“The rest will have to wait for another time. I’ll explain everything to the Duke myself and offer him an apology.”

With those words, Emperor Leopold excused himself, leaving only two people behind in the quiet summer annex. The sunlight filtering through the windows bathed the marble floors in gold, and yet the silence was so heavy it seemed to weigh on the air.

Maude took a slow step toward Rhaion. He hadn’t moved since the Emperor’s departure, standing there as if rooted to the spot. Only when her footsteps drew close enough to echo did he finally lift his head. His face was streaked with fury and humiliation — a pitiful sight.

His eyes were fierce, but Maude didn’t seem to care. She looked as calm as ever, even faintly amused.

“It’s nothing,” she said softly.

“…What?”

“You. And the scar you left me.”

Rhaion took a step forward, the corner of his mouth curling into a crooked smile.

“Is that so? You think everyone will see it that way?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

As his hand reached out toward the faint scar on her arm, Maude slapped it away, sharp and fast. Her expression twisted in disgust.

“I could still have you,” he hissed. “Even if I had to force you.”

“You could,” Maude agreed easily.

Her composure made Rhaion falter for a moment — until her next words froze him solid.

“But only if I’m dead.”

Her voice was frighteningly steady, and her face was serene — too serene. Maude had never once told him a lie.

“What… what are you saying?”

“If you’re fine with a body gone cold, then by all means, take it,” she said, almost gently. “I’ll even offer it to you myself.”

Her words burned through the air like a brand, searing him from the inside out. Rage and terror tangled across Rhaion’s face as he clenched his fists.

“You dare— threaten me like that?”

The tremor in his voice betrayed the fear creeping in. For the first time, he realized — between them, there really was nothing left.

“How dare you do this to me?”

Maude’s eyes glinted, sharp and cold.

“I treated you as a person, Rhaion. I called you my friend. Tell me — what did you do to me in return?”

Rhaion gave a hollow laugh. One side had called it love; the other, friendship. The kind of pitiful ending every tragic story eventually reaches.

“If you don’t want to find my corpse waiting in the dark someday,” Maude whispered, “then don’t ever provoke me again.”

And with that, Maude turned away.

Her voice, faint but echoing, lingered in his mind like a dying summer breeze.

“Doesn’t it look just like His Highness’s hair? Don’t worry — Her Majesty’s scolding will pass like sand through the hourglass.”

Her voice echoed in his mind as her silhouette disappeared beyond the sunlight. Maude never looked back.

By the time Rhaion finally turned away himself, there was something almost ecstatic in his face— a strange, fractured joy.

His laughter, sharp and unhinged, filled the summer palace like a hymn to madness.

***

A week passed. The days moved too quickly for the scars — physical or otherwise — to keep up. After the curtain fell on their perfect little “transaction,” both went back to their own worlds.

Maude, now wealthier and more influential than ever, was radiant. The overseas bonds she’d reinvested using imperial funds were earning so much that she’d stopped counting. Being the Emperor’s first investor had also earned her the acquaintance of the city’s most powerful businessmen.

Yes, this summer was perfect. Even the lecherous stares of aging nobles were something she could brush off with a laugh.

Of course, there was one nuisance: Sarah.

Ever since the night of the banquet, Sarah had refused to leave Maude’s side — even quitting school to “devote herself” to serving her lady. Convincing her otherwise had been exhausting.

Sarah attended Winter Women’s College, founded ten years ago by Count Winter’s daughter, the formidable Elena Winter. It was the capital’s only women’s university — elite, competitive, and prestigious. Letting her give it up was out of the question.

So they struck a compromise. Sarah would attend class as usual, but during breaks she’d check in on Maude at Mel, the coffeehouse across from the college.

Mel was a picturesque place — orange trumpet vines spilling over its red-brick walls every summer. It was one of the few shops that could rival Maude’s own chain in coffee quality. Luckily, Sarah’s friend Charlotte spent most of her time there anyway.

Just like today.

The golden light of summer flickered over the wooden signboard. Maude’s braided hair and pale green dress swayed gently with the breeze. Standing just outside the door, she looked up at the red entrance, her gaze distant.

‘Was all this really necessary?’ she thought. 

After all, Rhaion had already been exiled to Bergen. Maybe Sarah’s overprotectiveness was a little much.

“I’ll be right back, my lady!” Sarah called brightly.

“You can take your time,” Maude replied.

“No, no — I’ll run back!”

“…Right.”

With her usual stubbornness, Sarah waited for Maude to sit down before hurrying off.

“Charlotte! Don’t leave your seat, okay? Not even for the restroom!”

“I heard you!” Charlotte shouted back, exasperated.

Maude couldn’t help but smile sheepishly.

“Sorry, Charlotte. She means well.”

Charlotte waved it off. “Oh, it’s fine, really! Don’t worry about it.”

Maude’s laughter softened the air. Through the wide glass window, she watched Sarah crossing the street, chatting animatedly with her friend. When Sarah caught her eye, Maude winked playfully.

The sky was high and blue. The scratch of Charlotte’s pen across paper was like a soft melody.

Charlotte was currently serializing her romance novel, The Circumstances of Wanting Marriage, in the women’s magazine Girls Today — a witty, daring story about two mismatched lovers caught in a fake marriage. Maude had to admire how easily Charlotte could write such bold scenes with such an innocent face.

Her gaze drifted again to the window. Outside, a group of men in crisp white uniforms passed by — naval officers, likely from the nearby headquarters. It wasn’t an unusual sight.

What was unusual was the man walking at their head.

She hadn’t seen him since that night at the banquet. The man whose name was now whispered everywhere — the capital’s most eligible bachelor, the pride of Berren.

Kyle.

The sunlight glinted off his immaculate white uniform. Even among his peers, he shone brightest. And for just a moment — just long enough to make her heart skip — he turned.

Their eyes nearly met through the window.

Maude quickly averted her gaze, covering her face as if that could make her invisible.

‘Why am I hiding?’

She couldn’t answer that. Maybe it was embarrassment, or guilt, or something she didn’t want to name. Whatever it was, it wasn’t curiosity — not anymore.

After all, there was no reason to see him again.

With a faint laugh, Maude brushed the thought away. The satisfaction of a flawless game, a perfect win, was all she wanted to savor now.

Maybe, she thought, next summer she’d finally have time to return to school — the one thing she’d kept putting off.

***

By evening, when the sun finally sank beyond the rooftops, the streets had quieted. The doctor’s clinic, usually bustling, was at its calmest. Maude preferred this hour — fewer people, fewer eyes.

Sarah, still squeamish about looking at the wound, waited on the bench outside.

“Welcome back,” Dr. Lewis greeted her warmly. “How have you been?”

“I’m well, thank you,” she replied with her usual grace.

She visited every other day for treatment. Lewis’s skill was impeccable — enough that she’d refused the imperial physician’s offer — and, more importantly, he knew how to keep his mouth shut.

Settling onto the examination bed, Maude watched the fading sunlight through the window as he disinfected the scar.

Then, after several seconds of silence, Lewis finally spoke — his voice hesitant, careful.

“Miss Maude… there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”