“For now, please put this on. It’s my clothes, so they’re a bit shabby—but if you look like a commoner, you won’t stand out even if you’re on your own.”

Grete helped Karin change. She gathered Karin’s hair up, tied it, and even wrapped a headscarf around it. At a glance, Karin truly looked like an ordinary common woman.

Grete tucked two apples and a handful of peanuts into Karin’s bodice.

“You should be able to eat these. Please—make sure you do.”

“…Okay. Thank you.”

“And use this for train fare.”

What Grete handed her was, astonishingly, two gold coins. It was clearly an enormous sum for someone in Grete’s circumstances.

Karin’s eyes widened as she waved her hands in refusal.

“No. I can’t take this much money.”

“Just take it. It’s money I earned by selling you, after all.”

“…What?”

Lowering her gaze, Grete spoke in a small voice.

“I’m sorry. Last time, an unfamiliar man came all the way to my house and threatened me… I had no choice but to tell him your name. This money is what I received in return. And what happened today—your abduction—it’s all because of me. I’m so… so sorry.”

Grete’s shoulders trembled faintly.

Karin was silent for a moment. Then she reached out and took Grete’s hand.

“Don’t blame yourself. I’m sure this isn’t your fault.”

“No. It is. If I hadn’t told them your name, then surely—”

“Even if you hadn’t told them, they would’ve found out some other way. You said they came all the way to your house to threaten you. You didn’t have a choice. So it’s all right.”

“…Miss.”

Tears welled up in Grete’s eyes.

“More than that, I’m far more grateful that you helped me like this. From your position, you had neither an obligation nor a reason to do so. I’ll never forget this kindness. Truly—thank you, Grete.”

At Karin’s words, Grete shook her head hard.

“No. I’m the one who’s sorry. Even if it was the young master’s order… I’m so sorry I kept pretending not to see how hard things were for you all this time.”

From Grete’s position as an employee, it must have been unavoidable. Was that why she’d been carrying this guilt all along?

I ended up burdening such a kind girl because of me.

Karin looked at Grete and smiled faintly.

“Take care, Grete. I hope you find happiness.”

“You too, miss.”

***

By the time Karin arrived at the train station, the sun was already dipping low toward the horizon.

She desperately wanted to return to Eversburg and see her mother—but it was far too dangerous. Julian would surely send people after her.

Then where should I go?

The desire to return to Eversburg and see her mother burned fiercely within her—but it was far too dangerous. Julian would surely send people to hunt her down.

Then where should I go?

Aside from the capital and Eversburg, there was nowhere she knew. And even if there were places familiar to her, anywhere she had ties to was something she ultimately had to avoid.

Karin wasn’t looking for a place to hide for a day or two. She needed somewhere she could safely raise this child.

As she stared blankly at the train route map, a memory suddenly surfaced.

Right… if it’s that place….

If it was there, they might accept her.

It was an impulsive decision—but there was no time to hesitate. Karin walked up to the ticket counter.

***

A short while later.

Karin stood on the platform, gazing at the tracks with empty eyes.

She was the only one standing there without anyone to see her off. She didn’t even have luggage—hardly the appearance of someone setting out on a long journey.

No… I’m not alone.

Almost unconsciously, Karin’s hand drifted down to gently cradle her lower abdomen.

It was strange. As recently as that very morning, her life had felt utterly hopeless, nothing but inertia and despair. And yet now, suddenly, she had a reason to live.

A reason to gather her strength and run from Julian—no matter what it took.

Just then, a deep bell rang out again and again, announcing the train’s arrival at the platform.

It was time to leave.

***

That day, news that Julian had vanished in the middle of his wedding shook the entire capital.

Wild, sensational rumors spread like wildfire—claims that Countess Viviana Gleissner, the bride herself, had collapsed after breaking down in tears; that the king, who had attended the ceremony, flew into a rage and returned straight to the royal palace; and countless other variations.

Julian did not reappear until evening, and even then, it was said that he offered no explanation whatsoever for his actions. As a result, no one knew whether the wedding had been canceled outright or merely postponed. All eyes were fixed on the ducal house, waiting for an official statement.

“You wretched fool!”

A sculpture hurled at Julian grazed past his cheek by a hair’s breadth, then smashed to pieces against the wall behind him with a thunderous crash.

“What possessed you to pull off such lunacy?! His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen were present in person! There are limits to how far you can disgrace your own father—how do you intend to clean up this catastrophe?!”

Franz roared in fury. It was the first time anyone had ever seen him this enraged.

Wolf swallowed hard.

Inside the room, all of Julian’s secretaries were assembled, standing stiffly with faces drained of color.

All except one.

Anton.

“Answer me! What do you intend to do about this?!”

“I will take responsibility.”

Julian, who had kept his mouth shut until now, spoke in a low voice. Franz’s brow twisted sharply.

“Responsibility? After you’ve driven things to this point, how dare you even utter the word responsibility?”

“…….”

Unable to contain his fury, Franz snatched up a cigar. The secretary standing beside him hurriedly cut the tip and lit it for him.

Soon, a cloud of pale smoke poured from Franz’s mouth.

“Fine. Then let’s hear your reason. Why did you do it? And where have you been all this time?”

“…….”

Julian remained silent for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth.

“I had no certainty.”

“What?”

“I have no certainty about marrying the Countess Gleissner. I wish to reconsider the engagement. I ask for your permission.”

Franz grabbed an ashtray and hurled it at Julian.

This time, it didn’t miss.

The thick glass ashtray slammed into Julian’s shoulder and clattered across the floor. Even so, Julian barely flinched.

“Do you think that’s an answer? What—no certainty? After being engaged for nearly half a year without a word, you suddenly decide, on the morning of the wedding, that you’re uncertain? Are you telling me you walked out of the ceremony for that reason? Do you truly think that makes any sense?!”

“I apologize.”

Franz ground his teeth together. His hand groped across the empty desk—but there was nothing left to throw.

“Wolf Knut.”

“Y-Yes, Your Grace.”

Wolf answered stiffly, his body visibly tensing.

“Answer him. What’s the real reason?”

“…….”

Wolf stared straight ahead, unable to reply.

“You did say something about a crime back then! If you don’t want your head rolling, you’d better confess everything you know!”

Cold sweat broke out over him. Wolf’s face drained of color as he stammered.

“I—I mean, that is—”

Anton wasn’t present for a reason. He had been beaten so badly that he’d lost consciousness.

After learning that Julian had vanished from the ceremony upon hearing something from Anton, Franz had personally summoned him earlier that day and interrogated him. But even after being struck repeatedly with a cane until he passed out, Anton had refused to open his mouth.

Wolf had no desire whatsoever to end up the same way. Yet after witnessing such loyalty from his subordinate, he couldn’t very well be the one to speak so lightly.

“That truly is all,”
Julian cut in calmly.

“There is no other reason. I simply hesitated to speak, fearing I might bring disgrace upon you, Father. You may scold me for being pathetic—I have nothing to say in my defense. I know I acted irresponsibly. As I said before, I will take responsibility. I will handle the explanation and the aftermath myself. So that no further burden falls upon you—”

“Burden? You’ve already burdened me more than enough! You insolent wretch!”

Franz roared again. Gripping his cane, he pushed himself up from behind the desk.

So it’s finally coming.

Just as Wolf squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself, the sound of a door opening came from behind them.

“Pardon the interruption.”

It was Boris.