“Hello, Duke Pieren. I’m not sure if you remember me.”

A woman who appeared from behind a pillar clumsily smiled and clasped her hands together.

Pieren squinted his eyes for a moment.

Her face seemed strangely familiar, even though he didn’t remember seeing her before. He definitely felt like he had seen her somewhere, but he couldn’t recall.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to remember who you are.”

“Of course, it makes sense. The last time I saw you was a very long time ago.”

“A long time ago?”

“Yes, back at the academy.”

The woman quickly added an explanation, but it didn’t help.

The academy was a place bustling with people, because all the nobles had to go through its educational curriculum at least once. This was a matter from 20 years ago, so it was impossible to remember everyone he had met there.

Pieren eventually gave up trying to recall anything about the woman and shifted the topic.

“So, what brings you here? I’m not in the mood for a long conversation, so please make it brief.”

“Well, it’s about Riviana.”

“….”

Upon hearing the familiar name, Pieren remembered the woman’s name.

And he also remembered having heard her name recently.

This woman had previously lied to Riviana, claiming that she was pregnant with Pieren’s child.

Pieren’s eyes narrowed.

Her still flat belly wasn’t very noticeable, but the woman’s habit of unconsciously cradling her stomach was suspicious enough.

It could be true that she was pregnant, even if the child wasn’t his. After all, wasn’t she the legal wife of Count Creyton?

Pieren recalled the name he had seen in the investigation report regarding the fake evidence that Luzen had forced upon him. Unconsciously, he furrowed his brows.

Margaret, taken aback by this subtle change, hurriedly opened her mouth. The giant man was threatening enough with just a slight change in his expression.

“I understand that this may be unpleasant for you to hear, but considering the circumstances, I find it necessary to tell you.”

“….”

“The rumors going around right now are true.”

“What truth are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the fact that Riviana has lost her memory.”

“Why are you telling me this? I’m already aware of those rumors.”

Pieren retorted sarcastically.

It was no great secret that Riviana had lost her memory, thanks to the havoc caused by Beak trying to cover up the existence of Merryll.

“Riviana didn’t just lose her memories of Merryll. She lost all of her memories from the past ten or so years. She doesn’t even remember that she got married.”

“That doesn’t change anything. If you’re wellinformed about the rumors, you should know who sold me out just to survive.”

“That’s just a rumor.”

“A rumor?”

“At least I don’t think so. You know better than anyone that Riviana isn’t like that. There must have been a misunderstanding. She loved you so much.”

Holding her trembling hands tightly and moistening the corners of her eyes, Margaret saw Pieren tilting his head.

At first glance, it seemed as though she was considering Riviana, but on closer examination, it wasn’t the case.

Unless she was out of her mind, she wouldn’t try to bring an old lover to a woman who had lost her child and even her memory.

Pieren raised his left eyebrow as he looked down at Margaret for a moment.

Despite trembling, Margaret eventually opened her mouth again.

“I’ve watched her, so I know better than anyone. Riviana always missed you.”

“….”

“Thanks to that, their marriage wasn’t very good. Although they seemed like a perfect couple on the outside, the inside was rotten. That’s why this happened…”

Realizing that she had said something wrong, Margaret quickly covered her mouth and quickly glanced at Pieren.

Pieren crossed his arms, looking at Margaret, who deliberately left her words hanging.

“So what do you want me to do?”

“I don’t know how you’re going to take my story, but I think this is an opportunity. Although we had to break up back then, the situation is different now.”

“Are you asking me to commit adultery?”

“Riviana’s married life has always been unhappy, and this time, she even lost her daughter. The only reason Riviana was able to maintain her difficult marriage was all thanks to Merryll.”

“….”

“I just want Riviana to be happy now. Especially now, after she lost her bad memories.”

Her eyes, wrapped in lush eyelashes, twinkled. The woman had such an innocent face that if she knew nothing, she would have easily fallen for it.

And she resembled someone Calix knew. More precisely, it seemed more fitting to say that she was copying, but.

“…Why are you so keen on helping her?”

“She’s a friend.”

“Friend?”

“I’ve received a lot of help from Riviana so far. I just want to help her in this way. This is all I can do.”

“….”

“It’s understandable that you would doubt my sincerity, but just trust me once. I’m sure I’ll be of help.”

Margaret raised her hand over her chest and smiled faintly. It was a social smile, but there was a subtle intent in the upward gaze, as if she knew everything.