Ines was reading the Bible in the courtyard.

It was still hot at noon, but a cool breeze blew in the morning and evening. Thanks to the large parasol, she could stay outside even at midday, but Ines enjoyed sitting here in the morning and reading the Bible.

She had hardly slept last night, too. Closing her eyes and meditating for a moment while thinking of Carson’s face was the only way for Ines to maintain her tranquility.

“Miss, I’ve prepared a simple meal for you.”

It was a simple meal of soft bread that Ines liked, accompanied by a sweet cream only available in Randhill. Her mother was not an early riser, so everyone in Ines’s family had a simple breakfast on their own.

“Thank you.”

Susan blushed slightly every time Ines said thanks.

Biting into the bread, a soft texture and sweetness filled her mouth. The bread melted smoothly, easing her tension from the nightmares. Looking into the distance, the sky seemed higher than yesterday, with clouds scattered here and there.

“Susan, it’s so peaceful.”

“Indeed.”

“It’s all thanks to Him.”

“Who?”

“The Lord.”

“Ahh…”

Sighing, Susan looked even more embarrassed than before. The lady who had asked for a portrait was talking about the Lord first thing in the morning, making it clear where her thoughts were.

Even while tidying up around Ines, Susan seemed to be humming happily.

The face Susan wore when she returned did not look comfortable in the least. But if time continued this way, Susan would age with a soft impression like Emma.

Ah, come to think of it, she’s already 20 years old.

“Susan, do you have a man in mind?”

“Huh? Why would you say that, Miss?”

Suddenly, Ines felt the urge to find her a good match sooner rather than later. But Susan’s face suddenly paled.

“Could it be…?”

“Why?”

“You’re not thinking of leaving me behind when you get married, are you?”

“What?”

Ines couldn’t help but burst into laughter. For the first time in a long while, she felt as if she had traveled back in time to laugh aloud.

Ines looked up at the distant mountain owned by a family reputed to have a gold mine. By now, the green reeds in the middle of the mountain should have changed to a slightly pale color.

“There’s no chance I’d leave you behind when I get married.”

Susan visibly relaxed at her words.

“I want to follow you, Miss, if you would allow it.”

“Thank you, Susan,” Ines expressed her eternal gratitude silently.

“But what was the name of the new stable boy?”

“What? Why ask about the stable boy?”

A sense of awareness had developed in Ines, who had returned after spending time away. The stable boy who accompanied her when she went out was named Bunny Scott. When Susan saw him, she couldn’t even lift her head. To Ines, Bunny did look cute.

“Isn’t he younger than you, Susan?”

“Is he?”

Just a moment ago, Susan who was feigning ignorance was now surprised and lifted her head quickly. Ines laughed out loud again. Eighteen was not too young for a man to get married. The autumn wind carrying Ines’s laughter disappeared into the distance.

At that moment, Ines had no idea that there was a visitor in her mansion, interrupting her mother’s morning sleep.

“I’m sorry for barging in without notice.”

Faced with another apology from the royalty, Andrew was at a loss.

“I had to leave my territory in a hurry, so I stopped by.”

“Yes, yes. My wife will be here soon. Please have a seat and wait.”

Soon, the maids prepared tea and light snacks for the morning.

Andrew, who had been cautious and never asked Ines before, looked closely at the royal before him, considering the rumors might be true.
Lifting his teacup elegantly and crossing his legs naturally, the man exuded an extraordinary air of good looks.

The oppressive elegance of his movements transformed the reception room of the Swalden estate into a palace-like atmosphere in an instant.

Andrew quietly sighed. He knew his daughter was strikingly beautiful but had not expected her to catch the eye of royalty. Moreover, who was Carson von Raymond? A man known as the most beautiful person in the empire.

Andrew had hoped for Ines to lead an ordinary life. He thought a family of minor nobility, where she could be loved by her husband like her mother, would be enough.

Yet, the thought that his daughter would be part of the royal family greatly worried Andrew.

As he discreetly glanced up, a cold man with a sharp jawline was looking at him with a sly smile.

“A beautiful man will bring a woman hardship….”

Andrew shook his head vehemently and raised his teacup.

“What are your plans for managing the mine?”

“Mine? What kind of mine are you…”

“If you find it difficult to manage, I can arrange to send appropriate people.”

Confused by the incomprehensible comment, Andrew tilted his head. They had a small iron mine in the family, but it produced a trivial amount.

It served to produce a small amount of iron for domestic use, contracted to a refinery run by another family. There was absolutely no reason to feel any difficulty in its management.