“Madam, you need to wake up.”

Leticia had just fallen asleep after staying up all night with her eyes wide open. She faced Christine, who was waking her up. Christine’s touch was far from gentle, making Leticia feel a bit dizzy. It seemed that despite eating and resting better than before, her depleted stamina hadn’t fully recovered.

“I’m awake, Christine.”

“You need to hurry. I heard rain clouds will gather by the afternoon.”

Christine somehow avoided Leticia’s gaze. Even though Leticia was lightly dressed, Christine was also a woman. It seemed her attire wasn’t the reason for her behavior.

“Is something wrong?”

“Pardon? No? Nothing happened.”

Christine’s actions seemed suspicious to Leticia. However, feeling dizzy, she didn’t have the energy to delve into Christine’s suspicious behavior at the moment. Just as she was about to get up, the door opened and Callius entered.

“If you dawdle any longer, we’ll leave without breakfast.”

The suffocating intensity from yesterday was gone, and he seemed to have returned to being a frivolous rogue. Leticia observed him closely. Perhaps thinking she wasn’t fully awake, he strode over and slipped his hand under her knees, supporting her back, and lifted her up in an instant.

“Wait a moment…!”

“Go downstairs and take a cold shower. You seem half-asleep.”

“I’m fully awake!”

He looked down at Leticia with a doubtful gaze. She had no intention of being carried downstairs in his arms.

“Christine, make sure to bring the madam downstairs on time. If you’re late, I’ll come to get her myself, so don’t dawdle.”

Anyone listening might think Leticia was a child throwing a tantrum. The thought of being treated like a child made Leticia’s ears turn red. But there was no time to stand idly by. Leticia hurried to get ready, unable to resist his urging.

When she went downstairs, Callius was already eating without waiting for her. Leticia hadn’t expected that level of consideration from him, so she sat across from him without saying anything.

“When I went to bring you water last night, you were already asleep.”

“…Was I?”

That’s a lie. Leticia hadn’t been able to sleep until just before dawn. She considered asking him about the dagger in his hand but decided against it. After all, she wouldn’t get a proper answer.

‘He’s not someone who would easily admit he tried to kill me.’

“Why aren’t you asking?”

“Asking about what?”

“About last night.”

The sound of cutting stopped. She hadn’t expected him to ask in return. But it was better this way. If she kept asking, someday this incident might lead to other problems. Besides, Leticia had realized a few things while facing him.

“I saw you holding a dagger.”

“An assassin had infiltrated.”

His answer was too concise. Leticia thought there was no reason not to believe his answer, at least rationally. His calm demeanor left her at a loss for words.

“I didn’t let them in, thinking you might be startled.”

“I see.”

“Whether you believe it or not, that’s the truth.”

“Why do you think I don’t believe you?”

This time, his cutting stopped. He looked surprised, as if he had heard something unbelievable.

“I believe you.”

“Why?”

Of course, she couldn’t say she believed him from the start. She hadn’t forgotten how she trembled with fear when she faced him last night. But seeing him again in the morning made her realize. He was avoiding her gaze like Christine, as if he had been caught doing something wrong. He was trying to act as usual, but that made it more apparent that he was different from usual. And one more thing.

“If you had intended to kill me, you wouldn’t have hesitated just because our eyes met.”

“…….”

He looked unsure whether to laugh or not, but eventually, he chuckled a little.

“You’re certainly clever.”

Of course, that’s not all, and she couldn’t tell him he looked like a guilty puppy. Leticia swallowed her thoughts.

—

They arrived at Siscreek, a place surrounded by rumors, in the late afternoon. As the sun set, the wind was particularly chilly. There was nothing around to block the wind, and the closer they got to the castle, the harsher the cold became.

“The castle is big.”

“They say it was as large as the imperial castle once, but half of it has collapsed, and this is all that’s left.”

He spoke as if that was all there was to it, but contrary to his words, Siscreek Castle was imposing enough to be described as grand. It was hard to imagine what it must have looked like in the past. As the drawbridge lowered and they entered the castle, flickering lights could be seen everywhere. Contrary to her thoughts that it might be desolate, the inside of the castle was bustling. It was hard to believe he’d only been granted the castle a year ago.

“Have you arrived, my lord!”

At someone’s shout, people stopped what they were doing and gathered around. Callius waved his hand, familiar with their welcome.

“Save the greetings for later. Finish what you were doing.”

Despite his cold words, the man didn’t seem discouraged. In fact, everyone was like that.

“Let’s save explanations for the madam until later. You should rest first.”

It was unclear whether he was speaking to himself or to Leticia. As they approached Siscreek, Leticia had layered herself in thick clothing, making it difficult to move. Her already weak stamina felt like it was hitting rock bottom with each passing moment. Finally, the carriage came to a gentle stop. When the carriage door opened, a warm heat rushed in.

“Welcome, madam! Welcome to Siscreek!”

As soon as Leticia stepped out, a middle-aged woman grabbed her hand. Leticia was startled but didn’t pull away. Her grip was surprisingly strong.

“Nora, save the greetings for later. Is the room ready?”

“Callius, not even a word asking how I’ve been? That’s really disappointing.”

Leticia was a bit surprised to hear her call Callius by name. She didn’t seem like family to Callius. Noticing her gaze, Nora awkwardly smiled, dimples forming on her cheeks. She certainly looked much younger than Callius’s mother.

“Oh my, look at me. It’s become a habit to call him by name… Madam, please forgive me.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry.”

There were people like that during Leticia’s childhood too. For Leticia, it was her nanny, Kelly. She filled the void left by her mother, who had passed away early.

[Leticia, you rarely ask for anything.]

Kelly would sometimes call Leticia by name and truly treat her like her daughter when her father was absent. It wasn’t strange to think Callius Maxis had someone like that too. But Callius’s expression was peculiar when she said it was fine. Instead, he showed signs of discomfort.

“Don’t call me by name anymore, Nora.”

“Of course, master.”

“Lead the madam to her bedroom.”

“Understood. Madam, please follow me.”

Nora didn’t complain at all, as if she understood Callius’s attitude.

‘It’s not my place to intervene.’

However, Leticia thought Nora might have been hurt by his attitude. The room she was led to was very spacious, perfect for the mistress of the estate. However, it felt lonely, lacking any warmth from people. As if sensing Leticia’s sentiment, Nora spoke first.

“As you live here and arrange things to your liking, you’ll grow fond of it! The bedroom is always ready for you to sleep in.”

“I like it, Nora.”

She hadn’t come here to leisurely settle in. Nora seemed relieved by her words.

“I’m glad you like it, madam! I’ll go downstairs to fetch your luggage, so please wait a moment. Would you like something to drink?”

“I’m fine for now.”

“Please wait a moment. I’ll be back soon!”

Nora left Leticia and stepped out of the room. Only then did Leticia begin to remove the thick layers of clothing she had on. This would be her place to stay from now on. She had to survive here no matter what, but she had a feeling it wouldn’t be easy. After a brief look around, Leticia dragged her tired body to sit in a chair.