Contrary to everyone’s concerns, there was no great fight between Duke Parel and the Crown Prince. The air turned awkward as the two men halted their horses and dismounted in the courtyard of the duke’s mansion.

“Duke, you only have permission for a farewell.”

After Lucas muttered under his breath, he walked towards Cedric, who had been waiting for him.

“Your Highness.”

Cedric approached the Crown Prince who had returned to the duke’s mansion. His expression was one of great curiosity about what had transpired.

“There’s no need for concern. Go back to the annex.”

“……Yes.”

Though the Crown Prince moved on with an indifferent face, Duke Parel couldn’t hide his bitter expression as he watched the setting sun.

“Tell Lady Astel that I request a meeting.”

Upon hearing Duke Parel’s words, the chamberlain wore a puzzled expression. After all, wasn’t Serena the one who had banned him from entering her territory?

“If it’s a farewell, she’ll see me.”

Faced with the duke’s dark and bitter words, the chamberlain had no choice but to bow his head.

“First, I will relay this to Her Ladyship.”

“I will wait here.”

Hyde gazed at the reddening sunset under a large tree. Sweet yet bitter memories of conversations he’d had with Serena in this very spot would remain as part of his youth.

Fortunately, Serena appeared walking towards him before he became lost in his thoughts. She stopped in front of him and gave a light bow.

“Duke Your Highness.”

He thought he had given up, but seeing Serena’s serene face made his lips feel heavy.

“A farewell?”

Though she had issued a ban against him, they had established a level of friendly animosity. It was a feeling he couldn’t easily ignore.

“Is it really? I thought you’d torment me for a lifetime.”

At Serena’s characteristic words, Hyde broke into a smile, but this smile was entirely different from his usual mischievous grin.

“I lost.”

“To Crown Prince His Highness?”

Hyde shook his head.

“Even if he hadn’t appeared, the result would probably……have been the same.”

Contrary to Serena’s imagination, they hadn’t crossed swords. Though he was very frustrated by this, he quietly accepted the reason for his defeat.

“Serena.”

Something about Hyde’s manner made Serena look at him pensively.

“The proposal I made to you was always sincere. It’s just that my impulsiveness always got in the way of explaining myself properly.”

Maybe she had known this subconsciously. Hyde knew that he couldn’t fully free her.

“I dreamt of it for so long. Welcoming you as my duchess and ruling this land together. ”

It was a dream that belonged only to Hyde.

“Sadly, I lack both the qualifications and the power for that.”

Hyde was a man with high pride and self-esteem. For him to humbly acknowledge his shortcomings was something even Serena found startling.

“It’s not that I fear the Crown Prince’s status.”

“I know you’re not that kind of person.”

At Serena’s answer, Hyde nodded with a bitter smile.

“I thought I could do anything if I had you. I wasn’t afraid of any duel. Or rather……I wanted to believe I wasn’t.”

His words grew longer with lingering regret and attachment.

“In the end, I couldn’t abandon the Duchy of Parel and my mother.”

He had heavy responsibilities. Even if he deeply desired her, even if that desire was genuine, duty would always come first.

“I couldn’t even give myself full freedom, let alone offer it to you……it was too greedy.”

He had always known that Hyde was sincere, but he had never stopped emphasizing that it was all for the sake of the ducal family.

“So, please forget……my proposal.”

With great effort, the words tore from his chest and passed his lips.

“You can call me a man full of bluster if you want.”

“No.”

Serena wanted to comfort him, seeing his defeated posture for the first time, but she knew she couldn’t.

“I believe the honesty you’ve shown now is proof of your strength.”

The sincerity that Serena had never seen while he courted her was visible now.
“Fulfilling one’s duty is also a form of strength, that’s how it can be done.”

Even though Serena thought it was inevitable that she would mock herself, she continued to wound Hyde’s heart in a different direction.

However, what could be done? Lucas had said he was of a nobler status, but would readily give up everything for Serena.

“May I make one last selfish request?”

“When have you ever needed my permission?”

Until the end, Serena remained as confident as ever, just as Hyde had fallen for.

“This farewell… is not forever.”

At the sound of Hyde’s sincere voice, Serena’s blue eyes slightly widened.

“Someday, I will surpass my duty. And whenever you wish… I will be the man who can come to get you.”

Lucas had only granted a farewell, but Hyde couldn’t turn back without making this promise.

“Will you always remember… that I am on your side, Serena?”

Silently, Serena harbored a faint smile.

“Your Highness’s persistence is unforgettable.”

That was the most she could say. Hyde briefly recalled their shared unshared memories and nodded. Now it really was time to leave.