Erin had been sponsoring various artists for some time, and naturally became the biggest patron of the prominent artists in the empire. Currently, Erin was also sponsoring the most renowned sculptor, Demielan, in the empire.
“Would you like to meet Demielan?”
“Demielan the sculptor? Can I really meet him?”
“It may be difficult right now, but he is expected to return to the capital soon, so you’ll be able to meet him then.”
“Wow, I’m so excited!”
Julia seemed delighted as if she could jump right away. Seeing her like that, Erin’s mood also brightened.
Since that day, Erin and Julia had not attended tea parties or receptions. Erin liked the current Julia, but it was challenging for her to deal with the current social contacts. Julia needed to adapt to the social atmosphere and prepare for a different attitude from them towards her.
In fact, regardless of everything else, Erin was happy. She could have comfortable conversations and laugh without constantly worrying about various aspects of the family and social circle. It felt different with Aiden.
Talking to Julia, there was a pure joy without any impurities.
***
Aiden watched from the study window as Julia Charte exchanged greetings with Erin and walked away. Then, as he turned around, a darkness settled in his eyes.
“Julia Charte…”
Aiden muttered her name under his breath.
“Erin seems to be getting close to her lately.”
“…”
“Is everything alright?”
As Aiden murmured softly, an aide promptly presented a report on Julia Charte as if he had been waiting.
As Aiden looked at the report, his eyes were dangerously bright.
“I’m worried that Erin is too trusting and affectionate because of her surprisingly innocent nature.”
“…”
The aide did not respond.
No one in the empire considered Erin to be innocent. Especially those who knew her would never think that. Even the employees of Lienster liked Erin, but they did not consider her to be innocent. Instead, she was sometimes even more composed and sure-minded than Aiden.
But Aiden truly believed so.
“I need to look into this.”
Aiden’s eyes grew cold.
If there was even a slight possibility of hurting Erin, he couldn’t just stand by her side without any precautions.
If there was such a risk, Aiden had quietly made up his mind to take action.
***
Erin visited the boutique alone after a long time. After meeting with the shop owner and having a casual conversation, instead of going straight back, she took a leisurely stroll around.
The Duchess of Endermia spotted Erin and approached her. She was a person one generation above Erin. With her extensive experience, she was adept at skillfully obtaining what she wanted from her counterpart.
“Madam, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you here.”
“Duchess of Endermia, it’s been a while.”
Erin greeted her politely. Although she had withdrawn from social activities outside of formal occasions, the Duchess of Endermia held considerable influence in society.
“I heard you often come here, so I was hoping to meet you. Today I got lucky.”
The Duchess expressed her delight at meeting Erin. As the boutique was a gathering place for ladies and daughters, it was common for people to come across those they wanted to meet.
Erin, the real owner of the boutique, was no exception.
In fact, no one knew that Erin was the true owner of the boutique.
From the perspective of others, Erin was just a customer of the boutique. Therefore, today’s meeting was truly coincidental.
“Did you have something to discuss with me?”
“Not really anything in particular. I just thought, if it’s not too busy, we could have a little chat. Do you have the time?”
“Of course.”
Erin and the Duchess of Endermia continued their conversation as they moved to another seat.
“I heard that you’ve been associating with the Charte family recently. The Charte Viscount and his wife have been making a lot of effort to find a match for their daughter lately.”
The Duchess of Endermia broached the topic of Julia first.
“During that long period, I have been watching from a distance, but it left quite an impression on me. What about Julia? How is she?”
“She is bright and spirited. Moreover, we seem to get along well once we got to know each other.”
“Oh, hearing such things from Lady Lienster makes me curious. So, are you also checking her out, Duchess?”
“What do you mean?”
This time, Erin asked genuinely, not understanding.
To this, the Duchess of Endermia responded, as if it was obvious.
“It’s about Julia Charte’s marriage prospects. Since she’s at a marriageable age, we should look into it soon. It seems Lady Charte herself has been scouting around as well.”
“……”
Erin didn’t know about that.
Julia’s marriage prospects.
It was a natural thing considering her age, but for Erin, it was a part she had tried not to think about.
To Erin, the only important thing was that Julia doesn’t end up with Aiden, unlike in the original work.
She hadn’t even approached the idea of Julia being with someone other than Aiden.
Erin quietly listened to what she was saying.
“So, Julia Charte is somewhat of a topic. Some people don’t view it in a positive light because of that.”
“……Is that so.”
Trying to hide any sign of agitation, Erin answered calmly.
The Duchess of Endermia looked at her meaningfully, smiling with her eyes.
“Actually, it was surprising.”
“Yes……?”
For some reason, Erin felt a strange sensation that she seemed to be drawn into conversation by the Duchess of Endermia.
“Well, the fact is, the lady gets along with everyone but has never been particularly close to anyone.”
“……”
“So, I became a little curious. I wonder what exactly draws Lady Charte closer to people.”
She was in the midst of speaking when she suddenly stopped and said with a light laugh, “Oh my, I’ve been talking too much out of sheer joy.”
She chuckled as if satisfied with her words and concluded, “It was a pleasure meeting you today. Goodbye.”
After that, Lady Endermia turned around without any hesitation, as if she had said everything she needed to.
As Erin watched her leave the boutique, her eyes narrowed. It was clear that she had deliberately conveyed the atmosphere of high society to Erin.
By bringing up the topic of drawing closer to Julia, she sought to confirm Erin’s thoughts about building a special bond with Julia, which she hadn’t attempted before.
It’s unclear whether Lady Endermia saw the reaction she hoped for from Erin. However, Erin’s mind was in turmoil.
The words she had just heard lingered in her mind.
“I wonder. Who could Julia possibly be drawn to if not Aiden?”
If Julia doesn’t find a new partner…
“What will happen then?”
Erin’s heart fluttered uneasily.
This anxiety was separate from her belief in Aiden and Julia.
However, Erin’s dilemma didn’t last long.
“After all, as long as it’s not Aiden.”
As long as it wasn’t Aiden, Erin had made up her mind to support Julia no matter whom she would meet.
***
The Count and Countess of Charte desired to spend as much time as possible with Julia.
Unless unavoidable circumstances arose, they always had meals together and enjoyed conversing over tea or walks afterward.
The Countess linked arms with Julia as they walked slowly.
“How have you been lately? Is there anything you lack or feel uncomfortable about? You can always tell me.”
“I really have nothing like that. Everything is so nice.”
“I’m relieved to know that you get along well with the Duchess of Lienster.”
“Yes, she’s such a good person. Thanks to her, I’m really enjoying myself.”
“That’s a relief.” The Countess smiled at Julia, as if reassured, looking at her.
“Julia, you’re already eighteen. Even though I couldn’t do anything for you, I want to do everything for you from now on.”
As she felt a sense of urgency to make up for not doing enough for the past 10 years, the Countess also felt somewhat impatient.
“I want your marriage to be with the best person, and to be the happiest in the world…” Julia’s marriage was one of the things that made the Countess of Charte feel anxious.
In response, Julia stopped walking, looked at the Countess, and spoke with sincerity.
“I just met my mother now. I still want to spend time like this.”
“Then, that’s good. I want to spend more time with you, even just for a day.”
Realizing Julia had no thoughts of marriage yet, the Countess of Charte did not press any further.
She wanted to respect her daughter’s hard-won desires and not burden her with unnecessary pressure.
So, she changed the subject.
“What have you been up to these days?”
“I’ve been sightseeing and everything is still so fascinating. Oh, and recently…”
The Countess listened with interest to Julia’s words, knowing that it brought her joy. Julia also eagerly spoke with a brighter face, understanding that it was her greatest pleasure.
“Julia, if there’s anything you want, just tell us. We want to give you whatever you desire.”
“Yes, I will.”
Julia reassured them not to worry.
“Are you planning to go out today?”
“Well, I’m thinking about it.”
“Okay, then. I shouldn’t hold you back too much.”
“I’ll escort you to your room.”
“Really? Thank you.”
The Countess took Julia’s hand affectionately after exchanging greetings.
After bidding farewell to the Countess, Julia finished her preparations for a brief outing and was about to leave the mansion.
“Julia Charte, my dear.”
A strange voice and a large shadow stopped in front of her.
“Um…?”
Julia’s eyes widened as she saw the face of the person calling her.
“Marquess of Lienster…?”
The person standing in front of her was Aiden.
