“The burial of the salt mine happens occasionally. It’s quite amusing that an Imperial Duke came all the way here just for such an incident. If you hear about it from other countries, it would be nothing short of ridiculous, wouldn’t it?”

Duke Belarus spoke as if he were talking about someone else’s business, such as a mine accident.

Even though it was his territory, and moreover, the main business, the mine collapsed, causing quite a few casualties.

‘It’s amazing. Anyone would think he’s the lord of another territory.’

As Akia stared at Duke Belarus, his forehead twitched. Akia lowered the teacup he had intended to sip.

“There was a problem in Bialytskal. You probably didn’t know about it, Duke Belarus. Why didn’t you take any measures?”

With Akia’s straightforward question, Duke Belarus silently sipped his tea.

When Akia’s deep emerald eyes met with Dimitri’s, a sharp gleam flashed.

Though he showed no emotions on the surface, a fierce whirlwind raged in Dimitri’s eyes.

The Duke, who was not even in his thirties, was trying to interrogate him.

Duke Belarus slowly scrutinized Akia. The golden blond hair, which clearly showed the imperial lineage, evoked memories of past emperors.

Especially the reddish pupils, like a feature that made people feel uneasy, matched the sharp gaze of the late Emperor Philip III.

The crease between Akia’s eyebrows wiggled as he looked at Duke Belarus.

‘Is it true that even the offspring of a tiger is a tiger…’

It was already known that there was corruption in Bialytskal.

‘Dmitri von Rallutain Belarus.’

He was once known as the Iron Duke.

A man who could not even be treated lightly by Emperor Philip III himself.

People said that Duke Belarus had grown old over the years, but it was not true.

He was still the head of a powerful family in the empire, now with only one daughter, Ariel, left after losing everything when he lost his only daughter.

“There’s a hot spring flowing beneath the salt mine. Did you know?”

“…A hot spring?”

Dimitri’s eyebrows twitched as if hearing something for the first time. If he was going to tell a shameless story, he thought it was time to leave.
It was the first time Akia learned that hot spring water flowed in the salt mine. Akia brought up a different topic than what he had in mind.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Please send an expert to Bialytskal immediately. The hot spring will be a godsend for Bialytskal, known for its barren land.”

Bialytskal was not suitable for farming due to its high salt content.

Although most of the residents depended on the salt mine for their main income, the value of salt from the mine had decreased since sea salt began to be harvested in the southern sea ten years ago.

As a result, life for the people of Bialytskal became difficult, but there was no apparent solution, so they left it alone.

‘If Duke Heidern’s words are correct…’

It was clear that hot spring tourism would be a new hope for Bialytskal.

However,

“I appreciate the advice, but I have no intention of doing that.”

Contrary to Akia’s expectations, Duke Belarus spoke with a resigned tone.

“What…?”

Unexpectedly, Dimitri’s response caused Akia’s forehead to furrow.

“I mean it. I have no intention of changing Bialytskal.”

If he were still in his vigorous youth, or even if his daughter were still alive, he might have eagerly taken the bait thrown by Duke Heidern.

But now, what use was a hot spring or a business? Duke Belarus just wanted to spend the rest of his life quietly and then depart.

Therefore, he didn’t bother to explain further. However, Akia expressed that he couldn’t understand Dimitri by saying this.

“But, Your Grace. If it goes that way, the residents of the territory…!”

“If that’s all you have to say, you can leave now. Perhaps because I’m getting old, I have to take a nap.”

Before Akia could finish speaking, Dimitri sighed, pretending to be tired, and dismissed him.

In the tilted moonlight of the late night, Dimitri sat in front of the garden table.

‘You used to love this garden so much.’

The rose he held in his hand glowed beautifully in the moonlight. Seeing the vivid red rose, memories of his daughter, who matched the rose well, came to mind.

‘Ariel.’

Ariel, who wouldn’t hurt even if he looked at her, suited the rose perfectly. That’s why the Duke had given him this rose garden as a gift on the debutante’s birthday.

The enchanting scent of roses that used to fill the mansion in May was still vivid.

The now-empty garden, which had been full of flowers every year, only left him with piercing longing.

After cutting down the tree that used to bloom flowers every year, there were now only a few left.

“Ariel…”

Looking at the day when he abandoned Bialytskal, Dimitri tightened his grip on the rose.

The blood-red petals flowed down from his hand with sharp thorns, but Dimitri didn’t feel any pain. No pain in the world could be as painful as losing his daughter.

With blood dripping from his hand, Dimitri lowered his head deeply.

‘Do you still resent me there?’

Ariel’s last look was a gaze of resentment towards Dimitri. It was when the Duke, burdened by guilt for driving his beloved daughter to death, was panting heavily.

Footsteps approaching echoed in his ears. Judging by the small stride, she was probably just becoming an adult.

“Are you okay?”

Followed by a warm voice.

“It seems like you’re bleeding from being pricked by a rose thorn.”

‘Boldly stepping into this place without fear.’

The moment Dimitri raised his head to scold the woman who had entered the garden without permission, he saw a deep green dress at the end of his gaze.

The Duke hurriedly raised his head, realizing it was the dress his daughter used to wear.

“May I see the wound once?”

And in an instant, when he discovered Lea, Dimitri stood up from his seat.

“…You.”
Duke Belarus’s eyes wavered, unable to grasp the situation. The familiar and composed appearance he had when facing Akia had long disappeared.

“Ariel…?”

The unfamiliar name that came out of Dimitri’s trembling lips echoed in Lea’s ears.