That night.

“You’re late!”

The person waiting in the central square with a robe thrown over them spotted someone approaching and burst out in complaint.

“Making me wait. Are you in your right mind?”

In response to Caroline’s sharp words, the other person made an excuse.

“I’m sorry. I had no choice as I was trying to sneak out.”

Caroline clicked her tongue irritably and asked.

“Did you bring what I told you?”

“Here it is.”

The other person took out a wrapped package from their chest and handed it over.

Caroline quickly checked the contents inside and tucked it into her bosom.

“More importantly, I have a business recommendation this time…”

“Stop.”

Caroline cut off the other person before they could finish speaking.

“Have you forgotten about that leather business from last time? Do you know how awkward my position was then?”

Caroline brought up the business deal she had strongly recommended to Jeremiah and ended up taking a loss on, lashing out angrily.

“Just how do you handle things!”

“Whoa, calm down.”

The other person tried to soothe the agitated Caroline.

“I’m sorry about that incident. I didn’t expect the Dax family to handle things so sloppily either. But I personally took care of the aftermath to ensure no problems arise, so you don’t need to worry. There won’t be any troublesome issues.”

“Do it properly.”

Caroline glared fiercely at the other person as she warned them.

“Of course. Whose orders do you think they are?”

The other person continued speaking glibly.

“By the way, was the information I told you last time helpful?”

When asked, Caroline smiled, lifting the corners of her mouth.

“It was quite useful information. Who would have thought that wench Karina was up to such sneaky things behind the scenes.”

He had sent a letter informing Caroline about accidentally encountering Karina on the street a few days ago.

‘The Duchess was in shabby attire with only one guard in a deserted alley. It looked as if she was having a secret rendezvous away from people’s eyes.’

Upon hearing that news, Caroline immediately went to Jeremiah and relayed those exact words.

“At this rate, it seems only a matter of time before we can back Karina into a corner.”

“I’m glad it was helpful.”

Caroline’s smile deepened at Revals’ words.

“To think such a vulgar woman who only brightens at men’s faces is the Duchess. If only all the people of the Empire could know this lamentable truth.”

Rolling his eyes, Revals casually voiced a thought that had just occurred to him.

“I just had a good idea, would you like to hear it?”

“A good idea?”

Caroline’s eyes lit up with interest at Revals’ suggestion.

“I think we might be able to make things even more interesting if we play our cards right.”

“How?”

Caroline had already been thinking it would be nice if Karina could be dealt an even bigger blow this time.

She urged Revals to hurry up and explain.

“Do you know Ferguson Gannon?”

“Ferguson Gannon? You mean that famous playboy?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why him all of a sudden?”

At Caroline’s question, Revals leaned in and whispered something in her ear.

“Ahahaha.”

Caroline burst into laughter after hearing Revals’ words.

“Interesting?”

Caroline found Karina, who coveted the position of Duchess without knowing her place, to be a thorn in her side.

When the fact that Karina was a vulgar and base person unqualified to be Duchess was revealed, she would no longer be able to remain in that position.

“What a great idea.”

Caroline smiled wickedly, as if just imagining it was entertaining.

“I’ll have to send a letter to the Gannon Count’s house as soon as day breaks tomorrow.”

Waiting for Caroline’s laughter to subside, Revals took her hand.

“More importantly, aren’t you calling for me too infrequently? I feel hurt.”

“Hmph. Didn’t you say you couldn’t come last time I called for you?”

When Caroline snapped at him, Revals made an excuse as if asking for understanding.

“That day, there was a family gathering scheduled, so I absolutely couldn’t sneak out.”

And he gently stroked the back of Caroline’s hand with his finger.

“Still, I was really happy that you, the Grand Duke’s daughter, asked to meet me first.”

Caroline’s pride swelled even more at Revals’ flattering words.

“You should know it’s an honor that I even came to meet you like this. Normally, I wouldn’t even brush sleeves with a mere second son of a count’s family on the street.”

Caroline said haughtily with a prim expression.

“…”

Revals gave a bitter smile.

“Of course. I haven’t forgotten it’s an honor. My lady.”

He lightly kissed the back of Caroline’s hand.

And someone was watching the two of them from afar.

The dark figure continued to observe until they disappeared, then vanished silently.

[This is the timeline separator]

Today, as always, the cries of knights echoed throughout the training grounds.

“Next.”

Accustomed to hearing the word “next”, Knight Commander Ron nodded and sent the knights one by one onto the dueling grounds.

‘It seems shattering the eastern training grounds wasn’t enough to satisfy him.’

At first, he was bewildered not knowing the reason, but now Ron had a vague idea of why Jeremiah was acting this way.

‘It seems to be because of the Duchess.’

But he didn’t voice that thought out loud.

Jeremiah reacted sensitively whenever Karina was mentioned.

There was no need to ask unnecessary questions and create trouble.

‘Provoking the Grand Duke’s mood will only result in the knights being driven more harshly.’

Ron’s judgment to keep his mouth shut was wise.

But now even that was slowly reaching its limit.

“Ugh!”

Watching a knight fall with a cry, Ron thought indifferently.

‘If this continues, the knights will die first.’

Ron hesitantly moved his lips while gauging the mood, then carefully broached the subject.

“Your Highness, is there something bothering you these days?”

“…”

“Perhaps because of the Duchess…”

“Of course not.”

As expected, an immediate denial came out.

As soon as the topic of Karina was about to come up, Jeremiah cut off the words.

“…”

But he couldn’t just stay silent like this.

Ron carefully opened his mouth again.

“Your Highness, this is just my personal opinion, but how about going to see the Duchess first?”

“…?”

Jeremiah looked at Ron as if he was seeing something strange.

But Ron pressed on undeterred and continued what he had to say.

“Go and speak to her first. Anything will do. Just ask if she’s eaten, what her plans for the day are. Light greetings like that.”

“Why should I do that?”

Jeremiah asked seriously.

“Aren’t you concerned about the Duchess?”

“…”

“If you know where she is and what she’s doing, it might put you a bit more at ease.”

“…”

“Or it wouldn’t be bad to give a small gift to turn her attention this way. Things the Duchess usually likes or needs.”

As Ron continued speaking, Jeremiah’s expression gradually crumpled.

He probably had no idea what Karina liked or needed.

“Um… for gifts to women, jewelry or accessories are safe choices.”

Ron awkwardly scratched his chin and offered what he thought was the most appropriate answer.

“For example, things like necklaces, earrings, or hair ornaments suitable for tea parties or banquets would be good.”

Ron earnestly listed the things that came to mind.

“…”

But Jeremiah kept his mouth firmly shut with a frown, not giving any response.

Judging by that reaction, he didn’t seem very satisfied.

“You’re talking nonsense. If you have time to say such things, pay more attention to the knights’ training.”

At Jeremiah’s rebuke, Ron bowed his head apologetically.

“I’m sorry.”

[This is the timeline separator]

The next morning.

“What is the Duchess doing now?”

“The Duchess is currently having breakfast in the dining room, I’m told.”

Hearing that Karina was having her meal later than usual, Jeremiah pondered.

‘How about going to see the Duchess first?’

Ron’s words from the previous day echoed in his mind.

‘Aren’t you concerned about the Duchess?’

‘Of course not.’

When he heard those words, Jeremiah had inwardly denied it.

‘If you know where she is and what she’s doing, wouldn’t you feel a bit more at ease?’

But hearing Ron’s following words, he realized.

‘That’s right. It’s because I don’t know what the Duchess is plotting, that’s why I’m concerned.’

Jeremiah’s eyes darkened.

“I’ll go to the dining room.”

[This is the timeline separator]

The Grand Duke’s dining room.

While Karina was having breakfast alone, Jeremiah entered the dining room.

‘Why has Jeremiah come to the dining room at this hour?’

Karina had been deliberately eating later than usual to avoid facing him.

“You were having a meal.”

Jeremiah spoke upon spotting Karina.

“…Yes.”

Karina responded halfheartedly.

“Bring out my meal.”

At Jeremiah’s order, the maids quickly prepared food.

Karina had no particular desire to dine with him.

She felt like she would get indigestion from the moment she sat across from him.

“I’ve finished eating, so please clear this away.”

As she was getting up after dismissing her meal, Jeremiah asked.

“Are you avoiding me?”

“Pardon?”

His words grated on Karina’s nerves.

“…Avoiding you? Why would I?”

Karina sat back down and picked up her spoon.

With a stubborn expression, she ordered the maid beside her.

“I’ve finished my meal, so bring dessert now.”

Just as Jeremiah’s meal had been quickly prepared, Karina’s dessert was also swiftly readied.

“Today’s dessert is a special apple pie with plenty of apples stewed for a long time with sugar, and a fragrant touch of cinnamon added.”

With that explanation, the maid set down a plate with the pie in front of Karina.

“…”

Why of all things did the dessert have to be apple pie?

Karina did not like apple pie.

Karina glared at the apple pie in front of her.

‘No choice. I’ll just eat this and go.’

Inwardly sighing, Karina began cutting the apple pie into small pieces with her fork.

Thinking she should hurry up and finish eating so she could leave, Karina’s hand movements quickened.

She diligently put pie into her mouth, chewing and swallowing quickly.

Jeremiah, who had been staring at Karina like that, asked.

“Do you like apple pie?”

“…?”

Karina’s eyebrows twitched at the abrupt question.

‘Why is he suddenly asking that?’

Karina returned her expression to normal and replied dryly.

“…Yes.”

If she answered that she didn’t like apple pie, he would probably ask why she didn’t like it.

‘No, he probably wouldn’t even ask.’

Karina smirked, lifting just one corner of her mouth.

In any case, she disliked the very mention of apple pie, so she just gave a vague answer and brushed it off.

“…I see.”

Jeremiah paused his meal and tapped the table with one finger.

“…”

He acted as if he had something to say.

‘What is it?’

Karina wore a puzzled expression.