Yvane continued to gaze at Claude, who still looked peaceful, as if entranced.

‘This feels like a real family.’

Visiting the family cemetery buried in bright daylight.

Even with embarrassing moments, sharing everyday life without asking questions.

What was an ordinary time for others felt like a miracle to Yvane.

A few hours later, the Crown Prince couple arrived at the black mansion.

Manservant Gustaf had lined up the servants on the front steps.

As the carriage carrying the master easily passed through the iron fence and crossed the garden, finally reaching the front entrance, the waiting servants exclaimed as if announcing their arrival.

“Have you arrived, my lord!”
Claude got off the carriage without saying a word and glanced at them one by one.

Yvane also got off the carriage with the butler’s help and exchanged glances with them and Claude alternately.

The servants, who were astonished to see Claude coming out of the mansion in broad daylight and returning, stared at him with bewildered faces.

Claude casually waved his hand without much reaction and brushed off the servants.

Yvane followed closely behind him. Just before passing through the entrance that the butler had opened, Claude suddenly stopped and stood still.

“The west annex.”

Yvane flinched.

“What is he doing that I hear strange things from him?”

Hena, who was preparing to put on an overcoat nearby, butler Gustaf, and Yvane’s eyes met.

After scrutinizing them with narrowed eyes, Claude took a step back.

Since he mentioned the west annex, he seemed to have the intention of going there right away.

“Wait a minute!”

Yvane used both hands to push Claude’s narrow back and whispered in a hushed voice.

Claude chuckled as if puzzled.

“Are you trying to seduce me now?”

“Just give me one week!”

“What?”

Claude, who had relaxed his body, raised an eyebrow as he took off his outerwear following the butler.

“Please take a walk with me to the west annex in a week!”

Claude, who had swept his hair back, laughed coldly and immediately refused.

“What trick are you trying to pull?”

“It’s not a trick!”

“Get out of the way.”

“I-it’s a gift!”

Claude’s steps, which had escaped from Yvane’s grip, came to a halt.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Yvane quickly added.

“A gift. A surprise gift! So, please see it in a week, I beg you.”

“A gift?”

His eyes seemed to ask, “What kind of gift can you give me?”

Although Yvane’s pride was slightly hurt, she desperately avoided answering because she didn’t want to show Claude the still unclean west annex.

“Yes. So, please just take a look.”

Yvane gathered her hands and earnestly pleaded.

“Everyone is shutting their mouths as if they made a promise.”

“…”

“Fearless.”

“As the lady said, it’s a gift.”

“Even the host is a guest.”

Claude laughed dryly and settled into the rocking chair.

His wife, who had asked for just a week’s time, seemed inexplicably busy, not showing up even on the third day.

Unless there was something special, she used to prepare at least one of the three meals and bring it to him, but now it had changed too much.

“The servants respect the lady a lot. They are all trying hard to serve her as their lady.”

“But they keep quiet in front of the master.”

“In order to make my lady happier, I will cooperate with her wishes.”

Gustaf’s cynical laughter returned along with the dry comment. “Talking about happiness is a ridiculous story,” he said.

“What time is it?”

“You asked a few minutes ago, so it’s probably around 3:35 now.”

Claude sent a displeased glance at Gustaf’s bone-dry response.
The old butler chuckled as if innocent and added skillfully, “Shall I tell Madam to join for dinner?”

“…Why?”

“Because it seems like you’re only waiting for the sunset.”

“Waiting?”

Claude, who was still staring at the outside where it was not even close to getting dark, shifted his sharp gaze to Butler Gustaf.

When he saw Gustaf’s faintly smiling face, his expression suddenly twisted.

“Why would I wait?”

In the end, he stood up. Gustaf, who was maintaining a smile, wasn’t surprised to see Claude, who was trying to go outside, when he looked at the bedroom door.

“Are you going for a walk?”

He just quietly opened the door.

For a moment, the smoothly polished men’s leather indoor shoes paused in front of the open door.

Outside the door that the butler had wide open, hazy sunlight, like sprinkled gold dust, spilled onto the mahogany floor.

Claude soon swept his hair up, more sparkling than the sunlight, revealing blonde hair that was as shiny as gold.

Soon after, he confidently stepped his foot outside the bedroom.

The servants, who were still dumbfounded by the recent incident where the abandoned prince went out, were now wide-eyed and open-mouthed.

In broad daylight.

Without wearing a mask.

The owner of this black mansion leisurely descended the stairs on the second floor, just like a leopard eyeing small prey.