Despite rumors of his eerie nature and quite violent tendencies, he was the heir to the Belliard ducal family. There were countless women hovering around him just to hold his hand once.

Compared to the utterly discourteous Baron Rothman, he was an unbelievably good marriage prospect.

Even when Cassel Winkler suddenly appeared and took Riena away, and after her subsequent conversation with Johannes, the Countess Dyke tried to rationalize it and assist Johannes.

However, as she couldn’t directly visit the Belliard residence to meet Johannes, she went to see Riena first.

While Riena seemed to doubt her intentions, the Countess was genuinely worried about Aaron’s condition.

And just as she did at the Count’s residence, she thought if she raised her voice a bit to scold Riena, the girl would obey her words.

Even if she couldn’t provide much help, the Countess knew Riena would at least provide money for Aaron’s treatment and living expenses for the time being.

But Riena was not the child she once knew. Even when the Countess raised her voice, mentioned Dyke, or brought up Aaron, Riena didn’t flinch or show much agitation.

Moreover, Riena boldly expressed suspicions about the Count’s death.

The Countess was honestly surprised. Riena had previously insisted on thoroughly investigating the Count’s riding accident, but she managed to stop her then.

But it seemed after going to the Winklers, Riena started making those claims again.

Up until then, the Countess, plagued by fear and worry, changed her mind after Cassel appeared.

Cassel coldly kicked her and Bianca out on the grounds that the Countess laid hands on Riena.

Even as she was dragged out by the servant’s hands, the Countess took note of Cassel’s attitude.

When he took Riena from the Dyke residence, she thought Cassel had come to take Riena for the sake of his mentor, Count Dyke.

But this was as if…

‘He seems to cherish Riena greatly.’

Cassel didn’t seem to be treating the two coldly simply because of the Winkler pride. Rather, his reaction was similar to how men react when the woman they love is threatened.

If that’s how Cassel Winkler felt, the story changes.

Was there any reason to abandon the Winklers and choose the Belliards?

Although Riena said Cassel didn’t give her any authority, the man the Countess saw looked like he could give Riena everything at her word.

Wouldn’t it be more beneficial for Dyke, no for herself, to support Riena’s marriage and win over the girl once she became the Duchess?

Johannes’s threats weighed on her mind, but with the Winklers, that wouldn’t be a problem either.

Besides, if Cassel stepped up to investigate the Count’s death, it would be dangerous to continue collaborating with Johannes.

Although the Countess was not directly involved in the riding accident, if it was revealed that she tried to use it to make a deal with Johannes, she would be implicated as an accomplice.

If Cassel came after her, a mere Countess would not be able to handle it. Perhaps her head would be cut off, and at worst, beheaded in the square.

Maybe even Bianca and Aaron, who were completely innocent…

In that case, wouldn’t it be better to stick with Cassel and subtly inform him of Johannes’s misdeeds?

Then Cassel would take care of Johannes and protect her and the children.

‘Besides, seeing Riena today, she hasn’t completely abandoned us.’

Despite pretending otherwise, Riena was a tenderhearted child. A child thirsty for family love.

If she persuaded Riena well, could she manipulate Cassel through her?

The more she thought about it, siding with the Winklers was the right choice. No, it was a matter that didn’t even need contemplation in the first place.

“Bianca, what do you think Duke Winkler would like?”

“Duke Winkler?”

“Yes. He showed us such kindness, so shouldn’t we repay him even in a small way?”

“Would the Duke need anything from us?”

“It’s the thought that counts.”

Bianca was a bit puzzled by the Countess’s suddenly changed attitude but soon pondered seriously.

“Hmm, it seems material things would be meaningless. What could the great Duke Winkler possibly lack?”

“I suppose you’re right. Then what would be good?”

“Give him a gift related to Riena.”

“Riena?”

“Yes.”

Bianca thought it over in her own way.

“You said Riena and the Duke knew each other as children. I remember too, the child the Count brought. Since they haven’t interacted all this time, wouldn’t he be curious about how Riena has been doing?”

The Countess nodded.

“You have a point. I’d love to send Riena’s portrait if I could, but that seems difficult. I should visit soon and tell him how Riena has been.”

“That sounds good. If you say you came to inform him of Aaron’s recovery, he’ll likely open the doors.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Bianca and the Countess Dyke smiled at each other hopefully.

After connecting with each other, Riena and Cassel spent time together as if to fill the 10-year void they couldn’t share.

Of course, they ate breakfast and dinner together like before, and whenever Cassel was at the residence, they tried to spend as much time together as possible.

Not only during the day but also at night, they fell asleep feeling each other’s warmth.

The residence staff were also delighted to see the deepening of their affection.

Amy in particular remarked, “The Duke’s demeanor has become much softer than before. It’s all thanks to Lady Riena’s love, isn’t it? It’s much better to see! The residence atmosphere has become much warmer too!”

Meanwhile, Riena tried to investigate the mysterious phenomenon happening to her and Cassel in her own way.

When Cassel left for work, she went to the library to look for books about dreams, including premonitory dreams. She also read books about souls.

However, she couldn’t find any substantial content. In the first place, she couldn’t even define what kind of phenomenon was happening to her. So she had no choice but to read books haphazardly from the beginning, which naturally took a long time.

‘At this rate, it might be faster to just interrogate Cassel.’

As Riena was thinking that while reading, Amy entered the library.

“My lady, the Countess Dyke has arrived.”

“Mother?”

“Yes. What should we do? She says she came to deliver news about Count Dyke.”

Riena was already receiving reports about Aaron’s condition from the Winkler family doctor. He visited Aaron every day for examinations and joyfully reported that his condition had greatly improved.

He also added that fortunately, it seemed to be a fever, not an infectious disease.

He said Aaron’s condition would improve enough to ride in a carriage in a few more days.

‘In that case, we’ll need to discuss when to return to the Dyke residence.’

Riena closed the book she was reading and headed to the reception room.

Perhaps because she confronted her last time, today the Countess was alone without Bianca. She was enjoying the refreshments prepared by the maids, but as soon as she saw Riena, she sprang up to greet her delightedly.

“Ria, it’s been a while.”

Riena didn’t particularly like hearing the nickname from her mouth but didn’t point it out.

“We saw each other last week, so it hasn’t been that long.”

“Oh, you. We used to see each other every day at the residence for over 10 years, so a week is long.”

The Countess naturally guided Riena to a chair and personally poured tea into her cup.

“The accommodations you arranged were very nice. I only now realized a hotel could be that good. With three dedicated maids, I could stay comfortably without doing anything.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You have no idea how grateful I am. If it weren’t for you, the three of us would have spent a horrific time in that dirty inn room. Of course, Aaron’s condition would have worsened too.”

The Countess sat back down and chattered excitedly.

“The medicine sent by the ducal family must be really good. As soon as Aaron took it, his condition noticeably improved. I’m so relieved. It’s all thanks to having a good daughter.”

She grinned.

It was a face she never showed Riena in the past 12 years. Wasn’t this the person who slapped Riena’s cheek and caused a scene last time she came to the ducal residence?

Without even touching the tea, Riena asked,

“What brought this on all of a sudden?”

“Brought what on?”

“You’re being unusually kind to me.”

“Oh, you… Don’t make me feel awkward. If someone heard, they’d think I treated you cruelly.”

The Countess covered her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed, “Hoho.”

“Isn’t that the case?”

“You’re doing it again… Making me look bad to my face like that, do you have to say such things?”

The Countess gulped down the sufficiently cooled tea all at once.

“I’ve reflected a lot over the past 12 years for more than a week. You still considered this incompetent mother as family and showed such consideration, but I failed to appreciate that. I know I’ve done you wrong. It’s all my karma. I understand that you despise me to the point of trembling.”

“……”

“Honestly, at first, I resented you a lot. No matter how much I had wronged you, I couldn’t understand how you could cut ties with the family and leave in an instant. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I was the one at fault.”

Riena stared at the teacup and half-listened to her words, letting them go in one ear and out the other.

Then she cut her off and asked,

“So what is it that you want to say?”

“No, I mean, I…”

“The reason I met with you today is to discuss when to return to the Dyke estate.”