It was the third day since Reus left the grand ducal castle. I had become somewhat accustomed to life in the grand ducal castle without Reus.

I woke up late and headed to the dining room for a late breakfast. However, unlike usual, the butler Loteo stood firm behind me, showing no intention of leaving.

This was the first time something like this had happened, so I was a bit startled and was observing the atmosphere when servants entered the dining room. They then placed something on the empty spot on the table.

It was a cream cake finished with delicate decorations, white mini angel figurine chocolates, and edible flowers on top.

“Your Highness, we sincerely congratulate you on your birthday.”

“Ah…”

That’s right. Today was my birthday, wasn’t it?

I had completely forgotten about it. Originally, I would have been looking for an opportunity to attempt another escape around this time, right? It felt so distant now, even though it was just a short while ago.

As I stared intently at the cake, Loteo spoke.

“This is the cake that His Grace ordered to be prepared.”

“I see. It’s really pretty.”

The butler, nodding his head, seemed moved by Reus’ instructions, but I immediately realized.

‘It must have been prepared by Dwin.’

The Lorenz Bakery logo stuck in the center of the cake. It was a store that had recently become very popular among young ladies.

It must have been Dwin who prepared this, as he was capable in every aspect and knew everything that was happening in the capital.

There was no way Reus would know about such things. And even if it wasn’t for that reason, Reus…

‘Doesn’t seem to like me very much…’

As I thought to myself, I suddenly realized a startling fact.

Reus originally didn’t like me, did he?

In an instant, all the cold gazes and reactions I had received from Reus up until now flashed through my mind from beginning to end.

‘That’s right… He disliked me from the start.’

I had grown accustomed to him not lashing out at me due to being his savior, and I had completely forgotten that fact.

‘I should forget what needs to be forgotten.’

How long ago was that? I had forgotten that fact and felt inwardly disappointed at each and every one of Reus’ reactions, which now seemed a bit ridiculous to me.

His reactions were always the same until we got involved with the Silent Forest incident, and even now, Reus still found me unpleasant…

From now on, I shouldn’t have any misconceptions or forget. Reus originally disliked me, and now he was merely maintaining the minimum courtesy as my savior.

I came to my senses at the resounding applause from the servants and quickly blew out the candles. Then everyone offered their words of blessing one by one.

“Truly congratulations, Your Highness.”

“Congratulations!”

“Thank you all so much… I will gratefully enjoy the cake and the prepared dishes. You must have worked hard.”

“What are you saying, Your Highness…! We couldn’t properly prepare a birthday table for you as we received the notice in a hurry. We are just grateful that you are so delighted.”

“No, really, thank you. Thank you so much for celebrating with me… Thank you so much, everyone.”

It was a sincere sentiment without a hint of falsehood.

It was the first time in my life that a cake for me was placed on the table.

Because in the Ibelre Count’s family, Feria hated my birthday to the point of being sick of it. Unless it was just Eni and I celebrating together, there was no opportunity at all.

Even then, we could only imitate a small cake shape without candles using the snacks or bread left by Feria and Briella and celebrate modestly.

But receiving such a fancy cake and hearing sincere blessings and warm congratulations just for being born… It was bewildering.

An emotion that was difficult to define, somewhere between being moved and sad, made my heart swell.

‘If I hadn’t made a contract with Reus, there wouldn’t have been a moment like this.’

If Reus hadn’t made up his mind to persuade me, I might have still been locked in the basement, begging Feria for mercy.

But I was no longer in the Ibelre Count’s family.

I wake up every day on a bed where warm sunlight shines, not in a prison or a separate storage room.

I was also freed from the situation where I barely got to eat the food left by Feria and Briella, and there were even many days when I had to starve without even that.

Always warm food, diverse menus, and on top of that, the utmost consideration from the grand ducal castle’s servants at all times.

Even that was always new and overwhelming, but to receive such sincere blessings just for being born… I never really imagined that such a thing would happen to me in my life.

I wish I could have captured this scene in some way and cherished it for the rest of my life.

I was newly grateful to Reus. Although it was a contract proposal with a purpose, thanks to that, I was able to have good memories and leave the empire.

It was a peaceful birthday that I experienced for the first time since I was born and that I would never forget.

* * *

I was also trying hard today to master the things Dwin had taught me.

There were still many things left to do and learn as the grand duchess, but I didn’t find it difficult. Rather, it was better than doing nothing since coming to the grand ducal castle. No, it was even fun and rewarding every day.

‘I’m really making a fuss even though it’s not my home.’

Still, while I was here, I wanted to do my best not to be a burden to Reus and the people who had been working for the Rochester Grand Ducal family.

So I came to my senses and looked at the documents more diligently. After being immersed like that for a long time, I suddenly felt a gaze on me.

I had become a little sensitive due to the recent incident with Theron, so I lifted my head with a start.

Fortunately, Theron wasn’t there. The one looking at me was Dwin, though I didn’t know since when.

“Dwin? Do you need any documents?”

I sent a gaze as if to say to tell me anything, but no answer came back. After hesitating to speak for a long time, Dwin finally opened his mouth.

“His Highness… will probably return either today or tomorrow.”

“Really?”

Reus was returning a day or more earlier without even filling the full week he had mentioned.

‘It was really a needless worry after all.’

Recalling that my worry must have seemed like a fuss to Reus, I felt a little sheepish for no reason.

“Was there any mention of the arrival time?”

“No matter how early, it will probably be close to midnight. So you can just know that he will arrive at dawn.”

“It’s a relief that he’s returning earlier than scheduled.”

“…Yes.”

But Dwin’s reaction was not very satisfactory. It seemed like he still had more to say as his gaze dropped down for a moment.

“Dwin. You can speak comfortably if you have something to say.”

“Well… His Highness becomes a little sensitive when he returns from the battlefield… He also hates being interfered with while recovering.”

“I see. Thank you for letting me know in advance. I almost made His Grace uncomfortable without knowing anything.”

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

“Specifically, what are you referring to…?”

“I’m talking about things like injuries. Even if you’re worried, it would be best to keep an appropriate distance. There’s a high probability that His Highness will consider your concern as meddling…”

“I understand what you mean. I will keep that in mind. Dwin, thank you so much.”

Dwin, who finished speaking, smiled faintly and turned his head back towards his desk. It was a very concerning smile, but I also fixed my gaze back on the documents soon.

* * *

While struggling with drowsiness, the sound of footsteps flowed into my ears, repeatedly moving away and coming back. After dozing off to that sound for a while, I opened my eyes with a start.

‘I fell asleep…!’

After hearing that the Rochester Knights would arrive around dawn, my plan was to wait for Reus no matter what time it was and fall asleep only after confirming his arrival.

But closing my eyes for a moment turned into falling into a deep sleep without me realizing it.

I quickly got up, roughly fixed my clothes and hair, and headed towards the dressing room where I heard the footsteps. I opened the door very carefully, worried that even a small sound might make Reus uncomfortable.

I could see Reus standing in front of the flickering light. But… something was a bit strange.

I stopped halfway through opening the door and stood there, and Reus slightly turned his head to look at me.

“Did I wake you up?”

Without even thinking of answering, I stood there and stared intently at one spot.

What caught my gaze was Reus’ clothes, which were completely stained.

It wasn’t dirty from rolling around in a place like dirt… It seemed like something had soaked into the clothes, making them damp.

Then I noticed a glimpse of red on the dark clothing.

‘Don’t tell me, all of that… is bloodstains…’

As I thought that, I could also smell a faint scent of blood at the tip of my nose. Forgetting Dwin’s advice, I approached Reus.

“Reus, your clothes…”

“It’s nothing, so don’t mind it.”

It was a calm voice in contrast to my agitated reaction. I was a bit confused by his gaze that showed no change, as if it was nothing special.

‘Is he not injured? Is it someone else’s blood or something…?’

Right… If he were injured, there’s no way he would react so nonchalantly with such a fine face. I calmed my startled heart a little and got a bit closer to Reus.

This was an action that contradicted the inner thoughts I had just muttered in relief. Perhaps my instincts had noticed something.

‘Just checking from up close for a moment…’

At that moment, Reus stopped my feet with a cold tone.

“Are you going to keep doing that there?”

“……”

“If you don’t have a hobby of watching, I’d like you to leave now.”

“…I’m sorry. I’ll leave now so you can change clothes comfortably.”

I wanted to check up close, but I had no choice but to leave the dressing room at his gesture filled with fatigue.