, seeing them in person gave no such impression at all. After all, they were Madame Charlize’s works. From the delicate details to the luxurious designs and lavishly decorated jewels — anyone could tell they were top-tier dresses.

Though she was told to pick only the ones she liked, in the end, every single one went into the large wooden box. Saena even had another box brought and included all the matching hats, clutches, shawls, and hair accessories that went with the dresses.

By this point, even Elizabeth couldn’t control her expression — her cheeks were visibly lifted.

‘This should do it.’

Actually, she didn’t need to go this far, but this was Saena’s way of showing how much she valued Yolly.

Since I’ve done this much, please forget about what happened before.

It was also a kind of noble expression of intent.

But perhaps Saena had thought too simply. Maybe she had underestimated Elizabeth’s character more than she realized.

“But Saya, keeping such a beast inside the mansion, I know you don’t care much for etiquette, but isn’t this a bit much?”

Elizabeth finally brought that topic back up.

“I wish you’d get rid of it immediately.”

Even considering our mistake, there should be limits.

Saena leaned back against the backrest, feeling slightly dumbfounded.

“Why are you looking at me like that? This is the second attack. I think I’m perfectly justified in making such a request.”

Request? Who invited you here?