No matter how tangled the three’s thoughts had been through the night, morning still arrived.

Simon pushed open his door after dressing and let out a yawn.

Just as he stretched, Tidelys’s voice drifted over, soft yet sharp: “Master Simon… didn’t sleep well last night?”

Startled, Simon spun around—Tidelys had somehow appeared right behind him.

“M-Morning, Tidelys,” Simon stammered, guilt flickering across his face. “Yeah… slept a bit restlessly. Guess I’m just not used to new beds.”

Between last night’s excitement and fright, he’d barely closed his eyes.

“The young mistress has prepared breakfast. Please freshen up first,” a servant offered.

*Saved!* Simon seized the lifeline. “Right, Tidelys, I’ll go wash—”

“Let’s go together, Master Simon.” Tidelys looped her arm tightly through his.

“W-Wait… why are you clinging like this?” Guilt practically glowed on Simon’s cheeks. *Did she figure it out?*

“I just felt like holding your arm. Come on~” Tidelys tugged him forward, her nose twitching slightly.

*A faint milky scent.*

*No mistake—it was Nana’s.*

As Viana’s closest friend, Tidelys knew her habit of milk baths. Yet now… that fragrance clung to Simon.

He hadn’t noticed: last night, Viana had hidden under the covers, then playfully wrestled with him. Her scent lingered on the sheets—and on him.

*So Nana really did come out of Master Simon’s room!*

Tidelys narrowed her eyes. *Truly… “Beware fire, thieves, and even your best friend.”*

She felt no jealousy—back in the territory, they’d shared every toy. If Nana truly liked him? Sharing Master Simon wasn’t unthinkable.

But sneaking off without warning? Jumping straight into bed?!

A tiny huff bloomed in Tidelys’s chest.

Still, she said nothing—just tightened her grip on his arm.

Silent tension hung between them until they reached the dining hall.

“Good morning! How did you sleep?” Viana sat already, sipping milk poured by a maid. Calm as ever—until her eyes landed on Tidelys clinging to Simon’s arm. Her smile faltered, just a trace.

“Fine.”

“Very comfortable.”

They took their seats with servants’ help.

“Oh! Nana,” Tidelys chirped the moment she sat, “did you finish your errand last night?”

Simon’s heart leapt into his throat.

“All done. See?” Viana smiled, flipping a stiff card on the table. “Now I have an invitation too.” Unshaken. Prepared.

“Phew… I worried all night. Master Simon just shooed me off,” Viana added warmly. “Little Ti’s concern is enough for me.”

“As for *Mr. Simon*… well, he’s a gentleman. Avoiding suspicion is only proper.”

*Nana’s acting perfectly.*

*Too bad Detective Tidelys already spotted the clues.*

*“Mr. Simon”? So formal… Did she call him “Mister” in bed too?*

Simon’s panic spiked under Tidelys’s sharpening gaze. *Stop talking about last night!* He stirred his coffee casually. “Since you have the invite… any idea what’s being auctioned?”

“No details beforehand—Golden Coin Merchant Guild never leaks,” Viana said. “Though… connections sometimes whisper hints. Sadly, I learned too late to help.”

*Ah!* Simon waved it off. “Never mind. Just worried my coins won’t stretch.”

Hundreds of thousands of gold—his entire fortune—couldn’t buy Viana’s “fairly suitable” mansion. If Royal Capital nobles were all this rich… he’d bid on nothing today.

“You forgot our partnership *and* the dividends?” Viana sighed, exasperated.

Simon blinked. “Only a week since we… finalized the deal? How much could dividends be?”

“The amount doesn’t matter,” she explained. “You can borrow against future earnings. From *me*.”

Relief washed over Simon. *Ah. Money borrowed from her isn’t really money.*

After last night’s tangled covers, his mindset had shifted. *She’s clearly set on keeping me. As long as I don’t end up marrying into her family… victory!*

Unaware of his thoughts, Viana wrapped up briskly: “Eat up. Auction starts at ten.”

…

“Ladies and gentlemen—we’ve arrived.”

After breakfast, the carriage halted at the Golden Coin Merchant Guild’s auction hall.

Circular like an opera house, seats ringed a central display platform.

*A thousand bidders?* Simon whistled inwardly. *No item list revealed… yet this turnout? Their reputation’s no joke.*

“Good morning, Miss Viana!”

“Morning, Miss Viana!”

Nods and smiles followed them to their seats—until a blond youth blocked their path. Viana’s smile vanished.

“Viana? Fancy meeting you here. Truly in sync,” the youth grinned.

“Hello, Mr. Kreze,” Viana replied, tone polished ice. Not one extra word.

She turned to leave—but Kreze reached for her arm.

“Don’t rush off! What’s your seat number?”

*Slap!*

Simon swatted the hand away, then calmly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his fingers. *Touch my wealthy woman? Step back.*

Kreze flinched. “And you are…?”

“Lei Norflin,” Simon said, chin high. “I stand by my name.”