Ribbon-wearing Selene became even more elegant with her sparkling eyes. She jumped out of the basket and dragged the box she had brought with her, along with her ribbon.

“Madam, isn’t it yours? Won’t you open it?”

“I know what it is.”

Just by looking at the mark stamped on the box, Catherine could tell what it was. It was the purple dress that she tried on in the dressing room that day. As she hesitated and rolled her finger on top of the box, Selene’s impatience grew.

“I suppose this is for you to wear at the Winter Palace Ball tomorrow? To match with the shoes?”

“Probably.”

“They say even the migratory birds are excited about it. The main ladies have hired designers and jewelers. They’ve gone all out.”

“Seems like it.”

Lania and Rebecca had a bright future ahead of them. Even when they come to visit her, they are covered in jewels from head to toe. It goes without saying that at such an elaborate party, they would spare no expense.

“Even if you’re not the Duchess, it seems like everyone is going crazy. How long has it been since you attended a proper party? Last time, it was just a welcome banquet for His Majesty, but that was just formality. This time, it’s a party hosted by His Majesty himself! From the guests to the food and its grand scale, how amazing it must be!”

“Have you been to such places often?”

Where did Selene hear all this? It’s as if she’s reading a brochure. As she felt her tongue dry up at Selene’s explanation which sounded like she had memorized a brochure, she turned her head. No matter how splendid and beautiful the dresses were contained inside, her duty is to be Haniel’s mother.

“Come here and help me button this. I have to go tomorrow, so the buttons must be properly fastened.”

“Madam, why would you bother to do that when you have a perfectly fine dress?” Selene was shocked when Catherine unfolded the black dress she had just taken out of the wardrobe. Out of all the remaining dresses, this one was the least damaged after wandering in the rain. Though it was a ‘perfect ceremonial dress’ with not a single exposed area from the neck to her sleeves, it wasn’t suitable for her. As she glanced over the dense silver buttons at the neck, she already felt an itchy sensation in her throat. “Are you going to wear this? You shouldn’t, My Lady. Why are you doing this?”

“Why do you ask? It’s the image people expect from me.” Especially her remarkable nieces.

“You’re supposed to button it properly! Do it again,  Selene!”

“Ah, I’m sorry, madam.”

“You did that on purpose!”

When she asked her to button the loose ones, Selene stubbornly tore them off. But even that attempt was futile against Selene’s tight grip on the button.

“Ah! When will this be sewn back together?”

“Why bother? It’s perfectly fine like this.”

“Selene, you’re something else.”

Catherine couldn’t hit her for it. Her heart pounded with frustration, but Selene remained nonchalant. Ever since she had been with that man, she had also picked up his annoying traits.

“This is frustrating. Why don’t you accept the things he gives you? Haven’t you told me before that practicality is the best?”

“Well, practicality is indeed the best.”

To distract herself from her remarks, she suddenly looked out of the large window. The day was still bright, but the dazzling lights in the extravagant Duke’s mansion were always splendid.

“Do you not understand what it means to wear the dress bestowed upon me by His Majesty? I am merely drawing a line between me and him because of the Duke. And if I stand beside His Majesty wearing this dress?”

“What’s wrong with that? It’s been a long time since anyone has seen the Duke’s face, and life must go on. Aren’t you even a bit reluctant to tarnish your beauty, madam?”

“Don’t talk about beauty.” As she calmly responded, she felt a sudden sting on her flushed cheek. She couldn’t help but think about how Rashid looked at her that day, and the thought alone made it hard to breathe.

“By the way, how do you plan to use the gem?”

“Well, it’s not like I’m going to use it———”

“Try it. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Because of Rashid’s carefree laughter and his evasive answer, she had to clutch her chest. She had gone to great lengths to build immunity to men, yet her heart ended up falling for another man.

“Ah, this slowpoke!”

“Yes, you’re right. Madam, you’re slow as well. Why do you wear mourning clothes for a man you’ve never even liked? Every time you go through that misery———”

“Misery?” She laughed, imitating Selene’s words because they were amusing. “I told you before. How is my situation now?”

“You can’t even do it for the princess?”

“Of course not. Can’t you see, Selene? Just by being seen with His Majesty, I will look like I’m competing for his affection and if I keep doing so, I might… end up with His Majesty until the end—e end? Are you talking about… marriage?”