“Milady, here are the letters addressed to you.”
Tonin placed a tray filled with letters on the desk.

“What’s all this?”
“These are invitations, and this one is a letter from the Duchess of the Ameron Ducal Family.”

“There are this many invitations?”

So this is why they kept saying it’s the noble social season.

Attending all these events would probably cost enough in dress expenses to tear down one of the family’s pillars.

“Please review them and let us know which ones you’ll attend. We’ll send the replies accordingly.”

“Alright, I’ll look at them later.”

Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer quantity, I picked up the letter from the Duchess of the Ameron Ducal Family first.

Inside was a piece of paper with an unfamiliar number written on it, along with another note that read, [Check the third house on Pine Road in the Barit District, then burn this letter. There’s an auction today as well.]

“They’re really thorough about security.”

You couldn’t even meet her without a recommendation from another noblewoman. For a con artist, she was incredibly hard to get a hold of.

‘But thanks to the Duchess of the Ameron Ducal Family, I found her easily.’

I remembered from the original story that the Duchess was the first to be conned, which made it easier to approach her.

Having obtained the information I needed, I stood up, ready to head to the location immediately.

“I need to go somewhere….”

Tonin gave me a mysterious smile.

“What’s that smile for?”

Tonin continued to smile enigmatically, and seeing the strange glint in her clear eyes, I instinctively took a step back.

She then flipped over the tray she was holding.

“This is….”

It was an envelope used by informants—an ordinary envelope with a black line drawn across the middle.

“Don’t tell me… you’re the spy?”

“Calling me a spy is a bit much… let’s just say I’m on assignment.”

She had been this close all along.

While I stood in shock, unable to do anything, Tonin stepped forward and held out the envelope.

“Take a look at this, and if you have anything to say, let me know.”

“Uh… uh….”

Still bewildered by the situation, I took the envelope she offered.

“You’re not going around blabbing about my personal life over there, are you?”

Tonin simply smiled again without saying a word.

“I knew it. You’ve definitely said something. You can’t trust anyone in this world.”

Grumbling, I opened the envelope.

This is why you shouldn’t trust people. The fact that she was one of Robert’s people was the only reason I didn’t feel outright rejection.

“Hmm….”

[Bleached Monzas Viscount. 35 years old. Unmarried.]

The report began with a brief description of the Viscount and detailed how he became an art dealer, the artworks he was rumored to possess, and more. The next page contained information about Melchaski and his background.

What caught my eye most was the final page.

“The third house on Pine Road in the Barit District.”

It was the address mentioned in the letter from the Duchess of the Ameron Ducal Family.

“Did he really get his hands on Melchaski’s house?”

I had read in the book that the Viscount Monzas was a con artist, so I thought everything he said was a lie. But he was actually using Melchaski’s former house as a transaction location.

“There’s an auction today too. I need to head there immediately.”

If he was staying there, the forger should be there as well.

“Tonin, come with me. Prepare the carriage.”

“Yes.”

When Tonin opened the door, the butler was standing outside.

“Ah, Milady. Master Haren has arrived.”

“Haren?”

***

“Rosette, get up right now.”

After drowning herself in wine all night, reeling from the humiliation Espin had dealt her, Rosette struggled to open her swollen, puffy eyes.

“Mom, I’m so tired. Let me sleep a little longer.”

“This is no time for that. The Young Master of the Ameron Ducal Family is here at the house right now.”

Hearing her mother’s words, accompanied by a pinch to her thigh, Rosette shot up immediately.

“Haren? Alone?”

“Yes, so hurry up and change your clothes. I’ll try to give you some time alone with him.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll get ready.”

Haren had been Rosette’s target for a long time. Ever since she first came to this house ten years ago, she had believed Haren was destined to be her partner.

With his tall stature, handsome face, and body befitting the Vice-Commander of the Knights, not to mention his status as the heir to the Ameron Ducal Family, Haren was perfect in every way.

If she became his wife and the Duchess of the Ameron Ducal Family, no one in noble society would dare look down on her again.

Rosette had always tried to get close to Haren, but that cunning Espin and Flaria never gave her a chance. Especially Flaria, who would lash out at her with venomous words every time they met, making it impossible to approach him.

But now, he had come here alone, without Flaria. This was a golden opportunity granted by the heavens.

“I must win Haren’s heart this social season.”

Since Count Leon didn’t seem interested in arranging a marriage with the Ameron Ducal Family, she had to take matters into her own hands. If Haren declared his feelings for her, who could stop them?

“Bring me the perfume, quickly.”

The perfume was said to have a seductive scent that attracted men. Rosette drenched herself in the expensive perfume and confidently headed to the drawing room.

“Oh my, Sir Haren?”

Feigning surprise, Rosette gracefully entered the drawing room, covering her mouth in apparent shock. She made sure to tilt her chin to hide her double chin and widened her eyes for effect.

“Ah, hello.”

“You don’t need to be so formal with me. You’re Espin’s friend, aren’t you? That makes you my friend too.”

“Ah… yes.”

“You must have come to see Espin. I’ll keep you company until she arrives.”

“No, it’s fine. I prefer to wait alone.”

Haren was so considerate. Mistaking his polite refusal as concern for her, Rosette sat down on the sofa beside him.

“No, no. A guest is here. It’s only natural for me to entertain you.”

“……”

As Rosette sat beside him, it was clear Haren was holding his breath.

He must be struggling because of the perfume’s seductive scent emanating from her body.

Finding Haren’s apparent battle with his desires adorable, Rosette placed her hand on his head.

“There’s something on your hair. Oh, I’m sorry. I must have gotten too close. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”

“No, not at all.”

Haren was still holding his breath, and his face was turning red.

Seeing how easily Haren seemed to be falling for her, Rosette confidently flipped her hair back.

“I’m sorry. Since you’re Espin’s friend, I thought of you as my friend too. Espin told me to get along well with you. Oh, I called you Haren earlier, didn’t I? I must’ve done it unconsciously….”

“……”

Even when she addressed him casually, Haren didn’t react.

At this rate, wouldn’t they be planning a wedding after this social season?

Rosette began imagining a grand wedding, envisioning how splendid her marriage to Haren would be.

***

“Haren?”

Ignoring the Countess, who was trying to pick a fight in the hallway, I entered the drawing room.

There, I saw Rosette with a sly smile and Haren holding his breath.

The moment Haren saw me, he looked like he had been saved. He stood up, exhaling the breath he had been holding as he approached me. In a low voice, he whispered,

“That was terrifying. I thought I was going to die from the strange smell coming off her.”

“Oh, so that smell is Rosette’s?”

The strange scent that filled the entire drawing room was indeed coming from Rosette.

“I thought I was going to die. Ugh, I can’t take it anymore. Espin, that guy was a con artist pretending to be an illegitimate son of a Duke. It was a marriage fraud scheme.”

Haren didn’t even glance at Rosette as he continued speaking.

“He’s going straight to trial. Don’t worry about him anymore. Anyway, I need to leave now. I need some fresh air.”

Without even saying goodbye, Haren briskly left the room.

“Haren? Haren? Where are you going, Haren?”

Rosette followed after him, but Haren quickened his pace as if he couldn’t hear her.

“Haren! Haren! At least have tea with me!”

Only Rosette’s desperate voice echoed through the hallway.