“You must be worried the debtor will run away. Otherwise, you wouldn’t keep telling me to go.”

At Thea’s cold words, the Countess snorted like she wasn’t impressed.

“How long are you going to keep saying ‘debtor, debtor’? I thought we made up?”

“Maybe Mother can forgive so easily, but I can’t.”

Thea, who’d spoken decisively, rose smoothly from her seat, lightly straightened her wrinkled dress hem with her fingertips, and slowly looked them both over.

“This evening, I’ll prepare to return to Winter as you want. I’ll disappear just like you want.”

“This evening?”

“Why? You’re the one who urged me to leave quickly, Mother.”

She couldn’t understand why she was speaking like she felt regretful now. She was someone who’d fly around lightly once Thea left.

Who here wouldn’t know these stale inner thoughts? Even the nanny was looking at her mother with a disgusted expression from the side.

“I’m just feeling sad.”

“Who is? You, Mother?”

Wearing a sneer like even a passing dog would laugh, Thea turned her body to leave the garden when a cheerful voice tickled her ears.

“Still, I’m glad you’ve decided to return. Count Winter is back at the estate working hard right now, isn’t he? There were rumors he was having a hard time handling work alone. You can go back quickly to nurse your father-in-law and live harmoniously with your husband.”

She looked at the Countess clapping her hands, saying there was nothing better than this, in disbelief. Was this something to say to a child who came to get divorced?

She didn’t seem to have even a speck of thought about them separating in her head.

How could her intentions be so transparent?

‘Or does she think there’s still a lot left that’s useful?’

Either way, it was truly unpleasant, and unable to hide her distasteful expression, the nanny shook her head.

“Miss. When you return to House Winter, could you do me a favor?”

“A favor?”

Wondering why she suddenly wanted a favor, Thea tilted her head, and the nanny showed her the back of her hand, slightly torn like she’d been injured.

“The wound isn’t healing well, so could you send me some of that special medicine from House Winter?”

“That much isn’t difficult.”

House Winter had one more special feature—they made ointments and medicines so well that people scrambled to obtain them.

For Thea, the lady of that house, obtaining medicine was very easy. With the thought that she’d send it as soon as she returned, she left the garden and came back to her bedroom.

Then she gave her attention to the maid standing upright.

“Hey, I’m going to Winter, so pack my things.”

“Right now?”

“Yeah, I’m planning to take the evening carriage, so you’ll need to be diligent.”

“Understood. Then… what will you do while I’m packing?”

She seemed to be asking what Thea would do until evening, since she wasn’t needed for packing. At the question, Thea’s eyes wavered slightly before she quietly opened her mouth.

“I’ll go to the library and read a book or something.”

“Then when I’m finished preparing, I’ll come get you at the library.”

“Do that.”

Since it wasn’t a bad suggestion, Thea agreed and before leaving the bedroom, brought up a person who’d come to mind.

“Oh right. Did Margaret leave safely?”

She’d been bothered that she couldn’t see Margaret off when she left recently. Acel had really stolen Thea’s attention.

With various thoughts flooding in, she hadn’t properly confirmed Margaret’s departure. This maid would surely know the news.

She could soon tell that was the right answer. The maid smacked her lips and gave the answer Thea wanted to hear.

“Of course, she left safely. The chef even prepared as many as ten foods for her to eat on the way.”

“Then that’s good. Margaret’s a big eater, so she must have liked it.”

“Yes, she was grinning when she received the food basket.”

Relieved at the fortunate situation, she gently patted her chest and began moving.

* * *

When Acel received news that Thea was returning to the estate, his fingertips that had been writing furiously had stopped long ago, and he wondered why she had to come now of all times.

“Why now of all times?”

Why was she coming when the estate had become chaotic?

“Butler.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Has His Highness the Crown Prince still not left?”

“He said he would stay a few more days.”

At his words, making it clear he had no intention of leaving quietly, Acel’s expression grew even darker. Though he was the one who had told her to return, he didn’t want her to come back now.  

To be more precise, he wished she wouldn’t come back because of the women the Crown Prince had brought along. 

The Crown Prince was someone who had a strong fondness for women, but for the sake of appearances, all the scandals involving women had been shifted onto Acel instead.  

Their relationship was already strained, and the atmosphere between them was tense. If a scandal involving women were to arise on top of that, things would only get worse.

‘That would be the worst.’

Acel pressed his forehead against his clasped knuckles at Thea’s razor-sharp anger that was already vivid before his eyes. He knew no excuse would work.

“Butler… Did I really live my life so wrongly?”

“What do you mean by that all of a sudden?”

The butler, who’d been organizing documents beside him, stopped his quickly moving hands and stared at Acel intently.

To figure out his intentions.

But he could soon tell that was also an unnecessary action.

“Are you worried the lady will misunderstand?”

“Probably.”

“She’ll more than misunderstand. His Highness the Crown Prince’s outward appearance is nothing if not proper.”

“Right. The scoundrel is me.”

At the reality that became more miserable the more he spoke, Acel decided to stop work around here and prepare to welcome Thea back.

He needed to prepare at least something if he wanted to be hated even a little less.

“Butler, what was my wife’s favorite food?”

“Well. Wouldn’t you get an answer if you asked the chef?”

“Is that so, then… do you know what she did in the evenings?”

“That too, well… Ah, she seemed to like looking at the sky from her bedroom before sleeping.”

“She liked looking at stars.”

“It seemed so.”

At the butler’s answer, Acel thought she had a hobby just like his. Elegant, quiet, always ready to disappear—wasn’t that just like Thea?

To Acel, she was like a star. She was beautiful and revealed herself subtly.

There was a reason she was called the Empire’s star.

He’d fallen for that appearance and couldn’t escape until now.

Though she seemed completely unaware of that fact.

Acel threw down the tattered quill pen carelessly and stood up.

“Butler, I’m counting on you. I want you to decorate everything with things my wife likes.”

“Are you going somewhere, master?”

“…I remembered a cake my wife liked, so I’m going to buy it quickly.”

“Ah, you mean the cake from the bakery at the crossroads?”

“Yeah.”

Though Thea particularly didn’t like bread and cakes, she really liked that shop’s cakes. He remembered how she’d taste them with a faint smile whenever they appeared as snacks.

He hoped he could see that smile again.

“I’ll be back. Even if I’m not here, you need to prepare so my wife won’t be uncomfortable when she returns.”

“Don’t worry.”

With that farewell, Acel rushed out of the office and came to the lobby. There stood the Crown Prince with his shiny face.

He looked slightly disheveled, like he’d been playing with a woman somewhere again. Utterly shameless in broad daylight.

In a situation that only made him sigh, Acel furrowed his brow sharply and looked at the Crown Prince.

Soon their eyes met, and the Crown Prince nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders, approached, and put his arm around Acel’s shoulders.

“Count Winter.”

“Where are you coming from?”

“Why ask when you know? As you can see, I went out for a bit.”

“Out? You went in this situation?”

At the disappointed tone, the Crown Prince raised the corner of his mouth slightly at an angle, like he’d heard something interesting.

“It happens all the time—do you still have things to be disappointed about? Ah, right. You have a beautiful wife, so you don’t understand my feelings.”

The Crown Prince, giggling basely, spoke with a hazy gaze like he was picturing Thea.

“If I buried my face in that deer-like, straight neckline, the beast below would surely writhe like it’s enraged. How about appearing at my orgy party later? You’ll definitely have a very fun night.”

At the suggestion, Acel’s eyes turned red. He glared like he’d tear apart the Crown Prince in front of him right now.

He was definitely provoked by the mention of an orgy party.

At the suffocating obsession shown by the cold-blooded man who would normally never react, the Crown Prince slightly moistened his dry lips with saliva.

This was dangerous. He stepped back two steps at the atmosphere that seemed like Acel would draw his sword and hack him to pieces at any moment.

“Hey, Count…”

“Watch your words, Your Highness. The moment you babble about my wife, I don’t know what will happen. As you know, when my wife is involved, I become a dog in heat, don’t I?”

After raising both hands to soothe him as he recited ominously, the Crown Prince tried changing the subject.

“Right, I was wrong. I spoke of your noble lady. That aside, I have something to ask you—could you spare me some time?”

“I’m not sure. I have a lot to do…”

His tone was vague, perhaps because his mood had been touched moments ago. The Crown Prince hurriedly added:

“It’s not a big deal. I won’t take much time like you’re worried about.”

At the Crown Prince’s suggestion, he glanced at the grandfather clock placed in one corner of the lobby. If it was brief, it might be okay.

“Fine. Speak.”

“Good, that’s the spirit.”

The Crown Prince patted Acel’s shoulder a couple times, then began leading him to the center of the lobby. His intention was that he didn’t want others to hear.

“Last time, did you discover what the source of the curse was?”

“Yes.”

“What was it?”

“It was a very old ancient curse, but it wasn’t something Your Highness the Crown Prince needed to worry about.”

“The curse isn’t coming to me, it seems.”

“That’s right.”

“If the curse isn’t coming to me, it will go to the one who cast it.”

“It seems it will be as you think.”

At Acel’s answer, the Crown Prince was quiet like he was lost in thought for a moment, but soon smiled brightly and patted his shoulder again.

“It’s not even a dangerous situation, so I feel bad for keeping you busy.”

The Crown Prince, who’d grasped everything with one short statement, tried to disappear with a good-natured face and words to work a bit harder.

At that sight, Acel hurriedly caught the Crown Prince’s foot.

“Where are you going again?”

At the question, the Crown Prince turned his face slightly and replied:

“There’s a special wine that only comes from House Winter, right? The chef said he’d give it to me if I came. I’m going to taste that wine. If not this opportunity, when else would I taste it?”

“If that’s the reason, feel free to go. I’ll give you as much as you want. Just don’t make any mistakes.”

“Don’t worry. I absolutely won’t make mistakes.”

The Crown Prince, who’d guaranteed it several times, began moving. Soon, when he hadn’t even taken ten steps, he looked back.

He thought Count Winter was indeed a friend who communicated well.

‘And a good horse to use too.’

Life was peaceful having an obedient subordinate.

Wouldn’t he readily approve things that would never be allowed if he were at the imperial palace?

Because he had caused so many incidents while drinking, a prohibition had been imposed on him.  

Regardless, with a satisfied smile from finally enjoying wine after such a long time, he moved toward the kitchen once again.