As Bardi passed through the corridor, he saw Aurelia’s figure from behind.

The passage at the top of the spiral staircase connected the annex to the main building. Aurelia was leaning on the railing, looking down at something.

“Aurelia, what are you doing?”

Aurelia, startled, turned around.

“Nothing, Your Majesty.”

The beautiful woman before him spoke.

Her pale pink dress made her golden eyes, sparkling like jewels, stand out even more, and her shimmering blonde hair was elegantly braided. She had a porcelain-like, flawless face and a perfect figure.

At that moment, a loud *bang* echoed as a heavy door closed. It came from the direction of the library. When Bardi turned his gaze, Kaiden came into view.

Wearing just a loose shirt and looking disheveled, he was walking briskly. Galad hurriedly followed behind him, receiving instructions before taking position again in front of the library door.

Aurelia’s gaze shifted towards them for a moment and then returned.

That insignificant action made the blurry picture in Bardi’s mind finally clear. The reason they had been together all along wasn’t Kaiden.

Bardi felt irritation rise at Silvius’s nonsensical report and fury at his own foolish judgment.

“Like a child coveting a cousin’s toy.”

The words Rohana had thrown at him yesterday buzzed in his ears.

Just then, another loud *bang* resonated as Kaiden slammed the door to his room. Aurelia glanced at it out of the corner of her eye and then looked back.

Bardi let out a breathless, bitter laugh, and Aurelia looked up at him. Her innocent golden eyes sparkled as always.

“Your Majesty, shall we go to the city together this afternoon? There are so many beautiful things…”

Her clear voice and bright, smiling eyes made Bardi smile in response.

He was in awe of Rohana’s insight, while frustration bubbled within him at his own stupidity.

“Aurelia.”

When Bardi whispered in her ear, Aurelia smiled softly, just like usual.

“Enough.”

Aurelia’s smile stiffened instantly.

***

“I can’t harm you.”

Rohana unknowingly let out the breath she had been holding. As she relaxed and bowed her head, her hair, which had been neatly draped down her back, spilled forward.

Roughly pushing her hair back, Rohana pressed her eyes.

What kind of duchess behaves like this?

Having stayed up all night, she was already mentally exhausted, and Kaiden’s words and reactions only confused her further.

“You don’t have to make that face.”

She felt as though his gaze still lingered on her, paralyzing her movements.

“Because I don’t care if you don’t believe me.”

Her heart started pounding wildly again, making her frown. As if doing so would make his words mean something else.

Kaiden Delcliff.

It truly seemed like he thought of her as more than just a partner in a contractual marriage. If it were her old self, she might have known what was in his heart and believed it. But this was Kaiden.

Could a man driven by revenge really harbor such feelings for the daughter of Hanover, an Arin?

Their bond was nothing more than a fleeting coincidence from childhood. To call it a deep connection was absurd, given the years that had passed and the vastly different paths they had to walk.

She had understood his kindness, his feelings of indebtedness, and the consideration he had shown. But she always thought it was the kind of benevolence a strong person gives to someone weaker.

In the end, she believed all of it stemmed from his discomfort with the Arin using magic, so she stayed up studying through the night.

‘Don’t trust him.’

Rohana quickly shook her head.

‘No, please don’t attach any significance to this.’

What had happened with her husband in her previous life, whose face and name she no longer even remembered, and the absurdly broken love she had with the emperor here—none of it was worth holding onto.

Whatever emotions might exist now, they would soon change. Knowing the original trajectory of the story, she reminded herself not to be swayed by such trivial matters.

*Knock knock.*

A knock came from the library’s inner door. When she looked up, Galad stood there, his face flushed.

The door creaked open, and Galad entered, placing a letter down carefully but clumsily.

“A reply has already arrived.”

Rohana’s eyes fixed on the crest of the letter.

<St. Helena Orphanage>

She hastily tore open the letter and stood up.

“Where is the Duke right now?”

“I believe he is in his chambers.”

Rohana hurried her steps.

***

“Speak.”

Kaiden glanced up at Rohana from his bed. His slightly reddened face and the tense line of his jaw caught her attention.

He looked at her with a calm expression, having fully washed away the excitement from earlier.

“I’ve found something out.”

Seeing his composed demeanor, Rohana, strangely reassured, approached with a slightly brighter expression.

She sat beside him on the bed, closer than she had anticipated, and handed him the letter she had been reading. Their thighs lightly touched, but Rohana didn’t seem to notice.

Kaiden quickly scanned the letter and spoke.

“So, who is this ‘Emily’ person?”

“This address—isn’t it near here?”

“Right nearby.”

Rohana hesitated for a moment, but, deciding there was no point in beating around the bush, she began to speak.

“It seems there’s another reason why Jody started the fire.”

Kaiden looked at her, as if to ask what she meant. Only then did Rohana seem to notice the close proximity and shifted slightly away.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t buttoned his freshly changed shirt, revealing more of his neck and collarbone than usual.

“Isn’t it strange that Jody, knowing your powers, deliberately set the fire?”

They had already discussed this before. Rohana continued.

“I asked her if she had started the fire just to summon you.”

Kaiden’s gaze sharpened instinctively.

“What did she say?”

Rohana shook her head.

“That’s when Empress Aurelia arrived, and Jody clammed up. Isn’t that suspicious?”

Her voice, already full of hostility toward Aurelia, made Kaiden glance at her, concerned. She had a point.

“Maybe she just didn’t have anything to say?”

“It didn’t seem like that.”

Rohana spoke with conviction.

“I wondered if she might be being blackmailed, unable to reveal anything about whoever was behind it or involved, so I did some digging.”

“You think this person is a clue?”

Rohana nodded.

“She’s a child who receives all her living and educational expenses from Jody’s sponsored orphanage. She’s a bit younger than Jody, but… well.”

Kaiden let out a low hum.

“Let’s confirm it.”

Rohana’s face brightened slightly.

When was the last time he had seen her smile like this, even if it was just a faint one? He could only recall her formal smiles, never one of relief.

His heart softened.

“Thank you.”

Kaiden nodded as he got up from the bed.

“Then, I’ll be off now.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Rohana, adjusting the hem of her dress, stood up. Her familiar movements caused his heart, which had just calmed, to swell again.

“And I’ll handle this.”

“You stay here.”

“Let me go. It’s a girl, so she might be less startled if I go. She might even be more open about Jody.”

“No.”

“Kaiden.”

“Rohana.”

“I’ll be learning magic, and we agreed to work together from now on, didn’t we? I can handle something like this.”

It seemed like she was about to get angry if he denied her any further.

Faced with her stubbornness, Kaiden ran a hand over his forehead and then lowered it.

“If you’re with me, there’s no need to worry about any danger, but…”

It wasn’t the physical danger he was concerned about. With a heavy heart, Kaiden sighed.

In reality, wherever she went or whatever she did, it was her freedom. There was no longer any excuse to tell her no, especially when she was asking so politely.

“I’ll let Heath know, so get accustomed to the horse you’ll be riding.”

Even though his words were a bit curt, she smiled slightly more than before and turned to lead the way.

For a brief moment, Kaiden imagined how wonderful it would be if she laughed heartily.

“Okay, take your time,” she said.

***

Heath leaned against a horse, listening to unexpected news. Rohana was stroking Alby, a strong young horse carefully chosen by Kaiden.

Dressed in riding clothes and a khaki cape, she was tying her glossy, waist-length hair into a high ponytail.

“So, you’re heading out for a bit with the lady?”

Heath’s voice held a tone of unease that only his friend Kaiden could detect.

“We’ll be back before sunset,” Kaiden said casually.

“I’ll go,” Heath said, putting on his black leather gloves.

“No, I’ll go. That place was especially fond of Axebone. It’s on the outskirts of Nopthal.”

Heath’s words made Kaiden’s hand pause.

“If you don’t reveal your identity, they won’t recognize you.”

“Really? You think so?”

Kaiden said nothing but gave a look of agreement as he mounted his horse. Meanwhile, Rohana, who had already become quite friendly with Alby, approached him on her own horse.

“Well, we’ll be off now,” Rohana said, getting on her horse without hesitation.

“Be careful,” Heath said, checking Alby’s eyes before looking up at Rohana.

“Yes.”

She flashed a barely noticeable smile, took the lead, and galloped ahead, with Kaiden following close behind.

White snow blanketed the vast plains, creating a breathtaking view.

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories