Kantard’s party was nearby.

Having already stationed around upon finding me.

I hesitated whether to address Kantard as usual, since his gaze had changed. It was both welcoming and unpleasant.

When I first bowed my head, he followed suit, an action I had never seen before.

‘He knows my identity.’

Although uncertain, it was true that I had fainted in his arms. Kantard was subtly affectionate, so he would have watched until I woke up. Perhaps he had also directly confronted Hertian.

“Blacksmith’s daughter, aren’t you?”

“Miss! Long time no see!”

“How shocked I was when you suddenly disappeared.”

The other soldiers seemed unaware of my identity. Recognizing familiar faces, a smile involuntarily formed, but now was not the time for leisurely conversation.

I approached Kantard and spoke.

“I’d like to talk for a moment.”

Eyeing me briefly, Kantard responded succinctly.

“Go ahead.”

We stood a few steps apart.

“Thought you’d died since there was no word despite the payment.”

He was the first to break the silence.

“I had unexpected guests in the castle and couldn’t leave. I should have contacted you first; I apologize.”

“Apology accepted.”

“And thank you for letting the day lapse.”

I had multiple reasons to be thankful to Kantard.

After all, he had purchased a large quantity of herbs without major demands.

“Understood.”

“However, Lord Kantard.”

I subtly broke the silence, addressing him as I used to.

Time was of the essence. Ali could be under attack from wild animals.

“You will have to help me.”

I blurted, eyes wide.

“What do you mean?”

“A horse lies injured at the edge of the forest, unable to walk. We can’t pull it with just our strength.”

“So you want the horse saved?”

He asked without refusal. I nodded hopefully.

“Yes, time is of the essence. Just put the horse in that cart.”

There was a cart they had pulled for their game. It was sufficiently large to carry Ali to the barracks.

“A favor?”

“More like a favordisguised trade.”

His eyebrows twitched.

“Consider it as payment for using this forest. It’s relatively cheap.”

He laughed. A familiar face after a long while.

“You’re a naturalborn businesswoman.”

“So, will you buy more herbs?”

“No.”

I shrugged, saying I could find as many herbs as needed.

Kantard promised to rescue Ali with his soldiers. This allowed us to move without delay.

Just as we were about to enter the forest, Kantard quietly asked.

“It’s a strategic marriage, right?”

Apparently, he had met Hertian.

“More like similar to strategy.”

It was a contract marriage.

“The strategic marriages I know are very different.”

“That’s because you don’t take your spouse seriously.”

“Hmm. Anyway.”

He cleared his throat as if he was stung.

“I was envious.”

Apparently, the long separation from his wife had made him lonely.

Seeing him utter such unexpected words.

(This is a time separator.)

Ali was quickly rescued.

Before reaching the barracks, Anette sent Kantard’s party back first.

It could create another problem if seen by others.

Soon, Violet arrived, and we safely transported Ali.

The carriage reached the duke’s castle.

Osen planned to immediately report to Hertian and await instructions, failing his duty as a knight.

Noticing Osen had been quiet, Anette stuck by his side.

“Don’t worry too much. This is my fault for not taking proper care of Lili. I’ll tell the Duke.”

(Note: Some names and genders from the previous list are not found in the text; thus, they have been omitted in the translation.)
“It’s strictly my fault.”

“Ah, don’t be so formal. In fact, let’s keep this a secret between us. Please make sure no one else knows I’ve asked the Cursians for help. I won’t mention Osen’s tardiness either.”

Anette softly placed her index finger on her lips as she whispered.

“Alright, noted! You’ve worked hard today.”

Then she tightly wrapped her cloak around herself and entered the castle.

The lady was truly enigmatic.

She was thought of merely as the longtime first love of her master, and the only person who occasionally made a fool out of him.

That’s why Anette didn’t appear particularly appealing in Osen’s eyes.

Just another noble young lady raised in the capital, as the maids often gossiped. Neither more nor less.

Perhaps a bit more beautiful than other young ladies?

However, her recent actions were unusual.

From buying expensive fabrics for the maids’ dresses with money she raised in just a month to the tune of 30 billion gold, to casually manipulating Cursians.

‘She is certainly different from other young ladies.’

Of course, there was no significant emotional shift. There wasn’t much a frail body could do. Osen merely hoped that she wouldn’t worry the master with health issues.

(This is a time separator.)

The maids couldn’t contain their astonishment at the dreadful state of the room.

Pink Sertia flowers were trampled beyond recognition on the floor, and white whipped cream was smeared on the walls. Finally, after destroying the ribbon gifted by Anette, Liri flopped onto the sofa.

“Ah… this is so irritating.”