Giorgio, who had been dragged in for insolently mentioning the cancellation of sponsorship, fell to his knees trembling all over.

‘I’m, I’m sorry. There seems to have been some misunderstanding, but that wasn’t my intention!’

Occasionally pests would cling on, but managing them to that extent wasn’t difficult. It was just a matter of keeping them in a bottle and watching, deciding when to kill them. But if they kept escaping the bottle and annoyingly flying around him, even if they had some use, their lifespan had to be shortened.

‘Then speak.’

‘Uh, yes?’

‘Explain well why you’re trying to wipe your mouth after taking and eating the money.’

‘I’m not trying to wipe my mouth, I can return the penalty fee if needed! I just thought it might be better for that child to get married soon and have a stable life.’

‘Listen.’

‘… Yes?’

‘What comes into my hands, no one can take away without my permission. Did you think I would let someone like you take what’s mine?’

‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry…’

‘But were you in a position to pay the penalty? It would have been an amount difficult for anyone in this country to afford.’

‘What do you mean? Usually, the penalty-‘

‘Did you not even read the contract?’

‘I did read it, but…’

‘Go back and read it properly. It’s money you couldn’t repay even if you worked for hundreds of years. Do you think I would give away all that fertile land, manpower, and massive investment for free? You’ve squandered all that money you shouldn’t have used privately on gambling, so do you want to continue and possibly live as a slave for the rest of your life because of that momentary pleasure?’

‘… I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry! I’ve committed a mortal sin, please spare me just this once!’

‘It seems you don’t want to die, even if it’s just empty words. Then tell me. Who put that useless idea in your head?’

‘Ah, no. I really thought it would be better to marry Emilia off at a younger age… Agh-!’

How could he not resemble Emilia in any way? Enrico was truly disgusted by Giorgio’s miserable face.

For a moment, wondering if he had ever been this irritated in his life, Enrico stretched out his leg and trampled Giorgio’s thick thigh with his heel.

‘Ugh, please…!’

‘Hah… Go back and look at the contract again. And don’t you dare approach Emilia from now on.’

‘Agh- Yes, yes! I’ll certainly do that! Please…’

‘I’ll be watching. Keep that in mind.’

‘Yes! Ugh…!’

Enrico lifted his foot and kicked the other’s chest. Leaving Giorgio falling back disgracefully, he ordered Fabio, who was bringing new shoes, to put surveillance on the pest as well, but the unpleasant feeling didn’t go away.

Whether it was because of the sight of someone daring to treat his possession as their own and trying to sell her off for marriage, the complicated feeling continued until that evening when he met Emilia. While he soon forgot about Giorgio upon seeing Emilia crying while talking about her family, what took its place was an attachment to the family Emilia had.

He couldn’t understand how someone who couldn’t even take care of themselves would make such a contract for their family, like a moth to a flame. For him, who had never had anyone by his side, it was an incomprehensible emotion. Even though this contractual relationship was formed because of that family, to him it seemed like a natural contract, so at first, he just found it pathetic.

‘It’s just a slight fever. There’s no problem with dancing.’

But why was his mood souring over something like this? In fact, if she said she was fine, and as long as she performed on stage to his satisfaction, it shouldn’t matter whether she was sick or not. Yet why did those words bother him so much? It was strange.

Enrico crossed his legs and tilted his head back. Though he leaned comfortably against the backrest, the dazzling chandelier seemed about to blind him.

Finally, he closed his eyes. The image of Emilia moving beautifully on the stage right in front of him came to mind. Her face smiling happily under the brilliant lights and her light movements leaping as if about to fly away at any moment were vividly imprinted on his retina.

Emilia, who would calm her surging breath after the performance ended and gaze steadily with large eyes that seemed about to burst into tears, hiding her wounds; and Emilia, who finally let tears fall, looking up at him with peach-pink cheeks wet with teardrops.

My beautiful Emilia.

‘… I’m not tired of her yet.’

That must be why. His possession, which he hadn’t grown tired of yet, shouldn’t be damaged so soon. Until he discarded her first, she needed to exist before his eyes without a single flaw.

Eventually, Enrico reached out to the table beside him, but feeling it empty, he called for Fabio.

“Here it is.”

As soon as he entered, Fabio noticed Enrico’s outstretched hand and discreetly took out a cigarette, gently placing it between his fingers. Soon after, Fabio elegantly lit the cigarette in his mouth, checked the burning ash, and stepped back.

Enrico languidly lowered his eyes and exhaled a long, hazy smoke.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

“… I escorted Miss Emilia to the guest room on the second floor. The doctor says she has symptoms of a cold, but she should be fine after taking medicine and getting plenty of rest.”

“Have her whole body examined thoroughly.”

“Understood.”

“And bring Zabeta.”

“Zabeta, you say? Ah! I suppose someone familiar would be better for nursing. I’ll bring her right away.”

Feeling Enrico’s heavy atmosphere lighten slightly at the news that Emilia merely had a cold, Fabio carefully pulled out an invitation from his inner pocket.

“By the way, an invitation for a masquerade ball has arrived from the royal palace.”

“A masquerade ball… It seems the noble guest likes something stimulating. He’ll get along well with the Crown Prince.”

Enrico smiled crookedly without even glancing at the invitation. Seeing him show no interest as expected, Fabio cautiously spoke.

“I apologize, but the Crown Prince has specifically requested your attendance.”

Only then did Enrico’s gaze turn to the invitation.

“Hmm-. Didn’t our nephew dislike me not attending the ball?”

He recalled Alessandro, who, despite barely interacting, subtly kept Enrico in check due to their small age difference.

How pathetic was that image of him, smiling leisurely yet occasionally revealing undisguised thorns while looking at himself.

The King, who had been at ease watching Enrico solidify his position as a duke and amass wealth, belatedly became nervous, but judging that meddling now would only provoke him, he remained silent.

Yet Alessandro must be aware of this situation; it seemed our brother’s son had great anxiety about the throne.

“It might not be a ball for the second prince. What do you think?”

“I will thoroughly investigate the attendees and the ball preparation details.”

“Good idea.”

Enrico brought the half-smoked cigarette to the invitation Fabio was holding and extinguished it by burning the paper.

“… What about your evening schedule? Shall I prepare dinner?”

Originally, he had planned to enjoy Emilia’s performance and dine together, but perhaps due to the lingering taste of cigarettes, his mouth felt dry and he had no appetite.

Enrico rose from his seat, brushing back his disheveled hair.

“No. Have a horse ready.”

I just need to ride for a while after so long.

A golden music box was playing a sorrowful melody. The doll standing in the center of the music box stretched its fingertips towards the sky, elegantly crossing its feet, spinning in place, and lifting its head wistfully.

The doll spun endlessly like the spring wound by the music box’s owner. Then, its smooth movements slightly stuttered, and later, as they became increasingly stiff, the hand winding the spring dropped the music box in mid-air.

Bang- The impact of hitting the ground shattered the doll’s ankle, separated from the music box. Miserably, to the point where it could never stand again.

And that doll was herself.

“Gasp-!”

Emilia opened her eyes wide, taking a deep breath. Her expanded eyes were filled with fear and moisture. Along with her heaving chest, she blinked blankly like someone unable to grasp the situation for a moment, and belatedly, an unfamiliar ceiling painting entered her view.

‘Where is this… Ah, right. I fell asleep after being examined.’

Remembering belatedly that this was the duke’s residence, Emilia slowly raised her upper body. Perhaps due to sleeping after taking medicine, her body felt much refreshed.

‘Maybe it’s because I’m tired. Even my dreams are unsettling.’

Frowning, Emilia lowered her feet to the floor, fluttering her sweat-soaked nightgown. Thinking she should drink some water and wash up, she reached for the water glass on the bedside table when the door opened carefully.

“Ah… You’re awake. How are you feeling?”

Zabeta, who should have been at home, entered the room.

“My lady? Why are you here? Have you returned to the duke’s residence?”

“No. The duke called me briefly to nurse you. But I thought you’d sleep until morning; you woke up too early.”

Enrico did? She recalled his cold gaze looking down at her earlier. Is it because it would be difficult to continue fulfilling the contract if she’s not well?

Emilia blinked and turned her head towards the window. The doctor’s words about setting a date for a thorough examination lingered in her mind.

‘… I think it’s better to hide about my ankle for now.’