Luke, who was heading towards Bonita’s room, happened to run into Aria coming out and closing the door.

The awkwardness between the two was still palpable.

They hadn’t returned to the amicable relationship they once had, nor had they exploded like that day again. Luke hesitated, thinking, ‘I intended to drive her away.’

By the time the conversation about Oliver came up, Luke was convinced. Aria was somehow related to Bonita’s disappearance seven years ago. Therefore, rationally speaking, it was right to prevent her from staying in this mansion any longer.

However, he couldn’t do it immediately. Whether it was simply because Bonita liked her or for some other reason, he couldn’t even be sure.

There was only one thing certain.

“Give it a try.”

“You’ll surely regret it.”

Every time he met those blue eyes, he remembered that day. Despite her bold words and a condescending tone, he could see the wounded expression on her face.

He felt a sensation, as if his heart was pounding and passing through.

Unable to find answers to the emotions from back then, Luke found Aria uncomfortable.

“…What’s the matter?”

In the uneasy silence, Aria was the first to speak.

Several sentences lingered in Luke’s mind.

“I have no obligation to report to you.”

But what actually came out of his mouth was entirely different.

“Oliver has come. He wants to meet Bonita, saying it’s for her well-being.”

Even as he said it, Luke wanted to hit his head hard.

‘Why am I telling her all this in detail?’

Even if she had raised suspicions about Oliver first, she was a definite link. Maybe she made a deal with him or… whatever the case, she was someone not to be trusted.

“Delfinium Marquis?”

Luke observed Aria’s paling expression. There was a hint of resentment in her blue eyes.

“You wouldn’t be considering allowing that, Your Lordship?”

“I…”

About to murmur some excuse again, Luke quickly came to his senses.

“That’s not my decision. Bonita is the one meeting him.”

With a firm tone, Aria frowned.

“Sometimes, you have to protect a child. It’s not always about respecting the doctor’s opinion blindly.”

“Is that your place to say such things?”

“…Well.”

In response to the irritating rebuttal, Aria closed her mouth. However, the uncomfortable atmosphere lingered.

It felt heavy watching her face tainted with anxiety and unease. Faint bruises on her arms came into view. Luke sighed.

“Even if Oliver has other intentions, I can’t just harm Bonita right in front of her with my eyes wide open. Just like you wouldn’t do that. Wouldn’t you?”

Instead of responding, Aria stepped aside in silence. Luke briefly stared at the round back of her head.

Bonita had tidied up her hair since waking up. The scattered hair was back to its original form, a beautiful golden blonde, worthy of praise as if made of pure gold.
Between her strands of hair, a white ear peeked out. She still looked pale. No, perhaps she had always been so.

“…….”

He wanted to know what she was thinking.

If only one could read people’s thoughts, there wouldn’t be such wavering. She would have known the exact relationship between her brother and Aria Hilton, and why, after seven years, she had finally come to the Marquis’s mansion with Bonita.

‘Pointless assumptions.’

It was all meaningless speculation. The magic that could control the weather and split the sky, the one thing even the Grand Sorcerer couldn’t do, was reading someone else’s mind.

Even if one could manipulate the body, changing a person’s thoughts and values was impossible.

Unless you asked for the power of the devil.

Luke glanced at Aria for a moment, then gently knocked on Bonita’s door, announcing his visit. A sweet voice responded.

“Come in.”

Just hearing it made you smile—a lovely tone. A large hand grasped the doorknob and turned it.

“Daddy?”

Bonita, who had unfolded a picture book on the bed, widened her eyes.

A smile appeared on Luke’s lips.

“Were you reading a book?”

“Yes, um… Aria taught me a few letters. So, I was trying to match them with the pictures.”

“Progress in your letter study, huh?”

“About the alphabet. Still finding it difficult to read entire sentences.”

“No need to rush. It’s only been two weeks since you started studying. Just learn step by step.”

Saying that, Luke sat next to Bonita. The bed sank much lower than when Aria sat on it, making Bonita giggle.

“The bed got much lower than when Aria sat.”

Luke smiled at Bonita’s words, then remembered the main topic and stiffened his expression.

Bonita, who sensitively read her father’s emotional change, put down the book.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, Bonita.”

Luke hesitated for a moment.

Whether giving Bonita the choice was the right decision was not something he was certain about.

The child’s free will versus protection. It was always a dilemma which one to prioritize.

In truth, he wanted to raise Bonita safely in the Marquis’s mansion for her entire life, free from harm.

But that couldn’t be the case.