“No, Luke. It’s not such a simple matter. When I talk about space, I’m not just talking about something temporal. I… as I mentioned before, I take care of the duchess’s closest needs. And… I can’t tell you everything, but Lady Ariante always… needs someone’s affection. It could be attention, glances, or someone to talk to. I play that role. Until the lady no longer needs me… she is my top priority. I don’t have the luxury of loving someone else. I don’t know if you’ll understand.”

After pouring out her story, Maiana was out of breath. She swallowed rough breaths like someone who had been running for a long time and, at the same time, looked up at Luke. His face was full of sadness. Despite understanding her words, there was a mixed expression that seemed impossible to comprehend.

Maiana said, “You’re an attractive person, Luke. A good person. If we had met in a different situation, I might have liked you. But it’s not happening here and now. I’m sorry.”

Luke’s lips tightened. He rolled them inward, then lowered his head. Maiana watched him closely, not missing a thing.

“Okay.”

Finally, he said. It was a melancholic voice.

“If that’s how Maiana feels… I understand. It can’t be helped. I had expectations and liked you on my own, so I won’t blame you. I hoped we could go for a walk together again, but now I have to let go of that expectation.”

Maiana’s shoulders trembled slowly.

“I’m sorry, Luke.”

“No, it’s okay. You don’t have to apologize. But… yes, I should go back now. I wanted to see you off, but you wouldn’t want that, right?”

“I can go back alone.”

Luke nodded. He looked at Maiana for a while with a lonely expression, then turned away. His neatly tailored uniform, perfectly fitting his shoulders, seemed lifeless.

Maiana didn’t look at his back for long. When Luke turned, she turned in the opposite direction, swiftly descending the quiet stairs. And she didn’t look back. For some reason, her chest felt tight and her breathing became difficult, but she walked as if nothing happened.

This is how it should be. Maiana thought. I ended up sounding like a widow with a child. She kicked a stone sculpture lying by the roadside and smiled bitterly.

She couldn’t imagine Luke’s figure from now on, no matter where she lived. She couldn’t picture herself with him.

‘It’s for the best.’

Maiana’s shoulders, letting out a sigh, drooped lifelessly.

‘I did the right thing. It’s better to cut it off early than give false hope. I already knew I couldn’t meet his expectations.’
But there was no way to stop the corner of her heart from unsettlingly trembling.

Because of the concluded affair, she, soaked in conscience, completely forgot Ariante’s requested chocolate nougat. It was only when she reached the Duke’s residence that she finally remembered, but by then, it was too late.

King Elmerat was known for sleeping very late. In his youth, there were rare occasions when he stayed up all night, and even after getting considerably older, he would only go to bed around two or three in the morning. Despite concerns from not only his spouse and children but also the officials, Elmerat remained stubbornly resistant to changing his habits.

“Even if I’m awake, isn’t it too late to request an audience? Or is it too early.”

Elmerat, who was reviewing the documents brought by the officials, said with his chin resting on his hand at a slant. Cediloy smiled awkwardly; although he couldn’t possibly be intentionally acting this way, Elmerat was exceptionally weak to Cediloy’s expressions.

“Anyway, since you came all this way, sit down. Would you like some tea?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

However, Elmerat called for a servant to bring warm tea. As Cediloy cautiously took a seat across from the king, Elmerat summoned a servant to light the cold fireplace and brighten the surroundings.

“Your complexion doesn’t look good.”

Cediloy, lowering her gaze, smiled again, as if saying something between showing and hiding.

“It might be because of the shadows.”

“Well, it could be, but it’s probably because you’ve been too concerned about the incident with Lord Gledon. Don’t you think so?”

The king’s voice was gentle yet mixed with a hint of reprimand. It was a caring concern, but Cediloy, feeling awkward, lowered her head with a faint smile.

The teapot arrived. The golden embossment on the teacup reflected in the dim light was beautiful. As Elmerat lifted the cup, Cediloy followed suit, taking a sip after her.

The scent of peaches and rich cream gently spread over her tongue. However, for Cediloy at this moment, there was not much delight even in the excellent taste of tea that only the king could enjoy.

“Your Majesty.”

King Elmerat raised one hand. When Cediloy closed her mouth, she softly signed the final document. The sound of the pen gliding across the paper, creating curves, was very elegant.

Putting down the pen and the document, Elmerat silently gazed at Cediloy. Cediloy, who had been looking at her face illuminated by warm shadows, slowly moved her gaze downward.

Elmerat spoke.