‘No. If I let my guard down, I don’t know when Reus might shamelessly approach me again.’

It seemed right to keep my distance as much as possible until I heard a proper explanation. Having finished my thoughts, I naturally headed towards the stairs, passing by Reus. Seeing that his footsteps didn’t immediately follow, it seemed he was quite shocked again.

‘I guess I’m getting a bit used to seeing Reus looking cowed…’

But that didn’t mean I felt good about it, or found it satisfying. Rather, the whole situation of being angry at Reus was very uncomfortable.

Who would want to be angry at someone who sacrificed their daily life to stay by your side without leaving for even a moment when you were so sick you couldn’t even leave your bed?

Thinking about everything Reus had done for me until now, I could forgive most things.

‘Except for eliminating the ship route, of course…’

Anyway, since I didn’t like this situation either, I wanted to talk things out and resolve the situation as peacefully as possible if I could.

But seeing how he trembled at even small things while absolutely refusing to open his mouth, it seemed better not to expect such a method from the start.

We entered the dining room while maintaining our distance. The servants couldn’t hide their disappointed looks upon seeing us coming in far apart.

‘Is it just my imagination that everyone except me seems to be of one mind?’

For now, I sat down while trying hard to ignore the servants’ gazes. Reus, who entered the dining room belatedly, also took his usual seat.

And then silence continued for a long time. It was very quiet except for the sound of servants’ footsteps and dishes touching the table.

I hadn’t thought we usually had that much conversation before meals, but apparently that wasn’t the case.

‘It feels like we’ve gone right back to just after getting married.’

The difference from then was that now it was Reus who wanted to speak, not me.

As the meal started in this very uncomfortable state, only the clattering of utensils could be heard for quite a while.

‘It’s suffocating…!’

In this stifling atmosphere, my thought that it would be better to at least eat together was gradually changing. Feeling like I couldn’t eat at all like this, I finally opened my mouth first, unable to bear it any longer.

“Are you… very busy today?”

Reus’s expression immediately brightened, as if he was glad I spoke to him first.

“Not particularly busy.”

“Is that so?”

Finally seeing signs that our relationship might recover, I could feel the servants also subtly listening in on our conversation.

“Then how about having tea time outdoors after the meal, for a change?”

“…”

But Reus immediately shut his mouth. I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at how ridiculous it was.

‘So he wants to be with me like before, but has absolutely no intention of opening his mouth about Belliata.’

Thanks to Reus who ultimately didn’t say anything, the atmosphere quickly froze over.

The servants were restless, but I thought that was rather fortunate.

‘Thank you for completely erasing even my feelings of pity.’

My desire to eat together was already fading, so this worked out well.

I continued eating without bothering to point out Reus’s behavior. And when I felt sufficiently full, I carefully put down my utensils.

Unlike yesterday, I set them down so gently that they made almost no sound, but Reus still visibly flinched.

“Reus.”

“…Yes, Roel.”

“How about we eat separately for a while?”

Reus’s face stiffened for a moment before he put on a pitiful expression like a drenched puppy.

If he had made that expression before refusing to talk, my heart might have softened a little, but not now.

I smiled as if asking if he was really going to keep acting like this, for the very last time. Reus’s eyes seemed to waver slightly, but soon his gaze dropped.

“Then finish your meal and go, Reus.”

Ridiculously, Reus didn’t try to stop me this time.

[This is the timeline separator]

Not wanting to return to my bedroom right away, I headed to my old office that I hadn’t used in a while.

I thought I might as well handle the mountain of letters that had piled up, since I hadn’t managed to leave. Soon after, Dewin came to my room carrying letters.

“Your Highness. Here are… the things you requested.”

When I didn’t say anything else, Dewin looked troubled and didn’t know what to do with himself before speaking again.

“I, I’m sorry, Your Highness…”

It was the same expression and tone as that slightly strange day.

‘I shouldn’t have just brushed off that feeling of déjà vu back then.’

There was no point in blaming anyone now, but it was true that I felt a little resentful towards Dewin.

“I didn’t think you would deceive me so completely. I thought at least Dewin wouldn’t do that…”

“I have no words to say even if I had ten mouths, Your Highness…”

After sending away Dewin, whose face was turning increasingly ashen, I examined the letters one by one.

“So many have piled up…”

Since they were letters that came when I was sick, most of them were concerned about my health rather than invitations.

Though I wondered when I would ever reply to all of these, I was able to focus quickly thinking it was better than sitting around idly or wandering aimlessly around the Grand Duke’s castle.

‘If I had just escaped well in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened.’

As I was looking through the letters with some resignation, I discovered a letter from Shanette.

“Huh? Was this overlooked?”

I heard that Reus handles the letters coming from Shanette or those that absolutely need replies. Yet Shanette’s letter was mixed in with letters from other people.

When I checked why, it seemed the letter had only arrived at the Grand Duke’s castle recently. It must have gotten mixed in because Dewin gathered the letters that arrived just yesterday and brought them to me right away.

“That works out well. She must have been worried, so I should reply directly this time.”

I slowly read through Shanette’s letter.

[The autumn wind is getting a bit chilly, are you taking good care of yourself?

This autumn seems especially cold. I hope you’re keeping yourself warm so you don’t catch a cold, Roel. It’s nothing much, but I’m sending along some things I think you might need.

By the way, my worries are growing day by day. Reus says you’re far from recovery, and he won’t even let you go to the Grand Duke’s castle… I wonder if we should look for famous doctors at this point…]

“No, this man really!”

I flared up for a moment at the mention of Reus’s words as I was reading the letter carefully.

Far from recovery, he says!

Do people outside the Grand Duke’s castle still think I’m bedridden? Judging by Shanette’s string of worries that followed, it wouldn’t be strange if I was known to still be at death’s door.

But what’s even more ridiculous in this situation is that Reus probably said that because he sincerely thought so.

“Sigh… Let’s calm down first.”

I barely managed to calm my heart and continued reading the rest of the letter. Then I found a notable part.

[We were supposed to go volunteer at the orphanage together around this time, but I feel very empty without you, Roel.]

“Volunteering at the orphanage…”

After reading the letter to the end, I slowly began to write a reply.

That there was nothing to worry about, and according to the attending physician’s opinion, my physical condition had almost returned to normal and I was currently able to carry out daily life without any difficulties. That even going out wouldn’t be a problem at all if it wasn’t too long of a travel time.

“So… if it’s not a difficult task, I could even volunteer at the orphanage as promised…”

As far as I remember, on the day Shanette was supposed to go to the orphanage, Reus had a separate schedule.

So I hinted that I wanted to participate in the volunteering, with the intention of trying it even if I had to go out, in case the Grand Duke’s castle couldn’t bring in Theron.

‘I should have at least one backup plan in case of failure.’

And at the end of the letter, I added that even if I couldn’t volunteer at the orphanage together, I wanted to visit her as soon as possible.

This perfectly written letter should be secretly delivered to Dewin, who conspired with Reus to deceive me.

[This is the timeline separator]

As I was checking the letters, I noticed darkness falling outside the window.

Thinking this should be enough for today, I tidied up and left the office. And after taking just a few steps, I found Reus leaning against the wall.

‘How unusual of him to leave me alone.’

Reus, who had been quietly watching me for a moment, slowly approached.

“Roel, you shouldn’t push yourself so suddenly like that.”

“All I did was sit and check letters.”

“You don’t need to reply to every useless letter.”

“Useless letters? They’re all letters that people took the time to send. Because you won’t let me leave, I can no longer put off replying…”

“If it bothers you, you can order me to do it. From now on, I’ll check all the other letters and reply to them all.”

As if you’d tell them like you told Lady Shanette that I’m far from recovery so please refrain from visits and letters?

“Why should I trust you?”

Reus couldn’t give any answer to my sharp retort. I guess he does have a shred of conscience after all.

“Isn’t it uncomfortable for you to be like this with me?”

“…”

“Reus. It’s about time you told me, isn’t it?”

“If I tell you… you’ll run away.”

I’m going to run away whether you tell me or not… What could the reason be that he’s hesitating like this?

“It’s not like you’re never going to tell me, right?”

“…”

“Right, Reus…?”

No answer.

It seems this man still hasn’t come to his senses.

“Fine. If you have nothing to say, then don’t.”

“Roel-”

Reus must have been urgent, as he grabbed my hand as I was about to leave.

“I was wrong. Please don’t go…”

I won’t fall for that look anymore. Pretending to be sorry with that expression, but who knows what scheme you have behind your back!

“I’m really disappointed in you.”

“…”

“Don’t follow me.”

Leaving Reus, who froze stiffly as soon as he heard my words, I left the corridor just like that.