“Summer?”

At Russell’s call, Summer snapped back to attention. Having not slept at all, she was still in a daze.

“Oh, sorry. Where were we?”

“I was saying to classify today’s documents by village.”

“Yes, ah. Understood.”

Summer quickly gathered the documents and bowed her head. Russell observed Summer’s dazed expression and asked.

“Did you sleep poorly last night?”

“Ah, no. It’s not that…”

Whether because of what Fei said yesterday, it was difficult to look at Russell. As Summer fumbled, Russell’s hand lightly touched her eye area.

“It’s red, here.”

“What?”

Summer quickly raised her head. Russell gently rubbed Summer’s reddened eye area, then removed his hand.

Though that wouldn’t wipe away the redness like tears, Russell would occasionally brush away the shadows lingering in Summer’s eyes with his fingertips.

“When you don’t sleep well, this area turns red.”

“Ah… I didn’t know.”

Summer hastily rubbed her rough cheeks. It seemed her lack of sleep was very noticeable.

“Short sleep times lead to more mistakes at work. Let’s rest and meet again at lunch.”

“No, I can do it. Clearing my mind and working is actually more restful.”

“…Alright then.”

After a brief pause, Russell nodded in agreement, and Summer’s expression brightened. Yes, perhaps being frantically busy would be better.

As soon as she sat down, Summer focused on the documents as if she would dive into them.

It’s a bit sad that labor is done to escape from the world. But there was nothing better than this.

Classifying documents by village name was much simpler than checking for typos.

As she kept looking, she began to see the rough operating methods and budget of the Bertrand duchy.

A bit more maintenance budget was allocated to barren villages, while prosperous villages had an additional cultural and arts support project.

“Ahem.”

Unlike Summer who was completely absorbed, Russell pressed his throbbing temples and loosened his tie slightly.

Russell had also spent a sleepless night.

While Summer looked at the documents, Russell slowly opened and closed his tired eyes repeatedly. He couldn’t focus on the documents at all.

The previous night, a visitor had come to Russell, who was alone in his office.

That visitor had entered through the window without permission.

‘Witch?’

‘Long time no see? Human.’

‘Are you here to see Summer?’

‘No, today I came to see you.’

The witch sprawled out on the office sofa as if it were her own bedroom. Russell sighed and removed his silver-rimmed glasses, placing them on the desk.

‘What business do you have?’

‘I’ve found a way for Summer to return.’

Russell paused at Fei’s words. For a moment, complex emotions flashed in his eyes, but quickly subsided.

‘Didn’t you say last time there was no way?’

‘That was about reversing space.’

‘….’

Fei peeked her head up and spoke. Finding her appearance annoying, Russell inwardly let out a hollow laugh.

Fei was a being helpful to Summer. But Fei’s existence was not welcome.

‘The new method I’ve found is to reverse time.’

‘Does Summer… have to die this time too?’

‘Of course. And there’s one more condition added to that.’

‘So you came to me because of that condition.’

Russell sat across from Fei, who was sprawled out on the sofa wiggling her feet. Thinking today’s work was hopeless.

Fei suddenly sat up, crossed her arms and leaned back against the backrest.

‘You catch on quick. Yes, that’s right. Summer’s death alone can only reverse time for a moment.’

‘Are you saying more deaths are needed?’

‘Correct! Julian, the black-haired man, and you. If just one of you three becomes a sacrifice, Summer can live happily forever in reversed time! What do you think, isn’t it amazing?’

Fei’s eyes sparkled as she passionately explained. Her thoughts were plainly visible on her face.

Be amazed at this grand idea. But Russell bluntly gave his brief impression.

‘You’re insane.’

‘Why? I thought you’d volunteer to sacrifice yourself when you heard this.’

Fei reacted as if a bit surprised. Russell stood up with a cool attitude and spoke.

‘Then I’m afraid you’re mistaken. Have you forgotten that in my case, it’s better if Summer doesn’t return? I don’t see why I should sacrifice myself.’

‘Hmph, well. I guess I misjudged you. I understand your intentions.’

Fei pouted, then suddenly transformed into a cat and leapt out the window.

After Fei left, silence fell in the office.

Russell looked up at the huge moon outside the window with a strange expression.

‘She can… return.’

Words leaked out between his lips in a whisper. If he threw himself away, she could achieve what she wanted.

Russell’s jaw clenched tightly and his Adam’s apple bobbed greatly.

That dying woman, could be saved.

“Mr. Russell. Are you tired?”

At Summer’s cautious voice, Russell awoke from his reverie and let out a deflated laugh.

It was the first time he had zoned out at his desk since receiving the title of Duke.

“A little.”

“Shouldn’t you rest a bit too?”

“I’m fine. More importantly, Summer.”

“…?”

“Will you attend the victory banquet?”

“Ah… Ah. I should attend.”

Summer was about to say no, but remembering last night’s conversation, she quickly changed her words.

To turn back time, the protagonist’s life was needed. Once, she needed to brazenly talk to Ian and Julian.

“…”

“Why? Are you worried I might have another fit?”

“No. I was just surprised by the unexpected answer.”

Indeed. Given her behavior so far, Summer seemed like she would shudder at the thought of a party.

In reality, Summer still found those puppet-filled parties disgusting. But she had no choice.

It was right for the one in need to seek out others. And Summer had no intention of revealing anything about reversing time to Russell.

If it were Russell, he would likely say cold words with that characteristic indifferent face. It would be better to be disappointed and angry.

“I can’t stay in this mansion forever.”

“Why not?”

Russell’s expression subtly hardened. Not seeing this, Summer chuckled softly.

“Haha, Russell. You’re too overprotective.”

“Summer. Do you know when the victory banquet is?”

“Ah, well…”

She thought she heard from Mary, but couldn’t remember. Lately her language skills and memory weren’t what they used to be.

She often forgot things, and couldn’t even remember what she had for lunch an hour ago.

“It’s in a week.”

“Hmm, that’s very… rushed, right?”

“Even if we had a dress made now, it would barely arrive in time.”

“Ah…”

Summer was now an existence that had deviated from the original story.

So on that day, a perfectly fitting dress wouldn’t suddenly appear.

I guess I have to go buy one. Just thinking about going out made her sigh.

Russell organized the documents first and stood up.

“We have our task for today. Let’s go.”

“What?”

When Summer asked again, Russell put on his uniform jacket and nodded once.

“What are you doing? Don’t we need to prepare for the banquet?”

“Now?”

“A week is tight. I was originally going to send our regrets, but we’ll have to change that first.”

“Oh, oh… Then I’ll get ready and come down.”

Summer stood up reflexively. Russell rang the bell, and a servant entered.

“Call the butler. And tell Lady Lindsey’s personal maid to hurry with preparations to go out.”

“Yes, understood.”

As the servant left, Summer also bowed quickly.

“Then I’ll go get ready too.”

“I’ll be waiting downstairs.”

Russell spoke to the butler who had just arrived at the door about changing their regrets to attendance for the victory banquet, and left the office.

Summer also quickly climbed the stairs and reached her room.

The servant must have delivered the message very quickly, as Mary and Daisy were already there with solemn faces, gathering makeup supplies.

“Ma-Mary?”

“I heard you’re going out. We’ve made all the preparations.”

“…You look too solemn. I’m just going to prepare for the banquet.”

“This is a matter that requires utmost seriousness. Let’s choose a dress first.”

Mary and Daisy approached with such serious faces that Summer could only nod repeatedly at their words, unable to say anything.

She removed her uniform and put on a sky blue dress adorned with elaborate lace.

Her hair was styled up for convenience while moving about, with a butterfly ornament pinned in.

“Perfect. Have a good trip.”

“Do you want to come with us?”

“No, we have some things to do here. You two have a good time.”

Mary, who flatly rejected Summer’s invitation, politely gestured towards the door as if urging her to go.

In the end, Summer awkwardly made her way to the front of the mansion where Russell would be waiting.

“…This feels awkward, haha. Yes.”

Summer stood beside Russell, exuding an embarrassed atmosphere. Russell gazed at her for a moment, then extended his arm.

As Summer lightly placed her hand on his arm, his low voice was heard from above her head.

“It suits you well. Pretty.”

“…Thank you for the compliment.”

How long had it been since something like this? It was her first outing in months. Like a baby’s first steps, there was clearly some anxiety.

But somehow she had a feeling it would be enjoyable.

It seemed Russell would calmly resolve any issue with that composed face of his.

With Russell’s help, Summer boarded the carriage and immediately opened the window. The autumn air was cool even during the day now.

The garden was colorful with red and yellow fallen leaves.

“Dying things all seem so vibrant.”

Summer caught a red maple leaf falling like rain in the wind and twirled it.

The setting sun, the falling leaves. How do they all burn so beautifully in their moment of decline?

“Why am I…”

Declining yet ugly? Summer forced herself to compose her expression and swallowed her gloom.

Will the day ever come when she loves this beautiful, colorful world? Probably not in this lifetime.

“Summer?”

“This is nice. The breeze is cool. I’m glad we came out.”

Summer smiled. Russell read the struggle within.

Summer wouldn’t know. How much more intense she was than the setting sun, more colorful than fallen leaves.

So intense, like the blazing midsummer sun, that she frightened those around her, seeming like she might disappear like a mirage one day.

It was a feeling Summer would not know.