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Yet, because her focus was constantly broken by thoughts of Yulan that popped up unconsciously even while she was buried in her books, it had also been unhelpful.
Since both were true, Evgenia's mind could only become more cluttered.
Undoubtedly, what he had done during their last meeting was an unforgivable act.
In truth, even before that act, hadn't he behaved like someone desperate to pick a fight over every little thing, maintaining a crooked attitude throughout?
And yet, the reason she didn't feel purely negative emotions was perhaps...
'Evgenia Rose Martyr, you're far too easy. You just hand out your affection like air. Huh?'
It was absolutely not love.
It wasn't that she was saying this because she had been burned by Raymond and had come to reject the emotion of love.
She felt none of that intense emotion she had experienced when she was in love.
It was simply that the conversations they shared while he was helping her, and the atmosphere she felt when they were together, kept coming back to her.
'Because it was the first time I felt that comfortable...'
Was it because she believed they were in a relationship where there was no need to make each other like one another?
Because she didn't have to put deep thought into her words and actions, her heart felt at ease just by talking to him.
Although she found it absurd whenever he showed a sarcastic or twisted attitude, it was actually quite fun to learn as she navigated through it.
That alone was enough for affection to build up quite easily.
'This is ridiculous, truly ridiculous.'
Once she finally admitted her feelings, a sigh escaped her from a sense of emptiness.
The moment she thought of him, various thoughts followed in a chain, like potato vines.
Such as the Imperial Crown Prince's birthday banquet, which was now truly just around the corner.
Or his own birthday, which was only one day apart from it.
...Or the man's attitude, as he hadn't cared about his own birthday at all.
"Haa..."
As she let out a series of sighs, Anna hurriedly leaned in.
Looking quietly into Evgenia's eyes, Anna asked.
"My lady, is something worrying you? Did that man perhaps do something rude to you...?"
"It's not that. Yuri was always kind to me."
According to the setting.
She swallowed the truth that she couldn't bring herself to say.
Instead, she decided to confess the real worry she currently harbored.
"You know, Anna."
"Yes, my lady. Please tell me."
Anna's determined eyes were a bit overwhelming.
Anna was undoubtedly expecting Evgenia to burst into tears and pour out her anxieties regarding Yuri.
However, since Evgenia's worry was the complete opposite, it felt somewhat awkward.
After clearing her throat a few times, Evgenia asked in a shrinking voice.
"Um, a gift to give a man—a birthday gift! Anyway, what would be good? Jewels, perhaps?"
"Pardon? My lady, jewels!"
"Is... is that not enough? Clothes? Shoes? A house? Land? A title?"
"My lady!"
Overwhelmed by a mixture of bashfulness, embarrassment, and awkwardness, she felt as if her intelligence had momentarily plummeted.
Because she had just blurted out whatever came to mind, Anna screamed in horror.
With her mouth clamped shut in surprise, Evgenia watched as Anna knelt before her.
Then, Anna took the initiative to tightly grasp Evgenia's hand and said:
"Even if you were to spit on that man, he would feel nothing but gratitude."
"Huh...?"
"It's only natural. The mere fact that he can exist by your side is a stroke of luck that he couldn't achieve even if he devoted his entire life to it."
"Uh, right, I get it. Calm down, Anna..."
It seemed that Anna's determination was slightly off-target.
Trying her best to ignore the simmering look in Anna's eyes, Evgenia smiled awkwardly and racked her brain.
Anna, who she thought would be helpful, had lost her mind, and Evgenia had no friends to turn to.
In the end, Evgenia had to prepare Yulan's birthday gift entirely on her own.
'I wonder why I'm even preparing a gift for that crazy bastard...'
Searching her memories, a birthday banquet for Yulan—that is, the Second Imperial Prince—had never once been held.
Whenever the Imperial Family sent out invitations for the Imperial Crown Prince's banquet, they had brushed it off by attaching a letter stating that the Second Imperial Prince was unwell and therefore the banquet had to be omitted.
'But Yulan is damn healthy. I don't think he was fragile at all when he was young.'
Therefore, there must be various complicated issues involved in why Yulan's birthday banquet was never held.
Considering the hostility he occasionally showed toward the Emperor, the main problem was roughly apparent.
'Right, they say you give an extra piece of cake to the one you hate. Let's think of this as paying back all the gratitude I've received so far.'
To do that, ordinary jewels or clothes would be far from enough.
She needed something precious and rare—something extraordinary enough that she could proudly say she had repaid the favor in full.
After pondering, Evgenia tightly held the hand of Anna, who was still reciting curses toward 'Yuri.'
At that, Anna, who had been continuing her speech like a broken record, looked up in bewilderment.
"Anna, do you know where the nearest auction house is opening soon?"
"Um... The Peton Auction House should be open around now."
The Peton Auction House.
An auction house created for the nobility, it was a place where prices were inflated exactly as intended.
However, because of that, people aiming for a big score would do their best to procure rare items.
As a result, items from dark channels were discovered quite frequently, but since these were covered up by the power of the nobility, such trade only flourished more.
'I'm not sure if it's legal or illegal, but regardless, it's the most helpful auction house for me right now.'
When Evgenia smiled with satisfaction upon hearing the answer, Anna, immediately catching her drift, sprang up from her seat.
"Ah. Come to think of it, I believe an invitation arrived from Peton recently. I'll go find it!"
"Thanks as always, Anna."
"Hehe. It's what I'm here for!"
At Anna's bright response, a gentle smile remained on Evgenia's face.
Just as she was humming to herself while lightly flipping through papers on her desk, a knock sounded from outside the door.
"Come in."
Step, step.
The sound of someone stepping on the soft rug that covered the entire room could be heard.
Naturally assuming that Anna had returned with the invitation, Evgenia simply reached her hand out to the side.
However, what was placed upon it was neither a thin, flat piece of paper nor Anna's slightly rough hand.
This hand, which was thick and had calluses where a pen would be held...
"...Father?!"
"You should properly verify who it is before letting them into the room, Evgenia."
"Ah, I'm sorry. I had asked Anna to do something, so I naturally assumed it was her returning."
Evgenia immediately stood up and awkwardly twirled the end of her hair.
Glancing toward the door, she saw Anna standing there with her head bowed low.
'Father must have just pushed his way in. I was this surprised; I wonder how shocked Anna must be.'
The Duke gave a small laugh at Evgenia's conflicted reaction and urged her back into her seat.
"You must verify properly from now on. The bedroom is one thing, but if you aren't confident in managing documents properly, you must only let carefully selected individuals into your office. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Father. I'll manage the documents properly and only let carefully selected people into the office."
"You certainly have a way with words. I wonder whose daughter you are."
"I'm your daughter, so of course."
Beneath the affectionate conversation between father and daughter, a strange psychological war unfolded.
Evgenia's hand was moving very busily to secure the letter in the Duke's hand, which was undoubtedly the invitation.
Whenever she reached out, he pulled back; when she pulled back, he reached forward.
Unable to endure the movements that felt like he was teasing her, Evgenia finally spoke first.
"Father, why are you being so childish?"
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