After finishing her bath, Riena put on the indoor clothes Amy brought.

The indoor clothes were so clean that it was hard to believe they belonged to the late previous duchess who passed away a few years ago, likely due to good maintenance. Although the design was slightly outdated, it did not matter as no one would see her wearing them.

“The length is a bit long, but it’s alright. You’re not short, milady, but the previous duchess was exceptionally tall. Is it uncomfortable anywhere?”

“No. It’s very comfortable. Perhaps because the fabric is good, it feels soft against the skin. But I think I’ll need to go out soon, so can you call a tailor quickly? If the appointments are backed up, I’d appreciate it if you could at least call someone who can do simple alterations.”

“For that, there is a salon the ducal family has been trading with since the previous generation. Madam Lachapelle is the owner, and she is leading the fashion trends in the capital’s social circles with her sensible designs.”

“That person must be busy, so can we get an appointment quickly?”

Instead of answering, Amy smiled brightly. Riena quickly understood the silent answer.

“Right, this is Winkler, not Dyke. There’s nothing they can’t do.”

“That’s true, but the relationship between Madam Lachapelle and Winkler is so close that she will prioritize our request. Moreover, if we ask her to make clothes for the duke’s fiancée, she’ll rush over out of curiosity.”

Judging from Amy’s reaction, Riena foresaw a future where she would be harassed by this Madam Lachapelle.

Riena smiled awkwardly.

“Anyway, I’d appreciate it if you could do that.”

“You’ll be tired and exhausted today and tomorrow, so shall I make an appointment for the day after?”

“I’d be grateful if you could do that.”

“Understood. I will contact her right away.”

“Ah, and can you bring me a pen and stationery? There’s someone I need to urgently contact.”

Amy bowed again, as if there were no problems this time as well, and replied.

“I will prepare it immediately.”

Left alone after sending Amy and the three maids away, Riena sat at the tea table and unfolded the stationery.

Dear Aunt Letitia,

Please forgive this unfilial niece for not contacting you for a while and only reaching out now. It’s not that I forgot about you, but I had no opportunity to contact you.

Before I knew it, autumn with its clear skies has arrived. Have you been well and healthy, Aunt?

I’ve been in a daze since my father passed away. I learned that losing a loved one is more terrible than I thought.

I don’t remember, but when my mother passed away, you must have felt this pain too, Aunt. I think I can now fully understand your sorrow.

The beginning of the letter, which she started writing after much hesitation, consisted of ordinary greetings. Riena chewed on her lips and moved on to the main point.

I am currently staying at the Winkler Ducal Residence in the capital. It seems difficult to include everything that has happened in a letter.

If it’s alright with you, may I visit you and share the stories I couldn’t tell you?

I also have a cautious favor to ask of you, Aunt.

I’ll be waiting for your reply.

Your youngest niece, Riena.

Riena folded the letter after the ink had completely dried. She hesitated for a moment as she grabbed the Winkler family seal that Amy brought, but soon stamped it on the pink sealing wax.

The lion coat of arms symbolizing the Winkler Ducal Family was clearly imprinted on the stationery.

Placing the completed letter aside, Riena took out a new stationery and hesitated a lot. She mustered up her courage and wrote the recipient’s name at the very top of the stationery.

To Raoul,

But she couldn’t think of what to say next.

Perhaps Raoul was still in his hometown. Or perhaps he went to the Dyke residence to meet Riena and heard about everything.

If he found out that his long-time friend got engaged without a word, how would Raoul react?

Would he congratulate her, be dumbfounded, or be sad?

Riena assumed the opposite case. If she heard about Raoul’s engagement through rumors floating around the capital…

‘It definitely wouldn’t feel good.’

Riena carefully wrote a letter to send to Raoul, contemplating each sentence.

There wasn’t much content. She simply mentioned that she got engaged abruptly and that she would like to meet in person and talk if he had time.

She was about to end the letter like that, but added a sentence at the end.

Do you remember the child named Cassel we used to play with when we were young? The child who stayed at the Dyke residence and learned swordsmanship from my father.

I met that child again. He has changed a lot. You’ll probably be surprised if you see him too.

Anyway, I’ll contact you again.

Riena.

Riena sealed the second letter with sealing wax and pulled the bell cord. Soon, Amy entered.

“Did you call for me?”

“Can you send these letters to the Donovan Marquis Residence and the Berna Viscount Residence respectively? Be careful not to mix up the letters.”

“Understood. I will tell them to make sure to check the recipients and deliver the letters.”

“Thank you.”

As Amy left, Riena completely relaxed. She staggered to the bed and lay down, blinking slowly as she looked at the dark-colored canopy.

She had been unable to sleep properly since hearing about the absurd marriage talks with Marquis Rothman. She couldn’t get proper sleep in the carriage on the way to the capital because the seats were uncomfortable.

She had been enduring with willpower, but now that she thought the urgent fire had been extinguished, her consciousness fell asleep in an instant like a candle blown out by the wind.

It’s that dream again. Riena was immediately convinced as soon as she opened her eyes and saw the scenery.

The very dream that had been tormenting her for the past two months. The dream with the man whose identity she couldn’t figure out, but now thought might be Cassel.

The only difference from before was that the man wasn’t in front of her eyes.

The design of the garden she saw in front of her, the fresh scent of grass brushing her nose, the sensation of shoes squeezing her feet painfully, and the design of the dress she was wearing were all the same, but only the man who always appeared was missing.

Riena sat on the fountain and only wiggled her feet. Every time she did that, her ankles ached, but it didn’t seem to be pain from a wound caused simply by hard shoes.

Looking closely, the area around her ankles was slightly discolored. It felt as if powder had been applied to her ankles as well. What was she trying to hide?

Frowning, Riena lifted her dress. Her calves were clean without any abnormalities. When she lifted her dress more boldly above her knees, only then did blue bruises appear.

〈……〉

It seemed as if someone had deliberately targeted and inflicted violence only on the parts that weren’t visible.

But who on earth…?

She tried to recall with her mind, but couldn’t remember anything. As she was holding her head with both hands, looking confused, she felt the presence of someone approaching.

Riena hurriedly lowered her skirt and stood up, but sat back down due to the pain felt in her ankles.

Unable to even scream, she was just groaning inwardly when someone quickly approached her.

Riena immediately recognized who it was.

The man with black hair and blue eyes she always saw in her dreams. The man who might be Cassel Winkler knelt down on one knee in front of her.

He clenched his jaw so hard that his chin was filled with strength.

〈What on earth did that bastard do this time?〉

〈……〉

Riena looked down at the man without saying a word. He looked at her with pained eyes as if he had been hurt, then carefully took off Riena’s shoes.

As he touched the area around her ankles, Riena gripped her dress tightly at the sudden stinging pain.

As he gently rubbed Riena’s ankles with his thumb, the real skin hidden by makeup was revealed. Bluish bruises and scratches on her ankles, as if shackles had been put on them.

The man’s momentum became even more fierce after confirming that.

〈Belliard, what the hell did that bastard do, I asked.〉

Belliard? If it’s Belliard, does he mean Johannes Belliard?

However, before she could even resolve her doubts, Riena woke up from her dream.

Even though it was just a dream, Riena’s eyes were wet with tears. Without even thinking of wiping her tears, she looked around the darkened surroundings.

When she fell asleep, the sun was still up, but now it was pitch dark around her. Riena looked around the unfamiliar room and burst into tears.

Why was she having these dreams? Why did Cassel keep appearing in her dreams? Why did she feel sad and at the same time desperate every time she saw him in her dreams?

She didn’t know. Even after thinking and thinking, her doubts were not resolved, and her chest only felt more suffocated.

Riena, who had been crying alone in the empty bedroom, impulsively left the room. She walked and walked aimlessly, and the garden she had seen from the room appeared.

As soon as she entered the garden, which the gardener Ryan proudly tended to, a fragrant scent of flowers wafted strongly.

She crouched down in a corner of the garden and buried her face between her knees.