“I know it may be inappropriate for me to say this, but could you please consider meeting Duke Valentin once?”

Even from the thoughtful Margaret’s mouth, such words implied that at least half of the population of Ansgar Castle was aware that she was avoiding Valentin. As evidence, Yannick also widened his eyes, glancing alternately at them with curious eyes.

Adel slowly put down her spoon. Until a moment ago, she was enjoying the stew, and now it felt like a lump in her stomach.

“Surely, there isn’t any dispute or anything happening between you two…”

“It’s not like that.”

Adel retorted in a cautious tone. To argue, they should be in an equal relationship. Until now, it was closer to her avoiding Valentin unilaterally.

After Grita went missing, suspicions about Valentin peaked. It happened exactly one week after they discussed curses. It was even a moment when Grita’s curse seemed to be showing signs of recovery. The herbal remedy provided by healer Jürgen had finally taken effect after a long wait.

A herbalist brought from a neighboring estate also confirmed that Grita’s condition was improving. He assured that within about ten days, her swollen throat would completely subside, and her voice would return.

It was an optimistic situation.

“There was no reason to run away.”

Grita was someone replacing her deceased mother. Maybe that’s why Adel couldn’t cut ties with her, despite knowing that Grita was skillfully tormenting her, undermining her self-esteem.

As if getting pricked by rose thorns, she reached out to that momentary beauty.

“Without Grita, who would be left by my side?”

The people of Ansgar, who knows when their attitudes might change even though she fulfills her role? Valentin, who hides so much from her?

However, Grita was the one who had been by her side when she was most difficult.

Adel couldn’t just cast her away now that her situation had improved slightly, at least not as long as she was worried about that person’s future.

Grita knew Adel’s personality the best and thoroughly took advantage of it. Adel would have been delighted as her authority increased, expecting the crumbs that would fall to her, and there was no reason for her to leave the Ansgar territory now.

Adel forced a sigh.

“There were many things I could have done for her. I could have raised her salary, complained about the old beds and furniture, and could have renovated her room…”

Thinking about the things she could have done for Grita, the ways to compensate for the difficult years, one by one, she returned to her initial thoughts like an obsession.
“There’s no reason for Grita to leave this castle on her own, no matter how much I think about it.”

So suspicion continued to wander in the same place.

From the beginning, it couldn’t have been Valentin’s doing. He must have planned everything from the curse to Grita’s disappearance or death.

“I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but would you consider discussing it?”

“…Even if we talk about it, I’m not sure if it will be resolved.”

“Still, you should have a conversation. It’s better to honestly discuss any misunderstandings that may have accumulated between you two.”

Adel blinked her eyes blurredly. Her heart sank.

“Really, all of this is a misunderstanding.”

The belief that there was no way Grita would do such a thing had ultimately changed, thanks to the information Herman brought.

Many people saw Grita boarding a carriage leaving the territory. Even Yannick, who was right beside her, saw it.

“…”

Yannick briefly glanced at Adel, and when their eyes met, he suddenly started daydreaming.

Adel noticed that not only Yannick but also the servants within earshot were making the same expressions, pretending not to be interested in their conversation.

“They must all be worried.”

In fact, the subtle chill between the couple had been a topic of conversation among the castle staff for the past few days.

The Viscountess treated the Duke with polite but sharp distance, and the Duke looked at the Viscountess as if resenting her, but did not say anything. Every time this happened, it seemed like the temperature of Ansgar Castle dropped a bit more.

She heard whispering behind her several times.

“Maybe, from the beginning, I was really thinking wrong…”

Adel put down the bowl and gloomily lowered her gaze.

Then, unintentionally lifting her head, she looked at the window of Valentin’s study.

At that moment, the huge shadow that had been standing by the window as if watching her disappeared in an instant. It was an extremely brief moment.

It seemed that she could no longer avoid it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Valentin.”

Adel hesitated and called him again. Valentin took his gaze off the book, leisurely raising his head.

As if just now realizing that Adel was standing there.

He was not human, and he could handle all the shadows. He probably knew she was there from the moment she set foot in the hallway where his study was.

“…”

Silence was profound.

He stared at Adel as if asking why she called him. She hesitated and spoke.