I didn’t misunderstand.

It was a reflexive statement.

A candid attitude of accepting Aden’s actions and words at face value without attaching great meaning to them.

But paradoxically, saying that I didn’t misunderstand meant that I had thought of something that could be considered a misunderstanding.

And it didn’t take long to realize that this applied not only to her but to Aden as well.

Ludmila thought there was no meaning in giving Aden a handkerchief.

Just because he had no fiancée or lover, and he wasn’t the type of man to bring a woman to this place…

At the very least, if Beressa, who was like a mother or little sister to him, had been there, she wouldn’t have wanted Aden to go to the hunting competition without any token.

It was clear that others would mock him, and even if they didn’t, she had considered the meaning that a token holds.

Just as she had done for her husband who valued social activities above all else, she had simply gifted Aden a handkerchief without attaching any deeper meaning or intention.

As her thoughts reached this point, the true meaning of Aden’s words about misunderstanding became even clearer.

In the end, the words and actions claiming to be without ulterior motives had caused misunderstandings for both of them.

Aden in his own way. Ludmila in her own way.

Aden’s wife, Ludmila’s husband.

The single words filling each other’s minds began to take shape with a clearer meaning.

The brief word ‘misunderstanding’ brought an unbelievable level of embarrassment that instantly made Ludmila’s face turn red.

The fact that a veil covered her face, not fully revealing it, gave her a deeper sense of relief than ever before.

But her rough breathing, flustered eyes, and awkward hands that couldn’t find their place were giving a clearer answer than anything else.

That Ludmila Perez was flustered.

“Ahem!”

The blatant sound of a throat clearing came just as she thought the distance between her and Aden was becoming too close.

“Aren’t you ashamed to be doing this on the street, tsk tsk-.”

A conservative elderly person in the capital clicked their tongue softly, disapproving of the two people clinging closely together on the night street.

At that sound, Ludmila came to her senses and quickly moved her body backward.

The firm arm that seemed like it wouldn’t let go released surprisingly easily.

While feeling relieved at this fact, she also felt a hint of disappointment, but she forcefully moved to one side and put on an awkward smile.

As always, this time too, she thought she could get past it with a suitable excuse and a plausible smile.

But when she raised her head and faced Aden directly, she could tell that this time was different.

The man’s eyes looking at her were more solemn and quiet than when he had tried to kiss her under the white plum tree.

Looking into those eyes made her feel as if the noisy night street of the capital had become quiet.

They were beautiful eyes.

Some people hated them, calling them the eyes of a beast, and some were afraid of them, but at least to her, they were more brilliant and beautiful than any jewel.

From the moment she realized this, Ludmila’s gaze followed Aden, and thoughts related to him flowed naturally like water throughout the day.

I love this man.

It was a feeling that had swelled to the point where she could no longer deny it.

Because the Send Plateau was beautiful. Because the darkness could cover her. Because she liked the quiet silence.

She had come up with numerous reasons to justify her desire to stay here, but in the end, the answer she had denied and pushed away was the lips that had almost touched under the white plum tree.

That was all.

The moment she realized this, Ludmila understood what she needed to do.

And it was nothing new, just something she had done many times before.

Just as she had pushed him away under the white plum tree, this time too, she had to make the same choice.

In the end, it was a feeling that couldn’t be reached. No, it was a feeling that shouldn’t be reached. Ludmila acknowledged and accepted this.

“I hope you don’t get hurt.”

As she expressed her feelings in words, Ludmila seemed to understand why she had thought of giving this man a handkerchief.

She was lying. This handkerchief was a sign of her heart and an answer to her feelings.

“I hope you’ll be happy.”

The misunderstanding was simply a way of expressing that she and Aden could never be together.

Ludmila, who had been steadily meeting his wavering eyes, calmly put the handkerchief she was holding into the box.

Handing the navy blue box without any ribbon to Aden, Ludmila smiled gently.

It was clear that it wouldn’t be visible well because it was covered by the veil and it was deep in the night, but she felt that even the smallest smile would be noticed by this man.

“It will be like that in the future too. So, be careful when you go to the hunting festival.”

Her chest ached.

But she couldn’t let this man get involved in the answer she had chosen.

It was going to be another busy day.

Aden, who had come to the capital, had to prepare for the hunting competition hosted by the imperial family and visit the business contacts introduced by Ludmila to check on the progress.

Taking in Ludmila was certainly a dangerous gamble, but it ultimately succeeded.

Two months were enough for the estate, which had been struggling with increasing debt, to find its footing.

Although they hadn’t disposed of any debts yet, just having money in hand to manage funds was better than all the years they had endured so far.

It was hard to believe that this was the result of a woman’s insight who had merely discovered a few trees, but what could be done?

That was the reality.

Moreover, by restructuring the organization that had been lacking and not modern enough, they reduced the costs incurred in the castle.

That too was thanks to Ludmila.

Even finding investment opportunities and making contracts, if they maintained this method going forward, they could surely clear their debts within a few years.

If that happened, they wouldn’t have to accept money from that dirty mongrel Courto Benard, who would come and cause trouble at the slightest provocation.

At the same time, they could spend money on welfare and development that had been insufficient.

They could clear out the things eating away at Havertz and build a new foundation on top of it. There were still many clans that hadn’t been accepted into the plateau.

Those who had to live a nomadic life because there wasn’t enough land and food.

Their numbers alone were easily in the hundreds of thousands.

It was a sufficient number to have the possibility of independence.

And the starting point for all of this was Ludmila.

“……”

He couldn’t deny that it all started on the stage she had set up.

Aden silently examined his own appearance in a neat suit as he raised his head.

Although the unfamiliar attire was quite uncomfortable, he had to dress appropriately for the necessary occasions.

From Aden’s perspective, wearing suitable clothes wherever he went was inconvenient and impractical.

How well she had lived in a place like this.

Aden smiled, expressing pure admiration for Ludmila, then slowly withdrew his smile.

The man in the mirror wasn’t smiling. He was only examining his other self with cold golden eyes.

“Stupid bastard.”

Aden cursed at the man reflected in the mirror.

The young servant checking Aden’s attire flinched at the sharp expression, but there was no room to pay attention to that.

Aden’s nerves were focused on last evening, when he was walking the night streets of the capital.

Aden’s eyes rolled to rest on the desk. There lay a navy blue box with its lid half-open and a handkerchief inside.

Aden was not unaware of what that handkerchief meant.

It was an acknowledgment and a denial at the same time. Aden bit his lip at Ludmila’s voice that seemed to be ringing in his ears.

As another curse flowed from his mouth, the servant carefully disappeared into the dressing room, sensing the atmosphere.

Left alone, Aden frowned and rubbed his face dry, then slowly stretched out his arm to pick up the handkerchief.

Befitting the name of the noble and virtuous lady Ludmila Perez, it was a very beautiful handkerchief.

Even to him, who was ignorant about these things, this handkerchief was clearly a fine item.

The more he realized this, the more Aden could see how hasty his actions had been.

He had revealed his feelings to Ludmila first, with nothing resolved, leaving only impatience.

If there was any achievement, it was discovering that she was no different from him, that Ludmila also had him in her heart.

But the problem was that the loss was too great.

Is this how it feels to be rejected in love?

He didn’t know how to express this unfamiliar and unpleasant feeling, full of self-deprecation. So he could only curse at himself.

Ludmila is leaving.

No, she’s thinking of leaving. From the beginning when she entrusted herself to him until now, nothing had changed. Ludmila wanted to live.

The most rational decision based on that fact was certainly not bad for Aden and Havertz.

They had gained the foundation for Havertz to become independent in exchange for smuggling her out.

Moreover, with her, who could become a dangerous weakness, disappearing on her own, there was no reason to grumble.

But, Ludmila.

Because it was you, I couldn’t let you leave. I wanted to keep you here.

The moment he acknowledged this, Aden’s eyes turned to the window outside.

A way to keep Ludmila here.

“The hunting competition……”

The answer lay in that place where anything could happen without consequences.