Theo, who had left the bathroom after drying his wet body, picked up the lamp he had placed on the shelf. After parting with Vivian today, he spent time at the clothing store and returned home late, after all his family had fallen asleep. Even after bathing, the unpleasant feeling of uneasiness was still unsettling.

Just recalling the moment when he couldn’t bring Vivian from the mansion filled him with disgust at his own incompetence.

Now he was certain. That he had to somehow get Vivian out of that mansion, out of Duke Baitness’s grasp. Until then, all he could do was pray that nothing would happen, that Vivian wouldn’t be hurt.

With each step, the creaking sound of wood rubbing against wood penetrated the silence of the late night. As Theo stood in front of the door and touched the doorknob, a cool breeze suddenly enveloped him. He hesitated, looking down at the faint light coming from under the door, then glanced back at the hallway.

Darkness prevailed, and a deep, profound silence had settled. It felt as if there was an unfamiliar breath among the breaths of family members that should have been the only ones present.

Theo slowly turned the doorknob. As he gradually opened the door, relying on the lamp left on in the room, an unfamiliar shadow flickered in the light in front of the desk. What Theo’s widened eyes saw was the locket necklace given by the Evelines, held in the hand of a stranger.

Vivian’s face appeared and disappeared repeatedly every time it was opened and closed.

“What… Who are you…”

Just as Theo was about to speak, someone else roughly covered his mouth. Despite struggling against the unexpected attack, resistance was futile in the face of an overwhelming force he couldn’t overcome.

“Evans.”

The locket in the man’s hand closed with a dull noise. As Theo recognized the blue eyes of the man who turned around leisurely, his fierce resistance gradually subsided.

“If you make such a racket, won’t your family wake up?”

Contrary to the reputation spread throughout Neuwai, he was smiling cleanly even while doing something only ruffians would do.

For the Duke, who felt no guilt even when deliberately startling birds for the pleasure of hunting and shooting young birds, such actions were as casual as something that could happen several times a day.

Though Theo couldn’t speak with his mouth covered, he tried his best to make a sound. The more he tried, the more intensely the enormous force tightened.

“At times like this, why don’t you understand that choosing to be quiet is a better choice for both your family and yourself?”

Clicking his tongue softly and shaking his head, the Duke’s attitude was as if he was looking at a foolish child. As Theo, with his fists clenched, momentarily became docile, Edwin gestured to Royce with his eyes. As the force constraining Theo loosened, he angrily pushed away Royce’s hand and glared at Edwin.

“What is the meaning of this? Is this what you consider proper etiquette, coming like this late at night, Your Grace?”

Though he lowered his voice, his hostile gaze didn’t diminish at all. Rather, his eyes shone brightly, intensified with hatred and anger.

“Since you didn’t take the dress payment, I came to pay it myself.”

“Didn’t the young lady tell you? I have no reason to receive payment for her dress from you, Your Grace. So please leave now.”

“I told you, didn’t I? Your duty is to protect your clothing store and make clothes to earn money. So you must be paid. For Vivian’s dress.”

“Even if that’s the case, I’ll receive that payment directly from the young lady herself.”

“There’s no reason for you to receive it directly from your young lady. Not when I’m here.”

Edwin shrugged nonchalantly. His arrogant and cocky smile conveyed the Duke’s true intentions, as if someone could belong to someone else.

I should have pulled the trigger.

The thought of such a dangerous person being by Vivian’s side made him bitterly regret not forcibly taking Vivian away.

Edwin took out a clean envelope from his jacket’s inner pocket and placed it on the desk. Even without saying anything, the nature of the envelope was clear.

“I’ve paid more than enough for the dress. And.”

As Edwin beckoned to Royce with his finger, Royce approached and handed over a heavy pouch. Then the Duke placed the received pouch on top of the clean envelope.

“This is payment for the necklace.”

“Why are you…!”

Realizing the purpose of the pouch, Theo couldn’t hold back and tried to lunge forward. Royce blocked him. Though Theo struggled as his arm was grabbed, he still couldn’t overcome Royce’s strength. Meanwhile, Edwin carefully placed the necklace he had been holding into his jacket’s inner pocket.

“Mr. Eveline entrusted that to me. Why are you trying to take it, Your Grace? I don’t need any payment for the necklace or the dress, so please take it all back and leave the necklace here. It’s mine.”

Theo’s face was filled with malice. He looked vicious enough to pull the trigger immediately if he had guns in both hands.

“Tell me, Evans.”

Edwin’s movements as he rose from his seat were graceful and noble. Edwin Baitness, born with the qualities of nobility, admired by the entire nation. His brilliance and wisdom that had elevated Neuwai to the ranks of hegemonic nations were impressive achievements of a noble among nobles.

“Do you love Vivian?”

What would the people say if they saw the bad taste that existed beneath the surface? Could they accept Duke Baitness, who does such things to possess a woman with nowhere to go?

“Answer me. Do you want Vivian? I’m asking if you want to possess her.”

Theo’s jaw tightened. Edwin, who had quickly closed the distance with his long legs, looked down calmly with cold eyes.

The true purpose of the question wasn’t revealed. But if the goal was to shake Theo’s composure, he had achieved perfect success.

A great wave surged in Theo’s eyes. A question that could neither be denied nor affirmed. Though it was Duke Baitness who had done such a lowly act to come this far, the single reason of harboring feelings for Vivian brought endless self-contempt.

“Naive Evans. Let me tell you something you don’t seem to know.”

Edwin’s raised hand touched Theo’s robe collar, spreading it stiffly.

“If you love Vivian, instead of showing your claws by putting such useless emotions first.”

While calmly pressing Theo’s robe collar, Theo was still hung up on everything Edwin had thrown at him.

“You should know when to hide it if you want to protect her.”

The hand that had been on his chest disappeared. The rough force holding his arm was no longer felt. When he came to his senses, the two were already gone.

***

James, who came down to the dining room in time for lunch, looked with pitying eyes at his cousin who had dressed impeccably from head to toe, and the Duke’s ward who showed no interest in such a cousin.

It was a similar atmosphere to last night’s dinner. Whatever scolding the Duke had given his ward, she appeared with eyes so swollen she could barely open them properly.

Of course, James was more interested in Edwin and Vivian’s situation than in Gideon and Charlotte’s romance front.

Eveline hadn’t shown up at last night’s dinner. Though curious, he wasn’t in a position to ask, and he refrained from even mentioning Eveline lest it be seen as interest in her.

So he had judged that Eveline wouldn’t appear at today’s lunch either, but lo and behold. Eveline, wearing the same magnificent dress with holes from yesterday, appeared at lunch and ate vigorously as if nothing had happened.

James secretly observed Edwin and Vivian. It was frustrating that he couldn’t read the situation properly since no one showed their true feelings.

“By the way, it seems the rumors are true. The rumor that the chef representing Neuwai is by Your Grace’s side.”

Gideon became a cool breeze in the heavy silence. However, Charlotte didn’t even glance in that direction.

“It’s worth the effort. I’m glad the guest is satisfied.”

“I’m satisfied not only with the food but in every aspect. Ah, Your Grace. May I take a walk with Miss Windler this afternoon?”

James couldn’t help but admire Gideon, who smiled brightly and asked permission for a date with Windler even in this situation.

You need to have that level of thick skin to be able to sell carriages to those high-and-mighty people, he thought.

James thought he should learn from that aspect.

“As long as you don’t go into the forest.”

“We’ll stay in the garden only.”

“As you wish.”

“I’ll be busy in the afternoon. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can go for a walk.”

Charlotte’s curt voice cut in. James wanted to take Charlotte’s side, as she was using all her strength to push Gideon away.

Although he didn’t know how close and friendly she was with Duke Baitness, even if it was an unwanted marriage, she would have an obligation to listen to her guardian’s words.

“Then how about taking an afternoon walk with your cousin?”

Charlotte looked at James with a slight twitch of her lips. James, feeling awkward, scratched his temple with an uncomfortable smile.

“Charlotte.”

Duke Baitness’s low call resonating at the dining table was threatening. Gideon looked as if he regretted bringing up the subject, and James withdrew his gaze with little interest.

“Your Grace. I’m busy. I have things to do. I need to embroider cushions and read books I’ve been neglecting. It’ll take a full day, and even that won’t be enough.”

“Whether you embroider or read books, do that after the guests leave. It’s not urgent.”

“And…”

Charlotte was not adept at making excuses. Such excuses were too trivial and insignificant to change the Duke’s mind. Charlotte tried to find any excuse she could. As she rolled her eyes slightly, she caught sight of Vivian, who was chewing on an unusually large piece of meat.

“I also need to have a long conversation with Miss Eveline. I’m sorry, Baron. Because of yesterday’s incident, I’ve arranged to have an intimate conversation with Miss Eveline today. How about postponing the walk with me until later?”

Charlotte spoke with sincerity and courtesy. Almost enough to be fooled by Charlotte’s act. Edwin’s cold gaze turned to Vivian. Only then did James raise his eyes with interest.

Everyone at lunch must know that Vivian’s face was full of bewilderment. He retracted his decision to take Charlotte’s side. He worried about Gideon getting hurt by Charlotte’s outright rejection.

“Isn’t that right, Miss Eveline?”

Did it seem like a growl, or a threat? Would it be too harsh to paint Charlotte in such a bad light? But judging by Eveline’s expression alone, Charlotte seemed to be playing the worse role in the conversation between the two women.

“Yes, yes. That’s what we agreed on.”

As Vivian readily agreed, Charlotte looked at Gideon with a harmless smile. James felt an inexplicable frustration and wondered about the end of this story.

***

After lunch, Vivian returned to her room and paced around, waiting for time to pass. Sophie was so dizzy from how anxious she was. When Vivian thought the right time had come, she finally left the room.

On the way along the long corridor. As footsteps echoing in the corridor overlapped, Vivian raised her eyes to discover Edwin approaching from the opposite direction. The sunlight pouring on him brightened and faded repeatedly.

When her eyes met Edwin’s, Vivian was startled and trembled as if having a seizure, then turned back. Sophie was puzzled when Vivian returned to the room. Thinking that she had failed to meet Charlotte after saying she would, Sophie tried to comfort Vivian.

But hearing that she hadn’t yet gone to meet Charlotte, Sophie felt even more sorry and pitiful for Vivian. She must be feeling uncomfortable and confused after going through such an incident yesterday. The innocent young lady who couldn’t even confront Charlotte boldly stirred Sophie’s maternal instincts.

It was quite a while before Vivian cautiously left the room again. Since she had encountered Edwin earlier, she walked slowly and cautiously.

Fortunately, there was no second encounter with Edwin. The only place he might go in this direction was the library. Imagining Edwin who would have arrived at the library by now, Vivian headed towards her destination.

The place Vivian ultimately stood was in front of Charlotte’s door. Taking a deep breath, Vivian carefully knocked. There should be no uncouth pounding on the door with fists like yesterday.

Vivian calmly waited. Shortly after, Merian opened the door and was startled to see Vivian’s face.

“I’ve come to see Miss Windler.”

Then Charlotte appeared behind Merian. Unlike when she had first requested a conversation at lunch, her response was cold and cynical.

“Why have you come?”

“Earlier… you said you wanted to talk with me.”

Charlotte smiled faintly as if dumbfounded. Vivian’s eyes widened in surprise as she read Charlotte’s fleeting expression.

“If you’re busy, should I come back later?”

“No. Wait just a moment.”

“Yes. I’ll wait.”

The judgment that she wanted to resolve yesterday’s incident turned out to be wrong, as she realized from that momentary expression. It was a moment when the time spent anxiously excited by false hope became embarrassing.

Still, it wasn’t such a bad outcome since Charlotte had accepted her intention. Thankfully, she was grateful that there was still a chance to clear the ill feelings with Charlotte from yesterday.