Kali spoke as she sipped her tea. Baron’s brow furrowed at hearing this for the first time, and at the end of his gaze was another knight in the distance, whistling and looking away.

“I experienced firsthand just how loved Your Highness is.”

She grinned mischievously. In the distance, she could see other knights signaling them to be quiet. Rosana’s face showed brief surprise before she smiled bashfully.

“Yes, everyone cherishes me.”

At that, the knights awkwardly scratched their cheeks in embarrassment. Then Kali’s gaze moved above Rosana—more precisely, behind her.

“And the person who cherishes Your Highness most is coming. We should get going. We shouldn’t interrupt a good time.”

“Pardon?”

“Oh my, you’re right. Rosana, I’ll invite you next time.”

Seeing the two stand up abruptly, Rosana turned around wondering what was happening. She understood why they were moving so quickly. She saw him in the distance. Lily whispered to her.

“Rosana. Still, make sure you get a proposal.”

Lily made a small fighting pose, clenching her fist and pulling it to her chest. Then she smiled slyly and said cheekily:

“Make sure to send me a wedding invitation~.”

Lily and Kali bowed to Jade in greeting before leaving. Jade, who’d arrived nearby in no time, waved his hand dismissively telling them to hurry along, then plopped down in the chair they’d been sitting in. Celine quickly cleared away the used teacup and brought a new one.

“What were you talking about?”

Rosana started to open her mouth but hesitated. She opened and closed her mouth several times before ultimately deciding not to say anything. The thought “why bother?” had taken over.

“It wasn’t anything important. More importantly, I heard you mentioned the wedding during the meeting.”

“Well, it’s approaching fast. Venice said the design is all finished and to come take a look.”

“Really? The ball dress was beautiful, so the wedding dress will be even more beautiful, won’t it?”

“Of course. I nagged them to make it the most beautiful.”

Watching Rosana hum and look forward to that day, Jade propped his chin on his hand. He handed her a paper he’d had tucked away. It was the overall wedding schedule.

“They say pretty flowers will be blooming around the time of the wedding.”

The weather had warmed enough that sleet wouldn’t fall. And announcing spring’s arrival, small green sprouts emerged from the ground.

“I’m looking forward to it too. Did you say it’ll be at the temple?”

“Yeah. Everyone needs to see it clearly. There’ll be a procession too. You just need to sit still in the carriage, so don’t feel pressured.”

“Understood.”

“Rosana, will you invite your family?”

Jade asked Rosana with a serious expression. Rosana smiled brightly and said:

“Yes. I’ll invite them.”

“Alright. Got it.”

Jade chuckled and didn’t oppose Rosana’s decision. Instead, he patted her head. He narrowed his eyes and suddenly brought his face close to hers.

“You’ll overcome it well.”

“Of course.”

She wasn’t alone. She was surrounded by people she liked and people who liked her. Sending the invitation, facing her—none of it scared her anymore.

* * *

Rosana wrote that name after a long time. The Arcadi Ducal Family. She could feel the now-warm air all over her body. A bright sun floated in the sky above.

“Mother…”

Rosana was writing a wedding invitation to send to the Duchess. From choosing the stationery, everything bore her touch. She wrote each character filled with emotion and sincerity.

All this time, the letters from the ducal family that came through Jane had been burned in the fireplace, yet they kept coming steadily. A few times she’d even sent them back unopened. To show a sharp refusal. But they came endlessly.

“What will she think if I suddenly send a letter?”

This wedding invitation was being sent to show them her changed self. Rosana firmly pressed the seal onto the envelope.

She would come.

If it was her, who wanted to see the end of the story with her own two eyes. That’s why she was convinced she kept sending letters endlessly without giving up. On the day Rosana left for Diovaha, she was the one who declared this was her end.

Rosana rang the bell lightly, and Celine entered. Rosana handed her the neatly folded letter.

“It’s going to a distant place, so please take care that it arrives safely.”

* * *

Sunlight streamed through the large windows. The bright spring sunlight was nothing but warm. 

And the sunlight made her hair shine even more brilliantly. Every passing servant bowed to her with respect.

She moved her steps elegantly. She was the real power of the estate, and her will was the ducal family’s will. All the credit for straightening out the faltering ducal family came from her hands.

No one here didn’t look up to her. She was an object of admiration and respect. This wasn’t an expression limited to the ducal family’s servants. It could be stated with certainty. No one would treat her carelessly. She was the queen of this place.

From afar, her beautiful and precious child came running. Though she ran excitedly like a young child, her steps still carried refinement.

“Mother!”

Behind Amy, a maid followed along, telling her to be careful. Though it could be seen as behavior lacking etiquette for a noble lady, everyone’s gazes were affectionate, like looking at a lovable child.

“What’s all this commotion? I can hear you fine without you calling so loudly.”

“I’m sorry. I was so eager to share the news…”

Eyes full of kindness curved beautifully. At the harmonious mother-daughter scene, the atmosphere around the servants grew warm too. 

The servants felt pleased, taking in the beautiful sight. Being able to work under such people was both luck and honor. She was kind even to mere servants.

The Arcadi Ducal Family, rid of foreign elements, wasn’t swept up in strife and was filled only with peaceful days. The absence of the one who’d disappeared wasn’t felt at all. It was too perfect.

“Miss, catch your breath.”

Emma said in a worried voice. Emma, who’d received notice of dismissal from Rosana and trudged back to the ducal family, had burst into tears of sorrow. Rosana had coldly cast out someone who’d served her since childhood.

Emma hadn’t properly carried out the Duchess’s orders. Contrary to her worry that she’d be scolded, the Duchess didn’t rebuke her. Instead, she gently embraced her, saying she’d had a hard time. She received comfort in that warm embrace.

Emma was deeply moved and burned with even more loyalty toward the Duchess. Currently, she worked as the Duchess’s maid.

‘So different from Lady Rosana.’

Emma turned her head to look at the Duchess.

“Mother, sister sent a wedding invitation! You were worried because there hadn’t been any letters!”

Amy clutched the wedding invitation her precious sister had sent tightly in both hands. She’d brought it to the Duchess, who’d been more worried than anyone, without opening it right away.

At Amy’s statement, Emma’s brow narrowed. The Duchess was the same. But Amy and the other maids didn’t notice. It was a fleeting moment. 

After that, the Duchess—who covered her mouth and elegantly expressed surprise with an “oh my”—glowed like a sunflower blooming toward the sun.

“From Rosana?!”

“Yes!”

Unable to contain her surprise, the Duchess quickly received the invitation from Amy. The Duchess stroked the letter gently, like it was Rosana herself. Longing and affection showed at her fingertips.

“Thank goodness. There was no reply, so I worried she might be suffering alone in a foreign land…”

“My sister may seem rough on the outside, but she actually cares deeply for her family.”

Emma wanted to snort. She wanted to tell them everything about life in Diovaha, but still, she was their precious daughter and sister. She didn’t want to expose her true nature and make them sad. 

Rosana had not only coldly thrown away these people’s letters but had said they weren’t family. Emma felt sorry for the Duchess and Amy, who missed Rosana.

“She’ll be fine. Lady Rosana seemed to fit well with life in Diovaha.”

“Is that so?”

And the Duchess casually flipped the letter over to see Rosana’s name. Though Amy had said it was Rosana’s letter, she wanted to see that name with her own eyes.

And she was left speechless.

“…”

It wasn’t “Rosana Arcadi” but “Rosana Diovaha.” The Duchess composed her expression with superhuman strength. Too many people were watching here. There was Amy innocently tilting her head, and maids were around. Amy realized where the Duchess’s gaze was directed.

“Oh! Did you see? I was surprised too.”

Amy smiled brightly. The target of the political marriage was someone called a murderer. She’d been worried, but unexpectedly, she seemed to be doing well. That name was proof of it.

“Thinking about it, sister isn’t someone who’d be easily taken advantage of. She must have wrapped the Emperor of Diovaha around her finger! I’m so relieved. Right?”

The sender’s name was Rosana, but the surname wasn’t. For an unmarried woman to refer to herself by her husband’s surname. The order was wrong. Rosana must have written this surname intentionally.

The slightly distorted expression transformed not into displeasure but into a sad expression. However, her tone was different.

“Indeed. She’s doing well.”

“…Pardon?”

Amy, noticing something off, tilted her head dubiously. But seeing the eyes filled with melancholy, she dismissed it as her imagination and moved on.

“Anyway, I’m glad the letter came. You’ve been suffering so much emotionally.”

“I sent dozens of letters. I’m just glad she contacted me like this.”

Emma, unable to hold back, spoke in a sarcastic tone.

“She must have developed feelings for the Emperor of Diovaha. How long has she lived in Astrot… Already abandoning her surname and taking that murderer’s surname.”

“It’s… my fault, isn’t it? My fault for not teaching well a child who was lost after her husband died. I embraced her wounds, but I suppose I was insufficient. To abandon her pride.”

The Duchess agreed with Emma’s words. Just moments ago, she’d blessed Rosana, saying it was fortunate she was doing well. 

Yet the Duchess continued the story like Rosana had done something wrong. The framework of the story subtly shifted.

“Mother, what are you saying? I grew up well thanks to you. And if they get along well, that’s good.”

“…You’re my only daughter.”

Amy, for whom this wasn’t the first or second time, scratched her cheek, saying she was embarrassed.

“Mother, really.”