She could easily tell from occasionally hearing sounds about being able to eat the Yut family’s specialty dish.

The family specialty was nothing more than throwing dried bread into stew and boiling it, so she didn’t understand why it was so popular.

‘It doesn’t even taste that good.’

When she made an ambiguous expression at the incomprehensible situation, the Viscountess took Thea and tried to head toward the banquet hall where lunch would be held.

“Lady Winter must be getting hungry too, right?”

“Mm, I suppose so.”

Actually she wasn’t hungry at all, but the atmosphere seemed to demand she say so. Everyone was about to head to the banquet hall.

That’s when it happened, moving with slow steps toward the banquet hall with the Viscountess. The Viscountess noticed not many people were around and cautiously opened her mouth.

“Lady Winter.”

“What is it?”

Thea answered while raising her hands to press firmly on her dried-out eyes.

“When are you planning to return to the Winter household?”

“I haven’t thought about it yet. Why… do you ask?”

“No, just… I was curious.”

Thea looked closely at the Viscountess who answered while trailing off, and though a strange feeling came over her, she deliberately pretended not to notice.

“That’s understandable. I came here suddenly.”

“Right, that’s exactly why.”

The Viscountess answered vaguely and changed the subject.

“Oh right. Come to think of it, Lady Winter. I heard a certain story—would you like to hear it?”

“What kind of story?”

She replied like she wasn’t curious while perking up her ears. Since the Viscountess wasn’t someone who gossiped about others, her interesting stories or worthwhile content were always truly worth hearing.

“It’s a rumor from the Winter household.”

“Yes.”

“I heard Count Winter is collecting mysterious ancient texts. The current Count doesn’t have a hobby of collecting books, does he?”

“Probably not.”

When she was at the household, she’d never once seen him collecting books. At Thea’s answer, the Viscountess’s face finally brightened as she began pulling out an interesting story.

“I thought so, right? I knew it. Goodness. The other day, word went around that Count Winter was seen in the central district where the Temple of the Sun is! He’s someone who doesn’t usually come to the central district.”

“That’s right. He’s famous for wandering regions other than the central district.”

“But that person visited the central district—the Temple of the Sun no less—and was embracing wandering gypsies on his left and right!”

The Viscountess, who kept insisting he absolutely wasn’t that kind of man, panted for breath. Speaking so quickly must have left her short of breath.

Staring at that sight, Thea rubbed her back asking if she was alright.

After rubbing for a while and stopping, they’d already crossed over to the banquet hall.

“Viscountess, please go in first.”

“What about you, Lady Winter?”

“I’m going to visit the powder room briefly. My hair seems disheveled.”

“Really? Then I’ll go in first and save us seats.”

“That would be appreciated.”

Thea gave a light greeting and turned toward the powder room. Along the way, several young ladies greeted her, and from their direction, they seemed to have come from the powder room.

She’d heard they’d newly built it not far away, but she didn’t expect it to be this close.

‘This powder room was probably built by selling me too.’

Thea bit down hard at the absurd reality and moved faster. Arriving at the powder room without difficulty, there was already someone there.

“Oh my, Thea. Did you come to fix your hair?”

It was the Countess who’d spotted Thea reflected in the mirror. The lady seemed to be redoing her makeup. Quite a few maids were attached behind her.

“I guess you didn’t like the hair from this morning.”

“Who knew the weather would be this hot? The fresh flowers pinned in my hair all wilted, so I’m removing them. What brings you to the powder room?”

“I felt dizzy for a moment, so I thought I’d rest here before going.”

At the mention of not feeling well, the Countess glanced at Thea with a very worried-looking face.

“Should I have the nanny bring medicine for dizziness?”

“No, I’m fine. It’s not serious enough for medicine.”

“Then that’s fortunate. Tell me anytime you’re uncomfortable.”

Since she said she was fine, the Countess quickly lost interest and began focusing on her reflection in the mirror. Just when Thea thought she was still serious about maintaining her appearance even with age—

“Oh right, Thea.”

“Yes?”

“When are you returning to the Winter household?”

“Why do you ask that?”

Today she’d heard far too much about the Winter household. Throughout her movements, it felt like the household was attached behind her, following like a shadow.

When Thea’s vision grew dizzy at the traces of the household that wouldn’t separate even though she’d come this far—

The Countess replied casually, “I need to know how long you’re staying to coordinate my schedule, don’t I?”

“What does my stay have to do with Mother’s schedule?”

“Why wouldn’t it matter?”

The Countess furrowed her brow sharply like she’d heard an unfunny joke.

“Still, when my daughter has returned, I can’t go gallivanting around. There are others’ eyes to consider.”

In the end, to the Countess who was conscious of others’ eyes, Thea thought “as expected.” Playing the mother role for her sake didn’t suit her at all.

* * *

Quite some time after a shallow emotional rift formed with the Countess.

Having safely finished lunch, Thea grabbed a parasol and stood before the lakeside.

Before her eyes, many recreational boats were already operating, and her mother the Countess and the Viscountess had already circled the lake once.

They must have found it quite fun, making a fuss asking to row again. Just when a hollow laugh formed slightly at her lips at their childlike appearance—

The Count family’s butler cautiously approached and bowed to Thea before straightening.

“What is it?”

“The Winter household’s butler asked if Miss is doing well.”

“Winter again.”

“Pardon?”

To the butler whose eyes widened, not understanding, she shook her head like it was nothing.

“No… I’ve only been at this household for one day, so I wonder what they’re so curious about.”

Anyone would think she’d spent a year at the Yut household.

“Mother, the Viscountess, and even the Winter household’s butler—everyone seems tense, not knowing where I’ll jump.”

“Miss, surely you wouldn’t do such a thing.”

The butler added his opinion telling her not to overthink it, but Thea’s expression remained stiff. Like she wouldn’t listen to other opinions or truths.

“Butler. You don’t hope I’ll return soon too, do you?”

“No, absolutely not. This is Miss’s family home—how could I dare tell you to leave?”

“Then that’s fortunate.”

She then gave a light gesture to the butler, who was still standing there. The dismissal was clear: she’d said everything she needed to, so he should leave.

The butler, easily understanding Thea’s intention, turned and left the lakeside.

Not long after being left alone, Thea looked at her mother and the Viscountess still enjoying boating merrily.

How could they play with such bright faces?

‘It feels like I’m the one who aged, not them.’

With a slightly fed-up expression, holding the parasol over her head with one hand and walking leisurely around, she saw a familiar person.

‘That person is…’

Definitely a noble friendly with Acel. He occasionally stopped by the Winter mansion, so they were acquainted. She wondered what he was doing at this trivial ladies’ gathering.

He was surely still unmarried.

Thea approached the man staring at distant mountains, full of curiosity.

“Hello, Lord Philip.”

The man called Philip looked at Thea with wide eyes, seemingly a bit surprised.

“Isn’t this Lady Winter? What brings you here?”

“It’s a boating party held by the Yut family, so wouldn’t it make sense for me to be here?”

“Ah, your family before marriage was Yut. I only saw you at Winter, so I must have forgotten for a moment.”

Seemingly embarrassed, he drew a small smile at his lips while repeatedly clearing his throat. At that sight, Thea replied calmly.

“That’s right. We only met at Winter.”

“Indeed.”

To Philip who still couldn’t meet her eyes, seemingly embarrassed, she kindly added an excuse.

“Come to think of it… What brings Lord Philip to participate in this boring activity? You didn’t seem interested in calm entertainment.”

At those words, Philip shrugged lightly and gestured toward one side. There stood Lord Philip’s sister, still adorned with splendid accessories. 

His frequent visits to the Winter household were also due to his sister’s extravagance. She could tell he’d come this time too because he couldn’t resist his sister’s nagging.

“You have it rough, Lord Philip.”

“Indeed. My hardship is no small matter. I wish she’d hurry up and get married.”

Thea laughed softly at Philip’s distaste.

“Still, when else would she enjoy herself like that if not now? Getting married is like being buried at a gravesite.”

“Lady Winter says the same thing as my mother.”

“Oh, she did? I’m a married woman too, so I suppose the same answer comes out. Married life isn’t easy at all.”

Thea curved her eyes into crescents and made a picture-perfect smile.

At that scene, Philip looked around then asked cautiously.

“By the way, where is the Count? I definitely heard he was in this region.”

To Philip looking for Acel, Thea’s pupils shook slightly.

“The Count… Well, I’m not sure.”

When he asked about his whereabouts, she subtly indicated he wasn’t here.

Philip, who understood without needing her to continue, showed regret on his face. He seemed not to have thought he wouldn’t be nearby.

“I’ve been very rude, my lady.”

“Not at all. It’s understandable.”

“Then you probably don’t know the Count is planning to enjoy hunting soon either.”

“Hunting?”

To her who asked back like it was news to her, Philip looked around then cautiously lowered his voice.

“Yes, there was talk of very distinguished people gathering in large numbers. It will surely become a new source of funds for the Winter household.”

“…I see. Why wouldn’t he have mentioned something so important? It couldn’t have happened overnight.”

If distinguished people were gathering in large numbers, it must be a story from at least one or two months ago.

During that time, Acel hadn’t informed her of his schedule even once.

They’d met several times, so he could have mentioned it, but the fact that he didn’t made a bitter laugh want to flow from her lips.

Seeing that scene, Philip hurriedly began adding excuses.