/
“Yes, but they mentioned that it’s not a complete seclusion like before.”
Despite still rarely leaving the mansion, Lyna informed them that she would attend the necessary tea parties as a Bolsheik successor.
Everyone couldn’t hide their disappointment and all turned their gazes in one direction.
Their eyes gradually focused on a particular seat, the place where Lyna always sat during parties in the mansion.
“The order for the crown prince position will completely change as well.”
“Words alone won’t solve anything. Even the first prince
”
Both social and political circles were in turmoil due to Ainar and Lyna’s engagement.
“I’m eagerly anticipating the engagement ceremony.”
While everyone’s eyes were fixed on Lyna’s usual spot, she found herself buried in documents, working in her office.
-Knock knock.
“Excuse me, Miss.”
Lyna’s pen, hastily signing the documents that needed immediate attention, paused as she heard Sebastian’s voice from behind the door.
“Come in.”
Even at that moment, Lyna had a sense, more of a conviction than a premonition.
Yes, it was about this time.
“The duke is requesting your presence.”
“I understand.”
Lyna responded indifferently, preparing herself to face her father, the Bolsheik Duke.
Silently, she bowed her head.
“You summoned me.”
“Today, I have someone to introduce to you.”
Lyna briefly acknowledged her father’s indifferent words.
“Yes.”
How was this moment before her regression?
.
.
‘Introduce someone?’
She had been buried in work that had piled up due to the tea party season.
Furthermore, she had attended numerous tea parties prior to her return, resulting in even more work.
That was part of her duty as the Bolsheik successor, but more importantly, she wanted to publicly announce and solidify her relationship with Smith to everyone

She had to show her face here and there, even when it wasn’t necessary.
‘Could it be someone who can assist Smith
 no, the Third Prince?’
Now, she clearly understood how foolish that question was, but back then, Smith occupied the center of her world, blinding her judgment.
Yet, her father didn’t mock or scold her for such thoughts.
He simply stated what needed to be said calmly.
‘No. It’s someone who can assist you.’
.
.
“It’s someone who can assist you.”
Lost in her memories, Lyna lifted her head at her father’s voice.
And there, she encountered Jane at Bolsheik Manor.
Jane had black hair and clear blue eyes.
Though Jane didn’t meet Lyna’s gaze directly, she bowed politely.
“I am Jane,” she said, despite having already met at the temple. Jane greeted Lyna as if it were their first encounter, and Lyna simply nodded without exchanging any further words.
Their relationship did not allow for casual conversation during chance meetings. Moreover, their previous casual encounter was not a pleasant memory.
“She will be your shadow.”
As usual, the Bolsheik Duke spoke few words before issuing a decree.
“You can leave now.”
Lyna lightly nodded in response, while Jane bowed deeply, maintaining the position for an awkwardly long time.
Thoughts of whether this was how things were before her return crossed Lyna’s mind as Jane straightened up and quietly stepped back.
As Jane opened the door and left, Lyna took a step forward as well.
Behind her, her father’s voice barely reached her ears.
“You seem unhurt.”
Lyna paused, but her father remained silent.
It was always like this.
Whenever an incident or accident surrounded Lyna, her father would only speak after everything had concluded.
He never raised his hand against his daughter or shouted in anger.
He handled everything quietly, so quietly that Lyna wouldn’t realize until later.
Except

.
.
“I fear losing you.”
On the verge of Lyna’s regression, when she was frantically running around just before facing a death sentence, her father visited one night and uttered those words.
What had she responded with?
“You have already lost me.”
Yes. Lyna had no choice but to respond that way, knowing she had gone too far.
If only her father had rejected her as a wayward child

.
.
Lyna closed her eyes deeply, nodding slightly before leaving the room.
She glanced at Jane, waiting by the door with her head bowed.
Her father believed that Jane would be of assistance to her.
Assigning a shadow instead of an aide to the successor of the family was not uncommon.
At the time, it held a different meaning for Lyna, who was desperately striving to become a worthy Bolsheik successor.
Looking back, it all seemed futile.
Even as Lyna tasted bitterness as if she had bitten into something bitter, she remained unfazed.
She approached Jane and spoke.
“We have a lot to do, so pull yourself together and follow me.”
Though Jane was now a shadow, she would soon become the Bolsheik successor.
In response, Jane elegantly bent her knee, a grace uncommon for a commoner.
“I will keep that in mind.”
Lyna nodded, finding Jane’s response ordinary, and paused.
‘This scent
’
A faint crease formed between Lyna’s brows.
Wasn’t this the fragrance of the herb Becky had brought, the one she still couldn’t identify?
.
.
Despite consulting experts in herbs to determine its origin, whether it was a plant or a flower, they all shook their heads with troubled expressions.
‘I apologize. With the limited information available, it’s difficult to determine what it is.’
‘The scent? I’m uncertain
 It has a strong earthy aroma.’
Despite consulting specialists in flowers and fragrances, they could not provide a definitive answer. Apart from the earthy smell, there was nothing particularly distinctive about it.
The unidentified herb emitted a distinct scent that only Lyna could perceive. It seemed to hold great importance to Jane, considering she risked her life to retrieve it in a dangerous situation.
As long as Jane’s actions did not hinder Lyna’s path to freedom, it did not matter. If Jane’s involvement became an obstacle, Lyna could directly acquire the herb from her to uncover its identity.
It’s not certain, but since the blackmailer who threatened Becky with her secret has disappeared, she doesn’t need to worry anymore.
‘The blackmailer? No. Thanks to him, I got to be with the young lady, so I’m grateful.’ responded Becky when Lyna asked what she wanted to do with the blackmailer.
.
.
As Lyna departed, Jane, who had remained bowed, twisted the corners of her mouth.
Naturally, there was much to be done.
Though she currently acted as a shadow, Jane aimed to expose the impostor and reclaim her rightful place.
Wasn’t being asked to pull herself together precisely what Jane desired to convey?
Once the poison, the first ingredient, was complete, Lyna would be driven to madness.
Observing the strikingly vivid color of lipstick, which did not match Lyna’s attire or complexion in the slightest, she already appeared somewhat unhinged.
A fake cannot conceal its true nature

“Please follow me. I will show you to your room.”
Jane’s thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the servant’s voice from the right. She quickly composed herself.
With a faint smile, Jane humbly nodded.
“Please lead the way.”
After a considerable walk, the servant opened a room door, bowed, and then vanished.
“Hoo.”
Jane took a deep breath, surveying the room assigned to her.
A pleasant scent, faint yet discernible, tickled her nose.
She couldn’t pinpoint its exact nature, but one thing Jane sensed was the scent of victory.
She controlled the corner of her mouth, adopting a leisurely and unhurried demeanor, as if time were abundant, while she surveyed the room.
No one observed her, yet Jane disciplined herself inwardly.
She stood within the walls of the Bolsheik household.
Thus, she couldn’t reveal the slightest flaw.
She had to be cautious, meticulously so, until the very end when she could proudly unveil herself as the rightful successor.
While mimicking elegant gestures that remained unfamiliar and dreadfully challenging, Jane murmured almost inaudibly to herself.
“It would have been advantageous if there were evidence.”
Indeed, if she possessed evidence establishing her authenticity, she would not have endured such arduous circumstances.
With that evidence, she could have confidently entered the Bolsheik residence and boldly declared:
“I am the true Bolsheik!”
However, the fake mother, now deceased, had only been verbose.
Well, thanks to her loose tongue, Jane had discovered the truth.
Gazing down at the impeccably clean bedding, Jane, who had been confined in the past, heard a knock at the door.
-Knock knock.
“Yes, please come in.”
Promptly responding, Jane witnessed the door silently opening.
Behind it, a group of servants led by a butler lower in rank than Sebastian entered.
“Are you satisfied with the prepared room?”
“You have done well.”