Chapter 52

“You can sign here.”

When Ellen arrived in the capital, a person was sent from the guild first thing in the morning. The one who introduced himself as the secretary of the guild master came with a confirmation document agreeing that the request had been completed.

After checking the evidence he presented, Aneta carefully reviewed the contents of the certificate.

“Aneta Adenauer, the client, shall pay a deposit of 20,000,000 Vellon along with all expenses required for the mission, and if the contractor, Ellen the painter, is successfully found, an additional 30,000,000 Vellon will be paid.”

Confirming that the conditions agreed upon were correct, Aneta stamped the document with the seal brought by Isabel.

The special ink that was made to prevent forgery changed its texture as it seeped into the paper, becoming visibly different from the rest of the document.

One copy of the confirmation was then handed over to the secretary through Isabel.

“How do you plan to pay the additional fee?”

“I’ll send someone directly to the guild.”

Aneta, not wanting to risk the possibility of the individual taking all the money, said that sending it through a messenger would be best, to which the secretary readily agreed.

“Alright, I’ll convey that to the guild master then. May I take my leave and return to the guild?”

“Yes, you may go.”

A few knocks were heard as the secretary left and someone entered the room.

“Aneta.”

Contrary to the expectation of a servant, it was Carlos who entered. Seeing the visitor, the secretary briefly made eye contact with Carlos before bowing and exiting the office.

With only one door, those entering and leaving inevitably passed each other, and as a faint breeze brushed by, a subtle pulse was felt in the air for a moment.

“……”

Drawn by the faint sensation, Carlos turned to look back. However, all he saw was the closed door, and his frown lingered on the spot for a while.

“What are you staring at like that? Did you fall in love at first sight?”

It was the usual voice that drew Carlos’ attention back. Aneta asked in a nonchalant tone but watched his expression in case he affirmed.

“No. I can’t take my eyes off you.”

The reply was a clean denial, without a second thought. For Carlos, it was natural, and for Aneta, it was a relief. Hearing his words, Isabel, caught between them, silently stepped back a few paces.

Though Aneta’s tone was too subtle for Carlos to notice, it couldn’t deceive Isabel, who had practically raised her.

It seemed there had been significant progress between the two. Thinking so, Isabel subtly moved out of Carlos’ sight with Aneta and averted her gaze to avoid eavesdropping on their conversation.

It might be an excessive sentiment considering their social differences, but it felt like secretly watching her grown-up daughter’s romance.

“If it wasn’t love, why were you so intently looking at the spot where he left?”

“Not intently. It just felt somewhat familiar.”

“If that’s the case, perhaps you crossed paths in the capital. You wouldn’t be acquainted with the guild master’s secretary.”

Aneta, assuming Carlos had no connection to the guild, tidied up the remaining confirmation document.

Carlos nodded, agreeing that it might have been something he brushed against on his way here.

“But what brings you here today? Today’s not a training day.”

Carlos had been granted free access to the Adenauer estate when Aneta was present, due to the control practice sessions.

Not having been informed of his arrival was likely because of this.

“I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner together. Is that alright?”

Carlos sought permission not only from Aneta but also indirectly from Isabel, who had withdrawn to avoid being a hindrance. His gaze reached her as he waited for Aneta’s response.

“Sure. Let’s do that.”

“Then I’ll inform the chef to prepare the meal.”

With Aneta’s permission, Isabel seized the opportunity to step away from the two and left the office.

Watching Isabel’s retreating, Aneta soon turned her gaze to Carlos, who had come closer.

“Now I can breathe a bit.”

“What do you mean?”

“Since I’ve been seeing you less often due to the reduced practice sessions, I’ve been missing your face like a habit.”

Admitting that his sudden visit was because of that, Carlos curved his lips upwards.

“I’m sorry for the unannounced visit, but I’m glad I came. Just seeing your face has cleared the stuffy feeling I had.”

“Don’t be silly.”

“Silly? I’m always sincere and truthful with you.”

Though it seemed lighthearted, Carlos’s words were never taken lightly, reflecting his unchanged sincerity.

The time that followed was uneventful yet pleasant.

Aneta sat side by side with Carlos, who seemed to have no intention of returning after dinner. They sat together reading books, and at some point, Aneta unknowingly fell asleep, leaning on Carlos’s shoulder.

Carlos carefully picked up the sleeping Aneta and left the office. Passing by, Isabel seemed quite surprised to see the master being carried, but quietly asked,

“Shall I guide you to the bedroom?”

“No. I’ll find it myself.”

Not pressing further, Isabel stepped aside. Recalling the times he had stayed to care for her, Carlos went to Aneta’s bedroom.

Gently laying her on the neatly made bed didn’t take long, but he couldn’t resist the rare opportunity to gaze at her peaceful sleeping face.

She seemed utterly serene as if dreaming sweetly.

“I always wish for you to be immersed in this tranquility. Whether it’s a dream or reality, it will never change.”

Reaching out, Carlos adjusted Aneta’s awkwardly positioned hand. Though her ringless finger caught his eye, he reluctantly withdrew his hand.

It was time to return to the estate.

Leaving Aneta behind, Carlos opened the bedroom door to find Isabel waiting for him. Though she hadn’t guided him earlier, she had stayed in the corridor, waiting until he emerged.

“I’ll escort you to the front of the mansion.”

The bedroom door closed silently. Isabel spoke as if she’d been waiting.

“I’ll gratefully accept.”

Unlike before, Carlos didn’t refuse Isabel’s escort.

She led him along the familiar path. It was partly to show proper etiquette to a guest, but there was a bigger reason.

Carlos couldn’t help but notice.

“You seem to have little faith in me.”

“How could that be?”

As they walked down the painting-lined corridor, Carlos’s probing remark was met with a calm voice that echoed through the quiet space, like the corridor lights.

“Your Grace is the most genuine and upright person among those who have stayed by the Lady’s side. While I can’t speak for others, I believe Your Grace would never do anything to harm her.”

“I sincerely believe that.”

As Isabel continued speaking, Carlos’ eyes fell on the last painting as he followed her steps.

It was a painting he recognized well, as he had been present when Aneta discovered it.

The Dawn – the intermediary between night and morning, symbolizes the certainty that morning will always come, no matter what. Passing by it, Carlos asked,

“You say you trust me… So why were you waiting for me to come out?”

“To maintain that trust.”

Isabel’s sincere words flowed without being swayed by his status. This was a sentiment she had once conveyed to Aneta, but the weight behind it was different now.

“I humbly ask for your understanding; she is more precious to me than my own life.”

The relationship between Aneta and Isabel was not one to be easily intruded upon. Carlos understood this clearly and felt reassured.

They were both people who could protect Aneta in the absence of the other.

“I have no reason not to understand. It puts my mind at ease, knowing we share the same feelings.”

Carlos recalled Aneta, who had remained composed and self-assured, just as she had been before the painter’s arrival. Knowing that Isabel was by her side made him feel even more at ease.

***

Arriving at the ducal residence after taking the carriage as instructed, Carlos headed straight to his bedroom.

The room, still brightly lit as it had been in his absence, remained his own solitary space.

Perhaps because he had just seen Aneta sleeping peacefully, loneliness crept up from the tips of his feet as soon as he entered.

……

Carlos looked around the bedroom.

Though nothing in it was directly related to her, there was nothing that could take her place either.

Suppressing a sigh that seemed ready to escape, he sat weakly on the bed.

He then opened the bedside drawer, revealing a single velvet case inside that reflected a dark sheen under the light.

Inside the case, which was barely the size of his palm, lay a pair of rings. Even among the glossy velvet, they did not lose their presence—his and Aneta’s wedding rings.

When he had purchased them, Carlos had been drawn to the blue diamond, as it reminded him of Aneta’s eyes.

‘Perhaps I was destined to love her even then.’

Tracing a faint smile on his lips, Carlos looked down at his ringless finger.

When would he be able to share and wear this ring with her again?

Truthfully, it didn’t matter how long it took.

Whenever that day may come, he would wait for it, even until his last breath.