Meanwhile, in the downstairs drawing-room. Pavel took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. A practiced, professional smile was firmly in place.

"I'm honored that House Maredele has taken the time to visit House Hale," Pavel said, bowing politely. His professional smile was almost flawless.

"However, the Marquis is currently busy, so you may take my measurements instead." Pavel patted his chest confidently, though inwardly he was still thinking about the slight paunch he'd been complaining about.

One of the representatives from House Maredele, a neatly dressed man with a measuring tape hanging around his neck, smiled politely.

"Ahaha, I apologize, sir. But if we take your measurements instead of the Marquis'... there's a chance the clothes won't fit properly."

He glanced at Pavel from head to toe, then added carefully, "We all know that every man's body has its own unique characteristics. We want to ensure a perfect fit, especially for such an important day."

Hearing this, Pavel chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck, which was starting to feel warm from the awkward situation.

"Of course, I understand, sir, but... that's what the Marquis said." He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as if whispering a great secret.

"Do you think I can ignore his orders?"

The designer from House Maredele, a man with neatly combed back hair, took a slow breath and nodded slightly. His expression showed the resignation of someone who had dealt with unpredictable clients too many times, then a thin smile appeared on his face.

 "Alright, alright," he said, unrolling the neatly coiled measuring tape. "If the measurements don't fit, please inform the Marquis; please don't lodge complaints with our boutique."

 Pavel chuckled, then patted his chest confidently. "Ohoho, of course, sir. You don't need to worry about that. I will take full responsibility for any discrepancies, even if I have to bear the cost personally."

 "Very well, then we shall begin the measurements." The designer smiled slightly, then raised his hand as if signaling his assistant to start preparing the measuring tools.

 At Count Edeviene's residence, Lyra was relaxing in the garden pavilion, surrounded by blooming marigolds and sunflowers. It had been about a week since she'd inhabited Celestia's body. Half her body was lazily leaning on a round marble table, her chin resting on her outstretched arm, while her loosely braided silver hair fell to the side of the table, framing her bored face.

Aristocratic life was quite boring, according to Lyra. She had to wake up according to a schedule, and because she'd claimed a slight memory impairment to Mai, her days were filled with etiquette classes, history, and geography of her new world, and she had to wear corsets every day.

The blue board that had suddenly appeared before her a few days ago hadn't reappeared after seven days. Time was passing, and she didn't know what to do to change the novel's plot.

An open book lay before her, but her gaze was fixed on a small pond in the distance, completely uninterested in her reading. A gentle summer breeze blew, playing with the edges of her pastel-colored thin gown.

"Huh, it's incredibly hot. Even hotter than Indonesia. Is summer always this hot?" Lyra complained, fanning herself with her hand, her breath heavy despite just sitting still near the open window.

Mai, who had just delivered tea to Lyra, looked at her mistress with confusion, her brow slightly furrowed. "Indonesia? What's that, Miss?"

Lyra, who had previously been lazily leaning on the table, sat up straight. She propped her head up with her hand dramatically, like a noblewoman who had lost hope.

"Ah, no... It's just my imagination." She tossed her hair back with a mysterious air.

Then, her eyes fell on the teacup on the tray. She looked at Mai with a flat expression. "By the way, Mai. Are you serious about offering tea... in this heat?"

"Fufufu, that's what you don't know, Miss," Mai said with confident smile. She winked at Lyra in an unusual manner.

"The tea I brought this time is peppermint; it's perfect for summer."

With a steady hand, Mai poured the tea from the teapot into a porcelain cup. Carefully, she offered it to Lyra.

"Why don't you try it?" she said, folding her arms across her chest, as if presenting her best work.

Lyra looked at the porcelain cup. Her eyebrows rose as if she doubted Mai's earlier statement.

"Hmm... peppermint, huh?" she murmured softly, then lifted the cup and blew gently on the surface.

The aroma of the tea steam filled Lyra's senses. It smelled like mint and something sweet. She took a sip, and instantly, the oppressive heat eased slightly.

 "...Oh?"

She tilted her head, slightly surprised. "Not bad."

Mai smiled broadly, placing her hands on her hips. She seemed proud of herself.

"I told you, Miss? You won't regret it."

Lyra smiled faintly, taking another sip. The cool mint reached her throat; it was a brief respite from the heat.

However, shortly after, a male servant approached, bowing politely.

"Excuse me, Miss Celestia. I apologize for the interruption."

Lyra turned, placing her teacup on the table, waiting for an explanation.

"A young lady claiming to be your friend is waiting not far from the pavilion. She wishes to have a casual conversation with you."

Lyra's expression changed slightly. Her eyes widened, as if realizing something. A friend? Her thoughts jumped to Celestia's memories she was still piecing together.

In those fragmented memories, Celestia rarely interacted closely with anyone, let alone had frequent visitors. Her life was mostly spent in solitude, surrounded by servants.

"A friend...?" she murmured, almost inaudibly.

Mai, noticing the change in Lyra's expression, immediately sensed something was amiss. "Miss? Should I greet the guest first?"

Lyra shook her head. "No need. I'll meet her myself."

She turned to the servant, sighing softly. Casually, she added, "Show her here now," she said softly but firmly.

"It happens that I want to enjoy tea... with my 'friend'."

The servant nodded quickly. "Yes, Miss. I'll excuse myself then." He turned and quickly left the pavilion.

Mai watched the servant's back, then looked at Lyra with concern. "Are you sure you want to meet her, Miss? Isn't this... suspicious?"

She bowed slightly and added softly, "As far as I remember, you've never had noblewoman friends before..."

Lyra didn't answer immediately. She stared at the tea in her cup. Then, calmly, she said, "That's precisely why, Mai. I'm curious about her."

Shortly after, footsteps approached. A young lady entered gracefully, wearing a summer gown that felt rather ostentatious. It was full of lace and small floral embellishments, a bit excessive for a hot summer day.

The gown was predominantly bright yellow, and small glittering jewels on every fold seemed to mimic sunlight. In her hand, she held a bright yellow parasol adorned with shimmering ribbons, elegant yet overly flashy under the sun.

Lyra looked at the woman with suspicion, maintaining a friendly smile. The woman walked confidently and gracefully.

"Forgive the sudden visit, Lady Edeviene. I've long wished to meet you."

Gracefully, the woman closed her parasol and bowed slightly.

But as her face became clear, the smile on Lyra's lips faded. She paused, her dark eyes staring intently.

Long, wavy, shimmering golden hair cascaded elegantly over her shoulders, gleaming in the sunlight. A pair of bright purple eyes like amethyst gems radiated calmness and a captivating aura. Her skin was soft and smooth, as if untouched by daily life.  Undeniably, the face was too perfect to forget.

Lyra recognized the woman: Isabelle Ardent.

The woman who, in the novel, had discarded Keith Hale and become one of the sources of his downfall. A woman described as gentle and kind, but to Lyra, she looked like her ex-husband, who had suddenly divorced her.

Why was Isabelle here?  Did she visit Celestia like this in the original novel? Lyra didn't know; the novel was from Keith Hale's perspective.

Lyra smiled again, though stiffly, concealing her surprise.

 "I'm honored..." she tilted her head slightly, as if trying to confirm something. "Umm, you're Lady Ardent, aren't you? Forgive my boldness, but may I know why you've come to see me?"