With an incredulous expression, the maid bowed and left the study. Since Duke Heidern visited, the servants were surprised by Dmitri’s changed demeanor.

Because even someone as sensitive to small noises as him had become infinitely kind to the subordinates.

Observing such a duke, who had been benevolent to Dmitri, Button gently addressed him.

“It seems a bit cold. Would you like me to bring tea again without you having to ask?”

“It’s okay. It’s surprisingly drinkable.”

Dmitri nodded with a pleasant smile. The maid who had just spilled the tea was Lea’s peer.

Feeling a bit sorry for her appearance, which seemed to have collapsed as if the world had crumbled just because she spilled a single cup of tea.

Lea might have lived with her heart in her mouth as well.

With Dmitri embracing the newfound peace, the servants in the mansion became brighter. And although such changes in the mansion were not good for him, Dmitri did not mind.

“You seem to be in a good mood, Your Grace.”

Having lost Ariel, Dmitri lost his smile. Living the life of parents who outlived their child was no different from living in hell.

It was not living.

The sumptuous feasts he used to share with Ariel felt crunchy like biting sand, and the laughter that used to sprout all over the mansion ceased for a moment.

The daily life of Belarus Duke, who left like that, was in a state of silence.

Therefore, he thought he could never feel this kind of happiness again. Dmitri enjoyed the peace that had finally come, accepting Button’s words.

“That’s right. This feels like a joy I haven’t felt in a long time….”

For Dmitri, each moment at present was precious.

As he leaned back in his chair, contemplating what he would do with Lea today, a knock announcing a visit echoed.

“Your Grace, it’s Anthony.”

“Oh. Come in.”

As soon as the duke’s permission was given, a man with neatly combed blue hair entered the study.

He was a subordinate sent to the south to find out the whereabouts of the child Ariel gave birth to.

“What did you find for me?”

Dmitri, with an expectant face, urged Anthony’s answer.

Seeing Lea, who resembled his daughter more and more, he was convinced that she was his granddaughter.

Therefore, the contents Anthony would report were as clear as day.

“It was what I asked you to find, right?”

Dmitri, who had filled his face with anticipation, stared at Anthony, urging for his response.

“것은 아이가 살아 있었다는 것이었지.”
However, unlike the excited duke’s face, Anthony’s expression was dark.

“Your Grace, that…”

He continued speaking with difficulty, his lips barely moving.

“It is certain that Lady Ariel’s child is confirmed to be dead.”

“What?”

At first, Belarus Duke thought he had misheard. Therefore, blinking only his eyes, which had been staring blankly, the duke slowly muttered to Anthony.

“What did you just say?”

“I met the midwife who said she received Lady Ariel’s child. Although it was said to be a girl, the child died as soon as it was born.”

Anthony continued with difficulty, extending an old handkerchief that had been in his pocket.

“This is…”

“It is a handkerchief that Lady Ariel personally embroidered for the child who was to be born.”

Originally white, the handkerchief had faded, and on top of it, embroidered flowers with an unknown name were visible.

“According to the midwife, Lady Ariel made this handkerchief for the child who was to be born along with a baby gown. However, during the funeral, they couldn’t part with just this handkerchief, so they kept it separately.”

Dmitri tremblingly accepted the handkerchief.

Though much time had passed, he could recognize it at a glance. The embroidery on this handkerchief belonged to Ariel.

Ariel had a habit of finishing any embroidery by pulling up the end.

“Ah.”

He sighed softly.

“Father, everyone says I resemble roses. But sometimes, I prefer nameless wildflowers over brilliant roses.”

“Yeah, you used to say that.”

Dmitri loved roses, not Ariel. He just forced Ariel to be a child like a rose to him. That child always yearned for an ordinary life.

“Yeah, I wanted to raise you as an ordinary child as much as your child.”

Dmitri accepted the handkerchief with trembling hands. Although much time had passed, he could recognize at a glance that the embroidery belonged to Ariel.

The scene of Ariel leaving him and Lea behind, considering Dmitri, who became a pitiful father alone, was vivid in his mind.

Seeing Lea, who had grown even more beautiful than anyone else, he saw Ariel in her.

Staring blankly into the void, Anthony cautiously spoke to Belarus Duke.

“If you want something more certain, I can find the child’s grave…”

“No.”

Dmitri, who had been holding the handkerchief for a long time, raised his head. His eyes, which always shone fiercely, were now gently sunken.

“It’s okay now.”

Dmitri’s sunken voice echoed through the study.

Although he did not show his inner feelings outwardly as the head of the family, the hand hidden under the handkerchief was still shaking.

Watching his owner’s trembling figure, Button’s eyes turned red.

The day when the beloved Duke returned as a cold corpse, Dmitri’s collapsed figure overlapped with what had just happened.

‘She liked it so much…’

Button could understand his owner’s heart enough, and it made his chest tighten.

“I think it’s better for me to leave now.”

Button took Anthony, who was standing still, and left the study. As the two left, silence descended on the study. The handkerchief absorbed the tears.

Dmitri hugged his daughter’s only memento and sobbed. Now he had to admit it.

Ariel, who he loved so much. And the fact that his daughter’s child was not in this world.