Aria almost shouted that it shouldn’t be, but she forcibly swallowed the cries that were about to come out of her mouth just before they escaped. Luke, who belatedly noticed Aria’s expression, raised one eyebrow in confusion.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“N-no… Not at all.”

Aria replied with great effort.

“It’s fine.”

Unlike earlier, the tone was firm. Luke bit his tongue inwardly as he observed Aria’s pale complexion.

“You probably caught a cold from wandering around outside. Since it might spread to Bonita, it’s better if you sleep in a different room tonight.”

“I’m fine…”

“It’s not fine.”

Luke declared firmly.

“I usually don’t stop you, but at least not today. If Bonita hears that you’re not feeling well, she’ll surely understand.”

Though she wasn’t actually sick, Aria nodded slowly.

“Um, then…”

She began.

“May I visit the Earl of Rothwell briefly today?”

Luke, who had been calmly listening to Aria’s words, twitched when he heard the words ‘Earl of Rothwell.’

“Why would you go out when you’re not feeling well? Just stay in the duchy.”

“Well, can I at least ask Lenn to come to the duchy for a moment?”

This time, Luke’s expression worsened. Uncomfortable feelings were evident as he refused Aria’s request.

“No. Don’t overthink it and just go inside to rest.”

“But…”

Before Aria could say more, Luke briskly walked away. His strides were too large, making it impossible for Aria to catch up.

Catherine, who was walking ahead, saw Luke passing by and spoke to him.

“Well, even if you get close, holding the hand of this little one is me, Dash.”

Luke casually ignored Catherine’s teasing and passed by.

Ignoring Catherine, who seemed puzzled, she muttered.

“… Was I too bold?”

“Madam, what does that mean?”

“Nothing. Rather, would you finish the story about the marquess from earlier?”

“Of course.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Luke’s footsteps were relentless. However, unlike his determined strides, his mind was incredibly tangled.

‘Am I crazy?’

He couldn’t understand why he felt so uncomfortable when Aria Hilton mentioned Lenn Rothwell.

Lenn and Aria.

Thinking about the two, he recalled what happened in the garden last time.

He didn’t know what they talked about.

What he saw was Lenn, who was comforting the crying Aria affectionately, and Aria, who hastily left the garden before he could reach there.

As if she didn’t want someone to see such a sight.

He nervously ruffled his bangs. It was noisy inside.

‘I feel bad.’

Aria Hilton irritated him.

If possible, he wanted to get rid of her.
Even if Bonita didn’t like her so much and didn’t follow her, it would have been better if she had done so sooner.

Aria Hilton was a potential suspect for the person who might have kidnapped the child.

She claimed to have lost her memory except for the moment before bringing the child. She didn’t even know how she ended up raising Bonita.

There’s no way to believe such an absurd excuse. He had been lenient with Aria.

However, as he observed Aria more closely, the suspicion that had taken root in his mind began to waver.

“How about having tea time together? I made cake with Bonita.”

“To get close to the child, it’s better to play games or exercise together.”

“I love Bonita. Except for the duke, or including him, she’s the best in the world.”

‘Is Aria Hilton… a good person?’

At first, he thought Bonita followed Aria just because she was the one who raised her.

Like an imprint effect.

Although not absolute, they had spent seven years together, born and raised like a newly hatched bird.

Even if she abused Bonita, she had no choice but to follow. Except for Aria, the child had no one else to rely on.

‘I believed she appeared with the purpose of kidnapping and raising the child for money.’

There were clearly many bruises on Bonita’s body that couldn’t have formed just from bumping into things. Her body was not in a normal state either, being too thin and malnourished.

That’s why he wanted to become a new sanctuary for Bonita.

If Bonita had someone else to rely on other than Aria and considered this place as a home.

She would no longer depend on Aria, who had abused her in the past. Someday, she would confidently break free from her shadow.

He thought so arrogantly.

However, Aria, who should have revealed her true colors soon, remained the same even now. Rather, she seemed to love Bonita more and more.

When it reached that point, such suspicions arose.

In fact, Aria Hilton never had a ‘hidden agenda’ from the beginning, and everything she said was true. There was a suspicion that she came to the dukedom not for Bonita but for some other reason.

“Your Grace. What about the young lady? Why did she come in alone?”

Opening the mansion door and entering, Luke asked the questioning steward Ed, who seemed puzzled in response.

“Ed.”

“Yes?”

“In your opinion, what kind of person is Aria Hilton?”

“Hilton, you mean? Well…”

Receiving the sudden question from his superior, Ed thought carefully.