The first thing I did after taking off my coat with the butler’s help was to confirm Kardiel’s safety.

Fortunately, I was able to find the child right away.

“Stepmother. Did everything go well?”

Kardiel seemed to be safe. It appeared that the Baroness of Baden had not yet started to act.

Relieved, I immediately sent the children to their rooms, citing the late hour. I also had Mr. Jepet return to his room to rest.

In case of any unforeseen circumstances, I did not forget to have the butler, the nanny, and even my maid Loretta guard the children’s rooms until they fell asleep.

‘With this, the children’s safety should be secured for now.’

Only then did I realize that I had entered the final stage to wrap up this matter.

“You said you turned back time by a week, right, Lord Joseph?”

“That’s correct.”

I deliberately walked up to the guest room where the Baroness of Baden was staying with leisurely steps.

Lord Joseph followed closely behind me, keeping a step’s distance.

“And lastly, you said the Baroness of Baden poisoned Kardiel. That was five days from now.”

I lowered my voice to ensure no one else would hear our conversation. Lord Joseph also replied in a similar tone.

“The Baroness of Baden should have a green ring on her finger, received from the Baron.”

That means it’s poison.

After the final confirmation, I nodded my head and climbed the last flight of stairs.

“I have a question, Lord Joseph.”

I stopped Lord Joseph before he could return to his room.

“Please ask.”

“Did you have to turn back time at any point during the day today?”

It was a question asking if there had been any unexpected situations.

In fact, even if I act knowing the future, it’s merely preparing for the future that will naturally occur when we don’t act as variables.

It’s only natural that the reactions of those around me change when my actions change.

So, the current situation must be quite different from the future Lord Joseph had reported.

I was curious if there had been any unexpected situations due to that.

An elegant smile spread across Lord Joseph’s cheeks.

“Don’t worry. There was nothing like that.”

“That’s a relief then.”

Only then did I let out a sigh of relief. It seems I also didn’t act in a way that deviated from the plan.

After sending Lord Joseph back to his room, I finally stood in front of the Baroness of Baden’s door.

“Baroness of Baden. May I have a word with you for a moment?”

Knock knock.

When I knocked on the door, the Baroness’s maid soon opened it.

Ignoring the invitation to come in, I had her call the Baroness of Baden out. There was no need to go all the way inside to say what I had to say.

“What is it? At this hour?”

Eventually, the Baroness of Baden came out to the doorway.

She had an irritated look on her face, as if she had just been about to fall asleep, but even if that wasn’t the case, her expression was somewhat different from usual.

Sharp, or perhaps exuding a slightly dangerous atmosphere.

‘Well. It would be stranger if someone who had resolved to kill looked peaceful.’

They said she would murder my son, Kardiel, five days later.

I felt like punching her in the face and knocking her down right away, but I’m someone who has vowed never to use violence under any circumstances.

Pretending as if nothing was wrong, I put on a sociable expression and spoke while checking the emerald-like jeweled ring she was wearing.

“I heard that something unpleasant happened to Baron Baden today.”

“……”

The Baroness of Baden’s face twisted.

‘Does she think she’s cornered to the point where she can’t even make the minimum effort to control her expression?’

It’s not even funny. I can still smile like this even in front of the murderer who will kill my son.

“Let’s not beat around the bush and get to the point.”

She was biting her lips tightly and trembling as she gripped her fan.

“I think the Baroness could use some rest until the Baron Baden’s investigation is over.”

“What… What do you mean by that, Duchess?”

What do I mean?

“I mean exactly what I said. It would be best for the Baroness to stay in this room for a while. The tutors don’t seem to have a good impression of Baron Baden right now either, so I’m telling you this out of concern.”

I’m telling you to stay away from my children, chaperone or not.

“But don’t worry, Baroness of Baden. To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, I will have two attendants guard the Baroness at the door.”

Yes, that means I’m going to confine and monitor you.

“Ah. Since the situation is unlikely to be favorable, I’ll excuse you from having to focus on Euphemina’s etiquette education for the time being.”

It means you won’t have to worry about it in the future either.

“Take this opportunity to rest well, Baroness. You haven’t been feeling well for a few days, so I will have your meals sent up separately from now on.”

“……”

This should be enough. What I had to say and what I had to do are all done with this.

‘With this, the future events Lord Joseph reported shouldn’t occur.’

How dare she try to poison my child to death?

Then, I just need to completely restrict her actions so that she can’t use poison in the first place.

‘There’s no need for it to be long either. It’s enough until Baron Baden’s crime is fully exposed.’

About a week.

The Baroness of Baden was now openly glaring at me with a resentful face.

Of course, I didn’t provoke her by pointing out her expression.

I don’t want to get bitten by a cornered mouse.

“Well then, if you need anything, have the attendants relay it to me.”

With those words, I turned away from the Baroness of Baden.

‘My back feels so itchy.’

Even though I had turned around, the Baroness of Baden still hadn’t gone back into the room. I could feel her gaze boring into me from behind.

‘At this distance, I should be swallowed up by the darkness of the corridor and not be visible.’

That’s when it happened.

I noticed someone standing at the end of the corridor.

A tall man with silver-white hair…

“Lord Jose…”

…Huh?

Lord Joseph, who was standing at the end of the corridor, suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me.

No, that’s not all. His outstretched arm wrapped around my body in an instant. I found myself helplessly embraced in his arms.

What?

What’s going on?

Why is he doing this to me?

“Just a moment…”

Before I could show my bewilderment, Joseph’s rough breathing poured onto my neck.

Rough breathing, I say.

This person must be having a headache again.

No, that’s not it. I’m not a fool. I can now understand what this headache means.

It was then that I realized I could hear the sound of footsteps hastily moving away behind my back.

I hurriedly turned my head. At the end of my vision, not yet consumed by darkness, I caught sight of the Baroness of Baden’s back.

And the glittering silver paper knife in her hand.

“……”

A chill ran through my entire body at that moment.

I had almost died just now. I hadn’t heard the Baroness of Baden’s presence, let alone her footsteps.

If it weren’t for Lord Joseph, by now I would have…

‘I don’t think I provoked the Baroness to that extent.’

The thought of what could have happened makes me dizzy.

“Oh my. It seems the Baroness of Baden has discovered our relationship.”

“……”

That tension-free voice brought me to my senses.

Only then did I realize that I was still in Lord Joseph’s embrace.

Not just embraced. We were completely pressed against each other from head to toe.

It was to the extent that it would be absolutely difficult to deny any misunderstanding of us being secret lovers.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

She saw all of this, didn’t she?

Of course, it’s not something to worry about right now. She won’t be able to leave that room for a week, so she can’t go around blabbing to anyone.

First, I decided to break free from his embrace.

“Please move aside for now, Lord Joseph. How long are you planning to stay like this?”

“Ah, my apologies.”

If you know it’s rude, then don’t do it.

Anyway, after that, the fear of almost being humiliated by the Baroness of Baden earlier was no longer present.

First, I called a servant from downstairs and had them immediately start guarding the Baroness of Baden’s room from now on.

Only then did I give Lord Joseph a look. It meant for him to follow me.

I had a lot I wanted to say, but not here.

A small chuckle brushed past my ear in the dark corridor.

Ah, I’m getting angry. The hot sensation rising from my neck was definitely because of that.

Eventually, I reached Lord Joseph’s room on the opposite side of the corridor.

Just as I was about to enter the room, Lord Joseph spoke.

“Are you perhaps thinking of entering a room used by a man alone?”

“I’m not in the mood for jokes, Lord Joseph.”

“I was being insensitive again.”

I know that’s not it. That man is not insensitive, but sometimes he pretends to be.

It’s annoying, but I don’t find it detestable or infuriating, so I must have quite a favorable impression of him.

Anyway, after entering Lord Joseph’s room and securing the door, I immediately took a seat.

And I asked bluntly.