“We were a contract couple, so we never asked each other about private matters. Just like Hertian never asked me why I avoided Serdis.”

Pretending to maintain at least a minimum level of courtesy towards each other, I made that excuse.

After speaking, I felt a bit embarrassed and somewhat wronged.

Because Hertian rarely ever questioned me as well. He definitely knew many things he never asked about, like my food preferences or taste in clothes.

But it couldn’t be helped.

‘Mother or father must have told him every little detail.’

Sighing after licking my lips, Hertian spoke in an even softer voice.

“I wish you would be curious about me. Very much so.”

Somewhere in his pleading tone, I gave a small snort.

“Will you answer if I ask?”

Smiling, he nodded his head. I then spat out the question that had been bothering me.

“Which academy did you attend, Hertian?”

I am a woman who holds grudges.

I wanted to know a secret that only Elenore and I were aware of.

It didn’t matter which academy he had attended. There would be no connection between me and Hertian in any academy anyway.

I just wanted to wash away this nagging feeling I had.

“Can you tell me which one?”

A heavy silence fell. I really couldn’t stand not knowing.

“You said you wanted me to be curious, and now you’re backing out?”

“Are you really curious?”

His black pupils shook for the first time.

Hmm? He’s really struggling. That makes me more curious.

“Yes. I want to know.”

“I can’t change what I said now, so I should tell you. I feel surprisingly nervous.”

His lips were dry at just the question of which academy he attended.

Did he dislike the name? Or did he have bad memories there? He seemed afraid to say it out loud.

It would be strange if I backed down with my questioning here.

“Shall I guess?”

I decided to say it myself and move on quickly.

“Did you know?”

“I am a contractual partner, but also a Duchess.”

It wasn’t something I couldn’t know if I wanted to. I’ve known Hertian since we were kids.

‘Why is he acting like he’s hiding something?’

His black pupils trembled. He looked down at me with a tense face, as if someone had discovered a secret he’d long kept. His pupils entrapped me so that I was somewhat afraid to speak. Eventually, after a brief silence, I opened my mouth.

“Jakavan Academy, right?”

“……”

Had he lost his words? Or was he just disappointed?

“Why are you hiding this? I know Hertian inherited the Duke’s title at a young age and couldn’t attend an academy properly. Is that something to be ashamed of? You’ve had more important life experiences than an academy.”

He couldn’t enjoy a proper academy life. I understand that a hundred times over. Wasn’t I a mess as a student too?

“I attended an academy for 8 years and made no friends. And it’s not like I achieved anything; I just foolishly focused on research. You’re much better than me, Hertian, aren’t you?”

“Who told you?”

“……You’re not going to punish me for finding out, are you?”

When I widened my eyes at him, he relaxed his expression.

“No, absolutely not.”

“The truth is, no one told me. I figured it out. Both Osen and Elenore attended Jakavan Academy, didn’t they? So naturally, wouldn’t you, Hertian?”

Pleased with myself for guessing correctly, I chuckled. On the contrary, Hertian looked like a scientist whose experiment had failed.

“Hertian? Nothing will change now that I know. If it’s a secret, I won’t tell anyone.”

“No, it’s just disappointing.”

“Was my deductive reasoning that astonishing? Hmm. That’s understandable.”

He then asked as I shrugged my shoulders lightly.
“Is your ability not able to foresee a future between you and me?”

“What?”

“Does your ability not show your own future?”

It was a piercing question.

In the original story, she had simply died a lonely death after marrying Baekhwa. There was no future where she contracted a marriage with Hertian.

Flustered by the question, all I could repeat was, “Well…”

That’s when it happened.

Footsteps began to echo in this castle where it seemed no one would come.

Hertian must have sensed it too, as he gripped my shoulder and looked around cautiously.

“Anette~.”

And then came a voice, familiar and spinechilling.

At the same time, Hertian and I exchanged glances.

“It’s Serdis.”

He had come to the castle himself.

The footsteps grew closer. The sound of a door opening was heard repeatedly.

“Where is Anette?”

My heart pounded in rhythm with the footsteps.

“Is there a place to hide? I’d like to avoid him if possible.”

He looked around the room quickly and then grabbed my wrist.

“This way.”

I picked up my heels and carefully followed him. It was a wardrobe. An unusually large one. It was the only place to hide.

“Stay here, I will drive him away.”

Hertian opened the wardrobe and spoke. I nodded my head.

“Meeting that lunatic won’t do any good. Avoiding everyone until you meet His Majesty is the best strategy.”