“What kind of commotion?”

“He appeared wearing a black mask.”

“Ah.”

Hailey’s mind conjured the image of the Duke of Gunner’s face—or rather, the cold silver eyes that peered through the black mask.

She also remembered his noble and solitary figure, seemingly unfamiliar with the concept of loneliness.

What kind of life had he led, losing his mother at birth and being confined to the annex? And at fourteen, losing his father and facing the world alone? How had it felt to endure the relentless scrutiny brought on by that black mask?

It couldn’t have been an easy life, not for a single moment.

Hailey thought she could somewhat understand his feelings. After all, hadn’t she lost her parents at seven and grown up under her grandfather’s care?

Her grandfather had done his best for her. Though she might have ended up in an orphanage, he had taken her in, clumsily but earnestly supporting her upbringing.

She loved her grandfather deeply and was always grateful to him. Nonetheless, at the bottom of her heart lay an unfillable, fundamental loneliness.

“I think I understand why the duke turned out the way he did.”

Not everyone who loses their parents grows up to have a twisted personality like the duke, but she could at least comprehend him a little better now—maybe even pity him, just a bit.

Of course, understanding someone and not being angry with them are entirely different matters.

“After that, the duke always appeared at official events wearing a mask. Actually, it wasn’t just official events. Rumor has it he even wears the mask to bed. That’s how a new rumor started. Hey, you know the one I’m talking about.”

“The one about the duke being the son of a witch and cursed?”

Daniel nodded with a bitter expression.

“Yeah. The official statement from the duke’s household was that he had severe pockmarks from smallpox as a child, leaving him no choice but to wear a mask. But no one believed that. According to rumors, there’s a mark of a curse etched onto the duke’s face. They say Duke Pedro discovered too late that his wife was a witch and locked up his son in the annex to hide the fact that he was cursed. Alternatively, there’s another rumor that an ex-fiancée, jilted by Duke Pedro, cursed the Gunner family. Who knows which story is true.”

“So has anyone actually seen the duke’s face? The mark of the curse, I mean.”

“As far as I know, no one has. Maybe the nanny or the steward who raised him has seen it?”

Hailey fell into quiet contemplation. After a long pause, she raised her head and looked at Daniel with thoughtful green eyes.

Daniel met her gaze in silence. Their eyes, inherited from their mother, bore a shared trait, and a warm sense of kinship settled over them.

Hailey’s lips parted with a cautious question.

“Do you think the duchess was really a witch?”

“Who knows? The answer lies with people who are no longer in this world.”

Daniel slowly shook his head.

“Besides, the duke has never attended any worship services or ceremonies held by the temple. That only fueled the rumors further—people started saying there must be a reason he can’t enter the temple.”

“A reason he can’t enter the temple…”

That didn’t seem plausible. He likely just didn’t believe in the gods.

Then again, the idea of that arrogant man praying to a god felt absurd. If he wanted something, he was the type to seize it by his own strength.

Even if it meant standing against the gods.

Just then, the clock tower in the square chimed with a resonant dang, marking 4 p.m.

She had heard everything she needed to hear. With no lingering attachments, Hailey stood up from her seat.

“I should head back to the estate now. I promised to return before it got late.”

“You’re sure you won’t reconsider leaving Kent Hall?”

Though his tone had softened, Daniel still seemed worried about her. Hailey turned to him with a bright smile.

“Not yet. Though I might get kicked out sooner or later.”

Daniel sighed deeply, as though resigning himself, and retrieved his coat and hat from the attendant. After paying for the coffee, he spoke kindly to Hailey.

“I’ll walk you back.”

“It’s fine. I can manage on my own.”

Daniel frowned as he started toward the café’s exit. Glancing back, he studied his younger sister with a quiet intensity. She wasn’t a teenager anymore, yet lately, he felt she was rejecting him more often.

Is she going through a rebellious phase?

Sensing Daniel’s disappointment, Hailey smiled again.

“As you know, the estate isn’t far from here. There’s no need to worry.”

“This is Aslan, the capital—a place where even the most innocent can be swindled before they realize it. You think I’ll just let you walk home alone? If Father finds out, he’ll be furious.”

“There’s really nothing to worry about. I came here on my own, didn’t I? Besides, if you escort me back, you’ll miss the dormitory curfew.”

“That’s—”

“A future graduate of the royal academy with honors can’t afford to tarnish his reputation with poor conduct. You’re destined for great things, after all.”

“Fine.”

Swayed by Hailey’s firm words, Daniel reluctantly nodded and added with a hint of concern,

“But you have to write to me every three days. Don’t forget, Hailey. If I don’t get a letter, I’ll come straight to the estate and ring the bell myself.”

“Every three days? Isn’t that a bit much—”

“Would you prefer every two days?”

“…Alright. Every three days, then.”

Hailey nodded glumly and gave a small shrug.

“But I might get kicked out before I even send the first letter. The duke’s Santier skills are so exceptional, he doesn’t really need someone to talk to.”

“Kicked out? Absurd! Hey, if it comes to that, just settle down there for good!”

Flustered and offended, Daniel grumbled, then immediately retracted his words with a sheepish look. Exhausted, he waved her off with a dismissive gesture.

“Just be careful.”

“Got it.”

Hailey smiled as she bid Daniel goodbye and hurried off. She could feel his persistent gaze on her back.

It was a look filled with worry and unease, like that of a parent watching a six-year-old set off on their first errand.

Daniel fretted over Hailey’s every step, concerned she might trip or lose her way. His watchful eyes stayed glued to her until she finally disappeared from the square.

“He worries too much,” she muttered to herself, shaking her head. “I’m not a child anymore.”

Finally, Hailey’s steps slowed slightly. However, despite her grumbling words, a faint smile lingered on her lips.

On the wide street, large enough for two carriages to pass, carts loaded with fruits and vegetables were lined up. There were also carts selling mussels, ham, and milk.

It seemed to be around the time to prepare for dinner, as the street was bustling with people shopping for groceries. Dressed in shabby clothes and headscarves, the passersby looked markedly different from the well-dressed individuals she had seen in the square.

Instead of sitting in cafés exchanging gossip from the social circles, these people were diligently living out their day.

Hailey moved leisurely through the crowd. The sun was dipping westward, but she still had plenty of time to reach the mansion.

“Hyah!”

With a loud shout, a stagecoach sped past her. It was a peaceful afternoon scene. But at that moment—

“Stop right there! I said, stop!”

The sudden shout shattered her tranquility.

Turning her head instinctively, she saw two men running in the distance. A gaunt man ran several steps ahead, while a plump officer in a uniform waddled after him in pursuit.

The thin man clutched an elaborate bag in his hand—a bag far too luxurious and feminine to belong to him.

“Hey, you thief! I told you to stop!”

The plump officer’s voice, ragged and breathless, echoed through the air. People paused what they were doing to watch the unexpected chase unfold, their eyes brimming with curiosity.

A thief.

The man was getting closer, casting nervous glances behind him as he fled. He suddenly grabbed hold of a fruit cart, tipping it over.

A mountain of fruit came tumbling down, blocking the officer’s path. The fruit vendor, his face flushed bright red, screeched in indignation, while a few opportunistic children snatched up fallen apples and ran off.

“Hey, you brats! Stop right there! If I catch you, you’re dead!” the vendor yelled, chasing after the children.

It was utter chaos. Meanwhile, the distance between the thief and the officer widened even further.

The thief, now looking relieved, ran past Hailey just as—

Thud!

“Ugh!”

The thief let out a loud scream and rolled onto the ground. Hailey had thrust out her parasol, tripping him.

Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, the thief groaned in pain, clutching his ankle. He turned to look behind him. The huffing and puffing officer had only just made it past the overturned fruit cart.

Two other officers were running toward them as well, but they were even further behind than the first.

“Damn it!”

The thief glared at Hailey with cold eyes. Sparks of red-hot anger flared within them.

Grinding his teeth, he stood up and approached her with menacing strides. Alarmed, Hailey instinctively took a step back, but he was faster.

Baring his teeth threateningly, he swung a fist at her. Hailey clenched her eyes shut and braced herself, biting her lip in anticipation of the blow.

Then, suddenly—

“Argh!”