While helping Chris with her wedding preparations, Aneta received a letter from an old acquaintance.

The person, upon hearing about Vernon’s wedding, reached out, asking if they could stay at the Adenauer estate during their time in the capital. Since there wasn’t much time left for correspondence, the letter also requested that, if Aneta agreed, she send someone to meet them at the entrance of the capital. Aneta planned to honor this request.

“I heard that person wants to stay at your estate.”

“I was just about to tell you. I think it would be better if I took care of it, so that’s what I’m going to do.”

“Sorry to keep asking for favors like this. I feel bad for making you handle everything.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not because you’re pretty that I’m saying yes. Now, go get some rest before you collapse. If you overwork yourself and ruin the schedule, don’t blame me. You’ve got that honeymoon, no matter what.”

Aneta spoke teasingly to Vernon, who had come to inform her of the letter.

Vernon looked utterly exhausted from handling paperwork and wedding preparations simultaneously, with barely any time to rest.

Aneta could tell that even his visit to her was squeezed into a packed schedule. She hoped he wouldn’t feel burdened about the guest staying at her estate.

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m so tired these days.”

“See? I told you. You’re the one who refused to push the date back.”

It was his own doing. Though she scolded him, she couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him, seeing his rough skin and the dark circles under his eyes.

***
On the date specified in the letter, Aneta quickly wrapped up the remaining documents she had to handle.

She had already informed her staff about the guest staying at the estate, but she didn’t order them to send anyone to meet the guest. Aneta planned to meet them herself.

Since there was a chance they might miss each other if she was late, Aneta constantly checked her watch while busily working through her tasks.

Not long after, Aneta signed the last document.

“Aneta, I heard you didn’t meet with Chris today. If you’re free, how about we go on a date for the first time in a while?”

Carlos spoke as soon as she set down her quill.

He had finished his tasks early and been watching her closely, clearly waiting for this moment, but Aneta’s answer had already been decided.

“Sorry, Carlos. I have somewhere I need to be, so we can’t today.”

She paused in her tidying, giving him an apologetic look.

“Somewhere to be?”

“I need to go pick up a guest staying at the estate.”

“You? Personally? Who could it be that’s so important?”

Carlos tried to think of any of her acquaintances. Since Aneta wasn’t particularly close with anyone, all the people he could think of were already in the capital.

“There is someone. A fine gentleman.”

“Finer than me?”

Carlos’s eyes lit up with jealousy when she mentioned the guest and implied her interest in him staying at the estate.

“Maybe not now, but someday, he might be even more charming than you.”

Glancing at Carlos’s expression, Aneta purposely said something she didn’t mean.
Unsurprisingly, Carlos took the bait.

“You’ve made me very curious. Would it be alright if I came with you to meet him?”

His expression clearly showed his determination to see this person for himself. Aneta thought it over for a moment.

‘Well, they know each other, so I suppose it’s fine.’

Though they hadn’t met often, she figured it wouldn’t be a problem. Nodding in agreement, she let him come along.

Relieving that she hadn’t turned him down, Carlos stood up. He hadn’t been joking about going with her.

“Are you going to tell me who’s coming?”

“Curious, are you?”

Aneta responded to his question with another question as he followed her out.

“Of course I’m curious. You’ve never spoken about anyone like this, so I’m jealous.”

Aneta had never spoken in such a way even about Carlos, so he felt his jealousy was justified.

“He’s someone I care about just as much as I do for Chris. You’ll have to see for yourself who it is.”

Aneta’s enigmatic smile made Carlos suspect the guest might be someone he knew. His guess was correct, but he still couldn’t figure out who it might be.

Carlos couldn’t deduce the guest’s identity even during the carriage ride.

“What time is the carriage supposed to arrive?”

“According to the schedule, in about 15 minutes.”

Checking her pocket watch, Aneta saw that the time was 11:30.

She led the way to where the carriage would stop, and Carlos stood beside her.

They spotted the carriage in the distance a few minutes past the expected time.

Thanks to his keen eyesight, Carlos saw it before Aneta did, raising his hand to point to the approaching vehicle.

“There, it’s coming.”

Aneta turned her gaze in the direction he pointed. She squinted, seeing nothing at first until, finally, a speck appeared on the horizon. She realized it was the carriage Carlos had spotted.

“You really have sharp eyes.”

She knew his vision was better than most, but she couldn’t help being impressed every time it was proven.

The chestnut-colored carriage smoothly came to a stop in front of them. The entire carriage had been hired for just one person, as there was only a small amount of luggage atop it.

Carlos carefully inspected the items as the coachman unloaded them. Judging by the size of the bags, the guest wasn’t planning to stay long.

Now, all that remained was to see who had come to visit Aneta.

Carlos stared intently at the carriage door, and just as the coachman finished unloading the luggage, he announced his arrival.

“Sir, we’ve arrived in the capital.”

As if waiting for that cue, the carriage door opened.

Carlos was still fixated on the door and watched as it slowly swung open, revealing a small child.

The unexpected sight left Carlos slightly slack-jawed.

Even to his surprise, his eyes quickly scanned the child’s appearance. Just as the face began to feel familiar, the name of an old friend crossed his mind.

“Rodion Kainer?”

Carlos muttered the name of the child he had only seen a few times when they were young.

As he recognized his friend’s younger sibling, Aneta spoke up.

“This way, Rodion.”

The boy, whom Aneta called Rodion, was a prodigy accepted into the prestigious Alberic Academy, known for admitting only the brightest students at just seven years old.

Standing beside his luggage, Rodion looked around, trying to spot someone who might have come to greet him. Upon hearing the familiar voice, he turned his head.

“Sister?”

His surprised expression quickly shifted into a bright smile. Without even bothering to grab his bag, the boy hurried forward, his face glowing as he looked up at Aneta.

“Did you come to pick me up yourself?”

“Yes. I couldn’t see you off when you left for school, so I had to be here at least to greet you.”

“Then, can I really stay at the Adenauer estate?”

“Of course. Stay as long as you like without any worry.”

“Thank you!”

Rodion beamed innocently at Aneta’s permission.

Watching this exchange, Carlos recalled what Aneta had said earlier. She hadn’t been able to see Rodion off when he left for the Alberic Academy because she had gone on a trip shortly after her divorce. Feeling partly responsible for that, Carlos decided not to interfere with their reunion and picked up the bag Rodion had left behind instead. He also hoped to earn points with the child, whom Aneta cared for.

“But who is that gentleman?”

Rodion, noticing Carlos bringing over his forgotten luggage, hesitated. The boy’s cheerful face suddenly stiffened the moment he locked eyes with Carlos.

“Oh, introduce yourself, Rodion. You remember Carlos, don’t you?”

“Of course, I remember.”

But only for a moment. With Aneta watching, Rodion quickly composed himself and offered a formal greeting.

“Glory to the Empire. I am Rodion Kainer of the Kainer family.”

Rodion’s greeting was impeccable, as expected of someone known for his brilliance. His behavior in front of someone at the pinnacle of the noble hierarchy was no less composed than that of established aristocrats.

As the boy bowed slightly, Carlos, observing closely, returned the greeting. He could sense that the boy’s gaze held no warmth toward him.

“So, why are you two together?”

Sure enough, the boy boldly looked between them as he asked his question.

Aneta pondered momentarily as she looked at Rodion, waiting for an answer. Explaining that they had been spending little time together felt unnecessary.

“We’ve decided to get back together.”

In the end, Aneta chose to give a simplified explanation. However, by making it clear that they had reunited, Rodion’s face instantly reflected his dissatisfaction.

“Is that really true?”

“It’s true.”

The displeasure on his face was obvious. Rodion made no effort to hide his discontent as he stared at Carlos. It was clear he didn’t like him.

‘Was Rodion always like this?’

It was the first time Aneta had seen the boy express such negative emotions so openly. His unfiltered feelings were communicated to the other party.

‘He always seemed so mature, but I guess he’s still just a kid.’

Still, just because he was young didn’t mean Aneta could ignore the situation. The issue wasn’t with Carlos. He wouldn’t harbor any ill feelings toward a child in a situation like this.

The real issue was elsewhere. Regardless of Carlos’ feelings, Aneta knew that Rodion was being rude.

Just as Aneta was about to say something, she noticed Carlos shaking his head slightly.

“…”

His gesture seemed to say, “Let it go,” so Aneta closed her mouth. Carlos, meanwhile, looked at Rodion with an amused smile, as if he had just witnessed some endearing childish behavior.

“Aneta, instead of standing out here, why don’t we head back to the Marquis’ estate and talk there? The young lord must be tired from his journey to the capital.”
Carlos was careful not to call Rodion by his name just yet. Given that the boy already disliked him, he didn’t want to risk making things worse by addressing him without permission.

“No, I’m sorry, Your Grace, but I’d rather spend time alone with my sister.”

Despite Carlos’ efforts to be considerate, Rodion still refused to warm up to him.