“Understood.”

Listening to Liz’s soft reply, I changed into my dress and reached for the pile of personal notes I had left on my desk.

“While you were busy with Madam Gonzales, new ones kept coming in. As expected, based on looks alone, their beauty can rival that of Lord Alfred.”

I started looking for the ‘one and only’ for Kyle.

“Okay, for Kyle’s matchmaking partner, let’s go with a willful girl. A fiery girl who’ll smack Kyle in the ass whenever he shows any weakness would be nice.”

After all, I couldn’t help but notice that Kyle was easily swayed. Hence, I was looking for a lady who had the stamina to both protect the interests of the Gessel family to the fullest and accept Kyle’s depression while also having the courage to laugh it off.

“I like this girl. She has a unique and intimidating atmosphere; anyone would think twice before approaching her. I think she’ll do a good job of complementing what Kyle lacks.”

Once I decided what to look for, my eyes lit up as I devoured the personal statements.

If Kyle was the light, then his companion, the lady, would be the shadow. I had been struggling for a long time trying to find a partner, one where they could bring out the best in each other.

“If she has the courage to kick me out, she can be as selfish as ever. It’s a plus if she’s properly educated as a lady.”

A strong lady would be able to take control of the mansion, allowing Kyle to focus on his duty as the new marquis no problem.

“Oh, Kyle’s partner should also have a large presence. She should be able to influence her surroundings with a single look.”

Kyle would be displeased if his partner was of a higher rank, so either the daughter of a marquis or an earl. No matter how willful she was, she should also have the sensibility to respect Sasha who would be her sister-in-law.

Oh, and smart. A good talker. A promiscuous woman wouldn’t make a good bride, so someone chaste.

I chose the ladies from between the ages of 16 and 19 who made their debut this year, but one or two older sisters and aunties should be fine.

I thought it would be a pity if he didn’t have any opportunity to choose, so I selected three people. All of the girls were serious, straitlaced, and fine-looking. They were well-behaved, not loose-legged.

…Let’s omit the fact that they’re especially willful.

I stormed into Kyle’s room, letting out a long, long laugh. Sitting down on a chair, I spread their personal statements out on the table.

“Behold, Kyle—! Your stepsister has selected your potential marriage partners for you! Don’t worry, they aren’t part of my clique. They’re beautiful, chaste, and have the courage to stand up against evil. Feast your eyes on them!”

At my urging, Kyle suddenly became furious and roughly pulled his chair away. Staring straight at me, he said, “Rejected.” Leaving no room for discussion. His rejection was so sharp, I saw the illusion of a sword being swung down.

“Ha? What are you dissatisfied with?”

As if rejecting everything, he gave his back to the personal statements. Anger and indescribable feelings swirled within me.

I got carried away and ended up glowering at him.

“If I said I don’t like it, then I don’t like it.”

Kyle turned to the side after saying such a childish thing. He glared at the wall, folded his arms, and avoided eye contact with me.

Resting my elbow on the table, I propped my head with my hand. If I wasn’t careful, I would slide off the chair like a mollusk. As much as I wanted to yell at him, I wanted to know the reason. I rounded my voice and tried to have a conversation with Kyle.

“I think all three of them are of a relatively high standard. It would be helpful if you could tell me what you didn’t like about them so we can see eye to eye.”

Although, if he says he doesn’t like them because I was the one who chose them, then there’s no helping it.

“No, it’s not that I dislike them… It’s because, after all, well, because—”

Kyle wouldn’t stop repeating ‘because’ in an unreliable tone.

I was so annoyed, I wanted to slam the table, but I held back.

“It’s because, because…”

Kyle finally turned towards me with an indescribable look on his face.

“I don’t really know. For some reason, I just felt like they were imitations…”

Kyle spoke in a low voice, letting out a long sigh. He kept tilting his head to the side, while his eyebrows were knitted like a 八. The word ‘confusion’ was plastered all over his handsome face. I could feel that he was genuinely befuddled.

“…Imitations.”

I just had to repeat it. I was about to say something incomprehensible again, but I managed to keep it together.

Then, something popped into my head. A deduction that couldn’t even be called a deduction. The fact was so simple, yet somehow, I still overlooked it.

I rubbed my hands on my lap. Feeling somewhat nervous, I rubbed my palms until they were hot.

“In other words, is there a real one? There’s someone you like, or someone you’re interested in?”

The next moment, bon—!

Kyle’s face turned bright red. He let out a hiss of air through his nose as his shoulders went up and down.

So easy to understand. You’re too obvious, Kyle.

“Shuuuuuuuuuuuuuut up—! It has nothing to do with Stepsister! Because I hate Stepsisteeeer!”

Unable to withstand it anymore, Kyle kicked his chair and left the room. Amazing strength, but he nearly fell twice on the way.

“No, I know, but…”

Did I strike a nerve? I felt so bad, but it was merely an afterthought. Kyle’s maids were about to say something, but when their eyes met mine, they quickly averted their gazes.

Still, saying that he hates me to my face, isn’t that really harsh…?

It was as if I had been confronted by my arrogance, shrewdness, and cowardice. While I understood that, my heart still ached.

I was concerned about Kyle, but I made a mistake by getting carried away and attempting to create a friendly atmosphere.

I returned to my room and listlessly picked up a needle to create more merchandise. A wave of regret spread throughout my heart as I did.

Even after a few days, Sasha’s condition didn’t improve. Wanting to see her face, I found myself standing in front of her room. However, for some reason, Sasha always seemed to be fast asleep whenever I went.

“Oh well, Sasha is a very delicate woman. Even a breeze would blow her away. According to the doctor, she will be fine, though.”

That day, I earned a lot of money as Madam Gonzales in the morning, and once again, I was completely out of stock. So, after I returned, I worked hard with Liz to create more goods such as scrunchies, ribbons, corsages, brooches, mascots, and pochettes.

“Lady Juliane, by the way, the head chef said that he would like you to taste the new healthy menu.”

“I see, then how about we have a midnight snack like usual?”

After the servants had gone to their rooms, I invited Jack to come with us and went to the kitchen. Tastings were always held late at night in the break room next to the kitchen. That way, improvements could be reflected upon immediately without needing to worry about other employees.

Jack suddenly halted in the middle of the hallway, stopping us with his gaze.

“Ssh! Please be quiet for a moment. Oh, the head chef caught someone’s foot. I can hear the head chef confronting them… and the noise of someone softly falling on their behind.”

Jack was making gestures as he listened.

“Growing up in the mountains, I would play hide-and-seek with animals. That’s why I’m sensitive to sounds. My hearing is also top-notch. There’s no mistaking it, the head chef must’ve caught a thief who sneaked into the kitchen!”

Is that what it means to grow up in the mountains?

Liz and I shook our heads.

More importantly, a thief?

Father and Mother don’t like being called stingy, so they pay their servants a little above the average. Enough food is being provided too. If they still resort to stealing food, there must be something wrong with them…

Jack reassured me, saying that the thief was extremely weak. Taking his words for it, I rushed to the kitchen. Behind the head chef’s large body, someone was on their bottom. I widened my eyes when I confirmed their identity.

“Sasha—!?”

---

***T/N: Is sasha gonna turn out to be two-faced?

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