Aden, who had returned drunk with Benjamin and fallen asleep, was back to normal after just one day.

The man who had politely informed me of his return with a disheveled appearance and face I had never seen before, showing how much he had drunk, collapsed straight onto the bed.

Contrary to Benjamin’s words not to worry, Ludmila was quite concerned about Aden’s unfamiliar state.

Knowing better than anyone what the eve of the festival was like, she could easily imagine what kind of humiliation the outcast man might have endured there.

With nothing else he could do, tilting back glasses of alcohol was probably all there was.

Able to guess how Aden must have felt having to set foot in an unwanted place, Ludmila stayed by his sleeping side for a long while.

She knew that achieving good results in the hunting competition didn’t hold much meaning.

After all, the hunting competition was just another name for the social gathering enjoyed by nobles. The winner was already determined.

The highest score to the largest and most dangerous beast.

Jeffrey would catch a bear this time too. When her thoughts reached that point, Ludmila didn’t want Aden to approach that dangerous area.

But Aden wouldn’t listen to her words. Rather than try to dissuade him, she decided to wish him well.

As she had resolved at dawn, Ludmila was able to offer encouragement to Aden as he joined Benjamin after finishing a simple breakfast.

“Come to think of it, I heard you have plans today.”

Admiring Aden’s unfamiliar appearance in hunting clothes she had never seen before, Ludmila nodded calmly.

“I’ve arranged to meet and talk with a woman named Ardina at the Imperial Palace.”

“Isn’t it dangerous to go directly into the Imperial Palace?”

It was none other than Ludmila.

Not only was her face already well-known from her years as a prominent figure in social circles, but more importantly, the fact that Ludmila was an illegitimate child born and raised in the Imperial Palace was the issue.

Though only half, royal blood flows through her. Few would not recognize that face.

Aden furrowed his brow, expressing concern. Ludmila shook her head slightly with a smile.

“You don’t need to worry. Ardina is sending someone directly, so I can enter without having to prove my identity. I won’t have to remove my mask, so no one will recognize me.”

It was a gentle reply, as if to reassure him. Aden nodded as he tightened the strap of the rifle case on his back.

“More importantly, will you be able to catch a lot of game today, Aden?”

“I’m in good condition. I think I’ll be able to bring back a decent hide as a gift for you.”

Ludmila let out a pleasant laugh at Aden’s words, spoken with a refreshing smile.

At the clear laughter ringing in his ears, Aden gave a fresh smile before turning away.

As he opened the door, warm golden sunlight enveloped his body.

As Aden approached Benjamin who was waiting for him, he reflexively turned at the call of “Aden.”

Ludmila looked at him and smiled brightly.

“Have a good trip.”

Aden silently gazed at the woman offering that dream-like sweet greeting, then nodded and turned away.

It was a pleasant start to the day.

Kedilen, who was checking his attire while exhaling softly, rolled his eyes at the sound of the door opening.

His assistant Ferington, who had been summoned, was approaching with a calm face as he entered.

“You called for me, Marquis.”

Kedilen glanced at the man who quietly announced his presence with the same face as usual, then looked at his own reflection in the mirror again.

Frowning slightly as if displeased with the quality of the high-end hunting clothes, Kedilen gruffly picked up his rifle.

“Prepare for a press conference immediately after the hunting competition ends.”

“May I ask what kind of press conference it will be?”

“Why bother asking? It’s obvious.”

Ferington, who observed his briefly cut-off words with dry eyes, shortly voiced his guess.

“If it’s related to the Marchioness, I’ll call the journalists we’ve invited before.”

“That’s not necessary. This time, tell everyone who wants to come that they can enter without an invitation.”

Ferington wore a puzzled expression at the unexpected answer.

If asked what Kedilen’s weakness was, everyone knew it was undoubtedly Ludmila.

After Ludmila left, Kedilen, embroiled in numerous rumors, had hurriedly hidden himself behind the blackout curtains he had set up.

For such a person to expose himself at a press conference related to Ludmila.

As he silently observed his behavior that was somehow different from usual, Ferington suddenly recalled a piece of information.

Someone was digging into his background. As anxiety began to sprout, he realized what this meeting meant.

Ferington let out a small sigh. Kedilen, who glanced at that reflection in the mirror, turned around.

Ferington closed his lips at the eyes mixed with resignation rather than anger or irritation.

“Since when?”

At the abrupt question, Ferington closed his eyes. He was a man who knew better than anyone that keeping silent was to his advantage.

And since Kedilen knew that as well, he didn’t bother to ask further.

He already had things he had figured out through various investigations. It wasn’t so lacking that he needed confirmation from Ferington.

“It’s truly disappointing. I believe it’s been over 10 years since I appointed you as my assistant. I treated you not just as a simple assistant, but as a trusted friend I could rely on. Did you know that?”

“Yes, Marquis.”

Though he couldn’t do so for Ludmila, he was a man of boundless good character to those around him.

That was no exception even for Ferington.

“So why did you betray me? Was there something I failed to provide? Or did you approach with other intentions from the start?”

“I apologize. I know you’re disappointed, but I have nothing to say.”

Kedilen burst into laughter at his calm demeanor even in this situation.

To maintain such a brazen attitude when he should be on his knees begging for forgiveness.

While investigating Ferington, he had tried to find out who was controlling him, but unfortunately, there was nothing to be found.

He had thought he might be able to learn something from that man. Looking at his appearance, he realized he wouldn’t be able to hear any helpful words.

“I understand you don’t intend to make excuses. In that spirit, I’m relieving you of your position effective immediately. I’ll have your movements restricted until the press conference. You have no objections, right?”

“I understand.”

Kedilen narrowed his eyes at the clean answer without excuses.

Though he didn’t know exactly what this person was relying on, it was clear it wasn’t just any ordinary power.

Even the Speaker of the Lower House, while they might be able to plant someone in another family, couldn’t protect someone who tried to harm a family member. Which meant even higher up.

Erasing the face of the figure that came to mind, Kedilen turned around.

At his call, knights entered as if they had been waiting and dragged Ferington away.

Though he hadn’t found out anything, it didn’t matter.

‘I’ve gained justification.’

Until now, public opinion held that Ludmila had fled due to his own wrongdoing.

But Ferington’s existence was the perfect excuse to overturn this.

It wasn’t that he had tormented Ludmila, but that she had fled because Ferington had tried to kill her.

If this sensational article was spread throughout the empire, he could restore his ruined image.

No, he could not only restore it, but soar.

A man who suffered under false accusations. A man who still loved his wife.

If he presented the image that it was all a misunderstanding and he was still searching for Ludmila, he would surely regain his fallen reputation.

The only worry was that Jeffrey, the Crown Prince, intended to use him somehow in the hunting competition. Jeffrey knew something.

He was trying to gain something through him.

He knew it was entangled with Aden, but that was all. Even gathering various pieces of information, there was much that remained out of reach, yielding no results.

As his thoughts reached that point, he felt the elation of victory that had swelled up gradually dying down. A strange anxiety gripped his heart.

Kedilen shook his head and steadied his breathing. Slapping his cheeks to regain his senses, he opened his eyes with determination.

“You are the victor, Kedilen.”

Looking at his reflection in the mirror, he smiled refreshingly, his eyes curving gently.

Victor. Nodding at the fullness brought by that sweet word, Kedilen turned, holding his rifle.

Ardina was an extremely rational and meticulous businesswoman.

The meeting that began before noon continued past lunchtime after the sun had begun to set.

Contrary to the prediction that it would end quickly since they had already exchanged contracts several times and were mainly discussing pre-agreed items, they were only able to get the contract stamped after explaining the specific investment plan.

“It seems we’ve been able to conclude a contract on excellent terms.”

The woman, who had just entered middle age, extended her hand with a satisfied smile.

Baruhan, who grasped her hand in return, bowed his head as if extremely pleased.

Ludmila, who had been silently watching from a step away, shook hands with her as she extended her hand to her as well.

Ardina stared silently at the face hidden behind the veil before quietly smiling.

“I’ve heard the stories. Bill said he made a very satisfactory deal. There aren’t many female entrepreneurs, so it’s nice to meet like this. Let’s see each other often from now on.”

Ludmila nodded briefly as she clasped hands.

After the handshake ended, Ardina checked her watch and frowned.

“It seems the hunting competition is about to start. How about it, would you like to go together? I think it would be good to check if the instruments we supplied are working properly.”

“I’m alright.”

As Ludmila politely declined, Ardina just smiled understandingly.

“Then, I’ll go ahead.”

As if in quite a hurry, Ardina left the room with those words as her final greeting.

As silence filled the room where they had just been exchanging complex contract discussions, Baruhan realized it was time to withdraw and stood up.

“Shall we return now?”

Ludmila nodded briefly as she stood up. After adjusting the veil she was wearing, she turned first and left the room.

At that moment, as if fate were playing with her, there was a man passing in front of her.

Her husband, like a nightmare, filled Ludmila’s eyes.