“How can you choose that guy over a friend you’ve known your whole life? Are you blinded by a man?”

“I’ve known Cass since childhood too.”

“That’s still only half a year! It hasn’t even been two months since you met again. Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with the Duke in that short time, or some such trivial reason?”

“That’s not the reason.”

Riena had harbored feelings for Cassel ever since their reunion. Currently, she was debating whether to honestly express her feelings to him, who had already revealed all of his emotions to her.

But this choice wasn’t made simply because of those feelings.

“Raoul, I always thought you were a good friend who cared for me. But the you I’ve seen lately is like a completely different person. You’re so unfamiliar. Even now. You’re throwing a tantrum like a child and forcing me to make a choice.”

“…”

“That’s why.”

She hoped Raoul would realize something from these words. But it seemed too late, far too late for him to come back.

Raoul, who had been listening to her with a skewed attitude throughout, spoke cynically until the end.

“Just be honest and say you’re tempted by the position of a duchess.”

“…”

“I saw earlier, you even had an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, and people were giving you tremendous attention. Honestly, with Dyke’s name alone, it wasn’t to that extent, right?”

Riena took a deep breath to control her anger at his increasingly excessive words.

“Fine, think whatever you want.”

“Are you done talking?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’m leaving. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t send any more letters from now on. It’s troublesome to deal with them.”

With those final words, Raoul left her alone in the dark garden.

‘Cassel must be waiting…’

He was probably still worried about Riena who hadn’t returned yet. Knowing this, she still couldn’t bring herself to go to him.

Her mood was in shambles. Even trying to think happy thoughts, she couldn’t manage her expression.

Cassel was quicker than anyone when it came to noticing things related to Riena. If she returned like this, she would surely worry him.

‘Let’s stay a bit longer.’

Riena walked a bit further in the opposite direction of the hall. This was to avoid being easily discovered by Cassel if he came out looking for her.

As she slowly moved her feet, sorrow welled up.

In just three months, she had lost so much.

Her father, family, house, and even her friend.

Of course, she had met many good people, including Cassel, but could she really consider them her own people?

Amy, Ryan, Max, and even Helen Setin and Anais who had shown interest in her, probably wouldn’t treat her as warmly once she left Winkler.

Finally, tears that had gathered in her eyes rolled down her cheeks. Riena buried her face in her palms and cried silently.

‘I want to see Cassel.’

The person she could rely on most comfortably at this moment.

Cassel had told her not to fully trust Raoul, or even himself. But Riena wanted to believe in him. She hoped that at least he would be completely on her side in this world.

But what if even Cassel disappeared? If he left her first, could she endure it?

In this situation, Riena could understand what Cassel had said. That he was happy because she was there, and unhappy because she wasn’t.

It was the same for Riena. Since meeting Cassel again, she had been happy being with him. At the same time, she felt she would be unhappy without him in the future.

She wanted to run to Cassel and tell him these feelings.

But the timing wasn’t right.

Wouldn’t it seem like she was clinging to him for fear of everyone else leaving her? Moreover, confessing while crying like this probably wouldn’t convey her sincerity properly.

So it would be better to express her feelings to him after she calmed down a bit and the situation improved.

As Riena was comforting herself like this.

“Are you alright?”

Startled by the sudden voice from behind, Riena quickly wiped her wet cheeks.

“If you need a handkerchief…”

“No! Um, I just got some dust in my eye… The handkerchief is fine. Thank you. You’re very kind.”

Riena glanced back while half-covering her face, and her gaze met with an unwelcome person.

“It’s been a while, my lady.”

It was Johannes Belliard. He was wearing even more splendid formal attire than when he had visited the Dyke mansion, and his slightly curly blonde hair was neatly arranged.

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

Johannes approached and extended his hand. When Riena hesitantly placed her hand on his, he kissed the back of her gloved hand.

“What could have made you so sad, my lady?”

“It’s nothing. Really, just some dust got in…”

Riena hadn’t seen her face, but she could tell it was a mess.

Her eyes must be red, and there would be tear stains on her cheeks.

Yet Johannes pretended to believe her lie without probing further.

“Although it’s not spring when pollen flies around, the dry weather often kicks up sand dust. If you ever need a handkerchief, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I appreciate your consideration. But I’m really fine.”

Fortunately, or perhaps not, Johannes nodded as if he understood and changed the subject.

“Are you enjoying the party?”

“Well… To be honest, I’ve been so nervous that I can hardly remember what I’ve done throughout the party. I’ve been in a daze ever since I met His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Princess.”

“For someone who says that, you seemed to be getting along well with others.”

“Did you see?”

“Yes. I couldn’t take my eyes off you from the moment you appeared.”

Riena just smiled, not knowing how to respond to that.

She felt awkward spending time with Johannes. After all, he had proposed to her, and she had rejected him.

Not just rejected. She had left with Cassel right in front of him.

It was an unavoidable choice for her at the time, but in retrospect, it probably wasn’t a pleasant situation for Johannes.

It would be easier if Johannes treated Riena coldly, but he was still kind and didn’t hide his interest in her.

Moreover.

‘Why do I keep thinking about that dream?’

The image of Johannes she had seen in her dream was still vivid in her mind. His kind smile, but eyes glinting like a snake’s, and his uninhibited handling of her seemed as real as if she had experienced it in reality.

She didn’t want to be wary of Johannes for no reason, but she instinctively stepped back slightly and tensed up.

At that moment, Johannes spoke first.

“You look better than last time. It seems you’ve been doing well?”

Riena touched her cheek unnecessarily. Feeling sorry to tell Johannes she had been doing well, she vaguely mumbled her words.

“Yes, well… I’ve been doing okay. How about you, Lord Belliard? Have you been well?”

“I’ve been well too. There was some pain from unrequited love, but I’m fine now.”

“I’m sorry about what happened then. Given the situation, it wasn’t polite to you.”

“No, I understand completely. I should be the one apologizing for suddenly visiting your estate and burdening you.”

Riena waved her hand.

“No, you don’t need to feel sorry about that at all.”

“Haha, then if we both did things to be sorry about, we’re back to square one. How about we agree not to feel sorry towards each other from now on?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

As Johannes watched Riena smile slightly, he slowly approached her.

When his shadow fell over her head, Riena startled and stepped back. The distance they had closed suddenly widened again.

Johannes raised both hands and stepped back.

“I’m sorry for startling you. That was inconsiderate of me.”

“No, it’s not like that. I just…”

Riena forced a bright smile.

“There might be people watching, after all.”

“Ah, I see.”

Johannes looked around and stepped back a few more paces. Only then could Riena feel a little at ease.

Johannes hesitated for a moment before asking.

“How is Duke Winkler?”

“What do you mean by ‘how is he’?”

“Is he treating you well?”

“Pardon?”

Johannes smiled slightly.

“Was that too much again?”

Unable to say it was, Riena just smiled, and he added.

“I think I’m being really petty, but I can’t get you out of my head. To the point where I wonder if I’ll ever feel such intense emotions again in my life, just thinking about you makes my heart race pleasantly and also makes me feel shy.”

“That…”

Riena hesitated before speaking her mind.

“I feel embarrassed that you think so highly of me. But to be honest, I don’t understand why you care about me so much.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. We’ve met a few times at parties, but we didn’t really interact much after that. Of course, you’re very eloquent so our conversations were quite enjoyable, but that’s a different matter. Besides, I’m not good with words, so I don’t think you would have enjoyed conversing with me.”

“That’s not true at all. I also enjoyed our conversations.”

“I’m glad if you did. Still, you’re a good person, so I’m sure you’ll soon meet someone more wonderful than me.”

Johannes smiled ambiguously.

“I’m not so sure.”

Then he added quietly.

“I think it’s meaningless if it’s not you…”