Kaius leisurely unfolded the rolled-up note and began to read its contents.

[Your Excellency, your wife left the house two days ago in the afternoon and has not returned since. It seems there may have been a problem due to the heavy snowfall. We only found out yesterday evening, and are just now able to send word due to the snow. We will quietly begin a search, and will request punishment after safely escorting the lady back.]

Kaius’s gaze, which had been blankly staring into space for a moment, returned to the note. A droplet of water that had flowed down from his wet hair fell with a plop between his open robe, tracing his strong jaw.

Lemon, who had been watching this scene, held his breath. It was because he felt the flow of air surrounding Kaius sink coldly.

Kaius smiled a little.

He could tell. It wasn’t that she couldn’t return because of the snow, but that she had run away from him.

The note, quietly thrown into the fireplace, soon disappeared into ashes. Kaius entered the dressing room silently and came out fully dressed.

“Your Excellency, I apologize, but… at the moment, not only carriages, but even horses cannot move. The snow removal work has just begun, so the roads will likely open by evening. And that’s only if it doesn’t snow anymore. Besides, the lady must be safely sheltered somewhere to avoid danger, so please don’t worry.”

At Lemon’s words, Kaius went to the window and looked outside. The world was completely covered in snow. The snow that woman loved had blocked his path. Exhaling a long, frustrated sigh, Kaius suddenly recalled the previous notes. He had to find out the reason why this woman had finally taken such an extreme action. The thing he had carelessly overlooked.

As Lemon opened the bedroom door, Butler Ted was standing outside with a mobile tray containing breakfast.

“Your Grace, where shall I set up the meal?”

“Clear it away.”

***

“What about recruiting the spy?”

Ludvian was a bit frustrated at not knowing the regular reports of Ariel’s news. Though there probably wouldn’t have been any big changes anyway.

“Not yet. We’re in the process of getting them hooked on gambling, so please wait a little longer.”

“Isn’t a knight too far from Ariel? I think a maid would be better, like before.”

“Maids are too few in number, making it even more difficult. We had found a maid to replace Ciela’s position, but for some reason the ducal residence isn’t hiring new maids. And the knight we’re trying to recruit now is one of Ariel’s guard knights, so don’t worry. Besides, we’re looking into others in addition to the knight. It’s safer to have more than one or two, in case they’re easily discovered.”

Nodding his head, Ludvian silently looked at Kitra. It’s in moments like these that his competence as an adjutant shines through. It was also why he had kept Kitra by his side for so long, as his work was always thorough.

“Kitra, you’re keeping a close watch on the King and Queen of Letiana, right?”

“Yes. We haven’t lost sight of them for a moment.”

It seemed there wasn’t much to worry about, as Ariel’s parents alone were sufficient for her control.

***

Four days, parents in danger and must be protected, limits, want to live, responsibility.

Surely she wasn’t planning to die? To protect her parents and save me with her own life?

How dare she. Who does she think she is.

A cold, clear anger surged to the tips of his hair. After ruining his peaceful life, now she wants to run away from him? If Ariel were in front of him right now, he might have given in to the impulse to strangle her with his own hands. Kaius’s dark pupils sank deeply as he let out a few derisive laughs.

She had said there was still time if they started nurturing now, which meant there was still time. It also meant that Ariel must be hiding somewhere. Since she said she wanted to live so badly, she would probably hold out as long as possible.

Then all he had to do was find her. She would surely seek out her parents, whom she cared for so deeply, at least once.

The notes he had collected so far were thrown into the fireplace’s flames. Kaius sent a carrier pigeon to his family home with the message: ‘Detailed report requested. Send people to Letiana Palace as soon as the roads open, and keep an eye on Duke Beloas’s movements.’ Then, he scattered feed for the carrier pigeons on the windowsill of his office.

***

The snow within the capital was cleared quickly.

“Your Excellency, while the snow on the roads leading to the estate is still there, at this rate, the roads should open earlier than expected. That is, if it doesn’t snow anymore. And please don’t worry, the lady must be safely sheltered somewhere to avoid danger.”

Lemon frequently checked the external situation and reported to Kaius. Meanwhile, Kaius had exchanged carrier pigeons with his family home several times, and was now leisurely having a meal. It was quite a late lunch.

According to the reports received so far, Ariel had left disguised as Anna, and the next day Hearn came for an examination but was refused. However, when Butler Raymond opened the door to refill the fireplace logs, disregarding proper etiquette, he discovered that Ariel was gone. Even Anna didn’t know the details.

In about three or four hours, he would be able to return to Tris. As he was finishing his meal, an unexpected visitor arrived at the mansion. It was Count Calvin, Emperor Hart’s attendant.

“He requests your presence at the palace.”

***

“I hope you have been well.”

Kaius, who was guided to the dining room rather than the audience chamber, greeted Emperor Hart.

“Welcome, Kaius. Let’s have a meal together after so long.”

As he took his seat, an attendant approached to pour tea and wine, then stepped back.

“I heard that you and the duchess were injured. Have you both fully recovered?”

“Yes.”

“Was this recent incident well resolved?”

“Yes.”

Emperor Hart let out a chuckle at Kaius’s brief answers, devoid of any words of gratitude for the concern or acknowledgment of the emperor’s kindness. Though his complexion didn’t look particularly good, perhaps due to some trouble from this recent incident.

“Please, eat.”

As Kaius ate a little of the steak, he was suddenly overwhelmed by unpleasant memories of the palace. He found himself unbearably ridiculous for being shaken by such trivial matters. Perhaps he should even be grateful to the woman who left, even now. Overcome by a sense of futility, Kaius finally stopped his barely-touched meal.

“Please state your reason for summoning me.”

Emperor Hart let out a small laugh as he quietly observed Kaius, who had abruptly asked for the purpose of the meeting.

“Grandmother has been praising the duchess quite highly, saying her headaches have improved greatly lately. She said she misses her, so an invitation will be sent soon. I hope you will make sure to send your wife when that time comes.”

“I will do so if possible.”

Kaius answered calmly as he picked up his teacup. Nowhere in his leisurely tea-drinking demeanor could one find any hint that his wife had run away.

“But why did you stop eating?”

“Actually, I had already eaten.”

At Kaius’s words, Emperor Hart also set down his fork and knife and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“I’ll get straight to the point. Share some of the Elia spices with me as well. I hear most of the spices are going to Kaldenbach.”

Relying solely on Count Calvin, it seemed he might only get to taste that dreamlike flavor half a year later, so he decided to take matters into his own hands.

“Your Majesty, do you remember the conditions of ‘Le Cordon Bleu’?”

“Of course.”

“There was a condition that the winning dish from the competition must be sold at the hotel.”

“That’s right.”

“Currently, we are only receiving enough supply to barely use at the hotel. I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Hart’s eyes gradually narrowed. He knew that the ducal residence had been eating that steak for some time now. Well, they wouldn’t give away their own food.

“Is that so? I didn’t want to say this, but… Do you know how many bonds of Letiana the Klardeus Empire holds? In case you don’t know, I’ll tell you it’s 1 hype (about 1 trillion).”

Kaius stared quietly at Emperor Hart for a moment before smiling leisurely.

“How could I, a mere individual, do anything about debts between nations?”

His tone was monotonous to the point of seeming bored.

“I suppose you have no reason to concern yourself with that. However, there’s something I’ve been pondering for the past few days. Would you like to hear it?”

Kaius stared at Emperor Hart without any change in expression.

“If I were to claim all those bonds at once, Letiana would likely enter a state of national default within a month. No one would lend money to a country about to collapse. Then the King of Letiana would eventually hand over the country to me, and if that happens, wouldn’t I be able to exert some influence over the Elia Company, which is a Letianan company? I might even be able to acquire it completely. You might think there’s no need to go that far just to obtain some spices, but as you know, I’m quite serious about steak. I’m going to consider this matter a bit more seriously, so if you’re done with your meal, you may leave now.”

Kaius knew that Emperor Hart was testing him. But even knowing this, he felt a deep sense of self-loathing for not being able to dismiss such words lightly.

Letting out a low, derisive laugh, Kaius stood up from his seat. As he was leaving after a polite bow, he stopped at the door.

“You should be able to receive some Elia spices within a few days. I can’t give you much.”

***

By the time Kaius returned to the mansion, it was starting to get dark, and to make matters worse, it had begun to snow again.

“Your Excellency, if we don’t leave now, we might be stuck here again.”

“Let’s depart.”

“Please wait a moment.”

At Kaius’s words, Lemon ran up to fetch the luggage. When he came down, he was holding two gift boxes in his hands. Butler Ted led the way, opening the front door, and Kaius stepped out with long strides.

The thickening snowflakes were visible in the light of the street lamps. Kaius’s brow furrowed slightly as he walked towards the waiting carriage. In these weather conditions, even if they returned to Tris, finding Ariel would not be easy.

As Ariel’s words about running out of time surfaced in Kaius’s consciousness, a bitter laugh escaped him. Now it was his turn to say those words. Just as he was about to board the carriage, feeling somewhat powerless.

As Kaius turned his head inadvertently, he saw a single horse approaching him. A small-framed woman, covered from head to toe in a cloak, was riding the horse. The horse stopped about ten paces away from him. Kaius could immediately recognize who the woman was, her face half-revealed, exhaling white breath.

It could be none other than his wife, Ariel.

Her head slowly lifted. Golden eyes looked at him from amidst a face as pale as the white snow.