As Marianne absentmindedly raised her head, she let out a sudden sigh. She turned to Christoph with a sparkle in her eyes.

“How about taking a car?”

“A car?”

Christoph’s gaze shifted towards the collection of vehicles in the garage. Her suggestion was valid. Although the distance would take more than half a day by carriage, it would be significantly shorter if they used a car.

Oscar appeared to contemplate for a moment before speaking.

“It does seem like a much better option than a carriage. However, there’s only one person here who can drive a car, and that would be me. We didn’t originally require someone who could drive a car, so I’ll have to inquire with the estate lord if it’s acceptable to leave the mansion empty for a day. We can set off after that.”

Marianne’s gaze stared fixedly at Christoph. When their eyes met, Christoph’s expression seemed to ask, “What do you mean by that look?” It was a suspicious look.

“You’re not implying that I can’t drive, are you, Marianne? I may be someone who rides in a car, but I’m not the one who drives it.”

It was an arrogant statement, yet it was also true. He had no need to learn how to drive. Driving was the role of an employee, not an employer.

“I can drive.”

Marianne looked at him and calmly stated.

“…”

“…”

For a moment, there was a brief silence. Louis widened his eyes, Oscar furrowed his brows faintly, and Christoph gazed at her with an indifferent expression.

Marianne shrugged lightly and added a few more words.
“I can drive, so there’s no need for Oscar to accompany us. Let’s depart now, Christoph.”

Amidst the frozen figures, only Marianne moved gracefully. She cast a glance towards Louis.

“Could you find the car keys for me, Louis?”

“Yes? Oh, yes, Mrs. Schneider.”

With a nod, Louis descended from the carriage seat and entered the garage. While keeping an eye on Oscar and Christoph’s reactions, he extended a key to Marianne.

“Thank you.”

Marianne opened the driver’s seat door. She inserted and turned the key, and the thunderous roar of the engine filled the air. The vehicle itself vibrated heavily.

Marianne glanced at Christoph, who stood there dazed. It was a look that asked why he wasn’t getting in. Christoph finally snapped to attention and walked slowly toward the car.

Click.

“…”

He hesitated for a moment as if planning to sit in the back seat. The front passenger seat. Up to now, that had been his designated spot. However, for some reason, he felt a tug at the back of his head.

He turned his head slowly, and Oscar was pointing to the front passenger seat with an expressionless face. Louis shook his head more vigorously than Oscar.

It’s not there, sir!

Thump.

Christoph closed the car door as if nothing had happened. This time, he opened the passenger door. Louis, who had approached, brushed the car’s roof. With the cool breeze came the golden morning sun pouring down.

The car moved smoothly, exiting the garage. Everything happened in the blink of an eye, leaving no time for second thoughts.
Marianne bid farewell to Oscar.

“I’ll be back.”

“Are you really sure?”

Oscar asked cautiously. Marianne nodded confidently.

“Of course.”

“Please, take care.”

Finally stepping back, Oscar offered a polite farewell. Louis, with a worried expression, added, “May the protection of the gods be with you.”

“Thank you, Louis.”

Marianne smiled kindly at him and pressed the accelerator pedal. While Christoph glared at Louis, the car surged through the garden.

Vroom.

In the distance, the front gate opened.

A black car passed through the avenue lined with sequoias. The tree shadows loomed over their faces, and the wind, sharp as a claw, swept through their hair.

Christoph paused as he was about to grab the door handle. Each time, Marianne’s piercing gaze landed on him.

“Don’t trust me?”

“…I trust you.”

Though it felt too fast to say he trusted her, Christoph had no choice but to answer that way.

Sensing Marianne’s subtle gaze, he let go of the handle and clenched his fist.

“When did you learn to drive?”

“Well, I had a friend named Sophia when I was in school.”

Marianne hung her left arm over the window as she spoke. Christoph glanced at her with a nervous expression. His dry voice broke the silence.
“An object maintains a balanced state when similar forces act on both sides, Marianne.”

She raised an eyebrow at the sudden remark.

“It means it’s better to hold the steering wheel with both hands.”

“You really have a way with words.”

Marianne let out a short sigh and placed her left hand on the steering wheel. Christoph’s uneasy gaze finally subsided.

“Sophia, do you remember her? The girl much shorter than you? The one you were cuddling with when you had an argument with Michael, the girl in your arms.”

“Yes, I remember.”

Marianne’s distant memory brought a faint smile to her lips.