“Wait, just, just stay like this for a while.”

Bake tightened his arms, embracing me even more firmly.

I hesitated for a moment and then stopped pushing Bake away.

“…What’s the matter?”

“Well, there is something a bit, worrisome, haa…”

In this close distance, I could fully feel his rugged breath and rapidly beating heart.

I waited for Bake to calm down a bit before opening my mouth again.

“What’s wrong? What really happened?”

“Well, that is…”

“It’s okay, tell me.”

The moment I slightly pushed Bake’s chest to make room, a drop of sweat from his forehead fell onto the back of my hand.

Bake was keeping his mouth shut tightly, but soon opened it with a distorted face.

“It’s about Duke Pieren. That man…”

“Don’t tell me you ran all this way because of that?”

“…I’m sorry, for showing you such a pitiful sight.”

Bake roughly wiped his face. His trembling voice, which had not yet calmed down, sounded almost like sobbing.

“Why are you so worried.”

“You don’t remember me, but that man…”

“Just because I can’t remember doesn’t mean we’re not a couple.”

I offered a gentle smile to reassure him, and Bake’s eyes shimmered.

I didn’t stop there and willingly took Bake’s hand.

We needed trust between us.

“I was surprised to see him. He had changed a lot from what I remembered. But that was it.”

“…That was it?”

“Until now, the one by my side wasn’t him, but you.”

“…”

“It doesn’t matter if I don’t remember. Now I know how affectionate you are. That’s why I’m trying, no, intending to.”

“Riviana…”

In his deeply moved gaze, I cautiously leaned against Bake.

Of course, just touching like this made me feel shy, but I didn’t forget to avoid his gaze.

“I know it’s hard to believe. And to be a bit more honest, part of my heart feels heavy.”

“Why? Don’t tell me that guy said something useless?”

“No. It’s just…”

The unfinished sentence left a strange lingering feeling. I deliberately didn’t continue and left a pause.

“Is it something you can’t talk about?”

“No, it’s not. It was just a simple greeting.”

“A greeting?”

Bake unconsciously lowered his head. He seemed to be trying to act calm, but his downward gaze revealed an undeniable curiosity.

“He said it was a relief that you looked well, and he’d like to meet you again sometime.”

“…”

“Like I said. It was just a simple greeting.”

“…Is that really all it was?”

Despite his doubtful stare, I feigned ignorance and nodded.

Trust was necessary between us, but so was a bit of mystery.

“Did you really meet Duke Pieren?”

“Yes. Somehow it turned out that way.”

“…Were you okay?”

She asked, pretending not to know even though she had planned it. I picked up a lump of sugar with tongs, pretending not to know Margaret’s true intentions.

Right now, it was better to feign ignorance and play along with her.

Bake was most wary of me meeting Duke Pieren.

That’s why Bake tried to spend as much time with me as possible, reducing not only my external activities but also his own range of action. When he couldn’t, he always kept Margaret by my side.

It was no easy task to make contact with Duke Pieren while avoiding Bake’s vigilant eyes.

So, given my complex situation, I had no choice but to take advantage of this.

But I couldn’t keep playing the same hand.

Time kept flowing even after Meriel died. The more time I bought, the more the child’s death was being perfectly manipulated.

I had to free my bound hands and feet as soon as possible and gather opposing forces.

As I watched the sugar melt into the tea, I slowly opened my mouth.

It was time to give Margaret the answer she had been waiting for.

“…Actually, I was glad. I said it wasn’t, but seeing him safe after all, I felt relieved.”

“Riviana.”

“I know. I shouldn’t be like this. But still….”

“It’s okay. I understand everything. I know everything. How much you’ve done for him.”

Margaret held my hand as if she had been waiting for this moment, showering me with her comfort. And I was so touched by this that my eyes welled up with tears.

“……Actually, I received comfort from him.”

“Comfort?”

“He asked if I was okay. It seems strange for someone who’s not.”

“See, I told you. As expected, he hasn’t forgotten either.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. It’s obvious. You two had such a bond.”

Margaret spoke quickly without even taking a breath. Her eyes were unusually sparkling.

She still believed without a doubt that Duke Pieren could be the key to divide the relationship between Bake and me.

I was really grateful.

I bowed my head, struggling to hold back the laughter that seemed to flow out at any moment.

“……But this isn’t right. I shouldn’t involve him in my affairs. It’s the right thing to do.”

“I understand your feelings. But people’s hearts don’t always do what they want.”

“……”

“I won’t force you. But think about it one more time. What you really want. And, who is the one you love.”

Really, everything was so melodramatic.

I hugged Margaret with a sneer in my heart.

Of course, I didn’t forget to pretend not to notice the man outside the greenhouse.

After all, I already knew why Bake couldn’t bring himself to come in, standing outside the greenhouse.

A few days had passed since Duke Pieren had left, it was about time for Bake to receive the news he didn’t want to hear arrived at Creighton.

Because he wanted to meet Duke Pieren, it was to revisit the old deal.

I twisted my lips, hoping that the promise I made with the Emperor was still valid.