Aden’s eyes glazed over upon hearing the information that Aden was alive.

The information handed to him by one of the high-ranking officials who had just visited him tainted him with confusion.

The fact that the person sent to Havertz for funeral procedures and to settle the incident had seen Aden and returned was enough to cause an uproar not only for Jeffrey but also for the imperial palace.

Jeffrey hurriedly dismissed the official and summoned the relevant person urgently.

Baron Rodic Fell, who had commanded the hunt for the great beast, involuntarily lowered his head at the terrifying gaze that met him as soon as he entered the room.

As the door closed and silence fell, Jeffrey approached him with a frown.

“I clearly said it. That you hunted the beast.”

“……”

“However, that beast is alive. Moreover, it has returned to its nest in perfect condition, lying low. What do you think about this, Baron Rodic Fell?”

“…I’m sorry. I have nothing to say.”

Jeffrey, who had been staring intently at the figure bowing deeply in apology, closed his eyes.

Aden is alive. The pieces that had been completed by his death were now cracking.

The Grand Duke wants Aden dead. And now he too was in a position where he couldn’t help but hope for Aden’s death.

Beasts never forget revenge.

If those sharp teeth and claws were intact, they would surely remember the scent of the hunter who shot them and eventually wield those solid weapons.

Although he might not know who the culprit was right now, he would eventually find out.

When that happened, would he truly be safe? Duke Cellano would surely cut off even the Crown Prince to protect himself and his family.

If that sturdy shield disappeared, the swords that would rain down on him were not something he could bare with his bare hands.

Especially Ludmila.

The sword that wench would wield against him, seizing this opportunity, would be sharper than any other.

He had to ensure that the sword his sister held would never be pointed at him.

“Given the situation, we’ll soon have to summon Duke Havertz for an investigation, and then we’ll have to identify the culprit.”

“……”

“Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Before Duke Cellano could cut him off, he needed a tail to shoulder this situation first.

In that regard, Baron Rodic Fell was a plausible card.

Though it was uncertain whether this man would willingly follow his orders and throw away his life, as always, there was usually a best card to use in such situations.

“Your son’s name was Haslen, wasn’t it?”

“Your Highness.”

“I heard he’s quite studious and considered a promising talent. A child with a bright future ahead.”

As the startled Baron Rodic Fell’s eyes turned towards him, Jeffrey smoothed out his crumpled face into a sleek smile.

For an aging father, nothing could be a greater weakness than his child.

A father is always ready to throw away his life for his child.

There are some who aren’t, but at least Rodic Fell, the man before him, had a terrible love for his family, so he ultimately wouldn’t be able to refuse his order.

“If Baron Rodic Fell wraps this up well, I’ll ensure no harm comes to not only your son but your daughter as well.”

There was never a choice to begin with.

Rodic Fell just had to bear it all and sink.

Knowing this all too well, Rodic Fell could only bite his lip with a bewildered face, unable to say anything.

Thinking he must have understood by now, Jeffrey placed his hand on his shoulder.

“Stay quiet until the next summons. It would be good to make memories with your family.”

“……”

“Well then, you may leave.”

Baron Rodic Fell, wanting to say something, moved his lips, but ultimately couldn’t open his mouth at the chilling gaze.

Though both Rodic Fell and himself had exposed their weaknesses, it was relative whose was more fatal.

The man who valued his children’s lives more than his own eventually left without saying a word, bowing his head before turning around.

In the quietness that followed after Baron Rodic Fell left, Jeffrey, with his hands thrust into his pockets, turned around.

Approaching the window, he scanned the end of the afternoon as the sunset began to fall, then ran his hand through his hair and exhaled an irritated sigh.

The matter with Ludmila alone was giving him a headache, and now even that wasn’t worth paying attention to.

If Aden were to come at him with a knife, what could he use to defend himself then?

As he gazed out the window with complex eyes, Jeffrey suddenly recalled Ludmila’s voice.

“…The position of Imperial Princess, huh.”

The thought suddenly struck him that Ludmila, whom he had considered a knife that would stab him, might actually be the scalpel to save him.

Swallowing a bitter laugh, Jeffrey immediately turned and rang the call bell.

“If you want it so badly, I should give it back.”

He would throw Ludmila to prevent Aden from doing anything rash. It was the moment when the bait to lure the beast became certain.

‘The charity event at the imperial palace a week later would be good.’

Kedilen’s suggestion was surprisingly cold and rude, making it feel real that he had been considerate of her all this time.

As if not allowing even a hint of rebellion, Kedilen informed Ludmila of her return to social circles and threw out this comment, saying she needed to have a new dress fitted.

You’ve gained some weight.

Kedilen, casually saying what he used to say often before, hadn’t changed much from the past.

She never believed people could change, so there was no disappointment, but the fact that nothing changed even after Aden’s death made Ludmila feel stifled.

The past that Aden had risked his life to change for her had ultimately become the present and overwhelmed her.

As her thoughts reached that point, a sneer formed.

How futile this truth she faced was, after stopping Aden.

It was a moment of regret for his touch that pushed her away until the end, saying it was dangerous.

“We’ve arrived, Marchioness.”

What awakened her from her reverie was the voice that came as the carriage window opened.

Ludmila, coming to her senses, turned her head to look out the window. The entrance to the charity event venue they had finally reached was already full of numerous reporters.

Although it was being held at the imperial palace, the reason so much attention was focused on this charity event was because of Ludmila, her return to social circles held that much significance.

Was the mistress of the Erdi Marquis family really not fleeing out of fear of her husband?

Was her return of her own will? Where had she disappeared to for the past several months? The desire to solve these fundamental questions was coloring the red carpet.

Knock knock−.

Ludmila, who had been silently looking at that place, rose from her seat at the familiar knocking sound.

The beautiful white dress flowed down, and a moment later, the door opened.

Greeting her at the door was her husband, Kedilen. She placed her hand on his outstretched palm, smiling.

Even though she hadn’t done it for months, the etiquette her body naturally responded to wasn’t much different from before.

Elegant and noble. The flashes of cameras capturing the moment she returned as the dignified Marchioness showered down fiercely.

‘Ah, the dress looks very expensive. Well, you were someone who used to enter social circles every day, wearing dresses made of the finest fabrics, drinking the finest tea, and engaging in refined conversations, so you must have missed it.’

Though she didn’t admit it, the sight of her adorning herself with the most expensive dress and jewels and stepping in here showed that there was nothing wrong with his criticism.

But that wasn’t shameful at all.

If she could erect a tombstone made from the blood of those who desired his death in front of Aden’s grave, she could repeat all this over and over again.

Smiling as if nothing was wrong, Ludmila had returned as the Marchioness of the past.

She walked forward, gently pressing down on the blood-red carpet, announcing her return with a splendid and noble figure.

The order of the charity event was monotonous. Simple events and auction item introductions, followed by a ball disguised as trivial business talk.

As usual, Ludmila, mixed among them, exchanged conversations while wearing a mask not much different from the past.

Their interests were consistent.

Why she disappeared, the reason she came back after disappearing. Even where she took refuge while she was gone.

They were busy indulging in and examining the black bruise that had appeared on the flawless Marchioness.

Ludmila, mixed among them, performed the play she had done hundreds of times before.

Along with saying there was no problem, she expressed regret for the humiliation and misunderstanding Kedilen had received.

Kedilen’s eyes, which had been thrown wondering if Ludmila might do something strange, gradually lifted as the charity event reached its midpoint.

“I’ll go get some fresh air for a moment.”

Ludmila turned around with an appropriate smile, thinking she had somewhat satisfied their curiosity.

Fortunately, the nobles let her go without saying much, and as she was about to leave the hall, she approached Kedilen.

“My head hurts a little, could you take me to the room for a moment?”

“Oh, Ludmila. Of course.”

Kedilen, with an overly kind voice and smile, nodded with a very satisfied face.

After apologizing to those he was conversing with, he supported Ludmila’s shoulder with his arm and left the social hall.

The soft sound of music and the noisy conversation gradually faded away.

Ludmila’s eyes, receiving Kedilen’s casual words with laughter, were fixed on the red sunset that seeped through the window, creating a checkered shadow.

As Kedilen had done, and as Jeffrey had done. Ludmila also chose the same method.

“Shall we rest for a moment?”

The stage was set, and the performance was preparing to begin.

Ludmila, who had vowed to willingly become a part of the play, slowly raised Kedilen onto the stage.

It was the end of the afternoon as the burning blood-red sunset fell.