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“It’s nice to meet everyone.”

In a gathering devoid of any underlying tension and brimming with genuineness, Iva responded with a smile.

“I’ve heard that recently, everyone has been sending you tea party invitations, Miss Iva. I never imagined you’d accept mine from among so many.”

As hostess Rosie guided Iva to her seat, a servant brought over a warm cup of tea.

“The phrasing in your invitation was compelling enough to capture my attention.”

“Oh my! Miss Rosie, did you genuinely request romantic advice?”

Although she hadn’t directly mentioned it, fearing it might be a secret, it seemed everyone already knew.

“Actually, the three of us came up with that phrase together. But after writing it, we got scared and couldn’t send it. We had no idea Rosie would actually send it.”

“Is that so? Are all three of you in love with the same person?”

“Oh, no! I’m the only one nursing a crush.”

Rosie whose face flushed a rosy hue, shyly raised her hand.

As all eyes turned to her, Rosie shyly hid her face behind her light-pink hair. Yuzure stepped in to provide further explanation on her behalf.

“Rosie has been nursing her unrequited love for over half a year now.”

“Half a year?!”

“Yes. And she hasn’t even properly spoken to him yet.”

“Oh my…”

“Moreover, just last week, Count Orfel hinted at arranging an engagement with another household.”

Yuzure’s brows furrowed with sympathy as he spoke of Rosie’s plight.

“How unfortunate.”

“She might not be ready to confess, but we just wish she’d at least strike up a conversation.”

From their behavior, Iva felt she had an inkling about the identity of the man in question.

If a young miss from a Count’s house felt so tormented without even speaking to the man, he must undoubtedly be a royal. 

Of the three princes, only Prince Claude remained unmarried. Rosie’s unrequited love had to be none other than Claude. 

Iva now fully grasped why Rosie had been agonizing for half a year.

“But is it alright for you to confide this in me?”

“You were the only one I wanted to seek advice from, Miss Iva. I apologize if I upset you.”

“No, it’s not that I’m upset. I’m just curious. What made you seek love advice from me?”

She was curious about the reason they risked potential gossip to consult her on romance.

“We thought, given your beauty, you’d have experience conversing with both men and women. Also, we had been invited to the diplomatic party and witnessed your adept conversational skills. We wanted to learn that expertise.”

“That’s right. None of us are particularly eloquent, so we needed help.”

“When we discussed seeking assistance, everyone thought of you, Miss Iva.”

All three of them looked at Iva with genuine admiration in their eyes.

“All of you pass.”

Iva flicked her red hair back confidently.

“I’ll impart upon you my unique conversational technique that can steal someone’s heart in an instant! This is a secret technique even my daughter-in-law doesn’t know about!”

“D-daughter-in-law?”

“If you wish to steal Prince Claude’s heart, you should go to the royal palace…”

“No! That’s not it!”

Rosie, startled by the mention of Claude’s name, swiftly shook her head and waved her hands in denial.

“It’s not His Highness?”

“How could I ever dare to harbor such feelings for His Highness Claude? That’s completely unthinkable.”

Worried that her secret might slip, Rosie lowered her voice significantly.

“Then who is it?”

She had naturally assumed it was Claude.

Since Julian, who was initially the female lead, had become his younger sister, his love interest had remained vacant.

With the shift in the story, Iva believed that adorable Rosie would become the target of his affection. As her predictions proved wrong, a question mark appeared on Iva’s face.

“Then who exactly are you in love with?”

“Th-that is…”

Rosie, looking as if uttering the name would overwhelm her, whispered in a soft and shy voice.

“…It’s Chase Perior.”

Iva’s eyes nearly popped out in surprise at the unexpected name.

“What? Could it be Chase who works in the royal court? Or is there another Chase you’re referring to?”

“No, it’s indeed Lord Chase, the aide to His Highness Claude.”

“Oh my!”

Iva covered her agape mouth with her hand.

“Chase and I have been close childhood friends since we were young.”

“Really? I had no idea! What a coincidence.”

Rosie smiled brightly, pleased at Iva’s genuine reaction.

“How did you end up having… ahem, I mean, may I ask what led to your feelings for him?”

Rosie’s face turned as red as a beetroot.

“About half a year ago, I accompanied my parents to the royal palace. Given its vastness, I lost my way while wandering.”

“I understand. It’s such an easy place to get lost.”

“That’s when Lord Chase comforted me as I was on the verge of tears and lent me his handkerchief. He was so kind and even escorted me to my parents. I was deeply touched by his gesture.”

“Why didn’t you confess right away?”

“What?! I don’t have that kind of courage. Plus, Lord Chase is so popular. I doubted if it would be appropriate for me to express my feelings.”

Chase is popular? Since when?

Iva was bewildered by these revelations. The other ladies chimed in to add their own insights.

“Yes, many people admire the way Lord Chase brushes back his ash-colored hair when he’s deep in thought.”

“The combination of his distinctive eyebrows and that gesture is simply… mesmerizing.”

Blushing yet proud, Rosie continued to enumerate Chase’s charming points.

“The intensity in his eyes when he’s engrossed in his work is just so captivating.”

A teasing image of Chase came to Iva’s mind, making her smirk, but she quickly collected herself, remembering she was in the midst of giving a counseling session.

“Don’t worry, Rosie. Given that Chase and I are childhood friends, I know all about his likes and dislikes. I’ll share everything with you!”

“Wow- thank you so much.”

“Rosie, this is truly a fortunate turn of events!”

And so began Iva’s second mission: ‘Operation Free Chase from Solo Life!’

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