It was an almost overwhelmingly bright day.

The sunlight was so white it made her eyes ache, and the sky—too clear, too transparent—made her chest tighten for no reason at all.

It should have been long past the time for the sun to begin setting, yet the day remained dazzlingly bright. Had summer already arrived? Eversburg lay far to the south of the capital, where the weather warmed more quickly.

It had already been over two years since she had come down to this region, yet the sensations ingrained in her body still felt attuned to the capital.

No… it wasn’t just her body.

“Mr. Lucas. Could you let me off here today?”

Karin, who had been gazing out the carriage window, spoke up suddenly.

“Ah, yes. I suppose you have some business in town?”

“Yes. I have an appointment.”

The carriage came to a stop near the square. Karin opened the carriage door herself and stepped down.

“Thank you, as always.”

“Not at all. I’m only following my lady’s instructions.”

Lucas removed his hat and bowed. Karin returned the gesture before starting on her way.

Lucas was the coachman of the Count Seidel’s household, where Karin worked as a private tutor.

‘It’s dangerous for a young lady to go around alone. Make sure you arrive before sunset—use our family’s carriage.’

Countess Seidel was a warm, unpretentious woman. Despite Karin’s repeated refusals, she had insisted on sending her off in the carriage every time. Upon hearing that Karin lived alone with her mother, she had even arranged things so that Karin could commute instead of residing in the household.

Both Emilia and Leo, whom Karin taught, were good children. The more she thought about it, the more grateful she felt. Getting a position with the Count Seidel’s household had truly been a blessing.

When she had first come down to Eversburg, it was something she couldn’t even have imagined.

This kind of life.
This kind of living.
That such a life would be possible for her at all.

Back then, she had thought the world had ended.

She was passing in front of the train station when it happened. The clouds that had been shielding the sun finally drifted away, and a harsh light poured down on Karin. A sudden wave of dizziness struck her, and she staggered for a moment.

When she lifted her head again, her unfocused, wandering gaze suddenly halted across the street.

And at the instant her vision snapped into focus, she swallowed without realizing it.

Julian was there.

A face she had drawn countless times over the past two years—in her dreams, in her thoughts.

Time seemed to slow to a near standstill. Slowly, unbearably slowly, just like the day she had seen Julian for the very first time.

He had just stepped down from a carriage. His tall stature and long legs, his uniquely elegant movements—everything was exactly as it remained in Karin’s memory.

As if the sunlight were blinding, Julian’s narrowed eyes suddenly turned toward her.

His steps stopped.

A thin, broken sound escaped Karin’s throat.

She couldn’t tell whether her heart was pounding so violently it might burst through her chest—or whether it had stopped altogether. Her vision began to blur again. The sunlight was too bright, too hot. Strength drained from her legs, her thoughts drifting away until everything turned stark white.

Her handbag slipped from her grasp and hit the ground, its contents spilling out with a clatter.

Karin collapsed where she stood and lost consciousness.

***

When she opened her eyes again, she was in an unfamiliar room.

Lying on the bed, Karin blinked vacantly for a moment before jolting upright.

‘Where am I…?’

The room was dimly lit by a soft lamp. The curtains were drawn tightly shut, but it was obvious the sun had already set.

She had stood up her appointment. Her mother must be waiting for her, worried.

She hurried to get out of bed—only to feel a sharp ache pulse through her wrist. Looking down, she saw it wrapped in bandages. There seemed to be a plaster on her forehead as well.

“What is this…?”

Only then did her memory return. On the way to the meeting place, she had seen Julian—and then she had collapsed, fainting on the spot…

“Have you come to?”

At the sound of that voice, her heart dropped again.

Julian was standing in the doorway of the bedroom.

He was dressed casually, wearing only a shirt and vest. There was no necktie, and the top button of his shirt was undone.

It still didn’t feel real. Even though she had just woken up, it felt as though she were still dreaming.

Julian stepped closer to Karin and spoke.

“It seems you sustained a few abrasions when you collapsed. The doctor said they’re nothing serious—if you take proper care of them, they shouldn’t leave any scars.”

No words came out.

The flood of emotions surging up inside her clogged her throat. The moment she made a sound, it felt as though they would all come spilling out at once.

She had believed she would never see him again.
Never see his face.
Never hear his voice again.

Tears had already filled her eyes. Before she could stop them, they spilled over and slid down Karin’s cheeks.

“……”

Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I’m sorry… hic… I’m sorry….”

Karin sobbed in a broken voice.

Julian watched her in silence—standing before a crying woman without even offering a handkerchief.

His expression was utterly impassive, yet deep within those dark blue eyes, a small flame smoldered faintly.

“I’m sorry. I was just so startled…”

“What are you apologizing for?”

Julian asked in an even voice.

“I never thought we’d meet again….”

“I suppose you did move quite far away. Two full days by train, and then another day by carriage.”

At those words, Karin lifted her head blankly and looked up at Julian.

Come to think of it—why was Julian here?

Just as he had said, Eversburg was a remote rural town, far removed from the capital. She couldn’t easily imagine what matter would bring him all the way down here in person.

‘No… that can’t be.’

Karin shook her head without realizing it. There was no way Julian had come this long distance to see her. There was no reason for him to do so. Not suddenly, not after two whole years.

Even if—by some remote chance—Julian had wanted to meet her, he would have written first before coming.

Everything was different now.

He was still the heir to the Duke of Staute, a family renowned as the most prestigious in the kingdom. But Karin… Karin was nothing now.

In truth, they shouldn’t even be alone together in a place like this.

It felt as though her senses snapped back into place.

Karin hastily wiped away her tears and stood up. Then she bowed deeply to Julian.

“I’m truly sorry. I caused you a great deal of trouble. To have you look after me and even arrange treatment… I don’t know how to thank you.”

“I merely did what ought to be done.”

“No—this is far too great a kindness. I think I should take my leave for today. I can’t trouble you any further, Young Duke. I’ll come by tomorrow to properly thank you.”

Karin bowed to Julian several times before turning away. She hurried toward the exit, when his voice came from behind her.

“Is someone waiting for you?”

“…What?”

Karin turned back with a puzzled expression, then nodded belatedly. She was about to add, ‘My mother is—’ when Julian gestured toward the bedside table.

“You should take your bag.”

“Oh—sorry.”

Karin went over to the table and picked up her handbag. After bowing to Julian once more, she finally turned to leave the room.

That was when—

“This as well.”

In Julian’s hand was a small box.

Karin stared at it blankly.

Only after a long moment did she realize what it was.

Why did Julian have that box?

She didn’t even have time to dwell on the question. Flustered, Karin hurried toward him.

But Julian showed no sign of handing it over. He merely rested the box on his palm and looked at her steadily.