My Lady seemed troubled because there were no tables to sit in, so I took the liberty of asking you. If you dont mind, would you like to join us at our table?

Smith gestured to his table in one corner. The two women, who appeared in sight, smiled as if they thought he was looking at them.

The table was a little different from the one in the middle. Talk about some ups and downs in the societys perspective.

If I sit there now, Id be the subject of displeasing rumors and scandals for the rest of my life.

Even if staying on this stool could cause a couple of problems, it would also be a headache to get tangled with insignificant people. Whats more, the opportunity would surely come again. As long as she was with Kalcion.

I thank you for the suggestion, but my dress wont be fixed right away. So I wish to visit somewhere else.

O-Oh. is that so?

Yes, Ill see you next time. Sir Smith.

Yes, o-of course

Selena stood up from her seat without hesitation.

Will it be completed by lunch?

Yes, that should be enough.

However, Smith still hasnt given up completely.

Um! Excuse me, if I could know your name..!

You didnt even know who I was?

Then it was really a social affair. If he was trying to build a bridge to the Duke through Selena, she could consider it. However, his target was her, and its because he was mesmerized by her appearance.

If I get tangled up with someone like this, Ill end up getting into another scandal.

Rumors could make the smiling at each other turn into spending the night with just a single greeting. Selena knew better than anyone else how frightening peoples misunderstandings and speculations could get.

Well, Ive got an excuse either way.

You saw a man approaching you, and unless you ran away, he followed. The moment you gave a signal without realizing it, he managed to do something rather disrespectful that you were worried about.

However, this much could be mollified just from being with Kalcion. As long as there wasnt anymore flirting here.

Although he sucked at striking a conversation, there were many ways to incinerate it all.

My apologies, Im afraid Ill get in trouble if someone mentions my name out here in my absence. I dont like it. I look forward to seeing you again.

She would have to teach Kalcion how to act like a man who was obsessed.

Oh, uh, um, Yes.. Forgive me.

At Selenas powerful iron barrier, Smith backed down as if he had been pushed away by a giant.

There must be no sport such as soccer in this world. Thats a relief. That is because there were some people who wouldnt have stepped back if they had a goalkeeper at this level of refusal.

Selena politely bowed a little and said goodbye before gently walking out of the door. Juna scurried to catch up.

Everyone knows youre beautiful.. As soon as you make an appearance in the social circle and become popular, everyone will line up to have a chance to dance with Miss Selena at the banquet.

As soon as she stepped out, Juna excitedly spoke. This wasnt the time to go crazy over it.

As a matter of fact, it was the maids role to boost the confidence of the Lady she served if she felt insulted or ashamed of how others judged her.

Let me guess, this wasnt the case when Lady Irelle was here.

It was strange for her to be excited about this situation. Unlike herself, Irelle came to the Capital to have an engagement ceremony. That being the case, theres no doubt she mustve received more attention than I did.

There was someone who spoke to her, but how is that even comparable to this? Its not as if you tried to seduce people with your looks.

Selenas eyes narrowed.

The Duke said Lady Irelle was a timid woman.

I know. She seemed like a decent cat silently walking past men with an attractive body to get their attention.

She previously said Irelle used to be gloomy, but now she said she was a timid woman, who swayed her tail around men. She had too many characteristics for a single woman to have.

Miss Juna, I have a question.

Yes!

What was it like when you served Lady Irelle?

Ah..

She mumbled in return. Selenas eyes narrowed.

Or was it only me who was treated special? I initially thought you served her differently because unlike me, she was rumored to be the Dukes prospective fiance.

If I remember correctly.. Lady Irelle was rejected the same way at first. After ordering five pairs of dresses at once, she was never stopped at the gate again. I hadnt paid attention since then, so it slipped my mind. Im sorry.

Juna confessed in a cowering voice. After all, she knew. It was not a matter of forgetting. Since theres no way she couldve forgotten such a thing.

Juna looked embarrassed, but in Selenas eyes, she looked nervous. She covered it perfectly. If Selena was Irelle, she could have been fooled.

No, Im glad it went well.

As Selena flashed a smile, Juna immediately calmed down.

Where should we head next? Would you like to go to Simeon?

Another one of the stores Juna mentioned before. Unexpectedly, Selena said.

No, Im a little tired. Id like to take a break.

Ah, would you like a cake at the Crange?

Can we?

Yes, were heading that way anyway!

Juna informed the coachman, and throughout the ride, she talked about what kind of cake and tea was the shops best seller.

I dont think you bought them with your own money.

Junas portrayal of Irelle, who even fed her maid dessert, was oddly harsh.

As much as Diatte, Crange was different from other shops around it from its appearance.

Compared to other shops nearby, it had a line of carriages, long driveways, neatly dressed gatekeepers, and above all, thick and large tainted doors. It felt as though you needed to be qualified in order to enter there.

Were almost there. Shall we get off?

This time, instead of jumping off the carriage right away, Juna asked.

Juna, can you go ahead and ask if theres a table available?

Oh, by myself?

Yes, its too cumbersome and difficult to force my way in like before.

Ah.. but I dont think theyll believe that I came from the Dukes manor if I went there alone.

She was trying to drag Selena with her. Truthfully, she didnt expect that.

They say impersonating a noble is punishable by death. So, the Duke told me that I dont have to pay for anything I wish and mention his name instead. Dont worry about that, and go.

After all, Kalcion allowed Selena to borrow money from him.

Ill wait for you whilst looking at flowers in that shop.

Selena pointed to its door when she saw the flower shop next to Crange open at that moment.

Yes

Selenas firm attitude made Juna walk slowly towards the Cranges entrance. Selena spoke to the gatekeeper and glanced back occasionally to make sure that Juna approached the shop and was talking to the gatekeepers.

Are you open?

Yes, welcome.

Id like to have a table and a cup of tea while I look at a couple of flowers.

Please be comfortable. Ill bring the menu.

The flower shop was not bustling with customers, and thus it was calm. Nobody made a fuss or grovel at Selenas appearance. She entered the shop with ease.

Contrary to what she saw from the appearance of the shop outside earlier, the flower shop had more varieties of flowers to offer inside. There were many unique interior decorations, so it was fun to look around.

Selena, who was sitting on a chair and looking around on the terrace outside, chose a flower.

This flower.. Its pretty. Ill buy one.

She was glad she got money from Kalcion. Itd be such a nuisance to buy a flower inside the mansion.

As she received the beautifully wrapped flower and sipped on her tea, she saw Juna trudging back from afar.

She failed.

If it had been a success, she would have been jumping all over the place with joy. Even so, Selena greeted Juna with a smile on her face.

How did it go?

Ah, that.. Theyre fully booked.

They must be very popular. So, will the rest of the stores be the same?

No, other places will be fine!

Selena, however, was very pleased with the seat she had already occupied in the flower shop.

But just in case Juna, can you visit the shops that you were talking about and check if there are any seats available?

Pardon? Do you mean alone?

Take the carriage. Ill wait here.

Juna looked embarrassed, but she eventually left on an errand. No matter what, the positions of the Lady and the maid could never be the same. She asked Juna, but it was ultimately an order.

Selena continued to sip her tea and spent time sniffing the flowers. Has she ever had such a relaxing moment in this world? Back in the mansion, she was always accompanied by three guards.

A noble lady drinking tea alone at a table by the roadside caught peoples attention. It was even more so thanks to her beauty that shone brighter than the flowers that filled the shop.

Receiving such gazes was a natural part of Selenas routine. However, her behavior didnt change much from usual.

Since quite some time had passed, it was almost time to eat lunch.

Were going to eat outside, right? I wonder if the restaurants here are all the same. Should we go to a restaurant by the street?

Her head was filled with such thoughts when she saw the carriage return.