So, I focused more intently on the documents. While I was deeply engrossed, I suddenly felt someone watching me.

After the recent incident with Theron, I was a bit on edge and quickly looked up.

Fortunately, it wasn’t Theron. I didn’t know since when, but Dewin was looking at me.

“Dewin? Is there something you need?”

I sent him a look inviting him to speak, but he didn’t answer right away. After hesitating for a while, Dewin finally spoke.

“His Highness… he might return today or tomorrow.”

“Really?”

Reus was returning a day or even earlier than the week he mentioned.

‘I was worried for nothing.’

I felt a bit awkward thinking that my worry might have seemed like an overreaction to Reus.

“Was there any mention of his arrival time?”

“Even if he comes early, it will be close to midnight. So, just know that he will arrive by dawn.”

“I’m glad he’s returning earlier than expected.”

“…Yes.”

But Dewin’s response was less enthusiastic. His gaze dropped momentarily, as if he had more to say.

“Dewin. Feel free to speak your mind.”

“That’s… when His Highness returns from the battlefield, he tends to be a bit sensitive… He really dislikes being disturbed during his recovery time.”

“I see. Thank you for letting me know in advance. I almost made the Duke uncomfortable without knowing.”

“And… I hope you won’t be too shocked.”

“What exactly do you mean?”

“Injuries. It’s better to keep a reasonable distance even if you’re worried. His Highness might take your concern as meddling…”

“I understand. I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you, Dewin.”

After finishing, Dewin gave a faint smile and turned his head back to his desk. It was a somewhat troubling smile, but I soon refocused on the documents.

Amidst my drowsiness, the sound of someone’s presence drifted in and out of my ears. After dozing off to that background noise for a while, I suddenly woke up.

‘I fell asleep…!’

After hearing that the Rocheter Knights would arrive around dawn, my plan was to wait for Reus, see him come, and then go to sleep.

But it seemed I had accidentally fallen into a deep sleep without realizing it.
I quickly got up, roughly straightened my clothes and hair, and headed toward the dressing room where I heard some noise. I cautiously opened the door, wary of making any sound that might disturb Reus.

In front of the flickering light, I saw Reus standing. But something was off.

I stopped in my tracks, halfway through opening the door, and Reus turned his head slightly to look at me.

“Did I wake you up?”

I couldn’t respond, just standing there, staring intently at one spot.

What caught my gaze was Reus’s clothes, completely stained and splotchy.

It didn’t seem like mere dirt from rolling on the ground… it looked as if something had soaked into the fabric, making it damp…

Then I noticed a hint of red on the dark fabric.

‘Could it be… all bloodstains…?’

As I thought this, I faintly sensed the smell of blood. I approached Reus, forgetting Dewin’s advice.

“Reus, your clothes…”

“It’s nothing to worry about.”

His calm voice was in stark contrast to my restlessness. The unchanging gaze made me a bit confused.

‘Is he not hurt? Could it be someone else’s blood…?’

Right… if he was injured, he wouldn’t be able to react so nonchalantly with such a normal expression. I calmed my racing heart and moved a bit closer to Reus.

This was a contradictory action to my relieved inner thoughts. Perhaps my instinct sensed something.

‘Just a quick check from close up…’

That’s when Reus halted me with his cold tone.

“Are you going to keep standing there?”

“…….”

“If you’re not interested in watching, I would appreciate it if you could leave.”

“Sorry. I’ll leave so you can change comfortably.”

Despite my desire to check more closely, I had to leave the dressing room, seeing the fatigue so evident in his gesture.