“Go.”

Christoph took the lead. A carriage was waiting in front of the entrance, a luxurious one that didn’t fit the neighborhood.

“As you know, the Duke doesn’t like cars.”

Christoph added casually. But Marianne suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Among the nobility, cars were the trend, but Duke Schneider solely relied on carriages. After losing his son and daughter-in-law to a car accident, he had lost faith in the metallic monstrosities.

And Christoph was the sole survivor of that horrific accident. A four-year-old child who had stayed half a day with his deceased parents until people came to rescue him.

“……”

A few steps ahead, Christoph halted and looked back at her, as if questioning why she had stopped.

“……It’s nothing.”

Her heart fluttered again. Waves continuously rolled in and retreated. Thump thump. Starting from her ankles, furthest from her heart, she felt as though she were being submerged in sea water.

Don’t repeat foolish acts, Marianne.

With her head slightly lowered, she walked straight toward the carriage. Christoph waited for her to come by his side before moving in step with her.

The coachman, who had been standing in front of the carriage, courteously opened the door. His face seemed familiar. Then she suddenly remembered where she had met him.

Marianne’s eyes widened.

“You are?”

“I am Louis List, Mrs. Schneider. Did you find the lodging to your satisfaction?”

That’s right. He was the same house servant’s assistant who had recommended the lodging to her. Mrs. List’s son. Marianne smiled sweetly at him.

“Perfect. The food was exceptionally satisfying, just as you said.”

“I’m glad to hear that. My mother will be delighted. Please get in the carriage.”

As Louis said this, he extended his hand to help her get into the carriage.

“How kind…….”

Marianne hesitated as she was about to take his hand. Suddenly, Christoph stepped in between them, shoving aside the coachman and offering his own hand instead.

With a brazen expression.

“Hahaha.”

Louis awkwardly withdrew his hand with a chuckle. Marianne looked down at Christoph’s outstretched hand, her face a picture of confusion.

An awkward silence lingered. Only Christoph maintained his composure, flicking an eyebrow as if to say, ‘Why aren’t you taking my hand already?’
Marianne took a deep breath in an attempt to bear the uncomfortable moment she felt. Otherwise, her ears would have turned red.

“Thank you, Christoph.”

In the end, Marianne took his hand and climbed into the carriage. Christoph signaled Louis and sat down opposite her.

“Let’s go.”

“…Yes.”

Louis, who had come to his senses late, hurriedly ran to the driver’s seat. He had a bad feeling as if he had caught the young master’s eye for some reason. Wishing his gut feeling was wrong, Louis drove the carriage carefully.

“It’s been a while, Marianne. How have you been?”

“Your Grace…”

Instead of greeting, Marianne looked at him with eyes full of mixed emotions—gratitude, well wishes, and a touch of resentment.

Duke Schneider couldn’t possibly fail to notice this. Chuckling as if he had done no wrong, he dodged the issue with a genial face.

“I told you, didn’t I? When it comes to crucial moments, I’ll take Christoph’s side.”

“That moment came much sooner than expected, Your Grace.”

“That’s because you don’t know, Mari. You won’t believe how miserable he became after you disappeared, how drained the people around him were. I couldn’t believe it either, until I saw it with my own eyes.”

“…”

At those words, Marianne slowly turned her head. Christoph stood there with his usual stoic expression. A face that seemed like it wouldn’t bleed a single drop even if pricked with a needle.

He was miserable?

Duke Schneider’s words were hard to believe. No matter how much she used her imagination, her mind was blank.

Then suddenly, the moment when she had met him again came to mind. The slightly slimmer jawline and the darker shadows on his cheekbones.

Could it really be? …But.

The person in front of her was Christoph. Christoph Schneider, a paragon of cold logic and unyielding rationality.

“But Mari, my affection for you is also genuine.”

“I know, Your Grace.”

Marianne looked at him with affectionate eyes. Her resentment from moments before had vanished like melting snow.

Oscar, who had approached with small steps, gave her a light nod and then bowed to the Duke.

“The meal is ready.”

“Very well. Shall we dine first? Marianne, tell me how you’ve been all this while.”
The Count moved first, and Christoph and Marianne followed him. They walked into the family dining room where twelve chairs were placed.

As the three sat down, food flew in one after another. Oscar filled the glasses of Count Schneider and Christoph with wine and then moved to Marianne’s table.

It was rare for the butler to pour the wine himself, but no one pointed it out. Marianne quietly declined as she made eye contact with Oscar approaching her.

“Ah, I’m fine.”

At that moment.

“Care for a drink?”