That day, Lea returned to her daily life at the duke’s residence. The person who welcomed her most was, of course, Pauline.

However, Lea and Terran faced a different situation than before.

Especially for Lea, every time she looked in the mirror, she was reminded of her kiss with Terran.

‘I shouldn’t have done that.’

Even if Terran had approached her, she should have pushed him away. She didn’t want to be caught up in the emotion of love again.

Still, Terran gave Lea hope in another direction.

[Think about what Grace’s dream is. I’ll be your helper.]

How powerful his words were.

Even when considering it coolly, it was unrealistic for her to face Allen alone. If Duke Terran Courtois was by her side, the situation would be completely different.

“My lady, I’ve brought the newspaper.”

Pauline’s voice was very cheerful.

Lea read the newspaper as usual and clipped articles about Allen.

‘Allen’s influence is growing in Galdencia.’

For his articles to appear in daily newspapers across the continent, he was no longer the poor nobleman he once was.

The articles were already filled with speculations about who Allen’s new bride-to-be might be.

“Oh, by the way, the Duke saw that.”

“Saw what?”

Lea listened to Pauline’s words indifferently while focusing on cutting.

“That notebook you’re making, my lady.”

Lea was startled and looked at Pauline. Of course, it wasn’t something that needed to be hidden, but she hadn’t expected Terran to see this notebook.

“Did he say anything else?”

“Well, he asked if you liked that man.”

“And?”

“I said I didn’t know. But since we’re on the topic, why don’t you answer? Are you collecting those newspaper articles because you admire that man?”

“No!”

Lea’s answer was very firm. She was collecting them for the opposite reason, what nonsense was this?

So that’s why Terran had said those words.

[There should be no man in your heart but me.]

How surprised she was when Terran suddenly revealed his feelings.

She thought he had no feelings for Grace, so she was confused about why he suddenly changed.

Lea thought about it carefully afterward.

‘It wouldn’t be bad to marry this man. To deal with Allen, I need someone as strong as Terran in every aspect.’

It was true that she felt less burdened about deciding to marry him due to her apologetic feelings towards him and his unspoken misfortune.

She wouldn’t have to feel the pressure of love, pleasure, or the need to continue the lineage.

Honestly, the kiss they shared in the church wasn’t bad. How her heart raced.

‘Love isn’t everything. Marriage is possible with just mutual trust and loyalty. Besides, he…’

It was a great relief that she didn’t need to feel burdened by physical love. Of course, she felt sorry for using his tragedy.

Even after loving a man with all her soul, she couldn’t understand the heart of a person on the same path.

Thinking she knew him completely was just her own delusion, and Allen’s sweet words were nothing more than deception.

Then something flashed through Lea’s mind.

‘That’s right, I didn’t put the rifle back in its place.’

Perhaps Terran already knew.

She couldn’t openly return the gun as a lady, having touched someone else’s belongings without permission.

‘I’ll have to quietly return it at dawn.’

But somehow, she felt sorry about just returning the gun.

Thanks to Terran, she was able to look at her current reality more coldly. If so, she should carefully observe the situation and prepare.

“Pauline, shall we go downtown?”

“Really? Is there something you want to buy?”

“Yes, I need to buy some books and…”

Her mind was complicated and her heart felt heavy. The excuse to sort out her confused feelings away from Terran, even for a moment, was strong.

* * *

Luke entered the office whistling. Although Terran had overdone it, it was enough that the duke’s residence was peaceful again.

“The young lady and Pauline went downtown. Of course, I assigned a servant to accompany them, so don’t worry.”

“Downtown?”

“She said they’re going to the bookstore. Come to think of it, life is long and full of surprises. We experience all sorts of things.”

“What do you mean?”

“Did you ever imagine it, Your Grace? No one knew Grace would be such a bookworm. Moreover, though I haven’t confirmed it, I suspect she knows more foreign languages besides Landesian and Turkish.”

Indeed, a reply had come from the Sultan of Turkey, readily accepting.

It seemed to be thanks to Grace writing well about the circumstances here where camels couldn’t be raised.

“Humans are beings that develop. Of course, there are exceptions.”

When Terran said this looking at Luke, he pointed at himself with his finger and made a dumbfounded expression.

“Your Grace, that’s too harsh. This time, how cleverly I managed the railway…”

Before Luke could finish his sentence, James entered. But James’s expression was quite flushed.

“Your Grace, a guest has arrived from abroad.”

“Who is it?”

“He said he’s the president of Allen MacDowell Trading Company.”

For a moment, Terran’s expression changed. Since there was no reply even after sending a letter, he finally came here.

‘He’s quite persistent. This is going to be very interesting.’

“James, show him to the reception room.”

“Yes, sir.”

After James left, Terran gestured for Luke to come closer.

“Luke, it seems the time has come for you to prove that you’re a developing being.”

Terran whispered in Luke’s ear. Soon, a mischievous smile spread across Luke’s face.

Terran made Allen wait for about 30 minutes before heading to the reception room.

It was necessary to remind him that he couldn’t be easily met even if he suddenly showed up one day.

When Terran entered the reception room, Allen, dressed in a white suit, stood up from his seat.

There was no trace of his poor past visible in him now. From the outside, he looked perfect with his high-end suit, well-groomed hair, and handsome features.

“I greet you, Duke Courtois.”

Allen greeted without a single error in noble etiquette.

“Please, sit.”

Terran didn’t show any dislike either. Rather, he served Allen the finest tea from Lübeck.

“You handled my fiancée’s funeral, but I was too distraught to properly thank you. I came here for that and for another matter.”

“What matter?”

Terran asked directly. After all, they weren’t close enough to sit face to face and discuss world affairs.

Perhaps because he had spent his entire life on the battlefield, Terran instinctively felt whether a person could become close to him or not. Allen was obviously the latter.

“Well, I have something to discuss privately with Lady Grace Bizac. Of course, your permission comes first.”

“I see.”

When Terran didn’t ask any further questions, Allen looked perplexed.

It would be normal for Grace’s fiancé to jump up and down saying it’s not allowed.

“Where are you staying, Mr. MacDowell?”

“I’m staying at the Lebon Hotel. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to have lunch with Lady Grace at the hotel restaurant on the 7th.”

“Lunch on the 7th… We don’t have any other schedules, so it should be fine. I’ll let Grace know.”

“Th… thank you, Your Grace.”

Allen was surprised by Terran’s unexpectedly friendly attitude. It was quite different from the atmosphere at the funeral, which made him wonder more.

‘They say the relationship between Lady Grace and the Duke isn’t good.’

That wasn’t all. There were also widespread rumors that Terran had developed a mental illness due to long wars and hated women. So he couldn’t recognize the pearl in his hand.

“Mr. MacDowell, I will send Grace to the Lebon Hotel restaurant by noon on the 7th.”

“I express my gratitude for Your Grace’s deep consideration.”

Allen bowed his head towards Terran.

* * *

Lea and Pauline went downtown and headed to the park. They had tried to find books on business management at the bookstore, but there were too many types to choose from.

With such poor judgment in choosing even one book, how could she thoughtlessly think of chasing after Allen for revenge?

Lea, who was greatly disappointed that day, still hadn’t stopped blaming herself.

“Aren’t you hot, my lady?”

Pauline quickly took out a fan and handed it to Lea. Even with a parasol, the August sun was very intense.

“Did we come to the park when it’s too hot?”

“It seems so.”

“Since we’re already here, let’s just take one lap around and go back.”

“Yes, my lady.”

It was then. A woman with disheveled red hair came running from across Lea and suddenly grabbed her hand.

“Sister, you’re pretty. Pretty like a flower.”

She was clearly a woman with mental issues. From the looks of it, she seemed to be about nineteen or twenty years old.

“But, sister, you have two souls inside?”

Lea was so chilled by the woman’s words that she couldn’t move a step.

‘How did she know?’

It was strange that this odd woman, twisting her rough hair and grinning, could see right through her at once.

“My lady, the heat has made many people lose their minds.”

Pauline pulled Lea to the side. The intention was to avoid engaging and just pass by.

But Lea’s gaze caught something very unique.

The colorful crocheted lace vest the woman was wearing was an excellent handmade product.

Whoever made it, it was good enough to be supplied to the royal court. Moreover, the thread wasn’t cheap.

“Pauline, I think she must have companions somewhere nearby, let’s find them before we go.”

“Don’t engage with her. She’s not in a good state.”

Despite Pauline’s dissuasion, Lea approached the woman and spoke to her.

“Did you come alone?”

“No, came with grandpa.”

Her speech was very slurred.

“What’s your name?”

“Chainer. Twenty years old.”

It seemed she indeed couldn’t be left alone in the park.

Lea and Pauline walked around the park with Chainer. Then they encountered an old man wearing similar clothes on the opposite side, and Chainer ran towards him first.

“Grandpa!”

“Oh my! You silly thing, where have you been?”

“Those sisters helped me find grandpa.”

“Thank goodness. I thought you might have jumped into that pond.”

“I’m going to live with those sisters from now on.”

Everyone was surprised by Chainer’s words. But Lea found the old man’s reaction interesting.

He had called her silly with his own mouth, yet he reacted sensitively to Chainer’s words. And Lea had another question.

“Grandfather, about the vest Chainer is wearing. Who made this?”

Lea approached the old man and asked politely. Come to think of it, the old man was also wearing a vest of a different color.

“She made it herself. She may be lacking in her head, but her hand skills are exceptional.”

Lea looked at Chainer in wonder, as if she had found a magnificent raw gem. Sometimes, a person can be a jewel.