A tart generously topped with kiwi and strawberries, a cupcake elegantly decorated with pink whipped cream, a pavlova decorated with cream and assorted fruits, and colourful macarons – all these desserts were laid out on the table in abundance.

“See? It was a good idea to bring that self-defence magic item, wasn’t it?”

Ken pressed his fork down lightly on the cupcake in front of him, puffed out his chest and looked across the table. He wiped his nose with his hand and spoke in an admiring voice.

“Wow. Even after staying up late at the Masquerade Ball, I hadn’t expected you to buy these desserts as a gesture of gratitude without being told. If only I could hear you call me ‘Big Brother’ instead of ‘Uncle’, I could die in peace.”

“If I’d used it on a human, like you said when you gave it to me, I’d probably be in jail right now for murder.”

Remembering the monsters that had been electrocuted, Ciela made her remark casually, causing Ken to burst out laughing.

“You’re just being curt because you’re too shy to say thank you.”

Eating one of the desserts she had brought, Ken replied in a playful tone.

“It’s fine. Even if you had used it, the guy wouldn’t have died.”

“The guy?”

“Yes, the guy. And even if you ended up in jail, so what? I’d get you out.”

He talks about getting someone out of prison as if it’s a walk in the park. Ciela let out a dry laugh as she popped a piece of cake into her mouth.

Her cheek continued to tingle as she chewed.

“Why are you staring at me?”

“I’m just surprised to see you sitting here eating dessert with me. Hm. Anyway, what are you going to do now?”

“Do what?”

“You mentioned that Lilia Arcel aspires to be the ‘flower of high society’. However, with all the strange events surrounding her, it doesn’t seem like pure desperation. Are you really going to ignore it?”

Ciela swallowed the cake and picked up her fork again.

“Of course not.”

If, for some reason, becoming the flower of high society was necessary for Lilia to achieve her goal…

“Then I’ll become a flower of high society myself, so she can’t even dream of it.”

Ciela pressed down on the cake with her fork.

“I knew you’d say that.”

Ken said, a grin spreading across his face as he leaned back in his chair.

“Your influence with the young ladies isn’t bad at the moment.”

Due to Lilia’s past misdeeds and the growing popularity of Daisy’s dresses, Ciela’s influence had grown considerably alongside hers. In fact, she was almost on a par with Lilia, who had the backing of Hayley, the current pinnacle of high society.

But that didn’t mean there weren’t challenges.

“How do you plan to make connections with the noblewomen?”

To become the flower of high society, one needed influence not only with the young ladies, but also with the noblewomen. Usually, such connections were made through one’s “mother”, as was the custom. Ciela, however, lacked such a figure in her life.

This was undoubtedly a critical weakness. 

“Hmm. Using Madam Arcel, who wants to keep up the facade of a harmonious family, might be an option… If that doesn’t work, I could arrange for someone I know to help.”

“No, that’s fine.”

Ciela replied, rejecting the idea without hesitation.

“Lady Aisha has already offered to help me.”

She also received letters from several noblewomen who had taken an interest in her dress at the Masquerade Ball. Among them was Lady Tuslan, who had previously quarrelled with Lilia. 

“If you can make connections with the noblewomen, that’s good. But is it really enough?” 

As Ken tilted his head, his milk-brown hair shifted slightly to one side under the pull of gravity. Between the strands, a glimpse of his violet eyes flashed before disappearing. 

“It’s much more difficult and complicated than simply inheriting connections from a mother. Since the generations are different, their interests don’t align as easily, and the bonds between the noblewomen are much deeper and tighter than those of the young ladies, making them harder to break. So yes, it’s definitely difficult.”

But although she said it was difficult and dabbed at her lips with a handkerchief, there wasn’t a trace of difficulty on her face. 

On the contrary, she was as calm as a still sea, untouched by the slightest breeze. 

‘What is that expression? She doesn’t look like she’s struggling.’ 

Ken lifted the corners of his lips in a gentle smile and shrugged slightly. 

Well, she’ll manage on her own. 

Deciding to put his worries aside for now, he popped another piece of dessert into his mouth, savouring its sweetness. 

It wasn’t until half the dessert was gone that Ken put down his fork. 

‘Where is it all going ‘

Ciela asked, watching him with a face that practically screamed that she’d had enough of him eating all the food by himself: 

“How’s the Luminous Stone Mine takeover going?” 

“I just bought everything. Everyone was desperate to sell the mine, which only increased their taxes.

People scrambled to get their shares bought first, even lowering their asking prices. Meanwhile, rumours circulated that some fool was buying up the Luminous Stones recklessly. This was the first time Ken had been the subject of ridicule, and instead of being annoyed, he found it amusing.

‘Won’t those guys be rolling on the floor with their stomachs in their hands soon?’

He rested his chin on his hand with a slight smile.

“The Metasi wood you mentioned has also been purchased in full. But what exactly are you going to do with it? Isn’t it time you told me?”

“What else? Make money. And,” 

Ciela stood up after checking the time and continued her sentence.

“I’m going to commit fraud.”

“Fraud?” 

“Yes. Fraud.” 

Ciela’s eyes curved slightly, her gaze softening into crescent-shaped arcs. For a fleeting moment, the silhouette of the Marquis Arcel seemed to pass through her luminous, iridescent pupils. 

—

A carriage emblazoned with the symbol of Icarus pulled up outside the Blanchett estate. Ciela stepped out of the carriage and looked up at the red-roofed mansion. 

In her hand was an invitation from Cana Blanchett. 

The urgency of the letter’s content was identical to that in the original story, except for one detail – the recipient was Ciela, not Lilia. 

The young master of the Blanchett family, who had been waiting at the entrance to the mansion, personally took over from the servants and escorted her to Cana’s room. 

“This is Cana’s room.” 

“Thank you for showing me.” 

“Lady Arcel.” 

As she was about to enter, the young master of Blanchett gathered his courage and called to her, making a suggestion. 

“Do you have some time after meeting Cana, if you’re not too busy?” 

The sharp look of Rune, standing behind Ciela, sent a shiver down the young master of Blanchett’s spine. He quickly added an explanation. 

“It’s not just me, my parents would like to meet you, Lady Arcel.” 

“I’ll see to it.” 

With a word of thanks, the young master retreated, his back damp with sweat. 

“Is the young master is sick?”

“I think he has caught an autumn cold.”

Rune, remembering the orders he had received from Calix, who was probably working in the form of a cat by now, adjusted his glasses and answered shamelessly. 

Ciela, who had been confused for a moment, soon knocked on Cana’s door.

“Welcome, Lady Arcel. Miss Cana is inside.” 

Cana’s personal maid led them carefully into the room. Once inside, they found Cana sitting in a chair, her face looking much worse than it had a few days ago. 

“Lady Arcel…?” 

Cana’s eyes widened at the sight of Ciela and she immediately tried to get up. Rune stepped in front of Ciela as if to protect her, but Cana did not stop her unsteady movements. 

“Rune, you can step back.” 

“But…” 

“I’m fine.” 

As soon as Rune stepped back, Cana grabbed Ciela’s hand as if she had been waiting for this moment. 

“Lady Arcel… please listen to me!”

Cana cried out in despair.

“I’ve heard what happened to you and what I supposedly did, but I’m not the culprit!”

When she woke up two days ago, several days had suddenly passed and she had been branded as the person who tried to hurt someone.

There was evidence and they even believed she had confessed.

“I have someone else I care about, not the Duke. Why would I do such a thing? Besides, I don’t remember anything about the hunting competition… Doesn’t that sound strange even to you, Lady Arcel?”

These were words she had repeated countless times, almost reflexively. She had said them to her family, to her maid, to the friends who came to visit – dozens of times.

But no one believed her.

‘I… I didn’t do it.’

Something is definitely wrong…

What drove Cana even crazier was the fact that if she were in their position, she probably wouldn’t believe her either.

“Why would I do such a thing…?”

Cana muttered in a voice so weak it sounded like she was about to cry.

“I find this whole situation strange, too.”

“What?”

Cana asked a beat too late, her answer coming after a short pause.

“Didn’t you and the mage in disguise grab my wrist? I thought that was suspicious, so I investigated myself and found out that you had was in love with another young master. I’m sure the real culprit is someone else.”

“R-Really?” 

“Yes.” 

Cana’s body collapsed to the floor. 

“Miss!” 

Her maid, standing nearby, supported her as her legs gave out. 

“Miss, are you all right? I’ll call the doctor immediately.” 

“No. You don’t have to.” 

Cana shook her head. It wasn’t as if her legs had given way because of any discomfort. 

“I’m fine.”

It was just that all the fears that had built up until then suddenly collapsed. It was hard to believe that the victim of the incident was the one who believed something that seemed absurd even to her.

Is this a dream?

Pain shot through her as she pinched her cheek.

So this isn’t a dream. Wiping away the tears that streamed down her cheek, Cana stood up straight on her own two feet.

“I apologise for showing you such an ugly sight, Lady Arcel, especially after inviting you. I would like to prepare properly for our guest, would you mind waiting a moment?”

“Of course.”

After waiting a moment in the small sitting room inside the bedroom, Cana entered. She had changed into fresh clothes, washed her face and even combed her hair. Looking much more presentable, Cana sat down in front of Ciela.

“The maid…” 

When Ciela glanced at the maid, Cana sent her away without hesitation.

“If it’s not too much trouble, may I check on Lady Blanchett’s condition?”

“Yes, of course.”

When Cana agreed to Ciela’s request, Rune approached her cautiously and examined her condition with his magic. After checking with his magic, Rune blinked his eyes twice and looked at Cana and Ciela.

The strange aura I felt back then is completely gone.

Seeing the signal, Ciela finally asked the question she had wanted to ask.

“Can you tell me what you were doing before your memory was lost?”