《The Stepmother Has Left》 Chapter 1 It was the day after the youngest of the Dukes, Nick¡¯s, coming-of-age banquet. The Duke¡¯s family woke up unusually late, as they fell soon fell asleep after attending the lavish banquet. As Nick woke up to the pouring sunlight, he looked for this stepmother for the first time, whom he had never paid much attention to before. ¡°Where did stepmother go?¡± ¡°I do not know. We have not seen her since early morning.¡± Nick skimmed the whole mansion, feeling puzzled at the sudden disappearance of his stepmother, who was nowhere to be found no matter how much he looked and asked for. He stopped the working servants of the mansion, but no one knew where his mother was. Nick, who was climbing down the stairs, feeling a bit uneasy from within, found his father through the open door of the Duke¡¯s office and approached him. ¡°Father, where did stepmother go?¡± The Duke didn¡¯t answer, as he was looking at something of his with an unreadable expression on his face. ¡°Where is the stepmother¡­?¡± Nick, who opened the door and stood next to his father, glanced at the paper he was looking at, stopped. Her stepmother¡¯s handwriting, as neat as her personality, caught his eye. [It¡¯s been a while since I came here as a new wife, a stepmother and Diana¡¯s dear friend. I am writing this letter as Cassia. As Nick had his coming-of-age banquet yesterday, I have fulfilled all of my contracts with Your Excellency to be the stepmother for 7 years. Even so, I¡¯m glad that I¡¯ve been able to keep this family safe on Diana¡¯s behalf. When I finally made up my mind to leave, I felt a strange feeling from within, both sad and happy¡­ Having done my part, I am now ready to leave the Duke and live my own life. Diana was a beautiful friend of mine and your one and only family. Thank you for accepting me, who was never enough to replace Diana, and will never be. I will take my leave now. Thank you for the 7 years we have spent together. May the door of the Whidrian family be constantly filled with divine blessings.] ¡°¡­What does all this mean, Father? Has stepmother left the mansion?¡± Nick muttered blankly as he looked at his letter with shocked eyes, without speaking any further. How long has it been? The Duke finally opened his mouth and spoke softly. ¡°¡­Contact your brother. Tell him that mother is gone.¡± At the Duke¡¯s words, Nick bit his lip and looked at the letter once, gave a small reply and ran out of the office. Being the only one left in the room, the Duke looked at the divorce papers laid out as they had been saved for a long period, along with the letter. A heavy silence fell. Episode 1 Seven years ago, the Duke¡¯s mansion was filled with great grief. Two young aristocrats, who don¡¯t seem to have even made their debut, a gentleman in a black tuxedo, and numerous people dressed in black. Each of them held a letter with the Duke¡¯s emblem on it. It was the same for him and Cassia. What they had in their hands was a barrel of sorrow. The letter proved how fleeting happiness can be. Because of that, many people had been flocking to the Duke¡¯s mansion since morning. People¡¯s reactions varied. Some were shocked by the sudden news, and some had their faces covered with sleeves and handkerchiefs that couldn¡¯t stop the tears from pouring out. Some moved quickly with an expression different from usual, while hiding their gloomy feelings. And she, perhaps, has the most expressionless face at the moment. *** ¡°Who are you?¡± She remembered the voice that seemed to come from the rustle, on the day she first met Diana. On the day when she first entered the academy the nobles attended, someone stood next to her while she was standing alone on the terrace. Diana Allison, the daughter of Count Allison, received the most attention among the aristocrats. ¡°Why are you out here? You must have entered the school this time, too.¡± ¡°It bothers me that there are so many people.¡± Seeing her different from her peers, Diana seemed curious. She talked for a long time until the entrance dinner party that day passed. Diana started to keep her close, and they started hanging out together. It didn¡¯t take long for the little girls to overturn the class distinction and grow the seeds of friendship. People said she was nothing like Diana¡¯s maid, but she didn¡¯t have any problems. Because ¡®Diana is the daughter of a prosperous countess and Cassia is just a young girl from a poor family¡¯ was correct. Wouldn¡¯t being a friend be better than a maid? And she really liked Diana. As they entered puberty, Diana fell in love and got married, and they couldn¡¯t get along like immature girls anymore. But their relationship continued. Cassia stood always by Diana¡¯s side, right from watching her give birth to her children, attending every birthday party, and watching them grow and enter the academy. She was invited to every party, and she used to regularly visit the Duke¡¯s mansion. They were both friends and family like sisters ¨C not blood-related. *** ¡°Dear nobles, here is the obituary of Duchess Diana Whidrian.¡± Looking at the obituary written in the treasure, she couldn¡¯t believe how cold her body felt. The sudden loss of the woman who was healthier and brighter than anyone else, she thought it was natural for Diana to live happily ever after, and everyone would have thought the same. ¡°How did this happen¡­ Wasn¡¯t Madam so healthy?¡± ¡°She died in a wagon accident.¡± She could hear the voices of several nobles whispering in from her side. Wagon accident¡­ Stopped footsteps. She remembered what Diana said a few days ago. *** ¡°Cassia, if I die suddenly¡­ I will entrust my family to you.¡± ¡°What do you mean all of a sudden?¡± ¡°Well, you don¡¯t know people. Even if you live well, accidents can happen suddenly.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just going to let it go. I shouldn¡¯t say anything unpleasant.¡± Diana said. ¡°Come on, Cassia, just answer me. If I disappear, you will definitely protect my family, right?¡± ¡°¡­Of course. How can you say that?¡± Cassia thought it was strange because Diana spoke in a solemn voice, and she answered so lightly at the spur of the moment. She was lost in her thoughts for a moment, but soon moved on. *** Upon entering the Duke¡¯s house, the maidservant welcomed the incoming guests with a sad face. The Duke¡¯s family had a chaotic atmosphere, but more solemn than ever. People with various expressions were standing in every corner of the living room of the Duke¡¯s mansion. As they approached the hour, the room door, presumably where Diana was, opened, and the butler slowly walked out. People, including Cassia, walked into Diana¡¯s room one after the other, following the guidance of the butler. A large coffin was placed in the middle of the room. In the middle of the overall darkness, there were candles all around. ¡°It seems that the body will not be disclosed. She died in an accident, so the condition is¡­¡± Cassia quietly listened to the voices of people around her. The funeral started soon. ¡°Diana Whidrian was the most kind and loving Duchess¡­¡± Words reminiscent of Diana, prepared by the butler, echoed through the room. The funeral procession ended finally. Cassia stood expressionless the whole time inside the room, and the nobles around her stumbled and wiped their tears. Soon after, everyone took turns carrying flowers and began to say their final goodbyes in front of Diana¡¯s coffin. Starting with Diana¡¯s husband and her two sons, Diana¡¯s parents walked out. The Duke¡¯s maids, servants, and other nobles came to the funeral, and Diana¡¯s casket was piled up with flowers all around. The person in front of her moved away from Diana¡¯s coffin, and she slowly approached the casket following the butler¡¯s guidance. Diana was in it. Her dear friend, who had been with her all over the world since childhood. ¡°¡­I want to see her for one last time.¡± Cassia, who was standing still in front of the coffin, turned her head to the butler. ¡°Please let me see Diana.¡± ¡°But that is¡­¡± The butler hesitated at the command of wanting to open the coffin lid. Then a man¡¯s voice was heard. ¡°Open it.¡± ¡°¡­Your Grace.¡± It was Diana¡¯s husband, Duke Whidrian. She glanced back at him, and saw his face immersed in devastating grief. ¡°Lady Bennett had a special relationship with my wife. Do whatever she wants.¡± ¡°¡­Yes, Your Grace.¡± As soon as the butler answered, the knights standing nearby came and opened the coffin lid. The figure of Diana in the coffin caught her eye. Cassia looked closely at the body. Diana with pure white skin and long, beautiful brown hair. Dressed in a pristine white shroud, she slept peacefully with her eyes closed. The body was not so terribly injured that it could not be seen as someone killed in an accident. She might have hurt her head, as a part of her skull was broken. She was still a beautiful and lovely friend, at least in Cassia¡¯s opinion. She slowly reached out her trembling hand to the coffin. As she gathered courage, she held her dead friend¡¯s hand. ¡°Goodbye, Diana.¡± She smiled while stroking the cold hand that no longer had any warmth. ¡°Thank you for the time we spent together.¡± A painful cry erupted. ¡®And that was the last time Diana and I had been together for more than 20 years¡­¡¯ Chapter 2 Only the Duke and Diana¡¯s family participated in the ceremony held at the cemetery. It was the last rite to think of Diana, who usually lived a simple life. Seven people, dressed in black, stood in front of the Duchess¡¯ tombstone. Diana¡¯s husband, Duke Whidrian. Diana¡¯s two sons. Diana¡¯s father, Count Allison. Diana¡¯s mother, Countess Allison. Diana¡¯s older brother. And Cassia. Yes, she was the only ¡®other¡¯ person who could attend the ceremony. When the two families, in-laws to each other, gathered, the solemn atmosphere was lifted. ¡°Our Cassia. How should we deal with this?¡± Diana¡¯s mother, Countess Allison, hugged her and shed tears as if she were going to faint anytime. ¡°How can Diana leave us like this¡­? Aren¡¯t you close to Diana, too?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just a friend, but she is your daughter.¡± Cassia hugged back the Countess, who was crying while hugging her. Cassia comforted the old mother with all her heart by patting her on the back. She was worried because the Countess was already weak. She has always been grateful to the people who allowed her to get along with Diana. None of Diana¡¯s family members was against their deep friendship. They loved Cassia. All of them were high-ranking aristocrats, such as Counts and Dukes, so it was hard for Cassia to get along with Diana, keeping in mind that she was a young woman belonging to a lowly family. They did the best they could for Cassia because she was a dear friend to Diana. It was the same even now when Diana was no more. So, it wasn¡¯t just because of her friendship with Diana that she cared about them. ¡°I can¡¯t be a daughter to you, but I will always stop by Count Alison regularly. When you think of Diana, please feel free to visit me.¡± ¡°Thank you as always, Cassia. Thank you so much for being with Diana as a close friend.¡± The Count patted Cassia on the back with a sad look on his face. Diana¡¯s brother, Michael, stood in the corner and was silent throughout the ceremony. He kept staring blankly at his younger sister¡¯s coffin, which lay beneath the ground, with sunken eyes. After completing the ceremony, he took his grieving parents and looked at Cassia. ¡°¡­ I¡¯ll see you later. Take care of yourself.¡± ¡°I will. Please take good care of your parents, Michael.¡± His face was drenched with sorrow. He answered by barely raising the corners of his mouth, which barely raised. They all left like that. Soon, the late Duchess¡¯ maid came out to take her two children. Diana¡¯s two children did not even cry despite being so young, and they steadfastly observed their mother¡¯s funeral until the end. The children returned to the mansion holding the maid¡¯s hands on both sides, with a clear sign of exhaustion on their faces. It was her turn to return now. Cassia looked at Diana¡¯s tomb, which was now covered with soil. It was really time to go back to reality. Even for Diana, whose life ended early, Cassia has to live well. That¡¯s all Diana had left for her. She didn¡¯t want to collapse, which would be a courtesy to the one who left first. As Cassia was about to turn around and step out of the cemetery, someone called her from behind. ¡°Lady Benette.¡± ¡°Yes? Ah.¡± Axion Whidrian. The head of the Whidrian family and Diana¡¯s widow. As she turned back, she found him looking at her, and it was the first time she saw his face properly throughout the funeral. To be honest, he was a man with an appearance that suited the word ¡®handsome¡¯, and it seemed like he could not hide the sadness of losing his loved one. His face was emaciated and shrunk in half, and his complexion revealed his heart as he lost his beloved wife, Diana. The only thing that didn¡¯t change was his voice. He spoke in a soft, polite tone. ¡°It¡¯s nothing much, but I have something to say.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Cassia seldom talked to Axion, but she had known him for quite a long time. From the moment he started dating Diana, she unintentionally watched everything from the sidelines. One day at the academy, Diana was walking with her arms crossed. As he approached, he poked out a piece of paper to Diana and disappeared. Diana, who took his letter, stood with a puzzled face, and she looked at his back as he walked away. Cassia could see both of them blushing up close. At the time, many men showed interest in Diana, but he was the first to approach Diana openly. Approaching with a shy face, he naturally took the seat next to Diana. Some of his rivals, who had been greedy for her, looked at him with resentment, but none of them was his opponents. Who could be rivals with the next successor to the Duke of Whidrian, one of the most famous families on the continent? As the exchange of letters happened often, love naturally bloomed between the two. The marriage happened quickly, and Diana gladly became his wife. Even after their marriage, his love for Diana showed no sign of stopping. When Diana became pregnant, he bought a strawberry farm to the north for her, who said she wanted to eat strawberries in midsummer. He would then take her there himself, allowing her to be indulged until the berries were no longer a sight to behold. When their first child was born, he hired a representative for a while, and took care of the child by himself. To others, he may appear to be a dignified and blunt Duke, but as Diana¡¯s best friend, she knew who he was. He was Diana¡¯s everything. Her life. If it was for her, he could be the person who would ruin the whole country. Diana would have been happier because she had been with him all this time. Cassia knew his heart was festering. Not even once she could see a solitary tear pour out of his eye, but she knew he was crying the most at his wife¡¯s funeral. From within. ¡°Yes, go ahead.¡± As she nodded with a short answer, he opened his mouth with a deep sigh. ¡°I¡¯m going to burn all the things related to my wife soon. I¡­ I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be able to see what she has left behind.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Lady Benette also spent a lot of time in our mansion, so I¡¯d like to ask you to organize it. It could be that it might have Lady¡¯s belongings.¡± ¡°¡­Oh, yeah. Come to think of it, I still have work to organize.¡± She used to visit Diana¡¯s mansion often as a friend. The Duke¡¯s family even prepared a separate room for Cassia to stay in. The two children of the Duke called her ¡®Aunt Cassia¡¯ and followed her well, and the Duke also treated her with courtesy. At the time, Cassia was running a small cafe in the corner of the Duke¡¯s decree, and the two children really liked the cakes she made. ¡°I¡¯ll go organize Diana¡¯s belongings. In addition, I have to remove my belongings from the room you gave me.¡± Now that Diana is dead, it will be hard for the Duke to see them as before. Seeing that he was not willing to deny it, she thought he agreed to some extent. ¡°The children¡­ they follow Lady Benette well. Even if you don¡¯t see them as often as before, I hope it wouldn¡¯t make you feel uncomfortable.¡± The Duke cautiously spoke. ¡°¡­ Thank you. Actually, I also wanted to keep seeing the children, and I¡¯m looking forward to how the two children will grow up.¡± She was grateful that he said so. Even if she couldn¡¯t see Diana anymore, it was true that she wanted to keep seeing the children who looked just like her, even if it was rare. She was a person who had been watching Diana¡¯s children grow since birth. ¡®Diana will no longer see her children growing up, though.¡¯ Her heart sank at the sudden thought and pounded vigorously. She bit her lip. Axion, who was looking at her, frowned, ¡°Are you okay, Lady Benette?¡± ¡°Oh, yes¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I thought of something else for a second.¡± There was a tint of bitterness in the Duke¡¯s eyes that were looking at her. ¡°Lady Benette, you should go back and rest soon, too. Thank you for keeping your seat throughout the funeral.¡± ¡°You should rest too, Your Excellency. And today, thank you for letting me Diana for the last time.¡± It was such a sudden, tragic death. She had never imagined that her last meeting with Diana would be like this. It was fortunate that she was able to see her last appearance. Thanks to the Duke¡¯s consideration. ¡°I just did what I could. Lady Benette¡­ is one of the closest people to my wife.¡± ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll rest at home today and come to the Duke¡¯s mansion tomorrow.¡± Dry greetings were exchanged. Axion nodded once and turned around. ¡°Oh, Sir. I have a question, too.¡± Cassia hurriedly spoke. ¡°¡­?¡± The Duke turned to look back at Cassia. ¡°It¡¯s about Diana. Has she ever talked to Your Excellency about this situation before?¡± It was a question that she had been asking herself continuously throughout the funeral. Diana said she might die in an accident. [Cassia, if I die suddenly¡­ I will entrust my family to you.] A few days before the accident, Diana told her that, and she continued thinking about it. ¡°So, like about¡­ what would happen when she suddenly dies.¡± ¡°¡­Well.¡± The Duke looked at her with a confused look, as he listened to her and fell into deep thought. Soon he shook his head. ¡°There was nothing she told me.¡± Cassia looked at him. The look in his eyes, as if he couldn¡¯t remember anything. ¡°¡­I see.¡± When she answered, he nodded once and walked away from her. ¡®Am I being too sensitive?¡¯ She thought she was overthinking because she was tired. Looking at the Duke¡¯s distancing figure, Cassia turned around and walked out of the cemetery. ¡®I should go home and rest for today.¡¯ It was by far the toughest day of her life. Chapter 3 Cassia had a nightmare that day. ¡®Had I been imagining it without realizing it?¡¯ The scene where Diana had an accident unfolded in her dream. In a moment of peace, the horse began to run wild. A coachman who couldn¡¯t control it. A falling wagon. He ran and grabbed Diana¡¯s hand as she was about to fall off the cliff. Diana¡¯s expression was faint. She looked up at Cassia and continued. ¡®Take care of my family, Cassia.¡¯ And with a faint smile, Diana fell. Cassia woke up gasping, with her eyes wide open and heart pounding. It was early morning. When she got up from the bed, she felt her body wet with sweat. She sat for a moment to calm down and stood up. The house was quiet, and she was tired, but she couldn¡¯t sleep any longer. She washed up and prepared a quick breakfast. The bakery, which was in the corner of the Duchy, had decided not to open until today. Because there was a request from the Duke. Waiting for the day to dawn, she visited the Duke of Whidrian. ¡°I¡¯m here for what you asked for yesterday, Sir.¡± ¡°Ah, here you are. I was waiting for you.¡± The Duke personally greeted Cassia and guided her. She walked down the hallway and looked around. The Duke¡¯s mansion was surrounded by a peculiar atmosphere, different from the usual she had seen. All of the users had a blank look on their faces. Some were mopping the floor in a daze, and some were wiping the tears that had flown out unknowingly. And in one corner, some were lifting something with all their might. ¡°That¡¯s-¡± ¡°They are moving things that belonged to my wife.¡± The servants were picking up Diana¡¯s items that were to be burned and putting them out in the middle of the mansion¡¯s hall. From clothes to accessories and goods, numerous items that were once of Diana¡¯s use were piling up, ready to be burned. She was convinced that the items piled up high seemed to symbolize Diana¡¯s vacancy. It is no wonder that not everyone can easily escape the grief of losing Diana. Diana was a massive presence to everyone, not just her own family. She was a staunch hostess of this mansion and Duchy, and she was also a woman representing the aristocratic social circle. She was a lovely daughter to Count Allison, a reliable wife to the Duke, and an everlasting mother to her children. And to Cassia, Diana was the only friend in the world. So now that Diana was gone, it was only natural that everyone everywhere was in deep sorrow. ¡°May I ask what Ken and Nick are doing? I¡¯m worried.¡± ¡°The children are sleeping. All in all, both of them are quieter than I thought, and that¡¯s why I¡¯m even more concerned.¡± ¡°¡­Oh, okay.¡± It would be better to express your sadness, even a little bit. The only people who did not cry at the funeral were Cassia, The Duke, and two children. The Duke did not cry because he must not show a weaker side of him from the standpoint of leading this Duchy. Even though Cassia did not cry, it was very upsetting for her, as an adult, to see Diana¡¯s two sons not cry. Obviously, the shock must have been too much for the little ones. But if they don¡¯t express it, it will soon develop into a mental illness. But she paused, as it seemed too far-fetched to tell the Duke more about it. He led her down the hallway, stopped in front of a familiar door, and opened the door. Every time she visited the peacock house, the scenery of the room she stayed in spread out in front of her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s okay if it¡¯s going to take a long time, so please take it slow.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Tak, the door closed, and she slowly looked around the room once. It was a guest room, but she came to stay often, and the situation, when she came here to visit, was clearly drawn in front of her eyes to see the items that were used exclusively by her. She liked that the Duke¡¯s mansion was huge. Because it had lots of rooms to give one to her. Cassia remembered the first words Diana had told her when she introduced her to this room. ¡°I got a bigger room for you. Would you like me to prepare?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s enough. I am not going to live here.¡± ¡°Actually, you can live here,¡± said Diana, jokingly. Occasionally, at late night, and after everyone fell asleep, Diana used to get out of her room carefully and knocked on the door with a pillow. It wasn¡¯t just once she came slowly next to Cassia and surprised her. They used to lay side by side in bed, and chatted until the sun came up. As the Duchess, Diana always had many concerns that others couldn¡¯t see. When Diana married the Duke, she was worried whether she would get along well, and when she had her children, she was worried whether she could make herself a good mother. Other than that, she had numerous worries while governing the territory or establishing a place for herself in the social world as the Duchess. She may have been the perfect and smart Duchess in the eyes of others, but to Cassia, she was just a troubled person. Cassia always encouraged Diana by talking to her, listening to her worries, and Diana took strength from Cassia by sharing her concerns that she could not even tell her husband. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re with me, Cassia.¡± Diana once said, ¡°Thank you for always being with me. Seriously, no matter what others say, you are my one and only friend.¡± Diana¡¯s voice echoed in her ears. The illusion of Diana seemed to be everywhere in the room she was in. ¡°¡­ It¡¯s funny. I couldn¡¯t even cry even though you were gone. I must be a bad girl.¡± That was really funny. Diana was dead, and Cassia was still alive. She never thought of life without Diana. Now, she had to live a life where her friend, who was always by her side, was no more. So, she didn¡¯t know how to react to Diana¡¯s death now. Cassia bit her lip hard. She didn¡¯t want to think about it anymore. She silently started packing her things. There really wasn¡¯t a lot of stuff she had to pack. The pajamas she wore every time she came here, the lotion she used, and her hair ties. ¡­Diary? As she was packing her luggage, her gaze turned to it. Her gaze became puzzled, eyebrows twitched. She never kept a diary. Therefore, she never brought one here, so who does this belong to? With a blank expression on her face, she stretched out her hand towards the diary. A deep and heavy hunch stuck to her. When she opened it, the neatly written writing caught her eye. She knew whose handwriting it was. It was Diana¡¯s. [The surroundings these days are suspicious. It feels like big and small accidents happen all the time. An accident that someone intended.] Her eyes trembled, the expression became severe. As she turned the page and found another line written. [A wagon almost hit me today. This is not the first time. I must have been a target for someone.] Her hands trembled. [What if I die?] [What will happen to this position?] [His Majesty The Emperor wants to have a deep connection with the family who will be his strong supporter. He will try to put his own people here to solidify the alliance. Perhaps there will be pressure on Xion to remarry. If he is pushed to remarry, my children will be a mess. My children haven¡¯t grown up yet. What if my kids are abandoned?] [I spoke to Cassia as if passing by today. I asked her to take care of my family if I died. Having said this, I feel more at ease.] Cassia got up from her seat after reading till there. She left the room in a hurry and started running towards the Duke¡¯s office. The servant tilted their heads at the sight of a lady running down the hallway. Cassia couldn¡¯t manage her facial expressions properly. Her heart was beating like crazy. As soon as she opened the door to the office and entered, the Duke stood up from his seat with a puzzled face. ¡°Lady Benette, what¡¯s going on-¡± ¡°Did Diana have any enemies?¡± She put the diary down in front of him. The Duke, who had an unreadable expression on his face, looked at the diary and furrowed his eyebrows. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°This is a diary I found while cleaning my room. It¡¯s in Diana¡¯s handwriting.¡± The Duke¡¯s hand slowly lifted up the diary. As he read it slowly, his eyes began to tremble. Cassia approached him and tapped the desk. ¡°Sir, please answer me. Did Diana have any enemies?¡± Looking straight into his eyes, she asked desperately. If the contents of the diary were true, her friend did not die in an accident. Diana was murdered. Silence passed. How much time had passed? The Duke hastily put down the diary. He went all the way to the half-open office door. He opened the door to make sure no one was listening, and then he shut the door firmly. The sound of the door locking resounded. The Duke returned to Cassia again. He rubbed his face dry. Neither he nor she could speak easily. ¡°¡­ First of all, it¡¯s correct that this is Diana¡¯s diary. It is written in her handwriting.¡± ¡°So, you mean that Diana was really killed by someone? It was not an accident?¡± Cassia couldn¡¯t even breathe properly. Her heart sank to the abyss. But she managed to hold herself together. Who in the world- Who in the world did this? Cassia shook her head desperately. ¡®Did Diana say anything to me about this recently?¡¯ She tried to look back at her memories, but there was no story that came to her mind. Besides, in the aristocratic world, everyone was an enemy to each other. Diana wasn¡¯t from a small family like Cassia, so she couldn¡¯t easily identify who was targeting her friend. The Duke also opened his mouth as if he could not quickly get a grip like her. ¡°Because of the power of the position of the Duke¡¯s wife, there must be many enemies everywhere. In addition, the distinction between Diana and my outside work was quite clear. She was too busy just talking about raising children.¡± ¡°Diana¡­ hadn¡¯t said anything to me either. The only moment that I thought it was strange was when she started talking about what would happen if she suddenly died.¡± A deep silence passed. Cassia knew for a moment that she and Duke Whidrian were feeling the same way. As a husband, he did not know anything about Diana¡¯s situation. And she overlooked Diana¡¯s words, which she felt strange. [Take care of my family, Cassia.] Chapter 4 Cassia shut her eyes tight. ¡®Was that what you said to me on purpose? I didn¡¯t even know that. Did I just pass by?¡¯ Her hands trembled, and she clenched her fists tightly. ¡°¡­If this is really true, then why didn¡¯t Diana talk about it to me?¡± ¡°She wouldn¡¯t want to put the people she loves at risk.¡± ¡°Because it could be too quick to say something and put that person at risk,¡± the Duke replied. Cassia¡¯s heart sank into hell. Not even her tears came out. The strength in her legs drained out. She slumped to her floor as if toppling over. It was regret that it flooded in. Diana¡¯s expression, which was not usual, was stamped on her mind. Cassia should have asked when she thought it was strange. She shouldn¡¯t have moved on like that casually. Those were her last words. Perhaps Diana had a foreboding of her own death, and those were the last words she wanted to leave to her only friend. Cassia felt like hating herself. She didn¡¯t notice it in advance. She inadvertently overlooked her friend¡¯s appearance, which was different than usual. Cassia¡¯s expression became empty. Her voice echoed through the silence. ¡°Are there any chances of you getting married again?¡± ¡°¡­Lady-¡± ¡°Please be honest, Sir. What about the remarriage story that Diana wrote in her diary?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not impossible, though.¡± The Duke licked his dry lips as he thought. ¡°Your Majesty has long wished to forge a stronger bond with the Duke, and he has already talked about marriage once in the past.¡± Cassia had heard from Diana. In the past, the imperial family proposed a political marriage to the Duke, but he, who loved Diana at that time, rejected the proposal and married Diana. That is it. ¡°But¡­ I¡¯m not going to get married.¡± ¡°How can you guarantee that? Once again, if Your Majesty the Emperor orders it, there will be a limit to holding out. Besides, if you¡¯ve already rejected the marriage proposal once, this time around, you¡¯ll receive the imperial hatred.¡± ¡°Even after marrying my wife, I have always been loyal to the imperial family. Your Majesty will understand the situation.¡± ¡°Sir, you know better that it won¡¯t work. On top of that, what if Diana¡¯s death was an imperial conspiracy¡­?¡± Axion couldn¡¯t answer. He was shaking as much as Cassia was. Soon he sat down on the office chair. He seemed just as shocked as Cassia was, and he couldn¡¯t hide it easily anymore. ¡°Take care of my family, Cassia.¡± Diana¡¯s words echoed through her mind. She stared blankly at the Duke. ¡°¡­Your Grace.¡± ¡°I will become the Duchess,¡± Cassia spoke calmly. The Duke¡¯s eyes widened. Silence passed once again. Cassia was still looking calmly at the Duke. ¡°¡­What did you say now?¡± ¡°Until the children are all grown up, I¡¯ll be the Duchess in place of Diana.¡± Axion had a look of disappointment on his face. In fact, it was a bit impulsive, but once Cassia spat out the reason, the possibility was sufficient. If you¡¯re looking for someone to replace Diana anyway, Cassia was the best fit. Somehow, it seemed to persuade him, and she continued. ¡°¡­As you can see, I¡¯m not married yet, and I¡¯m quite familiar with the Duke¡¯s family. I¡¯ve also heard about the situation in the estate through Diana. If I were to sit in the Duchess¡¯ seat, even superficially, you should be able to turn down the proposal.¡± If there had ever been a man she had met, she would have seriously thought about marriage. But she had never been in a relationship before, and it was the same back then. They asked why she had no dating experience. Well¡­ she didn¡¯t really have anything to say. It just happened by chance. Was it because she never had a chance to be in a relationship or get married, or because she didn¡¯t really want to? As such, there was nothing much she had to give up for this marriage. Perhaps it was a rationalization, originated from the desire to somehow fulfil Diana¡¯s secret request. ¡°It¡¯s not possible.¡± He flatly refused. ¡°Lady Benette, you¡¯re shocked, but you have to be careful. I can¡¯t leave you with such a burden. And unless we know why Diana died, it could be dangerous for you to sit in the Duchess¡¯ seat.¡± ¡°At least I don¡¯t have many people to protect like Diana. My parents also passed away, and the ties with the family were cut off a long time ago.¡± ¡°¡­But.¡± ¡°Your Excellency, please do your best to protect me. As much as I couldn¡¯t protect Diana.¡± His eyes went blank again. A look in despair. It was challenging to deal with all the reality. Both of them were the same. As long as they don¡¯t know why Diana died, as he said, it¡¯s true that it could be dangerous for her to sit as the Duchess. But for that part, she wanted to trust him. He must be regretting not protecting Diana like she did. ¡°And if someone was aiming for the Duchess itself, then when the attack would be on me, I could conversely figure out how Diana died.¡± There were no witnesses to the wagon accident. Diana, the maid, the coachman, and even the horse all died on the spot, so everyone died out of the blue and everyone was in great shock. And if someone killed Diana for the seat itself, such a risk would come to Cassia as well. If she uses it in reverse, she will be able to figure out who tried to kill Diana. And more than anything. ¡°Can you see this?¡± Cassia showed him Diana¡¯s diary. It had a message written on it, asking for the safety of her family. ¡°Above all, if you were me, would you be able to easily overlook these words?¡± Her heart sank miserably, and her voice trembled slightly as she looked at him. ¡°You admit it, too. That I was all close to Diana.¡± ¡°It was a serious request from her, and I passed on it casually.¡± Had she felt strange there and had asked Diana just one word, things might have been different. It may have been that Diana had confided in the danger she was going through and tried to overcome it all together. But she couldn¡¯t. Her friend knew this was the fate she had to face. Only after finishing this task will she be able to let Diana go. It wasn¡¯t until then that she would finally have the right to cry for her dead friend. The Duke¡¯s expression became complicated, as if the situation was going unexpectedly. ¡°I¡¯m not saying I¡¯m going to sit in Diana¡¯s place for the rest of my life. Because I have my own life.¡± ¡°Please write a contract. So that when the children are all grown up, I can leave the mansion at any time. Then Your Excellency will feel less burdened, and I will be able to take care of my life when the time comes.¡± Axion did not answer easily. He just looked at Cassia and sighed in vain. Perhaps he, too, felt terrible. ¡°¡­ Let¡¯s think about it.¡± ¡°Think about it and give me a call. My decision probably won¡¯t change.¡± After she spoke firmly, Cassia left the room with the diary. Tick, the sound of the door closing resounded, and she realized it. That the world she had been living in so far has been firmly shattered. *** A few days later, the Duke visited Cassia¡¯s house. With a firm expression as if he had finished his worries, ¡°Okay, I accept Lady Benette¡¯s offer.¡± He held out the contract he had written before Cassia, asking her to check to see if the conditions were good and make corrections if needed. Cassia accepted his contract and quill. She looked down at the contract. [Contract] [1. Cassia Benette decides to become the Duchess of Whidrian.] [2. Cassia Bennett agrees to live as Duchess for at least seven years, until the children reach adulthood.] [3. After successfully fulfilling the contract, Cassia has the power to divorce. The Duke of Whidrian must respect Cassia¡¯s decision.] [4. If Cassia Bennett chooses to divorce, the Duke of Whidrian will fund her to live her life as prosperous as she wishes.] ¡°Not bad.¡± In addition, it is not a bad offer to say that he will provide financial support for the rest of their lives. There was nothing she really wanted to add. As she was about to sign with a quill, the Duke blocked her hand. ¡°You need to know that the decisions you make now may make it harder than you think.¡± Cassia looked at him and continued. ¡°It¡¯s going to be a formal marriage. Everyone associated with the Duke will oppose you. As children enter puberty, it is likely that they will have a hard time accepting you, and neither will I be a good husband. We will do our best to provide cover, but Lady Benette could be in danger.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Besides, the forces that killed my wife may not reach out to the Lady, and there may be no results. Still, are you confident that you won¡¯t regret it?¡± Axion looked at Cassia like that and asked. She smiled while looking at him. ¡°I can regret it. But I might regret not making this choice more, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already made up my mind.¡± It¡¯s at least 7 years anyway. If it¡¯s too hard, she just has to close her eyes and ears somehow and hold out for just seven years before the children reach adulthood. Doesn¡¯t the contract also state that it is until the children grow up? Of course, it¡¯s not a short period of time, but rather she wanted to make the choice she wanted to make than just live. Even if it was hard, she had to endure it, it was a must-have choice to let Diana rest well. This was both a choice for Diana and a choice for Cassia. A choice for herself that did not hear her friend¡¯s last request properly, so she did not prevent the possibility of her death even by a little. Of course, the Duke will do his best to protect her, but if he doesn¡¯t protect her¡­ Then she¡¯ll just die. Smiling, Cassia signed the contract. She continued, looking firmly into his eyes. ¡°I look forward to your kind cooperation, Duke.¡± ¡®Diana, if it¡¯s for you¡­¡¯ ¡®¡­I will willingly jump into hellfire myself. For you, my dear friend.¡¯ Chapter 5 Being the new Duchess was not easy from the start. Everyone around her was astonished. From the vassals of the dukes to all the nobles of the social world. They widened their eyes at the news that Cassia would become hostess to the Duchy instead of Diana. They gave an incomprehensible look, as if how dare she do that. It must have been enough to be angry for those who did not know the circumstances of the marriage. When the news of the marriage became known, her reputation, which was low before, sank to the bottom. ¡®The woman who betrayed her friend.¡¯ ¡®An immoral woman married to her friend¡¯s husband.¡¯ Not only that, but some rumours started following her. The reason why she had been close to Diana all along was that she tried to secure the position of the Duchess. She stayed next to Diana because she was actually in love with her friend¡¯s husband. Diana ended her life in an accident and death because Cassia actually put a curse on her. The rumours circulated like the truth, and people believed them completely. Cassia expected this to happen, but when the rumours went too far, the Duke spoke to her as if he was concerned. ¡°I think it would be a good idea to tell people that this marriage is a contract, Cassia. Even if we can¡¯t tell you the details¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. Don¡¯t say it.¡± Cassia stopped Axion. ¡°If you come now and tell the reasons for our marriage to those who already believed the rumors, they would only see it as a lie to justify the marriage.¡± ¡°But, Lady-.¡± ¡°It¡¯s something I was prepared for anyway. I¡¯m fine, Sir, don¡¯t worry about it either.¡± The Duke couldn¡¯t say anything more to his words, which were cut off and rejected. Their wedding was full of curses, and it was the most controversial scandal in history. However, since it was none other than Duke Whidrian¡¯s wedding, people couldn¡¯t even openly boo about it. But when the Duke was away, they whispered at Cassia so she could hear them. ¡®Isn¡¯t she crazy? How can she marry her friend¡¯s husband?¡¯ ¡®I knew it¡¯d be like that. She must have lived next to the Duchess for that.¡¯ ¡®Isn¡¯t it true that she really killed that woman?¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s true, it¡¯s true.¡¯ To them, Cassia was the greatest trash and scandalous woman in the social world. A woman who took advantage of her friend¡¯s death to take her place as her own, and abandoned even the least morality. Cassia didn¡¯t mind those stares, but she felt sorry for her parents. That was after they had already died. After ascending to the position of Duchess, she began to live in the mansion as the side character. The time has come to hold out and sit here amid the excessively tight security provided by the Duke. Cassia didn¡¯t know anything else, but she wanted to make sure that she could lead the Duchy for the purpose that Diana had asked her to do. There were people around her that she had to get through or persuade. The maids blatantly ignored her, and it was necessary to properly imprint her status on them. She had to be full of pride. She fired the handmaiden, who worked the longest in the Duke¡¯s mansion and ignored the new Duchess, in front of everyone. ¡°Start packing up your stuff and leave. Today.¡± ¡°What?¡± The handmaiden gave her an absurd look. ¡®Dare you kick me out?¡¯ her eyes seemed to ask. Cassia smiled faintly in front of that arrogant face. ¡°You don¡¯t seem to have figured out what¡¯s going on.¡± ¡°¡­Madam.¡± ¡°Butler. Get her out of the mansion today.¡± The butler looked at Cassia with bewildered eyes. He hesitated and couldn¡¯t answer easily. Only then did the handmaiden look at Cassia with repentant eyes as if she had intuitively sensed that the situation was unusual. ¡°Madam, why are you doing this all of a sudden?¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± People, including Cassia, turned their heads at the sound of the voice next to her. The Duke, who had gone out for a while, came back and stopped in front of an unfamiliar commotion. ¡°I asked what was going on.¡± ¡°She kept ignoring me. So I¡¯m about to fire her as of today.¡± ¡°Oh no, Sir!¡± Cassia pointed to the handmaid, who fell on her face in front of the Duke and bowed her head. ¡°I never ignored the Duchess!¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t you ignoring me?¡± Cassia¡¯s voice grew cold. ¡°Didn¡¯t you spit in my coffee, deliberately brought me food on broken plates, and ice-cold water to my bath? And you expect me to overlook all of this? If so, you have been underqualified as a maid of this mansion for a long time.¡± The maid¡¯s face turned white as all her atrocities poured out of Cassia¡¯s mouth. The Duke, who watched the situation with his eyes narrowed, ordered the butler. ¡°Butler, get the maid out of the mansion right now.¡± ¡°Your Excellency!¡± When the butler followed the orders of the master, the maid¡¯s face turned indescribably white. ¡°Your Grace, I have worked for the Duke for the longest time among the maids here. How can you kick me out with just one word from the new Duchess?¡± ¡°Working for many years is not an excuse for your mistakes.¡± ¡°But¡­!¡± ¡°Listen carefully, the rest of the users.¡± The Duke¡¯s voice resounded among the users. ¡°Treat the Duchess like a Duchess. If something like today comes to my notice one more time, then I will hold everyone accountable.¡± The air in the mansion turned as cold as ice. All the workers bowed their heads, and the Duke went into his office, passing by them. Only the cries of the handmaiden seemed to resound in the mansion. *** The Whidrian family was the founding contributor who shared the beginning of the Empire. As a family full of legitimacy that uses a giant dragon as the family crest, the pride of its users was higher than any other family. Therefore, the dismissal of the handmaiden must have been a powerful event that shocked the entire mansion. Even after leaving the mansion, the handmaiden has visited the Duke several times. She stopped in front of his moving carriage, knelt down and ran to him, but the Duke refused to accept her until the end. Since then, the handmaiden stopped going. Since that incident, at least in front of her, the users kept quiet, and they have begun to regard Cassia as the Duchess, even superficially. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. You told me not me, but I eventually sided with Lady Benette.¡± Axion seemed worried that it would rather be an arrow for Cassia to take even though he took her side. Cassia shook her head. ¡°No¡­ I¡¯m so thankful and reassured that you took my side.¡± When Cassia smiled and thanked him, he shook his head and smiled bitterly. ¡°¡­ No, it¡¯s not. Shouldn¡¯t we do something like this?¡± Axion Whidrian. A man with moderate manners and a meticulous personality compared to his sharp impression. He was a good person, as Cassia had seen with Diana all along. During their marriage, he took great care of her and became a good colleague. But that was all. There was no love between them. Of course. *** It was a very dry marriage. Throughout our marriage, they used polite words to communicate as if they were strangers. The titles were always limited to ¡®Sir¡¯ and ¡®Lady¡¯ when the two of them were alone. They did not ask about each other¡¯s personal lives, other than doing their part in their respective positions. They were good friends, but there was always an invisible wall between them. He didn¡¯t know what she liked, what she didn¡¯t like, what she wanted to do, and she didn¡¯t know where he was going or who he would meet. For them, marriage was a play set in the world before Diana¡¯s grave. And I was nothing but Cassia, Diana¡¯s friend, who will always be the actual Duchess. ¡°Do you have any discomfort these days?¡± The Duke was always polite to her and asked her about her condition. As if treating her like a guest, as if making her stay in the mansion a little more comfortable. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m okay.¡± She always used to reply like this. Along with thanking him for taking care of her, if there was one less dry aspect of the marriage, it was the consideration for Cassia. Not long after marriage, he even made some pretty radical proposals first. If you want, Cassia, you can meet another guy. ¡°Are you serious?¡± ¡°Even if I do this, I think it will make me feel more comfortable.¡± Axion seemed to care very much that Cassia had mortgaged her life here on her own to do her friend¡¯s a favour. She was grateful for just thinking of her like that, so she answered him with a smile. ¡°Thank you for your consideration. If I have a lover, I will introduce him to Your Excellency first.¡± Of course, she hasn¡¯t met any other men. There¡¯s nothing much to the reason. Living as a ¡®The Duchess¡¯ was more work than she had thought, so she couldn¡¯t afford to pay attention to relationships, and she was worried that it would cause inconvenience to the Duke if she met another man. Anyway, they were really far from being a ¡®couple¡¯. In fact, throughout the marriage, Axion and Cassia seem to have consciously avoided getting close to each other. It was inevitable. It was originally a marriage made by Diana, and they only came close once a year. Diana¡¯s death anniversary. In particular, until three years after Diana died, a memorial service was held according to etiquette. They dressed up in black together, attended the memorial service, and sat in the front seat to honour Diana. Whenever that happened, there were indescribable deep emotions on Axion¡¯s face that Cassia sometimes saw from the side. As the years passed, the feelings seemed to fade and keep fading¡­ Axion and Cassia were a married couple by name, and always had a relationship with a wall in front of them in a non-approaching tone. In fact, she didn¡¯t really care about any of that because she didn¡¯t expect a personal relationship with him. It was a pity that her first marriage did not contain love, but that was all. There was a really hard thing. It was nothing but dealing with Ken and Nick. Chapter 6 Ken and Nick. Diana¡¯s two sons, who will lead the future of Whidrian. Ken, who resembled Diana¡¯s face perfectly, was the first, and Nick, who looked like the softer version of the Duke¡¯s face, was the second. Ken and Nick were only 13 and 11 when Diana died. The children did not cry at the funeral. Being the Duke¡¯s sons, they endured everything at their mother¡¯s funeral at that age without weeping. The Duke was a grown man, but how could those little children be so calm even when they didn¡¯t cry at the funeral? People wept many times as they watched the two Confucius endure the whole funeral process. They would all say in unison, saying they felt so sorry for the children left behind. Cassia also felt very sorry for the children who had to suffer their mother¡¯s death at the age when they needed a mother¡¯s affection and warmth. Cassia wanted to be a psychologically reliable existence for these children, unlike the Duke, with whom she had to pretend to be a couple. The reason Diana asked Cassia to take care of her family in the first place was also for the children. On the day they first met their stepmother, Cassia tried to shake hands with them. ¡°Ken, Nick, please take good care of me from now on.¡± The two children did not hold her hand. Nick seemed to be paying attention to Ken, who glared at Cassia obliquely. After some time passed, Ken led Nick and slammed the room¡¯s door. A hand left alone in the air. The Duke standing next to Cassia, said, ¡°¡­I apologise for that.¡± ¡°No. I expected not to be well-received anyway.¡± Cassia raised her hand and smiled at Axion. ¡°I will try to talk with the children.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t push yourself too hard. They just need time.¡± Until then, Cassia had thought that she could get closer to the children if she tried. Actually, she tried various ways to get closer to the children, just like the moment when she was ¡®Aunt Cassia¡¯ and the moment when she maintained a good relationship without any problems. If she did her best in the relationship, it wouldn¡¯t be difficult for them to open their hearts, because after all, they are just children who need a mother¡¯s affection. But it was her mistake. In the early days of her marriage, there were many times where she stayed up for days at a time with a lot of work to adjust to living as the Duchess. It was the same that day. She was going for a walk in the garden to take a break from working until late at night. As she walked down the hallway, she heard a loud noise coming from Ken¡¯s room. ¡°How could Father do that?!¡± It was Ken¡¯s voice filled with anger. Cassia stopped walking and turned her head in the direction where the noise came. She knew it was better not to look. But when she came to her senses, she found herself already sneaking into the room through the gap in the slightly opened door. Her eyes caught the Duke sitting on the bed and Ken, who was standing and raging, facing each other. Nick hid in a corner and tears were streaming down his face. In a serious mood, Ken continued. ¡°I¡¯m really disappointed in my father. How can you bring another woman into your house so easily?¡± ¡°Ken, didn¡¯t I tell you before? It was for you.¡± ¡°For us? Don¡¯t try to be funny. Do you know what people say about our family?¡± ¡°Ken.¡± The Duke sighed. Cassia knew what that sigh was about. The Duke and Cassia had decided to keep the story of the contract marriage a secret from the children. Both the Duke and Cassia knew it would be of no use to talk about contract marriage with the children, who were emotionally unstable. If they can¡¯t accept it anyway, they¡¯d better be angry. The Duke told the children if he still wanted to protect them. ¡°Your stepmother was brought in by me. If you want to curse, curse me. I think you need a mother.¡± ¡°No?. Who told you that? I just hate it when someone other than my real mother sits in my mother¡¯s chair!¡± A trembling voice came from Ken, full of anger. The Duke sternly shouted. ¡°Ken, what are you talking-¡± ¡°Get that woman out right now. If it¡¯s for us, send her back for us! That¡¯s where my mother sits.¡± Ken cried. He said in a voice filled with mourning, with tears in his eyes. As Ken cried, Nick¡¯s cry also began to grow louder. The Duke let out a deep sigh. It was only there that Cassia heard the words that flowed out of the room. She couldn¡¯t be there any longer. ¡®Run away.¡¯ ¡®Run away¡­¡¯ Cassia ran towards the garden. As if cut by a sword, she was barely holding onto her heart. Even after arriving in the garden, it was hard to breathe, so she sat down in a corner and took long, irregular deep breaths. She realised it for the first time that day. That the lovely Ken and Nick, who used to follow their Aunt Cassia, no longer existed. Cassia didn¡¯t cry when Diana died, but the truth brought tears to her eyes. Only the Duke and Cassia knew about Diana¡¯s death and this marriage. From the children¡¯s point of view, she was just a villain who had secured the place of her late friend like the rumours of the world. Cassia sat alone in the corner of the garden for a long time, wiping away the flowing tears. *** From that day on, Cassia changed my mind. She decided not to approach the children anymore. She realised that the children now treated her more like their nemesis than an aunt. The children needed an object of wrath, which the Duke and Cassia should have received fairly. Of course, there were a lot of bumps. From that day on, Ken did everything he could to get Cassia out, and when the Duke didn¡¯t listen to him, he tried to run away. In the end, the Duke sent Ken to the Imperial Knights Templar, but the case ended. After Ken¡¯s departure, the Duke¡¯s family quickly found stability. The maids now treated Cassia as a Duchess, the rumours against her in the social circles gradually subsided, and the voices of the vassals, who were protesting against the marriage, gradually lost their strength. Cassia went to be the perfect Duchess in Diana¡¯s place, at least superficially. The second son, Nick, didn¡¯t show as much rebellion or opposition as Ken, and quickly settled down. The child was very, very timid. Because of his soft heart, he often filled his hazy eyes with tears ¨C it was amazing how he did not cry at Diana¡¯s funeral ¨C and he couldn¡¯t express his feelings properly in front of people. He liked to read books and enjoyed immersion in contemplation. That was the Nick Cassia knew, and he was still unknown to her. But for that child, Cassia was always a stepmother. The child also did not get close to her easily either. He always treated her with manners and respect, but the child¡¯s nickname for Cassia was ¡®stepmother¡¯. Rather than disliking it, Cassia felt like he was having a hard time. In the past, Nick used to call her ¡®Aunt Cassia¡¯ and smile brightly. But¡­ it didn¡¯t seem like he could easily adapt. It seemed that treating Cassia as a mother was not easy to adapt. In addition, Nick was a growing teenager. When you enter puberty, even your biological parents become worried, thinking about dealing with the kid. When Nick went to the academy, he would bow to her and quietly go to his room. It would have been better if he could be a little comfortable with her, but it was a pity. But Cassia understood the child. She didn¡¯t approach him. Because she wasn¡¯t Diana, she was Cassia. Because she will never be able to be a mother to that child for the rest of her life. It was natural. Cassia always paid attention and kept a certain distance from Nick. She had made this choice in consideration of the child. Oh, but after Ken left, if she sometimes made a cake that she often made when was ¡®Aunt Cassia¡¯, the child would eat it all. Cassia was grateful for that. Time passed quickly. Seven years passed in an instant. *** Seven years later. The annexe of the Duke¡¯s mansion was opened after a long time. The users with cleaning tools lined up and entered the annexe. It was mainly used for banquets, but it has not been used in recent years. The Duke and Duchess weren¡¯t fond of holding banquets, and the first Confucius, whose coming-of-age banquet should have been held two years ago, was not held as planned. The users united. ¡°Since the first Confucius didn¡¯t have the coming-of-age party when he became an adult, let¡¯s pour everything into the second Confucius¡¯ party!¡± They dusted off the dust from all surfaces, opened the curtains, splashed water on the windows, and wiped the floor with mops. They cleaned the windows, opened and organised the warehouse of the annexe, and checked whether the space for cooking food was running without any problems. A few days later, the banquet hall was shining without a single speck of dust. The Duchess, Cassia, was preparing for Nick¡¯s coming-of-age banquet in the middle while looking around the banquet hall. As she walked, holding the hem of the high-end dress that she was now accustomed to, the sounds of her steps echoed in the empty banquet hall. ¡°Tomorrow is the banquet, and I believe the preparations are going well on time. Right?¡± ¡°Yes, I remembered everything you said before and ordered to prepare it.¡± The butler responded to the Duchess, holding a piece of paper containing the list of things to be prepared for Nick¡¯s banquet. ¡°People from all walks of life will come, so we prepared a variety of food as you said. As an appetiser, we plan to prepare caviar canapes and salads at each seat, and we have decided to prepare dishes such as stews in a buffet style. The gourmet cuisine is staffed to always take orders and prepare them. It will be a more bountiful banquet than ever.¡± ¡°Good. Most of all, a lot of people of Nick¡¯s age will attend, so please prepare a lot of desserts and snacks that are popular with his peers.¡± Cassia added some instructions. Now that she had quite a few years of experience, preparing for this kind of banquet was not difficult. The missing items were quickly recognised. ¡°Oh, and make sure to prepare a variety of flavours for coffee and tea. They are picky people who have different tastes.¡± ¡°Okay, Madam.¡± ¡°Then do your best.¡± After waving to the butler who bowed his head, Cassia led the hem of the dress and left the annexe. As she stepped outside, the sun was shining down on her. She raised her hand and covered her eyes. ¡°¡­ It¡¯s already been 7 years.¡± It¡¯s been 7 years since Diana left. It has been 7 years since she became a member of the Duke¡¯s mansion. She couldn¡¯t believe it. Nick was already of age, and the Duke was preparing for Nick¡¯s coming-of-age banquet. It felt very strange. The years went by quickly, but she never thought 7 years would pass by so fast. ¡®¡­Have I ever been a good Duchess?¡¯ Cassia thought about it again, but quickly brushed it off. She did her best so far, so she decided to be satisfied. Anyway, the time promised to Diana was coming to an end. There were sad times and painful moments, but what was clear was that she endured those times well. The dazzling sunlight shone through the gaps of her fingers. The sky between them looked fair. ¡­Now it was time to leave. Chapter 7 Returning to the mansion, she entered her room and prepared to leave. She wanted to rest alone for some time, so she ordered the maids not to come in, and then locked the door. The panoramic view of the antique room she had been in so far caught her eyes. Soft beds, sofas, and small tables and chairs where she could simply have a cup of tea that she would never have used if she hadn¡¯t lived the life of Duchess Whidrian. She found herself touching the objects in her room with pretty patterns on them, with a smile. It was a very subtle and complex feeling. She felt a little sad when she thought of leaving everything behind and leaving. When she became the new Duchess, Cassia struggled with rumours and conflicts with the family, but that won¡¯t be the case anymore. Now, she knows the line. The line that she has to keep in front of the family. A line she must never cross. She now knew well that if she stood behind the line and never crossed it, no problems would arise in her life anymore. So far, it was a pretty good life, except that she had a family that was a bit indifferent to her. Eating luxurious food every day, baths filled with various fragrances, and the users who did everything without saying anything¡­ At least materially, it must have been the most luxurious time of her life. As she approached the front of the table and sat down on the chair, she saw the massive garden of the Duke¡¯s mansion outside the window. When her mind was in a mess during her time as the Duchess, she would always sit there over a cup of tea to organize her thoughts. As usual, she looked at the garden for a while, took the sheet of paper and quill from the stand she had prepared beforehand. Contemplating on the rough texture of the paper, she began to move the quill, slowly. [It¡¯s been a while since I came here as a new wife, a stepmother and Diana¡¯s dear friend. I am writing this letter as Cassia.] Cassia struggled quite a bit before writing the first sentence, but after writing it, the writing flow continued as if she had been waiting to write this letter. She held the quill firmly and continued. [As Nick had his coming-of-age banquet yesterday, I have fulfilled all of my contracts with Your Excellency to be the stepmother for 7 years. Even so, I¡¯m glad that I¡¯ve been able to keep this family safe on Diana¡¯s behalf. When I finally made up my mind to leave, I felt a strange feeling from within, both sad and happy¡­ Having done my part, I am now ready to leave the Duke and live my own life.] After she had written that far, she paused the quill for a moment, and thought again. She let out a bitter smile as she thought carefully about what more words to use. [Diana was a beautiful friend of mine and your one and only family.] Cassia thought that she would have been with them for more than 7 years if her friend¡¯s family had accepted her well and if a miraculously well-established relationship had been formed. Regardless, it doesn¡¯t matter whether she remains ¡®Stepmother¡¯ or ¡®Aunt Cassia¡¯ after the divorce. Anyway, they were the people who shared the pain of losing Diana along with her, and she thought she could live well by overcoming the remaining sadness with them. But now, she knew too well that it is not, and never would have. This marriage was wrong. She lived with the idea, planting it in the corner of her heart and mind. Even if it was to protect her dead friend¡¯s family, as she had invaded Diana¡¯s place, she had crossed the line. So now, she was trying to fix it. This relationship was wrong from the beginning. Now that the promise of 7 years has passed, she can fix it. [Thank you for accepting me, who was never enough to replace Diana, and will never be.] And she, too, wanted to draw a line for them. Because she was Cassia. ¡­Because she has her own life, too. That was the decisive reason for her to leave the Duke¡¯s family. [I will take my leave now. Thank you for the 7 years we have spent together. May the door of the Whidrian family be constantly filled with divine blessings.] After she finished writing the letter, she folded it neatly and put it in an envelope. She opened the bedside table drawer lock to take out the divorce papers she had prepared in advance. Cassia Whidrian. After she signed the divorce papers, she put them in the drawer along with the pre-written letter. As if nothing had happened, she sat still for a while, staring out the window. All preparations are done. Now, the only work left was to leave. *** Nick¡¯s banquet was held magnificently. The banquet hall was filled with nobles of all ages under the chandelier, which poured bright lights like a waterfall. Upon hearing the news that the youngest son of Duke Whidrian had come of age, hundreds of nobles from all over the country were believed to have attended. The aristocratic boys of Nick¡¯s age, dressed in tuxedos, went to Nick and greeted him a happy birthday, and joking around as peers. Young girls of his age, dressed in luxurious dresses and accessories, glanced at Nick and whispered amongst themselves. It was a successful banquet. There were no emergencies. Everything went smoothly as planned. Cassia sat with Axion in front of the podium, eating food and watching the guests, while often accepting greetings from nobles of different titles who came to shine upon them. Ken was not present. The kid had never been to the place since he left the Duke¡¯s mansion, and it was the exact reason for not holding a banquet for Ken¡¯s coming-of-age birthday. The Duke and Nick went to the Imperial Palace separately and had a meal with Ken. It was a little sad that they couldn¡¯t see Ken¡¯s face until the end, but that¡¯s probably the best thing for them. As Cassia slowly looked around the banquet hall, she felt as if she was looking back. Countless delicious foods spread out on the table, busy users walking around, and countless nobles drinking champagne while laughing. She¡¯ll never see a scene like this again. It felt like she was in a dream. She had never been particularly interested in a party, but it¡¯s also true that she felt nauseous when she realized that it was really the last time. It was a time when she felt like she wanted to keep all of this in her eyes, so she captured every scene carefully, one by one. The voice of the presenter was heard from the stage. ¡°There will be a lighting ceremony for the youngest master¡¯s birthday.¡± The banquet hall was quiet. People¡¯s eyes turned to the podium. In the meantime, Nick, wearing a tuxedo, climbed onto the podium. Nick, with his striking Duke-like features, was now taller than her. Nick was shorter than his peers, but seeing him grow up to be such a young adult, it felt very strange. A birthday cake was placed in front of Nick. It was a chocolate cheesecake that Cassia made herself, a mixture of chocolate and cheese that Nick liked, so that he could taste both. It was a simple cake compared to the usual gigantic birthday cakes stacked in two or three tiers, but Cassia wanted to do the best thing she could personally do for Nick. When the host lit the fire, Nick made a wish and then blew out the candles. Thunderous applause poured in along with the sound of trumpets. It was a moment when Cassia, too, smiled and applauded proudly for Nick, who had grown up to be a man. Nick looked back at Cassiaslowly. The eyes of the child and Cassia under the podium met directly. Nick smiled softly at her and slowly lowered his head. Cassia became numb. She doubted her eyes. Are you saying that the child who had never made eye contact with her, looked and smiled at her? ¡®Was something wrong with the kid?¡¯ ¡®Did he feel happy today?¡¯ ¡®Did he notice that I have decided to leave this place and decided to give me a gift?¡¯ Cassia¡¯s heart was pounding. But as she stared blankly at him, the smile slowly faded from the corner of her lips. She was happy. She was happy, as if she had the whole world. With Nick¡¯s smile, it really felt like all her hard work was rewarded. Cassia smiled brightly as if responding to Nick. Then, her eyes met Axion, who was standing next to her. ¡°He looks good.¡± ¡°¡­Yes. I think Nick has grown up to be quite mature.¡± Cassia looked back at Nick and smiled as she spoke. At that moment, Axion looked at her without answering for a moment. He, too, smiled as he saw her smile. ¡°Thanks to you, Cassia,¡± he spat out. With a sincere voice, he slowly continued to talk to her. ¡°You¡¯ve done a great job so far.¡± ¡°¡­Thank you, Sir.¡± Cassia looked at him and answered. ¡°You did a great job, too.¡± At their last words, it seemed that she could leave the mansion with a little remorse. *** At dawn the next day, Cassia left the mansion, and it was early in the morning when even the workers did not wake up. She looked at herself in the mirror. In the mirror, she wore a simple dress of achromatic colour instead of the Duchess¡¯s gorgeous dress she always wore. Instead of wearing high heels, she wore low-heeled shoes that were easy to move around. She seemed to have become a different person even though she had gotten used to the life of the Duchess and only changed her attire. However, it felt like she had returned to the original Cassia after a long time, and she felt strangely welcomed. Yes, this was Cassia. The person who hated bulky dresses, had never worn high heels before, and does not like complicated parties. ¡®This is me.¡¯ The luggage was light. She had to go on a long road, so she couldn¡¯t carry a lot of luggage. ¡­Well, although the amount of luggage she brought in was small in the first place, but she once checked whether she had packed Diana¡¯s diary with a small bag in her hand. It was something Cassia didn¡¯t want to leave behind, and finally, she put on a big cloak. After turning around and leaving the room, she entered the Duke¡¯s office and put down the letter she had written and divorce documents neatly on the desk. ¡®It¡¯ll be okay if I just inform him like this and leave, right?¡¯ Even the Duke must know that after 7 years, she has the right to divorce. Cassia suddenly became curious. How would her family react to her running away from home? Will he just stamp the divorce papers in silence as if you knew it? It didn¡¯t matter what it was. It was just a question of curiosity. Standing idly in an empty office, she greeted herself. ¡°Goodbye, Axion.¡± ¡°And goodbye, Ken and Nick. Lovely kids.¡± She wanted to take only good memories rather than painful and suffocating memories. In that sense, what happened at the banquet yesterday was the best memory since she came to this mansion. Nick¡¯s smile of acknowledging her hard work and Axion¡¯s words of gratitude. That¡¯s enough. Cassia was genuinely grateful to them because she thought she could leave without any regrets. After looking around the office one last time, she turned around and headed to the front door. Thud, thud. Every step she took, her heart pounded to the sound of her feet. The sound resonated inside her as if she had been looking forward to the moment she got out of the mansion. The moment the cool dawn air greeted her, she inhaled it and started running. ¡®Run.¡¯ ¡®Run¡­¡¯ ¡®Keep running.¡¯ Like escaping from something that locked her up for a long time, Cassia left the mansion without looking back. Chapter 8 After she left, several maids whispered to each other in the corner of the mansion. ¡°The Duchess ran away.¡± ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t see her all day. Did she really leave the mansion?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. She recently prepared a birthday party for the second young master.¡± The Duke¡¯s mansion was in great chaos. There was a gloomy atmosphere all over. The Duchess has left. She, who showed no signs, disappeared one day without saying a word. As if she didn¡¯t exist from the beginning. Like a bubble that scattered and disappeared. The users seemed to save their words while whining at each other. Only a few self-assertive users expressed their opinions on the Duchess¡¯ runaway. ¡°She must have left, not run away.¡± ¡°It was a bad marriage anyway. It¡¯s better to quit like this now.¡± ¡°But it doesn¡¯t make any sense for her to leave like this, saying that she has been leading us for seven years.¡± In fact, views about Cassia differed from user to user. Anyway, opinions that she was an immoral duchess who eventually occupied the vacancy her friend had left behind. In any case, despite the rumours, there were opinions that she silently functioned well as the mansion¡¯s hostess. It escalated into disagreements over whether or not to find the Duchess in the Duchy. One day, when there was a heated debate among the users, a wagon from the capital stopped in front of the Duke¡¯s mansion. The carriage door opened, and a man of strong physique entered the mansion. Ken Whidrian. He was the first son of the Duke¡¯s family, and has grown into a mature adult. He was wearing plain clothes, but the imperial splendour as the Imperial knight couldn¡¯t be hidden. Due to continuous training, his muscular body drew attention in harmony with its robust physique. When he entered the Duke¡¯s house, with a face that looked as if he had seen Diana before, everyone ran out barefoot. ¡°Young Master!¡± The users greeted him, calling out Ken¡¯s name eagerly. Between them, the butler slowly walked out. ¡°You are here-¡± ¡°¡­Where is Father?¡± ¡°He is in the office.¡± A few days after the Duchess¡¯s departure, the butler, who had a miserable expression on his face, took the lead and led Ken into the office. Upon arriving, Ken opened the door and saw the Duke and Nick sitting quietly on the sofa. ¡°I will prepare tea soon.¡± As the door closed, silence fell. Ken bowed his head once toward his father. ¡°¡­It was an urgent message. Stepmother has left.¡± ¡°Sit down.¡± The Duke handed the letter and the divorce papers to Ken in a low voice. Receiving it, Ken¡¯s forehead was filled with fine wrinkles. He read the letter aloud in his mind. ¡®Contract?¡¯ Ken¡¯s eyebrows twitched at the strange word on the letter. ¡°What is the contract about?¡± ¡°Yes. What is the contract about, Father? What kind of contract did you have 7 years ago?¡± Nick, who had been wrapping his head around him as if in pain, said suddenly. The Duke let out a heavy sigh. He pulled out an old piece of paper from the corner. It was a contract with Cassia. ¡°Seven years ago, your stepmother and I agreed to a contract marriage.¡± He pushed the contract out in front of his two sons. ¡°From a long time ago, His Majesty the Emperor has desired to forge a deeper bond with the Dukes. The moment your birth mother died, your stepmother was concerned that you would become an outcast because of it.¡± ¡°¡­So you mean that she married father to protect us?¡± Nick¡¯s mouth fell open. The Duke nodded his head. ¡°Of course, I didn¡¯t know that she would run away from this place as soon as seven years were over.¡± ¡°So, what are you going to do now?¡± The moment Nick made a shocked expression, Ken¡¯s cold voice was heard. Their eyes turned to Ken. He was looking at the two with an expressionless face. A face as cold as ice. The letters and divorce papers he had read all fell on the table. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter whether you make a contract or not, and whether that woman leaves or not.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± Nick looked at Ken with a puzzled look. ¡°How can you say that? She is the one who took care of our family for 7 years.¡± ¡°She did it because she wanted to. Did we ask her to do so?¡± ¡°That¡¯s-¡± The Duke tried to keep talking about it, but Ken and Nick fought a battle. ¡°I don¡¯t know why I should be so surprised. It¡¯s just that everything has gone back to its original place.¡± ¡°Ken!¡± Angered, Nick stood up and grabbed his brother by the collar. ¡°Why did stepmother distance herself from us in the first place? It¡¯s all because of you!¡± ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for brother, our relationship wouldn¡¯t have come at this point. Stepmother would never have left the mansion.¡± Nick bit his lip. At first, their stepmother Cassia tried to get along with the two children. Nick knew it. He knew that she made cakes for them and tried to be as friendly as their ¡®Aunt Cassia¡¯, even amid her busy schedule. She even made Nick several of his favourite cakes and gave them as a gift. She even gave Ken, who was learning swordsmanship, a sword designed by the best craftsman. Besides that, at the end of the day, she would greet the children first, asking them how the day was going. She even tried to help with their academy homework directly daily. She did all she could to be with them, just to build a harmonious family in this place where she had no friends. Yes, she gave everything to them perfectly and willingly. However, what returned to her until the end was nothing more than being treated as a perfect invisible person and apathy. His older brother hated her, and, like an arrogant aristocrat, did not hide his feelings for their stepmother. His older brother looked at her openly with contemptuous eyes whenever he met his stepmother. He treated her with perfect hostility whenever she tried to be friendly with them. Nick, who had a timid personality, had no choice but to turn away from his stepmother while looking at his older brother. It wasn¡¯t that Nick didn¡¯t understand Ken. It must have been Ken¡¯s effort not to forget their mother until the very end. But even thinking about it now, running away was too much. ¡°Do you know why? Do you know what brother did to stepmother?¡± Between the two of them, the memories of childhood flashed. It was a day when the Duke had to go on a business trip to the capital due to the emperor¡¯s call. At that time, the social circle was shaken by the disappearance of the third prince. The Duke, who was trusted by the emperor, was sent on a mission to find the third prince as his order. He left the mansion, requesting Cassia to send him a message whenever anything happened. Cassia, along with the butler, temporarily took over the Duchy¡¯s duties on behalf of the Duke for some time. On the first day of work, Cassia found that the room was a mess. Torn papers were scattered all over the floor, and the books on the bookshelf were all scattered on the floor. Glass shards from broken picture frames were trampled on every path she passed. Looking at the messy room, she turned her head toward the maids standing next to her. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°We didn¡¯t do it!¡± The maids waved their hands to Cassia, eyes terrified of being kicked out like the maid chief. It was a sad and frightening look. A maid spoke her words in a trembling voice while she felt dazed as if she was looking at the place where the typhoon had passed. ¡°First and foremost, Young Master did it.¡± ¡°Ken?¡± ¡°Yes. He appeared all of a sudden¡­ and we couldn¡¯t stop him because it was Young Master¡¯s work.¡± That was just the beginning. Ken¡¯s actions got worse day by day. Papers that had to be dealt with in a hurry disappeared, strong adhesives were applied to chairs, and dead mice were placed in desk drawers instead of documents. After eating, her abdominal pain became more frequent, wounds gradually increased on her body, and difficult situations were constantly occurring in her life. Ken stood in front of her at every turn, trying to interfere with her work as much as possible. All of that action contained Ken¡¯s threats to leave the mansion on her own feet. There was also a desperate feeling of trying to change the situation somehow, taking advantage of his father¡¯s absence, who did not listen to his son¡¯s words. Maybe that¡¯s why Cassia endured all of it alone without telling the Duke about it. Ken¡¯s anger and loneliness felt more pitiful than the wounds she had received. If only she could put up with these things to relieve the child¡¯s anger, she could bear it. Each time she endured his bullying, she even felt close to the child. She had been through it once. She had been through it twice. Looking at it, it seemed that the child¡¯s anger would be relieved someday. But it seemed that Cassia¡¯s patience ran out without even knowing it. One day, after dinner with the vassals, it was time to return home. At that time, the vassals were a group that was constantly opposed to Cassia¡¯s marriage until marriage and stability came. The Duke proposed to cancel the dinner party due to a sudden business trip. However, as a strict Duchess, she thought it would be impossible to cancel a dinner party just because she wouldn¡¯t have her husband by her side. Eating with them was as difficult as expected, and Cassia stood firm in front of them. As soon as the people left and she was alone, she held her stomach and entered the room with a painful expression. There was a commotion in the room again. Like the day Ken first started tormenting Cassia. Chapter 9 The documents and books that were organized at best were scattered again, and the frame was lying on the floor in pieces. The sofa in the corner was all torn apart, and a bunch of cotton inside rolled out and flew into the air. And Ken stood in the middle of the typhoon. With your head tilted¡­ Was it because she wasn¡¯t feeling well, or was it because she was in the room under stress? Cassia¡¯s last string of reason, which had barely been pressed and held until the end, was cut off. She was angry, and it was really in an instant. Whatever he did, she hated the child more than anyone else in the world at that moment. Cassia bit her lips so hard that she bled. She felt like everything was messed up. She trudged up to Ken. Slowly raised her hand and grabbed the child¡¯s shoulder. Tearing words burst out. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?!¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?!¡± Ken didn¡¯t avoid Cassia¡¯s eyes, which were looking straight at him. The child also just stared at Cassia. Immense hostility could be seen in his eyes, which resembled her dear friend. When he looked straight into her eyes, Cassia became indescribably sad at the moment. ¡°I don¡¯t want to fight with you, Ken.¡± ¡°I want to get along with you¡­¡± ¡°I want to be a good stepmother to you sincerely. I want to be a resting place where you can lean on anytime.¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t even want that anymore. I just want you to let me exist here.¡± ¡°Even if you don¡¯t accept me, I hope you don¡¯t hate me.¡± ¡°I hope you won¡¯t be angry, resentful, and just try to kick me out like this.¡± The children were the biggest reason Diana asked Cassia to be the Duchess. So, thinking that my existence was not acceptable to the children, Cassia thought that her own existence had lost its meaning. It was great despair for Cassia. ¡®Were my efforts wrong?¡¯ ¡®No, was it really something wrong with my existence in the first place?¡¯ It was unfair. ¡®What did I do so wrong?¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m just a human who lost her friend too.¡¯ A strong resentment rose. Cassia felt nauseous, as if she were going to throw up. Her whole heart sank with the feeling of despair that filled it. She bit her lip till it bled. Cassia looked straight into Ken¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but Ken Whidrian, no matter how you treat me, I¡¯ll be next to you.¡± ¡°Because I have to protect you two. That¡¯s the only thing I can do for your mother.¡± The moment she said those words, Ken¡¯s eyes, which were aiming for Cassia, staggered. A short time passed, like a thousand years. Ken bit his lip and pushed Cassia away. She was pushed to the floor helplessly by the child. Ken ran out of the room. Blood flowed out of her hand that touched the shards of glass on the white floor. Cassia sat on the floor blankly for a long time in the silence. The next day, Ken left the house. Ken¡¯s runaway caused a stir in the Duke¡¯s mansion. ¡°Young master has disappeared!¡± The maid, who entered Ken¡¯s room to wake him up in the morning, ran out of there in surprise. Leading the users one after another, Cassia ran to Ken¡¯s room and opened the door. The morning sun was shining on the neatly arranged blanket. Everything the child was using was neatly arranged in place. With the warmth of his body dissipating, Ken disappeared with simple belongings and money in hand. The Duke had an emergency. Axion, who was on a business trip, was immediately summoned. He rushed into the mansion and saw the room without Ken and Cassia¡¯s silent appearance and seemed to have ignited an intuition about something, but he did not ask. First of all, finding Ken was the first thing to do. Following the Duke¡¯s instructions, the operatives¡¯ knights began to search in the Duchy. From the academy where Ken attended, the training ground where the child practised swordsmanship, to the mountain behind where he enjoyed horseback riding. They searched throughout the Duchy, but Ken was nowhere to be found. If Ken, who was good at swords, really tried to run away from home, there was a possibility that he might have entered a mercenary group or something, so they asked around, but couldn¡¯t trace him. Cassia was in a panic. So she couldn¡¯t even see the Duke¡¯s face properly at first. She barely came to her senses, approached the Duke, and told him what happened the day before Ken ran away. ¡°Sir, there was a bit of friction with me the day before Ken disappeared.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Cassia.¡± The Duke simply answered Cassia, and ordered the maid to take the Duchess to her room. ¡°I¡¯ll find Ken. It¡¯s okay, so you can go in and rest.¡± With the maid¡¯s help, she came into the room and was locked up for several days and couldn¡¯t do anything. It was painful because she thought she couldn¡¯t protect Ken. She couldn¡¯t keep her promise to Diana. Was the child very angry? Maybe her existence was the problem. At the last moment they spent together, the child¡¯s eyes were buried in her heart and did not disappear. It was about 10 days later that Ken visited again. The child was found in a cemetery, in front of Diana¡¯s grave, and was spotted regularly by the cemetery¡¯s caretaker. ¡°Ken¡±! With the Duke¡¯s emaciated face in the lead, the Duke¡¯s knights, including Cassia, rushed to the cemetery near the Duchy. Ken was sitting in front of Diana¡¯s tombstone, in the middle of the cemetery where the ancestors of the Duke were buried. A shabby face appeared when the Duke took off Ken¡¯s hat, which covered his identity while wearing a cape. Ken had lost weight, perhaps because he didn¡¯t eat properly for 10 days. The Duke sighed with relief and hugged Ken as hard as he could. ¡°Ken.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Ken was hugged helplessly by the Duke until his breath exploded. The child¡¯s gaze was still on Diana¡¯s tombstone. Soon, Ken spoke in a subdued voice. ¡°Father.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± replied the Duke. Ken continued to say it. ¡°I don¡¯t like her.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like her.¡± Cassia saw a disastrous depth of hatred on his face. She couldn¡¯t answer easily. A cold wind blew past us, and it was a sign that it would soon rain. As time passed, the peacock opened his mouth. ¡°Ken, she can¡¯t see you anymore.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because your mom is dead.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°This is how death is. We all have to accept the fact.¡± Ken didn¡¯t answer. He didn¡¯t even cry. He was held in the Duke¡¯s arms, just like the blank expression he had shown at the funeral. How long has it been? A solitary tear streamed down Ken¡¯s eyes, which were out of focus. It fell on Diana¡¯s tombstone and dyed it dark. The raindrops fell next to them and began to wet Diana¡¯s tombstone. The rain was getting thicker and heavier. With the sound of the raindrops, the rainshower dyed the cemetery dark. One of the knights ran to the carriage, took out an umbrella he had always kept, and put it above them. Axion hugged Ken even more deeply as the people rushed to and fro in the sudden pouring rain. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I made you carry a huge burden. I¡¯m sorry, Father.¡± For a very long time in the meantime, Ken remained in the Duke¡¯s arms with an empty look. For a long time, Cassia didn¡¯t know if it was Ken¡¯s tears or raindrops that wet the tombstone. *** ¡°It¡¯s all because of you. Stepmother left the mansion because of my brother.¡± It was undeniable that their stepmother has been a little overly concerned with them in the past. Their mother also wanted to do well, but there were moments when Nick, too, was confused and couldn¡¯t accept it. Sometimes, however, there was a time when Cassia had already given up on her mind alone, and at some point, she began not to approach them. But there was no need to visit stepmother, bully her, and drive her out. It was indescribable how much Cassia had been wary of the mansion since Ken¡¯s runaway incident. She only lived a life as a Duchess only when she had to complete her duties as the Duchess, and other than that, she lived like a shadow. ¡°I couldn¡¯t even say sorry¡­ A contract¡­ Was it all a marriage made by contract? How could that be?¡± Nick cried. The next moment, Ken smirked. Nick¡¯s eyebrows wriggled. ¡°What about the contract? What do you want me to do?¡± ¡°What?¡± Ken grabbed Nick¡¯s hand, and when he knocked it out, Nick¡¯s hand fell helplessly. ¡°Nick Whidrian, I¡¯ve consistently voiced my opinion. I don¡¯t like our stepmother. I didn¡¯t like her taking my mother¡¯s place, I don¡¯t care about the contract, and I didn¡¯t like her just being in my mother¡¯s place, whether she approached me or not.¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather push ahead with it. What about you? What else did you do other than hiding behind me and cry while I was giving my opinion? Did you do anything for your stepmother after I left the mansion?¡± Nick couldn¡¯t speak for a while at Ken¡¯s words. Nick slowly sat down on the sofa. He wrapped his head around him as if in deep pain. ¡°¡­.I am going to do it now.¡± Chapter 10 Nick was timid when he was young. He had a habit of thinking a lot. He noticed a lot about his older brother, who hated their stepmother. Even after Ken left, Nick could not change his attitude toward his stepmother for a while. He didn¡¯t know how to reverse and build up a relationship that had already gone wrong. All he could do was enjoy the cake his stepmother made for him. However, now he was an adult. Now that he had come of age, he wanted to quit the awkward relationship. Now he wanted to accept her as a ¡®mother,¡¯ not a ¡®stepmother.¡¯ ¡®I wanted to call her mother.¡¯ For the first time at the Coming-of-Age banquet, he took courage and greeted her with a smile. He was encouraged to see her brightly accepting his greeting. ¡®I tried to open my heart.¡¯ As soon as he opened his eyes in the morning, Nick wandered around the mansion to find Cassia. ¡®Thank you for raising me.¡¯ ¡®Now I want to call you mother, not stepmother.¡¯ Nick had been practising his words over and over again. But it was late. When he approached her after belatedly finishing all his resolutions. ¡­It was after she had already left. Nick¡¯s expression was calm. Covering his head in pain, he groaned. Now he really wanted to be her son, and he really wanted to accept her as his mother. It wasn¡¯t because he forgot Diana. He just thought that he should form a better relationship between people who are alive. In fact, it took a lot of time to realize that. The moment he accepted his stepmother as his mother, wouldn¡¯t he betray his biological mother? Wouldn¡¯t that be a crime against Diana, who was in the grave? There were times when he wanted to find the answer, so he read several books every day. He wondered if the wise ancestors would give him advice. He wondered if the books would provide an answer to his stepmother¡¯s existence. After a long time of contemplating, he finally realized it. It¡¯s right to follow your heart. It¡¯s a much more productive thing to approach than to think about it a hundred times. And he realized it now¡­ She had left. It was unexpected. He would have approached her a little earlier if he had known this would happen. If he had known this would happen, he would have been a little more courageous in front of her. The unexpected breakup left Nick buried in anguish. ¡°Don¡¯t try to wrap up your cowardice. Don¡¯t blame me for stepmother¡¯s leaving, Nick Whidrian.¡± Ken shook off his crumpled shirt and spoke to Nick coldly. Nick did not answer, as he still had his hands wrapped around his head. Soon, his body began to tremble a little. Ken, tidying his clothes and looking at his younger brother with unshakable eyes, looked at the Duke. ¡°These days, the Knights are busy because it is a training period. I don¡¯t want you to call me anymore for this. I came here to say that.¡± ¡°If there is nothing more to say, I will go. Take care of stepmother. ¡­After all, my opinion never mattered in the first place.¡± It was when Ken, who spoke in a low voice, bowed his head toward his father and was about to leave the office. ¡°Ken Whidrian.¡± ¡°¡­?¡± Ken stopped. Looking back, the Duke was looking as if he had something to say. At one moment, two pairs of sharp eyes met in the air. The Duke spoke a clear voice. ¡°To her, don¡¯t be rude anymore.¡± Ken did not avoid his gaze. A sharp tension flowed into the office. As time passed, Ken finally turned around and left the office without answering. Bang. The sound of the door closing resounded, and silence fell. Nick, who had let out a painful moan, slowly lifted his head. ¡°¡­No matter how much I think about it, I can¡¯t let stepmother leave like this.¡± Nick wiped off his face, which was wet with tears, and clenched his fist firmly as if determined. He stood up from his seat, and spoke to the Duke who looked at him. ¡°I¡¯m going to find stepmother by myself. She probably wouldn¡¯t have gone far yet. We can still turn things around.¡± Nick, who made up his mind as if he were determined, went outside. Bang. The sound of the office door closing rang again. The Duke, who was left alone, looked at the door through which his two sons went out, quietly for a long time. Soon, a heavy, deep sigh slowly flowed out of his mouth. Axion heard a knock on the door. It was the butler who slightly opened the door and showed his face. Holding food in the tray, he spoke in an awkward voice. ¡°¡­I prepared tea, but somehow it seems to have been of no use.¡± ¡°Come in.¡± It was a night that required even a small companion. At the Duke¡¯s words, the butler entered the room. Even the Duke did not drink tea, so the hot tea prepared for the three of them was up to the butler. In the deep silence, only the sound of the butler drinking tea could be heard. He had worked for the Duke for many years and was perfectly equipped with etiquette, and didn¡¯t even say that much. The Duke opened his mouth. ¡°You are one of the people who have lived with both Duchess.¡± ¡°I am the only one who can be said to be the closest person to both of them.¡± The butler replied. ¡°Originally, it included the maid chief, but she was fired a long time ago.¡± ¡°¡­What kind of person was Cassia?¡± The butler who brought the teacup to his mouth. His hand stopped. He looked back at the Duke. ¡°I think you¡¯re talking about her.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The Duke nodded. ¡°Tell me honestly. I know there¡¯s already a lot of talk about her in the house, and I want to hear your opinion.¡± The butler knew roughly that Cassia and the Duke had a formal marriage, although others did not know. So he wanted to hear from the butler more than anyone else about this situation. As if it were an interesting question, the butler put down the tea he was drinking and fell into thought. ¡°I don¡¯t know. She¡¯s¡­¡± It didn¡¯t take that long for him to answer. ¡°She was a good duchess. To the point where I didn¡¯t dare to evaluate.¡± The butler¡¯s eyes looked through past memories. He continued as he recalled. ¡°When was it¡­? There was a rumour that the plague spread from a well at the time when Your Excellency often went on business trips. There was a false rumour spread by a small group of people to expel a race that had just entered our territory. Do you know what the Duchess did when people feared that the plague spread from that well and protested the race should be driven out?¡± ¡°She went out and drank water from the well. That was the first thing you did.¡± A gentle smile appeared on the butler¡¯s face. ¡°She is a very wise woman, She is a compassionate person.¡± ¡°¡­I see,¡± replied the Duke. The butler nodded and continued to talk. ¡°The previous Duchess and the current Duchess were very different people. Of course, the previous Duchess was also kind enough, benevolent, and a wonderful Duchess, but somehow, Duchess Cassia was a little more realistic person. Sometimes¡­ she looked dark.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°It seemed to me that she needed comfort. So I¡¯m very sad that she¡¯s gone.¡± The Duke looked at the butler. The sad look on the butler¡¯s face seemed to be revealed just then. The butler smiled. ¡°Your Excellency sometimes overlooks the expressions of those around him.¡± ¡°¡­She always told me that she was fine. I¡¯ve done my best to have a relationship with her.¡± ¡°What do you think? Are you sure you¡¯re all right?¡± After finishing a sip of tea, the butler packed the tray he brought as if he had to go out. After getting up from his seat, he bowed to the Duke and left the room, adding a word. ¡°I think she was pretty lonely. Just by being in this mansion.¡± And the door closed. The Duke sat still in silence for a long time. Axion Whidrian. When he first saw the letter and divorce documents, the first thing he felt was embarrassment. He couldn¡¯t understand. About her leaving as if she waited to run away as soon as the seven years came to an end. Of course, he was always a lacking husband. It was a matter of course. Their marriage was never like a married couple. Throughout his marriage, he always felt that there was an invisible wall between her and him. A friend of his dead wife. The name created a huge barrier between them. It was strong, thick, and unbreakable. The name, which touches the boundaries of prohibition, even aroused moral awareness in mind. He would have been able to stay a little more comfortable, but he used the wall as a protective barrier for good. He didn¡¯t think she was lonely across the tall wall. He just¡­ He just wanted to take good care of her. And he thought he did it pretty well. He found out that she had given up a lot of things and became the Duchess. He always remembered. She was a person to be grateful for, a person to be willing to take care of, and yes, he certainly did his best to take care of her. It was his duty. He really thought she was doing well. Maybe that¡¯s why¡­ Maybe that¡¯s why he felt so embarrassed. His gaze turned to the letter and divorce papers on the table. He never expected that she would one day leave the mansion with just one letter from her. It was as if he was running well, but he stopped and realized that he had taken the wrong path that led to a dead end. He thought she was okay. Even though he was a husband to her for namesake and a family that was a little indifferent to each other, he thought they all lived a good life, staying within each other¡¯s lines. There were times when they both hurt each other, like when Ken had run away, but he thought it was a hurdle that everyone had to go through to stay together. They knew the line they had to keep to each other, and now they don¡¯t invade each other. It wasn¡¯t a home full of love, but it wasn¡¯t a home full of hatred either. It was a simple, but peaceful relationship that kept each other¡¯s boundaries. He thought that this was a pretty good relationship compared to the start. But it doesn¡¯t seem to have been for her. ¡®When was it?¡¯ When did they all start running in different directions? The Duke¡¯s eyes sank low. [If¡­ just in case.] Her voice, which was carefully asking him, passed by the Duke¡¯s ear. It was probably right after Ken¡¯s runaway incident. After looking for Ken, he once talked to her to apologize for what Ken had done while he was away from the mansion. Then she said, [In the future, if I ask Your Excellency for a divorce according to the contract, you will grant it, right?] ¡®¡­Was it from then?¡¯ ¡®What made her decide to leave the mansion?¡¯ ¡®What did I say to her?¡¯ ¡®It was written in the contract, of course, I would have said yes¡­¡¯ ¡®Then, has she endured every hardship without showing any difficulties for a long time from then till now?¡¯ ¡®She must have waited for 7 years, holding on to her already closed heart and being patient.¡¯ And as if she had waited, she left the mansion as soon as the time was over. Leaving only a letter and divorce documents behind. The Duke¡¯s expression turned bitter. ¡®Her bright smile at Nick¡¯s birthday banquet was probably because she was glad that the day had come, after a long wait.¡¯ He felt dejected, as if everything was twisted. The Duke, sitting still for a long time, immediately called someone. The door opened and the person who entered was the commander of the knights of the Duke. The Duke ordered. ¡°¡­Find the Duchess¡¯ whereabouts.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± The knight commander bowed his head, and the Duke nodded. ¡°Even if you find her, don¡¯t go near her. Just find out where she is and report it to me.¡± Even before she left, he wanted to have a conversation with her. Chapter 11 The owner of an art gallery. A nice countryside view from the window. Under the mountains, golden rice fields danced with the rhythm of the wind, like waves of the deep sea. The sound of birds chirping, spreading their wings in the air, awakening humans to nature, and all of this giving them a picture at dusk. There was a gallery there. And she was the owner of it. There were three things that she focused on the most when she left the Duke¡¯s family to find a new home. First, stay as far away from the Duchy as possible. Second, it must be a place where the nobles cannot recognize her. Third, it must be a place where she can easily settle down. After much deliberation, the chosen place was one of the most southern regions was ¡®Laurencia¡¯. As an agricultural area, it was a place where mainly older people lived, and it had a typical friendly countryside feel. This was also the place where she and Diana used to visit when they were young. When Diana got married and moved to the Duchy, it was too far away to come. Although it was a familiar place to Cassia, it was quite a distance from the Duke¡¯s mansion. So she bought a gallery just before the ruins with her personal savings. She didn¡¯t even know why she bought it out of the blue. She just felt attracted to it. Maybe it was because the gallery would have fit well in a place like the capital, and it felt a little lonely to see it empty in the countryside. She thought it would be great if she could fill the space. She also liked that it had accommodation and lodging space for the people who manage the gallery, and that¡¯s how she became the owner of the gallery where no one came in the countryside. She needed a little money because she was no longer a Duchess. She didn¡¯t need too much. She only needed to earn enough to make a living. ¡­In fact, according to the contract, it was right for the Duke of Whidrian to provide all the funds now that she chose divorce. But she didn¡¯t want to be like that. She wanted to make her own choices, earn her own money, and live freely. If she had received the funding, it would have felt like continuing to be a part of the Duke¡¯s family even after divorce. This was the rationale for ignoring the clause on the post-divorce situation in the contract. Well, not many people would visit a gallery in the countryside, and she couldn¡¯t make a living out of the remaining money she had. So, she decided to sell coffee and tea in the gallery. It wasn¡¯t a bad idea, as she had run a cafe in the Duchy before. Fortunately, over time, people began to visit regularly. And perhaps, as the gallery was located on the way to the city, it played a part. The scenery of the rice fields dancing beautifully like waves could be seen from the gallery¡¯s windows. People used to stop by the gallery as they travelled for their own reasons. No one knew she was the Duchess of Whidrian. It was a gallery in ruins, but anyway, it was an art museum before, so art pieces wearing hanging here and there on the walls. Cassia lived among the artworks, and one day, she suddenly wanted to paint a picture. ¡®Since it¡¯s my own gallery, wouldn¡¯t it be okay to paint on my own?¡¯ She went out to the city to go grocery shopping and found a small workshop. She bought an easel, canvas, cheap oil paints and brushes, and whenever she had free time, she sat in front of the gallery and moved the brushes casually, painting the cool breeze of a rural village or the countryside painted in gold as the sunset fell. She didn¡¯t even know what to paint. It was neither a portrait nor a landscape. The things she painted were close to abstract paintings. She felt like if she randomly drew a line according to her heart, her mind would calm down. The pictures she painted were hung in the corner of the gallery. Some people, who visited her gallery, started appreciating her paintings. Some had become regular customers because of the advantage of enjoying the scenery or pictures while sipping coffee or tea. Those were peaceful days. Her life was gradually becoming more stable. Then one day, a customer came in. *** It was a particularly unfamiliar bell sound. She, who was sitting at the counter, stood up. ¡°Welcome.¡± A figure caught her eye as she greeted him at the entrance. He was a stranger, who wore a black cloak and a deep hat, and she felt something strange about him from the beginning. Most of the visitors to this place were tourists who were curious about the gallery, ordinary women who enjoyed chatting, or individual customers who enjoyed quietly looking at the scenery. What was clear was that most people were old. From that aspect, this man had a uniquely different presence from ordinary people. A youthful and robust atmosphere emanated from him. She couldn¡¯t even guess who he was because his face was well hidden, but there was clearly power in his steps, the way he walked. Even a sense of luxury did not seem like belonging to a commoner. ¡®Who is this person?¡¯ What was certain was that he wore an outfit that was difficult to find in this secluded place. For some reason, Cassia could smell the scent of a stranger, who didn¡¯t belong here. He slowly approached her and raised his head slightly to look at the menu board. He raised his head and looked surprised. ¡°Menu? I thought it was a gallery¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m also running a cafe. It¡¯s very difficult just with only customers visiting the gallery. As you know, it¡¯s a quiet place.¡± It was a common question, so Cassia casually answered. First-time visitors and travellers were usually surprised to learn that there was a cafe inside. ¡°I see.¡± He nodded his head as if he understood quickly. To him, this place seemed to be a secluded countryside, not suitable for having a gallery. After a while, he looked at her and said. She still couldn¡¯t see his face. ¡°Please give me a cup of warm coffee.¡± ¡°¡­3500 pennies.¡± A soft voice echoed through the store. When she answered, he paid for the coffee. Soon, the fragrant smell of coffee began to spread slowly in the gallery. Throughout the coffee making, she kept glancing at him. He was definitely a man who can¡¯t be easily seen here. ¡®What kind of person is he?¡¯ It was also a habit that came from being a gallery owner and welcoming guests. Observing the guests and imagining their stories. She was very curious about the story that person had. Soon she focused on making coffee. It was time to bring out the finished cup of coffee. ¡°Coffee is here¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t finish speaking. The man had his eyes fixed on something. What he was looking at was a painting on the wall. It would be no wonder that there were paintings in the gallery, but his gaze was focused on her paintings. She painted and hung the paintings on the wall whenever she had free time. ¡°Those pictures.¡± A white finger poked out of the hem of the cloak. Cassia turned to the picture. ¡°I¡¯m curious because there¡¯s no name written on it. Who is the owner of this painting?¡± ¡°¡­I painted it.¡± ¡°You?¡± He looked back at her. Still hidden by the cape, his face was invisible. Sitting in front of her, he spoke in a soft voice and held the coffee cup she gave with his hand, ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± The hand that escaped through the cape caught her eye. White, neat, wrinkle-free young hands. A hand that never suffered. He approached the painting in earnest with a warm mug of coffee in his hand. As he drank coffee with one hand and the other in his pocket, he began to appreciate the painting. ¡°Have you ever learned to draw?¡± ¡°¡­.No. It¡¯s just something I painted and hung when I had time. Maybe because it¡¯s a gallery, I wanted to draw on my own, too. Since it¡¯s my hobby¡­ I¡¯m not good at it, right?¡± As it is a gallery, many people showed interest in paintings. People who came to drink coffee used to look at the paintings. But among the many paintings, it was the first time anyone showed interest in her paintings. It was a little disconcerting, but also exciting. To be honest, she wasn¡¯t really into painting. Even though she was from a family that was no different from commoners, it was not that she did not learn painting as a child, but because it was a very short learning that could not be remembered forever. Before Diana got married, Cassia went to an art museum with her or visited an art museum for social gatherings when Diana was a duchess, but Cassia only had basic knowledge. It was like being a stranger to art. ¡°You mean you drew this as a hobby?¡± He looked at her in surprise again. ¡°It¡¯s too much to say that you drew them as a hobby¡­ I think I drew them well.¡± ¡°¡­Thank you. Actually, I was thinking about taking it off because it didn¡¯t seem to go well with the other paintings.¡± It wasn¡¯t intentional, but all the drawings she drew were achromatic. She couldn¡¯t get her hands on the bright colors because she had lived a splendid life in the past years. As the number of paintings increased one by one, she felt that the cozy gallery looked darker, and she was contemplating whether to just discard it. ¡°Why?¡± He shook his head. ¡°I think the picture is really good.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t the gallery look a bit drab?¡± When asked gently, he shook his head again. He continued looking at the pictures carefully. ¡°It is a painting using achromatic colors, but if you look closely, it is not so gloomy. The colors are dark, but the expressed brightness is different in each of them. That makes the pictures gorgeous. There, the straight lines give rise to splendor.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± ¡°These are beautiful pictures. That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to say¡­¡± Realizing that he was talking too much, he paused for a moment and looked back at her. ¡°You look talented.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± At his compliments, Cassoa blurted out. It was because she felt that his praise was sincere. It was the first time she had ever received a compliment of this kind, so she scratched my head in the sense of embarrassment. He approached her and put down the empty cup before her. ¡°¡­ I¡¯ll often stop by.¡± With those words, he disappeared. Turning around, the fluttering cloak remained before her eyes. She listened for a moment to the rattle of the bell, as the door closed. She felt vague. Chapter 12 The next day, he revisited her gallery. She was very pleased to see him visiting again, wearing a black cloak, perhaps because his visit yesterday remained quite impressive. ¡°Welcome.¡± ¡°I see you again.¡± He ordered a cup of hot coffee like yesterday and glanced at the paintings on the wall. ¡°You didn¡¯t take the picture off.¡± ¡°¡­Ah, yes.¡± ¡°You said you were thinking about taking off the painting. Did you decide not to take it off?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Cassia smiled. ¡°There¡¯s someone who likes my painting, so I decided not to take it off.¡± The human heart is very deceitful. After hearing someone¡¯s compliments, she also saw her paintings with a positive mind. After hearing his compliments, her paintings, which had only achromatic colors, seemed to have their own charm. ¡°Good decision. Please do not take it off. I want to continue seeing your paintings in the future.¡± He took off the cap of his cloak as if he was trying to look at the painting in earnest and in more detail. His face slowly revealed. As Cassia was about to offer the cup of coffee, she stopped and looked at him. ¡°¡­Anything you want to say?¡± ¡°No.¡± So¡­ His appearance, hidden under the cloak, was very outstanding. She felt that he was a young and strong man, but she hadn¡¯t thought about his outstanding appearance. ¡°You are handsome.¡± ¡°¡­Ah.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen anyone like you in my life.¡± His silvery-white hair was dazzling, reminiscent of moonlight. A gorgeous look that goes well with it. Above all, the eyes. There was a strong power that she didn¡¯t know what it was in his dark blue eyes, reminiscent of the deep sea. It felt as if invisible light was illuminating everyone in front of him. It was such an impressive light. ¡°I hear that often. Maybe that¡¯s why I¡¯m wearing a cloak.¡± He answered her jokingly and continued with a smile. ¡°¡­My name is Irwin. Just an ordinary citizen. I am travelling places.¡± It was a tender smile. *** Recently, customers had suggestions as the cafe made more profit than the gallery. If she had to pick one common suggestion among them, it would be this. ¡®I wish there was a dessert menu that goes well with coffee.¡¯ The reasons for wanting dessert varied from customer to customer. It could be because their mouth was bored from drinking coffee. Maybe because they wanted to taste luxurious desserts like the capital¡¯s cafe. It is difficult to hold a whole teacup to appreciate the paintings while walking around the gallery, so it would be nice to have food that is easy to hold. At first, she was going to simply sell coffee and tea, but she started to think about it as customers¡¯ suggestions continued. In fact, there was nothing that could not be done. Sales will increase a little more than just selling coffee, and it will help her livelihood. Besides, she had the experience of learning to bake at the Duke¡¯s mansion and cafe to make desserts, which will be a little easier for her. It was concluded that small desserts worth holding and eating are worth trying. To add more items to the menu, she decided to make some desserts. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying to add desserts to the menu. Please try it once.¡± She handed Irwin the scones she had made as a test, and he looked at her. He has been attending her gallery every day since his first visit. He looked like a wandering stranger, so she expected him to leave this place soon. His continued visits were quite surprising. ¡®Did he really like my drawing?¡¯ He would visit this place early in the morning or in the evening when there were no people, have a cup of coffee and admire the paintings and leave. He also evaluated other paintings as if he knew a lot about them. Sometimes, they would talk and get to know each other. Born into an ordinary family with little money, he seemed to have travelled a lot outside the empire. But lately, it has been a while since he stopped visiting art museums as he travelled. He said he was thrilled to visit a place like this while suffering from a thirst to see paintings. Irwin was a very pleasant and bright person. He knew how to cherish every day, and he also loved nature. But at the same time, he was a heavy and serious person. His dark blue eyes¡­ So, he was a very mysterious person. He was the kind of man who wouldn¡¯t let anyone know what was going on inside of him. What was certain was that every time she saw the strength and energy he had, Cassia felt good. At first, she tried to keep her distance from him beyond a certain level. Because she didn¡¯t want anyone here to know about her original identity. Though she didn¡¯t expect that a young man passing through this part of the country would know of the Duchess of a faraway land. Just in case¡­ Just in case, she kept an appropriate level of distance from him. But when she thought about him, it seemed that her desire to know more about him was sincere. He was quite a striking person because he was the kind of person she wanted to get to know as a human, not as a man. As she repeatedly felt glad that she had met a good human, she wanted to give him something as a gift. The scones she made as a test were a kind of sincere gift she gave him. ¡°Please try it once and rate the dessert. It¡¯s also a token of my appreciation for your frequent visits to my gallery.¡± ¡°¡­Thank you.¡± He glanced at the scone once, then smiled and nodded his head. He took it along with the coffee and walked towards the place. He sat down, took a sip of coffee, and took a bite of the scone. Soon he looked at her with a surprised expression. ¡°Apple scones. I like the taste and texture of the apple spreading in my mouth.¡± ¡°Do you think it can be served as a regular menu?¡± ¡°I think it will sell very well.¡± He ate it in a flash, and it really seemed to taste good. Feeling proud, Cassia decided to add scones to the menu. From that day on, every time she made a new dessert menu, she asked Irwin to taste it. He always willingly accepted her requests and honestly evaluated the desserts she made. It was around that time that he fell into the category of regular customers. One day, unfamiliar customers came to her gallery. Cassia watched the door suddenly open and knights in uniform rushing into the store. The pattern drawn on the uniform was clear. It was the Imperial Knights Templar. She grew alert. ¡®Why?¡¯ It was an unexpected situation. How did the Imperial Knights come to visit the countryside? Also to a gallery like this that they never seemed to stop by. ¡°¡­ What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°We are looking for someone.¡± Cassia froze when she heard that they were looking for someone. She wondered if they were talking about the whereabouts of the Duchess. She felt a little nervous, but fortunately, no answer came back. They were asking her about the whereabouts of the Third Prince. ¡°We are looking for the whereabouts of the Third Prince who disappeared a long time ago.¡± They pushed a portrait before her. Cassia answered in a small voice, ¡°Oh.¡± She now knew why the Imperial Knights suddenly visited the gallery. Adolf de Fontrich. The Third Prince of the empire, disappeared seven years ago. It was such long ago that she thought it was over, but the case was still ongoing. When he was a child, he was a naughty prince who ran away from the Imperial family on the pretext of travelling as soon as he came of age. At the beginning of her marriage, she remembered that the Duke was often called to the Imperial Castle to search the Third Prince. It seemed that the Imperial family was still searching for the whereabouts of the Third Prince. So their visit was of a casual and formal kind. She looked down at the portrait they held out. Come to think of it, was this the first time she saw the face of the Third Prince? Perhaps it was. It was common for nobles to get to know each other in advance while attending an academy before debuting in the social world. However, traditionally, the Imperial family members did not show their faces anywhere until they came of age and attended the debutante ball. The Imperial family was sensitive to security. They were brought up in the Imperial Palace, receiving all their education, and they only appeared in the social world when they came of age. And Diana died the year the Third Prince came of age and attended the debutante ball. At the same time, Cassia became the Duchess. Since then, she had only stayed in the Duchy. The Duke stopped holding banquets, and Cassia also thought staying in the Duchy was fine, so she never participated in any debutante ball. From the year the Third Prince came of age. As a result, Cassia knew absolutely nothing about the appearance of the Third Prince. She had only heard people say that he was the most beautiful one among the three princes. Of course, he wouldn¡¯t have known how the new Duchess looked either. Even if she passes by him or bumps into him, both of them wouldn¡¯t recognize each other. With that in mind, Cassia looked silently at the person in the portrait. He had beautiful silver-white hair, and he was also a fairly handsome man with a face that matched it harmoniously. She immediately wiggled her eyebrows. Obviously, it was the first time she had seen the portrait of the Third Prince, but because someone immediately came to mind. So, the face in the portrait resembled Irwin a lot. ¡­No, it was the same face. *** Chapter 13 ¡°Well.¡± It was an act that she couldn¡¯t understand herself that the answer automatically popped out. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen him,¡± Cassia replied. As she suddenly replied, the knight who saw her this time furrowed his eyebrows. ¡°Is that true? Please look at it again. Do you really remember not seeing him?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± They showed her the portrait once again, and she looked at it. ¡°I don¡¯t know even if I look at it again.¡± Cassia shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen this person.¡± ¡°¡­I see. All right.¡± Looking at her, he eventually nodded and rolled up the portrait. ¡°If anyone appears to be the person in the portrait, please be sure to report it. A bounty of 500 gold coins will be awarded to those who helped find the Third Prince.¡± The Imperial Knights stepped out of the gallery one by one through the door. But one of them turned around, walked a few steps, stopped, and looked at Cassia. ¡°By the way¡­ are you from a noble family?¡± ¡°Or have you never worked for a noble family? It¡¯s the atmosphere, and I¡¯m a little familiar with it.¡± Actually, Cassia was a little flustered. ¡®Is it because of the Imperial Order?¡¯ They seemed to have excellent eyesight. ¡°Well, I used to visit the Imperial palace occasionally until I got married, so some of them might remember me.¡± Cassia was quite surprised on the inside, but she wasn¡¯t immature enough to show it off. ¡°Well, I am just an ordinary citizen.¡± As she said with a smile, he tilted his head, nodded, and left through the gallery door. After they left, Cassia was lost in thought for a while. ¡®Why did I act like that?¡¯ ¡®And who is the man in the portrait?¡¯ ¡®The man in the portrait looked very much like Irwin.¡¯ ¡®And the knights were saying that the man in the portrait was the Third Prince.¡¯ ¡®So, Irwin might be the third prince.¡¯ Her mind was confused for a while, but it quickly subsided. She soon became calm. Whether he was the third prince or Irwin, it didn¡¯t matter to her. Irwin is just Irwin. She didn¡¯t want to judge him by things beyond what she had known him. She didn¡¯t seem to like it either. Come to think of it, she felt the same way when she was a Duchess. In fact, living as a noble is the same for everyone, but ¡®she¡¯ could not normally exist in a high place that she had climbed for a short time. That¡¯s why Diana must have had a lot of trouble while living as a Duchess in the past. Perhaps it was the weight of the crown she wore, and it¡¯s not like she was born because she wanted to be born like that. A few minutes later, while she was working, Irwin came in, ringing the bell. ¡°Good morning.¡± ¡°You are here.¡± Cassia smiled at Irwin. He ordered coffee as usual. When she presented him with a sweet cheese muffin, a new dessert she had recently made, he thanked her and took it to the corner and sat down. She looked at him and talked to him as if she would share what happened in her usual day. ¡°Before, the Imperial knights from the capital stopped by here.¡± He spewed out coffee. Cough, cough. He started coughing, seemed to be choking. ¡®Is he surprised?¡¯ Cassia hurriedly handed him a tissue, his face turned red, and he accepted it. She waited for him to calm down. After a little while¡­ ¡°What did you just say¡­?¡± ¡°It seems that the knights are still looking for the whereabouts of the Third Prince who disappeared a long time ago. They came all the way to search every a nook and cranny.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± ¡°They showed me a portrait and asked if I had ever seen the Third Prince.¡± He made a puzzled expression. Portrait¡­ He looked at her with desperate eyes. He took a sip of his coffee once more, looked at her and carefully opened his mouth. ¡°¡­What did you say?¡± ¡°I have never seen such a person. I answered.¡± He had puzzled eyes. Silence flowed. Soon he opened his mouth. ¡°Hey, didn¡¯t the portrait resemble me?¡± He asked Cassia carefully. ¡°So¡­ I¡¯ve actually heard quite a bit that I look like the Third Prince.¡± ¡°It was different from the portrait.¡± He tilted his head, and she was talking. ¡°The face looks similar, but the picture didn¡¯t have the feeling you have.¡± ¡°Besides, the Third Prince is said to be a troublemaker, but you don¡¯t even look like one.¡± It was sincere. The vivid vitality he had was not contained in the portrait. A strong and lively kind of atmosphere that can only be felt when seen in real life. ¡°As I lived my life, the impression of a person became more important to me than the person¡¯s facial features. In that sense, I thought you were not the man in the portrait.¡± ¡°¡­I see.¡± After answering, he looked at her as if hesitantly, took a few sips of coffee, and a bite of the muffin. ¡°These muffins are also delicious. If this becomes a regular menu item, I will buy it often.¡± ¡°I see. Thank you.¡± Silence passed. He opened his mouth after eating the muffins without saying a word for a while. ¡°¡­Just in case.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°If I were the Third Prince, what would have you done?¡± As Cassia was organizing the dessert menu to be released on paper soon, her gaze turned to him. ¡°Would you report me?¡± ¡°Hmm, well¡­¡± Cassia was lost in thought for a moment. It didn¡¯t take long for the answer to come. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I would have reported it, but there¡¯s one thing I¡¯m sure of.¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± ¡°It will be hard to deal with. Maybe I would have avoided you.¡± His expression darkened. He asked hurriedly, ¡°¡­why?¡± ¡°Why?¡± As if asking a natural question, she answered with a smile. ¡°Because it¡¯ll be burdensome.¡± Lightning struck his face. *** The next day, Cassia went to the gallery early in the morning and was getting ready to open. The pictures in the gallery did not go anywhere, and all she had to do was prepare the cafe¡¯s work for the day. While she was looking at coffee beans, the door opened, and someone came in. Cassia looked up, and it was Irwin. ¡°¡­It hasn¡¯t even opened yet.¡± ¡°Because I¡¯m curious about something.¡± He strode towards her. As he came closer, dark circles appeared on his face as if he hadn¡¯t slept all night. ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯ She paused what she was doing and looked at Irwin, who opened his mouth. ¡°The Third Prince.¡± ¡°¡­Say it.¡± ¡°I heard he¡¯s rich and handsome. Is there a reason to avoid him?¡± Cassia¡¯s mouth opened a little. ¡®Are you saying that you couldn¡¯t sleep well because you were so curious about this?¡¯ ¡°I want to hear a little more about you avoiding him because it¡¯s burdensome. A prince is usually envied by many people.¡± ¡°¡­Well.¡± Cassia thought for a moment and answered him. ¡°In general, what you said would be correct. If the prince appears in front of me, I will try to get to know him somehow.¡± She knew well enough how humble people can be in front of the powerful. She had always been watching Diana¡¯s side. Even on rare occasions, there were those who approached the Duchess. Just hoping to know more. Was that so? She was not attracted to such things. ¡°It just seems that I am not the type of person who is attracted to money, fame, or appearance. Besides, the Third Prince is a troublemaker. You never know what would happen next, so it is burdensome.¡± ¡°¡­I see,¡± he sighed. ¡°Then what should he do to get close to someone like you?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s most comfortable to be friends as we are¡­¡± ¡°Just as we are?¡± ¡°Yes. If we just get to know each other, and if we think we get along well, we will naturally become friends. By the way¡­¡± Cassia hesitated and continued talking, then suddenly looked at Irwin. ¡°Why do you keep asking that? Perhaps you are the Third Prince¡­¡± ¡°Well, I was just curious and asked.¡± He hurriedly answered her, blushed, and left the gallery. As she looked at his back as he left, Cassia let out a smirk. Leaving the store, Adolf pressed his cloak deeply on and headed home with a fast pace. He was still in shock. All the words he had heard from her yesterday were floating around in his head. [Because it¡¯ll be burdensome.] After hearing that it would be a burden, he couldn¡¯t sleep last night. After wrapping his hands around his head and rolling on the bed, contemplating the meaning of the word ¡®burdensome¡¯, he went to see her in the morning, thinking that he had to hear the reasons from her anyhow. But her reason was also very shocking¡­ [It just seems that I am not the type of person who is attracted to money, fame, or appearance.] ¡°I am burdensome¡­¡± Haah, a deep sigh escaped from Adolf¡¯s mouth, who exhaled in vain. His steps slowed down. He trudged home, exhausted. Chapter 14 ¡®Who is she?¡¯ From the moment they first met, she was a very striking woman. A gallery in a corner of the countryside that he came across by accident. The owner of the place exuded a very strange atmosphere as much as her paintings. With a dignified face whose age could not be judged and the posture of moving with an upright waist, there was a very luxurious atmosphere for a commoner. He wanted to get a little closer to her, to the point where he wondered if she was from a noble family. He wanted to talk more. He hoped that the Imperial Knights, who kept chasing after him wherever he went, would not come to visit him this time. If they found out about him, he would have to run away. However, contrary to his wish, the Imperial Knights eventually came to her and asked about his whereabouts. He couldn¡¯t help but be nervous when she said she had seen a portrait of him, of course. There was no way that she could not recognize him when she saw a portrait of his face. He thought he should run away now, but when he asked if the portrait looked like him, she answered back as if the portrait didn¡¯t resemble him. [The face looks similar, but the picture didn¡¯t have the feeling you have.] [As I lived my life, the impression of a person became more important to me than the person¡¯s facial features. In that sense, I thought you were not the man in the portrait.] Her answer was as strange as the atmosphere she had. Adolf felt a tingling sensation. Like she knows but doesn¡¯t know at the same time. Like he is surprised but not surprised at the same time. Adolf, who was trudging, soon arrived at his home. He went to the Empire¡¯s most famous wizard and traded the magic tent himself, providing a comfortable home wherever he went. It was also a house invisible to others, which was why the Imperial Knights still couldn¡¯t find him. Upon arriving there, Adolf opened the house door and paused for a moment. ¡°¡­Ah!¡± ¡®Maybe she wants to hide me now?¡¯ All her tone, mood, and actions seemed to be conveying such intentions. He noticed her attitude of treating him only as a guest, whether the Imperial Knights visited her or not, and pretending not to know him even after seeing the portrait. He didn¡¯t think that she was a tactless woman, who wouldn¡¯t know who he was after seeing the portrait. Above all, she was treating him as if nothing had happened. ¡®She¡¯s trying to hide me.¡¯ It was his conclusion after thinking deeply. A small smile appeared on Adolf¡¯s lips as he opened the door and entered the house. ¡°¡­She is a thoughtful woman.¡± After realizing her intentions, for some reason, he felt at ease. It wasn¡¯t because he was afraid she would reveal his identity to the Imperial Knights. If she pretends not to know, he doesn¡¯t have to leave her side. Because he didn¡¯t want to leave the cozy gallery and her paintings. ¡­Because he can get a little closer to her. [If we just get to know each other, and if we think we get along well, we will naturally become friends.] Because he still had a chance to practice what she said. He felt grateful. Adolf wanted to repay that feeling. He decided not to ask about her name and her life story, which he also wanted to ask. As if she had covered her up for not wanting to reveal herself. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to get close.¡± He lay down on the bed and rolled over. He looked forward to seeing her again. *** The next day, he appeared to be in a perfect mood as he entered the gallery early morning. He opened the door, strode over to Cassia, and pleasantly greeted her. ¡°Good morning!¡± ¡°¡­You look very happy today.¡± Cassia spoke with a smile, as she remembered him walking out of the gallery yesterday as if he was running away. ¡°I¡¯m a little better than usual.¡± ¡°Would you like some hot coffee?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± As usual, he ordered a hot coffee and sat in a corner looking at the paintings. The only thing different from usual was that he had a beautiful smile on his lips and occasional pleasant hums. When coffee was ready, he came over the counter. He stopped and looked at her for a moment. ¡°I¡¯m sorry that I came here early morning yesterday and asked a strange question.¡± ¡°¡­No. I didn¡¯t mind. Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s nothing.¡± ¡°Here.¡± Not trying to get coffee, he looked at her a little more. He looked straight into her eyes and said. ¡°I want to get to know you.¡± A beautiful smile flashed in front of her. Eyes that seemed to contain dark sapphires shone towards her. ¡°¡­And I will definitely get to know you.¡± In his eyes full of clear will, for a moment, her heart fluttered weakly. It happened in a moment that she didn¡¯t even realize. *** From that day on, he continued to approach her without hesitation. Not only did he come into the gallery every morning as if going to work, but the amount of conversations has also increased compared to before. While he talked about the paintings most of the time, he also started to ask a lot of questions about her. What she liked and wanted to do in the future, they got to know each other step by step. He also told her a lot of things. Like he enjoys eating food without any complaints, loves to see the scenery of nature, how good he is with swordsmanship. But there was one interesting thing. He never asked Cassia about her past. He could have asked questions about her past, she would¡¯ve kept her distance, but he didn¡¯t. He only asked questions about her or the future. Needless to say, it was natural for him not to ask her about her past. ¡­Sometimes, in the middle of the conversation, he quietly brought up a story about the Third Prince. As if he wanted her to know as much as possible about him. ¡°¡­The Third Prince is actually very good-natured, did you know?¡± ¡°The Third Prince also likes to look at paintings. Did you know?¡± ¡°The Third Prince is actually¡­¡± She unintentionally learned a few facts about the Third Prince, Adolf de Fontrich. She thought it was cute to see him diligently leaking information about the Third Prince, pretending not to know. Actually, she didn¡¯t suddenly get close to him. Those were just simple, polite conversations, so it might seem like a formal relationship if someone saw them. But from within, she thought she started laughing quite a bit, thanks to him. She felt more comfortable with the sight of him trying to get close to her while staying behind the ¡®line¡¯. She let go of her tension a bit and had more time to chat happily with him. Even if he found out who she was, she thought it wouldn¡¯t matter. Even if he finds out about her identity, what will he do? After all, they both were hiding each other¡¯s identities. Besides, she was no longer the Duchess. She just existed as ¡®Cassia¡¯. She didn¡¯t want to lose the experiences she had accumulated as ¡®Cassia¡¯ because of things like nobles and royalty. Yes, she really enjoyed meeting him, and that was the clear truth she felt. Anyway, he was a very young and beautiful man. Beautiful silver hair and blue eyes went well with it. She couldn¡¯t get used to looking at him, so he felt unfamiliar for quite some time. If she had been a little girl, she would have had to hold onto her falling heart every time she saw him. Like those moments when she was young and looked at her first love from afar¡­ But she was no longer at the age where she was attracted to a good-looking appearance. So she treated him comfortably and got acquainted with him as a human. The knights of the Imperial Palace searched for the Third Prince for several days and eventually left Lawrence, apparently unable to find him. Finally, the newly refurbished dessert menu was completed. Irwin and Cassia looked together at the newly hung menu board on the counter. Cranberry scones, lemon madeleines, cheese muffins, and chocolate chip cookies¡­ There were primarily small desserts that would go well with a cup of coffee. She couldn¡¯t make ends meet just by running a gallery alone, so she was selling cafe menus as well, but she loved the unique quietness of the gallery. She didn¡¯t want to be too busy as the cafe wasn¡¯t her main purpose. She should look at the items that sell the most, and make changes to the menu accordingly from time to time. It seemed she would be a little busier in the future. But as much as painting, she had a lot of fun baking. ¡°Thanks to you, I was able to put good items on the menu board.¡± Cassia turned to Irwin to look at him. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°No. I ate a lot because it was just for tasting.¡± ¡°From now on, you will be charged. Pay and eat.¡± He grinned at her playful reply. The blue eyes were radiating life as if they were happy. He raised his head and looked carefully at the dessert menu, then suddenly asked. ¡°By the way, I have a question for you.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you make cakes?¡± Cassia¡¯s expression turned a little stiff. Little enough to be not noticed. Chapter 15 Fortunately, Irwin continued to speak as he didn¡¯t even notice it. ¡°When I think of dessert, the first thing that comes to mind is cake. Is there any special reason not to make it?¡± It was a voice full of pure curiosity. Cassia looked at him and lowered her gaze. Cake. The reason she doesn¡¯t make cakes is¡­ Moments of making cakes at the Duke¡¯s mansion flashed through her mind for a moment. She smiled and answered, ¡°¡­Because I don¡¯t want to make it.¡± ¡°I beg your pardon?¡± He couldn¡¯t hear her because she answered in a small voice, so he asked back. Cassia looked up at him and answered. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­cakes are difficult to make.¡± His gaze turned to her. He seemed to sense something different from usual. She continued to talk, ¡°Making a cake is an arduous task. Especially when applying cream, it requires high concentration. Not only should the spatula always be kept clean, but if you don¡¯t apply the cream while maintaining the exact angle, the cake will quickly collapse. ¡° When she looked at him with a smile, he looked at her with a strange expression. ¡°I think it¡¯s important to keep the right angle between the cake and you while making one.¡± ¡°¡­I see.¡± ¡°So it is very difficult to make. These are small items I tried as a hobby, but I don¡¯t want to make such a grand item. ¡­Anyway, I¡¯m going to make a little bit of all the menus now and close them when they¡¯re sold out.¡± He looked at her for a moment in response to the somewhat cold atmosphere, and opened his mouth ¡°I felt this last time, too.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Sometimes, you have very deep eyes.¡± ¡°In those eyes, there is no sadness, loneliness, longing for something¡­ But somehow, there is a clear determination. These eyes have an atmosphere that looks very similar to the picture you draw.¡± Cassia looked at him. He smiled and continued. ¡°When you make those eyes, I feel like giving you a tight, warm hug.¡± The warm gaze towards her made her stare blankly at him for a moment. A strange silence passed. As time passed, she opened her mouth. ¡°¡­The gallery will be closed tomorrow. Don¡¯t come.¡± ¡°Why?¡± His eyes widened. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been paying a lot of attention to making dessert menus for a while, so I wanted to take a day off by myself.¡± ¡®And I had a hard time hiding you.¡¯ Of course, it was pretty fun. While fully settled here, he was the biggest gift she had ever come across. She thought she had a good relationship, which made her genuinely happy to have met him. ¡°I see¡­¡± Sadness was all over his face. ¡°Then I¡¯ll have to rest at home tomorrow, too.¡± Cassia smiled without saying a word. ¡­Actually, there was a place she wanted to visit tomorrow. After he left, she closed the gallery earlier than usual. It was because she had many things to be concerned about recently, and she wanted to go home early and spend time alone to prepare for tomorrow. Today, she would go in early, set up a simple dinner table, and finish the day quietly drawing pictures. It was the moment when she closed the door and hung a lock. While thinking about it, she felt something like an unfamiliar gaze from somewhere. Cassia looked back. ¡®¡­What is it?¡¯ There was no one behind. Her eyes sharpened, and looked around the area. It certainly felt like being targeted as someone popular. Soon, she averted her gaze indifferently. ¡®Is it just because I¡¯m tired?¡¯ With that in mind, she closed the door and started walking slowly home. The scenery of the countryside as the sun was setting spread out beyond her. *** ¡°She was obviously the Duchess.¡± A few days ago, the knight Jacob, who had returned from a trip to Lawrencia to find the Third Prince, visited Ken. Standing next to Ken, who was practising wielding a sword in the training ground, he continued to speak with excitement. ¡°That woman looked familiar. She definitely looked like a noble. But I remembered her on my way back. She was definitely Duchess Whidrian. I remember seeing her here from afar-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t speak nonsense.¡± Sweat dripped down Ken¡¯s forehead as he answered in a low voice and focused on the practice. Jacob continued. ¡°I heard your mother left the mansion. Can¡¯t she be there?¡± ¡°Jacob.¡± As Jacob continued to poke him from the side, Ken lifted his sword. ¡°She¡¯s not my mother, she¡¯s my stepmother. And don¡¯t meddle in my family affairs.¡± ¡°It¡¯s so frustrating and annoying!¡± In terms of rank, Jacob was inferior to Ken. However, since he joined the Knights Templar, his original status had no meaning. The knights here were thoroughly evaluated by their swordsmanship skills and the age they entered. However, his original status couldn¡¯t be ignored, so other people couldn¡¯t approach Ken hastily. But it wasn¡¯t Jacob. On the day he joined the Knights Templar, Jacob approached Ken without hesitation and was already motivated to become close to Ken. ¡°I was just like you when my mom ran away when my family collapsed, and my dad remarried.¡± Coincidentally, Jacob was a friend with a similar experience as Ken. Is that why? Ken didn¡¯t confide in him about his family, but Jacob knew how he felt. ¡°What¡¯s good about the person who left me? I went around looking for my real mother every day.¡± ¡°But as I went along, I realized all human relationships are bound to build up. My biological mother, she¡¯s important. She¡¯s precious to me, and I can¡¯t get myself to forget her. But you see, all relationships are different. Some biological mothers are worse than others. And there are some of the different blood who are just like real mothers. It¡¯s all up to you to decide.¡± ¡°So what do you want me to do? What the hell do you want to say?¡± Ken crumpled his forehead, put his sword into its sheath, and looked at Jacob with a sharp gaze. Jacob sighed. He grabbed Ken¡¯s shoulders and met his eyes. ¡°Ken, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll regret it.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I realized it late myself. Gosh.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t realize until she passed away.¡± Jacob¡¯s gaze deepened. ¡°If I had known earlier, I would have been really nice to the one who was willing to become my stepmother¡­ I hope you don¡¯t realize it as late or regret it as I did.¡± ¡°Have you ever tried to listen to your stepmother? Why don¡¯t you listen to your stepmother¡¯s story instead of regretting it later like me?¡± ¡°We¡¯re adults now, aren¡¯t we?¡± ¡°This is my sincere advice.¡± As Jacob added, he tapped Ken once on the shoulder, turned around and walked away. Ken wrinkled his eyebrows, looked at his friend¡¯s back, and turned his head to the side. *** A few days later, Ken was standing in front of the gallery in question. At first glance, it looked shabby, but it had an atmosphere that matched the clear sky and quiet rural scenery. There were fine wrinkles on Ken¡¯s forehead as he looked at the simple but neat building. There was no big reason for him to come here. He didn¡¯t come here for the regrets Jacob said. He just wondered a little what she was doing out of the Duke¡¯s mansion. Where and what she was doing that she ran into the Imperial Knights? ¡­And why didn¡¯t she come back even after encountering them? Ken¡¯s eyes turned to the inside of the building. Cassia could be seen through the glass door. Her dark hair, elegant facial features, and even gentle, slow steps. It was hard to see her because he was standing far away, but the atmosphere around her was his stepmother¡¯s. She was talking to someone. Ken¡¯s eyes widened slightly as he turned his gaze to the person he was talking to. He couldn¡¯t see clearly from afar, but the person had clear silver hair. It was the representative mark of the Third Prince. Obviously, the knights, including Jacob, must have come down to find the prince. Jacob said that he could not find the Third Prince again, but he was there, talking with his stepmother. But Ken didn¡¯t do anything special. Finding the third prince was definitely not his job. Likewise, there was no intention to inform the Duke of Cassia¡¯s whereabouts. He just came to satisfy his simple curiosity. Ken¡¯s gaze turned to Cassia again. She smiled as she turned to the prince standing next to her. It was a smile he had never seen before. ¡°¡­ She¡¯s smiling.¡± A smirk came to Ken¡¯s lips as if it was ridiculous. It was an exquisite and beautiful smile that he had never seen before, but it didn¡¯t matter to him. For him, Cassia was just a person whom he didn¡¯t like whatever she did. It had been like that since childhood. A woman who did not shed a single tear even when her friend died. She was a woman who only stood in a corner with an unknown expression throughout the funeral. After a while, she tried to become his own mother. Everyone pointed their fingers at the Duke, one by one. His father sided with her. The Duke didn¡¯t even tell him why. He told his sons to look at her and embrace her. He didn¡¯t even ask for a second mother. Of course, Cassia was a person he had seen ever since he was a child. However, it was a completely different matter to treat her under the name of ¡®mother¡¯. Chapter 16 He hated her so much that his teeth trembled. The family he was so proud of was instantly ashamed of him. He was disillusioned with all reality. Since then, he has always been furious. But what he hated the most was the woman¡¯s attitude. Taking his mother¡¯s place, she pretended to be his real mother without showing any signs of sorry. She was arrogant. Who will embrace who? It was a situation where he couldn¡¯t even laugh. The belief that one day he will accept her if she keeps coming to him. Her consistent approach with the smile on her face made him suffocate as a child. The arrogant attitude of believing that she could replace Diana¡¯s place in his life. The arrogant attitude that tried to embrace him just because she was her mother¡¯s best friend. Yes, he hated her so much. He had never liked her once his mother died. When he became hostile towards her, his father forced him into the Knights Templar. But Ken wasn¡¯t just kicked out. He took advantage of this opportunity to run away from a family that did not accept him, no matter how much he talked about it. Communication didn¡¯t work, so he just let it go. His heart still hadn¡¯t changed. Soon a man wearing a cloak, presumed to be the Third Prince, left the gallery. Cassia, who sent him off, slowly began to organize the inside by herself. Ken stood in the same place, lost in his thoughts, and as the sun went down, she left the gallery. When Cassia looked back as if she had sensed something while locking the door, Ken hid behind a tree. Cassia tilted her head, closed the door, and headed somewhere, perhaps returning to her house. ¡°Really¡­¡± Ken crossed his arms, leaned his back against the boulevard, and looked at her back. ¡°¡­ It¡¯s not even funny.¡± Ken turned and started walking. Still, he didn¡¯t like her. *** The next day, the day the gallery was closed, was exceptionally clear and sunny. Cassia was heading somewhere. She sat in the carriage and looked around in the bright sunlight pouring in. The country carriages were open on all sides, unlike the capital carriages blocked on all sides. The horses were not in a hurry, and running slowly also played a part. Clack, clack. The sound of horses walking resounded resoundingly. The beautiful natural scenery she saw along the way was no different from what it used to be. Wildflowers swaying gently and trees hanging over the expansive grass fields. The calm, warm rural wind gently blew past her. They were guiding her slowly into distant memories of the past. The carriage had arrived. When she got off there, the wagon left her behind. The sound of the horseshoes faded away. A huge villa standing alone filled her view when she raised her head. ¡®¡­And nothing has changed here.¡¯ Count Allison¡¯s villa, which stands alone for a while, heading out to the outskirts of Lawrencia, was the place where Diana and Cassia often used to hang out when they were young. After seven years, she thought she should come to see Diana at least once. It would have been nice to have visited her friend¡¯s grave before leaving the Duke¡¯s mansion, but she hadn¡¯t thought about it because she was so distracted. So she decided to be satisfied this way, and she didn¡¯t even know that she had courage only after all the time was over. When she pushed the gate slightly, the gate opened. As she entered the yard, manicured grass road guided her. It must not be a well-used villa now, but seeing that the grass was trimmed, it seemed to be maintained by the Count on a regular basis. Beyond the fence surrounding the yard, a vast sea caught her eye. ¡°¡­Sigh.¡± She took a deep breath without realizing it. Her skirt was blown all over in the strong but not cold wind. The sea in front of the villa, spread out just like the past, was majestic and deep. The sunlight pouring down, floated on the deep blue sea like jewels. When she was young, the sea she saw here was always brilliant and beautiful. ¡®Cassia, won¡¯t you go to our family villa to play together again this week?¡¯ ¡®I went last week, can I go again?¡¯ ¡®Of course. Let¡¯s go if you want. You like the sea from our villa.¡¯ Diana¡¯s face and voice, who smiled warmly at her, were lovely. Count Allison¡¯s estate wasn¡¯t too far from here, and she used to come here quite often with Diana as a child. Before Diana started dating, she was with Cassia, and Diana¡¯s now-deceased parents were always with her at the villa. Count and Countess Allison died together a few years after Diana¡¯s departure seven years ago. The sorrow of losing their beloved daughter must have devoured their fair lives. When they hugged and patted Cassia at Diana¡¯s funeral, that was her last meeting with them. They were really nice people who treated her well because she was Diana¡¯s friend, even if she was a commoner. They were like another family to her. This was a place full of all those memories, and now there is only her in this place. ¡°How are you?¡± The sky was clear, reflecting on the exceptionally blue sea. She looked up at the floating clouds and said. ¡°Your children are all grown up and qualified for official status. I¡­ protected your children, Diana.¡± There was no answer from the sky with floating clouds, but she kept talking. ¡°Everyone is doing well, and there is no need to worry. Nick still seems timid, but he¡¯s grown up with dignity, and your husband isn¡¯t much different. Everyone seems to miss you from time to time, but I think they have come out of sadness to some extent.¡± She paused because of a complicated feeling. She soon opened his mouth again. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know if I actually did as well the Duchess as you thought I would.¡± A bitter smile came out. ¡°In fact, I did not have a warm relationship with your family. I had a dry relationship with the Duke, and I hurt Ken. Nick had a hard time accepting me as I thought. The Duke is an adult, so it was fine, but dealing with the children was a little difficult. Still, I tried my best, but¡­¡± A little embarrassed, she scratched her head. She lowered her gaze and raised her head again. Silence passed. She hesitated and opened her mouth. ¡°And there¡¯s something I want to ask you¡­ the diary you left behind.¡± Towards the bright sky. ¡°You thought about me, right?¡± Heaven had no answer. She lowered her gaze and smiled. She continued to talk. ¡°To be honest, I was a little sad at times. When life got tough as a Duchess.¡± In a way, Diana left with one last request that she had no choice but to listen to. Diana purposely left her diary in the room and left Cassia one last request. Cassia did it because she wanted to do it, but on very rare occasions she sometimes guessed what her final act was like. ¡°¡­But to think positively, that is, we¡¯re friends. Right? But she couldn¡¯t think that her friendship with Diana was a lie. She couldn¡¯t lie the way she had been growing up with Diana. The memories they created together, the world of the two of them, where they were only happy no matter what others said. Because the emotions she felt inside couldn¡¯t be a lie. She raised her head and looked up at the sky. ¡°How about there? Are you doing well there without any pain?¡± Diana, a really lovely friend who always smiled kindly towards her. She was the warm sunshine and light that seemed to be with Cassia forever. ¡°¡­I miss you.¡± ¡°A lot.¡± Cassia smiled at the sky. Clear clouds, and a particularly bright day. It was the weather that really resembled her. *** How long has it been? Cassia lowered her head. It seemed that she had roughly finished what she wanted to say. ¡°¡­I can¡¯t cry.¡± ¡®Have my emotions dried up?¡¯ Lowering her head, she let out a bitter laugh. A single teardrop doesn¡¯t matter. However, after seven years passed and all Diana¡¯s requests were granted, Cassia thought she would be able to cry openly. From the time of the funeral to now, how could she not shed a single tear at the death of such a dear friend? She also didn¡¯t understand herself. Kicking a stone for nothing, looking at the blue sea once more. It was the moment when she turned her back on the thought that she had to slowly go back, a familiar voice was heard. ¡°Cassia?¡± It was a voice she hadn¡¯t heard in a long time, but the moment she heard it, she knew who the owner was. Her eyes slowly turned to where the sound was coming from. Looking back, in front of her was a familiar man. ¡°¡­Michael?¡± He was Diana¡¯s older brother. Count Allison. Chapter 17 Michael Allison. Count Allison¡¯s eldest son and Diana¡¯s older brother. The current head. The man she had not seen in a long time stood in front of her, looking at her as if surprised. ¡°¡­Michael.¡± He had the same blood as Diana, but he was a man with a different appearance from her. Unlike Diana, who resembled her mother and had a bright and kind personality, Michael had a sharp personality resembling the previous Count, his father. Still, he was a man with a soft smile that matched Diana. Like brother, like sister. ¡°Long time no see.¡± He came and stood next to her. ¡°I thought a thief came in while the yard door was open for a while. I didn¡¯t expect to see you here.¡± ¡°How have you been?¡± It¡¯s been a really long time. It was also nice to see him in a place like this. When he greeted her with a soft smile, she answered with a smile, too. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I¡¯m okay. I wasn¡¯t happy, but I wasn¡¯t sad. That¡¯s how I spent my time.¡± It was the face of him she had not seen in a long time. However, despite the passing of time, he maintained a tall and splendid impression. As her marriage was decided after Diana¡¯s death, the relationship between the Count of Allison and the Duke of Whidrian quickly became awkward. In order to be polite, the Duke asked Count Allison to forgive them for their marriage and understand that it was to protect the children. But that didn¡¯t mean they could comfortably see Cassia and the Duke¡¯s faces. The Count and his wife, who were kind and generous, understood their marriage in their minds under the persuasion of the Duke, but at the same time, they did not. Their daughter¡¯s best friend, married to their deceased daughter¡¯s husband. Well, it meant that she couldn¡¯t get along with them like before when she used to come to the villa to play. Perhaps the shock caused by it had a share in the early death of the Count couple. Maybe that¡¯s why, after the Count almost cut off contact with her, she couldn¡¯t see Michael¡¯s face at all. The last time she saw him was on the day of her wedding with the Duke, from far away, standing and watching her. ¡°I heard the news. The news that the Duchess had left the Duke¡¯s mansion spread throughout the social circles.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°The Duchy was in turmoil. But I had no idea that we would meet here.¡± He truly looked surprised at the sudden reunion with her. She answered, ¡°Now that the children are adults, I decided there was no reason to be there anymore.¡± ¡°¡­I see.¡± ¡°Can I trust you won¡¯t tell Duke Whidrian?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have anything to gain. It¡¯s been a long time since I cut off contact with that family.¡± He smiled again. She was strangely glad to see his smile after a long time. When she smiled with him, he asked me. ¡°So¡­ What did you come here for? Is it an obvious question?¡± ¡°When leaving the Duke¡¯s mansion, I couldn¡¯t say goodbye to Diana. I wanted to say hello like this.¡± ¡°I see.¡± ¡°¡­Not a single thing has changed here. In fact, I didn¡¯t know it wouldn¡¯t change this much.¡± This place has been completely preserved as if everything had gone back to the past from the carriage ride. Everything was the same as in the past, except that there were no more people around and that the villa was a little older due to the weight of time. ¡°I was ordered to pay attention to management. I come here often, too.¡± Michael answered. ¡°It¡¯s a villa that I don¡¯t use anymore, but there¡¯s no place like this where time seems to have stopped. I feel strangely at ease when I come here. I come here often when I want to clear my head.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± There was silence. They stood side by side and looked at the sea together. Each of them was immersed in their own thoughts, so the flowing silence was not particularly awkward. As a long time passed, he opened his mouth. ¡°¡­ Aren¡¯t you angry?¡± Cassia turned to look at Michael. ¡°You spent seven years in the Duke¡¯s mansion because of my sister. Your willpower seemed strong, so I couldn¡¯t stop you, but it bothered me the whole time.¡± His gaze fell low. ¡°And now that you are out of there, personally¡­ I think you¡¯re lucky.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. I don¡¯t need any apologies.¡± She chuckled. ¡°Michael, you know, that choice¡­ of course it was for Diana, but for me, it was bigger than you think.¡± Cassia looked at him. She thought about telling him about Diana¡¯s death and her kid¡¯s favour, but she decided not to. The truth was that Diana¡¯s death wasn¡¯t accidental. Diana was intuitively aware of her death, leaving Cassia a secret request. He was also a family, so he had some right to know. But she was also concerned about the shock he would receive. After 7 years had passed and everything was in order, Cassia didn¡¯t want to go through painful wounds and memories. Then, suddenly, a strange thought occurred to her. She has been so fine for seven years. Contrary to what she was worried about when she first decided to take Diana¡¯s place. Was it because of the Duke¡¯s cover? Why did Diana die? It was still a mystery. It was a secret that she would like to unravel if only she could solve it. ¡°The Whidrian family is Diana¡¯s family, and they¡¯ve always been close friends with me, so at first I thought I could do well, but it wasn¡¯t.¡± ¡°But I didn¡¯t want to quit the position right away and run away.¡± She continued to talk. ¡°I thought even when I¡¯ll leave, I would feel better if I took care of the family Diana left behind.¡± Michael didn¡¯t answer. He just listened to her. She shrugged her shoulders. ¡°Seven years have passed, and I am here again after I came out of that family.¡± After a long time, the first thing that came to her was nothing more than a sense of relief. ¡®Didn¡¯t I come to Diana to say what I wanted to say?¡¯ Obviously, she now had some sort of qualification. Now that 7 years had passed, she felt like she could remember her friend with peace in her mind. ¡°It¡¯s still a strange feeling, but I feel more at ease just knowing that I am done with that time.¡± Cassia thought about it. Perhaps completing all Diana¡¯s requests was to save herself, or was a struggle she had to endure fiercely to accept the fact that she had lost her friend. ¡®So¡­¡¯ ¡®So I¡­¡¯ ¡°So I¡­ have no regrets, Michael.¡± She did not regret the seven years she had spent in the Duke¡¯s mansion on her friends¡¯s behalf. Michael looked at her for a while without answering. His gaze warmed up, and he opened his mouth to speak. ¡°¡­Do you know this?¡± ¡°You are a very strong person.¡± Cassia looked at him with puzzled eyes. She just smiled and didn¡¯t say anything more. ¡°Anyway, now that you¡¯re out of the Duchy, it must be the beginning of a new life.¡± A long time passed, and he continued. ¡°At all¡­ did you decide to divorce the Duke? There are rumours that you left the divorce papers behind.¡± ¡°You heard it right. I¡¯m going to get divorced and live a new life alone.¡± It was honestly unclear whether the Duke would be willing to sign the divorce document. But wouldn¡¯t he have signed it already? She saw no reason not to sign it. It was questionable that it had not yet been told that they had been divorced. ¡®What is the Duke doing now?¡¯ Suddenly, a question crossed her mind. ¡°Is there anything you want to do?¡± ¡°¡­ I¡¯m taking a break and doing many things. I met some interesting people, and I came to see Diana today.¡± Cassia smiled bitterly. It was because she remembered the time she had with Irwin while talking about ¡®interesting people¡¯. Michael looked at her like that for a moment and then said with a smile. ¡°¡­I want you to be happy no matter what you do. I¡¯m serious. Let me know if you need any help.¡± ¡°Thank you. I hope that Michael will always be happy with his wife.¡± At Cassia¡¯s words, he looked at her. Looking at his distant eyes, she said cautiously. ¡°Marriage¡­ I¡¯m sure you did¡­?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t get married.¡± ¡°What?¡± Cassia¡¯s mouth opened slightly in shock. ¡®Are you not married?¡¯ Of course, she hadn¡¯t heard of him getting married in those seven years. So she wondered if he had a quiet ceremony. ¡°I missed the timing, didn¡¯t I?¡± He smiled. ¡°You are crazy, Michael. The head of the Count¡¯s family is still single.¡± The word ¡®crazy¡¯ didn¡¯t come out of Cassia¡¯s mouth very often. It meant that she was surprised. It was only natural to assume that he would be married. Who in the world does not get married even after becoming the head of the Count¡¯s family? Considering the successor, marriage was a natural duty for the family. ¡°My parents died suddenly when Diana died as they started getting sick, so I became a head of state without being married, and that¡¯s how time passed.¡± ¡°And I¡¯m worried about the people around me, so I¡¯m thinking about whether to adopt sons or daughters.¡± ¡°You must have had a lot of chances to get married even after you became the head. Why didn¡¯t you do it yet?¡± He was once the most popular man in the social world. He was the man whom all the young girls had admired and longed for like a dream. A man who shone brightly like Diana, yet had a bright and sharp impression. His quite attractive appearance drew attention wherever he went. In addition, he has a comfortable personality, kindness, and wealth as a count. Even now, he would have been able to get married easily if he wanted to. ¡°Well¡­ What about you?¡± ¡°What?¡± Instead of an answer, a question came back. *** Chapter 18 When she asked back, he asked again. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you? You were single until you married the Duke, too.¡± ¡°Me? I¡­¡± Cassia thought for a moment at his question and scratched her head in embarrassment. ¡°I just didn¡¯t do it because there was no one I wanted to¡­¡± ¡°Me too.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I just can¡¯t have a formal marriage.¡± Seeing him talking while looking at her, Cassia burst into a giggle as she looked at him. He also looked at her and smiled softly. The sound of their laughter spread through the open air. As time passed, the laughter faded. And when it had subsided entirely, he asked. ¡°Then, how about now?¡± In an instant, his voice changed. A voice that was cautious, but had many meanings, became dazed for a moment. As she turned around, a strange gaze came upon her. ¡°Are you thinking about marriage or dating¡­?¡± The smile slowly faded from her face. His unfamiliar gaze looking at her¡­ It happened in an instant. It was a feeling that sprouted in an instant. When she met his unfamiliar gaze, she heard his voice continuing. ¡°You liked me when you were young.¡± At that moment, a fleeting moment passed. One second felt like a thousand years. In the meantime, his face, which became one with the blue sea, slowly penetrated into her heart. It soaked the blood that might have flowed all over her body and immediately made her heart jolt. ¡®Thud¡¯ Her heart fell as she stared blankly at him. Her heart started pounding. Her face heated up. Cassia took a step back from him. ¡°¡­There is a secluded gallery on the way from the town of Lawrencia to the city.¡± He looked at her. He seemed to try to connect something but didn¡¯t connect it right away. ¡°¡­Come to pay a visit when you have time.¡± After she finished speaking, she left as if to run away. She couldn¡¯t hide her blushing face. His gaze stayed on her back as she ran away. *** Returning to the gallery, the first thing she did was take out a white canvas. She put the paint she wanted on the large white canvas and started moving the brush as her hand drove. It was an instinctive gesture to clear her confused mind. The brush moved from time to time, conveying the feelings that were faithful to her heart. Meanwhile, the thoughts and memories she had set aside for a long while as a child, came to her mind as vivid as if it happened yesterday. The first time she went to a villa, a long time, ago after receiving Diana¡¯s invitation. On the way, she tripped over a stone in front of the Count¡¯s villa. ¡°Ah!¡± She rolled up the hem of the dress slightly and looked at her knew, and blood was oozing out through the torn flesh. When her forehead was wrinkled because of the pain in the place she bumped onto, a long, white hand reached out in front of her. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Cassia slowly lifted her head. A boy with the same impression as Diana reached out his hand to her. A boy with handsome features that resembled Diana and didn¡¯t resemble at the same time. Was it because of the sun shining behind him? As a child, she had an illusion that light was leaking from him. ¡°Can you stand up?¡±¡¯ ¡°Ah, yes¡­¡± Her heart was pounding. She took his hand and stood up. Her face was as red as a ripe apple. ¡°Your knee is bruised. This is my house, and if it¡¯s okay with you, I¡¯ll call the maid and help you clean the wound.¡± And that is how Cassia learned that the pretty boy was Diana¡¯s older brother. And he was also a hot topic among the nobles due to his outstanding appearance. Having been her senior by a few grades at the academy, he was extremely popular with girls her age. There was no girl who didn¡¯t like him, who read books in the library, played sports with friends, and studied well. Somehow he didn¡¯t create a scandal or socialize with anyone, but there was a moment when she shyly liked him from afar for a while. But next to him, he was always followed by girls as much as boys followed Diana in the social circles. He used to be friendly when he saw Cassia, but she avoided him. She gave up on her greed early. He was so perfect that she couldn¡¯t even lust after him as a commoner. It was her first love that bloomed for a while and faded away¡­ Cassia was able to stop the brush from moving after a few days when the paint tubes ran out of paint. When she finished drawing, she felt the pleasure of releasing the accumulated emotions after a long time. Cassia looked at the finished painting, full of colors, and hung it on the wall. The next day, Irwin saw the new painting added to the gallery and asked. ¡°Do you have someone you like?¡± ¡°The picture has a refreshing feeling. Yellow, red, purple, and color changes have diversified.¡± ¡®Maybe he¡¯s a wandering fortune-teller.¡¯ But Cassia was quietly taking a sip of tea. While painting, her mind had gained calm stability again. ¡°It seems that something happened during the break. You seem to have a very big change of heart.¡± He came before her and tilted his head. His silver-haired bangs were gently ruffled. But she paid more attention to his face, to be precise, the expression on his face than his head. So, that expression was very strange. ¡°Who is it? The person who shook your heart.¡± Somehow, he looked like he didn¡¯t like something. Cassia looked at him without answering. And she glanced at the picture she painted. She opened her mouth slowly. ¡°A few days ago, I met a good relationship that I had long forgotten.¡± ¡°¡­Is that so?¡± ¡°The reunion with that person brought back emotions and memories that I had forgotten for a long time. I tried to express them in the painting. It was a painting that was closer to resolving my emotions rather than expressing them.¡± ¡°I see.¡± She didn¡¯t really try to change the expression that had shaken her heart. It was because her heart, which had always been empty and subdued, was really excited after a long time. It was also the feeling that she could never deny, just like the pleasant feelings she felt while meeting Irwin. Perhaps the colors of the painting were significantly influenced by that. ¡°It is a secret who it is¡­ I am not obligated to tell you, am I?¡± ¡°Ah.¡± At her words, Irwin took a step back, made a small noise, and continued. ¡°Of course. There is no need to force it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I¡¯m curious. Who is the man who changed your picture?¡± His eyes darkened. A strange gaze was directed to her face. It was the kind of eyes that couldn¡¯t accurately capture the emotions beneath his gaze. It was then. The gallery door opened with a faint sound. Cassia and Irwin turned their heads. They watched as someone slowly walked through the door. It was Michael. *** The sight of the tall man entering the gallery spread immense joy in her heart. Cassia smiled as she got up from her seat and greeted him. ¡°You are here, Michael.¡± ¡°I see you again. How have you been¡­?¡± Meanwhile, Michael, who was about to greet Cassia, found Irwin standing next to her. His eyes slightly narrowed. He looked at Irwin, who was standing next to her with his arms crossed, and opened his mouth blankly. There was confusion in his gaze. ¡®Why is this person here?¡¯ ¡®That kind of look¡­¡¯ Irwin also looked straight at Michael and did not avert his eyes. Unlike before, the current situation was very interesting. Michael immediately coughed and looked at Cassia. He didn¡¯t show it, but he was looking at the man. ¡°¡­There are customers.¡± ¡°He is a regular customer who visits here a lot.¡± Cassia smiled and casually introduced Irwin to Michael. ¡°His name is Irwin. Irwin, this is Michael. He is the head of the Allison family. I happen to know him personally.¡± When Michael heard Irwin¡¯s name, he looked more puzzled, but then hid it. Irwin approached him slowly. Standing in front of Michael, he held out his hand first. ¡°Hello, Count Allison. I¡¯m called Irwin. I am just an ordinary citizen.¡± ¡°I came to this place by chance while travelling, and it is a great honour to meet such a noble person here.¡± ¡°¡­ I¡¯m Michael. Nice to meet you.¡± It was a common situation for a noble with a title of Michael¡¯s to not show respect to commoners. However, despite his embarrassment, he held Irwin¡¯s hand in a polite and respectful way. They had eyes on each other. Soon the hands fell. ¡°¡­I should get going for today.¡± Irwin went back to his seat and started putting on the cloak he had taken off. ¡°You can stay a little longer,¡± Cassia said. ¡°No, I¡¯m done drinking coffee, and I¡¯m done appreciating the painting. I can¡¯t interrupt your conversation.¡± ¡°I will be back soon. See you next time.¡± After Irwin smiled at Cassia, he put on his cloak and went outside. Michael watched him disappear through the closed door. He couldn¡¯t take his gaze from Irwin¡¯s back, and asked Cassia like a whisper. ¡°¡­That guest¡­ Since when did he come here?¡± ¡°It¡¯s been a while. It¡¯s been less than a month.¡± ¡°I see.¡± ¡°¡­By the way¡­¡± Breaking the silence that flowed for a while, Cassia looked at Michael, smiled and said. ¡°I thought you wouldn¡¯t come, but you really did.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Michael turned to her. There was a smile on his lips too. ¡°How can I not come after you invited me? I¡¯m sorry I kept you waiting for a long time.¡± ¡°What are you talking about? Do you want coffee?¡± ¡°That would be nice.¡± ¡°Warm or cold? If you add ice, it becomes a cold coffee.¡± ¡°¡­Then can I ask for something cold?¡± Somehow, the atmosphere of being strangely nervous subsided again, and the gallery regained its peace. Chapter 19 With the smell of the fragrant coffee wafting in the air, Cassia held out a cup of prepared coffee to Michael. ¡°Ta-da! Try it. This is Cassia-style coffee.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± They sat together at a table by the window, Cassia held a cup of hot tea, and Michael had a cup of cold coffee. The scenery of the countryside with waving ricefields seen through the window looked mesmerizing. They looked at the scenery without saying a word for a while, and drank tea and coffee each of them was holding. ¡°It¡¯s a good gallery.¡± ¡°Right? I got a little more regulars saying the coffee is delicious, but it¡¯s quiet and peaceful¡­¡± Cassia blurted out and looked around the gallery. Breaking the flowing silence for a moment, he opened his mouth. ¡°At this place, you¡­¡± He didn¡¯t finish his speech, but Cassia knew what he was trying to say. The sadness of losing Diana, if the pain had gone away. Did her pain die down? Is she still sad now? ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ well, yes.¡± She looked back at her heart, thinking of Diana. ¡°I would say I miss her.¡± Those words seemed perfectly fit her heart. Even if she¡¯s not madly sad or dying from Diana¡¯s absence, she still misses and will keep missing her. Not every day, but sometimes when she looks at the blue sky, she wonders if her friend is doing well somewhere. Her mind would travel back in time when she spent her time with Diana or the delicious food they ate together. The memories of those days would greet her mind. Like that, she used to have bitter thoughts, wishing Diana would be with her here¡­ Just as emptiness creeps into the broken heart of a person, the mind goes to places where he and his lover had been together in the past, and that¡¯s what happened to Cassia as well. It wasn¡¯t the pain, but the emptiness that darkened her heart each time. As if everything disappeared and only she was left behind. She could feel Michael looking at her contemplative expression, and she turned her head. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Just because.¡± He drank coffee with a bitter smile. ¡°I think you may have saved Diana the most.¡± ¡°¡­Diana was the kind of person that everyone could not help but cherish.¡± Cassia answered him. There was a soft smile on her lips when she remembered her friend. ¡°Not just me, but she was loved by a lot of people wherever she went.¡± She was a person who seemed to have been born with bright sunlight. A person who became the main character wherever she went and caught people¡¯s eyes. Yes, Diana was like that. She had always established herself as a light to people wherever she went. The social circle always brightened up with her beauty, and the Duke declared his territory and the benevolent Duchess. A warm mother to Ken and Nick. A reliable wife to the Duke. ¡°¡­There was definitely no time when she wasn¡¯t loved wherever she went.¡± Michael answered her. ¡°Even in my family, Diana was such a lovely child. She was like a light.¡± ¡°If I think about it, I think everyone in the Count of Allison was like that.¡± Somehow, the people of the Allison family had a typical aristocratic feeling. Whether it descended from the blood, not only were they people with outstanding appearances, but they had a very kind, noble character to themselves. The Countess was also well known in social circles, and people loved her. Everyone loved the Count¡¯s family members, including Diana, so much. ¡°You too¡­ you were such a brilliant person when you were young, Michael.¡± Cassia looked at him and said, and he turned to her. ¡°¡­Was I?¡± ¡°Of course. I¡¯m telling you now, but you were so popular among young girls. So¡­ As she was going to talk more, she felt like she shivered for nothing, so she stopped talking. ¡°Anyway¡­ you were. Like Diana, you were as splendid when you were young.¡± Michael looked at Cassia. He slowly opened his mouth. ¡°So did you.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve always been as shiny as Diana.¡± Cassia looked at him. Again, it was an unfamiliar gaze, the gaze she had seen in the villa. ¡°It¡¯s still the same today.¡± His gaze was straight towards her. ¡°When I was young, I wanted to get to know you. For some reason, you always avoided me.¡± ¡°¡­I didn¡¯t avoid you.¡± ¡°Really? Have I misunderstood?¡± In fact, it was right to avoid him. Because when she was young, she liked him a lot for a while. Because it seemed like her heart shouldn¡¯t be caught. Because she thought she wasn¡¯t a good fit for someone like him. She got along well with Diana, who looked like him, but strangely, she felt that way in front of him. A feeling that no one should ever be able to find out about this feeling. It was then¡­ Embarrassed, she took a sip of tea. A long silence passed. She could feel Michael smiling as he looked at her like that. Suddenly he opened his mouth. ¡°Cassia, there is one thing you should know.¡± Cassia looked at him. He opened his mouth, becoming more serious. ¡°What is clear is that everyone who cared for her is now looking ahead in their own way.¡± ¡°But it feels like you haven¡¯t gotten out of her yet. So, I mean¡­¡± A cautious voice followed. ¡°It¡¯s not good to be too tied up. Do you know what I mean?¡± Cassia looked at him quietly. It was a strange feeling. It felt like she was caught somewhere, and it felt like she was stabbed at the right point. Michael looked at her gently and said, ¡°Tell me if you want now.¡± ¡°I can still erase your memories.¡± *** 7 years ago. It must have been one day, not long, after the news of her marriage to the Duke had been reported to Count Allison. Late at night Michael came to see her. ¡°Cassia, don¡¯t do it.¡± As she stepped out to the sound of a knock on the door, Cassia could see Michael standing in front of her house with a desperate expression on his face. Michael was also struggling with the loss of his younger sister, whom he loved the most. His eyes were drowned in despair. ¡°If you do that marriage, your life may be ruined.¡± ¡°¡­Come in. Michael.¡± Cassia brought Michael into the house first. She could understand why he came to her like this and opposed marriage without telling. After Diana¡¯s death, the Duke¡¯s marriage would have turned all relationships into a mess. Even if it was a marriage to protect children, it was a big shock to Count Allison, who did not know the decision was made under what circumstances. Maybe that¡¯s why she wasn¡¯t surprised by Michael, who showed a different side than usual. What¡¯s more surprising than that was the words he said to her after stepping into the house. ¡°I can use magic.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Cassia opened her eyes in surprise at his words. He spoke to her after he looked around once. ¡°It has been around for quite some time. But I didn¡¯t tell them about it until now, and I didn¡¯t even use it because I thought it would be shocking if I told them.¡± A story about the Allison family that she had heard one day flashed through her ears. It was said that among the distant ancestors of the Allison family, there was an ancestor who married a wizard. Marriages between humans and wizards are very rare, even then and now. Since then, few descendants of the Allison family have been gifted with magical powers on rare occasions. It was a once-in-a-hundred-year case, but Diana didn¡¯t have magical powers, and Michael was also quiet, so Cassia thought they were both born normally. ¡°I can use the magic of memory, Cassia.¡± Michael knew Diana and Cassia well. He found out that the rumours that she coveted the Duchess¡¯s seat and loved her friend¡¯s husband were false. Cassia didn¡¯t tell the truth about Diana¡¯s death to him, but he was already aware that something was going on in her marriage to the Duke. It was to protect the things Diana loved. Michael continued. ¡°I¡¯ll erase your memory of Diana.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°It sounds cruel, but my sister who is already dead is just-¡± ¡°Forget her and live for yourself. Please don¡¯t sacrifice yourself for my sister.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Please let me do it. Please¡­¡± Michael¡¯s voice was choked up. He was in complete despair. He looked at her like he was looking at a fading candle. But to her, he looked like embers about to be extinguished. He looked like he was about to collapse. ¡°If you marry the duke, how can I live because I¡¯ll keep feeling sorry for you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sorry you gave your life just for my sister. How in the world can I-¡± Cassia looked at him, smiled and hugged him slowly. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Michael.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t do it. Don¡¯t do it, Cassia¡­¡± ¡°Please¡­¡± ¡°You know what kind of relation Diana and I had. You know what she means to me¡­ Michael, this is something I really want to do. I¡¯m doing this because I am willing to devote my life to my friend.¡± ¡°So, don¡¯t tell me to quit, Michael. Just turn a blind eye to me like the Count couple. That way, my choice can have a meaning.¡± Michael¡¯s body began to tremble as if he was standing on the edge of a cliff. Cassia held Michael and did not pull herself from hugging his large body. She didn¡¯t exactly look at his face. She knew it was polite not to see the sorrow he poured out. She just hugged him as he was shaking. His sadness reached her. Diana¡¯s death must be very difficult for him. It must be difficult to accept. He was Diana¡¯s family, so he must be sadder than her. She rubbed his back gently. ¡°I¡¯m sad, too¡­ when Diana left.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s overcome it in our own way. And I just want to overcome my sadness like this.¡± ¡°¡­ I¡¯m saying that I feel sad about you¡­¡± The answer that came back was of an unexpected kind. Cassia¡¯s eyes grew bigger. She slowly took her face off his shoulder and looked at him. ¡°¡­How do I overcome this sadness?¡± At that moment, Cassia realized. His wet eyes were not directed at Diana, but at her. ¡°It¡¯s sad enough to see her die like that. But when I see you trying to replace her, I just want to die.¡± Cassia stared at him blankly. This time he pulled her into a hug. As if to comfort himself one last time¡­ As if he was really¡­ ¡°Take care.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°And if you can leave that place someday¡­ Let¡¯s see each other again.¡± She felt like her heart was pounding. Lost what to say, she was in a complete daze. That day, Michael cried only for Cassia. He shed tears at the weight of her choice. It was the only night. And he was the only one. She will never forget that day. Chapter 20 ¡°Seven years ago, you looked so strong that I couldn¡¯t stop you or help you.¡± Cassia woke up from the recollection at Michael¡¯s words and looked at him. He looked at her with a firm expression. ¡°But now¡­ it is not. I will help you somehow, and I will never leave your side.¡± ¡°So, if you ever need my help, just tell me. It¡¯s also a way to forget the pain.¡± Silence passed. As time passed by looking at him, Cassia smiled and placed the cup on the table. ¡°Thank you, Michael.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°But I am fine. You don¡¯t really need to erase my memories.¡± So¡­ she was really fine. Rather, it was good to remember Diana sometimes. It was good meeting people related to Diana, and she wanted to continue remembering her. To take out the person stored like a diary in one part of her memory¡­ It wasn¡¯t painful or difficult for her. She just didn¡¯t want to forget Diana like that. She just wanted to keep reminding herself of the beautiful times. She wanted to remember Diana as much as possible. Because she didn¡¯t want people to forget her friend. ¡°Michael, seven years have already passed. It is true that Diana is becoming a faded memory for me, too.¡± ¡°A lot of things have changed. So did I. Like you said, the world continues to roll every day without her.¡± Cassia continued my words silently. She smiled softly and continued. ¡°I just want to keep remembering Diana like this. While revisiting the places I went with her, I kept trying to bring out our memories so as to not forget her. I just keep looking back on the times I spent with her like that. Because this would be the best thing I could do for her.¡± ¡°So, you don¡¯t have to erase my memory. I really don¡¯t want to. I don¡¯t feel sad because she¡¯s no longer here.¡± She was talking to Michael like that, comfortably. ¡®You don¡¯t have to worry.¡¯ All of these things are for Diana, and she is not trying to forget her. This was probably a defence she threw at herself. Although she didn¡¯t know at that time. Silence passed. Soon his voice rang in her ears. In an unfamiliar voice, he said, ¡°Shall we go on a date tomorrow?¡± It was both out of the blue and surprising. Cassia looked back at him slowly. Michael looked at her with an unknown expression and smiled softly. Those eyes seemed to look sad for some reason. ¡°If you don¡¯t like to go tomorrow, then let¡¯s go the day after tomorrow. If not the day after tomorrow, let¡¯s go the next day, whenever you want.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t want to erase your memory, I won¡¯t recommend it anymore. I didn¡¯t mean to embarrass you.¡± ¡°But like I said before, I will always be by your side and help you from now on.¡± He reached out his hand to her. ¡°So let¡¯s be together in anything from now on. We can talk about Diana together, or you can go on a date if you need a change of mind. Whatever you want, do it with me.¡± Cassia looked at his hands. The white hands that resembled his sister¡¯s. She stared at him blankly. ¡°I¡¯ll be by your side, Cassia.¡± Cassia could not speak for a while as her heart was suddenly pounding, and she looked at him. After a long silence, she slowly reached out her hand towards him. He slowly took the hand that had reached out in front of her. A small reply came. ¡°¡­I like it,¡± she smiled softly. With her heart pounding, she bit her lip and continued talking. ¡°¡­Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. I mean, the date.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°The next day, too.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± They both burst into laughter. As they looked at each other, the sound of their laughter echoed in the small building. Then, Michael spoke, ¡°¡­Anyday is fine. Let¡¯s do anything!¡± While holding her hand warmly, ¡°If you look for new things that satisfy your heart, you will be happy before you know it. I¡¯ll make you happier.¡± They smiled at each other like that. The hand she held that day felt very warm. Like the day he shed tears for her 7 years ago. And like the hand that held out to her one day in a distant memory. *** Michael stayed in the gallery for a few more minutes, and Cassia showed him her paintings. He kept talking, and when he looked at her artwork, he had a look of surprise on his face, surprised at her painting skills. As they talked like that, his time to go back was approaching. He got up from his seat and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I have to go soon.¡± Following him, Cassia got up from her seat. She spoke while looking at him, ¡°It was a pleasure to be with you today. Make sure you come back tomorrow.¡± ¡°I had a lot of fun today, too.¡± Since tomorrow is the day the gallery will open, he decided to come to the gallery and spend time together. Cassia¡¯s heart raced with joy at the thought of seeing him tomorrow. It felt like the colours painted her heart, just like the new paintings Irwin talked about. Cassia was about to see him off as he left the gallery door, but he turned around. ¡°Oh, Cassia.¡± ¡°¡­Go ahead.¡± When she tilted her head as if what was going on, he hesitated for a moment and then spat out. ¡°I think it would be best to be careful with that man earlier.¡± ¡°Who?¡± ¡°You said he was Irwin.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± At his words, she smiled and looked at him. ¡°Why? Because Irwin is the Third Prince?¡± ¡°¡­Did you know?¡± His eyes slowly widened. Michael had been working in and out of the Imperial Palace for quite some time as the head of the Count¡¯s household, so he must have recognized Irwin¡¯s face as soon as he saw him. How embarrassing was the previous situation for him? As he remembered Irwin¡¯s look with a slightly bewildered look in his eyes, he smiled. ¡°The two of you obviously didn¡¯t seem to know each other¡¯s identities earlier.¡± ¡°¡­I know. It¡¯s a bit long to talk about why we became that way.¡± She continued to talk. ¡°At first, I thought he was just a regular customer, but it turned out he was the Third Prince.¡± ¡°¡­I see.¡± Michael let out a smirk. His eyes seemed to be absurd and strange. ¡°Does he know who you are?¡± ¡°He probably doesn¡¯t know that. He probably doesn¡¯t know my face either, and I have never told him about it.¡± Maybe someday she will have to tell him. But she didn¡¯t want it to be right now. The moment they find out about each other¡¯s identities, it seemed that the current relationship where she could be friends with him would be destroyed. She may have to say it someday, but she wanted to say it as late as possible. Besides, she¡¯s also pretending not to know his identity, so won¡¯t he understand her if he finds out about her one day? ¡°Now, he is like a close friend to me, and he is also a grateful customer who drinks my coffee every day.¡± Strangely, whenever she thought of Irwin, a happy smile spread across her face. Was it because she felt familiar with his unpretentious and innocent appearance, unlike his status as the Third Prince? ¡°Michael, if it¡¯s okay with you, can you pretend you don¡¯t know he¡¯s here?¡± Cassia asked him. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on, but it seems like he doesn¡¯t want to go back to the Imperial family for some reason. I want to help him stay here a little longer.¡± Michael shut his mouth for a moment, but his silence was only for a moment. ¡°¡­Okay.¡± He looked at her and happily nodded his head. ¡°If you say so, I should be willing to do it.¡± Meanwhile, Irwin walked slowly down the road, with his cloak deeply covering his face. He came out of the gallery, but he walked a few laps around it, unable to return home easily. ¡°¡­Haah¡­¡± ¡®Really, why did I do that?¡¯ Standing on the road, he let out a deep sigh. An unknown emotion arose in his heart when he first saw her painting in color. Knowing that he was not worthy of asking it, he wondered madly for a moment as to who had shaken her heart. So he asked. Of course, she didn¡¯t reveal the person¡¯s identity. But when Count Allison entered the store, he realized immediately. ¡®Oh, it¡¯s you.¡¯ ¡®You are the one who shook this woman¡¯s heart.¡¯ Even he was an acquaintance. Michael Allison. ¡®Wasn¡¯t he the eldest son of Count Allison?¡¯ ¡®He would know me too.¡¯ It was a really uncomfortable feeling. ¡®Have I ever felt this way since I was born?¡¯ All the identities of the Imperial family members were kept a secret until they played their debutante ball, but they remained open to high-ranking aristocrats who had close relations with several imperial families. For example, Count Allison or Duke Whidrian. Adolf knew their faces as a child. However, there was little emotion in the moments when he saw their faces while staying in the Imperial Palace, but strangely, Michael¡¯s appearance bothered him. Even though the Count had the same face, his appearance in a small gallery in the countryside was really surprising. ¡®Just what kind of relationship did the two have that led him to come all the way to the countryside in search of her?¡¯ How can a woman, a commoner, know such a noble? ¡®Does she also have her secrets?¡¯ Above all, however, an indescribable feeling arose, as the colors in her paintings and the man¡¯s appearance continued to bother him. It felt like an uninvited guest appeared in his yard, where he and Cassia became close. Besides, when Michael appeared, Cassia stood up from her seat and looked at him warmly. That look in her eyes¡­ When he saw the look in her eyes for the first time, he even felt a strange sense of despair. Irwin left the store in a bewildered mood, but he couldn¡¯t go home. It was because he was very concerned about the situation in the gallery where only the two of them were left. Chapter 21 ¡®¡­What do I do now?¡¯ Irwin was frantically curious about what kind of relationship the two had, why and how they met, and what type of conversation they were having. He wanted to know what the man meant to Cassia. He wanted to know how did she know the man. And what is the relationship between the two of them¡­? This time wandering the streets, he grew more anxious. It felt like he was moving tens of thousands of miles further away from her, every second. ¡®Should I go back to the gallery¡­?¡¯ In the end, it was the moment when he was suffering from a sense of shame as he had come up with such an absurd idea. Someone stopped in front of him. Adolf slowly raised his head to the shoes that stopped with the view that the cape¡¯s hood had obscured. Adolf¡¯s eyes narrowed when he saw the owner of the shoes. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Prince Adolf.¡± Count Allison stood still in front of him. ¡®¡­Have you already left the store?¡¯ Adolf endured the almost obvious question. He suddenly looked around and realized that the sun was setting in the sky. Count Allison didn¡¯t come out soon, and Irwin had been on the road too long, overthinking. ¡®¡­Wow, what is it really?¡¯ Adolf was very shocked by this. He let out a faint laugh. In the next moment, he slowly raised his head toward Michael and opened his mouth. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Count Allison.¡± Contrary to the moments he had spent under the name of ¡®Irwin¡¯, his voice was quite sweet. His voice as Adolf was undeniably deep, and the dignity of a young prince. ¡°I was quite surprised, Your Highness.¡± Michael answered. ¡°You left the Imperial Palace on the pretext of a trip. I knew you would be somewhere, but I didn¡¯t know you would be here.¡± ¡°It hasn¡¯t been long since I left the empire. I¡¯ve been wandering around places so that they can¡¯t track me.¡± Adolf answered. He asked in a calm voice. ¡°Are my father and brothers doing well?¡± ¡°Are you asking me that now?¡± Michael asked, seemingly dumbfounded by his words. Having been in all kinds of mischievous accidents since he was young, Adolf suddenly disappeared a few years after coming of age, saying he would go on a trip. Having hidden somewhere under the pretext of travelling, he did not return to the Imperial Palace for several years. ¡°Your Majesty has already officially declared your disappearance, so I think you know what it is like. Other His Highnesses are equally concerned.¡± ¡°¡­I see. What about mother?¡± ¡°She seems to be doing better than Your Majesty.¡± ¡°As expected of my mother.¡± A small smile appeared on Adolf¡¯s lips. It was a sincere and warm smile. ¡°If you see her later, tell my mother that I am sorry. No one else, only my mother.¡± ¡°¡­How long are you going to be so immature?¡± Michael asked, and Adolf grinned. He said, looking at the scenery of waving ricefields. ¡°Count Allison, as you may have been through, there are some people who don¡¯t like aristocratic life at all.¡± ¡°I just happen to be such a person.¡± It was a voice that couldn¡¯t tell if it was a joke or the truth. Adolf continued. ¡°I am personally very happy with my wandering life, Count Allison.¡± ¡°But you should never forget that Your Highness is the prince of this country.¡± Michael answered. ¡°Your Majesty has a lot of worries, so even if you see your father someday, you should get rid of your wandering life and return to the Imperial Palace.¡± ¡°Are you convincing me?¡± ¡°You are kindly admonishing you.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± Adolf nodded his head. He bowed his head and fell into thought. How much time has passed? Adolf raised his head. ¡°But what should I do? I don¡¯t want to,¡± he smiled. Adolf shrugged his shoulders, wrapped in a black cloak. ¡°Sorry, but I plan to stay here a little longer.¡± Michael narrowed his eyes. ¡°¡­Is it because of that woman?¡± ¡°What kind of relationship do you have with that woman?¡± A sharp current flowed. There was a strange silence between them, who only asked each other questions. The darkening sky, the last glow of the sunset, announced that the day was going down. In the meantime, Michael looked at Adolph with an interesting and wary look. Then he grinned. He slowly folded his arms and asked Adolf. ¡°Well, why are you curious?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve listened to your admonition, so I think I can ask you a question like at least. Adolf grinned. ¡°Tell me your relationship with her, Count Allison.¡± It was a question, but it was a tone with dignity, close to a command given as a prince. Michael answered. ¡°My lover.¡± Adolf¡¯s heart dropped. His expression hardened. ¡®Lover.¡¯ ¡®Lover?¡¯ His heart started beating like crazy. When Michael saw Adolf¡¯s expression like that, he smiled and continued. ¡°¡­Is what I¡¯d like to introduce her as¡­¡± Adolf¡¯s heartbeat slowly returned to normal again. Sigh. Adolf unknowingly found himself breathing a sigh of relief. Then he wrinkled his brow toward Michael. ¡®No, but is the Count making teasing me now?¡¯ ¡®¡­But why am I relieved by those words that followed?¡¯ ¡°She is a woman I have loved for a long time. I don¡¯t want to go into details.¡± ¡°Are you two going to have a date?¡± He didn¡¯t like it very much. Adolf asked in a rather harsh tone, but Michael shrugged his shoulders. ¡°It¡¯s my wish, but unfortunately, it¡¯s not something I can decide on my own.¡± ¡®Who the hell is she?¡¯ Adolf barely stopped the questions coming out of his mouth. ¡®No, I don¡¯t want to ask him about her past.¡¯ Even if he found out later, he wanted to hear it directly from her. Also, he felt like he didn¡¯t want to know her identity for some reason now. He felt his relationship with her right now was just right, so asking her for her identity would break this relationship. He will find out naturally later when the time is right. Until then, he wanted to keep this relationship as it is. The problem was that there was an unlucky obstacle between them. ¡°If I say, you¡¯d hate me for going to her galleries these days.¡± ¡°Even if you did, I wouldn¡¯t think of leaving because of your relationship.¡± ¡°Are you going to inform the Imperial Palace of my location?¡± The conversation went back and forth without any concessions. But Michael answered Adolf¡¯s question with a grin. ¡°No, I won¡¯t tell.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I will pretend not to know His Highness even when I¡¯m in front of him. I am going to act nonchalant.¡± Adolf¡¯s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected answer. ¡®Why?¡¯ He thought about the meaning of those words. And it didn¡¯t take long to realize it. ¡®It¡¯s also true that she thinks that way¡­¡¯ ¡°She asked you not to.¡± Michael looked at him without answering. As if Adolf seemed to understand, he continued. ¡°That thoughtful woman, she asked you not to reveal my identity. Right?¡± ¡®So, that woman¡­ She thought of me.¡¯ At that moment, Adolf couldn¡¯t hide the flowing smile. It was funny even thinking about it, but it was only then that he felt a sense of relief. He was confident for a moment in the conversation between Cassia and Michael while wandering around this street and making such a fuss. And in that conversation, Cassia thought of him, even if it was only for one second of her time. That realization made Adolf very happy. ¡®After all, she was thinking of me.¡¯ ¡®She didn¡¯t leave me.¡¯ ¡®Just because the Count appeared, she didn¡¯t turn away from me.¡¯ Adolf smiled unknowingly and lowered his head to hide his face from being seen. Michael, who was looking at Adolf like that, opened his mouth at some point. ¡°I give you a warning.¡± Adolf raised his head. He looked at Michael, and their eyes met. ¡°As she wishes, I will not interfere in any way with the relationship between the two of you in the future. But¡­¡± The smile slowly disappeared from Adolf¡¯s lips. ¡°Please, don¡¯t cross the line.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°The only reason I do not interfere will be when Your Highness is doing good.¡± He slowly approached him. Michael, who stood in front of Adolf, muttered aloud close to him. ¡°I¡¯m talking about not touching that woman.¡± At his clear words, Adolf stared blankly at him for a moment. He exactly looked into his eyes. ¡°She may be just an interesting person to you, but not to me.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t go all the way to her out of your light interest. Don¡¯t hurt her. She is the one who has already been hurt a lot.¡± As much as the determination in his eyes, Adolf could feel the emotions being passed down from him. What he felt was the sincerity of someone who wants to protect someone with all his heart. It was clear that it had been raised along for a long time, and she was so precious that made him desperate. A feeling of deep love for someone. ¡°To me now, she is a precious person that cannot be exchanged for anything in the world.¡± Adolf caught a glimpse of that deep emotion in Michael for a moment. *** Chapter 22 ¡­So¡­ Somehow, thinking he had been completely defeated, Adolf was tumbling back home. The words he heard from Michael a while ago were stuck in his head and did not go away. [I¡¯m talking about not touching that woman.] [She may be just an interesting person to you, but not to me.] ¡°¡­What the!¡± Adolf felt heartbroken and kicked a stone in the street for some reason. ¡°What do you know about her?¡± Whether she¡¯s just an interesting person or not, how does he know? Feeling burnt inside, Adolf sighed deeply. ¡­But it was clear that the man had intense feelings for that woman. Adolf was actually quite surprised when he heard Count Allison¡¯s voice warning him in a firm voice. Because he saw in him a new side, he had never seen before. It was clearly a private warning. A voice full of personal feelings, without thinking about the person¡¯s status or image standing in front of him. Such a firm warning voice can only come out when the nobleman is ready to throw everything away. Of course, it was a voice that had never been said before in front of him. His voice, which he uttered to protect someone, contained a burning desire. ¡®What the hell is the relationship between the two of them, and why is he even doing this to me? And why do I keep getting so disturbed by when I see them together?¡¯ Sigh. Adolf shook his head and arrived home. Entering his own house, he lay flat on the bed. ¡°¡­Well, what exactly is this feeling?¡± ¡®As Count Allison said, am I just looking at her with interest?¡¯ Adolf was still unsure of anything about his own heart. There was only one thing for sure. Even though he decided not to wonder about her, he kept feeling like he wanted to know more about her. Her name. Her hometown. The stories of her past. He wanted to know what name, personality, and kind of story she had. ¡°¡­What kind of person are you?¡± It was such a big deal for him that he kept getting curious about everything about her. *** It was funny. She couldn¡¯t sleep because she was so excited to hear him ask to go on a date. She looked at herself in the mirror, in the morning light. Her face was pale after not having slept the whole night. A tired look after a long time¡­ As she looked at the unfamiliar face, she smiled. Meeting with Michael was definitely giving her a different feeling. She decided to go to work early today. She was tired from not sleeping, but she felt good. It was just achromatic clothes, but the designs were all different. After a while, she picked the design she liked the most and put it on neatly. ¡°¡­Why am I so¡­¡± ¡®You¡¯re nervous, right?¡¯ The whole time she looked in the mirror, her heart was pounding happily as if she had become a teenage girl. How can a person change because of the meagre feelings that bloomed for a while in their childhood that they couldn¡¯t even remember? It was unfamiliar. It wasn¡¯t like this when Diana died. It has been an insensitive life for a long time. She felt it was embarrassing and thought it was silly, but she decided to accept the excitement after a long time in a pleasant way. However. When she got to work early and reached the gallery looking at the dawn scenery of the countryside, she suddenly stopped walking. A boy looking at the gallery¡­ His back was very familiar. The boy, feeling a presence, turned around and met her eyes. The boy¡¯s eyes widened, and her expression began to waver. That child is¡­ even if she tries to forget, she cannot forget. ¡°¡­.Mother?¡± ¡°Nick?¡± It was Nick. Nick Whidrian. That child came to me. *** The date with Michael was cancelled immediately, disregarding the sleepless night. Fortunately, Michael received her message that Nick came suddenly and said it would be difficult for her to see him today. He was disappointed, but he replied that he would come to see her when the situation was settled. There were no customers in the shop this morning, and Irwin did not come today for some reason. She sat at the table and watched Nick eating the sandwich, and there was an awkward atmosphere between them. That would be it¡­ ¡°Mother!¡± It was because Nick, who burst into tears as soon as he saw her earlier, ran to her and hugged her and cried out loudly. He soon came to his senses and pulled himself away, but there has been an awkward atmosphere ever since. It was natural. In the past 7 years, they haven¡¯t even hugged each other, let alone eye contact. Both Nick and Cassia were perplexed for a long time. When he took out her homemade sandwich, Nick was busy munching on it as if feeling hungry. Cassia looked at Nick quietly, and Nick seemed to have lost weight, perhaps because he hadn¡¯t been eating well for a long time. There was obviously enough fat on his cheeks until the coming-of-age banquet, but now they are slightly dented. It wasn¡¯t as thin as it was, but overall it looked like he had suffered something. ¡°The sandwiches are delicious, Mother.¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m glad you like it.¡± After eating a sandwich for a while, Nick finally uttered a few word. She answered briefly. Actually, Nick¡¯s visit was quite unexpected. She couldn¡¯t even figure out why this child came. Perhaps the Duke had finished signing the divorce papers. The Duke must have let her go. He has no reason not to do that. Above all, there was a contract between the Duke and Cassia. So, she was somewhat worried about Nick¡¯s visit. If he came to see her, she wondered if something was wrong with the Duke¡¯s family. ¡­But it was not her concern now. ¡°So, why did you come to this place, Nick?¡± When Cassia asked Nick who put the last piece of sandwich in his mouth, the boy looked at her for a moment. He looked at her with complicated eyes that she saw for the first time, and he continued chewing the sandwich. Regardless of why the child came here, his appearance was beautiful. Instinctively, Cassia wanted to take care of something more. ¡°You can talk slowly. More than that, wait a minute, Nick.¡± When she smiled, the tense atmosphere seemed to loosen a little. She got up and went into the kitchen behind the counter to prepare something for Nick. It was hot coffee and Nick¡¯s favourite tart with cheese. ¡°This is a new menu item in the cafe, so please try it, Nick. It reminded me of Nick enjoying the cake I made for him.¡± Nick glanced at the coffee and tart she offered him and slowly responded with a small ¡®Thank you¡¯ and took it. She could see Nick¡¯s expression and hands tremble slightly. After taking the tart in his mouth, Nick immediately began to chew. Tears began to flow from Nick¡¯s eyes. Cassia looked at Nick in embarrassment. ¡°¡­Why are you crying?¡± She pulled out a tissue that was nearby and handed it to Nick. Nick took it and wiped his face. It could be said that it was strange to see the tears shed while enjoying the tart. Nick couldn¡¯t answer her question for a long time before finally opening his mouth. ¡°It¡¯s just- it¡¯s delicious.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°It is very delicious. And it has always been really delicious. These are the cakes you made.¡± ¡°I was just trying to tell you. In the meantime, I wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed the cake.¡± Nick mumbled something incomprehensible. Soon Nick, wiping away his tears, grabbed her hand. ¡°Mother, please come back to our family.¡± Cassia stared blankly at the child. ¡°I was all wrong.¡± ¡°¡­Nick.¡± ¡°It was not that I was unaware of my mother¡¯s hard work. I knew it very well. I wanted to get to know my mother, and I wanted it to be a close relationship.¡± ¡°But I was too young to be brave. So, as soon as I came of age, the first thing I wanted to do was visit my mother. I didn¡¯t know she¡¯d be gone so-¡± ¡°Nick.¡± ¡°I also heard from my father about the contract. If it was all because of us. They say you became our mother to protect us.¡± ¡°I- I was all wrong. I don¡¯t want to break up with my mother like this. So, can you please come back to our family?¡± Cassia couldn¡¯t easily keep up with words. It was because of the bewildering and complicated feelings that came upon her. It was confusing. Why is Nick suddenly appearing and saying this to her? It was a kind of request she could not have expected, so she just had to feel full of confusion. But how much time has passed? Cassia smiled softly at Nick. ¡°Nick.¡± Words fell from her mouth. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I am not going back.¡± She gently pushed the child¡¯s hand away. She could see Nick¡¯s face turning white. ¡°¡­Why?¡± Nick asked a question. A big question filled the boy¡¯s hazy eyes. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you coming back? Can you please tell me?¡± ¡°So, isn¡¯t it much better now? Our relationship. From the beginning, I just entered the Duke¡¯s mansion to protect you guys, and I only left when it was time to leave.¡± Perhaps the Duke talked to the children about the contract after she left¡­ From Nick¡¯s reaction, it seemed that he had not yet heard of Diana¡¯s death. After all, it must be difficult for the Duke to speak easily, and the children must have already made up their minds. ¡°But¡­¡± Chapter 23 ¡°You have lived as a perfect Duchess all this time. Even if it was only to protect us, you worked very hard.¡± ¡°If you say you will do it, you tend to do it properly. Sometimes, you were too immersed.¡± ¡­Now that she thought about it, she didn¡¯t know why she was so immersed. The wish was just to live as a superficial Duchess as Diana intended. Even now, seven years later, Ken¡¯s work was still in her heart. She thought Ken¡¯s runaway incident was caused by her excessive immersion in the beginning. ¡°And you liked our family a lot. I guess that¡¯s why I thought we could really live well together.¡± Funny enough, Cassia was serious then. She had never been greedy for Diana¡¯s position, but she thought she wanted to stay close to the family Diana had left behind. While exchanging feelings of sadness. While reminiscing about Diana. She wanted to get along so well¡­ with them. That was the cause of her impatience at the time. She resented herself for being naive. ¡°It¡¯s not too late, mother.¡± Nick said. ¡°We can live well again. We can live together while caring for each other. I¡¯m going to stay like that with my mother now, and I¡¯ll do everything I haven¡¯t done for you.¡± ¡°No, I want to go back to you as your aunt, Nick Whidrian.¡± Cassia stood up from her seat. It was because Nick didn¡¯t seem to stop persuading. ¡°You¡¯re always welcome if you come here to see your aunt, but if you come to me to take me back, I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t welcome you. Stop it, and go back. Your father will be worried about you.¡± It was time to deliberately speak a little coldly and turn around to return to the counter. Nick slowly stood up from his seat and spoke to her. ¡°I¡¯m definitely going to change my mother¡¯s mind. During these seven years, my stepmother has already become another mother in my heart. Children can¡¯t abandon their parents.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going back. You don¡¯t have to welcome me. No matter what¡­ I¡¯m going to persuade you. I will go back to the Duke with my mother someday.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go get some fresh air.¡± Nick spat out like that, turned around and went outside as if running away. Cassia just sighed as she looked at Nick¡¯s distant back. *** Nick really didn¡¯t go back. Nick, who came in with the wind, tied the apron in the corner himself and began to help Cassia with the store work that day. At first, Cassia felt burdened that Nick would be here. Just in case the Duke comes¡­ However, as time passed, the Duke did not come to her. If Nick had found her, it would have been easy for the Duke to come too. Seeing that he didn¡¯t come right away, she thought if he had already signed the papers. After a divorce, he¡¯d be just a man to her, and there would be no reason for him to come to her or worry about her. Cassia didn¡¯t kick Nick, with whom she was stuck here, out of the gallery. He said he would help her out with the shop. Nick seemed more attached to her than she had thought, so she was worried about pushing him away, and she sometimes made Nick work. Obviously, it was helpful when she had to move heavy items; perhaps he was a big boy now. But she had no intention of going back. Nick also had to know the fact. ¡°Mother.¡± One day, Nick¡¯s voice was heard from behind while Cassia was doing her work. She turned to look back. Brown hair that resembled Diana. Nick, wearing a reddish-brown apron that went well with it, was looking at her. ¡°I made tarts just as my mother taught me. Would you like to try it?¡± ¡°¡­Okay. Give it to me.¡± She made tarts to sell to customers and taught Nick, who wanted to try making tarts, the process of making tarts. Nick had kept her movements and explanations in his ears and challenged himself. Nick showed her the tarts he made with a proud look when she answered. She chose one of the tarts on the plate that looked good and put it in her mouth. The sweet and refreshing flavour of cream cheese in tarts spread through the mouth, giving you the pleasure of eating. ¡°¡­It is very well made. After it cools a little more, the tart will be delicious enough to sell.¡± It was not yet cold because it had just been made, but it was very well made by someone who did it for the first time. In the tart that Nick made, it looked like he was trying to engrave and apply the things Cassia taught him one by one. When she complimented, Nick smiled happily, looked at her, and asked, ¡°Really?¡± Cassia replied with a smile. ¡°Now, you can make and eat tarts by myself even when you get home.¡± Nick¡¯s bright smile slowly subsided. The child sighed lightly. ¡°Mother¡­ Didn¡¯t you change your mind that you wouldn¡¯t go back home yet?¡± ¡°I like you, Nick, but I won¡¯t change my mind in the future.¡± ¡°Mother, one more time¡­¡± It was when Nick was about to continue speaking as if he was trying to persuade her in response to her firm answer. Squeak. The door opened, and the person who came in between was a very familiar customer. ¡°Irwin?¡± Irwin, who she hadn¡¯t seen in a long time, entered the gallery. *** Nick stood at the counter, looking at his mother and the stranger. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Irwin¡­¡± He could hear his mother¡¯s bright voice from afar. He was in shock again. It was because as soon as she saw that stranger, his mother approached him with a bright smile he had never seen before. He helped his mother¡¯s shop work and said he would gladly look at the counter because he wanted to look good to her. And his mother was having a conversation with the guest over coffee. ¡®Who is that guest?¡¯ Nick¡¯s big eyes filled with doubt. Unfamiliar customers came to his mother¡¯s store, but her attitude toward that customer was unfamiliar. He seemed to be a special guest. Nick, looking at the guest and his mother, suddenly felt a strange sense of surprise from the customer. To be exact, he thought he¡¯d seen the customer somewhere. The customer¡¯s appearance was particularly special compared to other customers. First of all, he had dazzlingly beautiful silver hair, and an appearance¡­ and those blue eyes that matched it well¡­ None of that was common within the Empire. He thought that the man might be a noble because of the elegant atmosphere different from the common people, but this was Lawrencia. Ordinary young aristocrats do not make good use of this place to live. Nick, staring at the customer for a long time without realizing it, suddenly remembered something. ¡°¡­Ah.¡± He had seen a face very similar to that customer somewhere. Portrait of the Third Prince. It was the portrait of the Third Prince of the Empire, who was said to have disappeared when he was young. Nick had never actually seen the Third Prince, as the Third Prince disappeared after appearing at a debutante ball that Nick did not even attend when he was very young. He¡¯d only seen it once in the portrait, but at least it was pretty similar to what he saw in that portrait. He wondered if that man was really the Third Prince? He became terribly curious about the man¡¯s identity, but Nick did not easily approach him as his mother was eager to talk to him. It was then¡­ The door opened again, and others entered. It was a group of women who visited this place often. ¡°Welcome.¡± Nick took the order at the counter, and at the same time, Cassia stood up from her seat. She approached the counter and spoke to Nick with a smile as if in a good mood. ¡°Nick, you have worked hard to take care of the counter. I¡¯ll make coffee, so you sit down for a while.¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Cassia entered the kitchen behind the counter and started making coffee as ordered. Nick left the counter at the same time and entered the hall with tables and paintings. And it was then. Nick met the strange man who was staring at him. He was already wearing the cloak¡¯s hood from the moment the other customers entered. But he stared at Nick. He could feel his straight eyes looking at him. As time passed by, the man got up and left the gallery. Nick, thinking of something, ran out to the gallery entrance and followed the unfamiliar guest. ¡°Hey, wait a minute!¡± When he opened the door to the gallery, a stranger was walking down the street wearing a cloak as if they were going their own way. When Nick shouted loudly at his back, his steps stopped. He looked back. Even though Irwin wore a hat, Nick could feel that he looked at him with a strange look. ¡°Hmm.¡± Irwin started coughing for no reason. Nick walked in front of him. Nick had just come up with the portrait in mind as the stranger looked like the third prince. ¡°It¡¯s because I have something to do. Let me ask you.¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Oh, but more than that, I want to ask you something.¡± Nick swallowed his words as he tried to inquire about his identity. As soon as he saw the man, Nick suspected that the man looked like the Third Prince, but it was challenging to ask openly. In addition, Nick could have thought wrong. It would be a very slim probability that the Third Prince will be found in this gallery by chance. As he was muttering with worries, he said with a smile. ¡°Why do you look like the third prince?¡± Chapter 24 Nick¡¯s eyes widened. Unknowingly, he looked at the customer with big eyes. ¡°Are you really the third prince?¡± ¡°No. But I¡¯ve heard a lot of that. I should have looked a bit like that Third Prince.¡± Nick stared blankly at him. The man was very confident in his appearance. Nick thought that if he was the Third Prince, then his confidence would have crossed the sky, and if not, he wasn¡¯t really the Third Prince. ¡°Because we resemble each other so much, I had a lot of doubts here and there. But no, I¡¯m not, and I can say it confidently. Oh, yes. Someone also said that the Third Prince and I are very different from each other.¡± ¡°¡­Ah.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Oh.¡± After confidently answering his question, Nick took a deep breath and asked him. ¡°Are you, by any chance, close to my mother?¡± ¡°¡­Mother?¡± He tilted his head. It was an unexpected point. He continued to talk. ¡°Is the owner of that gallery your mother?¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± ¡°She said you were just a temporary employee.¡± Nick felt briefly bitter that his mother had just introduced him as an employee, but then spoke up again. ¡°Yes, I am an employee and¡­ her son. To be exact, she is my father¡¯s new wife and a stepmother to me.¡± ¡°I see.¡± ¡°Let me ask you again. Are you close with my mother?¡± ¡°..Well.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I want to get to know your mother. At least I¡¯m thinking of being friendly, and I don¡¯t know what your mother thinks.¡± ¡°¡­Then I would like to ask you a favour.¡± From a close look, the atmosphere emanating from him was unusual, Nick said timidly. Irwin replied. ¡°Favour?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Irwin asked. Nick looked at him, and took a deep breath. He trudged and sat down with his back against a tree, looking at the clear view of the swaying rice fields. Irwin came and stood next to Nick. Nick spoke slowly. ¡°¡­I came to Lawrencia here because I wanted something from my mother.¡± Nick¡¯s story continued. ¡°My mother now¡­ was a close friend of my biological mother. However, long ago, my mother died suddenly in an accident, and my stepmother remarried my father to take care of us when we were still young. And as soon as I came of age, she left the mansion.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°My mother said it was natural for her to leave because my brother and I have already become adults. But I don¡¯t want to let her go like this¡­ So, I was trying to persuade her to go back with me.¡± Surprisingly, the stranger was listening to Nick¡¯s story quite seriously. He sat down next to Nick and continued. ¡°So, what exactly do you want to tell me?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re really close to your mother, I thought you could convince her.¡± ¡°¡­Were you going to ask me to convince your mother¡­? ¡°Yes. There¡¯s a limit to my persuasion. Since you are close to my mother, I think you can naturally talk about it and persuade her.¡± Nick looked up at Irwin. The man began to look hopeful. Nick hastily grabbed the hem of his cloak. ¡°If you succeed in persuading, let¡¯s make sure you don¡¯t regret it. What do you think?¡± Irwin didn¡¯t answer, and he just looked at Nick with an unknown look under his hat. Then he opened his mouth. ¡°Are you done talking? I think it¡¯s my turn to answer. Let¡¯s talk slowly.¡± ¡°Please speak.¡± ¡°First of all, I refuse your offer. I have no intention of persuading your mother as you wish.¡± ¡°What?¡± Nick opened his mouth in vain. It was a cold voice. Irwin continued. ¡°You don¡¯t seem to know anything because you¡¯re still a kid, but persuasion is not something you can borrow from others. Persuasion is when the person you want to persuade turns to the person you need to persuade by talking to them in line with their own logic.¡± What¡­? ¡°And second, I don¡¯t understand your logic of trying to convince your mother.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Why does your stepmother have to take care of someone else¡¯s family, who is not even her blood, for the rest of her life? ¡°¡­¡± ¡°She said until you are all grown up, and when the time is over, she will leave the house, right? So, how do you that would matter to her?¡± ¡°Before you beg your mother to return home, ask yourself first. There is no logic in what you say. You don¡¯t have an answer as to why your mother has to go back, and you are just getting caught up in your emotions.¡± ¡°There is no logic. Although she is not my real mother, she is a true mother who took care of me until I was grown up. Why doesn¡¯t it make sense for a son to tell his mother to come back to her house?¡± ¡°Do you think you¡¯re like a son to your stepmother? You¡¯re not even a child born from her womb. Had she really thought you were her son, she wouldn¡¯t have left the mansion in the first place.¡± Nick tried to counterattack, but it didn¡¯t work at all in front of Irwin. Nick couldn¡¯t answer and looked at him with eyes full of resentment. But as if it didn¡¯t end there, Iriwn continued. ¡°Lastly, third. I personally don¡¯t want that woman to be your mother again.¡± ¡°¡­Why?¡± asked Nick. Irwin smiled bitterly. ¡°To me, she is an artist with more talent than anyone else in the world.¡± ¡°¡­Artist?¡± Nick, who thought it was a word that came out of nowhere, wrinkled his eyebrows. ¡°How much do you know about your mother? Did you know that she¡¯s talented in painting?¡± ¡°¡­My mother has a talent for painting?¡± It was something Nick had never heard of or even imagined. Nick blinked his eyes. Irwin looked slowly behind him and pointed to the paintings that were visible through the glass door. ¡°All those pictures on the wall, all painted by your mother. You didn¡¯t know that?¡± At his words, Nick looked inside the glass door. The paintings were hung on the wall as if they were originally in the gallery. ¡®¡­Did my mother draw all those pictures? It was something I hadn¡¯t thought of at all.¡¯ ¡°These were all the things my mother drew? I didn¡¯t know because you never painted in front of me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a natural talent, and it¡¯s a skill that¡¯s too good to be hung in a remote gallery here in the countryside.¡± The gaze of a stranger looking at the paintings through the glass door was warmly coloured. He looked at Nick. ¡°Look, you don¡¯t even know what your mother is good at and what she likes. And yet, do you really think you deserve her?¡± Nick bit his lip at his words. It was a word that kept hitting the bone. ¡°¡­I just have to work hard from now on, and I can do it. Somehow I will convince my mother.¡± After speaking to him as if screaming with a red face, Nick turned around and walked to the gallery. ¡°Oh, my. I¡¯m going crazy.¡± Irwin, a stranger in the cloak, looked at Nick¡¯s back as he moved away. Kicking his tongue and looking at Nick, he suddenly realized something. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s ruined.¡± ¡®I didn¡¯t mean to, but I know too much about you.¡¯ *** Irwin went home muttering, ¡®It¡¯s ruined, it¡¯s ruined¡¯ the whole time. After he met Count Allison, he needed some time to think. He didn¡¯t visit the gallery because he wanted to have time to think alone without seeing her for a while. As Count Allison said, he needed to make sure that he wasn¡¯t approaching out of his little interest. Oh, of course, it was also because he didn¡¯t want to see Count Allison and her laughing ¡®hahahaha¡¯ together. So, this was all a matter of slight excitement. At her welcome greeting, his heart first trembled and made a fuss. [Irwin! It¡¯s been a long time. Why haven¡¯t you been to the store? I¡¯ve been waiting.] The problem was that she showed excessive excitement because she was happy to welcome him, who had visited her store after a long time. [Something happened. In the meantime, it seems that there has been a new employee.] [He¡¯s a temporary employee who helps with chores. Come here and have a cup of coffee with me.] Irwin wondered who the new employee was at the store he visited after a long time. In fact, the employee had a familiar face as if he had seen it somewhere. At least he didn¡¯t feel like an ordinary commoner. Nobles recognize each other. The atmosphere was different from ordinary people because they lived a high-class life. The kid seemed to think the same about him. The curiosity that started made Irwin listen to the little boy¡¯s story. And in the process, he heard too much. About her background. About her past. The stories that the child, who appeared to have just become an adult, told him were full of clues about her identity. That Cassia was the new member of a family, and recently left the mansion¡­ In fact, surprisingly, Adolf was not so bright about the circumstances of the nobles. He didn¡¯t enjoy playing with nobles since childhood. Such Adolf was also a topic of discussion in the social world, and also he had heard countless times through rumours. Seven years ago, the year he was just coming of age. He, too, knew the tragic story of the Whidrians that year and the new Duchess. Duchess Diana Whidrian, who ended her life at a young age in a sudden accident. And her friend who had married Duke Whidrian after she died. Was it really a coincidence that things got so close? ¡°Then does that mean that the kid is the young master of the Whidrian family, and she is the Duchess who left the Duke¡¯s family¡­? ¡°¡­No way.¡± Irwin shook his head. A reasonable guess immediately came to mind, but no one knew if it was true. In the first place, she may not be a nobleman, and family life with a stepmother was not uncommon in the Empire. Above all, Irwin didn¡¯t want to know more. In particular, even if he didn¡¯t want to hear about the woman¡¯s past through someone else¡¯s mouth, he really wanted to hear her past through her mouth someday. Irwin thought so and shook off the thoughts that were engulfing his mind. *** Chapter 25 Late at night, Nick was sitting alone inside the gallery. The dimly lit gallery was filled with only cold air. There was no one passing by Lawrencia in the late dawn. It felt like it wouldn¡¯t be strange if something popped up from nowhere and ate Nick. Nick sat on the cold floor with his knees bent, looking up at the wall. His gaze turned to the paintings on the wall. The paintings that his mother drew. The moonlight entering the gallery at an angle illuminated the paintings like lights. ¡®¡­They are beautiful paintings.¡¯ Nick thought so. As the stranger said, the paintings hung in the gallery exude a mysterious atmosphere. He didn¡¯t know how to look at the paintings well, but he knew that. Although it seemed that her skills were still lacking, the emotions contained in her paintings were no less than that of other famous painters. Come to think of it, when he first entered the gallery, he unconsciously paid attention to the paintings his mother had drawn. ¡°¡­¡± ¡®Did I do something wrong?¡¯ Nick thought. He just wanted to find his mother. He just wanted to get his beloved mother back. He just wanted to accept her now as his ¡®mother¡¯, not his ¡®stepmother¡¯, as he had longed for. Although he never expected that she would let go of his hand first. [Why does your stepmother have to take care of someone else¡¯s family, who is not even her blood, for the rest of her life?] The stranger said so, but for Nick, it was by no means an easy task. No matter how not-blood-related they were, Cassia was now his mother. 7 years was not a short time. Besides, it was an even longer time for Nick. Seven years ago, he was a child, and now, he is an adult. It¡¯s a time when a child can become an adult. During that time, Cassia was his mother. It was a very long time to dismiss the relations because they are not related by blood. It is never easy to let go. Even now, he wanted to be good to her. From now on, he wanted to live like a family with her. The atmosphere and time in the desolate Duke¡¯s mansion were now overshadowed, and he wanted to establish a new relationship. ¡®Can¡¯t I do that?¡¯ ¡®Is that too selfish?¡¯ ¡®Am I mistaken?¡¯ [Do you think you¡¯re like a son to your stepmother? You¡¯re not even a child born from her womb.] [Look, you don¡¯t even know what your mother is good at and what she likes. And yet, do you really think you deserve her?] Those words made him feel sick. The words hit the nail and made him think a lot. His words left Nick with many questions. Obviously, after a long time, Nick thought that his thoughts were now sorted after a long time, but the questions kept flooding his head. ¡®Wouldn¡¯t it be possible to live like a family even if we are not blood-related?¡¯ ¡®Wouldn¡¯t we be able to be live as mother and son?¡¯ ¡®If we didn¡¯t know each other well, shouldn¡¯t we get to know each other from now on? ¡®Is it already too late?¡¯ ¡®Is this relationship irreversible?¡¯ ¡®Am I blocking my mother¡¯s path?¡¯ [It¡¯s a natural talent, and it¡¯s a skill that¡¯s too good to be hung in a remote gallery here in the countryside.] ¡°¡­¡± Nick looked at the paintings. They were so beautiful that Nick became very sad. *** When she opened her eyes, she found herself on the bed. Cassia gave the child a part of the house, as Nick started to stay in Lawrencia for quite some time now. He was the second Young Master of the noble family, so she gave her bed to the child in case his bed was uncomfortable, and she slept on the sofa. It was the same last night, but when she woke up, she found herself on the bed. When she went outside, she saw Nick on the sofa and sleeping soundly. ¡®¡­What¡¯s going on?¡¯ Cassia tilted her head in confusion. Did she unconsciously think that the sofa was uncomfortable? Maybe she woke up, picked Nick, carried him to the sofa, and then she got into the bed¡­ Cassia thought about it seriously but then shook her head. Certainly, she was neither strong nor built to lift Nick. Besides, she wasn¡¯t the type of person who felt uncomfortable sleeping on the sofa for a few days. She was insensitive to that. ¡­Then it means Nick moved her¡­ ¡°Nick, did you move me?¡± She walked closer and gently shook Nick. Nick was still asleep and didn¡¯t answer. ¡°Nick, we have to go to work. Won¡¯t you wake up?¡± It was time to go to work, so Nick had to get up to go to the gallery together, but he still didn¡¯t answer. ¡®He has been trying his best to convince me for the past few days¡­ Is he tired now?¡¯ As if relaxed, Nick stretched out and fell asleep again. Cassia somehow felt happy. Nick had the features of Duke Whidrian, but with brown hair. It resembled Diana¡­ Cassia stroked his brown hair, which reminded her of her friend, and looked at the pretty and cute boy with satisfaction for a moment. Nick was a beautiful boy. Some might call this boy stubborn, but strangely, she didn¡¯t hate Nick. ¡°Sleep well, Nick.¡± Cassia got up from her seat. It seemed like she had to go to work alone today. *** She went to work at the gallery, and tied her apron neatly with the string. The morning that started without Nick was quiet and empty somewhere. With the glass doors and windows of the gallery wide open, she swept the floor and cleaned the gallery, listening to the occasional song of sparrows. After examining the paintings, cleaning the frame, and preparing to open, she had a cup of coffee and sat down on the bench outside with the best view. She took a sip of the well-made coffee as she was greeted by the full morning sun. ¡°Oh, right. I need to contact Michael.¡± [When should I contact you?] Cassia said she would contact him right away when the situation is settled. Nick has been in the gallery longer than expected, so she hasn¡¯t contacted Michael. Maybe Michael was waiting for her call. She didn¡¯t know if he might be still in this place¡­ She felt apologetic, so she thought she should send a close message explaining the current situation. If she sends a polite explanation of the situation along with the message that she was sorry for the delay, Michael will definitely understand. Thinking of Michael made her smile without realizing it. ¡®Ah, I want to see him soon¡­¡¯ It was a moment when she thought of him and smiled. A shadow fell in front of her. Strange and huge. Cassia had a foreboding that that was the shadow cast upon her destiny. She lifted her head and looked at the owner of the shadow. The smile slowly faded from her face. The identity of the stranger standing in front of her casting a shadow was none other than him. ¡°You left without a word, and you are here.¡± It was Duke Whidrian. From the moment Nick appeared, she was expecting this to happen. Someday, Duke Whidrian might come to visit her. But even as time passed, Duke Whidrian did not come to visit her. So she thought he had just finished signing the divorce papers. Maybe she was being careless. Axion and Cassia were sitting in the store, facing each other. She couldn¡¯t believe he was here, so she was a little dazed. He was a complete contrast to this store. A person who looks good in something colourful and glamorous. Neither the shop like this nor she got along with him. Exactly, she didn¡¯t fit into his world. He looked calm. He looked around the gallery with an unfamiliar expression. ¡°Have you been living in such a place?¡± ¡°Even though it looks shabby, it¡¯s a living place where nothing is lacking.¡± ¡°¡­I thought it was a gallery that resembled you. The coffee is good, too.¡± As he was a customer in this cafe, he took a sip of the coffee she offered as a courtesy. He put down the cup and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t talk for a long time because it¡¯s business hours. I would like to stop greeting you like this and get back to the point.¡± ¡°Why did you come all the way here?¡± She was curious. The reason why the people of the Duke Whidrian family started showing their faces in front of her again. Nick and the Duke, obviously, until the day before she left, I didn¡¯t think it would be a big deal if she disappeared right away. If there were any memorable last-minute changes, the only moments when Nick smiled brightly at her at the coming-of-age banquet and the moment when the Duke looked at her smile and told her that she had worked hard. But weren¡¯t they just moments of greetings? ¡°Your Excellency¡­ are you willing to convince me to return to the Duke¡¯s mansion like Nick is doing?¡± ¡°Nick. Come to think of it, where is the kid? Is he done cleaning up his mind?¡± ¡°¡­You have already found my store, and you didn¡¯t come here without any purpose.¡± As Cassia spoke, realizing his reaction, the Duke looked at her for a moment. Soon he answered. ¡°The only thing I have not been able to find out in my entire life is the truth about the death of my wife and the Third Prince.¡± ¡°¡­Nick doesn¡¯t know. About Diana¡¯s diary. I think you just talked about the contract.¡± ¡°I was going to tell him, but Nick was devastated after you left. It¡¯s not a light task, but there are things that I¡¯m cautious about saying.¡± ¡°I deliberately let Nick leave the house. He was going to visit you and clear his mind. Of course, on the premise that I will not refuse.¡± ¡°And I didn¡¯t refuse.¡± The Duke continued. Cassia sighed as I looked at him. *** Chapter 26 ¡°¡­Nick is sleeping in my house. He was in a deep sleep, so I covered him with a blanket and came out. I¡¯m not a person who is harsh on children.¡± ¡°Now, I want you to answer me again. Why did you come all the way here? No, more than that. You must have signed the divorce papers, right?¡± Impatient with the constant ominous foreboding, Cassia poured out quick-fire questions at the Duke. The Duke simply listened carefully to her, took another sip of coffee and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t sign.¡± ¡°¡­I beg your pardon?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± He took his hand off the cup of coffee and sighed. Then he said to her, ¡°But I¡¯m going to sign it anyway, so you don¡¯t have to tremble like a rat in a jar.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just here to talk to you. I just wanted to ask you a few things before signing.¡± His gaze turned to Cassia¡¯s hand on the table. When she realized it, her hands were shaking. Cassia lowered her hand, avoiding him, and threw her gaze towards the scenery outside the window. ¡°As I came down here, I organized the questions I wanted to ask you, so can I?¡± ¡°¡­Ask.¡± ¡°When did you decide to leave the mansion?¡± The first question came to Cassia. She answered without much thought. Because it was a relatively straightforward answer. ¡°¡­When Ken ran away from home in the early days of our marriage. That¡¯s when I realized that this wasn¡¯t the place for me.¡± ¡°Was it because Ken didn¡¯t accept you as his mother?¡± ¡°No. It was then that I realized my greed for the first time. Suddenly, I realized that I was trying to be a real mother to the children.¡± ¡°I was afraid of myself. He was petrified that I would take Diana¡¯s place.¡± The cause of Ken¡¯s runaway case was solely her greed. If she had cared a little less, if she hadn¡¯t gone out to take care of them, if she had cared for Ken¡¯s heart a little more from the beginning, he wouldn¡¯t have run away from home. It was a moment when she needed to be a formal mother, but she was caught up in her emotions and couldn¡¯t do it. ¡°At that time¡­ I was impatient. Because I didn¡¯t expect the children to accept me that much. Even if I went in, and when I heard them call me ¡®stepmother¡¯, I was still unaware that in the end that I was just a stranger. Only a stranger.¡± ¡°I see.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After a short reply, the Duke nodded and took a sip of coffee, and asked again. ¡°On Nick¡¯s coming-of-age banquet, you smiled brightly at the boy. You also gave me a bright smile.¡± ¡°Did you smile because you were happy? Thinking about leaving the mansion the next day.¡± ¡°Yes¡­ No.¡± Cassia thought it was a meaningless question, so she tried to give a rough answer, then sighed and corrected her words. He came all the way here and asked this question, and she felt like she should give a serious answer, too. She didn¡¯t understand why he was asking these questions now. They were going to get a divorce anyway. What does all this mean? ¡°I smiled because I was proud that Nick grew up with dignity. That day, Nick looked at me and smiled brightly.¡± ¡°I see.¡± The Duke seemed to think for a moment, and continued to talk for the last time. ¡°So, what did the last seven years of marriage mean to you?¡± ¡°Even if it was simple, it was okay. It wasn¡¯t bad. It was just fine. It wasn¡¯t the hardest or the worst.¡± Cassia looked at Axion. ¡®What are his intentions, really?¡¯ Cassia opened her mouth to speak. ¡°With all due respect, why are you asking me that now?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know if it makes sense to ask now. The contract period between us is over, and you just have to let me go.¡± ¡°As a colleague of 7 years, let¡¯s say that before we say our last goodbye, I am resolving the remarks one last time.¡± He answered. ¡°More than anything else, I want to hear about the time you went through in our family. So¡­¡± His gaze deepened, and he smiled. ¡°I thought you thought everything was fine, Cassia.¡± He continued ¡°I took a lot of care for you. That¡¯s what I had thought. I helped you as best as I could. I was considerate so that there was no inconvenience, and I tried not to stop what you were doing.¡± ¡°So, I am curious about this ending. Why did you leave the place as if you were running away as soon as seven years had ended?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I said goodbye in my own way, and I thought that we were not close enough to each other to have a formal goodbye.¡± Suddenly, the situation felt uncomfortable. Nick, who came here a while ago, and the Duke now appear to overlap. Various strange questions and resentment-like things filled her mind. She answered. ¡°Did you ask what life was like at the Duke¡¯s mansion? It was materially rich, but the time spent was lonely and difficult.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°But it was something I had to endure because it was my choice, so I just said thank you for always taking care of me.¡± ¡®I don¡¯t understand. Why do they keep coming to me and getting in the way?¡¯ ¡°Seven years have passed, and the contract has ended, so I just left the mansion in my own way. Thank you for taking care of me all this time, but I didn¡¯t want it to be like that any longer.¡± Since there was a contract, she thought the Duke would take care of the rest. She also wrote a letter of thanks by being polite and heartfelt. There was no regret. Truly, at the last moment, she thought she had a beautiful parting. ¡®But why do they come to me and ask questions and actions that I do not understand?¡¯ ¡®Why do you want to make this ending not beautiful?¡¯ ¡®Did I do something wrong? What more should I have done there?¡¯ ¡°Is it because I left the Duke¡¯s mansion as if I was running away? If that was a problem, I apologize.¡± ¡°I should have left everything clean until the last greeting, but I was careless.¡± Cassia kept talking. ¡°To be honest, I thought it would be good for me to leave just one letter like that. Isn¡¯t it strange to see each other face-to-face and say goodbye to each other without making eye contact and without even having a proper conversation?¡± ¡°Besides, I thought that waiting for divorce proceedings after leaving as a Duchess would be procedural and emotionally exhausting for many people. I wanted to disappear quietly without causing much trouble. That¡¯s why I left one letter behind.¡± ¡°I think that may have been the problem. If that¡¯s the case, I apologize again. I guess the ending wasn¡¯t neat.¡± As soon as she spat out the words, she felt suddenly exhausted. She sighed. ¡°Do you have an answer now? I¡¯m a little tired, and I want to rest.¡± ¡°Please, I expect that the divorce papers will be handled neatly. When will it be processed-¡± She thought it was time to get up, and she was about to ask him to expedite the divorce papers. The door to the store opened with a chime. A light footstep entered between them. ¡°Good morning¡­¡± Irwin was the owner of the cheerful voice that followed. As Irwin took off the cape he was wearing as he appeared inside the store, he met the Duke sitting in front of Cassia and made eye contact. ¡°¡­!¡± Silence passed. In between, only her heart fell silently. *** ¡°You¡­¡± The Duke slowly stood up. Axion looked at the two with somewhat white faces. He recognized Irwin. He realized it. His eyes became the shapes of hounds chasing their prey. It was clearly the eyes of the Duke who had been looking for the Third Prince Adolf seven years ago by order of the Emperor. He must have recognized Irwin¡¯s identity at once. Irwin seemed to be an acquaintance as well. What do they do now? The conversation that had just come and gone disappeared from Cassia¡¯s mind. Her head began to spin rapidly. After a few seconds of silence, the Duke was about to say something. Irwin put his hat back on and sprinted out of the store, and started running. The Duke tried to run after Irwin, grabbing the sword he was wearing around his waist. ¡°No!¡± Cassia blocked the front of the Duke. Axion stopped and looked down at her. ¡°What are you doing, Cassia?¡± ¡°Our conversation is not over yet. When are you going to process the divorce papers?¡± So, there was only one thing she could do in this situation. She hoped Irwin would run away quickly, while she had some time to spare. It was hoped that Irwin could stay here a little longer so that his identity would not be revealed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Cassia, it¡¯s an emergency right now, so I¡¯ll wait a little bit later¡­ It is an emergency, and I will send you an answer first.¡± ¡°Your Grace. Please be polite in front of me.¡± Cassia looked directly into the Duke¡¯s eyes. It was the first time her eyes seemed this powerful and fierce in front of him. Axion looked at her attitude, and he said to her as if he had realized something. ¡°You, you have been hiding the prince all this time.¡± ¡°My divorce papers.¡± ¡°When are you going to take care of it?¡± Cassia kept her eyes straight, pretending not to know, and asked him. He immediately sighed and said. ¡°I will deal with it as soon as I get back to the mansion. I just came to hear your story. ¡° ¡°Promise me that you will take care of it as soon as you get back.¡± ¡°I promise.¡± ¡°Only in words? What will you bet on?¡± At that moment, he looked at her with deep eyes. It was a gaze full of resentment and loneliness. He opened his mouth in a muffled voice. ¡°In Diana¡¯s name.¡± For some reason, Cassia¡¯s heart sank. He licked his lips and looked at her. ¡°Can I go now?¡± He walked away from her. As he ran, she couldn¡¯t stop him anymore. Her heart was sinking deep. *** Chapter 27 ¡°I missed him.¡± A few minutes later, the Duke entered the gallery again. He was sweating as if he had been running around alone without a knight to help. Cassia was wiping the dishes dry, that she had finished washing, on the counter with a calm mind. ¡°It looks like I am going to have to stay here for a while. I have sent a request to the Imperial family to summon the Imperial Knights, and I have temporarily summoned Lawrencia¡¯s security forces, so they will arrive soon. Since he was found in this store, we need to search the area around here, so I ask for your cooperation.¡± ¡°¡­Do it yourself.¡± Her mind was already calm, so she said to him indifferently. ¡°Cassia, I¡¯d like to hear from you about what you know.¡± He stood in front of the counter and continued to look at her busy working. ¡°Tell me what you know about the Third Prince, how you got to know him, when did he come here, etc.¡± ¡°¡­He is a customer of my gallery. He stayed here for about a month and would come to the gallery often.¡± ¡°What did you talk about? I know that the Knights of the Imperial Palace visited Lawrencia once again last time. If he has stayed here since then, there must be a place he is staying at. Have you ever heard of where he lives?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. We didn¡¯t get to share a story that deep.¡± ¡°You must have known that he was the Third Prince from what you had hidden before. How did you find out about that?¡± ¡°The last time the Imperial Knights came to Lawrencia, they showed me a portrait. I saw it and knew it.¡± Even so, it was uncomfortable to see his face, but as he continued to ask her so many questions, her nerves grew sharper. Besides, she had calmed down, but she wasn¡¯t in a good mood. She put down the dish she was washing and said. ¡°It is sad. He must have had a reason to want to leave the Imperial Palace to the point of making himself missing, but it was not disappointing that he was being pursued by the Imperial Palace as he was being targeted here and there. I wanted my gallery to be a place for him to relax, even a little bit.¡± ¡°So I only treated him as a customer, not pretending to know him. In fact, I¡¯ve never heard from him that he¡¯s a prince. That¡¯s it. Do you have an answer now?¡± It feels like something was messed up. No, really, life in Lawrencia was going to be messed up. Nick came to see her and didn¡¯t want to leave, and the Duke didn¡¯t even sign the divorce papers, asking her why she left the Duke¡¯s mansion. An unfamiliar guest, Irwin, ran into a hunting dog chasing him here, and she was put in jeopardy. She realized that everything she had planned and dreamed of was falling apart. And the fact that Diana, the starting point of all these moments, wasn¡¯t there, maddened her. ¡°I must have disturbed you in many ways today.¡± Perhaps he saw her darkened expression, the Duke took a step back and said. At that moment, the gallery door opened, and Nick got up slowly and went to work. ¡°Mother, I¡¯m here¡­ Father?¡± When the child saw the Duke standing, his eyes widened. Nick looked like he would ask more, but the Duke looked at Cassia and left the building to take Nick and talk outside. The gallery went silent. Cassia stood blankly, then sat down on a chair at the counter and let out a deep sigh. ¡®¡­Is Irwin okay? Why is this happening with me¡­?¡¯ *** Not long after, a massive number of the Imperial Palace Knights arrived in Lawrencia. It was manpower that could be sent during a war. Arriving in Lawrencia, waving a golden flag with a lion, which symbolizes the Imperial family, they came to Cassia¡¯a gallery. To be precise, they came to the Duke, who was in her gallery. ¡°There was a message from His Majesty the Emperor, asking him to look for the Third Prince this time, and taking good care of him.¡± The knight commander knelt before him and courteously delivered the Emperor¡¯s words. Lawrence¡¯s security force, temporarily guarding the store¡¯s perimeter and searching, withdrew. Immediately, a massive number of knights were arranged all over Lawrence in unison. Her gallery, where the Third Prince was first discovered, became a base for the search. Naturally, her business stopped. The Duke explained that it was inevitable because the Third Prince stayed here mainly. He added that he would provide maximum compensation for any potential damage or loss caused by the outage. ¡°Suit yourself.¡± For some reason, Cassia was so exhausted that she just left a single word and went out. She came home and played around for a few days. She felt uncomfortable. ¡®Where is Irwin? Did he escape Lawrencia? Or maybe he¡¯s hiding somewhere and is scared¡­¡¯ Cassia felt sorry for him. She just wanted to make him stay in Lawrencia a little bit longer, but she thought she got him stuck. She wanted to find out if she knew where he was hiding and somehow help him get out of here. But it was impossible. Because the Imperial Knights were protecting her. It was because of the possibility that she had contact with Irwin. In their gaze, she couldn¡¯t do anything suspicious in the slightest, except to roll around at home, paint, or go to the market occasionally. Rumours quickly spread throughout Lawrencia that she had seen the Third Prince, and that she had been hiding it all along. As soon as she went to the market, some interested people would stop her and ask questions. Have you really seen the Third Prince? How was he? Did he really look like a portrait? What conversation did you have with him? When people engulfed her with questions, knights would appear and stop them. At that time, she thought it would be better to have knights always by her side to watch over her. Lawrencia was rapidly falling into chaos. And Cassia, too, was getting tired. *** A few days later, Cassia received news that would soothe her exhausted mind and body. A reply came from Michael to the letter she had sent about the situation here. ¡°This is a letter from Count Allison.¡± The messenger from the Count came to her house and delivered a letter from Michael. She hadn¡¯t had a chance to even smile in the last few days, so she felt the corners of her lips go up after visiting him after a long time. ¡°Thank you.¡± When she received the letter with excitement, the messenger said goodbye and left the house. As she was about to open the letter, a knight standing in a corner came up to her. ¡°Excuse me, Madam, but we have to check what letter it is.¡± ¡°This is a private letter. Is it a must-see?¡± Actually, legally she was still Duchess Whidrian, so there was no reason to respect the knights. But she was going to get a divorce, and since she was already divorced in her heart, she was using respect for them. When she showed her displeasure, they looked at her with a look of embarrassment. Cassia said, ¡°If you don¡¯t see it, you will get in trouble, so I¡¯ll show you this time. But if you confirm that it is safe, please do not report it to Your Excellency.¡± ¡°¡­But we must report it as it is our duty.¡± ¡°If you really must report¡­¡± Cassia looked at them and smiled. Because she had a good idea. She lifted the letter in the air and looked at them. ¡°Okay, please report it. Duchess Whidrian has received a love letter.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± The knights widened their eyes. Cassia handed the letter. They carefully received the letter, unfolded it, scanned the contents, and coughed in vain. They handed her the letter again. ¡°Is it all right now? Please report this as a love letter. A love letter from Count Allison. And if you don¡¯t want to stay confused, please ask him to sign the divorce papers as soon as possible.¡± ¡°¡­Yes, Madam.¡± ¡°Oh, and please add this as well.¡± Cassia was very exhausted, perhaps because of the drastic changes in her life in Lawrencia in the past few days. It would be the case when everyone faces a sudden change in which their lives are violated, their lives are being watched by knights, and their freedom is controlled. She had become violent. No, to be precise, she didn¡¯t want to bear losing her life anymore. She kept talking over and over again. ¡°If you keep invading my privacy too much, I won¡¯t stand still.¡± ¡­Their faces turned white. Why did she have to endure so hard all this time? In fact, these days, she had been immersed in such a question. It was since the people of the Whidrian family kept appearing in front of her. A future different from what she had hoped for was coming. She had a deep intuition that life in this place, where she had buried everything in the past and wanted to live a simple and straightforward life, was falling apart. And she felt the need to actively defend herself. In order not to go back to the place related to Whidrian again. Come to think of it, she didn¡¯t have to wait any longer. It was only because of Diana that she lived silently as the Duchess. Above all else, it was because her top priority was to secure the things that her dear friend loved. But now it wasn¡¯t. The seven-year contract between the Duke and Cassia had come to an end, and she chose to divorce according to the contract. So, she left the Duke¡¯s house. After 7 years and the contract ended, they are perfect strangers now. She didn¡¯t want to get involved with them. She really didn¡¯t want to go back. She also has her own life, and she wanted to live her own life for the rest of the time. Now that the contract period was over, she wanted to go back to when things were normal. In order to protect her real self, not the Duchess anymore, she felt the need to be strong. *** Chapter 28 [Hello, Cassia. I heard the news about the Third Prince right now. It is rapidly becoming a hot topic around you, and I think it would be very uncomfortable to have Duke Whidrian and Nick by your side. If I could, I¡¯d like to take you out right away, but I¡¯m worried that you¡¯ll be suspected for no reason. I want to see you soon. I¡¯ll always be waiting for you, so if you¡¯re feeling frustrated, call me. -Michael] The letter from Michael made Cassia feel better. Also, he was a friendly person. She wrote and sent a reply to Michael carefully with a warm heart. [Hello, Michael. I have received your reply well. When Duke Whidrian and Nick came to visit, life got a bit complicated, but now I¡¯m determined. I will do it. I don¡¯t want to stand it any longer. Somehow, I will save my life here on my own. If I need your help, I will contact you. Thank you always. And I want to see you soon, too. ¨C Cassia] The meticulous knights only allowed her to send the letter to Michael after they had inspected it. Cassia quietly showed them her letter because she couldn¡¯t embarrass the knights who were in a position to be ordered. They were innocent. They are only following their master¡¯s orders. After sending the letter, Cassia said to them. ¡°Let me see the Duke, please.¡± *** ¡°Get out of my space.¡± As soon as the gallery door opened, she strode over to the Duke and spoke, and silence fell. She looked at the gallery¡¯s interior filled with strange things in silence. The gallery used as the search base was filled with strange objects such as maps depicting Lawrencia and the entire Empire, weapons, and insignias required for military command. An unfamiliar air flowed. Meanwhile, Duke Whidrian approached her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Come to think of it, it¡¯s unfair. Even if you search, use another place as a base. You can do that, right? ¡°¡­Cassia.¡± ¡°And please lower the level of monitoring me. It¡¯s inconvenient because the knights are constantly watching.¡± The Duke looked at her as if she felt unfamiliar, acting a little differently than usual. ¡°Compensation for potential damage or loss, that doesn¡¯t matter to me. I want the right to be here alone right now, and I want my right to live freely.¡± The Third Prince or whatever, the Whidrian family, or whatever, has nothing to do with her. To be honest, she just wanted them all to disappear from her sight. Is it such a great hope to run a gallery in Lawrencia without any conflicts, sell coffee, and paint in peace? ¡°But Cassia, this is the country¡¯s business. Besides, it is His Majesty¡¯s special task to solve the case of the disappearance of the Third Prince.¡± The Duke replied. ¡°All the people of the Empire are obliged to obey the orders of His Majesty the Emperor. That is why you are also participating in the search.¡± She looked at Axion. He continued. ¡°The same goes for renting a place. It is possible to set up a separate investigation headquarters, but it is important not to delay time due to the nature of the disappearance case. Besides, if he has been here for a while, he might come back.¡± ¡°Since it is inconvenient, I will give the order to lower the level of surveillance a little. However, I would like your cooperation in this matter. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± The Duke¡¯s eyebrows twitched when Cassia immediately answered and nodded. ¡°I know. Instead, make sure to lower the monitoring level. Life is very inconvenient right now.¡± ¡°¡­All right. Let me do that.¡± ¡°Then, have a good time at work.¡± After greeting the Duke with a smile, Cassia walked out of her shop. And after Cassia left the shop, the Duke realized it not long after. That Cassia wasn¡¯t here to interfere with the investigation. That she originally intended to give him a place. She had given a warning and left. A warning that she will not respond easily to anything in the future. And he lost just perfectly in a fight with her. When Cassia returned home with the knights, she was feeling much better. Naturally, she had no intention of disobeying the search conducted under the orders of His Majesty the Emperor. As the Duke said, all the people of the Empire were obliged to participate in the search for the Third Prince. That was the duty of the people of the Empire living in this country at this time. In fact, even knowing the Third Prince the Knights were looking for and hiding him could be a crime. It is fortunate that Emperor Fontrich and the Duke, who was in charge of the search operation, had a finite accident. What was important to her was to show the Duke that she would not give up even a tiny thing easily. It was a matter of showing her willingness to protect her life perfectly in the future. Fortunately, the intention seemed to have succeeded. ¡®Didn¡¯t you also receive the words of the Duke to lower the level of surveillance on me?¡¯ The knight she was walking spoke. ¡°In the future, if the level of surveillance is lowered by one level, we will monitor Madam outdoors, not at home. However, when you go out, we still have to accompany Madam, so I would appreciate it if you could cooperate that much.¡± ¡°Very good. Thanks for the explanation. You guys are always working hard.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­¡± As the tension was relieved, she smiled as she looked at the knights accompanying her. And it was when she got home. She found a white note on her little dressing table. [See you tonight at 77 Levin Village. ¨C Irwin p.s Every night at 12:00, the knights have a shift. Note it.] *** Cassia spent the afternoon hesitantly. It was because she couldn¡¯t believe the note from Irwin. ¡®Did he come for a while while I was away?¡¯ ¡®How did he come and leave?¡¯ Cassia¡¯s heart was pounding. Irwin came into her house while she was visiting the gallery. Ever since Irwin disappeared, she had been worried about him and wanted to help in any way. Then he came to her and held out his hand. It was great timing and opportunity for the knights to withdraw from the house. First off, she has been making food all afternoon. It was just in case Irwin couldn¡¯t eat anything properly because he was hiding. She made simple stews and sandwiches, which she usually cooked at home, and put them one by one in a basket. After all, it was quite a generous amount. In her mind, she wanted to provide him with the warm coffee that Irwin liked and the desserts he often ate at the cafe in the gallery, but she decided to be satisfied here. ¡®What else can I help with?¡¯ Cassia thought about it, but she could do nothing to help other than make food. It was because Irwin didn¡¯t write anything specifically on the note, such as what he needed. She didn¡¯t even know why he wanted to see her, so that was all she could do. The most important thing is to get out of this area at night without being detected by the Knights. ¡°I¡¯m going to go for a little evening walk before going to bed.¡± ¡°Come with us, Madam.¡± With the excuse of wanting to go for a walk before going to sleep, she went out in the early evening with the knight who followed her. She checked the knight¡¯s movement while strolling, looking at the road from the house to the gallery building and the location of the village of Levin that Irwin mentioned in the note. The village of Levin was fortunately located not far from here. All you need to do is cross the main road in front of the gallery building with a panoramic view of the countryside on both sides. Irwin thankfully gave a hint on the note. He said that the guards of the Knights Templar become the most relaxed at 12 A.M. ¡°I have to go to bed early today. Thank you, everyone.¡± After closing the door naturally with a smile at the knight, she finally checked the movement. Now all that was left was waiting. *** It was 12 o¡¯clock at night. It was a very dark and deep time because everyone went to bed early in a rural area. Even the countless birds that live together fall asleep on a dark night without a single chirping sound. Cassia slightly opened the window at the back of the house with a slight creaking sound and looked at the mesh. No one could be seen outside. After confirming, she opened the window completely. Holding the basket for Irwin in her arms, she got on the window and jumped out. It was an unfamiliar adventure. She thought it would be a scene if anyone who knew her as the Duchess would scream if they saw her, jumping out of the window in the middle of the night. She also felt very unfamiliar with herself. But now, more than ever, it was a moment she wanted to give for Irwin. It was undoubtedly Irwin¡¯s will to stay in Lawrencia, but she felt a certain sense of responsibility. The Duke came to Lawrencia to see her, and discovered Irwin¡¯s location. The Duke was basically a man of good manners, but not as much as he was at work. As a Duchess, she knew how much he had gone looking for Irwin with a predator-like gaze. She sincerely hoped Irwin would not be left in a corner. She didn¡¯t want his location to be discovered. Because she also knew the feeling of wanting no one to look for her. If there was anything she could do to help in the process, she wanted to help. That was why she tried to help Irwin even when she was overworked. *** Chapter 29 As she stepped outside, the darkness and the cool night energy overtook her. When the clouds obscured the moonlight, even the silhouette could be seen properly in the deep darkness. It covered her movements quite well than she expected. While the knights were taking turns chatting with each other, Cassia began to move quickly. It was her first time experiencing such a thrilling experience, so her heart was beating like an explosion the whole time. However, it was around the time when she was about to enter the road to the village of Liven bypassing the front of the gallery. Just as she was about to enter the open road, the clouds that had obscured the moonlight moved away. At the same time, the late-night moon shone brightly on her. That was when¡­ ¡°Who is there?¡± A knight¡¯s voice was heard. Cassia looked back. He was slowly approaching her. After hesitating for a moment to answer, the vigilant voice became ferocious. ¡°Who is there? Answer me.¡± ¡°¡­Ah.¡± When she was perplexed as to what to do, her opponent got closer. ¡°Mrs Whidrian?¡± He came closer and looked at her. Upon closer inspection, he was a sentry with the lowest rank. [T/N: a soldier stationed to keep guard or to control access to a place.] She was the one who knew Irwin first in Lawrencia, but she was also the Duchess, legally. It will be difficult for her, as she is the wife of a high-ranking commander-in-chief. It¡¯s worth trying to solve it with words. Cassia thought so, straightened her back and looked at him. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°Even though it was late at night, I couldn¡¯t sleep, so I was walking around for a while.¡± ¡°¡­Ah.¡± ¡°Is there any problem?¡± ¡°No. However, it is very late now, so it seems a bit dangerous to go for a walk alone.¡± She was being watched by the knights, and it seemed that he was terribly suspicious that she was out alone at 12 o¡¯clock at night. He looked at her with his eyes wide open and found a basket in her hand. ¡°What is that basket?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s open it. I know it¡¯s rude, but I think I¡¯ll have to look.¡± He was a thorough and well-trained knight, to the point where she felt sorry she had downplayed him. He looked at her with a firm expression on his face, telling her to open the basket. ¡®What should I do?¡¯ Cassia had no choice but to slowly open the basket and roll her head inwardly. It was late at night, so the manpower seemed to have decreased a bit, and there were no other people nearby. ¡®Wouldn¡¯t it be possible to escape somehow if I turned around and ran quickly now?¡¯ When she showed the basket and looked around with her eyes, she shook her head. ¡°Let me ask you something.¡± The sentry and Cassia both turned around in surprise to the unfamiliar voice that came from the side. A grandmother stood watching them with her back bent, wearing a black cloak and with her cane. ¡°Where is the village of Levin?¡± ¡°WHat?¡± The sentry asked back. Cassia looked at the old woman. It seemed like she was asking the knight. ¡°I came all the way here to see my grandson, but it¡¯s late at night, so what should I do? Take me to the village of Levin, please. Let¡¯s see, where¡¯s the address? The sentry opened his eyes in bewilderment. It was natural. He was a knight from the Imperial Palace. He was only guarding the place he was supposed to protect, but he didn¡¯t really know the geography of Lawrencia and the name of the town. ¡°Grandma, I will guide you.¡± To Cassia, the grandmother seemed like a saviour. She took her by the shoulder and spoke, and the sentry stopped her. ¡°But it is dangerous, Madam. Leave this to me and go home and rest.¡± ¡°If you just cross this main road, it¡¯s Liven Village, and I can¡¯t even sleep.¡± ¡°But, then, come with me. We can go together and come back.¡± She was reluctant, but getting out of this place was her urgent priority, so she accepted the old lady¡¯s proposal. Thanks to this, she was able to confidently walk the road to the village of Liven with an unfamiliar grandmother and the sentry. Shortly after entering the village of Liven, it was time for the sentry to ask the grandmother. ¡°How many houses are you looking for¡­?¡± He couldn¡¯t keep up with his words. It was because the grandmother¡¯s bent waist was gradually straightening. Cassia, too, watched the grandmother change with a surprised expression. Soon she looked behind her. The face was not the face of the old woman she had just seen. ¡°¡­Irwin?¡± His beautiful hair, shining even whiter in the moonlight, was revealed. The moment she said his name in a whisper, the sentry¡¯s eyes widened. Irwin sprayed something on his face. It was a perfume-like liquid. Before he could say anything, the sentry met the unknown liquid and had a hazy expression on his face. He stumbled and fell. Startled, Cassia ran to the sentry to check his condition, but he was asleep. ¡°He is asleep. When he wakes up, he won¡¯t even remember that he met us.¡± Cassia looked at Irwin, who was explaining the situation with a normal expression, with a puzzled face. Irwin smiled as he looked at her face like that, and then he held out his hand to her. ¡°Would you like me to explain the situation in detail as we go together?¡± Irwin¡¯s secret and private space It was starting to show up in front of her. ¡°Magic?¡± On the way to 77, Irwin mentioned in the note, they had a few conversations as they walked. Cassia learned that Irwin could disguise himself as a grandmother because he used a magical item that could transform. The fact that Irwin had left a note in her house without being noticed by anyone, and that the sentry had just fallen asleep and went to sleep, was also the effect of the magic item. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that Irwin owned a lot of magic items.¡± ¡°It cost a lot of money, and I went to the most famous wizard on the continent to buy things.¡± ¡°Thanks to that, I was able to wander around for a long time without being detected,¡± Irwin said sarcastically. Cassia looked at Irwin and smiled bitterly at the sudden thought. ¡°Why are you smiling?¡± ¡°No, when I think about it, earlier¡­ I remember Irwin¡¯s transformation into an old woman.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°It was great acting, Irwin.¡± It made her laugh when she remembered Irwin, who would have transformed into an old grandmother, stood with her cane, and worked hard in front of the sentry. ¡°I worked hard. Was it funny?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just that it¡¯s cute when I think back on your hard work. I feel grateful.¡± ¡°Thank you. If you hadn¡¯t appeared in that situation, I might have been taken back home.¡± ¡°For those of you who personally stepped up to this point, wouldn¡¯t it make sense to help them get out of it?¡± Irwin looked at her as he spoke with a smile, and then they smiled together. It was pretty late at night. As soon as they moved in between, houses with street numbers written on them and the nearest street began to appear in front of her eyes. But as she looked at them, she soon realized. ¡°No. 77 is missing.¡± ¡°Because it is invisible to ordinary people.¡± ¡°What?¡± It was time to look back at him because she didn¡¯t realize what it meant. He pointed to an empty corner. It was an empty space in the corner of the village where nothing but land existed under a tree. As he beckoned her to look at it, Cassia turned her head to look at it. ¡°¡­Wow.¡± A dazzling light leaked out before her, and slowly, as if hidden, a tent appeared before her. Cassia stared blankly as the tent was fully revealed. The light that started small revealed the shape of the tent as it expanded its area, and when it was fully revealed, the light disappeared. Suddenly, a tent stood tall in the darkness in front of her. ¡°This is magic, too. There is stealth magic that can hide things, so it is not visible to the general public. It¡¯s also the house I¡¯ve always been to.¡± Cassia stared blankly at it with her mouth open. Was this also magic? Irwin grinned and opened the door on the tent, tilted it back and looked at her. ¡°Welcome, Cassia.¡± ¡°77 Levin Village, entering my precious space.¡± *** Late at night, Nick was visiting Cassia¡¯s house. When Duke Whidrian came down to Lawrencia to find the Third Prince and stayed here, Nick stayed away from Cassia¡¯s house for a while and lived with the Duke. Nick was provisionally appointed as the next head of the Whidrian family, and he needed to learn about what his father was doing. Although the mission related to the Third Prince was close to the one personally requested by the current Emperor, who especially loved Duke Whidrian. In fact, Nick saw it as an excellent opportunity to get out of Cassia¡¯s house. It¡¯s because Nick wanted to keep some distance from his mother these days. Anyway, after leaving Cassia¡¯s house for a while and spending time with his father, Nick was alone in organizing his thoughts. Then he remembered that he had left one of his belongings at Cassia¡¯s house, and it was late at night when he visited her house for a while. ¡°Madam is sleeping.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll quietly go in alone and come out. I just stopped by because I left something behind.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Two knights standing in front of the door let Nick in. Nick opened the door and stepped inside. It was when Nick, with his belongings left on the table, turned around and left the house. Nick felt strange. The house was exceptionally quiet. Nick tilted his head and looked back. Although he knew that his mother was clearly sleeping, the house was too quiet. It was strange that he couldn¡¯t even hear the sound of tossing, turning or breathing. Nick turned back to just go. But he soon stopped walking. As he was about to leave, he was struck by the sight of his mother, whom he had seen during the day. It was a very strange sight for his mother to come to the shop and ask his father for something. He also felt like she was under a lot of stress. Nick was worried about her for some reason. He couldn¡¯t just leave. ¡®¡­I mean, I¡¯m just checking and leaving. Is she sleeping well?¡¯ Nick slowly approached the door where his mother was sleeping. ¡°¡­Mother?¡± He opened the door slightly. In the meantime, Nick¡¯s eyes grew as he looked at the room. He swung the door open. There was no Cassia. Only an empty bed, a slightly open window and a floating curtain caught Nick¡¯s eye. *** Chapter 30 ¡°Wow, this is great¡­¡± As Cassia entered Irwin¡¯s tent, she stood in a corner and looked around the unfamiliar space. A space that looked shabby in some ways but full in other ways. Neither small nor large, the just-right space was reminiscent of a commoner¡¯s house. It was a place where everything was there. A well-made bed, a bathroom where you can wash your body, and a kitchen where you can easily cook something. Since he was living alone, he had all the necessary facilities to do everything independently. Irwin¡¯s collections were everywhere. Various ornaments he had bought while travelling were filling the inside of the tent. A dream catcher gift from an Indian tribe, an elaborate sculpture of a lion purchased from an unknown street vendor¡­ There were also small pictures hanging in the corner, as if to prove Irwin¡¯s words that he liked painting. ¡°When I was travelling, when I saw paintings I liked on the street, I bought them.¡± Irwin pointed out and explained to Cassia one by one the things she was curious about. It was an unfamiliar space to her, but it was a space inside a tent where Irwin had been staying for a long time. ¡®Is that so?¡¯ Even though it was the first time entering the space, it was somehow filled with a warm feeling. After looking around the house while listening to Irwin¡¯s explanation, Cassia remembered something and looked at Irwin. ¡°Oh right. I have something to give you, Irwin.¡± Talking to him, she put the basket she brought on the table in the corner. Irwin looked at it and tilted his head. ¡°I¡¯ve been curious about it since a while ago. What is that basket?¡± ¡°What this is? These are the foods I prepared for Irwin.¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± Irwin made a puzzled face. Cassia took them out one by one with a sense of pride. ¡°These are the foods I often make at home. This is a sandwich filled with fresh vegetables and ham, and this is a stew with tomatoes and beef. Even though it looks cold, you can still eat it.¡± Irwin stared blankly at the food in her hand and pulled out one by one. ¡°After receiving the note, I thought about whether there would be anything that could be of any help, and I made these. Irwin was being chased, so I wondered if he might not be able to eat and hide¡­¡± Cassia continued speaking subconsciously, realizing something, and slowly blurring her words. She just had to say with her mouth that Irwin was being chased. In fact, from the moment Irwin ran away after seeing Duke Whidrian, he was exposed to her as the third prince. But she didn¡¯t want to talk about it in the first place, unless he spoke first. So she made a promise to herself and came to see Irwin. She was unable to speak for a while because she felt a little bit of humiliation and bewilderment about the current situation. Irwin looked at her and smiled softly. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± ¡°¡­Irwin. Sorry. I wanted to pretend that I didn¡¯t know until the end, but I didn¡¯t realize it, unconsciously.¡± ¡°My identity was already revealed from the moment I saw the Duke and ran away, to you.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I asked to see you today with the intention of telling you who I am. Because I didn¡¯t want to publicly reveal my identity to you through other people¡¯s mouths.¡± His voice was softer and more serious than ever. Cassia turned to him. He was looking at her with a smile that resembled her voice. ¡°But before that, I want to tell you something.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Even if you come to know my true identity¡­ I want you to treat me the same way you do now.¡± He looked into her eyes and continued to speak as if asking for an answer. ¡°Promise me, even if I tell you my true identity, our friendship now won¡¯t change.¡± Anxiety was young in his eyes. Anxiety that he would feel burdened if she knew his identity. As she looked at him, she laughed out loud. ¡®Did he have in mind what I said last time as a joke?¡¯ Naturally, she had no intention of abandoning the friendship even if he told her about her identity. It was because she had become close with him from the beginning, as Cassia, not based on his status. If he had revealed his identity from the beginning, it might be that Cassia and Irwin, who have now become friends, have a belated identity revealed only as a secondary factor. ¡°¡­Of course, Irwin.¡± He looked at him and nodded. ¡°Even if I find out who you are, I will still be your friend.¡± ¡°Like now?¡± He asked to confirm. Cassia nodded and looked at him. ¡°Yes, like now.¡± Hearing her confirmation, a bright smile appeared on his face. Soon he reached out to her. ¡°I greet you formally.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I am Adolf de Fontrich. I am the Third Prince of the Empire.¡± Cassia looked at his hand, stretched out in front of her. Then she smiled and took his hand. ¡°Nice to meet you¡­ Adolf.¡± At that moment, she had no idea why her heart was beating so fast. * * * Adolf was somehow moved by this moment. He looked at her with a complex expression that could not be expressed in words. Irwin, who had been looking at her shaking hands for quite some time, burst into a small smile. As he looked at her without knowing what to say, he scratched his head and smiled. ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡­ Looking back, I think it was really crazy.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t run away even though I knew the Knights were chasing me.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Perhaps from that moment on, I would have thought this would happen.¡± In the end, he was caught in a hurry and surrounded by a corps of knights. And in it, a situation in which he had to reveal himself to her. Irwin thought. Perhaps all of that situation was foreseen in advance. From the moment he met her. From the moment he saw her paintings. Deep down in his heart, he may have been drawing a future like this. ¡°Of course, I didn¡¯t expect you to work so hard for me.¡± His gaze turned to the food on the table spread out. ¡°Thank you so much for the food. I will never forget your heart for me for the rest of my life.¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m sorry that I can¡¯t help you with anything but this.¡± ¡°The fact that you came all the way here for me in this situation is already a gift to me.¡± Irwin had a truly-moved expression on his face. He looked at her, and he pulled up a chair at the table and sat down. He pulled up a chair in the corner with his hand, and he said to her as well. ¡°Come here and sit down.¡± ¡°¡­¡± He seemed to have a lot to say. Cassia looked at him and sat down on the chair in front of him. Irwin, no, Adolf thought for a moment and then smiled bitterly. ¡°Actually, I am a coward. A very ugly coward who ran away to face reality.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t have to tell me everything, Adolf.¡± She shook her head, wondering if he was trying to tell his story under the pressure of continuing to be friends with her. ¡°I¡¯m not saying it¡¯s mandatory. It¡¯s just¡­ I¡¯ve been thinking about it lately.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°You are wise, so I want to ask you a question. What choice would you have made in a situation like this?¡± He looked at her as if he could ask. Cassia nodded her head. He continued to talk. ¡°There are A and B. The two are brothers. A loves B very much and wants to get along well as a family. But B hates A. Because my father only likes A. And the father wants to pass on everything he owns to A.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Then what is the best thing A can do to keep all relationships going?¡± Cassia looked at Irwin. She realized that the father in the story he told was the Emperor, and intuitively, A was Adolf and B was his brother. It is also said that Adolf made himself missing and disappeared from the Imperial Palace for 7 years because of family relations. However, if you think about it, Adolf¡¯s example did not apply only to brotherhood. As she listened to that story, she kept thinking of Ken. Seeing the past ¡®her¡¯, who wanted to get along well with Ken, and his father who kept taking care of ¡®her¡¯, Ken must have hated his stepmother even more. Adolf¡¯s example seemed to be asking her. ¡®If I could go back to that moment in the past, what choice would I make?¡¯ ¡°I do not know¡­ If I were A, I think I would have run away.¡± When Cassia finally answered, his gaze turned to her and asked, ¡°The reason would be?¡± ¡°If you reject the things that your father says you will pass on to you, at least you will get along well with B.¡± ¡®If I could go back to that time, I would be a formal mother to Ken.¡¯ ¡®Although I couldn¡¯t give up doing Diana¡¯s request. I knew I would do them a favour even if I went back.¡¯ ¡®But at least I could decide what kind of mother I would be to the child.¡¯ ¡®If I go back, I won¡¯t go near that child. I won¡¯t touch the child anymore.¡¯ She would only be a formal mother who wouldn¡¯t even come close to the child¡¯s heart. ¡°¡­7 years ago, so did A. That I must disappear to keep all the peace.¡± *** Kofi shop updated till chapter 35. Chapter 31 *** Adolf nodded at her answer and continued. ¡°So he ran away. But after 7 years, A slowly realized¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Just because he gave up, his father didn¡¯t give up on him.¡± His words instantly reminded Cassia of the Duke and Nick, and she took a deep breath. Irwin continued. ¡°Everything was the same. He thought that if he went in hiding and waited for the time to pass, everything would flow and take place without him perfectly fine, but that was not the case.¡± Adolf looked a little tired. ¡°Everyone was waiting for A. And everyone was getting tired. No situation has been resolved, and no mind has been settled. A feels guilty in it, anger at the unresolved situation, and a sense of helplessness.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°And he finally faces a moment of choice. To either go back and face the situation, or he waits, withholding the situation further.¡± He grinned. ¡°And he also knows that if he puts the situation on hold again this time, then he may not be able to go back until the day he dies.¡± Cassia realized at that moment. What Adolf was really trying to ask her wasn¡¯t the answer to his question. He was seeking courage from her. His excursion was coming to an end. And now he had to go back and endure life again as the Third Prince. He was afraid of the weight of the position as the Third Prince that he would experience again in the meantime, and the conflict that he would face among his family. He wanted to gain the courage to face it. His situation, which seemed to overlap with his words, was broken. Cassia held his hand. ¡°Oh my God. Adolf, you can do well.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. You have the power to overcome all conflicts. You are the most honest and sincere person I have ever seen. How big of a weapon you have.¡± Adolf looked at her with trembling eyes. He asked her again. ¡°¡­Do I really have that kind of power?¡± ¡°Of course. Diana- No, under my name, I¡¯m sure you have that power, Adolf.¡± She was talking. ¡°My name is Cassia.¡± ¡°¡­Cassia?¡± ¡°Yes. Cassia Bennette. That¡¯s my name.¡± She nodded and said. He was looking at her with blank eyes. He also told her his identity, so it would be the proper order for her to tell him her identity, too. ¡°Seven years ago, my friend died, and I married Duke Whidrian to become the Duchess of Whidrian. Now, all the children have grown up, I left the Duke¡¯s mansion.¡± ¡°¡­I see.¡± Hearing her identity, his eyes were young with astonishment but calm at the same time. He let out a small laugh. ¡°I was expecting it someday, but it feels strange that you really were the Duchess.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a name that doesn¡¯t have much to say, but I think I have to say it, too. And this is the only thing I can bet for you.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°You can do well. Trust my intuition. Because I¡¯m sure, you have the power to do that.¡± Looking at him, she smiled. He looked at her like that with a puzzled face. ¡°Cassia.¡± ¡®Cassia, Cassia.¡¯ He repeated her name a few more times. ¡°It is an honour to be able to put your name on my existence.¡± * * * After that, Cassia spent time chatting with Adolf until dawn approached. As Adolf said, even after they revealed their identities to each other, there was no awkwardness at all. It was partly because they were already aware of each other¡¯s identities, and partly because they thought of each other as friends even before that. Their conversation was no different from before they knew each other¡¯s identities, and there was still a lot of laughter inside. Adolf enjoyed the food she had prepared. She couldn¡¯t hide the pride as she watched him eat the food ferociously, even though the taste must have gone down compared to when it had just cooled down. When she looked at him with a happy expression, he smiled, saying that even his mother didn¡¯t see him with those eyes. Of course, he didn¡¯t forget to thank her as well. After he finished eating, the energy of dawn was rushing outside. ¡°It will be dawn soon.¡± Adolf said, looking out the window. Looking at the streets of dawn that have become brighter as if the morning was about to rise. ¡°It¡¯s time to go back, Cassia.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°If they find out that you have been hiding and even helping me while everyone is looking for me, it won¡¯t be a good word among people. I don¡¯t want to embarrass you, so I think you better go home now.¡± ¡°I know what you mean.¡± Cassia agreed with him. He knew that if she was caught, he would be in trouble too. She also thought that she should get out of here soon. She grabbed the empty basket and stood up from her seat. He got up from his seat as if to see her off and led her out of the tent. ¡°It was fun today. I should get going¡­ Oh, by the way, Adolf.¡± She opened the door and breathed in the cool morning air, and looked back without going out. At the last moment, there was only one thing that stuck with her. ¡°What are you going to do now?¡± Leaving Adolf here was not comfortable. Lawrencia¡¯s borders were tight, and no one could escape from the area. So, she really wanted to hear about Adolf¡¯s plans before the final departure. ¡°Everyone has their own thoughts.¡± He answered her question with a grin. He looked at her with a relaxed expression. ¡°Thank you for today. Thanks to you, I made up my mind.¡± He beckoned her to go quickly. The tent and his image in it were gradually disappearing from her sight. She started going back the way she came, and kept looking back at him. And as he waved his hand toward her, he spat out a word to her at one point. ¡°See you later, Cassia.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± Cassia looked back, and the appearance of the tent had disappeared entirely from her sight. * * * [See you later, Cassia.] All the way back, she was thinking about the meaning of Adolf¡¯s last words. [See you later, Cassia.] ¡®What is he thinking?¡¯ The last time he smiled at her, his face was still filled with remorse. It was the kind of remorse that a person who made a decision after long deliberation could show. She was curious about what that decision would be, but it seemed that she knew it intuitively, so she felt uneasy. ¡®¡­I wonder if he really meant that he would even reveal his identity.¡¯ But as time passed, Cassia smiled. Irwin, no, if it was Adolf, he would probably make a good choice on his own. He has a playful face all the time, but she knew he was a wise and clever man. Her anxious heart slowly subsided. On the way back, her heart was pounding. She had just shared her real identity with him, and her first thrilling outing was getting an adrenaline rush. It was still dark outside. She succeeded in safely reaching her house, avoiding the eyes of the knights. She opened the window that had been slightly opened in case she came back, and she jumped into it and entered the house. It was when she was about to close the window when she got into the house safely¡­ Cassia looked back, startled by the reflection of someone in the window glass. ¡°¡­!¡± Duke Whidrian was looking at Cassia. * * * He was sitting on a chair. Cassia looked at him, feeling her chest sinking. Her mind was complicated. ¡®When did he come into my room? Since when has he been here? For what purpose did you come to me?¡¯ Her expression barely maintained a poker face, but she couldn¡¯t help but feel embarrassed. After double-checking that she was entering the house, he looked at his watch. Axion opened his mouth ¡°It seems like you¡¯ve been for a walk since dawn.¡± ¡°¡­¡± His two eyes turned towards her. There was a glimmer of doubt. Cassia was still nervous, but she didn¡¯t want to show an anxious look in front of him. He straightened her back and said. ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s frustrating having to go out with the knights all the time, and you have to keep me locked up.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the same thing that knights and maids followed you in the past.¡± ¡°That was a thing of the past. I am no longer a Duchess, right? Of course, it won¡¯t happen until Your Excellency signs the divorce papers.¡± As she put the basket down naturally in a corner, he looked at her without saying anything. Silence passed. Soon he opened his mouth. An unexpected sound came out. ¡°Are you dating Count Allison?¡± ¡°¡­¡± She thought he¡¯d ask about the places she had been to, but it was a random question compared to how nervous she was. But it was a satisfactory question. Because it meant that the knights listened to her correctly and delivered it to the Duke. Cassia smiled. ¡°I never mentioned who wanted to date first, but let¡¯s just say that we have been liking each other.¡± ¡°I even threatened to not sit still if my privacy was invaded too much.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that right? When you see me walking through the window like this from dawn, you realize how frustrated I am.¡± Do what you want. Strangely, when she stood in front of the Duke, she felt like that these days, and it was still the same today. No matter what speech she uses, what she does, whom she meets, it is her life. She couldn¡¯t stand the moment when it was controlled. She couldn¡¯t lose her life and her freedom to anyone. An uncompromising, tough attitude was the least defensive measure she had to protect her life. *** Kofi shop updated till chapter 36. Chapter 32 *** Cassia looked at him and said, and the Duke looked at her and sighed. ¡°I¡¯m here to apologize.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Suddenly, the situation of the Third Prince has changed a lot from the situation I had come here alone in the first place. I thought I didn¡¯t pay much attention to you, and I feel sorry for making you stressed out for nothing.¡± ¡°¡­ That¡¯s okay.¡± Cassia looked at him and turned her head. As he bowed, she had nothing to say. ¡°Please sign the divorce papers as soon as possible. And I hope we never see each other again after that.¡± ¡°¡­¡± The Duke stared at her as she spoke without even making eye contact. ¡°After this is done, I will go back and sign the divorce papers. Instead, there are conditions.¡± ¡°¡­What is it?¡± ¡°I will respect your decision according to the contract, and you will receive the money I give you.¡± ¡°What money¡­?¡± Cassia didn¡¯t understand what he was saying for a moment, so she stopped talking. He is referring to the money mentioned in the contract. If they divorced, the Duke would support her. ¡°I don¡¯t need money.¡± When she answered, Axion looked at her. ¡°I don¡¯t want to take any money, no matter how much you support me.¡± ¡°¡­What does that mean?¡± ¡°Because I wasn¡¯t originally going to do Diana¡¯s request for money. I feel like my sincerity is being clouded.¡± According to the contract, if she receives money from the Duke of Whidrian, she will be able to live the rest of her life comfortably. She could travel without worrying about her livelihood, and she could do whatever she wanted. But there were more meaningful values ??to her. ¡°And when I get money, I feel like I¡¯m being subordinated to the Duke, so I hate it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because I think it¡¯ll be neat to properly reward you for your hard work.¡± It was a moment of silence. There was a noise coming from outside. It was the sound of someone running in a hurry. The sound of hopping stopped in front of her house. Suddenly, the door opened, and it was none other than Nick who ran into the house. ¡°Father!¡± Nick sprinted across the room, and entered the room where the Duke and Cassia were confronted. The boy took turned looking at her and the Duke with a serious expression on his face, and with his arms wide open, he stood between Cassia and Axion. He was, to be precise, standing towards the Duke with his back to Cassia. ¡°Mother was with me!¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± The Duke and Cassia looked at Nick at the same time. Silence passed. Nick continued. ¡°I wanted to spend so much time with my mother, so I begged her to go for a walk. It¡¯s not mother¡¯s fault that she went out secretly. It¡¯s my fault. So if you want to scold me, scold me.¡± Despite the sudden situation, the Duke looked at her as if he was trying to understand the truth of Nick¡¯s words for a moment. Cassia just looked at Nick standing in front of her with a puzzled expression. ¡®Nick has never been with me all night. But why is this kid lying to the Duke?¡¯ The Duke¡¯s eyes shone faintly as he looked at Cassia and Nick. It was when he opened his mouth. The door suddenly opened. What came in was a man in a uniform that looked like he had run out of breath. Cassia recognized that he was the commander of the knights of the Imperial palace that had been dispatched. The man who commanded the troops here in Lawrence is the Duke¡¯s right arm. He swung the door open and looked at the three of them, who were facing each other. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to say this.¡± He turned his head toward the Duke. ¡°Your Excellency, this is an emergency.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°A person presumed to be the Third Prince is coming to the gallery.¡± * * * Tick, tack. The three of them left the house and quickly headed for the gallery. It didn¡¯t take long to get to the gallery near Cassia¡¯s house. When they arrived, a great scene was unfolding in front of them. The knights standing tall without a single move were looking straight ahead while holding their breath. She took a deep breath and turned her head to where their gaze was directed to. Soon it was dawning. The colossal sun was rising, driving the energy of dawn. The wind that brushed us created golden waves as it brushed the rice fields, and soon it reached a man. Stride A man walked in front of the gallery along a straight road, splitting the wind. The steps taken one step at a time with a great stride were filled with unknown dignity. In accordance with his steps, the black cloak fluttered proudly. She couldn¡¯t even hear the usual birdsong. Everyone was holding their breath and looking at him. As he walked, he took off his cloak¡¯s hat, and the rising sun shone on his silvery hair. His beautiful face was revealed under the light of his head, where warmth and cold coexisted strangely. Shiny blue eyes. The eyes contained in the portrait of the Third Prince, coincidentally, were the first ones most people saw. His face, which everyone knows, but few have seen in person, was exposed to the world this way. ¡°¡­He is His Highness the Third Prince.¡± The knight commander looked blankly at the man walking by and said as if muttering. ¡°Bring His Highness the Third Prince.¡± The knights standing in a line, at his words, ran towards Adolf one by one. The hordes of knights placed around him and covered him became as dense as a grate. In the meantime, Adolf strode closer to the Duke and stood before him, and everyone around him fell to their knees. ¡°I see you, Your Highness, the Third Prince!¡± The knights from the imperial palace shouted loudly at him with their hoarse voices. In the huge spectacle, Cassia, along with Nick, bowed towards the Third Prince. It was an incredible sight. The scene where everyone knelt down in line at once made them get goosebumps. In the meantime, the Duke made a courtesy and saluted him, and opened his mouth. ¡°Long time no see, My Lord. You have grown into a mature adult in seven years.¡± ¡°I was an adult seven years ago. I am a little older than I was then.¡± ¡°You are still the same. I wondered what it would have been like after seven years, but you still seem to be playful.¡± It was a conversation of greetings, but there was a sense of tension. Cassia sat down with Nick and listened to their conversation. The Duke then said, ¡°¡­ You have chosen well. Thanks to you revealing yourself, we were able to avoid wasting a lot of manpower.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but if you had been worried about that, I would have shown up sooner, Duke Whidrian. It wouldn¡¯t have taken seven years.¡± Adolf answered the Duke¡¯s words. His gaze suddenly turned towards Cassia. ¡°I just made up my mind again. Running away was becoming a bit of a nuisance.¡± ¡°¡­Either way, Your Highness¡¯ return will make Your Majesty very happy.¡± The Duke answered, but Adolf did not. Axion continued. ¡°Since you have been away from the Imperial Palace for a long time, the first priority will be to check your health as soon as you return to the Imperial Palace, but before that, there is the Imperial Palace physician who followed us here. Let¡¯s go into the gallery and take a quick look at the condition.¡± In preparation for finding the prince, the Imperial Palace Knights had all the supplies and manpower ready to escort him. When the Duke beckoned him to enter the gallery, Adolf quietly entered the building. The Imperial physician in the gallery greeted Adolf and briefly examined his condition. The Duke lost his mind, and he began to give orders to the Knights Commander. ¡°Send a message to His Majesty the Emperor saying that we have found the Third Prince. If Your Majesty is all right, we will depart for the capital in the morning. Let them be prepared.¡± ¡°Okay, Your Grace.¡± With Adolph¡¯s appearance, all the tensions that had been young all along were dissipating. People were breathing a sigh of relief that the Third Prince was finally back. ¡°¡­¡± In the meantime, Cassia soon realized a particular fact. The time has come to part with Adolf soon. The stranger in her gallery will no longer be able to come to this place. In fact, from the moment Adolf said they would see each other, she intuitively expected it. That he was planning to end his long journey on this occasion. Everything was Adolf¡¯s choice, and she only wanted to respect it. It was his life, and she didn¡¯t deserve to interfere. Rather, she wanted to help him make better choices. She wanted to help him build up his courage. So he did what he wanted. Most of all, he seemed to want to go back. The lion engraved on the sculpture in the corner of the tent where he was hiding, was the symbol of the Fontrich imperial family. The moment she saw it, she could feel what he thought when he bought the lion sculpture. But the moment she gave him advice like that, she didn¡¯t even think about it. It will be difficult to see him again in the future. The pleasant time spent with Irwin, a regular visitor to the small gallery in Lawrencia, will no longer exist. Respect his choice and always bless him. But she couldn¡¯t help but feel that that fact was already very empty. It was because he was the one who always visited the gallery in the morning and took a seat. Because it was them, who had a small conversation and burst into laughter. It was when she felt a sense of emptiness and was fiddling with her head with a strange expression. Adolf¡¯s eyes met through the glass door of the gallery. He was looking at Cassia. ¡°¡­?¡± She stood up and looked at him. He smiled softly and whispered something to the knight next to him. After hearing him, the knight opened the gallery door and spoke to Cassia. ¡°Madam, Your Highness wants to talk to you.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Please come in.¡± *** Kofi shop updated till chapter 37. Chapter 33 *** Adolf sent everyone standing around him out of the gallery. Seeing the men being driven away by him, the Duke approached and asked what was going on. Adolf finally asked to have a chat with Cassia over a cup of coffee in this gallery. He said he would regret the decision he made if he didn¡¯t comply with this kind of request even though he showed up at best. The Duke allowed them only a certain amount of time, saying that they could not delay for a long time. Finally, Adolf wanted to feel the perfect traveller¡¯s life as before. He wanted all the knights to be sent out of the gallery, and the Duke finally accepted it. Cassia¡¯s gallery quickly transformed into the same shape as before. Cassia scooped out two cups of coffee that smelled fragrant and handed one to him. ¡°It¡¯s good to see your gallery is back to its original shape, Cassia.¡± ¡°I know, right? It¡¯s all thanks to your order, Adolf.¡± ¡°I kept thinking about it. This is your place, but it was occupied by knights. It was because of me, so I was concerned. I wanted to leave after seeing the gallery return to its original state with my own two eyes.¡± ¡°No. If there is anyone who has done anything wrong, it is the person who occupied this place. Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s not your fault.¡± ¡°Thank you for thinking that way. It feels like the burden on my heart has been lifted a little.¡± After taking a sip of the fragrant coffee, he muttered, ¡°As expected, the taste of coffee is always good.¡± Cassia thought the situation was ironic. Outside, the knights were standing in line and waiting. It was unfamiliar to them to have a relaxed conversation going back and forth in such a situation. Cassia, too, was once a duchess, so she was used to this kind of situation, but the level of the escort was much stronger than usual, and it was frustrating. But for Adolf, these must have been the things he had been feeling in his life. The countless knights surrounding him like a lattice, a world where the leisure he felt was all he had. To such an Imperial palace, he will now return. ¡°¡­I think you¡¯ll be leaving Lawrencia in a few hours. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard it.¡± ¡®Did she read my mind?¡¯ Adolf put down his glass and slowly opened his mouth. ¡°Do you, by any chance, regret having encouraged me?¡± ¡°No.¡± Cassia replied with a smile. ¡°No matter what choice you make, I want you to make a choice for yourself. I will bless you no matter what the road is. It¡¯s a pity that the moment we have to part is approaching.¡± He looked at her without a word. The next moment he opened his mouth. ¡°Would you like to come with me?¡± ¡°¡­What did you just say?¡± Cassia put down her coffee cup and looked at him at the words he asked carefully. Because it was something she hadn¡¯t expected at all. ¡°So, I want to go to the capital with you. Cassia.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to part ways with you. So, aren¡¯t we friends.¡± Embarrassment came first at his suggestion, and she looked at him, unable to speak properly. It was a kind of speech she hadn¡¯t expected at all. She thought he would just say goodbye to her and leave. They decided to be friends in the future, but looking at today¡¯s situation, she realized that it would not be easy realistically. So when he said he was leaving, she tried not to raise expectations of seeing him again in the future. Besides, she was about to divorce the Duke. After the divorce, she will become almost nothing like a commoner. Now that he is returning to the status of the Third Prince, there will be a limit to how close she can be to him, who is nothing more than a commoner. But go to the capital together¡­ Her first thought was, ¡®Can I continue to be close to him?¡¯ Her heart was pounding. ¡°And if you go to the capital with me, I will support you in all circumstances so that you can paint to your heart¡¯s content.¡± He turned and looked at her paintings on the wall. ¡°Anyway, I thought it would be the best gift I could make for you.¡± Even if she returned to the Imperial Palace, she had an expression that he would never give up on his relationship with her, including painting. ¡°Oh, of course, I have no intention of burdening you, so you can say no.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°But I have the power to create the best environment for you. I want to give you a lot of support so that you can use your talents with your abilities. In the name of the Third Prince, in the name of the Imperial family.¡± His cautious voice continued. Cassia looked at him and smiled slightly. True, his proposal was tempting, but returning to the capital was not an easy decision. Returning there meant that she could often run into the Duke of Whidrian. They have been associated with the Imperial family for a long time, and that is why they often appeared in the capital or at Imperial events. In addition, the capital was crowded with various dignitaries and nobles from all walks of life. She didn¡¯t think her position in the social world would be that great, but she was concerned about the gazes and words that would pour on her when she would go there. From the moment she made the decision to protect Diana¡¯s precious things, she had been swept up in countless rumours. It was thanks to thinking only of her dead friend that she could ignore them. But now it wasn¡¯t. She was freed from the shackles she put on herself, and started to stand on her own, so she also had the right not to be hurt by people¡¯s opinions. ¡°I do not know. I think I need some time to think about the offer.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to make a decision right now. It¡¯s just a very small, personal suggestion.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Was the offer a bit too burdensome? If so, I apologize. What I hadn¡¯t-¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s not like that at all.¡± Looking at her in thought, he spoke carefully. Cassia replied, waving her hand. ¡°It¡¯s just, it¡¯s a grateful offer for me. That you care about me this much.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°But I think it is an issue that requires a little thought. It¡¯s something I¡¯d never even thought of.¡± Going to the capital¡­ Returning to the place related to the Duke. She never thought that something like that would happen to her again. For Cassia, as if she had disappeared entirely, she wanted to hide all her existence and live only here thoroughly. Adolf warmly looked at her seriously concerned expression, and opened his mouth to speak. ¡°When you have a hard time choosing, it¡¯s good to think about what you really want.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Think about what you really want. Is it a painting or a break? Things like that.¡± Cassia looked at him. His suggestion was something she needed to think about a little more, but at least it felt like a warm heart that thought of her, and it made her feel better. She smiled. ¡°I know what you mean. Thanks for taking care of me, Adolf.¡± ¡°Of course. Aren¡¯t we friends?¡± He answered with a happy-young smile on his lips. There was a firm belief in that smile. Yes, it was a smile of friendship. Cassia smiled as if responding to that thought. ¡°That¡¯s right, friend.¡± ¡®We are friends.¡¯ ¡®No matter who I am, what you are, wherever we are.¡¯ It was the only story that would never change. * * * Not long after, a knight opened the gallery door and came in, announcing that the allotted time had come to an end. ¡°Wemust leave now, My Lord.¡± An hour passed quickly. Now the time had come to really set off for the Imperial Palace. Disappointment flashed on Adolf¡¯s face, but he got up from his seat. He quietly left the gallery, escorted by a knight, and Cassia followed him out of the gallery. While they were talking, the knights stood in a line in formation as if they were all ready to leave. A dignified horse was prepared for Adolf to ride in front of him. It was a pure white horse that resembled him. Adolf rode on his horse in a graceful position, then turned to Cassia and said, ¡°Think about it. And if you want to accept my offer, feel free to come to me, Cassia.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I will always be waiting for you.¡± Cassia looked at him, who gave her a warm smile, and nodded. The Duke on the horse standing next to him also looked at her and said, ¡°Now we have to leave. After escorting His Highness to the imperial family safely, I will send a message as soon as we arrive at the mansion.¡± ¡°¡­Okay.¡± Soon a loud beating sound rang out. The captain of the knights on horseback announced the start of the long procession. Upon hearing the news of the return of the Third Prince, the residents of Lawrencia lined up here and there. They knelt reverently towards Adolf and shouted his name, rejoicing over the return of the Third Prince. In the meantime, Adolf looked back at Cassia one last time, and soon began to speed up his horse towards the front. She stared at him for a long time, until his back grew distant and farther away, becoming a dot and disappearing. And¡­ Adolf left Lawrencia. *** Kofi shop updated till chapter 38. Chapter 34 *** *** Her gallery had quickly returned to its original peace. As a result of the search for the Third Prince, the knights and strict guards who had been visiting this place suddenly disappeared. People chattered for days, talking about the Third Prince and returning to normal life. This place unintentionally became famous as the place where the Third Prince visited. People began to come to sit in the seat where the Third Prince sat or taste the coffee he enjoyed drinking here. Thanks to this, the gallery had achieved an unusually successful presence. Desserts and coffee made on a day-to-day basis were quickly sold to the public soon after they were placed for purchase. It was peaceful, but busy days. It was challenging to operate by herself, but ironically, she felt fortunate to have Nick. The child, who did not follow the Duke, worked hard by her side, helping her with busy work. Thanks to this, coffee making could run smoothly without additional manpower, even if there were more people. For a while, after the day¡¯s work, they both fell asleep like they were dead. Then one day. Late at night, with a ticking sound, a man arrived from the Duke¡¯s mansion into the gallery. Among the documents he brought were the divorce papers signed by Duke Whidrian. At the same time, a fairly large sum of money. It was compensation for not being able to work at the gallery while the Knights were stationed, and the money agreed to apply after going through divorce proceedings. Cassia thought about it for a while, but finally decided to take it. It was because she didn¡¯t want to waste her time scuffling about whether she wanted to get paid or not. ¡­Instead, she might think about where she would spend the money she had received. With that in mind, it was time to put the money back into her pocket. Nick came out of the counter, took off his apron, and walked over to her. ¡°Mother, I¡¯m done paying the bills.¡± ¡°Already?¡± ¡°Yes. Today seems to be the highest amount of sales so far.¡± When she heard the total sales, she was surprised again. As Nick said, it was the highest amount of sales so far. Somehow, it was crazy busy. It was a pleasure to earn a lot of money, but a sigh came out for some reason. This wasn¡¯t what she wanted. What she wanted to run was a gallery, and this was just like a busy cafe with paintings. Although the work of finding the Third Prince came to an end, the perfect country life Cassia had dreamed of did not come back. She was suffering from the aftermath. ¡°Soon, the news that the Third Prince has returned to the Imperial Palace will be published in an article, and then there may be more guests here.¡± As the aftermath gets stronger in the future, she had a feeling that it has gotten stronger and that it will not get better easily. It was a time when she was swallowing a sigh that somehow flowed out again. ¡°M- mother.¡± Nick, with his apron in one hand, cautiously spoke to Cassia. He seemed to have something to say. As she tilted his head towards the child, Nick said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to tell you at such a time, but¡­ I¡¯m going back home.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve had a hard time, haven¡¯t you?¡± Cassia looked at the boy and asked. For a nobleman like Nick, this kind of work would have been too difficult. Then Nick opened his eyes and answered. ¡°What? ¡­Oh no! Absolutely not!¡± Nick sighed, shaking his hand with a red face. Cassia looked at Nick and tapped the empty chair next to her. ¡°Sit down, Nick. I was still thinking that I should talk to you.¡± ¡°¡­Sigh.¡± Nick took a deep breath as he looked at her and sat down next to her. Sitting with his knees bent and his head buried. Cassia asked, looking at Nick with warm eyes. ¡°Before, you were blocking my way. In front of Your Excellency the Duke. Did you know where I was that day, Nick?¡± She wanted to keep asking, but she didn¡¯t get a chance, so she brought up the question she had been holding in her mind. The day she secretly met Adolf late at night, Nick blocked her way and defended the Duke was still in her mind. Nick answered. ¡°Yes. I stopped by my mother¡¯s house for a while that night and first found out that mother was gone.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I wanted to protect my mother. I instinctively thought that mother had gone to see His Highness the Third Prince.¡± Cassia thought for a moment that Nick, who was subtle and quick-witted, resembled the Duke a lot. His soft brown hair resembled Diana, but Nick¡¯s features and personality were in many ways that of the Duke. Perhaps the Duke knew where she had gone that day. But she guessed he just pretended he didn¡¯t know and said what he was initially trying to say. ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve been thinking about it a lot. As for how to treat mother now.¡± ¡°¡­So, have you come to a conclusion?¡± Handling the Duke and knights was relatively simple, but handling Nick wasn¡¯t as easy as she thought. It was a point she did not expect, but during the past 7 years, Nick seems to have formed a lot of attachment to her alone. When the child first came to her and clung to her, she was embarrassed, but now she can understand his feelings. The reason she didn¡¯t kick Nick out as she did the Duke was because she still felt sorry for the kid. It was because she couldn¡¯t ignore him. Still, she has no intention of going back to the Duke¡¯s house. But she could give a side to the child who came all the way here. Even if that child¡¯s heart can be filled even a little. It wasn¡¯t that difficult. ¡°It¡¯s not fully organized yet, but I realized one thing. I need to think about my mother¡¯s position a little more.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I heard mother drew that picture¡±. When she looked at Nick at the returned question, the child¡¯s gaze turned to the front. To be precise, to the pictures she drew on the wall. ¡°How did you know that?¡± ¡°The Third Prince, His Highness, told me. And he scolded me hard.¡± Nick¡¯s words continued. ¡°Now that I have come of age, I thought I was an adult. So I made up my mind and came to find my mother. But as I listened to what he said, I realized. I am not an adult yet.¡± Nick smiled bitterly. ¡°I didn¡¯t even think about my mother¡¯s position, and I just came here and was just messing around. My mother has great talent, and I didn¡¯t even know I was blocking her path.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°So now I will try to keep my distance from my mother. Because I don¡¯t want to be a hindrance to mother.¡± It¡¯s weird. She felt happy to see the child recounting what he felt. Unknowingly, she stroked the boy¡¯s head, and Nick looked back at her with round eyes. She smiled. ¡°It¡¯s just that I¡¯m happy. I think you grew up safely.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you grew up so well.¡± ¡°¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I haven¡¯t been able to understand mother¡¯s point of view.¡± Nick said to Cassia with his eyes wide open. Cassia shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m okay. That¡¯s not what it means. That¡¯s because it¡¯s amazing how hard you thought about it. It was just quite mature.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I want you to act the way you think and decide, Nick. It¡¯s good to get advice from others, but you don¡¯t have to follow them either. You can stay here if you want to stay longer. I understand your heart. I don¡¯t mind because I¡¯m fine.¡± Of course, Nick¡¯s presence here did not serve her original purpose of severing ties with the Duke. But oddly enough, Nick was fine. At this level, she thought it would be okay for him to stay with her. As she was thinking about it, at some point, she realized. That this kind of relationship was what she originally wanted. That this was the relationship, she expected from them as she entered Diana¡¯s family. Yes, that¡¯s precisely the relationship she was looking for. No more, no less, just this kind of relationship. In place of Diana, she takes care of the children she left behind, and the children receive emotional support from her as they grow into adults. They were too clumsy to have this kind of relationship. And they were so close. ¡°I¡­ Now I think I know something. How should I deal with my mother?¡± Nick seemed to be thinking the same thing as Cassia. The boy looked at her. ¡°Right now, it¡¯s really nice. I should¡¯ve stayed like this with my mom earlier.¡± It was a matter of understanding each other a little bit. Nick¡¯s words scattered bitterly in the air. * * * Nick eventually chose to leave. On the evening of their conversation, Nick seemed to have been thinking all night seriously. About which of the two options Cassia gave Nick to choose. The child watched the dawn rise and started packing. Early in the morning, the boy was standing in front of her, dressed to leave. ¡°I will go now. I¡¯m sorry that I had to leave at a time when you are very busy.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. If I am swamped, I can find a new person to work here. Rather, is this really your decision?¡± Worried that he might regret it, Cassia asked one last time. But Nick nodded his head with a somewhat relieved expression. ¡°Yes, this is my decision.¡± *** Kofi shop updated till chapter 39. Chapter 35 *** *** ¡°¡­¡± ¡°My mother and I each have their own way. My mother has the talent, and now I have to go back and prepare to become the head of the household. There is a lot of education that I need to get to inherit the Duke¡¯s title.¡± Nick scratched his head and let out a small laugh. ¡°¡­The pictures my mother drew, I can only say now, but they are so beautiful. I hope you don¡¯t waste that talent.¡± ¡°I¡¯m flattered. Thank you, Nick.¡± Cassia remembered Adolf¡¯s last suggestion to her. He asked why doesn¡¯t she come to the capital and learn how to paint? ¡°Oh, right. Nick, I have something to give you.¡± As she smiled, something came to mind, and she said to Nick. He tilted his head as if asking what it was. Cassia took out a small pouch she had prepared in advance and handed it to the boy. ¡°It¡¯s for the lot of hard work for what you¡¯ve been working on. You¡¯ve worked hard all this time trying to help me.¡± ¡°Eh, ah, no, no¡­! I forced to stay at my mother¡¯s house.¡± ¡°Still, I feel uncomfortable just sending you away like this. It¡¯s not a lot of money, but I hope it helps on the way back. And you, too, should be rewarded for your work.¡± Nick looked at his pocket for a moment as she held it out to him, who was waving his hands in embarrassment. Soon Nick said ¡°Thank you¡± softly and accepted it. Cassia looked at the child with a happy expression. ¡°Then I should go now¡­ Ah, though.¡± Nick, trying to turn around, stopped walking a few steps and looked back at her. ¡°If you¡¯re going to stay here, can I come over here to play sometimes?¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°I know, it¡¯s really nice here. It was so comfortable that I could see why people sometimes come to Lawrencia to relax.¡± ¡°Sometimes I want to eat the dessert my mother makes.¡± Nick blinked his eyes and asked me timidly. Cassia gave a bright smile. ¡°Of course, Nick.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Come to play anytime. I am always ready to welcome you.¡± Now it really seemed like she could do that. Only now, 7 years later. Cassia looked at Nick¡¯s back for a while as he left with delight. * * * After seeing off Nick, Cassia went to the gallery alone after a long time. She was a leisurely walk while looking at the countryside. She was in a strange mood, so she smiled the whole time she went to work. After Nick left, she felt empty, but that didn¡¯t disappoint. In the last conversation she had with the child, she could tell. That the child and the old feelings for each other in her heart began to melt. The time Nick was at the gallery. In the meantime, she was filled with the regrets that she had not been able to take care of Nick and Nick¡¯s regrets that he did not treat her as a mother. They have been filling in the sense of loss they had for each other over the past time together here. Now that Nick had left, she felt even more regretful. It was easy to see the boy¡¯s face now. The next time she sees that child, she will feel lighter because she thought that they will be able to smile brightly at each other. ¡°¡­I hope Ken is doing well.¡± Suddenly, Ken came to mind. After reconciling with Nick, Ken came to mind. ¡®Is Ken doing well? Would the child be in the Imperial Palace?¡¯ ¡®¡­It would be nice if I could reconcile with that child, too.¡¯ If she could afford it, there was a desire deep down in her heart to have a conversation with Ken. But that won¡¯t be the case with Ken. Ken must have already closed the door to his heart. Still, if she ever gets to meet him again, she wants to talk about the past. And she wants to say goodbye, and tell him that he was a sweet child. Cassia just thought of that. However, she was cautious about thinking like this was too late, so she stopped thinking about it. Anyway, it was a really nice day. The divorce papers had been sorted out, and her relationship with Nick seems to have been sorted out. Arriving at the gallery feeling refreshed, she saw another good news and smiled. This was because the news of Adolf was on the front page of the morning newspaper placed in front of the gallery. [The Return of the Third Prince] Cassia picked up the newspaper and quickly read the contents. That is, Adolf had arrived at the Imperial Palace, and the Emperor was delighted with his return. ¡®You arrived safely.¡¯ The last time he looked at her and moved away, his back was still vividly in her mind. She imagined him arriving at the Imperial palace and smiling happily. ¡°Is this the sacred place where His Highness the Third Prince visited?¡± ¡°¡­!¡± Cassia turned around, startled by the voice she heard. A person was standing. Looking around with curious eyes, a woman standing smiled at Cassia. ¡°Nice to see you. I am called Hannah Cooper, and I am a journalist working in the capital.¡± * * * Cassia didn¡¯t know what was going on, but the stranger was her customer, so she took her into the gallery. It was before the morning opening preparations, so she quickly prepared a table and served her a cup of coffee in the cluttered shop. Hannah looked around the store with curious eyes the whole time, and widened her eyes when she saw the coffee Cassia had given her. ¡°Oh, is this the coffee that His Highness the Third Prince visited and drank every day?¡± ¡°¡­It is.¡± ¡°I was tired after coming down here for a few nights, thank you.¡± After she smiled and greeted Cassia, she drank coffee. Looking at her, Cassia said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t have much time because I have to prepare for the opening quickly. I just want you to keep things simple.¡± ¡°Oh, of course.¡± A woman named Hannah was an impressive person with a single smile. As she put down her coffee, she said. ¡°I heard that you hid the Third Prince here for quite some time.¡± ¡°Rather than hiding him, he was just a visitor to the gallery.¡± ¡°Then you will know more about the Third Prince¡¯s every move than anyone else.¡± ¡°¡­What do you want?¡± Cassia looked at Hannah and tilted her head. Hannah still had a bright smile as she spoke to her. ¡°I want you to do a little interview with me. This is an interview about His Highness Third Prince, that you saw. We are preparing a special article about this place and the story of His Highness the Third Prince.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Of course, I will give you a kickback, and there will definitely be a publicity effect. His Highness Third prince spent time visiting a gallery in the quiet countryside. Isn¡¯t it romantic? It wouldn¡¯t be a bad choice.¡± Talking to Cassia with a smile on her face, Hannah felt confident that this interview would happen. Cassia looked at her like that, then let out her small sigh and gave her a slight smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but that seems difficult.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± She tilted her head as if she had heard it wrong. Cassia continued. ¡°I don¡¯t really need a kickback. The same goes for publicity. There are already so many visitors that this place overflows within minutes. There were a lot of rumours saying that it was the place the Third Prince visited.¡± ¡°¡­Ah.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to bother you anymore. I¡¯m sorry, but I will decline the interview. I have to start preparing for the opening, so I want you to leave.¡± At Cassia¡¯s words, Hannah¡¯s eyes lit up with embarrassment. Cassia stood up and bowed her head slightly to greet her. As she turned around and tried to enter the store, Hannah caught Cassia. ¡°Come on, wait!¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Tell me whatever you want! Whatever it is, I will do my best to accommodate it.¡± When Cassia looked back at Hannah¡¯s hand grabbing her wrist, she spoke as if shouting. ¡°All the people of the Empire are curious about the past history of His Highness the Third Prince. But even after the Prince returns, he doesn¡¯t say anything. Your interview will be of great help in answering everyone¡¯s questions.¡± It seemed like Hannah was bright and cheerful all the time, but she had a charm that didn¡¯t feel so hateful. Perhaps that¡¯s why Cassia somehow came to look at her with warm eyes. ¡°You can say as much as you want. I won¡¯t force you, so can you help me just once?¡± ¡®But I can¡¯t do an interview. Although the conditions that she suggested are not very pleasing to me.¡¯ ¡­Most of all, she was Adolf¡¯s friend. Cassia knew he wouldn¡¯t want articles like this, above all else. Cassia looked at Hannah and slowly put down her hand holding my wrist. ¡°¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Miss Hannah.¡± She smiled and said, then she turned around. Hannah¡¯s empty gaze reached her back. * * * Hannah handed Cassia a note with the address of her dorm in the end. [I¡¯m going to stay here for a few days to track the past of His Highness The Third Prince. If you ever change your mind, it¡¯s okay at any time, so please contact me here.] After Hannah left the gallery, Cassia glanced at the paper with the address written on it for a moment before putting it in the corner of the counter. She will never contact her. Because she had no intention of betraying her friendship with Adolf. Of course, it may be too grandiose to attach the word ¡®treachery¡¯ to the extent of giving an interview about him. But she couldn¡¯t judge and talk about him based on the few aspects she had seen. Besides, Adolf was a person who did not reveal his private life while hiding his identity. As she prepared to open and start business, people began to flock one by one. Some people who read the newspaper even brought up stories about the Third Prince in front of Cassia. ¡°Did you see that he arrived safely at the Imperial Palace?¡± Cassia responded in moderation and moved around busily. While welcoming the customers, the meeting with Hannah completely disappeared from her memory. When she came to her senses, it was almost time to end the day. *** Kofi shop updated till chapter 40. Chapter 36 *** *** ¡°Hah.¡± With a deep sigh, she picked up a mop and looked around the store. ¡®Why is there no end to cleaning?¡¯ It was the first time she felt it in Lawrencia, a hell of a deadline. Since Nick was not there, she had to do what they were doing together, but the number of customers had more than doubled compared to when she was running the store alone. It meant that the amount of dust blown into the store all day and the amount of garbage thrown away had more than doubled. By the time Nick left, she had thought she would be able to do the job on her own, but she must have been wrong. She left the mop on the table and sat down on a chair to wipe the sweat. ¡°Should I find someone new?¡± She had serious concerns. She, too, was once a Duchess and wasn¡¯t very strong. It was a gallery she chose to run small, but now the work has grown too large for her to handle this place alone. As she sat down with a sigh, a picture on the wall caught her eye. She looked at it. ¡®¡­Come to think of it, when was the last time I drew a picture?¡¯ For a while, she was so busy with her work that she never thought about painting. [So, I want to go to the capital with you. Cassia. And if you go to the capital with me, I will support you in all circumstances so that you can paint to your heart¡¯s content.] [¡­The pictures my mother drew, I can only say now, but they are so beautiful. I hope you don¡¯t waste that talent.] ¡°¡­¡± Cassia got up from her seat, walked towards the painting, and stopped in front of it. A few pictures she had just drawn to calm her mind were looking at her. Those paintings were nothing at all in her view, and it was honestly hard for her to know what was beautiful. [I want to go to the capital with you, Cassia] However, Adolf¡¯s last suggestion was passing by over and over again. ¡®When I go to the capital, I can learn painting well formally. Can I really be a painter?¡¯ ¡®As Adolf and Nick said, was it true that I had a talent for painting?¡¯ She kept seeing her imagination unfold. After looking at the picture for a while, Cassia turned around. She wasn¡¯t quite sure yet. She was convinced that she could save her paintings while taking the risk of going to the capital and meeting up. She was sure that she would not regret leaving Lawrencia, where she came to rest at the most and going to the capital. She left the Duke¡¯s mansion with a strong heart, but she wasn¡¯t sure that she would be able to go back and have a good time there again. Cassia picked up the mop again. ¡®Let¡¯s finish it once. I¡¯m going to start with that and think carefully about it.¡¯ Because she still has a lot of time to think. About hiring new people, and about Adolf¡¯s proposal. That was when she was about to start working again. The door opened with a small sound. ¡°Customer, I¡¯m sorry, but the shop is closed today¡­¡± Occasionally, there were customers who came at the closing time, so she was trying to talk to them without much thought. Her eyes widened as she turned her head to see the customer. The person standing at the entrance was not a guest. ¡°¡­Michael?¡± ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Cassia.¡± It was Michael with a warm smile as usual. The mop she was holding fell from her hand. ¡°Michael!¡± His visit this evening was sudden. Without realizing it, Cassia ran to him and hugged him tightly. Michael seemed startled by her reaction, but he soon hugged her back face to face, holding her tight. A small laugh escaped his mouth. Their laughter echoed through the store. ¡°How did you get here tonight? I haven¡¯t even been able to tell you yet.¡± ¡°I missed you so much.¡± He lowered her safely to the ground and stroked her hair. ¡°I heard that the Third Prince had returned to the Imperial Palace. The Empire is in turmoil. So I thought this place might have been a little organized, so I sneaked in at the end of the day.¡± ¡°I see.¡± ¡°Did you mean to wait patiently for your letter? I thought it came at good timing.¡± ¡°No.¡± Cassia waved her hand. ¡°I was just about to write a letter to you saying you can come now. I haven¡¯t been able to do it yet because I¡¯ve been busy.¡± ¡°Right. After all, you look tired. Did something happen?¡± ¡°It has unintentionally become a sacred place since the Third Prince visited.¡± Cassia smiled bitterly. ¡°So the number of people visiting has increased tremendously. Thanks to him, I¡¯m spending my days busily.¡± Michael¡¯s visit was sudden, but she was more than happy. It feels like a late-night gift. ¡°Looks like a lot has happened. I can¡¯t wait to hear your story.¡± Seeing her expression, Michael said with a smile as if he was happy. Cassia answered. ¡°I also want to talk about this and that right away. Can you wait a second? It¡¯s not over yet.¡± ¡°Oh, it was closing¡­¡± ¡°Yeah. Because there are more people, the number of things to do at the end of the day is doubled. But I¡¯m almost done, so I can finish it right away.¡± ¡°What¡¯s left?¡± ¡°What?¡± Cassia asked back at his question. He answered. ¡°It has to be finished. What do you have left to do?¡± ¡°¡­I have to throw out the trash outside, and I still have to wash the dishes.¡± Michael looked at Cassia with a warm smile at her words and looked away. As she turned her gaze to where he looked, her eyes grew bigger and rounder. The dishes piled up in the kitchen were disappearing one by one. Many mugs were peeling off dirt and falling back into place without anyone touching them. Garbage also tied himself tightly and moved outside, following Michael¡¯s gaze. Cassia opened her mouth blankly when she saw that the garbage bags were safely disposed of outside. ¡°I am a wizard. I specialize in memory-related magic, but I can freely use the magic I need in life like this.¡± ¡°¡­Is this really magic?¡± Wizards were very rare in the Empire. The same was true at the continental level. Cassia had seen Adolf use magic items, but it was the first time she saw Michael use magic in this way. Yes, Michael was a wizard. Although he didn¡¯t reveal it to the public. It was kind of a strange feeling. It was when she was staring at the tidy kitchen and smiling blankly¡­ Michael came to hold her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go home now. Let¡¯s go on a date that we couldn¡¯t do last time.¡± [T/N: ALL HAIL MICHAEL!!] * * * Michael had been looking for two horses from somewhere. Cassia stood on the sidewalk in front of the gallery and looked at him. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°A black horse from the Count.¡± Michael said while holding the reins of the two horses. ¡°Do you remember when you were young? Diana, me, and you, the three of us went horse riding.¡± ¡°Oh, right.¡± Cassia answered. His words reminded her of something she had in her childhood memories. ¡°I remember. Diana begged Count for a long time, saying she wanted to ride a horse, too.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, so my father eventually rescued this horse, but she fell off the horse a day after she got on.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. I remember. Diana almost died then. She broke her arm and got treatment for a while.¡± But Diana did not give up, and she continued to ride the horse¡­ She became terrified, and she kept holding on to the horse and kept riding, even though she kept making a terrifying ¡®WHOAAA, AAAAHHHH¡¯. Thanks to Michael, a memory hidden in her unconscious came to mind, and Cassia smiled softly. ¡°Suddenly, I remembered you back then. I remember you riding a horse very well even the first time you rode it.¡± ¡°¡­Ah.¡± ¡°I remembered that time and brought this horse with me. I think that if we run together on a horse, the stress that has accumulated over the years will be relieved.¡± At that time, Count Allison lent a horse to enjoy horseback riding together for Cassia, who was always next to Diana. Now that she thought about it, that was a pretty big favour. At the level of her family at the time, riding such a high-quality black horse was something she could never have dreamed of. Anyway, she enjoyed horseback riding with Diana and sometimes with Michael. ¡®But did I ride well?¡¯ It seemed like she wasn¡¯t particularly scared like Diana. ¡°Okay. It¡¯s been a while since I rode a horse, so I want to try it.¡± Anyway, that was a good idea. As Michael said, if she rides a horse to the fullest, the stress accumulated over the years would seem to be relieved. When Cassia gladly answered, Michael handed her the reins of the horse. Cassia grabbed it and climbed on the saddle as she stepped on it, remembering her childhood memories. Watching herself get on the saddle with ease, she said with a smile, ¡°Hey, I was good at riding a horse.¡± As she also climbed up the horse familiarly, the two of them met at a high place. ¡°Let¡¯s make our destination the villa. What do you think?¡± said Michael. ¡°I like it.¡± The cries of the two horses rang out loudly. Soon they started running. * * * The horses ran without hesitation. Two horses were heading to the villa, parting the wind. Late at night, the road to the villa had a different charm than when she had come sometime during the day. The rustling trees and flowers greeted them with a mysterious aura, as if something was not so gloomy. The large moon was floating in the sky, and the light illuminated them vividly and presented an open landscape. In a beautiful and calming landscape, they ran calmly but quickly. After riding a horse for a long time, a sense of fun arose in her heart. She grabbed the reins tightly and spurred the pace once more. Michael caught up to her as if trying to overtake her, but he couldn¡¯t keep up with her. It looked like a race. Even though it was full of laughter that it was fun. When she came to her senses, she arrived at the villa faster than ever. *** Kofi shop updated till chapter 41. Chapter 37 *** ¡°Wow, that¡¯s really fast.¡± Michael, who arrived at the villa one beat later than Cassia, uttered words of genuine admiration. ¡°Look, my memory was correct. I told you you¡¯re good at riding horses.¡± Cassia got off her horse, arranging her hair and clothes that were blown in the wind. Without hiding the burst of laughter. ¡°Is it cold?¡± ¡°A little bit. But it was a fun ride. It is a pity that I arrived early.¡± The feeling of riding a horse through the night air was so thrilling. It felt like all her stress was gone. After entering the villa, Michael led her to a corner of the yard. He made a fire by stacking some wood firewood in a space made for a campfire in one corner. As they sat side by side in front of it and basked in the fire, their bodies, which had become cold from running to the brim, melted and began to regain stability. Soon, various sounds came to her ears. The sound of the waves of the night sea crashing, the sound of grass bugs crying, and the sound of firewood burning¡­ ¡°I¡¯m good, Michael.¡± ¡°Thank God.¡± It was a perfect situation. When she looked at him and said, Michael smiled. ¡°Actually, I was nervous preparing for this date. I was curious to know if you still enjoyed horse riding like when we were young, but now we are older. I was worried because I didn¡¯t know if you would be able to ride as well as before. But I¡¯m glad you liked it.¡± ¡°No. It was terrific. It¡¯s such a perfect situation right now. Really.¡± It was so different from before when she was busy with the gallery that she felt like she was dreaming. It felt like everything she had been through had calmly subsided and was emptied cleanly. ¡°It was a lot of work. Nick came, and Duke Whidrian came to see me. The Third Prince and I got to know each other¡¯s real identities. And when it was time to let him go, I said goodbye.¡± ¡°Yeah, I thought so. Just looking at the letter, I felt it was chaotic.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Yes, those were really crazy times. In particular, the moment she went to meet Adolf secretly was a thrilling experience that she will remember for the rest of her life. It was also an experience that gave her a strange sense of liberation, as she had been living a daily routine. It was when she was smiling at her thoughts, Michael looked at her and said. ¡°So, did you succeed in what you were determined to do back then? What you said you were going to protect your own life.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Cassia remembered conversations she had exchanged in the letter while she was away from Michael. That¡¯s right, she promised herself that she would protect her own life. ¡°Hmm¡­ How much?¡± It wasn¡¯t to the extent that she kept it perfectly, but this was still satisfactory. ¡°Although, contrary to what was initially expected, I agreed to take money from the Duke, and I was unable to refuse Nick to approach me.¡± However, she had no regrets. She received the money from the Duke because she thought it was time to take a step back. In the case of Nick, looking back now, she even thought it was a very good thing that she didn¡¯t push him out, so it wasn¡¯t a problem at all. She didn¡¯t keep her life to the level she had initially decided, but it was satisfactory in many ways. But the troubles continued to arise. ¡°Above all, I¡¯ve signed the divorce document, so things with the Duke are getting sorted out to some extent. But I have another concern.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°First of all, I¡¯m thinking about how to use the money I received from the Duke. It¡¯s like a quite large amount of money suddenly came up. And.¡± ¡°¡­And?¡± Michael looked at Cassia as she spoke. ¡°His Highness, The Third Prince, made a proposal to me. To come to the capital and learn how to paint.¡± ¡°Painting? Ah.¡± Michael looked back at Cassia as if asking what that meant, and nodded his head as if he had recalled the paintings in the gallery that she had shown him one day. ¡°Why? Did you say you¡¯re talented in painting?¡± ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t know.¡± Cassia laughed bitterly. ¡°How do I see it? Do you think I have a talent for painting?¡± ¡°¡­They¡¯re cool paintings. The things you drew.¡± Michael answered her question. ¡°As I stayed alone, I had a hobby of visiting art galleries whenever I wanted to rest, but I felt that it was comparable to the works of art by professional artists I had seen so far.¡± ¡°¡­Is that so?¡± ¡°If you get educated, you may be able to improve your skills and become a good painter. But.¡± Michael, who answered slowly, looked back at her the next moment. I made eye contact with him, and he continued. ¡°I don¡¯t want you, Cassia, to get hurt or suffer anymore. No matter how careful you are when you go to the capital, something like that will definitely happen.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°So personally, I want you to be here.¡± The moment Cassia looked into his eyes, she realized that he really wanted to hold onto her. He wanted to hold her in his heart. ¡°More than anything else, Cassia, I have been wanting to be by your side for a long, long time.¡± ¡°¡­Just now that¡­¡± And if what she felt was not false, his words just now had a lot of meaning. Cassia asked. ¡°You just said that, what does it mean?¡± ¡°It means I want to marry you.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Cassia opened her mouth blankly at the answer she heard. Michael smiled and continued. ¡°It means that I want to spend the beginning and the end of the day with you, even if it is not necessarily marriage. It means that I want to stay by your side till the day I die. It means that I want to spend the rest of my life being called your husband. I know it sounds crazy, but seeing you makes me dream of such a future.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°This is not a proposal, so don¡¯t get me wrong. I have no intention of burdening you. I¡¯m just being honest.¡± Looking at her with her mouth open blankly, Michael added, perhaps worried that his words might be misunderstood. Cassia stared blankly at him and smiled. She let out a small laugh and ruffled his hair. It must be because of the burning bonfire that his cheeks feel hot. ¡°Why are you laughing?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just happy.¡± Even though he said that it wasn¡¯t a proposal, Michael said it to her bluntly, perhaps trembling. ¡°You didn¡¯t just practice hard for these words while you couldn¡¯t meet me, did you?¡± ¡°Of course¡­ That¡¯s right.¡± His face was red. Cassia leaned her head slowly over his lovely figure and rested her face on his shoulder. ¡°Thanks to you, the end of the day feels very happy¡­ Thank you, Michael.¡± She closed her eyes slowly and felt his warm warmth even closer. They leaned against each other like that and sat still for a while. * * * ¡°¡­Cassia?¡± Michael looked at Cassia, who had fallen asleep as if dead, with her face buried in his shoulder. Since she hadn¡¯t spoken for a while, he looked back and found her sleeping deeply. ¡°Are you asleep?¡± He turned to her, but there was no answer. She only leaned her head deeper on him. ¡®You must have been tired.¡¯ She did just that. She had been tired of tidying up from the moment he walked into her gallery. She also enjoyed horseback riding, so there is no reason not to be tired. Perhaps it would have been strange if she didn¡¯t fall asleep. Recalling Cassia, running like a child after a long time riding a horse, Michael smiled, holding back his laughter. ¡®Shall we go back slowly now?¡¯ As the night deepened, the cold began to creep in. After putting out the bonfire that was being lit, Michael held Cassia in the dark. Cassia made a tossing and turning sound. Michael said as he hugged her. ¡°Sleep well.¡± Cassia, who had been tossing and turning, became silent. Michael grabbed her and got on the horse. In the silence, Michael drove the horse carefully so as not to wake her. The destination was Cassia¡¯s house. He remembered the home address he saw as he sent and received letters. On a road where only the sound of horses walking resonated, Michael looked at the scenery along the road and thought that this moment was like a dream. Maybe it was like a dream for him to meet Cassia again. Because he didn¡¯t know that she would be standing there like a dream in the villa he visited to cool off after a long time. ¡°¡­¡± As a child, he remembered the little Cassia who caught his eye after tripping over a stone in front of the Count¡¯s mansion. Cassia¡¯s eyes were especially clear and deep as she looked up at him with her long black hair tucked behind her ears. He initially wanted to be close with his beloved sister¡¯s best friend. As he grew older, his heart spread into a strange trembling heart. He wanted to get to know her. He wanted to approach her. He wanted to talk to her. And he wanted to know the kind of person she was¡­ However, the more he tried to get close to Cassia, the more she kept moving away from his reach. Even if he ran into her in the academy hallway, she would be so startled that she would run away even before saying hello. She sometimes nodded her head when he had a chance to say hello, and all she did was walk past him. Soon he stopped his efforts to become acquainted with Cassia. It was probably because she hated him. He didn¡¯t want to burden people who didn¡¯t like him. Thus, his unrequited love ended in vain. No, he thought it was over then. ¡°¡­¡± As he was driving the horse while recalling the past, he passed the gallery building and approached Cassia¡¯s house. Michael, who succeeded in finding Cassia¡¯s house, came down from the horse holding her. Cassia still leaned against Michael as she fell into a deep sleep. ¡°You will get cold.¡± Lest she caught a cold, Michael hugged her deeply. They have to go home quickly. Michael carefully rummaged through her pockets on her skirt and found the keys to her house. He opened the house door and went inside, laying Cassia on the bed in the master bedroom. He smiled and stroked Cassia¡¯s dark hair, who had fallen asleep with a tired look. ¡°Why did I find out so late like an idiot?¡± ¡®That you used to love me.¡¯ ¡®Had we known in advance, our relationship could have been close a little earlier.¡¯ He smiled bitterly for a moment, but cleared his expression and stood up from his seat. He has no regrets. Because from now on, he can do well. It was a belated opportunity. Now, he was never going to miss Cassia. *** Kofi shop updated till chapter 42. Chapter 38 *** ¡°Hmm.¡± When she opened her eyes to the rising morning sun, she was lying on her bed in her room. Cassia woke up in surprise. What happened? She was definitely with Michael yesterday. She looked around in confusion and realized that her clothes were the same as yesterday. Perhaps she went to the villa late at night, conversed with Michael, and fell asleep. Scratching her head, she found something on the living room table. As she got up from her seat and approached there, she noticed a simple sandwich and a glass of milk on the table. There was a note next to it. It was in Michael¡¯s handwriting. [You must have been tired, so I brought you home yesterday. I have sandwiches and milk ready, so make sure to eat them for breakfast and go to work. I¡¯ll go to the gallery tomorrow morning, too. ¨C Michael] ¡°What¡¯s that¡­?¡± Looking at the note, she could feel a blushing smile on her face. Cassia sat on the sofa and picked it up, looking at the carefully laid sandwiches and milk. Her face grew hot as she took a bite. * * * After filling her stomach with sandwiches and milk, Cassia went to work at the gallery. She woke up a little later than usual, so she was a few minutes behind the original rush hour, but she felt good. In addition, maybe because she was tired from horseback riding yesterday, she slept very deeply and felt refreshed. It¡¯s been a while since she rode a horse, and her muscles were pulled here and there, but anyway. Cassia went to work and cleaned the inside with a broom, and the door opened, and Michael came in. ¡°Oh, Michael?¡± His coming to the gallery was expected because she saw it in the note. But she opened her eyes wide because she didn¡¯t know he would come this soon. ¡°You came early. I didn¡¯t think you would come until the opening time.¡± ¡°Did you sleep well last night?¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t wake up until you went home. You must have been exhausted.¡± At what he said, Cassia smiled gently and continued. ¡°I know. I was tired yesterday, but I lost my mind at the end because I rode a horse after a long time.¡± ¡°Do you remember what I said yesterday? Those were very important words.¡± Suddenly Michael asked. She tilted her head as she looked at him. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you remember?¡± Michael¡¯s eyes got bigger. ¡°You heard everything and answered.¡± ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know. What did you mean¡­?¡± When Cassia tilted her head once again as if she didn¡¯t know, his expression was noticeably sullen. She smiled at his expression. ¡®Why do I feel like teasing him?¡¯ She approached him with a broomstick in hand. ¡°I ate the sandwich well in the morning.¡± He was tall. She tiptoed and took her face close to his ear. She spoke as if she were reciting it. ¡°And you, you seemed like my husband.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± It was time for Michael, who looked blank for a moment, to look at her with a surprised face. Peck! Cassia put her lips on his cheek. His eyes widened. Cassia slowly came down to the floor. ¡°I think I need to sweep the front of the store, too. ¡­ I¡¯ll go out.¡± Speaking quietly, Cassia walked out of the store. Her cheeks were also red. *** After Cassia left the store. Michael, who had been standing for a while until the rattling sound disappeared, faltered at some point. ¡®What just happened¡­?¡¯ There was still a creepy soft feeling that touched his cheek. He looked back slowly. Casia, who was sweeping the front of the store with a broom with a shameless look, caught his eye. ¡°Wow, she¡¯s really¡­¡± His face turned red. Michael lost his balance and collapsed. * * * In fact, Michael visited the store today for another reason. It was to help Cassia, who was struggling to run the store alone. ¡°You¡¯re going to help me today?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Michael, who had now calmed down a little, told her. Although there was still a soft red blush left on the cheeks. ¡°Looking at yesterday, I wanted to help because it seemed too much to run this alone.¡± ¡°¡­But it will be very hard. Because you won¡¯t be able to use magic every time in front of people.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just that I want to help you with your work. Because I don¡¯t want to see you suffer.¡± No matter how much he did, he had never done the dishes in the mansion. Knowing that work was more challenging than she thought, she was worried if he could do well. She was also afraid that it would cause him to suffer for no reason. ¡°¡­Okay. Then let¡¯s do this. You are helping me temporarily just for one day.¡± ¡°Temporarily?¡± ¡°Yes. And if you think it¡¯s doable in the future, you can continue, or you¡¯d better just do it today and quit. Work is something you can save someone else, and I don¡¯t want to bother you.¡± Michael thought about his proposal for a while, but soon said he knew it. Cassia briefly told Michael about the work, and Michael skillfully entered it in his head. When the gallery opened soon, people lined up. They began to work hectic. Michael did a pretty good job, even though he was clumsy because it was his first time. He didn¡¯t feel as fast as Nick, but he used to handle what was given in front of him reliably and calmly. His side profile, which she sometimes looked at while working, overflowed with meticulous and calm energy. Looking at him, Cassia kept smiling. He looked like Diana. His personality and features were different, but he clearly had a brilliance that resembled Diana. ¡®If Diana kept getting older, would she look the same now?¡¯ That¡¯s what Cassia thought. Anyway, they were busy welcoming guests for a day. However, in the meantime, there was something that was overlooked. ¡°Please talk to me.¡± It was the fact that a curious reporter was here. * * * Hannah Cooper¡¯s visit to Cassia was ahead of the deadline. After today¡¯s last customer had just left and changed the sign to [CLOSED], Cassia was sharing what she had to do with Michael to just start the finishing work. The closed-door opened and Hannah appeared. Looking at Cassia with a somewhat triumphant expression. ¡°Please talk to me, Duchess Whidrian.¡± When Cassia heard ¡®Duchess Whidrian¡¯, she wiggled her eyebrows and looked at her. Hannah continued to talk. ¡°In fact, I thought I was seeing Madam for the first time. The atmosphere was so different for a commoner. Should I say that you are full of dignity?¡± ¡°What do you want to say?¡± ¡°Count Michael Allison, right?¡± Cassia asked, but Hannah didn¡¯t answer and said, looking at Michael standing next to Cassia. Michael was looking at her with a calm but interesting gaze. ¡°Excuse me, but what¡¯s your relationship?¡± Hannah smiled and asked. They looked at her without answering. Hannah continued to talk. ¡°As much as the Third Prince¡¯s past deeds, the scandal between Duchess Whidrian and Count Allison will be very tempting to people. Right? Cassia thought she would know why Hannah came to her. She smirked. ¡°What you¡¯re saying is that I¡¯m dating Count Alison here?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°So if I don¡¯t respond to the interview you requested about the Third Prince, you are going to write an article about the two of us instead?¡± ¡°You know it well.¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you know it yourself, but Madam is quite famous in society. Count Allison is also quite famous in society for being unmarried up to this age. Your scandal will be a huge issue. I¡¯m sure everyone will go crazy.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Of course, I can write out both articles, but I¡¯m trying to trade for Madam.¡± Cassia looked at Hannah. Hannah shrugged and only showed a proud attitude. There was silence. How long has it been? Cassia sighed slowly. Hannah¡¯s gaze tilted, and she looked at Cassia. Michael was also silently watching this situation. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Hannah¡­ I¡¯m sorry, but everything¡¯s wrong.¡± Cassia looked up at her. Hannah was wriggling her eyebrows. ¡°First of all, I¡¯m a commoner like you now. I officially divorced the Duke of Whidrian.¡± ¡°Divorce?¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes got bigger. ¡°Is it true that you left your divorce papers in the mansion?¡± ¡°Yes. I left my divorce documents, and I ended my divorce after an agreement a while ago.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Well, after my divorce, I¡¯m still the blood of the Bennette family, but I¡¯ve been disconnected from my family since my parents passed away a long time ago. You¡¯re interested in me, too. You know that much, right? I¡¯m no different from a commoner than a commoner.¡± ¡°Divorce. Divorce¡­¡± Hannah took out a notebook and began to write down what Cassia said. ¡°May I ask why you got divorced?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a personal story, so I don¡¯t want to talk about it. I am not responding to your inquiry.¡± Hannah¡¯s expression became vain. Her hand with a notebook trembled lightly. She continued to talk. ¡°Second, I¡¯m not in a relationship with Count Alison.¡± Michael¡¯s gaze glanced at Cassia. ¡°I have been close with the former Duchess of Whidrian since childhood, and I have known Count Allison for many years. After the divorce, he visited the gallery for a while to see me after a long time, and helped me with my work.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°If an article written with hasty guesses harms Count Allison, your neck may be cut off, Hannah.¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze glanced at Michael at Cassia¡¯s words. Michael only looked at Hannah without saying a word. He could see the weak agitation sprout in Hannah¡¯s eyes. Finally, Cassia continued to talk. ¡°And I still have no intention of responding to an interview about the Third Prince. So, can you leave now?¡± *** Chapter 39 *** After Hannah left the gallery, Michael stared intently at her back for a long time. ¡°I never said a word.¡± After Hannah had completely disappeared, he looked at Cassia and said, and she laughed bitterly. ¡°Why, did you want to protest, too?¡± ¡°Yes¡­ No.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯d rather not.¡± He chuckled. Cassia tilted her head, and he said, ¡°Now that I think about it, I don¡¯t think I can say that I¡¯m not dating you. Well, after all, it¡¯s not because nobody has ever talked about dating.¡± ¡°Are you offended by what I said?¡± She thought he looked like a child when he talked a lot for no reason. When she asked, he said, ¡°No. If you¡¯re going to say that, I like whatever it is.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I just can¡¯t. It¡¯s just that, Cassia.¡± She looked at him and let out a small laugh. It was cute to say that he couldn¡¯t do it while he was doing it. Maybe this person just picks out the words he likes and says things over and over again. Her affection for him continued to grow in a pleasant mood. She felt happy all the time. ¡°Oh, I¡¯d like to give you a hug now,¡± said Cassia, bursting into laughter. ¡°I¡¯m afraid Miss Hannah is watching us outside, so you can¡¯t make it obvious.¡± ¡®Why is this entrance a glass door? So that you can see clearly from the outside.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll have to paint it or put something to cover it¡­¡± Cassia let out a pang of regret. Michael burst into laughter when he saw her like that. * * * Late at night, Hannah was walking toward her accommodation, letting out a deep sigh. It was not easy to track the past deeds of the Third Prince. It seemed that he had travelled here and there without leaving a single trace of what he had done. It would be better to cross the border and go to another country to pursue information about him. He must have been more vigilant in places that the Imperial Knights couldn¡¯t track. The issue of the Third Prince was a big topic among reporters as it was treated as a significant issue in the empire. Everyone was bent on digging into the past of the Third Prince. Emperor Fontrich wanted to raise the awareness and recognition of the Third Prince in the empire. The Imperial Palace welcomed the public¡¯s enthusiastic response, and journalists did not stop either. So there was no obstacle to the pursuit. It was only the Third Prince who avoided everything well. ¡°Oh, I should have taken that opportunity earlier.¡± No matter how hard she thought about it, it was a waste. She should have taken that opportunity earlier. The gallery was the only space that proved the Third Prince had stayed. And the owner of the place was the only witness of the Third Prince. Of course, the fact that the woman was a former Duchess of Whidrian was also an interesting point. But she didn¡¯t expect her to look so comfortable and say it wasn¡¯t true. ¡®Why did I run away from the store?¡¯ It¡¯s been a long time since she felt somewhat embarrassed, as she would normally hang on and ask. It was then. A man appeared in front of her. Huh? Hannah opened her eyes wide. The man who appeared in the dark was wearing a black cloak. Just as Hannah was about to ask who she was, he slowly took off his cape. In it was the figure of Count Allison, whom she had encountered in the gallery earlier. ¡°Count Allison¡­?¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes grew bigger. The sudden appearance of Count Allison spread a sense of wonder. It felt strange. She was going to ask him what was going on when he said, ¡°You don¡¯t remember visiting me today.¡± The way he spoke was strange, and it sounded a little different from his usual image. Hannah, staring blankly at him, felt her mind go blank. Her eyes were dimly coloured. With a snap, the notebook she was holding fell off. He continued in the dark. ¡°Also, you don¡¯t remember seeing Cassia Bennette and Michael Allison today.¡± Hannah didn¡¯t answer, but just looked him in the eye. It happened in an instant. Soon he disappeared from her sight. A few seconds after he left, Hannah came to her senses and shook her head. ¡°¡­Oh, what was that?¡± Something seemed to have gone by. For some reason, Hanna, who trembled once in the midst of a flowing chill, picked up the notebook that had fallen. She started walking down the street again. Third, there was a lot of work to do here to investigate the whereabouts of the Third Prince. * * * It was a deep night. When Cassia got home from work, she changed into a set of pyjamas and took out a large canvas. In the middle of the living room, an easel was taken out, a canvas was placed, and a cup of warm tea was placed on a nearby table. Sitting in a comfortable position with her legs apart, she calmly took out the palette and brush. After that, she breathed deeply, imagined a picture in one of her favourite colours, and drew a thick circle. A large, thick purple circle was drawn on the canvas. Whoosh¡­ Once again, she exhaled and began to draw on the canvas with the colours she liked. Red, yellow, blue, black. Gradually, her hands became faster as she drew. The purple circle on the canvas began to fill with various colours. Sometimes she took a sip of warm tea on the table, and each time she drank it, she felt it cool down. So quickly, she drew the picture. When the painting was finished, the outside was beginning to brighten as if the dawn was about to come. She looked at the finished picture. Various colours were intertwined around a large purple circle. She glanced at it once, and at dawn, and smiled. She stayed up all night. She started painting because she was relatively less tired today, thanks to Michael¡¯s help in her work, but she wanted to find out her true feelings. How much she loved painting. It was to judge for herself how talented she was in painting. The last suggestion that Adolf had made to her, still lingered in her ears. [And if you go to the capital with me, I will support you in all circumstances so that you can paint to your heart¡¯s content.] Cassia slowly rose from her seat. She looked at her painting quietly, recalling his words that rang in her ears again. * * * ¡°I¡¯m going to the capital.¡± ¡°¡­!¡± Cassia spoke to Michael, who came to the gallery in the morning, and he looked at her in utter surprise. He kept his eyes wide open. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve decided to go to the capital. I¡¯ll quit my job soon.¡± Her body was tired from staying up all night, but her mind was well functioning. Michael stared at her blankly. ¡°I stayed up all night last night. While I was drawing. I wanted to test myself.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°But after I finished painting, it was dawning.¡± Cassia chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m still not sure if I¡¯m talented in painting, but I¡¯ve noticed something for sure. Time goes by very quickly when I draw. And during that time, I was able to immerse myself in a different world.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I think this is enough courage to learn painting, and I think it¡¯s worth visiting at least once.¡± In fact, she might have known it from the beginning. From the moment Adolf offered her a suggestion. And since the moment, the offer has been ringing in her ears since he left. She wanted to learn how to paint properly. The fact that she liked painting more than she thought. ¡°Well, if I had to give it another excuse, it¡¯s a pity that Adolf and I are separated like this.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Sorry for the sudden news. I know you¡¯re worried, and you care about me. But I want to go to the capital, Michael.¡± Already, there were so many customers here that she had lost the level of composure and leisure she originally thought of. As long as Adolf continues to be a topic of discussion among people, it does not seem likely that people will stop visiting this gallery. That¡¯s why she decided to settle everything and go back to the capital. ¡°Okay.¡± Michael listened to her explanation with a serious look, and then nodded and answered briefly. ¡°If you¡¯ll do that, I can¡¯t help it.¡± A regretful look flashed across his face. *** When she made up her mind to leave for the capital, everything went fast. The first thing she did was to let people know that the store was closing. [Planning to close] When she hung a sign in front of the gallery so that it could be seen clearly, the visitors began to ask her. ¡°Excuse me, are the words on the outside real?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s closed¡­! Is that true?¡± Cassia held out her coffee cup and said to them, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve put it up in advance because there are people coming from far away. After closing the gallery, I don¡¯t want them to come here in vain.¡± People¡¯s reactions to the closing of the gallery varied. However, most of them believed that the store should not be closed as it is. The only place where the past whereabouts of the missing third prince was proven. This place had already become a symbolic and sacred place for people. Hannah, who was staying in Lawrencia, also rushed into the store when she heard the news. ¡°Is it true that you¡¯re going to close this place?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right, Hannah.¡± ¡°No! You know how symbolic this place is to the people.¡± Hannah seemed genuinely sorry for the closure. ¡°I don¡¯t want to let go of my greed as a journalist, but I don¡¯t want such a symbolic place to disappear like this!¡± ¡°Then can Hannah write an article?¡± ¡°What?¡± Cassia was just thinking about it, and she thought it was good. ¡°Everyone is against the closure. If Hannah writes an article that gets a lot of people interested in whether or not this gallery is going to survive, it¡¯s a good solution.¡± Cassia felt troubled. As to how to end the gallery closure, which many people opposed. ¡°Write an article, Hannah. The interview about the actions of the Third Prince will be replaced with this.¡± As Hannah was constantly looking forward to an interview with Cassia, Cassia thought that it would be a win-win for each other if she could throw a good article with this. At her words, Hannah sighed, saying, ¡°You really have no intention of responding to the interview,¡± and nodded her head. Cassia looked at her like that and tilted her head. ¡°You don¡¯t remember, Hannah?¡± ¡°Yes? What?¡± ¡°¡­No.¡± At first glance, Cassia thought it was strange. About Hannah not mentioning anything about Michael¡¯s relationship with her. She didn¡¯t ask, as it would be nice if there was no mention. Anyway, Hannah went back and started writing articles about the gallery¡¯s existence. Shortly after that, articles about Cassia¡¯s little gallery were published in newspapers. Rumours of the disappearance of the Third Prince¡¯s symbolic place quickly spread throughout the empire. And one day, ¡°Are you there?¡± A customer came to her who could really be a solution. *** Chapter 40 *** After Hannah suspected their relationship, Michael decided to stop helping out after consulting with Cassia. They didn¡¯t want to keep showing themselves to Hannah, and anyway, there were customers who recognized Michael. There was no need to take such a risk in the yard that had decided to close anyway. On the day the customer came, Cassia was finishing the day by herself after work. A strange man walked up to her and said he had something to discuss with her. ¡°A memorial?¡± ¡°We want to keep this gallery forever. Emperor Fontrich himself ordered it.¡± He was an errand boy from the Imperial Palace, and was sent directly by the Emperor. ¡°I know a lot of people are coming in to buy this place. Hand over this gallery to the Fontrich family. If the transaction is successful, 5000 gold will be awarded as a reward.¡± ¡°I want to think about it.¡± The sudden news made Cassia want to tidy up her hair, so she asked him for some time. He said he couldn¡¯t wait for too long, went out to smoke a cigar and told her to make a decision by the time he returned. After he left the store for a while, Cassia sat down and began to ponder seriously. A memorial¡­ It would be ideal if her gallery was transferred to the Fontrich Imperial family. Perhaps the gallery will be well preserved as a symbol to commemorate the return of the Third Prince. All the paintings will remain, too. It was, however, the most reliable partner of any person who had ever appeared for a trade. ¡­But will Adolf like the news? The fact that she had refused an interview with Hannah and that she wanted to quietly close the gallery. One of the reasons she had been trying to be quiet all this time was because of Adolf. He might find it unpleasant for people to find out about his past. Just like she wanted to live here without getting caught up in the past. As she was contemplating, she heard the messenger come back into the gallery. He came over and said to her. ¡°Now, let¡¯s make a decision.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll make a deal.¡± ¡°You thought well.¡± He smiled as he expected the deal to go smoothly. He must have thought that she would not be able to refuse easily because the person who asked to make a deal was the head of Imperial Palace. ¡°However, there is one condition.¡± ¡°¡­What is it?¡± As she added, he tilted his head and looked at her. ¡°This is a place where traces of the Third Prince¡¯s stay remain. So it¡¯s difficult for me to dispose of it with my own decision. I might think that His Majesty is using the Prince¡¯s name.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Please show me proof that the Third Prince is also in favour of this transaction. Otherwise, there is no deal.¡± * * * ¡°What?¡± ¡°This is an urgent letter from Lawrencia. They ask that you respond as soon as possible.¡± Adolf looked at the rolled-up letter that Enoch, one of his closest associates, had offered to him. Lawrencia. It was a nostalgic name. Adolf, who had been lying on the bed, sprang up to his feet. He had never particularly liked the space of the Imperial Palace, but this home was his home. Since he came here, he has been sleeping like crazy, and he has been spending his daily life focusing on relieving his travel sickness. ¡°Who sent it?¡± He asked with a thought. Without realizing it, anticipation was rising. ¡®Maybe it¡¯s Cassia? Did she send a letter all the way here?¡¯ The gallery¡¯s closure and the news of the ¡®hyena swarms¡¯ aiming for it were already reported through articles. Adolf was just wondering why Cassia suddenly sold the gallery. ¡®Maybe she¡¯s trying to come to the capital? All of a sudden, why?¡¯ The knight who came with the news, Enoch, pondered for a moment before opening his mouth. ¡°I understand that the Emperor¡¯s confidants are now in Lawrencia.¡± ¡°¡­Did the confidant send it? Why?¡± Adolf wrinkled his brow slightly. Enoch answered. ¡°It seems that His Majesty is trying to make the gallery famous in Lawrencia a memorial to the Third Prince.¡± ¡°My father is doing something useless again.¡± Adolf shook his head. In fact, it was what he expected from the moment he saw the article. He had already expected it. There was no way the Emperor, who loved him so much, would not touch the gallery. Emperor Fontrich always wanted to raise him as his successor. For him, a gallery in a rural village was a good item that would increase the people¡¯s friendly awareness of Adolf, if used well. He was not the father who would miss that opportunity. So it wasn¡¯t surprising. It was a pity that the person who contacted him was not Cassia, but it was interesting anyway. ¡®You have to go and sign a contract on your own, but why did he suddenly contact me instead of someone else?¡¯ Adolf¡¯s eyes lit up with curiosity. He took the letter and opened it. ¡°¡­It seems that there was some problem in the process of purchasing the gallery.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± As he read the whole letter, Adolf¡¯s eyes were gradually coloured with joyful light. ¡°It was because of Cassia.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°¡­She thought of me again.¡± Adolf grinned. A happy smile spread across his lips. He ordered the knight not to turn around. ¡°Enoch, I must reply to Lawrencia. Let me write it myself.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness, I¡¯ll get it ready.¡± At Adolf¡¯s instructions, Enoch prepared a piece of paper and a quill to write the letter on. Adolf took them, put them on the table next to the bed, and began to write quickly. Enoch went outside when instructed to roll up a letter containing elegant handwriting and the reply. The empty room. Adolf stood up. The curtain fluttered in the wind as he opened the bedroom window. He murmured as he looked at the bustling scene of the capital and the Imperial palace that stretched out under the high field of vision. ¡°I know it¡¯s greedy, but I want you to come to the capital.¡± ¡®¡­Then I would really take good care of you.¡¯ A nostalgic smile spread across Adolf¡¯s lips as he whispered. * * * ¡°Can you see it?¡± The next morning, a member of the Imperial Palace who came to the gallery opened up Adolf¡¯s letter to Cassia. ¡°This is a letter written in Your Highness¡¯ own handwriting, in favour of this transaction.¡± When she read the letter, it was written in Adolf¡¯s elegant handwriting that he was in favour of making this place his own memorial. Now that the conditions were met, Cassia was able to talk to the messenger comfortably. ¡°All right, let¡¯s make a deal.¡± All the rights to this place were thus transferred to the hands of the Imperial family. Shortly after he left, her dealings with the Imperial family spread through newspapers and word of mouth. People were enthusiastic about the news that Adolf¡¯s place would be turned into a memorial. To them, the fact that the Third Prince returned after 7 years was heroic. Since the Third Prince first appeared in society, many said he would be the next Emperor, saying that he had excellent appearance and intelligence. Time passed quickly. After dealing with the problems of the gallery, Cassia proceeded to prepare to leave for the capital. She bought a train ticket for the long journey from Lawrencia to the capital, and a wagon to carry her luggage. Michael stayed by her side and supported her the whole time she was preparing to leave. The house she would live in in the capital, and all the documents she would need to settle there. Michael helped her with such preparations and was always by her side. When she woke up, it was the day before she left Lawrencia. * * * One day before leaving Lawrencia. Thanks to the preparations for leaving in advance, the day was relatively empty, and she had nothing much to do. She decided to look back on her past time here with Michael and undo her regrets together. Her luggage was already loaded in the wagon and left first for the capital. Michael had the Count¡¯s men airlift ready-to-cooked food for her. They were sitting at the table in our empty house, eating food together. ¡°The Count¡¯s chef¡¯s taste is as good as ever. It¡¯s been a while since I ate it, so I feel like I¡¯m back in time.¡± ¡°It¡¯s always the same taste.¡± In particular, the steak grilled moderately was filled with the chef¡¯s unique sauce and taste. She was moved because the wonderful food tasted exactly the same as the ones she got when she went to Diana¡¯s house to play as a child. ¡°Isn¡¯t the chef¡¯s name Anna? She must be quite old now.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Now that she¡¯s a grandmother, she critisizes me every day.¡± Since childhood, the chef, Michael and Diana have been together, almost like family. Cassia smiled at the happy face that emerged from the blurred memories, and Michael looked at her. ¡°I¡¯m the owner, but sometimes I feel it¡¯s unfair when I receive threats that aren¡¯t such threats.¡± Joyful, joking words came out of his mouth. ¡°Seeing that you love food, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have to take care of yourself sooner or later.¡± ¡°Yes, I will. I¡¯ve wanted to see her for a long, long time, Michael.¡± He burst into laughter as she continued to speak with a pleasant laugh. The atmosphere was good. After we finished eating, they sat next to each other and drank wine. Cassia didn¡¯t usually enjoy drinking that much, but she felt a little excited today. In fact, the taste of the wine she hadn¡¯t tasted in a long time was also exquisite, thanks to Michael¡¯s careful selection. The aroma of moderately well-fermented grapes and alcohol gave the nose and tongue a pleasant sensation. As she was drinking wine happily with a slightly flushed face, Michael looked her in the eye and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for breaking the atmosphere.¡± ¡°Yeah. Tell me, Michael.¡± ¡°I mean, going to the capital¡­¡± His voice faltered. Cassia looked at him. Michael opened his mouth to speak, ¡°Can¡¯t you just think about it one last time?¡± *** Chapter 41 *** ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m just worried about you, Cassia.¡± His voice was cautious. ¡°I really don¡¯t want you to be hurt again. So, if you want to learn painting, there¡¯s a way to learn it here¡­¡± ¡°Michael.¡± When she called him, he stopped talking. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ve already thought about it a lot before I decided.¡± ¡°¡­But Cassia-¡± ¡°If I want to learn how to draw, I can also learn here. But you know that the infrastructure to learn something properly is well established in the capital. In order to meet and learn from good teachers, and learn how to make good paintings, I will have to go to the capital one day.¡± As long as she decided to start painting in earnest, her final destination was as good as decided. Le Mans, the cultural centre of the Fontrich Empire. As long as she has decided to learn painting, she will have to go there someday. ¡°You know, I¡¯m the type to do it right once I do it.¡± Michael just looked at Cassie as she continued. ¡°I know it all, too. As for the things you worry about.¡± Cassia was a cautious person. Just as much as Michael cared about her. It¡¯s not that she didn¡¯t expect what would happen to her if she went up to the capital to learn painting. But even in anticipation of all that, she had a strong desire to learn painting. It was similar to when Diana entered the Duke¡¯s mansion without hesitation. The crucial decisions in her life that she must make, even if she needs to put everything aside. The present decision was one of them. ¡°Seven years ago, you stopped me from becoming the Duchess after Diana, Michael.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°But seven years later, as you can see, I¡¯m doing very well.¡± ¡®I know it won¡¯t be as easy as I thought to learn painting in the capital. Maybe I¡¯ll be unhappy again.¡¯ But in the end, she believed that happiness would eventually come to you someday. She truly believed it. ¡°So make sure I get to the capital safely, Michael.¡± ¡°¡­¡± At Cassia¡¯s words, Michael looked at her for a while. At one point, he shook his head. ¡°I really can¡¯t stop you.¡± ¡°¡­Can I go to the capital comfortably?¡± ¡°I will always respect your choices, Cassia.¡± He smiled and nodded his head. ¡°Everything is for you. How can I hold you from leaving for what you want to do? Still, the only reason I hold onto you is because of my greed. Because there is something uncomfortable in every corner of my heart to let you go. That¡¯s why¡­¡± ¡°Thank you, Michael.¡± Cassia looked at him warmly. Come to think of it, he was the only one who always cried and agonized for her in important decisions in life. He did when she became the Duchess, and still is when she¡¯s leaving for the capital now. When she thought about it, she could feel the warmth of his eyes on her, just like she felt during her entire stay here. ¡°And I have something to say.¡± ¡°What?¡± Cassia looked at him softly. The moment she encountered Michael¡¯s gaze looking back on her, she smiled at her feelings for him. As if she had the courage to leave for the capital, she thought it might be a good idea to show courage for something else, too. ¡°I will come back to this place after learning how to draw as much as possible. A quiet place puts my mind at ease. When that day comes¡­¡± In the past, she was a young girl. Not anymore. ¡°I think I can take your feelings a little more seriously.¡± Cassia took a small present from her arms. Opening the small box revealed two rings. It was plain and without decoration, and it looked like an ordinary accessory. ¡°It¡¯s a gift of promise.¡± Michael¡¯s eyelashes fluttered. * * * There was a silence. Michael¡¯s eyes, which looked at Cassia with trembling eyes, turned to the ring. It was neither decorated nor colourful to be a couple¡¯s ring, but the fact that it was a ring did not change. ¡°What is this¡­?¡± Michael was speechless. He seemed to be more shocked than Cassia had expected. For a while, the silence continued. She could feel the atmosphere flowing between them rapidly sinking. It was strange. Thump, thump, her heart kept pounding. Maybe it¡¯s because she was nervous about the present she had prepared with great determination. She never thought he would say no. ¡®¡­What if he refuses?¡¯ He was looking at her without moving. It was a time when she was a little timid and tried to avoid his gaze. Michael¡¯s large hand wrapped around her face. A soft, warm sensation sank onto her lips. ¡°¡­!¡± Cassia opened her eyes in surprise. His face was in right front of hers. Slightly bumping his lips and pulling them off, he said. ¡°You¡¯re really¡­¡± Cassia met his eyes. She will never forget the look in his eyes. ¡°I love you, Cassia.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I love you.¡± He confessed to her just like that. It seems that there were only these words that could be said at that moment. Then his lips came again. The intense kiss began to engulf the two deeply. Cassia closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Their warm breaths came and went. Her heart was beating like an explosion. Her whole body warmed up in an instant. The moment they confirmed each other¡¯s feelings. They never rejected each other. There was no reason for that either. * * * Even in the deep night, the quiet stillness was comfortable. Facing their gazes, Michael spoke in a trembling tone, as if he was finally speaking after a long time. Only Michael¡¯s voice echoed in the quiet silence. ¡°Before, I thought you hated me.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Actually, I really wanted to get to know you, really wanted to be close to you, but I forced myself to suppress my feelings. I didn¡¯t want to trouble you.¡± Cassia listened quietly to him. ¡°Since you entered the Duke¡¯s mansion, my mind had been confused. All mixed up. Shortly after Diana left, the atmosphere in the house became very bad, too. I went on a trip like I was running away. I met a lot of people along the way. That¡¯s how my experience with people made me realize things I didn¡¯t know before.¡± ¡°What exactly?¡± ¡°That maybe you were interested in me, too.¡± There are times when things that passed by without knowing anything at that time, strongly reveal the truth over time. ¡°It was just a moment when I was eating alone one day.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Your eyes. Your gaze. The way you used to talk to me. As I held up my spoon, everything came to my mind in a flash, and I belatedly came up with an insight.¡± Michael continued. ¡°When I was a child, I had no idea what those signals you sent me were talking about.¡± He thought she didn¡¯t like him, so he just walked away. He pushed himself away and eventually just gave up. ¡°How much¡­ I regretted it.¡± Michael chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s how I spent my time. It¡¯s been years of regret. The day I ran into you at the villa after a long time, you asked me how I was doing. Actually, it was more of a misfortune than happiness. I couldn¡¯t stand it because I felt like an idiot at that time.¡± If he had been a little more tactful, he wouldn¡¯t have had to let her go that way. If he had had a little more courage, she wouldn¡¯t have entered the Duke¡¯s place like that. ¡°If we had known each other¡¯s feelings earlier, I think this situation would have been a little different. Even though I knew it was meaningless, I kept looking back and assuming it.¡± ¡°¡­Michael.¡± She was so busy with her work that she forgot about Michael. During her struggling life as a Duchess, Michael was also fighting a lonely battle of his own. Cassia stretched out her arms. She hugged and stroked his hair dearly. At her touch, Michael took a deep breath, burying his face in her chest. ¡°Don¡¯t be too hard on yourself.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡®What can I tell him?¡¯ After much thought, she continued. ¡°Michael, you know what? I don¡¯t really believe in God, but I think there is such a thing as destiny.¡± For example, the meeting between Diana and Cassia, or the thought of learning painting. ¡°Even between people. We don¡¯t know if we were destined to meet only now after turning around, right?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Michael didn¡¯t answer. He just listened to Cassia. She smiled bitterly. ¡°You¡¯re right. I used to like you when I was very young.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°But you seemed so far away to me. The Count of Allison has always been a bright person.¡± ¡°You were so close with Diana, but it was difficult in case of me?¡± Michael pouted his lips. It was so cute that Cassia laughed out loud. ¡°Yeah. It was hard to get close to you for some reason. It seemed like it was a sin to even get caught liking you.¡± She loved Diana. But she was just a friend. Watching Diana didn¡¯t make her heart beat like it was going to explode. Your heart thumps, and your face turns red. But it only happened with Michael. There was a time when her body and mind reacted completely towards Michael. His laughter, the kindness he showed. His smile. Everything he did to her made her heart rise high and fall to the lowest several times a day. At that age, she didn¡¯t know what love was. Embarrassing emotions evoked a strange sense of guilt. ¡°Maybe I had low self-esteem. I didn¡¯t even know what love between the opposite gender was. I kept avoiding you, and I was busy running away.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Obviously, Michael, I didn¡¯t have the courage either. Just like you regretted it.¡± Anyway, everything is a thing of the past. Neither Michael nor Cassia knew at that time, and they didn¡¯t know each other very well. Both of them didn¡¯t have the courage. That¡¯s how it passed. She had become a person who knows what it¡¯s like to be old and tired compared to then. Cassia smiled as softly as possible toward Michael. ¡°When I come back, no, from now on. I¡¯ll try harder.¡± ¡°¡­Thank you.¡± Michael smiled at Cassia as if it was enough. That¡¯s how their last night together passed. *** Chapter 42 *** When she woke up, the dawn was gone entirely. Looking at the clock, Cassia thought the time would be just right when she got up and got ready to catch the train. After finishing the preparations and inspecting the house one last time, she simply packed her things and went out to find the carriage prepared by Michael in the yard. When he looked at her as if he was ready, he opened the carriage door and escorted her. He also got on the carriage with her, the loud cries of horses resounded, and the carriage set off. On the way to the station, she looked outside and was lost in thoughts when Michael offered her something. ¡°Take this.¡± ¡°¡­ What¡¯s this?¡± An unfamiliar object was placed in the palm of her open hand. They look like little earplugs. ¡°It is a means of communication. It¡¯s one of the magic items. If you put this in your ear, we can hear each other¡¯s voices from afar.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Upon giving the item, he demonstrated it. Cassia followed him and put things in her ears. When she looked at Michael¡¯s ear, a light was coming from a place that looked like a small jewel. ¡°When you¡¯re ready to communicate, both of them will light up like this. Communication is possible when the blink is over. Do you want to say anything?¡± ¡°Oh, yes. Ah¡­ Oh, I can really hear you!¡± His voice was heard through her ears. Cassia opened her eyes in wonder. She couldn¡¯t believe there was such a magic item. If this was possible, they don¡¯t have to send letters to each other. They don¡¯t have to wait for the letters to arrive. She would be able to hear his voice anytime, anywhere. ¡°The last time we exchanged letters, I thought it would be nice to have one if there was something I wanted to do with you again.¡± Michael continued. ¡°When the light blinks, it means the other person wants to communicate, so keep a good eye on it.¡± ¡°Okay, this is a really good thing. Thank you, Michael.¡± When Cassia answered him, Michael smiled proudly. Actually, it¡¯s not that Michael didn¡¯t consider going to the capital with Cassia. But he was obliged to rule over as the Count, and he could not always stay with her. Besides, if they went to the capital together, there would be people who would doubt them, like Hannah. She had been embroiled in such scandals all the time as the Duchess. Now, she wanted to learn to paint quietly. The road to the station was very short. Arriving at the station shortly after, they got off the carriage. Cassia was wearing a cloak so that people couldn¡¯t recognise her. When Cassia and Michael walked through the station and arrived at the platform, the steam engine train was waiting for the time to leave. ¡°I¡¯ll go up to the capital regularly. Let¡¯s meet each other.¡± ¡°I see. I will make sure to always carry the communication equipment with me.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Thank you very much. I will never forget the time I spent with you here.¡± When it was time to leave, Michael looked at Cassia with mixed emotions. It¡¯s not like they were breaking up, but she also couldn¡¯t get on the train easily because she felt sorry for nothing. After looking at each other for a while, Cassia got on the train only when the departure time got closer. ¡°I¡¯m really going.¡± ¡°Be careful.¡± He smiled and let her go. Cassia got on the train that was about to depart. There was a room that only she could enter when she got on the first-class seat of the train that Michael reserved in advance. As she sat there, took off the hat and looked out the window, she saw him waving at her. The train started with a loud horn as it was about to depart slowly. ¡°Goodbye, Michael!¡± Cassia waved at him. His figure faded away. It became a dot and disappeared. The scenery of Lawrencia, which she was familiar with, began to pass by. In a short time, the memories she had built here flashed through her mind. Irwin, a stranger who came to see her. Michael, with whom she reunited after a long time at the villa. Duke Whidrian and Nick came to see her. The conversations she had with them. Moments when she said goodbye to Adolf. She knew it was time to bury them in the corner of her memory. For a fresh start. For another happiness. For her life. Wearing the same clothes as she did when she came here, she left Lawrencia. A New Start A great horn rang out. It was the sound of arrival. Cassia woke up from her sleep, her face buried deep in her cloak and her eyes closed. She saw an unfamiliar landscape outside the window. The name of the station with ¡®Le Mans¡¯ written on it, a lot of people came and went¡­ Many people passed by the window to announce that the train had arrived in the capital. The capital, Le Mans. The roots of the Fontrich Empire. The cultural centre. A place where many people live and interact. When the sound of the train¡¯s arrival rang, people began to rush out, carrying their luggage. ¡°¡­¡± Cassia looked out the window for a moment, pulled her cloak, put on her hat, and left the room with her luggage. She got out of the train and stepped onto the platform as if being pushed by the crowd. The hard floor touched the heel of the shoes and made a sound. It had been ten days since she left Lawrencia. * * * The first place she went to was her home. Where she would mainly live in the capital. When she got out of the station, she got into the carriage and headed to her house with a piece of paper that had the address written on it. It was actually her first visit to a house to stay in the capital, as Michael had randomly picked it up for her. Shortly thereafter, a carriage arrived in front of the house. After checking the address, she opened the door with the key she was given in advance. ¡°¡­¡± Michael once asked her if there were any conditions to consider when looking for a house. What did she say? She said she didn¡¯t want the house to be too big and noticeable. A moderately cozy and well-located house, like the house and gallery she stayed in Lawrencia. The house fully satisfied the conditions she spoke of, both externally and internally. The house was not far from the Imperial Palace, and at the same time, it was secretly in a corner, so it was not noticeable. The appearance was also not much different from the houses nearby, so there was no reason for people to look at it. It was difficult to find a house as quiet as a shadow in a capital city with so many people and various circumstances. The interior also had the same size and structure as the house where she stayed in Lawrencia. Besides, the carriage that had already left from Lawrencia had arrived and had already packed everything up. When she saw her luggage was laid out, she felt like she was in the house she used to live in, not the house she first came into. After looking around the house, Cassia smiled in satisfaction. It was the moment she was thinking that she should contact Michael. Not surprisingly, the communication device flashed. ¡°Michael.¡± [Did you arrive safely?] As she was taught, she put the communication device in her ear and heard Michael¡¯s voice. [I think it was time to arrive, but I didn¡¯t get a call yet, so I thought of calling you first.] ¡°Anyway, I just arrived, and I was just about to contact you, but it blinked.¡± Cassia smiled as she sat on the tidy bed and touched the duvet. His voice came again. [How was the train? Did you like the food they served you?] ¡°Yes, it was definitely comfortable because it¡¯s first class. The food served was delicious.¡± She would have had a much more uncomfortable time if she had spent ten days on a train trip in the public seat. ¡°I¡¯ve just looked at the house, and I love it. It¡¯s just the house I wanted.¡± [I chose it carefully, but I¡¯m glad you like it.] ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to your meticulous attention to the detail. Thank you so much, Michael.¡± As she smiled, she could feel him smiling happily from the other side of the device. [So, what are you going to do now?] ¡°I think I¡¯ll take a break today. I came comfortably, but I feel sleepy. After arriving, I suddenly felt so tired. I¡¯m going to take a little rest and go see Adolf when I feel better.¡± [All right. Got it. Take a good rest now. I¡¯ll try to do a job to go up to the capital if possible.] ¡°Yes, Michael, don¡¯t overdo it. I¡¯m doing well.¡± The line disconnected. She took the telecommunication equipment out of her ears, organised it, and placed it down on the bed. Her heart was beating happily. Because it was a new beginning. She didn¡¯t know it herself, but she guessed she had some expectations for her new life. She closed her eyes slowly. Fatigue was coming in. * * * She had time to unwind and adjust to this place for a while. It was true that the way to get here was easy as much as Michael cared about it, but that didn¡¯t mean she wasn¡¯t tired. She slept, ate when the time came, and the rest of the time, she had time to organise her unpacked luggage. After a few days of rest at home, she could feel her body feeling better. Thanks to tidying up from time to time, the house was completely her space now. Today she decided to go out and have a look. She had an important job to do as well as go grocery shopping. She put on the cloak, hat and went outside with a basket. As she walked along the road, the complex and diverse landscapes of the capital caught her eyes. Compared to Lawrencia, the capital certainly varied in age, attire, and even status of the people. From nobles riding in luxury carriages to children wandering the streets with black stains on their faces. There was a huge number of people walking down the street. It was as complicated and tumultuous as the capital. A landscape of two extreme poles unfolded in one space. It was as if two different worlds existed in her head. She felt as if she had become a shadow staring at the landscapes, or a stranger. The first place she went to while looking at such a scenery was the Imperial Palace. *** Hi guys, as you know we are a free-to-read website and we only survive on ads. However, ads is not able to help us much longer and we are on the verge of disbanding. If you like what we do and have any spare, please consider supporting us to keep us alive. Chapter 43 *** *** As the purpose of coming here was to meet Adolf and learn painting, the first destination was to go to see him. She wanted to see Adolf. She was very curious about how he was doing. In fact, she also wanted to surprise him. She just showed up like nothing happened. Of course, that was only her mind, and in reality, it was not easy to see the face of the royal family. In order to know the royal family in the Fontrich Empire, she had to send a telegram in advance and make a direct appointment with the royal family. However, in order to send a letter to the imperial palace, which is sensitive to security, it had to be clear which family she belonged to. In that respect, she was vague. Now that she had divorced the Duke of Whidrian, she had regained the surname of the Bennette family, but she had been out of touch with her family for a long time. Of course, there were no seals or letters that could be sent in the name of the family, and there were no errands or birds that could be sent. So, she decided to try another way, although it might be a little dangerous. Anyway, she was a member of the Bennette family, so she was free to enter the palace as a nobleman. Entering the palace, she put on the cape and went out to find the palace. It was not difficult to find the royal palace because she had been to the palace a few times when she was young. She went here and there without being noticed and reached the front of the Imperial Palace. The guards stood at the entrance. They opened their eyes wide, bewildered by her sudden appearance. ¡°My name is Cassia from the Bennette family, and I¡¯m here to see the Third Prince.¡± The two knights standing at the entrance looked at her once and at each other once with bewildered eyes. A knight turned to her. ¡°Did you have an appointment? I didn¡¯t hear anything like that¡­¡± ¡°¡­As you know, an audience with the Imperial family is only possible after scheduling in advance.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Cassia looked at the knights with a smile. It was out of the blue, but somehow she remembered Ken. ¡®Will Ken be escorting someone like this as an Imperial knight?¡¯ The two knights happened to look about the same age as Ken, and they were young men. ¡°If it were possible to make an appointment ahead of time, I wouldn¡¯t have come so rudely right away.¡± Cassia went on. ¡°I have the Bennette family surname, but I lost contact with the family long ago, and it is impossible to write a letter in the family¡¯s name. But I must see His Highness the Third Prince. So I came to you right away without making any excuses. Can¡¯t you at least tell him I¡¯m here?¡± The two knights looked embarrassed. They looked at each other once again. A slightly more determined-looking of the two knights said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but you can¡¯t break the set rules. Make an appointment in any way, oh¡­¡± ¡°Wait a minute.¡± The knight standing next to Cassia interrupted his colleague. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that you¡¯re Cassia of the Bennettes?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s Cassia of the Bennettes¡­¡± They seemed to be thinking something. As if they realized something, they slowly looked back at each other. What¡¯s going on? It was when she tilted her head because she didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°Cassia?¡± A familiar voice came from behind. Her eyes got bigger. Cassia looked back. A feeling of welcome spread in his eyes which were filled with joy. There stood none other than Adolf. ¡°Cassia, it¡¯s you!¡± ¡°Adolf?¡± Adolf, dressed in the Prince¡¯s costume, ran and hugged her. Cassia was surprised, but she was in his arms for a while. For a moment in his arms, she smiled as she watched him shiver with joy. Adolf and Cassia managed to reunite safely in the capital. * * * Adolf led her into the drawing-room. After sitting on the sofa with her, he asked the maid to prepare two cups of tea. With an answer of yes, the maid retreated, and Adolf told her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, the knights just started escorting, so they are not used to¡­¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°I already told them to let you in as soon as you come, but it seems they forgot for a moment. It¡¯s a shame that I happened to be taking a walk.¡± ¡°No, Adolf. I was the one who ignored the rules and put them in trouble.¡± Cassia waved her hand, saying it was okay. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that you would come. Thank you very much.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you think so. They look inflexible, but in fact, they are pretty good guys.¡± Soon, maids with hot tea and refreshments appeared before them and began setting the table. Meanwhile, Adolf looked at Cassia with a happy smile. When all the ladies stepped down, they sipped tea together. Cassia opened her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s my first time coming to the palace, and I think the atmosphere is very good.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°What are those frames?¡± Cassia pointed to one wall. The frame contained the image of a young Adolf. A portrait of Adolf in his childhood in the garden holding the hands of his mother, the current Empress. There was also a portrait painted shoulder-to-shoulder with a man who seemed to be the first prince. Usually, these kinds of personal picture frames were not hung in the reception room where guests were greeted. It was common to hang portraits of Emperors according to the lineage of the Empire in order. ¡°Oh, my mother and my first brother. Two of the people I love the most in the world.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Unlike the complex image of the royal family, the images of the frames naturally smiled because they were in a harmonious family atmosphere. In fact, such portraits were very meaningful because the childhood of the royal family like Adolf was not revealed to the outside world. The young Adolf in the portrait was cute, and Cassia looked at it with a smile of satisfaction. ¡°How have you been? I¡¯ve heard about the gallery.¡± ¡°Yes, I was going to close the gallery, but people complained, and I just handed it over to the Imperial family.¡± ¡°I felt very good for a while after receiving a letter from Lawrencia.¡± Adolf continued. ¡°Why does the fact that you think of me always make me emotional?¡± ¡°I was just telling you to come with my permission because I thought you might feel uncomfortable.¡± Cassia answered with a smile. ¡°That was the best thing I could do for you.¡± ¡°Anyway, thank you. Thanks to you, I feel like flying.¡± Adolf smiled and took a sip of his tea. He put it down, glanced at her, and carefully opened his mouth. ¡°May I ask why you came to the capital after closing the gallery?¡± ¡°¡­I want to learn how to paint.¡± Cassia took a sip of tea at his words and opened her mouth in earnest. Adolf¡¯s eyes filled with joy at her answer. Cassia went on. ¡°Since you left, I¡¯ve been seriously thinking about painting. I got advice from people around me, and I thought a lot about it myself. But as you said, I think I really like painting, and that was my conclusion.¡± ¡°¡­I see.¡± ¡°If I want to learn painting anyway, I¡¯d rather learn it in the capital, whether or not you help me, but since you said you¡¯d help me, I decided to open my hands. Because, as you say, you have a great infrastructure. That¡¯s why I came to you.¡± In fact, Cassia could use her own money to hire a teacher to learn painting. But she wanted to learn painting through Adolf¡¯s connections and resources. He¡¯ll be better than her at finding and hiring a good painting teacher. She thought she could meet a better environment even a little bit. Also, Adolf was the first person to show deep affection and interest in her painting. For some reason, she had a hunch that he could find a teacher who fits her well. ¡°Get a good teacher for me, Adolf. Please.¡± ¡°Good, very good.¡± Adolf, who was listening to Cassia seriously, nodded. He smiled radiantly. ¡°I¡¯m so glad I found you, Cassia.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I look forward to it. I¡¯ll make sure to provide you with the great teacher you want.¡± His confident expression gave Cassia a good feeling. * * * A few days later, Adolf secretly visited her house wearing a cape. Behind him were two women standing side by side, looking at her. ¡°Have you waited long? I thought I¡¯d prepare it as soon as possible.¡± ¡°Not at all. It would have been better if you had taken longer. Come in, Adolf.¡± Cassia let them in. Following her guidance, Adolf took off his cloak and sat on the sofa. The two women he brought stood side by side next to Adolf. One woman was young, about Nick or Ken¡¯s age, and one looked older than Cassia. What? She recognized the woman who looked old and opened her eyes wide. ¡®That person, if I know her¡­¡¯ Then Adolf beckoned to the young woman and opened his mouth. ¡°Let¡¯s start with Sophie. I¡¯m a maid who can manage your schedule and help you with housework.¡± Cassia looked back at the maid. She came forward at Adolf¡¯s command and bowed her head before Cassia. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Sophie, and I¡¯m going to manage your schedule from now on. I look forward to your kind cooperation.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± She was a maid to help Cassia. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± After greeting her, Cassia turned to Adolf. Cassia whispered something to Adolf so that she wouldn¡¯t feel embarrassed. ¡°I appreciate your help and care, Adolf, but I¡¯m fine with the maid. If you could just save me¡­¡± ¡°You may think so now, but you¡¯ll probably need it in a few days.¡± Adolf whispered with a meaningful smile. He tilted his head and said. ¡°I happened to get a teacher who seemed to teach a lot.¡± Adolf turned his hand. Wearing a black dress, she stepped forward with stiff steps. ¡°Greetings. I¡¯m Mrs McKenna Hudson, who will teach you in the future.¡± *** Hi guys, as you know we are a free-to-read website and we only survive on ads. However, ads is not able to help us much longer and we are on the verge of disbanding. If you like what we do and have any spare, please consider supporting us to keep us alive.