When Madlette finished the story, Evelyn finally released the breath she had been holding.

‘I already read this in Sachi’s study, but hearing it told aloud makes it feel much more real.’

Madlette looked between Evelyn and Adonea.

“Since this is our first lesson, why don’t we stop here for today?”

“I wouldn’t mind continuing, but if that is what you prefer, ”

“Yes, Miss Madlette! Let’s finish here for today.”

Evelyn loudly interrupted Adonea.

She felt Adonea’s sharp gaze but pretended not to notice.

‘No one asked you to make an offer you didn’t mean.’

“For your assignment, I’d like you to research the disasters that occurred while Chara was absent from the surface world. Will that be too difficult?”

“Not at all. I’ll do it!”

Evelyn answered brightly.

Adonea then smiled as though embarrassed.

“That assignment seems a little too easy for me. Could you perhaps give me some additional questions?”

Evelyn snickered inwardly.

‘Only moments ago, she said she wouldn’t mind starting with the basics. Now look at her trying to put me in my place.’

“In that case, I’ll give you several mathematics problems to solve as well.”

Madlette immediately took out two sheets of parchment, wrote the same problems on both, and handed one to each girl.

Adonea briefly examined her sheet before looking at Evelyn with concern.

“The assignment for me alone would have been enough… Evelyn, will you be able to solve these?”

“I think they might be a little difficult, but I’ll try.”

Evelyn smiled innocently.

Adonea regarded her as though she found her adorable.

Madlette began gathering the materials she had unpacked.

“Since this was our first lesson, we’ll conclude here. I’ll see you again next week.”

Adonea rose first.

“Yes, Miss Madlette. Thank you.”

Just then, Evelyn stopped the tutor.

“Miss Madlette, I have a question about the history you explained earlier. May I ask you?”

“Of course. Ask me anything.”

“Are Chara and Simon truly gods? Or were they once people who later became gods?”

Madlette smiled awkwardly and glanced toward Adonea.

“This could take a while. Would you like to head out first, Lady Adonea?”

“Yes, I’ll take my leave.”

Adonea answered politely, casting Madlette a pitying glance.

It was the look one might give an unfortunate tutor trapped with a dim-witted student.

The door closed with a click.

Once she confirmed that Adonea was gone, Evelyn interlaced her fingers.

The ducal daughter who had been asking questions bordering on blasphemy disappeared without a trace.

“That was quite a performance, Madlette.”

“The same could be said of you, Lady Evelyn.”

The gentle private tutor smiled conspiratorially.

“I have plenty to discuss, but we don’t have much time. Let’s review the business plan first.”

“Yes, my lady. I’ve been looking forward to it.”

Evelyn explained her strategic business model to Madlette point by point.

Their first priority was attracting customers and promoting the club.

Ideally, they would have begun recruiting at social salons. Unfortunately, no one would readily invite an underage Evelyn or a fallen noble like Madlette.

“First, we need to make people curious.”

Evelyn instructed Madlette to discreetly leave invitations to the Black Diamond Club at tearooms and confectioneries frequently visited by nobles.

For now, branding was their first, second, and only priority.

‘It’s not like society here openly condemns free love, either. Sure, nobles will still want to match within their own class, but that just means once you cross the noble hurdle, it’s game over.’

If they created a place everyone longed to visit, word would spread naturally.

And if there was a club where beautiful noblewomen gathered, male nobles would come swarming like bees.

“Drop the invitations near wealthy, high-ranking ladies. Dress as elegantly as possible. I’ll cover every expense.”

Evelyn grinned.

She told Madlette to use cosmetics and a wig to disguise herself beautifully, then begin working in earnest the following day.

She also reminded her to gather as much personal information as possible about every noble who showed interest.

Before long, Madlette left the room.

After bidding Evelyn a warm farewell, she departed the ducal estate.

Evelyn waved sweetly after her.

“I’ll see you next week, Miss Madlette!”

‘I should also find a way to secure an exclusive supply of Lola’s desserts. They could become special treats available only at our club.’

Evelyn continued devising ways to make the Black Diamond Club famous.

That moment marked the beginning of the Black Diamond Club, the social organization that every noble would one day dream of joining.

***

Several days later, Alpi delivered a small parcel from Madlette.

[We still have very few people, but I managed to obtain information on several nobles.]

The letter came with a list containing the profiles of six nobles.

Evelyn ate a cookie while carefully reviewing them.

‘None of them are particularly noteworthy. Hmm. What should I do?’

The most promising candidate was Lilda, the daughter of a baron distantly related to the imperial family.

According to the notes, she possessed an ordinary appearance but a cheerful and charming personality.

Evelyn focused on her.

If handled properly, she might attract a great deal of attention.

Lilda was merely a distant imperial relative and the daughter of an insignificant noble.

But what if word spread that the Black Diamond Club had successfully matched her with the son of a family every young lady wished to marry into?

There could be no better publicity.

“But where am I supposed to find the man…?”

After pondering the question, Evelyn clapped her hands.

The imperial princess’s birthday celebration was only a few days away.

If she could find a suitable prospective husband there, the Black Diamond Club’s first successful match would provide high society with irresistible gossip.

“Hehehe…”

Evelyn chuckled darkly.

Alpi, who had just entered carrying a large parcel, stopped short.

“My lady, what are you plotting this time?”

“Plotting? I’m not plotting anything!”

Concealing her unease, Alpi placed the parcel on the bed.

“The dress you commissioned has arrived. Would you like to try it on?”

“It’s finally here? Absolutely!”

Evelyn leaped from her chair.

When Alpi untied the ribbon, a beautiful red gown was revealed.

“Wow.”

Evelyn could not take her eyes off it.

The design was far more elaborate than she had expected.

With Alpi’s assistance, she tried it on.

Alpi placed a hand against her cheek in delight.

“My lady, you look absolutely beautiful!”

It was difficult to believe this was the same maid who once claimed she was too frightened to look at Evelyn without her veil.

Now she was completely captivated by her mistress.

Evelyn also turned from side to side before the mirror.

The beautiful red gown perfectly highlighted her pale skin and golden hair.

Alpi went even further and personally styled Evelyn’s hair.

Once her hair had been braided and pinned up, she looked ready to attend a ball that very moment.

“If only you could wear this to the birthday celebration.”

“I feel the same way.”

Evelyn answered calmly.

Believing Evelyn was forcing herself to appear unaffected, Alpi’s heart ached.

“I wish everyone else knew how intelligent and kind you truly are, my lady.”

“Why are you saying something so embarrassing?”

“It’s just…my younger sibling loved the cookies you gave me.”

Alpi smiled as she explained that Evelyn’s additional compensation had allowed her not only to purchase medicine but also to secure proper treatment for her sibling.

“My sibling was shocked and asked where I had suddenly found so much money.”

“You should have said you earned it because you’re exceptionally good at your job.”

“Of course I did. I said it was compensation for getting caught by the guards!”

Evelyn chuckled.

Alpi relaxed slightly when she saw that her mood had improved.

‘No one would believe me, but Lady Evelyn is the only person who has saved my life.’

Seeing the devotion in Alpi’s shining eyes, Evelyn strengthened her resolve.

‘I have someone depending on me now. I can’t behave however I please at the princess’s birthday celebration.’

She wanted nothing more than to wear whatever she liked and throw away that irritating veil.

But for now, she needed to consider the larger picture.

Besides, wearing a veil would make it much easier to examine the men’s faces without being noticed.

After admiring her for some time, Alpi took Evelyn’s hand.

“Even so, I’ll make you look as magnificent as possible for your own birthday celebration. Your birthday is only a few days after the princess’s, after all.”

Evelyn recalled what Sachi had said not long ago.

‘He did say my eighteenth birthday was approaching.’

In the original novel, the day must have passed without a party or any other recognition, which was likely why she did not remember it.

Evelyn scratched her cheek.

She had thought she might wear the red dress again merely to lift her spirits, but perhaps it would be perfect for her birthday.

Since she was already dressed, Evelyn suggested taking a walk and left the room with Alpi.

Spring had begun to fill the air, lending the entire estate a brighter atmosphere.

People turned to stare as Evelyn walked past in her red gown.

Even maids who had never spoken to her before approached.

“My lady, that dress suits you beautifully.”

“Thank you!”

Because the veil concealed her expression, Evelyn made sure her voice sounded as friendly as possible.

The maids had expected to be ignored, so her unexpected response left them visibly surprised.

Evelyn turned with Alpi to cross the garden.

Then she heard Adonea’s voice nearby.

She appeared to be speaking with Oden.

“If you use this equation, you’ll arrive at the answer. Do you understand now?”

“Yes, I understand. You’re amazing, Brother. You made it sound so simple.”

Evelyn’s expression immediately turned sour.

What? She deliberately asked for extra problems, only to use Oden to complete the assignment?

Evelyn deliberately walked toward the outdoor table where they were talking.

Hearing her footsteps, Adonea raised her head.

She looked flustered but quickly concealed it and stood.

“Hello, Evelyn. What a beautiful dress.”

“Isn’t it? The weather was lovely, so I thought I would wear it.”

Evelyn smiled innocently and spun around.

Her skirt fluttered as she twirled, making her look so enchanting that one could easily believe she was a fairy transformed into a human girl.

Unlike Adonea, who offered at least a perfunctory compliment, Oden’s expression hardened when he saw Evelyn.

What is his problem now?

“What do you think, Brother? Does it suit me?”

“…Something has come up, so I must leave. If you have any more questions, come to my room, Adonea.”

“Wait, Brother.”

Adonea tried to stop him, but Oden swiftly left the garden.

Evelyn shook her head.

She had no idea what that impossibly sensitive man was thinking, and she no longer cared.

What matters now is calling Adonea out.

Pretending ignorance, Evelyn pointed to the parchment on the table.

“Are those the problems Miss Madlette assigned?”

“Yes. The weather was lovely, so I decided to study outside.”

Adonea answered casually.

From the look of things, she had become stuck on the very first question.

Yet she carried herself with the confidence of someone who could solve every problem effortlessly.

Evelyn looked at her innocently.

“But assignments are supposed to be completed alone. Why was Brother Oden helping you?”

“He merely happened to pass by and offered me some advice, Evelyn. If you become stuck, you should ask him for help too.”

‘Although he probably won’t help you.’

Adonea concealed the final implication behind a sweet smile.

Seeing through the obvious provocation, Evelyn laughed.

“All right. Though I think I’ll be fine, since the problems are quite easy.”

Adonea’s expression briefly darkened before returning to normal.

Looking triumphant, Evelyn turned away.

“Let’s go, Alpi.”

“Ah, yes, my lady!”

Then Adonea called from behind her.

“Evelyn.”

“Yes, Sister?”

“Didn’t you want to wear that dress to the imperial princess’s birthday celebration?”

“Not particularly. Why?”

“I was simply thinking how heartbreaking it is.”

Adonea placed a hand against her chest and gazed at Evelyn with genuine-looking sorrow.

“I wish everyone else could see how lovely you look. It seems terribly cruel that you must return to wearing a black dress in only a few days.”

Adonea gave her a pitying smile.

A sudden chill pierced Evelyn’s heart.