After Aneta became a minister, the annual event of moving many documents to her residence began. Each time, Isabel would gather the household staff and inform them to only approach the study or bedroom with instructions from their mistress.

This time was no different. There was no need to give any other orders, as this was not the first time they had experienced it.

The staff spared no effort in ensuring Aneta’s convenience in their respective roles. Thanks to their consideration, Aneta could focus on her assigned tasks without any significant interruptions.

It was several days later that she finally completed the paperwork.

After signing the final document, Aneta immediately headed to her bedroom. No one dared to block her path as she dragged herself into an utterly exhausted state.

Even though she was on the verge of collapsing, she didn’t fall asleep immediately upon lying down.

It’s said that extreme fatigue can prevent proper sleep, and Aneta experienced this firsthand as she tossed and turned for a long time before finally falling asleep.

Aneta woke up after some time had passed.

‘I don’t even know how I made it to my bedroom,’

With her eyes still closed, Aneta lay there in thought. Reflecting on the past few days, she realized they had been like a hell of work.

‘Maybe that’s where sinful officials go after they die,’ she mused, thinking nonsensical thoughts as she turned onto her side.

Even the slightest movement made her body feel heavy. It felt as if her entire body was weighed down, and her eyelids were sealed shut, unwilling to open.

‘What time is it now?’

Due to her irregular schedule, she seemed to have lost all sense of time, having only a vague idea. The only thing she knew for sure was the date.

If Isabel hadn’t informed her of the time each time she brought meals, she wouldn’t have even known that.

‘Now that the urgent work is done, I can afford to relax.’
There was no need to force her to move. Burying her face in paperwork could wait for a while. Aneta lay back, repeatedly woke, and slept at ease.

After repeating this a few times, she gradually regained her mental clarity. Finally deciding it was time to get up, she struggled to lift her body.

When she opened her eyes, a sharp pain shot through her stiff eyes. Blinking several times to clear her vision, she finally managed to see clearly.

The first thing Aneta did was check the time.

‘…4 o’clock.’

She couldn’t tell if it was morning or afternoon, as she had drawn the curtains to block the intrusive light.

Aneta swung her legs over the side of the bed. Dragging her heavy body, she headed to the window.

Reaching out, she pulled the curtains aside, revealing the view outside.

Wanting to catch some fresh air, Aneta opened the window and stepped out onto the balcony.

As soon as she took a step outside, the wind swept over her. The cool autumn breeze carried a crisp, earthy scent, signaling that the season had deepened further.

Aneta tilted her head up to gaze at the sky.

‘How long has it been since I’ve properly seen the sky?’

She wished she had gotten up a bit earlier. The sky she now looked upon was different from the clear, vibrant one she had last seen when leaving work.

The sky was dry and subdued in color. Watching the swiftly moving clouds gave her a somewhat desolate feeling.

The surroundings were unusually quiet. Though it was likely due to the staff’s consideration, it felt different this time. It was a strangely alien atmosphere that she couldn’t quite describe.

However, Aneta soon let go of the intangible emotions and turned her attention elsewhere.

‘It’s been a little over two weeks, so Vernon should be returning soon.’

Thinking of Vernon led her to think of Chris. She remembered Chris trying to act fine, blushing and stammering. Thinking of her genuine reactions brought a natural smile to Aneta’s lips.

To Aneta, Chris was like a younger sister. Though already twenty-one, she seemed so young and delicate that Aneta always felt the need to look after her a bit more.

That was why she often referred to Chris as a “child,” despite her age. Aneta had long buried the memories of being in a similar situation herself, as she had no desire to dwell on those recollections.

‘I wonder how Chris is doing,’ Aneta thought.

Rubbing her chilled arms against the cold breeze. She decided that she would send someone to check on Chris’s well-being the next day.

But before she could do that, someone claiming to have been sent by Chris arrived. Upon hearing the news, Aneta came down herself and saw a familiar face she had encountered a few times before.

The woman who had come to the Marquis’s residence was Vernon’s servant, who assisted Chris in place of the servants from Baron Deven’s estate in the territory.

“Your name is… Lily, if I remember correctly?”

Aneta recalled the name she had once heard from Chris. Lily seemed surprised that Aneta knew her name and confirmed it with a startled expression.

“I heard that Chris sent you here. Has something happened to her?”

“Forgive me, Your Ladyship. I’m afraid I don’t know the details. However…”

“However?”

Aneta urged Lily to continue with a look.

“She has been staying in her room for several days, and today she finally asked me to bring you.”

Aneta frowned deeply at the news. What could have happened to make that bright and diligent girl stay inside for days?

If someone had taken advantage of Aneta’s absence to harm Chris, she would not let them off the hook. Her gaze sharpened with determination.

Aneta remained silent for a while. The chill in her blue eyes only softened when she turned to Isabel, who was standing nearby.

“Isabel, I think I’ll go check on Chris. Will you tell the coachman to have a carriage ready?”

“Yes, understood.”

Isabel hurried off to find the coachman, who was likely tending to the horses. Meanwhile, Aneta excused herself to change her clothes.

It didn’t take long for Aneta to reappear.

“Let’s go.”

Dressed in simple outdoor attire, she led Lily out of the mansion.

As the sun set and darkness enveloped the surroundings, a deeper silence than during the day settled around them.

The first thing that caught Aneta’s eye was the crescent moon, partially obscured by the silently drifting clouds. The faint beams of light were barely enough to illuminate the path.

After crossing the dark garden, Aneta and Lily stood at the front gate, waiting for the carriage. As soon as they stopped, a carriage drew up in front of them.

It was a familiar sight, but it wasn’t Aneta’s carriage. There was no need to confirm which family it belonged to.

This was a one-of-a-kind carriage designed by its owner.

Just as Aneta expected, Serce appeared from the carriage. He looked surprised to see Aneta as soon as he opened the door, then glanced at the Marquis’s carriage and asked,

“Aneta, where are you headed? ”

“I was about to go check on Chris. What brings you to the Marquis’ residence?”

“I thought your work would be done by now, and I came to make sure you weren’t sick from overexerting yourself again.”

“Perfect timing. I finished everything early this morning. Is that why you came all the way here? ”

“Well, I was also hoping to take a look at the paintings while I was here.”

The words “I came because I wanted to see your face” lingered on the tip of Serce’s tongue, but he ultimately couldn’t bring himself to say them.

Unaware of Serce’s true feelings, Aneta crossed her arms and looked up at him.

“It’s more for the first reason than the second, isn’t it? ”

“Did I make it that obvious? ”

Serce replied with a feigned nonchalance, hiding his true feelings behind a veil of lies.