The king of the Southern Kingdom left the Grand Duchy unexpectedly quickly. It was even before Rita and the employees, who perceived him as the Grand Duke’s enemy, could become hostile towards him. Noah felt relieved that he left cleanly without lingering.

However, before leaving, Illay made one request: he wanted to take a walk alone with Amy.

“That’s actually something I’d like to ask for.”

Amy readily accepted as it was an excellent opportunity to confirm whether Illay had memories from before the regression, but to those unaware of the circumstances, her words didn’t sound casual. Especially not to Noah.

The two met early in the morning when the chill hadn’t yet dissipated and slowly walked through the well-maintained garden. Unlike Amy, who had trouble sleeping due to many thoughts, Illay’s face still looked healthy and radiant. Amy rubbed her rough face with the back of her hand.

“Is there something you want to ask me?”

At Illay’s sudden question, Amy froze up. Seeing her flustered, he chuckled softly.

“I didn’t mean to startle you… The knights of the Grand Duchy were looking for something, and I was able to help a little, so I thought you might be curious about something.”

“Yes… I was just wondering how you knew.”

Amy tried to respond casually while anxiously studying his expression. Illay closed his mouth and fell into thought for a moment before looking up at Amy.

“Do you know that my sister was exceptionally talented?”

“I’ve heard the Grand Duke mention it in passing.”

“My sister was very interested in the Empire, the Southern Kingdom, and the Mado Kingdom, the predecessor of the Duchy. She even wanted to major in that field.”

His face clouded slightly. He seemed to be recalling his sister who had to give up her dreams due to their father’s oppression. He lowered his eyes with a guilty expression.

“My sister was also excellent at understanding language systems, so she studied the language of the Mado Kingdom by collecting historical records and ancient documents left in various countries and universities. I only skimmed through some of it.”

He narrowed his eyes and stared into space as if recalling memories.

“Even so, I only remember a few words, but fortunately, what was engraved on the tombstone in that grave was a simple command. It said to dig here.”

Having said that, he suddenly raised his head.

“Come to think of it, there are many documents my sister left behind… Since they’re her belongings in a way, should I send them to the Grand Duchy? Would Noah… like that?”

A hint of anxiety was visible as he carefully uttered his nephew’s name. Amy felt sorry for him. When she first saw him, he was just a tall, skinny boy.

He, like her, showed signs of never having received proper care in a decent family. He had the same deficiencies that they could recognize in each other. That’s why she meddled, even though it wasn’t her place.

‘Lord Noah will handle it himself.’

She had no intention of getting involved between the two now. Noah was young but deep. She thought there must be a reason why he was hostile to his only uncle.

‘I’m just a slightly close subordinate.’

Amy reminded herself of her position, as if reassuring herself. Then she looked straight at Illay.

“If you’d like, I can ask him. I think he’d be happy to receive his mother’s belongings, of course.”

“Would he…?”

His face softened slightly. He seemed pleased to have something he could do for his nephew. Amy took the opportunity to carefully ask.

“The Empire is quite turbulent, isn’t it? Is there no impact on the Southern Kingdom?”

“Ah, you mean about the one claiming to be the eldest son of the Empire’s Emperor?”

Illay responded without much reaction, furrowing his brow. He seemed to be pondering something. Amy held her breath, waiting for his next words. If he knew about the regression, he couldn’t possibly be unaware of the one who would soon become the Crown Prince and turn the world upside down.

By the time Amy’s hands had become damp with sweat, Illay tilted his head.

“But isn’t that just another country’s affair to me? Why are you asking me?”

There was no concern in his eyes. Only puzzlement.

“…It’s nothing.”

Amy felt deeply relieved. Illay Tezernet had no memories from before the regression. If he did, he couldn’t possibly react so nonchalantly. Because…

‘The Crown Prince shattered everything of the Empress while also destroying about 1/4 of the Southern Kingdom.’

She didn’t know how he had responded then. Even the loose-lipped guards didn’t chatter about affairs of other countries. If he had memories, he would undoubtedly prioritize keeping the soon-to-be-crowned Crown Prince in check.

‘Well, he’s leisurely traveling abroad while the Crown Prince is gathering power…’

Amy thought she had been overly sensitive and completely shook off her suspicions. She felt refreshed, as if a troublesome tooth had been pulled out. Illay, who had been watching her intently, smiled at the corners of his mouth.

“Is there nothing else you’re curious about?”

“Ah, actually…”

Amy brightened. Illay’s heart fluttered for a moment. He was excited to see what this tough and steadfast young lady would ask him. However…

“The truth is, I bought some land in a certain region of the Southern Kingdom…”

What began was a real estate consultation.

“?”

Although Illay kept raising question marks above his head, he diligently responded to the consultation.

“No, that area occasionally floods in summer… Oh, that area is famous as a resort, so there are noise complaints at night… Huh? You need to visit that area in person. As far as I know, the roads aren’t even paved and there’s little potential for development, so why there specifically?”

When the long consultation ended, Amy bowed politely with a satisfied expression.

“It was really helpful. Thank you.”

“…I see. I’m glad it was.”

Although he felt somewhat dazed, Illay thought it was fine since Amy’s expression was bright. The two walked to the castle gates. There, a carriage loaded with his luggage was waiting.

“It’s such a shame our benefactor is leaving so soon. We’ll miss you greatly.”

The faces of Jack and Dwayne, who had come to see him off, showed sincere regret. Illay smiled gently.

“I’m sure we’ll meet again. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“We certainly hope so. Please take care on your journey.”

Illay had not revealed his identity to anyone except Noah and Amy. As he turned his head, he saw Noah standing wrapped in the cold wind. Illay gazed at his nephew and quietly said to Amy standing beside him.

“Please take care of my nephew.”

“…I will serve him with all my heart.”

“Good.”

He smiled and bowed to Noah. Amy stiffened at the sight of a king of a country paying respects to a grand duke of a principality, an act of lese-majeste. But Noah just nodded naturally. They were truly similar as uncle and nephew.

Illay boarded the carriage without delay. Soon the coachman shook the reins, and the carriage slowly passed through the castle gates, heading down the road towards the village. Noah, who had been watching the scene, turned his eyes to Amy. Amy was looking at the back of the retreating carriage with a thoughtful expression.

‘What are you thinking now, Amy?’

Noah was anxious. The affection for Illay reflected in Amy’s eyes seemed to freeze his heart. Look at her even now. Isn’t she unable to take her eyes off him, filled with regret?

Surely… she doesn’t want to follow him, does she?

Cutting through his anxiety, Amy turned around the next moment. Then she spoke in her usual tone.

“Let’s go back inside, Your Highness. The early morning wind is still cold.”

“…Okay.”

Although there were mountains of questions he wanted to ask, Noah swallowed them. Then, as always, he obeyed her words with the face of a good child.

In the early morning hall, the employees having breakfast were debating about the mysterious guest who had turned the Grand Duchy upside down in just one day.

“Since Sir Jack wouldn’t talk nonsense, he must indeed be the Grand Duchy’s benefactor.”

One of the servants said seriously. Another nodded in agreement.

“If it were just Sir Dwayne, it would be hard to believe, but since Sir Jack said so too, it’s trustworthy.”

Giggles could be heard from the maids’ side.

“He was really handsome. That deep skin color unique to Southern people, and those bulging muscles…”

“He has that wild feeling, right?”

“Yes, it’s on a completely different level from the delicate males of the North.”

The northern men, who could easily uproot tree trunks as thick as waists yet were called soft by women, simultaneously pouted their lips. They were displeased but knew the value of their lives, so they didn’t protest.

“I wish he could have stayed longer.”

Cecil’s regretful words sparked a noisy commotion.

“We could have shown him how passionate Northern women can be.”

“Eva, that one’s rougher than he looks, you know.”

“If you like it so hot, why don’t you just roast and eat him?”

Amidst the burst of laughter, only Rita remained serious. She clicked her tongue, looking at her colleagues who were lamenting the departed guest with contempt.

‘Foolish ones. It’s fortunate he left quickly, or our century-long plan might have crumbled.’

It was the first time she had seen the head maid’s face so relaxed. Such an expression was rare even in front of the Grand Duke, whom she cherished most.

‘His Highness must have felt threatened.’

He’s known for his exceptional sense in battles. That’s why he endured quietly without intervening. He must have anticipated that meddling unnecessarily would be like poking a hornet’s nest.

Rita felt sorry for the Grand Duke, who now seemed like a slightly misguided adolescent brother, though it would be disrespectful to say so. At the same time, she felt a bit resentful towards the head maid who seemed oblivious to everything. She sighed and thought.

‘In the end, it’s always the one who likes more who loses.’

Love knows no boundaries of status or wealth. There are only the strong and the weak.

As Rita was lost in her own thoughts, the maids whispered in lowered voices.

“But you know, that guest… Didn’t he have a similar aura to the Grand Duke?”

It was Lucy, known for her keen eye, who spoke. Rita inadvertently flinched at those words, while other maids waved their hands, chuckling.

“How could the epitome of healthy masculinity from the South and our pretty boy Grand Duke be similar?”

“Yeah, you’re going too far with that one.”

But Lucy didn’t easily back down from her idea.

“Sir Dwayne said something similar, you know.”

“Do you really want to seriously believe what he says?”

As the maids laughed, Amy entered the hall.