“I have something to report,” Charles said, suddenly shifting the mood. Eve looked at him with curiosity.

“It’s about ‘Bella’. You asked me to look into her.”

“Oh, did you find anything?”

Charles pulled a stack of papers from inside his coat. “Here is all the information on every Bella living in the empire. I’ve narrowed it down to those who could potentially be designers or work in a related field.”

Although Estelle was talented, having Bella on her team wouldn’t hurt. Eve eagerly reached for the papers, but Charles lifted them just out of her reach.

“What is it?” Eve asked.

“I don’t think the Bella you’re looking for exists.”

“…What do you mean?”

“There’s no designer named Bella that matches the level of skill you’re expecting.”

“That can’t be…”

Eve was sure that by now Bella should have made a name for herself, causing quite a stir, enough for even someone as isolated as her to have heard about it.

“No Bella? Even if she hasn’t become famous yet, she should at least be working by now.”

“You’re certain?”

“I’m sure. But I know you, my dear Eve, always full of doubt,” Charles teased, handing her the stack of papers.

Eve quickly sifted through the documents, but only found a handful of designers named Bella, none of whom matched the style or skill she expected. They weren’t creating the kinds of clothes that could rival someone like Veronique.

‘Maybe Bella hasn’t shown her true talent yet…’

However, Bella was supposed to be capable of designing dresses that could rival the best, and yet the designs included didn’t come close to what Eve imagined. In fact, they didn’t even compare to Estelle’s work.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t find her,” Charles said, genuinely apologetic.

“It’s fine.”

Eve was sure Bella existed. She had to. It was one of the certainties Eve held from knowing the future, though she couldn’t exactly explain that to Charles.

‘I’ll have to look into it again later.’

It wasn’t that she doubted Charles’ information network. She just trusted her knowledge of the future more.

As Eve was pondering this, Charles asked, “By the way, I hear you’ve been staying up every night reading a book. You’re not overworking yourself, are you?”

“Huh? Oh.” She had been reading the book Emma had retrieved for her. She’d already finished it but was reading it for the fifth time.

“I just need it for something.”

“It must be quite an interesting book if you’re staying up late to read it. Let me see it sometime.”

“Don’t worry. You won’t need to,” Eve replied confidently, causing Charles to chuckle.

“That’s what I find so interesting about you.”

“…”

“Shall I expect another surprise soon, Yvonne de Laurent?”

At moments like this, Eve could easily see the emperor behind Arsen’s face. The same bored, dignified aura he exuded as the ruler. Eve bowed her head briefly.

“As you command.”

Things were going to get even more interesting from here on out.

The next day at the Fontaine estate.

“So, it looks like we’ll need to adjust the design a bit. Is that okay with you?”

“Of course! Oh my goodness! Alexandrite!” Estelle’s eyes sparkled with excitement as Eve explained the Alexandrite she would be wearing to the ball. Suddenly, Estelle grabbed a pen and began sketching rapidly on a sheet of paper.

Within moments, she had completed one design and was already working on the next.

Eve glanced at Estelle’s sketches and was stunned by the high level of detail and creativity.

‘She drew this in an instant? She’s a genius!’

The more Eve got to know Estelle, the more she seemed like an enigma. The design for the dress that had once become a sensation in the past was only further proof.

‘Could Estelle be connected to Bella somehow?’ Eve wondered, but before she could voice her thoughts, Estelle suddenly crumpled the paper.

“This isn’t it…”

“Estelle?”

“I can’t let my Yvonne wear something as terrible as this!” Estelle cried, ruffling her hair in frustration. The design she had discarded had been perfectly fine in Eve’s eyes, yet here was Estelle, on the verge of panic.

“Estelle, your talent is incredible. You don’t need to worry so much—” Eve began to offer words of comfort, but she was swiftly cut off.

“This is for Yvonne! The dress that my Yvonne will wear! ‘Good enough’ isn’t an option!”

Geniuses were always said to be eccentric. And here was sweet, gentle Estelle, glaring with fierce determination. Eve couldn’t help but think to herself how true that saying was.

“Perhaps this will help, Lady Marseille?”

Suddenly, Charles appeared behind Eve, and without warning, he draped something around her neck. It was a necklace with a large, octagon-shaped turquoise gemstone at the center, surrounded by intricately set diamonds—a breathtaking piece.

“Gasp, is this the Alexandrite?”

“Yes,” Charles confirmed.

“Unbelievable…” Estelle murmured, staring in awe. Charles signaled to the servants, who hurriedly drew the curtains, dimming the room. As the chandelier’s lights illuminated the space, the turquoise gem suddenly transformed into a deep purple hue.

“…!”

The color shift was mesmerizing. Alexandrite, known for changing colors depending on the light, was a rare gem that appeared greenish-blue in natural light and purplish-red under artificial lighting.

“How fascinating…” Eve whispered, just as captivated.

Estelle, suddenly inspired, began feverishly sketching again, muttering to herself, “The neckline needs to accentuate the necklace… And the embellishments should complement the design…”

Eve, who had been watching with mild amusement, carefully removed the necklace and handed it back to Charles.

“That’s enough. You can take it back now.”

“It’s a gift.”

“I told you, I can’t accept something so valuable.”

Charles frowned slightly and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “What if it’s a royal decree?”

“W-What?!”

Eve lightly swatted Charles on the side.

“Stop that!”

“Ow…”

Fortunately, Charles had whispered softly, and Estelle was too engrossed in her designs to notice. Eve breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a mix of embarrassment for hitting the emperor and a twinge of annoyance.

“Please… stop surprising me like that.”

“You’re the one who surprised me.”

Eve glanced at him, slightly concerned.

“Did it hurt?”

“If I say yes, will you accept the necklace?”

“Look… This was your father’s. You’re supposed to give something like this to the person you marry.”

“I had the raw stone, but I had it set in this necklace for you.”

“What?” Eve stared in disbelief at the sparkling diamonds.

“And where did you get the money for this?”

“That’s a secret.”

“…”

Seeing Eve’s skeptical expression, Charles raised his hand in mock solemnity. “I swear I didn’t touch a single coin from the Fontaine estate.”

“That’s what worries me. Did you borrow it from somewhere?”

“Are you worried about me?”

“Of course I am. You’re unpredictable. Letting a child play by the water would be less stressful.”

As Eve muttered her frustrations, a small laugh echoed from the other side of the room—Estelle.

When Eve turned to look, Estelle quickly apologized, “Oh, I’m sorry! It’s just… the two of you look so close.”

“We do?”

All this teasing and banter hardly seemed like anything more than a business relationship, right?

But Estelle seemed to think otherwise.

“I don’t want to overstep, but when the Duke is by your side, Yvonne, you seem… more at ease.”

“At ease?” Eve was startled, her face turning a deep shade of red.

‘Have I been treating the emperor too casually?’

Oh… I have, haven’t I?

Normally, Charles would have responded with a teasing comment, but this time, he simply smiled, which made Eve feel even more self-conscious.

“I was honestly a bit worried. But seeing the two of you get along so well is reassuring… and, to be honest, a bit enviable.”

Estelle’s expression softened, revealing a hint of wistfulness. Before Eve could ask about the Count of Marseille, Charles spoke up.

“It seems the Count of Marseille is quite protective of his wife.”

“Huh? Him?”

“I noticed he was a bit overprotective,” Charles added casually.

Eve internally shook her head. ‘That’s only because you’re Arsen de Fontaine, but I can’t exactly say that out loud.’

Thankfully, Charles decided to change the subject.

“Well, it’s not my place to comment on other people’s marriages.”

“…”

“And just to be clear, I’m not criticizing. I appreciate that you see us in a positive light, Lady Marseille.”

“Oh, no…”

“In that case, I look forward to the dress you’ll be making for my wife.”

With a polite smile, Charles gave a courteous bow, leaving Estelle flustered as she returned the gesture.

“Well, I’ll leave the two of you to finish your conversation. I’ll step out.”

“Wait, Charles—Arsen!”

Before Eve could stop him, Charles slipped away, leaving the necklace behind. Eve stood, ready to chase after him, but he was already gone.

“Unbelievable…”

Of course, only the emperor could be so bold. But…

‘At ease, huh…’

Perhaps it was because Charles was the only one who knew about her thirst for revenge, the only one who had witnessed her break down over Arsen and Cecilia.

Even if he was the emperor, she felt like she could relax around him.

‘But I really should keep my guard up.’

If Charles had heard that thought, he might have been hurt. But for now, Eve was back to her usual self.

“Anyway, Estelle… um…”

It was time to address the matter with the Count of Marseille. How should she bring it up? After a moment’s hesitation, Eve began carefully.

“I… tend to handle my husband pretty well.”

“Huh? Oh, yes. You certainly seem like it.”

“Of course. I’ve managed to turn a notorious philanderer into this.”

The lie made her conscience prick, but she had to say it. After all, most people didn’t like revealing their vulnerabilities unless they truly trusted someone.

‘I need her to know that I can be trusted.’