“These dishes are so beautiful that I think they’ll be very successful soon.”

The teapots and plates adorned with elegant blue floral patterns that perfectly reflected the owner’s taste. The clean designs without unnecessary elements provided a sense of stability.

“Pleased to meet you. I heard someone from the Ceres family was looking for me.”

While Eileen was examining the dishes, she slowly turned her head at the voice coming from behind her.

“Hello, Count Luke! I am Eileen Lia de Ceres.”

Flowing dark purple hair, dark black eyes, and dimples that became prominent when he smiled. If kindness were personified, it would look like this.

Eileen gave a gentle smile to Luke, who would become her second weapon.

“I was wondering if you might have time to discuss a potential investment from the Ceres family in your tableware.”

“Of course. Would you follow me this way?”

Despite the sudden proposal, Luke showed no signs of being flustered and politely led Eileen to the reception room.

“Please have a seat here.”

“Thank you.”

When Eileen sat down, Luke gestured to the servant standing by the door.

A few minutes later, the servant brought various snacks and warm tea.

“I’m truly grateful for your visit alone, and now you’re even offering investment. I’m deeply thankful.”

“I should be thanking you for welcoming me so warmly despite my sudden visit.”

Eileen bowed her head slightly in gratitude and then shifted her gaze to the teacup.

“……Hmm?”

A teacup with a water-like hue that seemed as if a drop of purple paint had spread, finished with silver foil to represent the shimmer of light on water.

The teacup before her was certainly something she had never seen before, yet it felt strangely familiar.

“Is something wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”

When Eileen stared blankly at the teacup, Luke asked with concern.

“Ah, not at all!”

Eileen waved her hands at the voice that broke through her thoughts.

‘Why does this feel so familiar yet unsettling……?’

A party? Or at home?

Unable to recall the memory, she frowned but soon shook her head.

The teacup wasn’t important right now.

“More importantly, I’d like to discuss the investment with you, Count Luke, if you would listen.”

“Yes, of course.”

Concern still lingered in his black eyes, but it had subsided considerably from before.

Eileen breathed a sigh of relief and slowly began to speak.

“I understand you often design tableware inspired by nature. In that case, how about using Etoile Hill as a motif for your next design……”

* * *

At last, warm sunshine pleasantly shone down and flower scents wafted on the breeze, bringing a perfect day for a picnic.

“Listen carefully, Eileen. Though Etoile Hill looks gentle—”

“There are hidden cliffs, so be careful and don’t even glance at strange men. Dad, do you know how many times you’ve said this already?”

Since early morning, the voice of Duke Kyle worrying about his daughter had been constantly heard throughout the Ceres ducal family residence.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful and return without any trouble.”

“Well…… Take care.”

“Yes! I’ll be going now.”

Eileen waved her hand lightly to Duke Kyle and Duchess Lia who had come to see her off, then boarded the carriage.

“Miss, we will arrive at the Royton mansion soon.”

The carriage traveled faster than usual, taking Eileen to the Royton mansion in no time. Eileen hummed a song as she stepped onto the carriage steps.

“Lady Eileen!”

When Eileen got out of the carriage, Cordelia welcomed her with a smile warmer than sunshine.

“I’m so happy we’re going on a picnic together!”

“I’m extremely happy too.”

Unlike Cordelia, though Eileen was going on the picnic with a hidden plan, seeing her happy made Eileen feel good naturally.

Eileen smiled back at her and spoke in an excited voice.

“Shall we go then?”

The carriage carrying the two gradually increased speed and left the Royton mansion. After traveling for quite some time, they arrived at their destination.

Etoile Hill.

This place, known as the Hill of Stars, was famous as an outing spot for Bereut nobles.

Having arrived early to avoid crowds, the two looked around excitedly, letting out cheers.

“I’ve only heard of Etoile Hill, but this is my first time actually visiting!”

The colorful flowers blooming everywhere, befitting the name Hill of Stars, looked like clusters of stars embroidered across the hill as if it were the sky.

Cordelia giggled with her cheeks flushed bright pink.

“Wow!”

The sunshine beaming down with its warm energy and the gentle breeze carrying subtle flower fragrances.

“Lady Eileen, look over there! A rainbow!”

“Really?”

A small rainbow with seven colors rising above a tiny lake.

“My goodness, it’s so beautiful, Lady Cordelia!”

Eileen’s mouth remained open in amazement at the scenery more magnificent than described in the novel.

The landscape was so beautiful it made her truly feel she had entered the world of the novel.

“To think I’d meet you here, Lady Eileen!”

What brought Eileen back from the paradise of flowers to reality was a gentle voice calling her name.

“Oh! Count Luke!”

This was no time to be admiring flowers. Just as she had expected, Luke was at Etoile Hill.

Eileen, finally coming to her senses, smiled more brightly than the blooming flowers.

“Lady Eileen, did you come to see the flowers with your friend?”

“Yes. This is my friend, Cordelia de Royton. Lady Cordelia, this is Count Luke de Wellington. He’s a business partner of mine.”

Eileen introduced the protagonists who had finally met, wearing a slight smile.

“Ah! Hello. Pleased to meet you, Count Luke.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Cordelia.”

Luke greeted Cordelia with a gentle smile.

As expected of the male protagonist!

Eileen marveled at Luke’s smile that seemed to sparkle.

“Lady Cordelia! Since we’ve met by chance, how about Count Luke joining our picnic?”

“Hmm…… Should we?”

“Thank you, Lady Cordelia.”

After a brief silence, when Cordelia gave her permission, Eileen smiled with her eyes curved like crescent moons.

‘Now everything will go back to its rightful place!’

Then my revenge will become easier too.

The subtle flower scent in the air made Eileen’s already excited mood even more elated.

“Count Luke, would you like to join us if it’s alright with you?”

Eileen asked Luke in a more relaxed voice.

“Thank you, Lady Eileen and Lady Cordelia. But I have a companion with me. Would it be alright if he joins us too?”

“What? A companion?”

Etoile Hill was definitely supposed to be where only the male and female leads met, wasn’t it?

Eileen tilted her head in confusion.

“Count Luke. Do you know these people?”

Just then, a slightly deeper voice engraved itself clearly through her eardrums, and Eileen’s heart began to race wildly.

Her hope that it couldn’t possibly be who she thought collapsed hopelessly the moment she turned around.

‘A-A…!’

Eileen covered her mouth with her hand and let out a silent scream.

How could this be happening?

She tried to steady her trembling legs, but they kept losing strength.

‘Aaron de Monston?!’

Unlike the original novel’s plot, the sub-male lead Aaron appeared to be close with the male protagonist, Luke.

‘Why? Why is Aaron with Luke?’

No matter how hard she tried to believe it, she simply couldn’t.

In the novel, Aaron hated Luke and tormented him. Yet here they were together.

Eileen let out a hollow laugh.

At that moment, Aaron’s purple eyes and Eileen’s green eyes overlapped for an instant.

“Tsk. Just my luck.”

Aaron also muttered with a grimace the moment he realized Eileen was with Luke.

A tense silence hung between them, caused by Eileen’s bewilderment and Aaron’s hatred.

“Oh? Count Luke’s companion is Duke Aaron?”

A clear voice that tickled Aaron’s ear flowed through the brief silence.

“……!”

Aaron’s face, which had been contorted since encountering Eileen that morning, immediately brightened upon noticing Cordelia’s presence.

“Ah, Lady Cordelia!”

‘Wow…… Look at that fake behavior.’

His voice pitched higher than usual and his hands fidgeting awkwardly were too ridiculous. Eileen clicked her tongue and sighed.

“Duke Aaron. Lady Eileen and Lady Cordelia have suggested we join them. Would you like to?”

“That’s an excellent idea.”

There was no reason to refuse if he could spend time with Cordelia. Aaron nodded with a grin.

“……What?! Duke Aaron is joining us?”

This shouldn’t be happening!

Eileen looked back and forth between Aaron and Luke with wide eyes.

“Lady Eileen. Is there a reason I shouldn’t join you?”

“N-no, but……”

“Let’s go, Lady Eileen!”

Why today of all days!

Eileen pressed her throbbing head and trudged along behind the three. After walking for quite some time, the four stopped at a spot where a large tree created a cool shade.

“This place looks good.”

Located halfway up the hill with a clear view of the beautiful flower paradise, it naturally brought smiles to their faces.

“Lady Eileen. I’ll enjoy this meal!”

“Yes, Lady Cordelia.”

A white cloth was spread over the soft grass, and the sandwiches Eileen had prepared along with the tea Cordelia had brought heightened the atmosphere along with the flowers.

‘Why did Aaron come here with Luke……?’

However, Aaron’s unexpected appearance complicated Eileen’s thoughts. She couldn’t focus on anything—neither the captivating flowers, the ham-filled sandwiches, nor the fragrant tea.

“By the way, Count Luke. I wanted to ask about the tableware you delivered last time.”

“Ah! Are you referring to those teacups depicting the lake?”

The conversation between the two reached Eileen’s ears while she was lost in thought.

‘Depicting the lake……?’

At that moment, a memory flashed through Eileen’s mind.

The familiar teacup she had seen at de Wellington.

‘I saw it at Patisserie de Monston!’

Eileen clutched her head upon finally realizing the truth.

But it was strange, too strange. In the novel, Aaron was someone who wouldn’t even look at de Wellington’s tableware.

Why on earth would Aaron…?

While pondering this, Eileen’s eyes fell on Cordelia.