At that moment.

Spectators gathered at the news that Vincent’s man had come to the northern mine. A man in silk clothes and fur coat, rarely seen here, stood with a pale face.

“I’ll guide you to the east wing.”

“No.”

The man shook his head.

“I am Moretz, sent by Duke Vincent. I wish to go to the west wing.”

The guard who had come out to escort Moretz’s face hardened. Moretz from Vincent wanting to go to the west wing meant nothing less than Vincent intending to intervene in Andres’ affairs. The guard swallowed nervously.

“Excuse me, but may I ask why you wish to visit the west wing?”

His voice trembled slightly without realizing it.

If he made a mistake, he could end up crushed in the fight between whales. He knew that avoiding entanglement in any affair was the secret to longevity. He hoped Moretz would leave without incident.

“I heard a report that there is a prisoner from Vincent among those in the west wing. The duke wishes to verify this.”

At the cold, clipped voice, the guard squeezed his eyes shut.

A man from Vincent as a prisoner in the west wing! This could bring the sky crashing down. The guard clenched his fist.

“…I’ll guide you.”

Moretz nodded. Gazes clung to Moretz’s back as he headed for the west wing. That day, the visitor from Vincent to the northern mine stayed in the west wing for quite some time, checked on several prisoners, and left.

A different tension began to linger in the northern mine after that day.

*

Edward and I were both invited to the temple event. Since all the suitable dresses were left at the Wesley mansion, I had to hurriedly have a dress made at a dress shop.

“This is too flashy, Madam. I’d like something simpler for a dress to wear to the temple.”

“Too dark colors do stand out at the temple. But this green dress suits you perfectly, Viscountess.”

“Bring me one in beige.”

“Yes.”

While the madam went to fetch a new dress, Edward also came out after changing clothes. For some reason, Edward had expressed his intention to accompany me to the dress shop.

“How’s this?”

Edward casually asked me.

“Me?”

“Yes, Viscountess Wesley. I asked how this outfit looks.”

Why is he asking me such a question…? There are so many people here. Edward had an excellent figure, so most clothes suited him well. Now he was wearing a light sky blue uniform, which fit him like it was painted on.

“It suits you well.”

Just wear anything. Edward smiled crookedly. He seemed somewhat displeased.

“How well does it suit me and where?”

“Why are you asking me such things…”

“We’re partners, aren’t we?”

Edward whispered in a low voice. His face, which had come closer to mine, was expressionless like a doll. Only Edward’s red eyes sparkled with intense color. They were beautiful, as if rubies had been cut into eyeballs.

“It’s not strange for me to ask for your opinion.”

“…If I may be so bold, I wonder if you might be confusing the definitions of spouse and business partner…”

I’m really curious. With that face, there’s no way you don’t have women. Why are you following me around asking me to choose clothes for you?

Edward slowly smiled.

“You’re always wise, Viscountess. I’ve only met one person as straightforward as you in my life.”

I see. I didn’t particularly want to know that…

I moved away from Edward with an awkward smile. No, having many eyes here meant a high possibility of useless rumors spreading. In fact, I was against getting personally entangled with another big shot like Edward.

If we made a mistake, we could potentially turn all the women of the North against us.

There was no reason to do such an unpopular thing when trying to do business.

The uncomfortable and awkward shopping ended an hour later. Isn’t this enough? Edward made another uncomfortable suggestion to me.

“Let’s have dinner together.”

“I was raised strictly and have a curfew, Your Grace. My mother told me to return to the hotel by 8 PM. I think I need to leave now to get back in time without being late. I’m sorry.”

I quickly declined the offer. What’s wrong with you?

“I was thinking of discussing providing fur coats to commoners at a low price in exchange for sponsorship from Vincent. Is that too burdensome? But since you don’t have time, we’ll have to forget about it…”

“No, if it’s about that, you should have said so earlier, Your Grace.”

“What difference does it make?”

“It makes a big difference. I can come home late after discussing work with a business partner, but not with a man.”

Edward let out a chuckle. I’m being serious, why are you making that face? I briefly wondered what it would be like if Edward were a woman instead of a man. It was a thought I often had back when I attended the academy.

Edward and I got along well and communicated easily, so we often hung out together. Because of that, I was practically the enemy of every female student at the Royal Academy.

How much they checked on me even though it was a man they couldn’t have anyway.

I heard all the insults I would never hear again in my life during that time.

I refuse to go back to those days again.

“Then let’s go eat, partner.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Still, Edward is an intelligent person. Measuring the price of magical beast fur was an important issue.

Since we were receiving Edward’s support under the pretext of aiding commoners, it wouldn’t do to sell to them at too high a price.

However, the losses incurred from that would have to be borne entirely by me, but Vincent was willing to share that burden.

Ah, really.

Edward, you’re perfect as a business partner.

Edward guided me to the most famous restaurant on Privet Street. It was located quite close to the shop that Edward had arranged for me.

Come to think of it, Edward had arranged the shop for me too.

“I’ll pay for dinner this time, Your Grace.”

Edward stared at me with bewildered eyes. Why are you like this? I’m a very considerate person.

*

Edward narrowed his eyes as he stared at Adeline. Her honest remarks that came out without passing through her brain reminded him of Leira.

‘They’re uncannily alike.’

Edward cut his meat with an elegant posture.

I brought her to such an atmospheric restaurant, yet she says she’ll pay for dinner. Her complete lack of romance was just like Leira.

At the same time, it was starkly revealed that Adeline had no expectations of Edward as a ‘romantic interest’. She truly was a straightforward woman. Edward curled up the corners of his mouth.

“Is the food edible?”

“Pardon? Yes.”

Adeline smiled faintly.

“Does it suit Your Grace’s taste?”

“Of course. Moreover, thinking that the Viscountess is buying this meal makes it taste even better.”

“It’s nothing compared to the kindness Your Grace has shown me. I’ll continue to pay for dinners from now on. Of course, only if we have dinner to discuss work like this.”

The premise was clear.

It was also an affirmation that Adeline would absolutely never have dinner with Edward unless it was for this reason.

“Ah. I’ll gratefully partake then.”

Edward narrowed his eyes as he watched Adeline chew her food thoroughly. The reason for deliberately bringing Adeline to the restaurant was to observe her eating habits. Everyone had their own habits.

For example, Leira’s pinky finger was particularly short. So when using utensils, she tended not to use her pinky finger, but would curl it up round so it wouldn’t get in the way.

Even if she had Adeline’s appearance, such small habits wouldn’t disappear.

Edward’s gaze deepened.

Right now, Adeline was also curling her pinky finger against her palm like Leira.

“By the way, Viscountess Wesley.”

Edward’s voice softened languidly.

“Yes?”

Adeline raised her head with her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel, her mouth full of food. Her round eyes sparkled.

“Do you believe in miracles?”

“Mir…acles?”

Adeline swallowed her food and mumbled with a clumsy pronunciation. The habit of tilting her head overlapped with Leira’s image.

Edward nodded briefly.

“I’m not sure about miracles… but I do think there are things in the world that can’t be explained by science. Actually, I was wondering how I could meet Your Grace. But to run into you like that at the temple. I can only think that the god Sudelai helped me.”

Adeline answered seriously. Edward bit his lip slightly.

“That may be so.”