“I’ll escort you.”

Kaius, who had dismounted from his horse, turned his gaze towards Edward. After a moment of hesitation, Edward gently removed Ariel’s hand and took a step back. Surprised and frozen, Ariel only blinked as Kaius extended his hand to her.

Kaius took her unmoving hand and placed it on his arm, then began walking towards the North Palace.

Belatedly coming to her senses, Ariel turned her head to Edward to signal that she was alright. Kaius’s gaze, which had been facing forward, briefly flicked to Ariel’s gesture. It seemed quite friendly. If he had created a fake identity for her and was handling her affairs, they must be more than just acquaintances.

Feeling the air grow slightly cooler, Kaius took a slow, deep breath, his eyes becoming calm.

Ariel, who would normally have been chattering away, anxiously glanced at his profile from time to time, letting out small sighs. Despite this, Kaius maintained his silence until they were halfway to the North Palace.

As if he were punishing her.

She had intended to answer truthfully if he asked about her motives regarding the Elia company, since he already knew and there was no point in further deception. But Kaius showed no signs of displeasure or curiosity about her deceit. That strange calmness made Ariel feel even more suffocated.

Ariel finally removed her hand from his arm and stopped walking.

“What… are you doing right now?”

When Ariel boldly asked this after stopping, Kaius’s gaze deepened further.

After confirming the wrist injury of Elia Camellon, Kaius had pretended to go elsewhere in front of the hotel, but immediately borrowed a horse to overtake her carriage. When he had Lemon investigate, he found that Ariel was not in the palace.

As circumstantial evidence added to his suspicions, they gradually turned into certainty.

At first, he had simply wanted to confirm if Ariel was indeed that Elia Camellon. While her deception was impudent, it had begun before meeting him, and he thought she must have had her reasons.

But seeing her appear so close to Edward, Kaius began to have other questions.

He had intended to ask her, but this place was not appropriate for conversation, so he was holding back. Kaius’s gaze swept around, occasionally catching sight of servants, maids, and knights.

“Let’s keep going.”

Kaius took Ariel’s hand and placed it back on his arm, continuing to walk. Ariel let out a small laugh at his behavior, which was so absurd.

Not asking anything, but not getting angry either.

Or was he really unbothered?

As she looked at his face, which seemed almost peaceful, Ariel suddenly frowned. Why should I be on tenterhooks? Her being Elia Camellon had nothing to do with him. Even if he was to be her husband, it was only for a year.

Besides, it was Kaius who should be feeling frustrated and curious, not her.

“Thank you for escorting me.”

By the time they reached the North Palace in silence, it was already completely dark. Ariel removed her hand from his arm and politely thanked him before starting to walk past him.

Chuckling at this, Kaius swiftly caught her hand.

“Let’s walk a bit more.”

He headed towards a separate building of the North Palace.

Upon reaching the door of the separate building, Kaius released her hand. He entered first, then opened the door wide and stepped back to make way.

Since there was no point in avoiding it, Ariel boldly entered. After closing the door, Kaius sat down in the chair where they had written the contract, crossing his legs.

“Now, tell me.”

His low voice sounded gentle.

“Tell you what?”

Annoyed at having worried alone until just now, Ariel asked back without moving from in front of the door. Couldn’t he have just said from the beginning to talk in the separate building? Would it have worn out his mouth?

Kaius chuckled at Ariel’s attitude as she stared at him with dissatisfied eyes, her lips tightly closed.

“Ariel, or should I call you Elia?”

“It’s Ariel.”

Kaius let out a laugh at Ariel’s bold response without a moment’s hesitation to his mocking tone.

“Why did you hide it?”

Though the situation felt like an interrogation, which was unpleasant, she briefly considered but didn’t want to waste time on something that had already been discovered.

“I didn’t just hide it from you, Duke. Except for a few close people, no one knows that I’m the owner of Elia Company. I have my reasons for keeping it a secret, so I’d appreciate your cooperation in the future.”

While her unapologetic attitude was quite vexing, that was all. The fact that she had hidden from him that she was Elia Camellon was not a crime against him. If they had been in a relationship where they shared their hearts, it might have been a problem.

Kaius nodded slowly. He had more questions about Elia Company, but those could be figured out gradually.

Now, he had a different question first.

“Are you going to keep standing there?”

“Yes. I’m comfortable here.”

Kaius’s lips tightened firmly as he confirmed the wariness filling Ariel’s eyes.

Feeling a bit stuffy, Kaius loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. Hearing the sound of clicking heels, he shifted his gaze to see her backing away. Kaius’s eyes slowly narrowed. Even so, the contract would take effect as soon as they arrived at the duke’s residence.

Kaius was about to tell her to come and sit down, but decided to leave it be. There was no need to further provoke her wariness now.

“Was that appearance earlier magic?”

Ariel nodded and showed him her wrist with the milky-white bracelet.

“It’s an artifact. Its effect has worn off now, though.”

The artifact Ariel was currently wearing on her thigh was not permanent either. But it was said to last for another year, so there was no need to worry.

“The person who made it for you must be Edward.”

“That’s right.”

Kaius, who had been staring intently at Ariel, lowered his gaze slightly. He stared fixedly at the necklace she was wearing, then slowly stood up.

If it was magic imbued in accessories, it was worth checking.

As Kaius approached, Ariel retreated. The moment her back touched the wall, his hand also reached her neck. More precisely, the sapphire necklace around her neck.

Kaius instantly grabbed and tore off the necklace, then closely examined Ariel’s face. Seeing no change, he pulled off the bracelet as well. Flustered, Ariel pressed herself even closer to the wall, with nowhere else to retreat.

“Wh-what are you doing now?”

“Checking.”

He had begun to suspect.

Having seen with his own eyes how artifacts could change one’s appearance, this might have been a too obvious conclusion. But she absolutely could not be discovered now. Although they had signed a contract, concealing her appearance could potentially nullify it.

She had to hold out somehow until the wedding.

As Kaius’s hand, which had been intently examining her, moved towards her face, Ariel turned her head to the side. With that movement, her hair swayed gently.

“Those are all the accessories. So… could you please step back?”

Ariel’s small hands pushing against his body with her handbag were quite resolute. But her faintly trembling voice betrayed her anxious heart.

“Will you tell me if I step back?”

“What on earth…”

“The truth I need to know.”

The truth?

What could possibly be the truth? Everything she was hiding from him was ultimately to save his life.

That was the one and only truth.

So the current lies were just a process to reach the truth. Ariel, who had squeezed her eyes shut then opened them, turned her head to meet his gaze.

“There’s nothing like that.”

Ariel’s eyes were bright as she spoke each word firmly. Kaius, who had been staring at her intently, stepped back with an expressionless face.

He had been trying to find those golden eyes that kept grating on his nerves. Kaius, who had been examining every inch of her body with narrowed eyes, let out a quiet sigh. He would be able to confirm it after they were married anyway, so there was no need to push further here.

“I apologize if I’ve offended you.”

Kaius apologized politely, then lowered his gaze to the accessories he was holding.

“I’ll buy you new accessories as soon as we arrive in Tris.”

“That won’t be necessary. Just give them back.”

Ariel approached first and held out her small hand to Kaius. Her eyes were filled with determination, as if she would not back down until she got them back. Kaius, who had been quietly staring at Ariel, placed the broken necklace and bracelet on her hand. Only then did Ariel’s tense lips curve into a soft smile.

With that brief smile, the accessories disappeared into her handbag. As if her business was now finished, Ariel took a step back and turned her gaze towards the exit. Watching this, Kaius’s eyes grew calm.

Though he couldn’t understand the reason, it was clear that the woman before him was hiding her appearance from him. Even so, it would all come to light soon enough.

Kaius set aside his thoughts about the artifacts at that point.

“Just one last thing.”

“Yes.”

A sigh-like response escaped Ariel’s lips, as if she just wanted to rest now.

“Edward Camellon.”

At the unexpected mention of the name, Ariel’s expression became puzzled.

“Whatever your current relationship with him is, I hope there won’t be any rumors circulating.”

Is he misunderstanding my relationship with Edward? Well, it’s understandable that he might think that way.

“You don’t need to worry about that. I don’t have money to pay the penalty fee.”

Penalty fee?

Kaius’s brow furrowed slightly.

He had expected an answer like they were like siblings or only connected through work, but this woman always exceeded his expectations.

“So you’re saying your relationship is one that would incur a penalty fee.”

With those words that sounded like he was talking to himself, Kaius walked to the door and held out his arm. Ariel tilted her head, pondering how her statement about not having a penalty fee could be interpreted that way.

“Let’s go now. We need to rest early if we’re leaving tomorrow.”

“…”

As Ariel stood there blankly, unable to understand his attitude, he once again took her hand and placed it on his arm himself. Despite his seemingly cold gaze, his hand was warm.