After finishing her private meeting with the priest, Aveline had a real tea time.

The cold teapot and untouched finger foods were quickly cleared away, and the freshly brewed black tea soon filled the room with its delicate fragrance. The newly prepared finger foods were the same as those served during her brief tea time with the priest.

Aveline took a bite of a tart topped with caviar and recalled the stern-faced priest.

One of her little indulgences was serving tea in luxurious china along with finger foods to priests and watching them struggle uncomfortably.

Though her main intention was to tease them, the act also provided the useful side effect of assessing their nature.

Those who enjoyed tea naturally were people of the High Priest.

On the other hand, those who found it distressing were devout priests. And most of them despised Aveline.

Just like the young priest who had been sitting stiffly across from her moments ago.

“How easy to read,” she murmured.

Aveline picked up a cookie at a leisurely pace and pressed her fingertips against it while holding it over the plate.

A sharp pain shot through her wrist. Perhaps she had injured her hand when striking Clonay with all her strength. Ever since that day, it would throb occasionally.

But as if completely unfazed by the pain, she only pressed harder.

Finally, with a quiet snap, the cookie crumbled into pieces. The small sound rang coldly through the space.

She brought a fragment to her lips. The crisp crunch of the cookie was the only noise breaking the silence in the room.

“…….”

Even so, Aveline’s gaze remained fixed on the window.

Her eyes were set on the upper floors of the duchy’s main building—the location of Kazerre’s office.

From her room, she had a direct view of his office. That was precisely why she had chosen this room over the larger main residence.

Because he was a man who refused to show his face to her.

Not long ago, he had stormed off after furiously telling her not to show herself to him for a while.

Did that heartless man have any idea how miserable she had felt after being left behind that day?

‘He probably doesn’t.’

Or perhaps he knew and was pretending not to.

She couldn’t decide which possibility was more wretched.

“……Kazerre.”

Aveline murmured his name, one she could never quite reach.

What tormented her most was not Kazerre’s fiery anger but the fact that she couldn’t even see him anymore.

In that sense, he had given her the harshest punishment he could.

‘Not that you’d realize it.’

That was precisely why she had withdrawn into seclusion, uncharacteristically gripped by fear.

The gossip of others meant nothing to her.

She was only afraid that, at this rate, he might truly never look at her again.

That mere thought paralyzed her, as if her hands and feet had been bound.

Yet even though Aveline had noticeably quieted down, Kazerre never came looking for her.

One day, two days, three, a week… As time passed, she withered away, but he didn’t even cast a shadow near her.

If it was because he couldn’t forgive her, she could accept that. But if he had simply forgotten about her punishment altogether…

‘If I waste away like a neglected dog, starving for even a glance from you… would you finally come then?’

The self-destructive question clawed at her mind.

Then another thought surfaced—if he would appear in an instant just to shield that woman with his own hands.

She couldn’t bear it any longer.

Biting her nails anxiously, Aveline suddenly shot to her feet.

‘That woman… I have to do something…’

Aveline had no doubt in her mind—Clonay Huster was the root of all her troubles.

If she didn’t remove her, she would once again have to witness Kazerre protecting Clonay before her very eyes.

Like a prince in a fairy tale rescuing his princess, Kazerre Evuteren would stand against her to save that woman.

A primal fear gnawed at her insides. Aveline didn’t bother questioning its origin.

Because once that woman was gone, everything would return to the way it was.

She could do nothing to Kazerre. But Clonay Huster—she could do anything to her.

Pacing the room restlessly, Aveline abruptly turned on her heel and stormed out.

She arrived at the garden on the west side of the mansion. It was a pleasant spot for rest, with a charming pond and a small gazebo.

Aveline took a seat in a chair placed inside the gazebo.

Like an unripe orange, the pale sunset slowly descended over the grand duchy.

A warm and serene landscape naturally calmed the heart, but Aveline’s attention was not on the scenery.

Her gaze wandered aimlessly before settling on the small iron gate to the west. It was a side door prepared for the convenience of servants and merchants who came and went from the mansion.

“She’s far too late…”

Aveline muttered to herself.

The person she was waiting for was Anika, whom she had sent on an errand early that morning.

Today’s task was to find an informant to take on a new request. Even if it took longer than expected, Anika should have been back within half a day, yet for some reason, she had not returned.

‘Did something unexpected happen?’

Aveline considered the possibility that Anika had been distracted. She was a naturally curious child, so it was plausible.

However, even if Anika had been sidetracked, she would have at least reported back to Aveline first. She lacked loyalty but had a sense of responsibility.

‘If she simply couldn’t find an informant, she would have returned early to inform me.’

The information Aveline sought was simple—everything about Clonay Huster. More precisely, her weaknesses. Whether it was Clonay’s personal disgrace or a scandal involving her family, anything would suffice as long as it could remove that woman from the capital.

Rather than gathering multiple vague rumors, Aveline needed a single, fatal piece of information. As soon as possible. That was why she had specifically instructed Anika to find an informant who could work quickly and efficiently, even if it meant paying extra.

‘Could it be…’

After all, it was an illegal transaction conducted in the shadows. If things went wrong, losing a hand was not uncommon.

She had a bad feeling. Aveline tapped irritably on the armrest of the iron chair she was sitting on.

Just then, the sound of rustling grass reached her ears, and the shrubs behind the gazebo shook unnaturally.

Aveline instinctively turned her gaze toward the source of the noise.

“Who’s there?”

At her chilling voice, the movement ceased at once.

Just as her eyes were about to sharpen with suspicion, something small peeked out from between the leaves.

It was a young maid, appearing to be around ten years old.

“I-I’m sorry, my lady. I didn’t mean to disturb your rest…”

Aveline silently observed the timid girl, who kept glancing at her nervously. The unfamiliar face suggested she was likely a kitchen maid, assigned to minor chores.

‘She must have taken a wrong turn.’

Aveline was about to dismiss her with disinterest when—

“Um, my lady.”

The maid fidgeted with her hands and cautiously studied Aveline’s expression.

It seemed she was not lost after all but had deliberately come to find her.

Aveline regarded the girl’s eyes, a mix of fear and admiration, and asked indifferently.

“What is it?”

“I-I’m Tina, a kitchen maid… Tom, who came to deliver milk a little while ago, asked me to give this to you…”

Tina hesitantly opened her palm. On her tiny hand lay a crumpled note.

When Aveline gave a slight nod of permission, Tina cautiously approached.

Aveline unfolded the note without interest.

“……”

A heavy silence instantly fell over the space.

Feeling suffocated by the atmosphere, Tina nervously rubbed the back of her neck. She had never imagined that the beautiful young lady before her could exude such an overwhelming presence that seemed to press down on the entire surroundings.

“Did you read the note?”

Aveline’s voice was suddenly cold as she questioned Tina.

Tina, who had been rubbing her arms against the sudden chill in the evening air, quickly shook her head.

“N-No! Tom strictly told me not to open it…”

“Did that boy, Tom, read it?”

“Probably not. He can’t read. Actually, I can’t either…”

Tina gave a sheepish chuckle, embarrassed.

Seemingly satisfied with the answer, Aveline’s expression, which had been impassive all this time, suddenly bloomed into a radiant smile.

In that instant, the suffocating air pressing down on Tina disappeared without a trace. Instead, a gentle breeze, as soft as spring blossoms, brushed past her as if to soothe her.

Tina gazed at Aveline in awe, as though she were a goddess who had just ushered in spring.

“You deserve a reward.”

Aveline untied the red ribbon that held her hair and handed it to Tina. It was an exquisite accessory made of the finest silk, with pearls adorning each end.

As Tina stared blankly at the pink locks flowing freely against the twilight sky, she suddenly snapped back to her senses and frantically waved her hands.

“Oh, no, my lady! I only delivered it because Tom pleaded so earnestly…”

“This is for keeping quiet. You understand what I mean, don’t you?”

Tina gasped and quickly covered her mouth with her small hands, nodding vigorously.

Seeing the girl, breathless and determined to stay silent, Aveline chuckled softly.

“I can be quite fickle, so you’d best take it quickly.”

At that, Tina no longer hesitated and took the ribbon.

The smooth, delicate fabric felt as if it might slip from her grasp at any moment.

Holding it tightly to keep from dropping it, Tina asked carefully.

“Is it really okay for me to have something so precious?”

“Of course. As long as you keep your promise.”

“Don’t worry, my lady. I’ll keep it.”

With a newfound sense of duty, Tina’s eyes sparkled as she gave a polite bow before stepping back.

She seemed to be humming a tune internally, her light, quick steps carrying an unmistakable rhythm.

Aveline, watching the small girl leave with a gentle smile, instantly let her expression drop the moment Tina disappeared beyond the garden. The warmth from her previous smile was completely erased.

Once more, Aveline unfolded the note. A short message came into view.

I know who you are. Emissary of Light If you want your errand girl back, come find the Black Tail.