“I don’t know if I should even be holding onto this.”

Kyle’s eyes lingered on the dog tag, the chain wrapped around three times yet still loose in his hand. He’d suspected it before—but feeling it now, he could tell how delicate, almost fragile, she was. The pendants glinted faintly as they swayed with Maude’s movements, like charms on a bracelet.

Fixing his gaze on her, Kyle spoke with shameless ease.

“I simply gave it to my lover.”

The way he said it—so natural, as if it were the most ordinary truth—sent a ripple through the onlookers nearby.

“Did you hear that?”

“He just said ‘lover,’ didn’t he?”

“Ah, if only I’d met His Grace before her!”

“Oh, please. As if the lady could just ask to meet him.”

The crowd’s chatter was filled with teasing laughter. Curious glances darted their way.

Maude’s eyes found Kyle’s again. Even under the noise, she could tell—he was a man who could play sincerity as if it were a role, especially when there was an audience.

“I’ll treasure it,” she said with a smile, lifting her wrist.

Kyle’s gaze followed, but soon drifted down to his watch. The golden light outside was fading—the museum would soon be closing.

“We should head inside. The donation exhibit is this way.”

As they walked, the soft hum of the sea breeze mingled with the late summer air. Kyle imagined the dog tag returning to its rightful place a year from now—yet her next words pulled him back.

“So you already knew, then.”

“How did you find out I donated it?”

Maude’s lips curved in amusement. “I saw your name on the donor list.”

Ah. The list.

She nodded slowly, her steps measured and graceful. Kyle offered his arm, and they moved together down a corridor lined with white pillars. From the adjoining garden, the scent of roses drifted in with the wind.

When Kyle’s gaze lifted to the top of a column, he caught sight of the inscription—

“An Invitation to Love.”

That was the official name of this wing. Kyle exhaled a quiet sigh. Between the tabloids’ romantic headlines and Azel’s teasing, he wouldn’t be hearing the end of this anytime soon.

“Have you met Ennen yet?”

The question came suddenly, just as they reached the middle of the corridor. Maude’s eyes were bright, her tone light.

“I have an appointment tomorrow,” he replied.

“Would it be alright if I came along?” she asked. “I promise I won’t get in the way. Once we arrive, I’ll keep my distance.”

The way she said it—soft, persistent, almost playful—itched at him.

“May I ask your reason for visiting?”

“It’s for a gift. It’s Sarah’s birthday soon.”

Ah, the handmaiden she was always with. She sighed, saying she hadn’t been allowed to go anywhere alone since the founding festival. Kyle stopped walking, turning toward her. Her face was a blend of quiet anticipation and subtle tension.

“I’ll stop by the estate,” he said. “Wait for me there.”

He still didn’t understand why this woman could get under his skin so easily—but in the end, he agreed.

“Thank you!” she said brightly.

Her cheeks glowed a delicate rose, the same shade as the garden outside. Somehow, Kyle knew this little trip was going to be far more troublesome than he’d expected.

***

“The curator couldn’t stop smiling—every piece is apparently magnificent,” Azel said, clicking his tongue. “And every single one was donated by the same woman. Guess who?”

“Maude Hablein,” Kyle replied quietly.

Sunlight spilled through the window, gleaming over the name written on the donor list.

“You even like how her name looks now?” Azel teased with a crooked grin.

Kyle’s eyes narrowed, pointing wordlessly toward the door. 

“Out.”

But Azel only laughed. 

“You should at least visit the corridor! Its name suits her perfectly—‘An Invitation to Love.’ Don’t you think?”

“Three,” Kyle began counting, voice flat.

“Two—”

“Right! I’m leaving!”

Azel gave a quick salute and bolted from the office.

Left alone, Kyle closed his eyes for a moment. He could almost picture her clearly now. His gaze fell again to her name on the page.

***

On the train to Lemming, Maude sat across from him. The landscape outside rolled by—morning light stretching over foreign hills. Kyle checked his watch. Lemming was an hour from Ness by rail. They were halfway there.

His eyes drifted from his wrist to her reflection in the window. She was lost in her book, a thin green-covered novel. A white lace ribbon tied the end of her braid, fluttering whenever the wind slipped through the open window. Stray strands brushed her cheek, and each time, she laughed softly.

Kyle reached out to close the window—

“Oh, it’s fine! The breeze feels nice, doesn’t it?” she said with a smile.

The wind tossed her hair again, and she laughed once more.

“If it bothers you, tell me,” he murmured, withdrawing his hand.

“I will,” she replied, lifting her book. He nodded faintly, pretending to return to his newspaper—but his attention kept straying.

Discovering Love.

That was the title of her book. A sentimental name, fittingly enough. She read with a look of quiet delight, sometimes smiling as if she already knew what would happen next.

Kyle couldn’t help a small chuckle. She was far more absorbed than he was—his paper had long since turned into a meaningless prop. Morning light pooled between them, her calm world reflected in his gaze.

‘When did I start… watching her like this?’

Annoyed by the thought, he folded his newspaper with a sigh and turned toward the window. Beyond the glass, golden sunlight scattered across the sea—and she sat across from him, completely immersed in her story.

A woman who got under his skin. But strangely, he didn’t hate it. Maybe he’d even started to find this make-believe summer… interesting.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught her watching him.

For someone so reserved, he had an eye for beauty. Books, paintings, even flowers—he noticed them all. Just like now.

He was like a faraway country—unknown, unpredictable, and therefore endlessly fascinating.

‘Maybe that’s why it’s so fun.’

She closed her book, a bright smile blooming across her face.

***

After an hour’s journey, the train finally stopped at Lemming Station. As they stepped onto the platform, the foreign city unfolded before them. Known as the “City of Water” for its countless canals and fountains, Lemming was a bustling center of trade, filled with merchants and travelers from every corner of the world.

Together, they weaved through the crowds and crates, heading toward the coast. The famous Gronis Breakwater loomed ahead, a long stone path reaching out into the glittering sea—a favorite destination for lovers watching the sunset.

Even under the blazing noon sun, couples strolled hand in hand, faces glowing with warmth. The air shimmered with laughter and light.

Watching them, Maude turned to the man beside her, a curious look flickering in her eyes.

‘Somehow, I just can’t picture it.’

When she laughed softly at her own thought, Kyle looked down at her. His eyes, calm but questioning, met her bright ones.

“Just thinking,” she said with a grin.

Always unpredictable—that was Maude.

“Come on, hurry up!”

She ran a few steps ahead, her laughter carried by the sea breeze.

Kyle followed, a faint smile tugging at his lips.