In the Marta Empire, heavy snow was falling, blanketing the entire empire in white.

Despite the busy end-of-year season, the Luschev ducal household remained bustling even after the new year.

Viare, too, was swamped with responsibilities unlike the past, juggling numerous tasks tirelessly.

Attempting to finish her unfinished work, she brought it to her room and gazed out the window, watching the snowflakes drift down.

‘In the past, I’d just gaze at the old trees around this time.’

Now, she oversaw the household’s internal affairs, worked with cultural foundations and trade unions, and participated in various social events.

With constant surprises in her meticulous work, Viare had to peruse documents late into the night.

Early in the morning, Viare, fighting off fatigue, visited the Luschev Cultural Foundation.

Even amidst yawning, she maintained her composure in the presence of her staff.

The foundation was collaborating on the upcoming Lanvin Art Street Festival, keeping the staff exceptionally busy.

This opportunity was invaluable for the commoners sponsored by the foundation, so Viare was keen on ensuring fair chances for them.

While touring the foundation’s gallery, Viare pointed out a striking sculpture and asked, “Who made this?”

“Artist Raymond,” replied an employee.

As she suspected, it was Raymond’s work. He was known for his miraculous skill in replicating anything he saw once.

Viare remembered, from her previous life, that Raymond would become renowned on Lanvin Art Street.

She knew the world would recognize his talent by this winter, but waiting until then seemed too late.

“Is he in his studio now? Should I bring him here?”

Viare declined with a faint smile, “No, that’s not necessary.”

‘I need to meet him alone soon.’

Showing Raymond Gaizen’s key could simplify matters.

‘There must be information I’m not supposed to know.’

Gaizen likely hadn’t seen inside the safe yet. If he learns of his sister’s perilous intentions, he’d stop her by any means.

Viare knew she had to proceed without Gaizen’s knowledge.

‘I need to think more about how to persuade Gaizen.’

After the meeting, Viare looked exhausted. Tonyo, Joyan, and Diane, who had been waiting, went to the training ground to help the apprentices with their swordsmanship.

As Viare was about to head there, she noticed unfamiliar people gathering and asked an employee, “Who are they?”

“They’re likely from households looking to sponsor a child.”

Many households took interest in the Luschev Cultural Foundation, sponsoring children directly.

Becoming guardians and offering opportunities to these children was something Viare deeply appreciated.

‘Not everyone can be a part of the Luschev household.’

While she understood not everyone could be equally recognized, she still felt heavy-hearted seeing those not chosen by guardians.

“Would you like to meet the guardians yourself?”

The employee suggested Viare, as the operational head of the foundation, meet the guardians personally, a gesture of goodwill from her.
Clearly, those who decided to become guardians were from families with some wealth. It could have been a good opportunity for Viare to build connections, but today she just wasn’t feeling up to it.

“Maybe next time. I have somewhere else I need to be today.”

“Understood, Lady Viare.”

After finishing her conversation with the employee, Viare hurried to the training ground where her loyal followers were waiting.

The cold weather produced white breath, and the snow crunched underfoot.

It was during this walk through the freshly fallen snow that she was caught by surprise.

“Are you alright today?”

The low baritone voice from behind made Viare stop in her tracks.

“…….”

Recognizing the voice, Viare, trembling slightly, slowly turned around.

‘Dension….’

Before her stood Dension, and Viare struggled to hide her emotions, but her eyes could not conceal the truth.

She looked at him with longing, opening and closing her mouth several times without saying a word.

‘Dension, why are you here?’

Startled by his unexpected appearance, she quickly composed herself.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Duke of Berdeum.”

Her response was perplexed, considering their past missed encounters, and now suddenly meeting in an unexpected place.

Trying to hide her trembling hands, she slightly bowed her head and finished her greeting.

“I am Viare Luschev, daughter of the Luschev family.”

Dension stiffened at her introduction, and Viare looked at him questioningly.

“You are a lady of the Luschev family?”

“Yes, is there a problem…?”

“Not at all. I don’t enjoy social gatherings much, so I apologize if I was impolite.”

His tone and gaze seemed colder than before, and Viare shook her head, thinking it was her misconception.

She hadn’t expected him to recognize her as the Luschev lady, given her ordinary, wheat-colored hair typical in the Marta Empire.

‘Right, you don’t know me now.’

Feigning calmness, Viare finally managed to speak.

“But, may I ask what brings you here, Duke?”

“I came to look into sponsoring through the cultural foundation.”

In the past, he had sponsored through the Berdeum family, but never visited the foundation personally.

It was odd to Viare that he, overwhelmed with the responsibilities of leading a household, would visit here.

It seemed unlikely he was here just for sponsorship interest.

So, Dension was definitely hiding something.

Yet, he wouldn’t reveal the details to her, a stranger.

Viare bit her lip, sensing the awkward silence between them.

“That day… how’s your ankle?”

“Yes, it was a minor injury. It healed quickly.”

She realized Dension had noticed her discomfort that day.

Though it felt awkward to receive his indifferent nod, she expressed her late gratitude.

“Thank you for your help that day.”

‘Dension, you must think of me as strange.’

She imagined his discomfort seeing a stranger break down in tears, wishing she could flee from this situation.

Though she had managed to avoid the duke’s suspicion that day, to Dension, she must have seemed like a strange woman.

“I was just passing by. Glad I could help.”

As the harsh winter wind blew, only a deep silence existed between them.

Viare hesitated before looking up to steal a glance at his face.
‘So, this is what you looked like at twenty,’ Viare thought, realizing she might not meet Dension again soon, so she tried to etch this version of him into her memory.

This moment with him felt precious, and even his silence was a gift to her. The man with silvery hair and profound blue eyes observed Viare indifferently.

His presence, unchanged from the past, was both a relief and a source of unease for her. There was a possibility that his disappearance was related to her.

Knowing it was right to let Dension go, yet wanting to stay with him was a selfish desire Viare couldn’t shake off.

‘It’s enough now, this is enough.’

“I should be going now,” she said, and Dension nodded lightly in response. Viare walked away, heavy-hearted, without looking back.

Leaning against the window, Viare sighed lightly, looking out. The stars in the night sky shone brightly, each fulfilling its role, but she couldn’t focus on her work, her mind preoccupied with Dension.

‘I know you’re different from before.’

But recalling the cold demeanor of the Dension she encountered today, she felt strangely estranged and deeply saddened. The Dension she loved was always warm and caring, but the person she met today seemed nothing like him.

The thought that she might have misunderstood him filled her with a sense of turmoil.

‘At least you’re still here.’

Regardless, he existed. Viare wanted nothing more than his happiness and was prepared to do anything to protect him. The warm person she knew was enough for her.

What truly sustained her were the ordinary days she spent with Dension.

Yet her heart ached, a pain she couldn’t avoid.

Finally, Viare moved away from the window, laying down the shawl she had been wearing.