The capital was, as expected, overwhelming. Endless rows of shops lined the streets. Even though they had only visited dress shops, it had already taken a lot of time. Jack, who had accompanied them, eventually gave up and took their bags back to the carriage.

Helen decided to take a break and brought Sophia to her favorite dessert house. There, Helen met her friends and introduced them to Sophia.

“This is Saline. She’s my childhood friend and schoolmate. She’s getting married soon.”

“There’s still a year left. Don’t introduce me like that already.”

Though Saline said this, she smiled, showing that she didn’t really mind the introduction. In Uranos, having a fiancé at the appropriate age was something to be proud of.

“I’m Saline. I used to hang out with Ellie often. Please tell her I really miss her now that she’s far away.”

“Yes, I’ll let her know.”

Saline, Emily, and Ann. These three were from the same bourgeois class as Helen. While Saline and Helen attended school, Ann and Emily were educated at home by private tutors.

Sophia had heard that many bourgeois daughters were taught by private tutors, as it was considered a more refined education, similar to the daughters of noble families. However, this was the first time Sophia had seen it herself.

‘They’re wealthy,’ she thought.

The four families were close, and they even had their own social gatherings. The bourgeois also had their own social circles.

To Sophia, Saline, who went to school with Helen, seemed to be the closest to her. They were surprised to learn that Sophia would be debuting with Isabelle Wiscombe.

They were brimming with questions for Sophia but hesitated, unsure if it was appropriate to ask.

Helen spoke first to her friends.

“She just arrived in the capital a couple of days ago, so she doesn’t know much about the debutante ball or Lady Wiscombe yet. Plus, Sophia isn’t preparing for a debut, so she probably doesn’t know much. Let’s talk about this later, okay?”

At Helen’s words, they suppressed their curiosity and changed the topic. Sophia gave Helen a grateful look.

As Sophia listened to their conversation, she found herself enjoying it. Among the many things that Ariel lacked, casual conversations like these were what Sophia missed the most.

Most of Sophia’s conversations with her father and brother revolved around estate matters. The girls Sophia could have socialized with had either married and left Ariel or moved to the capital to prepare for marriage.

If Ariel had been a more prosperous estate, they could have formed their own social circle. But in Ariel, a poor estate, Sophia’s family was one of the few noble families left.

Ever since the lord and his family from the neighboring estate of Umbriel had disappeared overnight due to bankruptcy, there was truly no one left.

Sophia missed the atmosphere of young girls gathering to chat about gossip and trends, and she found it delightful.

As the sun began to set, Sophia and the others got up to leave.

After Sophia said her goodbyes, they all reminded her of things to bring the next time they met and saw her off.

* * *

After Sophia left, Saline pulled Helen aside and said, “So the rumors were true. They really brought in an innocent noble lady from the countryside as a companion. Shouldn’t we stop this?”

Helen sighed and replied, “Everyone has their reasons. Sophia already knows, so don’t worry. Just don’t say a word about it the next time you see her. Got it?”

Saline averted her gaze, and the others remained silent. Despite the subject of the rumors being right in front of them, they hadn’t been able to ask anything or hear anything. Helen, trying to soothe them, said, “I’ll tell you everything later. Just don’t bring it up with Sophia. It’s just entertainment for us, but her whole life is on the line.”

Saline smiled and said, “It’s not like we’re doing anything wrong. Fine, I get it. We’ll do as you say.”

After parting with her friends, Helen walked home with heavy steps. Balancing her care for Sophia with her gossip-loving friends was more difficult than she had anticipated.

‘Maybe Mom was right. It’s time to stop chasing after gossip,’ she thought.

* * *

Sophia fortunately returned to the Wiscombe household in time. By the afternoon, carriages headed to Second District were rare, while those leaving for Third Districts and Fourth were increasing.

By the time she finished getting ready for dinner, the things she had bought earlier were already neatly arranged. Sophia checked her appearance in her new clothes and followed the maid out. She adjusted her attire one last time in front of the dining room door.

Inside, Philip was sitting alone at the table. When Sophia entered, Philip stood up and introduced himself.

“Hello! I’m Philip, your cousin. I’m two years younger than Alex, so I’m three years older than you. You don’t mind if I speak casually, right? I know it’s our first time meeting, and maybe it’s rude of me to bring this up, but since we’re cousins, I figured we could skip the formalities. If you’re uncomfortable, feel free to say so.”

“No, it’s fine. We are cousins after all. You can speak comfortably.”

After answering, Sophia glanced at the empty seats. Seeing her gaze, Philip said, “It’s usually like this. I’m the freest, so I’m often the one waiting for the others. My mother and sister are always late, so don’t take it personally. It’s not that they’re ignoring you. The Duke of Wiscombe is joining us for dinner today, but there are more days when he doesn’t. He’s only here tonight to greet you.”

Though Philip’s lighthearted tone made her smile, Sophia felt heavy and uncomfortable inside. She shifted her focus from Philip to the table, the lighting, and the fine silverware set before her.

The dining room, like the parlor, was furnished in a comfortable and elegant style, and the tableware looked top-notch. As Sophia unintentionally let out a sound of admiration, the corners of Philip’s lips turned up in a smile.

Philip couldn’t help but laugh as he watched Sophia examine the dining room.

‘She really is a country girl. She doesn’t even make the slightest effort to avoid looking out of place. She seems perfect for this whole situation,’ he thought, feeling satisfied that she was exactly as he had expected.

As Sophia shifted her gaze to the tableware and other items, her mind wandered back to Philip’s attitude and the rumors she had heard earlier from Mrs. Finega and Helen.

“Don’t overthink it. Just treat this like an interesting experience. There’s plenty to see here, including myself.”

Seeing Sophia intentionally avoiding his gaze, Philip playfully remarked, “I heard you haven’t met my sister yet. You don’t really believe that excuse about Isabelle being shy, do you?”

“Isn’t she?” Sophia asked.

“As if I’d tell you the truth just because you ask. It could be fun trying to figure out the real reason Isabelle postponed her debut while you’re staying here.”

Sophia silently stared at Philip.

‘He speaks kindly, but everything he says is full of mockery. If he’s friends with Prince Robert, I wonder if the prince is the same way.’

As Sophia continued to stare, Philip mockingly said, “It’s impolite to stare at someone like that, even if we’re cousins, Sophia.”

Sophia lowered her head and said, “I apologize for my rudeness. Please forgive me.”

“There’s no need to be so formal with an apology, especially between us cousins!” Philip teased.

Sophia glanced at him and forced a nervous smile. Philip liked her even more. The fact that she wasn’t reacting angrily to his teasing but rather enduring it made him all the more pleased.