“Actually, I had no intention of coming if it weren’t for this article. I don’t want to keep accumulating debts.”

Vivian, who had been sitting quietly next to Ricardo, sighed and muttered. Enrico’s eyes flashed with annoyance as he looked at the two sitting side by side.

“Madeline Decarth, a baroness from the Kingdom of Caernt who came with the princess, has been missing for five days. Since she wasn’t officially part of the entourage, they were investigating secretly in case it was a kidnapping to avoid provoking the culprit, but somehow the article came out first.”

“Have you contacted the reporter first?”

“One of the princess’s aides tried to approach them, but they’re not cooperating. They say they have nothing to say since it’s been approved from above.”

Apparently, articles about foreigners usually go through top-level approval unless it’s good news, to avoid diplomatic issues, and this one was approved. It was an awkward situation for Ricardo to step in belatedly.

Ricardo could be considered to have almost no close allies, having been away from the Kingdom of Treano for a long time, and the biggest problem was that he wasn’t very free under Alessandro’s surveillance.

Originally, Ricardo had obediently followed the path of studying abroad, which Alessandro had sent him on as if exiling him, assuming that Alessandro would naturally succeed to the throne, so he had no other options.

Perhaps it was a mistake to trust and leave Alessandro, knowing his cruel nature. Alessandro, who was only superficially polished, was unlikely to leave Ricardo alone.

Due to Alessandro’s subordinates attempting assassination at every opportunity, Ricardo increasingly felt his limits and was considering returning to confront him when Enrico, whom he had never expected, reached out to him.

“Honestly, I currently have no power, and moreover, since I’m in a situation where I can’t openly act yet, I didn’t have many options to deal with this.”

Ricardo spoke calmly and then quietly observed Enrico, who had seemed in low spirits since entering. Enrico was languidly smoking a cigarette with his legs crossed.

His noticeably sunken purple eyes gave a different impression from their usual indifference, but unable to accurately gauge it, Ricardo could only watch carefully.

Enrico sighed and exhaled cigarette smoke. Ricardo, watching the faint white smoke spread, glanced at Vivian sitting next to him.

“May I offer you a handkerchief?”

“Why suddenly?”

As Vivian blinked her eyes, Ricardo carefully took out a handkerchief from his breast pocket and pretended to hold it near his mouth.

“Ah- Because of the smoke? You’re really kind. It’s unavoidable that I feel good at a time like this.”

At Vivian’s honest words, Ricardo’s ears turned red as he handed over the handkerchief.

“You two are having fun.”

A sarcastic voice froze the fluffy atmosphere. Ricardo glanced at Enrico with an embarrassed face. Enrico’s gaze, openly disapproving of the two, was close to contempt.

“Duke, don’t you think your tone is getting too casual, even if we’ve had various conversations?”

“Did you give the handkerchief to avoid smelling the cigarette smoke?”

Enrico asked quietly, tilting his head slightly as if measuring something, regardless of Vivian’s glare.

Ricardo blinked his eyes a couple of times, looking confused as to whether this was sarcasm or a genuine question, as it was such an unexpected inquiry.

Even as Ricardo stared blankly, Enrico neither corrected his words nor mocked, but simply waited quietly.

“Yes… I thought it might be a bit difficult to breathe.”

“And that makes you feel good?”

This time the question was directed at Vivian. Her eyes, which had been looking at him as if wondering why on earth he was acting like that, narrowed slightly.

“Of course it does. Doesn’t it mean he’s thinking of me that much?”

“It could just be lip service.”

At Enrico’s words, Ricardo exclaimed indignantly.

“It’s not like that!”

“It could mean he wants to please you enough to give lip service. People can sometimes be swayed by such seemingly small, detailed considerations.”

“…It’s true that I want to please you, but it’s not lip service.”

“Oh my, I know that of course. A man who’s nice to just anyone isn’t attractive, you know?”

As Vivian and Ricardo were once again getting lost in their own world, Enrico quietly looked down at the cigarette slightly caught between his fingers.

“Consideration…”

The two automatically closed their mouths at the sight of Enrico muttering softly with an inscrutable expression.

They were curious about why he was asking such questions, but as the atmosphere somehow made it awkward to speak up, they recalled their original purpose for now.

“By the way, the police do tell us about the progress of the investigation, but it feels like they’re only telling part of it. I’d like to receive full information about the current situation if possible. Please understand that from my position, it’s difficult to fully trust even you, Duke.”

Vivian carefully opened her mouth while managing her expression. Enrico’s gaze briefly touched on Vivian before staring into space as if thinking about something. Soon his eyes slowly closed and opened, turning towards Ricardo.

“Sure. It’s not particularly difficult to share the progress of the investigation. But in return…”

Enrico paused for a beat as if hesitating, then spoke in a low voice.

“Prepare a constitutional amendment regarding family succession laws.”

“…Pardon?”

“So that women can also inherit the family.”

“What?!”

“The crown prince is preparing it, so you’d better do it quickly.”

“Are you saying that I should propose this amendment? You know well that I currently have no right to speak in this situation.”

“Just prepare it. I’ll take measures to ensure you have the right to speak.”

Ricardo leaned forward in his seat with a bewildered look.

“Why are you trying to do this through me instead of doing it yourself?”

“If you prepare well first, it will pass without any problems. The crown prince’s side should have agreed to approve that amendment.”

“Isn’t that only if you do it, brother…”

“The crown prince will approve it first. If he opposes, I’ll just relay that news as is.”

“…To whom?”

The cigarette, which had burned down on its own by now, was on the verge of dropping its ash. Enrico glared at the cigarette and then muttered with a sigh.

“There is. Someone who doesn’t want to be involved with me…”

The red ash slowly died to a gray color as it was stubbed out in the ashtray.

Emilia headed to the carriage as usual after practice ended. As she grabbed the door handle of the carriage, she briefly glanced at the sky where a red sunset was settling.

The scenery, so splendid it caught the eye, looked similar to the painting hanging in Enrico’s mansion.

The painting, which had been painted so vividly it looked real, was probably painted while looking at this sky, and the question of whether Enrico would have the same thought as her if he saw this scenery naturally followed.

‘…What does it matter if he had the same thought.’

Emilia sighed as if pathetic and pulled on the handle.

“Shh.”

But inside the carriage, which should have been empty, sat Fabio. Emilia, who had almost reflexively screamed, took a deep breath seeing Fabio putting his index finger to his lips.

‘But where’s Enrico?’

Her expression hardened with disappointment that quickly washed over her after the momentary surprise.

‘What am I thinking now.’

Why did she keep thinking about Enrico? She had decided to act resolutely, so she wished her heart would be a bit firmer too, but it was so frustrating that things weren’t going as she wanted.

Perhaps misunderstanding her expression, Fabio gestured politely inward with an apologetic look.

After staring at Fabio for a moment, she opened the carriage door, and soon after it closed with a thud, the carriage departed immediately without needing to knock on the window separately.

“I’m sorry for startling you.”

“…What’s the matter so suddenly?”

It was the first time Fabio had waited in the carriage like this, so it was bewildering. In fact, she had been hoping he wouldn’t come around the theater as much as possible, so it was also awkward that he was suddenly riding in the carriage.

The glancing looks from the troupe members during practice were still continuing, and although it wasn’t explicitly stated, everyone seemed to guess that Enrico and Emilia had a sponsorship relationship, so she didn’t want to give any more room for speculation.

“The Duke has ordered that you should have an escort when commuting from now on.”

“What?”

“With the various incidents making Desiro unsettled these days, it’s a precaution against any eventualities.”

“…Is it because of the blonde woman incident?”

“That’s right. We’ve deployed security personnel around the mansion, but having us constantly follow the carriage could draw unnecessary attention, so we’d appreciate your understanding if we ride inside the carriage instead.”

She wondered what this was all about suddenly. Was he worried because she was blonde? But it also sounded like they were notifying her that they would be monitoring her almost 24 hours a day, so she was at a loss for how to take this.

In fact, it was almost a notification, so she knew she didn’t have a choice to begin with, but still.