Dieren watched the woman before him closely. Though it was his first time seeing her, she felt strangely familiar.

　　Is she someone I know?

　　The Count he already knew was no longer familiar, whereas his adopted daughter, whom he had never seen before, was. He couldn’t fathom why this father and daughter caught his attention in such contrasting ways.

　　Dieren unconsciously tried to recall a face she resembled, then shook his head. She was not someone he should associate with them. The woman, who had seemed startled upon seeing him, quickly averted her gaze. That was all.

　　Jisen’s heart was pounding so hard it felt ready to burst. The smile she forced onto her face felt so unnatural it threatened to contort into a grimace.

　　What kind of gathering is this…?

　　Though the pressure was suffocating, she steadied herself. The Count was surely more rattled than she was. He wore a conflicted expression, unable to smile or show his anger. What was going through his mind? If nothing else, one thing was clear. For a man who prized his reputation above all else, his hands were tied, leaving him unable to lash out or act rashly.

　　Such a crisis was an opportunity. Jisen stood up abruptly.

　　“Father!”

　　Approaching the Count, Jisen affectionately looped her arm through his. The Count silently shifted his gaze toward her. He was more than confused, but tried hard not to show it. Releasing his arm, Jisen curtsied gracefully before the marquis.

　　“My Lord Marquis, it is an honor to meet you. I am Jisenberia Burnett, eldest daughter of Count Burnett.”

　　“My word! We were just speaking of you on our way here, and to find you here! What a marvelous coincidence.”

　　Marquis Thomas was surprised by Jisen’s visit, but greeted her warmly. To the sociable couple, a new guest was always welcome, and the marchioness’s expression was just as favorable.

　　Dazed by this sudden turn of events, the Count spoke in a voice as soft as he could muster.

　　“Why are you here instead of resting at home?”

　　“Because I was unable to accept the invitation earlier. I felt much better today, and after speaking with Viscountess Baker, I came along with her to pay my respects. Didn’t I do well?”

　　Viscountess Baker tilted her head slightly in greeting to the Count. How long had it been since she last saw him? She wanted nothing more than to confront him this instant about how he was raising Jisen and Myers, but she held herself back. The staged conversation between the Count and his daughter continued.

　　“If you intended to go out, you should have told me in advance.”

　　“It’s only for a short while. How wonderful to run into you here, Father.”

　　Jisen carried on with a bright smile. To anyone looking, they were the picture of a loving father and daughter. The Count’s face burned with fury and anxiety. He should have locked that accursed adopted child in her room from the day she screamed at him, but it was too late now. Though every word and gesture of hers aroused suspicion, he had no choice but to dance to her tune since she had made the first move.

　　Soon, all six of them were seated together in the drawing room.

　　Jisen sat between the Count and Viscountess Baker. The smallest movement was all it took for her eyes to meet Dieren’s. He had been watching her intently for a while now. The Count, too, scrutinized her every movement with deep suspicion. Though Jisen sat there with an air of composure, the combined pressure of both men weighed heavily on her.

　　Seeking to lighten the atmosphere, Marchioness Thomas spoke up gently.

　　“Will we be seeing Miss Jisenberia during this social season?”

　　The Count remained tight-lipped. He could not answer recklessly, and his stomach churned with frustration. But before he could speak, Jisen smiled brightly and answered for him.

　　“Father worries about me far too much.”

　　Not to be outdone, the Count quickly spoke up.

　　“The child is not yet ready. She is of fragile health, so she has learned little and knows little. Moreover, with no true lady to guide her, it would prove all the more difficult. It is my own shortcoming, and I am deeply sorry to my daughter.”

　　Though he meant to sound firm, Marchioness Thomas and Viscountess Baker immediately spoke up in unison.

　　“That is preposterous!”

　　“Why, she is a perfectly refined lady!”

　　Marquis Thomas added his own word.

　　“If you overprotect the child, she will never grow into an adult.”

　　The Count strained to maintain his composure. Not only was this entirely outside his plans, but this unfamiliar side of Jisen struck him with an acute sense of dissonance. How on earth had she coaxed these noblewomen into taking her side? Her serene composure made her seem a step ahead of him.

　　Marchioness Thomas addressed the Count in a firm tone.

　　“Properly preparing her for social life can wait until you return to your estate. But while you are in the capital, mingling with the nobility here is essential to gain experience and build connections. Overprotecting a grown daughter goes against common sense, does it not? It would be such a waste.”

　　“…”

　　“Truthfully, she would stand out right as she is, even if you brought her to a banquet.”

　　These words struck right at the Count’s weakness, his obsessive concern with reputation. Appearing to lack in noble etiquette was the one thing Count Burnett could not tolerate.

　　The marquis and marchioness were deeply invested in capital society, as shown by how the marchioness had hosted a tea party inviting even Jisen the moment her health recovered. It was only natural that they took such a keen interest in her.

　　This time, Viscountess Baker chimed in.

　　“Indeed. Just imagining a new young lady capturing everyone’s attention fills me with excitement. I shall act as her sponsor and guide her. Since I already visit the Count’s residence as a tutor, I am sure everyone will understand.”

　　Jisen marveled at her in silence. Viscountess Baker was deftly rephrasing Jisen’s earlier request to be her sponsor. She truly was someone to rely on.

　　If the Count rejected his daughter’s social debut now, he would be cornered into looking like the unreasonable one. No excuse would serve as a defense. He had no choice but to keep silent. A social debut for his adopted daughter was something he had never even contemplated. It clashed entirely with the purpose he had assigned to Jisenberia.

　　He realized instinctively that he could no longer keep her confined at home. Whatever excuse he might fabricate later, now was the time to hold his tongue.

　　Jisen, who had been listening quietly, smiled awkwardly to ease the mood.

　　“I fear I am taking up the precious time you might spend on more important matters. It is my first time receiving such attention, and it leaves me rather shy.”

　　At Jisen’s playful remark, the ladies and the marquis chuckled softly. Leaning slightly toward the marchioness, Jisen said,

　　“Madam, I am quite curious about your daughter’s playroom that you mentioned earlier.”

　　“Ah, yes! I simply must show it off. Let us go together.”

　　Dieren, who had remained quiet until now, slightly raised his hand and addressed Marchioness Thomas.

　　“May I accompany you as well?”

　　Marchioness Thomas glanced quickly between Dieren and Jisen. Then she clapped her hands together with a bright smile.

　　“Oh, my! Of course. In that case, why don’t the two of you go together?”

　　Marchioness Thomas summoned a maid and instructed her to lead Jisen and Dieren to the playroom. Jisen stood up with a bewildered look.

　　Why…?

　　She had only wanted to slip away from the drawing room, not to be left alone with Dieren.

　　Yet, thinking back, it was the Duke who had approached her first in her past life as well. It was simply time to endure his unsettling attention once more.

　　He had once told her that his gaze was drawn to her from the very start. Those words had kept her awake at night back then, but neither then nor now could she bring herself to fully believe him. He undoubtedly had some other motive for following her now.

　　When the Count tried to rise and follow Jisen, Marchioness Thomas shot him a glare sharp enough to kill. In her eyes, the Count was nothing more than an oblivious, overprotective father.

　　Taking his cue from his wife’s glare, Marquis Thomas restrained the Count.

　　“I know you worry for your daughter, but wouldn’t it be best to stay put? This is an opportunity to gain a duke for a son-in-law.”

　　Cornered by the disapproving pressure of all three, the Count was forced to remain in his seat. Cold sweat broke out on his brow. Knowing that this day would gravely disrupt his grand plans, he could not focus on the conversation that followed.

　　Guided by the maid, Jisen and Dieren toured the room, which was filled with all manner of rare toys and delicate ornaments.

　　“My, to think they gathered such exquisite treasures…”

　　“…”

　　While Jisen voiced her half-hearted admiration, Dieren remained utterly silent. Whenever she stole a glance at him, their eyes met. Because he did not avert his gaze, a startled Jisen turned her head back toward the maid. The maid went on explaining the significance of each piece of furniture and toy, describing the devotion with which the marquis and marchioness had acquired them for their daughter.

　　“The view here is lovely, isn’t it? Though the garden is small, it has been arranged beautifully. It is wonderful for a stroll.”

　　Guided by the maid, they stepped out to stroll through the garden they had viewed from the playroom window.

　　“Please take your time looking around. I shall wait over there.”

　　Thanks to the considerate maid, the two were left alone in the beautifully landscaped garden. A situation practically tailor-made to spark rumors. As Jisen blinked, unsure how to handle such a thing, Dieren turned toward her as if he had been waiting for this exact moment and stepped closer.

　　Jisen’s eyes widened. Deep blue eyes peered into hers from mere inches away. Mesmerized, her lips parted slightly before she whispered,

　　“Your Grace, you are… far too close.”

　　“Ah. My apologies.”

　　Dieren offered a dry apology and took half a step back, though his eyes never left her.

　　Jisen stared up at him, forgetting even to blink. Against the backdrop of lush green leaves and delicate flower buds, his soft dark-brown hair and striking blue eyes formed a vision so breathtaking she could hardly tear her gaze away.

　　Tears welled in Jisen’s eyes. Though she tried to hold them back, Dieren noticed the reddened rims and looked visibly flustered. Drawing a breath, he asked in a gentler voice,

　　“Did I frighten you? My apologies. I did not mean to…”

　　“Ah, no. I am alright.”

　　He was genuinely worried, likely even more so because he had heard her health was fragile. She could hardly tell him that her tears were falling simply because he was just as breathtaking as she remembered.

　　No matter how nicely I dressed up today…

　　She was naturally no match for Dieren’s beauty. How ridiculous of her to have ever entertained the absurd delusion that he had fallen in love with her at first sight. Once she accepted reality, her mind grew calm.

　　“Your Grace, why did you come here with me? Is something the matter?”

　　“I have many questions.”

　　A blue light glowed. He was deeply interested in her. Then Dieren said something unexpected.

　　“Are you an only child?”

　　“I have a younger brother.”

　　“To my recollection, Count Burnett had no children. When were you adopted?”

　　In her past life, Dieren had asked the Count that question directly. He had wanted to learn more about the Count. As he peppered her with questions driven solely by his own curiosity, Jisen felt a slight twinge of disappointment. He seemed far more interested in the Count than in her.

　　“I don’t know the exact time of my adoption. My memory isn’t very good, you see. You had best ask the Count yourself.”

　　To Dieren, her matter-of-fact tone was curious. People in his presence invariably fumbled nervously or put on elaborate airs to present themselves in the best light. Unobservant as he might be toward others, what was plain before his eyes could not be missed, and comparisons between Jisen and the rest arose naturally. This woman was different.

　　“I have one more question.”

　　“What is it?”

　　“Have you and I met before?”

　　Jisen felt her heart sink.

　　The exact same words.

　　They were the exact same words Dieren had spoken to her in her past life.

　　Back then, living as a mere doll, Jisenberia Burnett had shaken her head in sheer terror. In this life, Jisen had planned to approach him at the welcoming banquet before he could even ask such a question. If she denied it here again, she risked wasting the precious time she had left, a mere year or so. Jisen decided it would be better for both of them to move her plan forward and get straight to the point. Still, this was hardly the place for a proper conversation.

　　Perhaps because she already knew just how soft this impenetrable man could become, seeing the faint glimmer of curiosity and expectation in Dieren’s eyes gave Jisen a sudden urge to tease him.

　　“We have met several times.”

　　It was no lie. Only a roundabout truth. Dieren’s eyes widened slightly at her response.

　　“Where did we meet?”

　　“In my dreams.”

　　Covering his forehead and eyes with one hand, Dieren bit his lip before speaking in a cold voice.

　　“Are you mocking me?”

　　“It is no lie. I shall tell you in detail when we meet at the banquet, Your Grace.”

　　Dieren appeared beyond disappointed. Downright angry, in fact.

　　“There will be no such meeting. I have no desire to converse with someone who plays word games.”

　　“My dream took place there. At the upcoming banquet, to be precise.”

　　Having heard that, Dieren would inevitably be unable to stop thinking about her at the banquet, whether he sought to avoid her or meet her. Come what may. Jisen decided to be shameless about it.

　　Dieren was thoroughly bewildered. If her words were true, did she have prophetic dreams? He was deeply curious about her identity.

　　“Who are you?”

　　In truth, this was what he was most curious about. The question he wished to ask both the Count and his adopted daughter.

　　“I am Jisenberia Burnett, the Count’s adopted daughter.”

　　Jisen shrugged. To his most fundamental question came only the most ordinary answer.