“Well, look who it is!”

Edward’s eyes went wide behind his glasses.

He was on his feet at once, stepping forward to greet her warmly.

“How long has it been? The last time we saw each other was——”

“Before I was married.”

The lashes lowered over Olga’s eyes trembled faintly.

If only she had never married Leod — there would have been none of this pain.

Endless regret came washing over her. But there was no use in regret now.

She had already tasted the happiness that came after having Liet. There had certainly been hard days with the child, but the happy moments had far outnumbered them.

The moment she lost Liet had been a pain beyond any words — but that was not a reason to give up on the child.

“For the Duchess of Morvant to come to such a humble place…….”

Pushing his glasses up, he began hastily clearing the sofa that was buried under stacks of documents.

“Don’t bother. It’s fine.”

“Even so, some things need doing. You’re not someone I can treat so casually anymore.”

At Edward’s words, Olga pressed her lips together, her feelings turning complicated.

Then she looked at his back and spoke, quietly.

“……Are we not friends who can still talk comfortably with each other?”

“Hm?”

Edward had barely finished tidying when he spun around, startled.

“What are you talking about, Olga.”

He walked slowly toward her and gave her shoulder a gentle pat.

“We’re always friends. Don’t you remember how many times you helped me when I was struggling?”

Then he scrambled to pull out the cleanest teacup he had on hand.

Stirring instant coffee with hurried hands, Edward kept talking.

“What I meant was that my office is such a mess…… but you’re still my dear friend, no matter what.”

He set the hastily stirred coffee down in front of her.

“I just didn’t want your lovely dress getting ruined in a grimy place like this…… something like that, I suppose.”

He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, looking a little embarrassed, and sat down across from her.

“What did you think I meant?”

“……Sorry. My station has changed from before, so I thought you might be keeping your distance.”

“Fair enough — you did go quiet after the wedding. That part specifically…….”

Edward took a sip of his coffee and curved his mouth into a grin.

“I was a little hurt, if I’m honest.”

“I’m sorry. It just felt a bit awkward, reaching out to a male friend after getting married.”

“Now…… is it really any different?”

He asked, genuinely puzzled.

Then again, from Edward’s perspective, perhaps there was no difference to notice.

Olga gave a bitter smile and bit down on her lip.

“Oh — Olga.”

His gaze dropped to her hands, clasped tightly together in her lap.

“We’re still friends, you know. Very close ones, at that.”

“Edward…….”

“Just because some time has passed between us doesn’t mean the feelings I’ve always had for you have disappeared.”

“Then……!”

“Of course I’ll take the case. Whose client do you think you are?”

“Edward……!”

Color rushing back into her face, Olga threw her arms around him before she could stop herself.

His ears, caught in her embrace, were slowly turning red.