After that day when the Duke choked me in the carriage, I wrote several letters to Theo.

I apologized for leaving like that, said I hadn’t gone to the village with the Duke that day, nothing serious happened and I was just feeling uneasy, sorry for making him worry unnecessarily, and other excuses he probably wouldn’t believe.

Perhaps because of that, I never received a single reply from Theo.

And now that Theo was here at the mansion.

My steps were hurried as I rushed out of the room. As Vivian stood at the railing of the stairs leading to the lobby along the corridor, her heart plummeted when she spotted the familiar brown hair in front of the entrance.

“Theo!”

Theo’s eyes immediately found Vivian. He flinched, worried she might tumble down the stairs as she came bounding down. Only when the distance closed did he finally see her expression, which he had been unable to see while reacting.

Although there was joy on Vivian’s face, her complexion wasn’t very good as she put urgency first. Understanding Vivian, Theo pulled the corners of his mouth into a calm smile.

“Theo. How did you come here? You should have told me.”

“It was difficult to see your face. I was afraid I might never see you again if I didn’t come visit.”

Looking at his innocently shining eyes, Vivian felt upset. That day, leaving coldly after only causing worry remained an uncomfortable afterimage.

“I’m sorry. You must have worried a lot. I should have been more considerate.”

The corners of her eyes drooped in a melancholy curve. The deep shadows under her eyes made Theo try to excuse her.

“I didn’t come to receive an apology from you, Miss. If you apologize like that, I’ll feel even more sorry. Confirming that you’re safe is enough. And this is a gift. I felt I shouldn’t come empty-handed.”

As Vivian continued to blame herself with no intention of changing her mind, Theo hurriedly changed the subject. When he suddenly held out the large box he had been carrying under his arm, her sunken eyes came back to life.

“A gift? Why a gift all of a sudden?”

Relieved, Theo praised himself for doing well to bring out the gift he had prepared for a long time today. In truth, it was one of the pretexts for visiting the mansion.

Theo gestured to Sophie, and as she came forward to receive the box, she staggered with an “Oof!” at the unexpected weight. Vivian was also surprised and tried to support Sophie, but Sophie smiled brightly saying it was fine and stepped back.

“What… what on earth is that?”

“You’ll know when you open it later.”

Theo smiled awkwardly. Vivian felt deep gratitude for a moment, but then blushed in embarrassment as she realized she was in no position to properly host Theo who had come all this way with a gift.

“…I’m sorry, Theo. I can’t even offer you a cup of tea even though you’ve come all this way.”

Vivian’s voice became small. Since the mansion’s owner changed, if she had to pick the most embarrassing and shameful moment, wouldn’t it be today?

“I didn’t come here to drink tea. Why do you misunderstand? There’s plenty of tea piled up at the dress shop. And at home too.”

Theo, who had seen right through Vivian’s heart at a glance, acted rather gruffly instead. Thanks to that, her mind eased, but she scratched her forehead awkwardly.

“Theo, you have to go back down to the village, right? I’ll take you. You must have had a hard time coming, so the return journey shouldn’t be lonely.”

“No, really, it’s fine. The weather is quite hot. And I came on horseback, so you don’t need to worry.”

“Still. Just to the bottom of the hill…”

“Um, Miss? I’m sorry to interrupt, but could I have a moment…”

Sophie carefully interjected while Vivian was having a pointless argument with Theo. Unable to ignore her, Vivian asked Theo’s understanding and stepped away.

“What is it?”

Sophie adjusted the slipping box in her arms. Vivian set the box in Sophie’s arms down on the floor, and Sophie reached out her hands uncertainly.

“It must be heavy for you.”

“Yes. It’s heavy. And it must be very heavy for you too. Theo won’t be upset if we set it down for a moment. Anyway, what’s the matter?”

“Um, are you perhaps planning to go out?”

It seemed like such a secretive question for some reason, but it turned out to be an ordinary, commonplace inquiry. Vivian’s gray eyes sparkled innocently, unable to grasp Sophie’s intention.

“Well, since a guest has come, I can’t just send him away. I’ll go out for a short walk in the garden. It won’t take long.”

“But isn’t it wrong to send a guest away right after they’ve come? There are so many places to stay in the mansion. There are over eighty rooms alone!”

“…But I’m also a guest here. It’s not polite to use someone else’s mansion as if it were my own without permission, or rather…”

The mouth that had uttered the word “permission” erased it. Otherwise, Sophie would clearly run straight to Edwin to ask for permission.

You might think what’s so difficult about asking, but things are different when it comes to Edwin. The relationship of asking and granting favors was enough with their first meeting.

“Then we can get permission from the Duke!”

“Huh? No. No.”

Sophie’s eyes were cheerful as she finally brought up the word “permission”. Worried she might dash off in an instant, Vivian grabbed her wrist almost to the point of restraining her.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry, I won’t go far.”

She smiled benevolently trying to reassure Sophie, but it was completely useless. Completely overpowered, Vivian could no longer hold Sophie back.

“Sir! If you wait just a moment, I’ll bring some tea and dessert!”

Theo, who had been standing blankly behind Vivian, looked at Sophie, who had already gone far away, with a bewildered face.

“Miss, I’ll be right back. Please wait just a moment!”

And so Sophie flew up the stairs like a butterfly and quickly disappeared.

Could it be that she’s trying to prevent me from leaving the mansion?

Such a strange feeling came over her, but she decided not to misunderstand Sophie’s warm and kind heart.

The wind filled with flower fragrance lingered in front of the wide open window. Edwin set down the documents after receiving a report from the butler, Abernathy. Then he turned his gaze to the beautiful scenery outside the window.

“She locked the door.”

The quietly muttered sentence was as unfeeling as reading words from a book. Eyes that had not lingered long in the garden turned to the financial statement of the Zimmerman Carriage Company that he had set down.

Once the engagement and marriage to Charlotte proceeded sequentially, he was scheduled to become a business partner with Baron Zimmerman. Of course, there would be no problem even without such an order, but having a justification to persuade people was important for any matter.

“What should we do, Your Grace?”

“Just leave it be. We can’t break down the door and drag her out.”

Abernathy worried about Edwin’s reaction. Guests had already arrived at the mansion.

It was against etiquette and inconsiderate for Charlotte, the main character, not to greet the guests. She deserved a thorough scolding, but Edwin was as calm as if it were someone else’s business.

“Where are Baron Zimmerman and his cousin?”

“They should be unpacking their luggage and heading to the reception room now.”

Edwin nodded briefly, then placed a book over the documents and leaned back comfortably.

The wind mingled with fragrant flower scents and grass smells rippled like the melody of a harp.

Until Gideon crossed the threshold of the mansion, Vivian was strolling in the garden. Buried among the brightly blooming flowers, swaying her stained dress gently.

I wonder if she knows how ridiculous her face looked when she chased me to the back garden earlier, staring blankly. She probably doesn’t know what kind of laughter escapes me when that face appears in my day. If she asks with a reddened face if I’m really going to eat her up, she should have known it just makes me want to tease her more.

Edwin swallowed the Vivian in his memory pleasantly as he stood up. On the way to greet the guests who had come to the mansion. Passing through the obvious sunlight illuminating the corridor and the obvious scenery, he arrived at the reception room where the guests were waiting.

“I’ve kept you waiting long.”

Gideon and James, who had been waiting in the reception room, set down their teacups and stood up abruptly at Edwin’s appearance.

“You must be tired from your long journey.”

“We are grateful for your hospitality. This is my cousin, James Zimmerman, Your Grace.”

“It’s our first meeting. I’m Edwin Baitness.”

“Ple-pleased to meet you, Your Grace. I’m James Zimmerman.”

After shaking hands in turn, everyone sat down. James’ blank gaze lingered on Edwin, who drew people’s attention with his elegant gestures and demeanor.

It was a beauty that made the surroundings infinitely brighter. Although he had seen the face several times in newspapers and evaluated him as a nobleman and tycoon with remarkable looks, the newspapers had captured less than 5% of his actual appearance.

Moreover, his flawless, clean voice was particularly impressive. His pristine voice and dignified gestures supported the reasons why the people of New Way loved him, and also explained why no one raised objections when the adopted child of the Baitness baronial family was granted the title of duke.

Gideon cleared his throat to bring James’ consciousness back from drifting far away. James turned his eyes away embarrassedly as he came to his senses.

“By the way, I don’t see Miss Windler.”

Although his disappointment was evident, Gideon’s effort not to show it was admirable as he asked about the whereabouts of the main character with difficulty.

“Unfortunately, Charlotte has locked her door.”

“What?”

“She’s being stubborn, saying she doesn’t want to get married.”

Gideon sighed.

“Ah, so Miss Windler didn’t want this marriage.”

“As you can see.”

“Then it’s all the more fortunate. Just as I need a chance to fall in love, it seems Miss Windler needs such time too.”

“You’ve saved my face, Baron. I was at a loss for how to face you.”

The corners of Edwin’s mouth curled up neatly.

“Oh yes. I heard you recently gave a nearby mansion to flood victims. Moreover, you even took in the only daughter of the Evelines. You made many difficult decisions.”

Edwin didn’t blush or act arrogant and haughty at Gideon’s praise. He simply answered with a neat smile.

“I received the financial statement you sent well. It showed solid fundamentals. You’re developing carriage automation, I hear.”

“Yes. We still have a long way to go though. By the way, I hear Eremen is facing war soon. The international situation is so turbulent, it makes one’s heart flutter.”

“Thanks to that, we’re enjoying unprecedented prosperity.”

The smile overflowing with dignity, almost unapproachable, touched people’s nervous psychology. Even though they hadn’t come to grovel, they felt like they should bow their heads.

“I’d like to hear more about Baron Zimmerman’s business. It’s a field I’m very interested in. However, talking business right after arriving in Rodinia would be quite dull for you.”

Gideon and James agreed with a laugh. To relax tense minds, things like alcohol or games would be more effective than stiff business talk.

“For men’s fellowship, there’s no shortage of options.”

James seized the opportunity to speak up. It was consideration for Edwin, who might feel awkward about Charlotte’s absence.

“For example, card games are good. Of course, card games with a ton of money on the line go without saying. And if you like hunting, yes, hunting! Of course, money should be involved in this too. Also…”

James’ excited listing of options was interrupted by a knock on the reception room door. When it was confirmed that the person who appeared was Sophie, Edwin’s heart beat interestingly.

This morning, a problem had arisen for Vivian Eveline, who had filled the scenery outside the window. If Sophie had come looking for him, that would be the only reason.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your conversation.”

Unaware of Edwin’s feelings, Sophie politely folded her hands.

“Um, Your Grace. A guest has come to see Miss Eveline.”

Who could be a guest that would come to see Vivian Eveline?

There was no need to rack his brains. There was only one guest that came to mind.

“But Miss said she would leave the mansion with that gentleman. She said she couldn’t let the guest stay because she’s not the owner of the mansion…”

There were more words to follow, but Sophie cut them short, mindful of the guests’ reactions.

“The gentleman’s name?”

As if he wouldn’t know the gentleman’s name.

But he asked. Not to confirm, but to engrave something in his heart.

“It was a Mr. Theo Evans.”

Theo. Evans.

That name rolled slowly in his throat, feeling gritty. I think I know well enough why he came to see Vivian. And I fully understand why Vivian wants to leave the mansion with Theo.

So now what I should do is.

“Tell them to prepare tea time for the two in the garden. Also tell them to serve desserts that will fill the table.”

“Ah, yes. Understood, Your Grace.”

The more generous response than expected eased Sophie’s discomfort. Sophie smiled brightly, greeted Edwin and the guests, then left the reception room.

“Your Grace is truly generous.”

“I wonder if those two will feel the same way.”

“Miss Eveline will surely feel infinite gratitude towards Your Grace. I think even I would feel that way. Haha.”

The smiling man stood up and turned his steps towards the fireplace. The appearance of the shotgun hanging right above the stone fireplace frame differed from conventional firearms.

“Hunting would be good for fellowship. Somehow today.”

The new weapon ambitiously prepared by Baitness was expected to change the aspect of war. Since there was no need to buy time until the next loading, when one made up their mind to kill the opponent, frenzied slaughter was possible.

“Because I want to see blood.”

Each time Edwin skillfully handled the gun he had taken out, the sound of metal ringing made the two men hold their breath.