"Please make sure to visit my estate later!"

Isabel, expressing her regret at having to leave due to other obligations, departed while exuding a clear sense of disappointment. Watching her leave, Joy stared blankly at her desperate expression, then sighed and swept her hand down her face.

"What could have possibly happened between Lady Allen and the Countess of Artea, known as the Iron-Blooded Merchant, to make her act so servile?"

Unable to bring myself to answer her question, I simply started walking. I had no confidence in explaining that the head of the Artea family was someone consumed by …