The charge was none other than leaking crucial confidential information of the royal family.

Moreover, the opponent was Zak. Due to the fierce war that lasted 5 years in the not-so-distant past, there was still deep emotional resentment between enemies.

Even if he was the heir to the Lowens marquis family… No, rather, because he was in a position to set an example for the people, it was difficult to avoid stern judgment.

A chilling premonition flashed through Daniel’s mind.

‘If this continues, it’s over.’

In all likelihood, the king would be furious, and there was little chance that Marquis Lowens would actively defend his son against such a king.

Especially after disobeying his father’s instructions to stay at the villa for a while.

He imagined the faces of his younger siblings whispering in the ear of the marquis, who would be deeply disappointed in his eldest son.

Those bastards who were always looking for an opportunity to oust their older brother and take the position of heir.

‘No!’

While Marquis Lowens was basically quite fond of his children and generously overlooked a certain degree of waywardness, he was no different from other nobles in that he valued the family more than a single child.

He was someone who could boldly discard his son if necessary, regardless of believing in his innocence.

“Come now, follow along quietly.”

Daniel looked around at the faces of the investigators approaching to apprehend him.

He could instinctively tell. If he was meekly dragged away here, the chance to prove his innocence would never come.

He had to escape right now, by any means necessary.

Just as Daniel recalled the knife in his coat’s inner pocket, it happened.

“Excuse me, what’s going on? Has something happened to the person staying in this room?”

At the unfamiliar voice from the doorway, everyone in the room turned their gaze in that direction.

It was Emil the monk. The monk’s presence, appearing with a puzzled look while wearing his outdoor clothes, was only for an extremely brief moment, but it was enough to create a gap among the investigators.

Daniel quickly drew his knife and used it to threaten the people.

“H-hey! Put that knife down! Daniel Lowens!”

“Don’t come closer! I’ll stab you if you do!”

Of course, he had no real intention of stabbing.

No matter how confident he was in his physical abilities, it was beyond his capabilities to face multiple investigators with just a single knife.

Since they were also basically armed in preparation for such a situation, Daniel’s true aim was elsewhere.

Crash! With a sharp shattering sound, he threw himself through the broken window without hesitation.

Being on the second floor was the greatest stroke of luck at this moment.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, Daniel summoned all his strength and ran at full speed along the sidewalk.

His ankle, which had been twisted upon landing, stung, but there was no time to pay attention to such things.

Now was the time to escape.

With only that one thought in mind, Daniel continued running through the night streets, pushing his way through crowds of people.

“……”

Even after Daniel’s story ended, Hazel remained silent for a while.

In the quiet cafe, Daniel glared at the air and growled.

“It’s clear who set this trap without even looking. It’s Seyerd Hilan, that bastard. Just wait and see. I’ll definitely clear my name and make that guy suffer an untimely death.”

“……”

“For that, the urgent priority is to shake off the investigators’ pursuit. Damn it, our relationship has become too well-known. They’ll surely burst in here within hours. This time, I desperately need your help, Hazel.”

“……”

“For a while, I’ll be greatly indebted to you for various things, including a place to hide. Don’t worry too much. I have some sense of propriety, so preparing two meals a day will suffice. Instead, I’d like you to meet some people on my behalf as I instruct. Let’s get started right away. First, the person to meet is… Hazel?”

When there was still no response from Hazel, Daniel carefully examined her face for the first time today.

“Daniel.”

Hazel, who finally opened her mouth, met the gaze of the man sitting across from her with an expressionless face.

“According to the story you just told, it’s been quite some time since you came to the capital.”

“Yes. Including the time I spent surveying the situation here after arriving, it’s been just under a month.”

“And the time you escaped from the villa and became free was much earlier than that?”

“That’s right, but… what about it?”

Daniel raised his eyebrows, seemingly irritated.

He couldn’t understand why Hazel was asking about trivial matters when the investigators could arrive at any moment.

“That’s not what’s important right now. We don’t have time. I need to hide as soon as possible.”

“……”

After staring at Daniel for a moment, Hazel finally let out a slow breath.

“Alright, Daniel. Tell me. How can I help you? I’ve already heard about the meals, should I do your laundry too?”

The man, whose mind was urgent, failed to read the subtle tone.

“Laundry would be great. I’m grateful for your labor. But there’s something else I’d like to ask more urgently.”

“……”

“Please meet Robin Stamper, who was my friend and also a member of our group.”

“Mr. Stamper?”

“He works in the royal palace, doesn’t he? He might find a breakthrough to clear my name. I can trust Robin at least. He was the one who most agreed with my thoughts and opinions even during our study abroad days.”

“I see. Is there anything else?”

“Ah, and please tell me where the house you lived in with your ex-husband is. You mentioned before that it was in the capital, right?”

“Huh? Why that house…?”

“Well, obviously this place is well-known, and the investigators will quickly figure out the house where you currently reside. But that house is different.”

Daniel clearly remembered the circumstances she had casually mentioned before.

“You said that after your ex-husband died, things got complicated with inheritance issues with his relatives, and the ownership was left hanging, right?”

“…That’s right.”

“But you’re still managing it?”

“Yes. I just go there occasionally to clean up.”

“I’ll stay there for the time being. I promise not to touch the things in the house as much as possible.”

Although Hazel didn’t give any particular answer, Daniel took her silence as permission and continued speaking.

“Now then, please tell me the location.”

A moment later, Hazel finally seemed to make up her mind and got up to fetch paper and a pen.

“It would be better to draw you a map.”

“Thank you.”

“Daniel, by the way, did I ever tell you what kind of person my ex-husband was?”

Hazel asked while drawing lines on the paper with a scratching sound.

“I haven’t heard the details.”

“He was the son of a well-known merchant in the capital. He even had a good fiancée from a good background chosen by his family. But he loved insignificant me so much that he left his family and married me despite their opposition.”

“It was a very romantic love.”

“Well, because of that story, his family still really hates me. So much that they won’t even hand over a single house that’s not even that great.”

“Ah, I see.”

Daniel responded halfheartedly while constantly looking back towards the direction of the front door.

Knowing or not knowing his urgent feelings, Hazel leisurely continued speaking.

“I miss those times. My husband often used to say I was like a sweet dessert to him.”

Just as Daniel, unable to bear it any longer, was about to urge her, Hazel put down her pen.

“Here you go. It’s not much of a place, but stay as comfortably as you want.”

Daniel’s face brightened somewhat as he received the map she handed over.

“Thank you so much, Hazel. I would have been really lost without you.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Ah, this is not the time. I’ll be going now.”

Daniel hurriedly headed towards the entrance, but just before opening the door, he turned back to look at Hazel.

“When our situation improves, let’s hold meetings here again like before. Cheerful and fun meetings.”

Hazel responded with a smile, and he left the store after saying he’d see her again.

How long had it been since the man left?

Hazel looked down at the teacup left on the table and muttered weakly to herself.

“It’s impossible, Daniel. Who would respond to our invitation?”

After Daniel left for recovery, none of the group members ever visited this place again.

Who would want to maintain a friendship with a woman notorious for stealing someone else’s fiancé?

In fact, not just them, but even regular customers now avoided the Willow Tree Cafe.

Faced with financial difficulties, Hazel had no choice but to let go of the employees and manage the store alone.

Naturally, her strength alone was not enough, and the condition of the store was terrible.

“But you wouldn’t see it with your eyes.”

The man who never sent her a single letter despite gaining freedom of movement long ago. The man who only appeared now when he needed something.

Until just now, Hazel was reminded of her ex-husband while looking at Daniel.

A few days before he died in an unfortunate carriage accident, he confessed while drunk that he regretted marrying Hazel.

In the end, even love couldn’t overcome the impoverished life.

“…A snack is only delicious when it’s a snack, it can’t become a staple food. I didn’t know that back then.”

That’s why you wished you hadn’t broken off your engagement.

She murmured as if sighing while drawing back the curtains by the window.

The end of the relationship was approaching along with the dawn sun beyond the horizon.

In his bedroom where the sunlight was dimly shining, the man was looking down at his sleeping lover.

He had just been admiring her peacefully sleeping figure, but before he knew it, it was almost time for the curtain of night to be lifted.

“I’m sorry, Kisa.”

He whispered quietly into the ear of his partner, who showed no signs of stirring due to the effects of the sleeping pills.

“I didn’t want to go this far, but today there was something I had to take care of without you knowing.”

Of all days, the day she opened the secret room coincided with the day the prey took the bait.

He absolutely didn’t want to miss that moment he had been longing for, when Kisa would remember their memories.

If possible, by her side…

“He has arrived.”

At that moment, Gilliam, standing at the doorway, informed him.

It was time to confirm the end of the prey that had been causing trouble due to being more cautious than expected.

The man stroked his lover’s side hair once before getting up from the bedside.

Then, heading to his office, he asked a certain figure who had been waiting for him.

“Did you handle it well?”

“Of course. Here, I’ve properly brought the luggage too.”

The robed figure put down a modest suitcase on the table with a thud and sighed.

“Brother Emil, really. If he had just turned a blind eye until the end, he could have ensured his own safety.”

“It must have been a matter of so-called conscience.”

“Well, anyway! With this, all the problems bothering Lord Bishak have been resolved.”

At those words, the red-haired man smiled gently.

“It’s Seyerd now, Brother Vicious.”