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Aina didn’t call Lobelia ‘sister’ in front of other people. When Lobelia first accompanied Aina to Countess Fina’s tea party, Aina introduced Lobelia as though she was boasting of a doll she had received as a gift. “Come on, Lobelia,” she would say, “You say hello to my friends, too.” Lobelia, dressed in maid’s clothes, was obligated to greet each and every lady who attended Countess Fina’s party. And every time Lobelia bowed her head in greeting, the girls covered their mouths with fans and burst out laughing. One of the girls had even ordered Lobelia to fill her teacup. Once the orchestra had begun, they’d let her hold the music score for the entire time. Lobelia had to stand in one place for as long as they laughed and chatted and filled their mouths with sweets.

The young women who recalled those days looked at Lobelia, her sophisticated gown and emerald jewelry eliciting envy and curiosity among them. One among the circle spoke. “Aina,” she said, “could you kindly explain why that maid is dressed like a lady?”

Aina, on the other hand, hurriedly turned away from Lobelia. She seemed to want to pretend not to know her. The women around her also ceased their whispers. Still, they were too curious to take their eyes from Lobelia, who seemed lost.

Across the room, Lobelia was confused by the attention on her. Hasn’t there been a rumor about her relationship with Jade Ferrado yet? She had assumed Aina or Josephine would run their mouths. And even if they didn’t, she thought the duke’s servants would spread the word.

The Duke of Ferrado’s servants seemed to be tight-lipped, she thought. Apart from the disrespect they showed to Lobelia, the servants possessed immense loyalty to Jade.

Lobelia nodded at Jade’s direction, who was surrounded by males, and walked toward Aina. At her signal, Jade excused himself from the group and followed her.

“She’s coming this way,” whispered Aina’s friends. “Did you have her run an errand?”

Color left Aina’s face as Lobelia drew closer. Her panicked gaze indicated a question to Lobelia, but Lobelia didn’t respond. She didn’t have business with her in the first place. Lobelia stared at the blue-haired gentleman casually observing the situation alongside Aina. His golden irises gave him a mysterious allure, which earned him endless compliments from others—unlike Lobelia, who was said to be equally mysterious, but regarded as an ominous symbol.

Elyan Regretina was by her side as always. In his hand was a glass of sweet lemonade he offered to Aina, which she accepted. In his discovery of Lobelia, he gave a quite bemused expression.

“It’s been a while, Miss Lobelia,” he said.

Elyan used honorifics to anyone he met in the society. Lobelia was not an exception despite her status as a commoner. Not only that, but Elyan never frowned; he continuously maintained a pleasant disposition. Despite his dashing looks and confident smile, his voice was gentle and sophisticated.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, Elyan.” Lobelia bowed slightly.

She wasn’t fond of Elyan very much. His politeness was simply a habit and devoid of sincerity, and his affection for Aina was merely a facade. Even now, he courted Aina in the hope of absorbing Evelentia’s financial power to expand his family’s business.

“I can’t remember the last time we spoke,” replied Elyan, “Speaking of which, what’s going on?”

Just as Lobelia was about to answer Elyan’s inquiry, Aina interrupted.

“Lo, Lobelia!” she exclaimed. “Why are you here? Today I told you to stay at home. You even stole my clothes!” Aina laughed unnaturally.

Lobelia couldn’t believe Aina’s determination to keep the truth hidden until the very end. She wondered if leaving the Evelentia mansion as Jade Ferrado’s lover was such a sensitive topic for her. However, if Lobelia wanted her revenge to be successful, she ought to make the truth known to the world. It was necessary to declare that she was under Jade Ferrado’s protection. Only then would Elyan Regretina approach her.

“How are you, Lady Aina?” asked Lobelia. “This is my first time seeing you since I left Count Evelentia’s house.”