Bake, having finally sensed danger, hastily rose to his feet.

But she was faster than him approaching.

She stared directly at Bake.

And, with a bright smile, she loosened her grip on the railing.

Wishing this moment would be remembered vividly.

“Fortunately, she was caught in a tree and her life is not in danger. There aren’t many scratches, so there won’t be scars if treated properly. However…”

“However?”

“She is in a very broken mental state. Waking up is not the problem, but what comes after will be the problem.”

“What do you mean by problem?”

“I mean there is a chance that something like this could happen again.”

After the doctor’s diagnosis, there was a moment of silence.

Bake, looking at the collapsed Riviana, closed his lips tightly.

He couldn’t forget the scene just now.

Riviana, who let everything go and fell by herself, and…

‘No. It can’t be. Meryl can’t be my daughter. She doesn’t resemble me at all.’

Bake, shaking his head roughly, finally stood up straight.

His mind was a mess, but now was not the time for other thoughts.

Even if she had saved her life this time, there was no guarantee that it would be the same next time.

If a similar event happened again, he could lose Riviana forever.

“So what should I do in the future?”

“Well, the psychological problem is large, so it would be best to avoid actions that could stimulate her. Giving her things she likes or visiting places that can calm her mind could also be good.”

“Calm…”

Could it really be possible?

Bake, unable to hide his anxiety, bit his fingertips.

Margaret had been sent back to the inn for now, but he knew that wouldn’t solve anything.

Riviana was already greatly disappointed in him and there was no intention to forgive.

Especially if Riviana had heard all the conversation with Margaret that time…

Bake’s hand trembled more severely.

He knew how much his wife loved her daughter.

If Riviana knew the truth about Meryl’s death, she would never forgive him.

‘That can’t happen. Never.’

Bake, as if washing his face with both hands, roughly wiped his face.

Even if Riviana turned her back on him, he couldn’t do the same.

To make the noble lady who didn’t even dare to talk to him his partner, he had done so much.

He couldn’t end the relationship over such a thing.

“…”

“Madam?”

“Riviana?”

While Bake was in a daze, Riviana’s eyelids fluttered.

Bake, pushing the doctor away, hastily took Riviana’s hand in desperation.

Whether she hadn’t completely regained consciousness or not, Riviana just stared at Bake, not showing any other reaction.

Bake, not knowing what to do with Riviana, who was only blinking without any other reaction, belatedly sought the doctor he had pushed away.

The doctor, who had finally found his place, hurriedly checked Riviana’s condition.

This time, Riviana blinked again, but her focus was clearer than before.

“Are you alright, madam?”

“…Pin uncle?”

The voice speaking softly was definitely Riviana’s to anyone who heard it.

But something was different.

The doctor, after pondering what the subtle difference was for a moment, frowned.

Ever since she married Bake and became the Duchess of Creighton, Riviana no longer called him uncle.

“…Pin uncle, isn’t it?”

When she didn’t get a reply, Riviana sent an uncertain look.

The doctor, unable to hide his confusion, cautiously opened his mouth.

In a sense of perhaps.

“Yes, miss. I am Pin.”

“Just as I thought, it is uncle Pin. I was a bit worried because it felt different than usual today.”

The reply that came back seemed to satisfy Riviana, and a smile spread on her lips.

But those who saw it were rather taken aback.

For nearly a decade, Liviana had never smiled so brightly.

Even when she did laugh, she mostly covered her mouth and laughed gracefully, fitting for a graceful lady, and even that wasn’t often.

Yet, there was Liviana, laughing openly.

“But why am I here now? Did something happen to me?”

“Ah, about that……”

He needed to explain, but seeing her innocent twinkling eyes, he couldn’t quite open his mouth.

The doctor hesitated, eventually shifting his gaze to Bake, and naturally, Liviana turned her gaze to him too.

“But who is this person?”

“Do you really not remember?”

“Yes. I’ve never seen him before.”

Liviana, without hesitation, nodded her head, and Bake reflexively stepped back.

She was sincerely making a face as if she didn’t know him.

“Do you really not remember me?”

“Uh, I’m sorry. I usually have a good memory, but I can’t seem to recall.”

“……”

“Instead, I’ll make sure to remember you from now on, can you tell me your name? As an apology for this incident, I’ll greet you first next time, Ahhh!”

Liviana, who had been offering her hand with a ringing laugh, screamed at the sight of her bandaged hand.

She was shaking like a quaking aspen at the sight of just a blood stain on the bandage.

“I’m sorry for screaming all of a sudden. I’m just not used to things like this.”

Bake let out a futile sigh looking at Liviana’s eyes already filled with tears.

Thinking about Liviana now, the distinct look that he couldn’t remember at all, Bake knew that was also her.

Over a decade ago, before the tragedy of the Craiton family happened, she was like that.

Innocent of the ways of the world, but her purity was attractive, a noble lady that everyone naturally loved and looked up to.

Bake clenched his hands tightly, looking at the innocent eyes looking up at him.

Liviana was no longer blaming herself.

She was only looking with friendly eyes, just like the lady who was kind to everyone back then.

But he could neither be happy nor sad about that fact.

“Do you remember… having a fiancé?”

“How could I forget that? Even if I forget everything else, I can’t forget him.”

“……”

“I guess you know too. My fiancé, he’s quite famous. And very handsome.”

It was a voice filled with affection that anyone would immediately recognize.

Bake bit his teeth hard, looking at Liviana whose cheeks were blushing as if she was thrilled just by mentioning her fiancé.