“…I guess so.”

After answering a beat late, Kisa brought up something he probably didn’t know.

“So, Father went to visit Rowans Marquis yesterday.”

Anyone who heard the rumors would know about Daniel’s accident, but there’s no way he would know the information Count Ranspelt found out.

Kisa also conveyed the speculation that Daniel would likely be sent far away by Marquis Rowans soon.

Seyerd walked silently through the garden, listening intently to Kisa’s words.

The garden of Hillan Duke’s residence, with autumn flowers charmingly blooming, evoked a profound ambiance.

“I see. Daniel Rowans is leaving… Honestly, it’s a relief.”

He wrapped one arm around Kisa’s waist.

“He won’t be able to send you strange letters or visit unannounced for a while. I hope he doesn’t show up in the capital for as long as possible.”

“That’s what I’m saying. It’d be great if he just stayed there. Fortunately, Marquis Rowans seems to be as stubborn as his son, so I don’t think Daniel will be returning anytime soon.”

“That’s good. At least we can have a quiet wedding.”

Wedding. At that strangely resonant word, Kisa unconsciously stopped walking through the garden.

Seyerd also came to a halt, meeting his lover’s gaze.

With a gentle expression, he slowly took in every detail from her head to toe.

Even though the wedding dress was ready, Kisa still couldn’t believe that after autumn and winter passed and spring came, she would be marrying this blissful man.

In fact, Kisa and Count Ranspelt could have held the wedding ceremony earlier than that.

However, Seyerd insisted on wanting to tie the knot with Kisa in spring when all things come to life.

‘We should just get married quickly and go down to the estate. It’d be more convenient for him too…’

Managing the estate’s affairs from the capital was no easy burden for Seyerd either.

“Seyerd.”

Kisa’s nose stung, knowing well his intention to give her the best wedding.

She wanted to trust him fully now and forever.

“This might be unnecessary, but never go around alone, Seyerd. Always take your guards. The world is so treacherous these days.”

Looking up at him, Kisa continued.

“The culprits who did that to Daniel will be hard to catch. I’m scared. Even that overconfident bastard nearly got into big trouble because of someone’s malice.”

What if Daniel had hit his head badly while rolling down the slope or gotten beaten by the culprits in a critical area?

Daniel was a jerk, but it was natural to feel a chill down one’s spine thinking how someone perfectly fine until yesterday could be harmed in an instant.

“Don’t worry, Kisa. I promise to be cautious and attentive in everything, as you said.”

Seyerd caressed Kisa’s soft cheek and gave a captivating smile.

“I can’t make such a lovely bride like you frown, can I?”

“…”

After a very brief silence, Kisa answered softly.

“Yes, thank you.”

There was something she agonized over until the end but couldn’t say.

‘You know, Seyerd.’

It seems Daniel is claiming that you incited the culprits to attack him.

Is that true? Did you really do that?

Kisa was afraid. But she couldn’t tell exactly what she feared.

Finding out that Seyerd really silenced Daniel in such a violent way?

Or not being able to genuinely believe him even if she heard the truth of his innocence?

Or him actually being responsible but not telling Kisa the truth?

She didn’t know. Unable to understand anything, Kisa spread her arms and hugged Seyerd tightly.

At least then, she could clearly feel that he was by her side now.

“Kisa…”

His voice, slightly surprised, fell near Kisa’s ear.

Was it just her feeling? He seemed a little overwhelmed.

“It’s the first time. That you actively wanted me.”

Come to think of it, this might be the first time Kisa initiated an embrace.

Until now, the best courage she mustered was being the first to hold his hand and intertwine their fingers.

“…Did you not feel like it?”

In response to Kisa’s cautious question, Seyerd confined her in his arms.

“Of course not. I’m happy.”

The two stayed feeling each other’s warmth for a while before facing one another.

Unlike the first time, Kisa could anticipate the second.

Their intertwined gazes conveyed it.

Soon, Kisa and Seyerd’s lips overlapped.

Feeling his thick tongue invading her mouth, Kisa tried to focus solely on Seyerd.

No other existence was needed right now.

Time flowed like a stream.

Autumn quickly hid its appearance, and winter arrived.

For Kisa, who was sensitive to cold, Seyerd always spent most of their time indoors where warmth could be felt whenever she visited.

Regrettably, they had to postpone walking together in the garden of Hillan Duke’s residence until spring.

Incidentally, Daniel had to leave the capital less than a week after the accident.

Kisa didn’t know exactly where he went, as Marquis Rowans didn’t tell even Count Ranspelt, and she had little interest anyway.

She just felt relieved as if a sore tooth had been pulled out.

With Daniel gone, there was no one to pester Kisa anymore.

In Princess Arta’s case, she thoroughly ignored Kisa’s existence since the Gabriel incident.

Not only did she not invite Kisa to her tea parties, but she also didn’t send any letters of well-wishing.

Whatever she heard, Princess Arta’s ardent followers like Lady Welp and Melissa no longer picked fights with Kisa.

As there were no clashes between Kisa and the princess for several months, the interest of people who were eager to gossip about them gradually faded.

Kisa focused on preparing for the wedding and building new relationships without much trouble.

Since she had time to spare anyway, she attended gatherings with Aria’s friends without fail.

With Aria’s help, Kisa was able to quickly become close with them.

“Well, according to my husband, the gathering held at the Willow Tea House is on the verge of dissolution due to various reasons.”

One day, she shared that news.

“No wonder, since the top enthusiastic member disappeared, saying she was going to recuperate, and there are rampant rumors that the host played around with a taken man. Who would want to participate diligently in such an atmosphere? I heard existing members are also leaving one by one.”

Seeing Aria laugh as if it served them right, Kisa gave an awkward smile.

She seemed to think Kisa was curious about Hazel’s whereabouts, but in fact, she wasn’t curious at all.

In the first place, if it weren’t for Daniel, they would have never been entangled in their entire lives.

‘Do as you please.’

Whether she went to find Daniel and took care of his illness or continued to run the tea house in the capital had nothing to do with Kisa.

Those truly important to Kisa were the people currently by her side.

Among them, especially Seyerd. The man who loved Kisa and whom Kisa loved.

Recently, Kisa spent time with him almost every day.

As the wedding approached, she felt somehow anxious in a corner of her heart, but being next to him made her forget it.

Today was the day she visited the capital’s largest department store with him to look at their newlywed home.

Of course, the Hillan residence where the two would reside after marriage was fully furnished, but Seyerd said it was fine to change anything if Kisa wanted.

Thus, Kisa decided to take this opportunity to purchase some tableware and furniture she liked.

“How about this? I think this one is pretty.”

“Yes, it’s lovely. The pattern is delicate.”

“Ah, but that one looks great too.”

“I agree. The overall shape is sophisticated.”

“…Aren’t you just saying everything is good since earlier?”

“But if it’s something you like, it all looks good to me.”

Kisa retorted a bit sulkily, though inwardly pleased.

“Still, it makes it hard to choose one that way.”

“Hmm, should we just buy them all?”

“No! That’s not what I meant!”

For Kisa, who grew up under the frugal Count Ranspelt, a rarity among aristocrats, purchasing several pieces of the same type of furniture was an arduous task.

In the end, it took the couple a couple of hours to finish furnishing their newlywed home.

Exiting the department store, the two headed to where their carriage was parked.

But then, a man in shabby attire approached them.

He had shaggy black hair and a stooped back.

“Excuse me, um…”

“Hey, step back.”

The man tried to speak in a hoarse voice but was blocked by those escorting the couple.

In crowded places like this, there were also many vagrants from the streets who begged.

They mainly targeted well-dressed aristocrats, and the aristocrats also considered it a virtue to give alms to the needy, so they often bestowed an appropriate amount of money.

Seyerd and Kisa were no exception.

“Here, take this.”

One of the guards handed the man a bill.

“…”

However, the man didn’t accept it. He just stared this way with wide eyes.

“Se, Seyerd.”

Before long, a name burst out of the man’s mouth like a sob.

“I, I’m sorry. For breaking the promise and running away back then…”

At that moment, Kisa witnessed Seyerd’s face, who had been glancing at the man indifferently, transform.

“Covi?”

Instantly passing the guards, Seyerd stood in front of the vagrant and grasped his slumped shoulders.

“It’s you, Covi, right?”