“Why so surprised, Eve? Has it been that long since I called you that? But today you really look like ‘Eve’ from when you were tiny.”

The Countess burst into delighted laughter. Only then did Olivia realize this Eve wasn’t ‘that’ Eve.

Eve.

It was also Olivia’s childhood nickname, taken from the name of the gemstone found in the Ember Count’s territory. She’d been so embarrassed by the nickname that it hadn’t been used in so long she’d completely forgotten about it.

A hollow laugh escaped through Olivia’s teeth. Both Edmund’s lover and herself were ‘Eve.’ What an unfortunate coincidence.

Could the ‘Eve’ in the letter possibly be her?

A thread of hope flashed past for a moment, but Olivia shook her head.

She hadn’t used the nickname Eve since turning ten. Only the direct line of the Ember Countess’s family knew her childhood name, and she’d met Edmund after her coming-of-age ceremony, so he couldn’t possibly know.

“I really hate that name.”

Olivia muttered like a sigh. The Countess smiled and gently stroked her hair.

“You’re probably the only person in this kingdom who detests their childhood nickname this much.”

She was probably also the only person in the world whose nickname overlaps with her husband’s lover’s pet name. Olivia swallowed the bitter question inwardly.

Olivia closed her eyes quietly and received the Countess’s touch. Still, receiving her mother’s warm touch made her body feel drowsy and her heart seem somewhat better.

“Anyway, Eve—no, Olivia. Married couples can have arguments, but what are you doing running home like this? And talking about running away. Not thinking about facing things and solving problems. Did I raise you to be such a coward?”

Stung, Olivia couldn’t answer. Unable to confess the feelings she’d harbored for Edmund, yet also unable to confront him about his mistress’s existence—she really was the very picture of a coward. She’d never been particularly brave, but she hadn’t been this pathetically timid either. 

The longer her one-sided love continued, the more her personality seemed to change.

Watching Olivia droop her shoulders dejectedly, the Countess secretly smiled wickedly.

“Hmm. I just remembered something urgent I need to attend to.”

The Countess rose without delay. Olivia didn’t ask why. With both the Count and young Count away, the Countess’s workload would obviously be far heavier than usual.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

Olivia rose following the Countess. The Countess lightly pressed Olivia’s shoulder, seating her again.

“You rest well and restore your strength. You’ll need to travel again soon. If you’re lonely, call Susan or Ted.”

Olivia’s eyes widened. Why hadn’t she thought of that? 

Susan and Ted were Olivia’s longtime friends. They were close enough to still exchange letters occasionally, though they hadn’t met since Olivia’s marriage.

Seeing Olivia’s troubled complexion brighten, the Countess smiled and left. After seeing her mother off, Olivia called a maid and wrote simple invitations to send to Susan and Ted.

After some deliberation, she also sent a brief letter to the temple priest who had officiated the divine oath. She simply couldn’t let go of her worry about Edmund’s health.

* * *

The next afternoon, only Ted came to see Olivia.

“Ted. Why did you come alone? Where’s Susan?”

She asked with a tilted head, but Ted avoided answering with a somewhat suspicious expression. An awkward silence flowed through the drawing room with just the two of them.

Ahem. Ted cleared his throat and finally spoke after a long pause.

“I asked Susan not to come.”

“Why?”

“I have a worry I want to discuss with you without Susan knowing.”

She almost burst out laughing at Ted’s solemn face. It was an expression completely unsuited to the snotty-nosed Ted who used to cry when stung by bees, cry when hit by Susan, and cry at Olivia’s mischievous pranks.

“What kind of worry makes your expression so serious? And why didn’t you call Susan?”

Ted’s face, which had been taut around the mouth and tense around the eyes, suddenly flushed.

“Susan can’t know about this.”

“Ted. Are you planning to tell me after I die of suspense?”

“Well… I’m thinking of proposing to Susan.”

“What?”

So shocked was she that Olivia nearly jumped halfway out of her seat.

“Were you two dating? No, before that—Ted, you like Susan? Since when? You never mentioned anything like that in your letters!”

Ted scratched the back of his head sheepishly. His bashful appearance was just as unfamiliar as his solemn face had been.

“I was actually planning to visit you in the capital with Susan soon.”

“If you had news like that, you should have sent a letter right away. How could you!”

Though Olivia scolded him, her face bloomed with a bright smile. The unexpected love story of her childhood friends brightened her dampened mood considerably.

“Are you angry, Olivia…?”

“Of course. How could you leave me out like this?”

“Well, I wanted to send a letter, but Susan said this kind of thing should be discussed face to face…”

“If you want to appease me, listen carefully, Ted.”

Olivia’s eyes gleamed mischievously.

“Tell me right now, without leaving out a single detail, how you two started dating. There was no sign of it at all. When exactly did you start liking Susan?”

Ted’s ears reddened as his lips moved. Just as Olivia leaned her upper body fully toward Ted—

The previously quiet scene outside the window suddenly became noisy. Someone seemed to be visiting the residence. Since Ted said Susan wasn’t coming, it couldn’t be Olivia’s guest. 

Perhaps a guest for her mother?

“Well, how it happened was, when Susan was preparing for her knight investiture ceremony…”

Ted carefully began speaking. Olivia’s gaze, which had turned toward the window, returned to Ted.

Susan, who dreamed of becoming a knight, underwent grueling training every day and rarely had a healthy day. Ted, who majored in herbalism, seemed to have cared for Susan out of friendship.

Then gradually different feelings grew, overwhelming friendship and eventually becoming love… Ted quietly shared the somewhat predictable yet all the more interesting story.

“The confession? Who confessed first?”

“Susan…”

“Susan’s proactive even in romance.”

“That’s why I want to propose first. How can I move Susan? Susan’s always so good to me. What should I do, Olivia?”

Ted furrowed his eyebrows with a tearful expression. Meanwhile, Olivia was wearing a pleased smile at the two’s adorable love story.

A knocking sound came, and then the door opened without her even answering. Olivia asked casually, thinking a maid had come to deliver an urgent message.

“What is it?”

“…”

No answer came. She turned her head curiously, but the politely postured maid she expected wasn’t there.

“Y-Your Grace?”

Standing at the door was Edmund.

Flustered, Olivia rose. Screech. The chair slid backward making an unpleasant noise. Ted also rose following her, caught off guard.

“…”

Edmund’s blue eyes landed on Ted sitting across from Olivia. At the blade-sharp gaze, Ted, quite flustered, forgot even to show courtesy and only broke into a cold sweat down his back.

“Olivia.”

Edmund, who had been silent for a moment, strode toward Olivia.

“Let’s go home.”

Edmund’s arm wrapped around Olivia’s shoulders. His large frame perfectly blocked Ted from view.

“Now? But I still have things to discuss with Ted…”

‘I haven’t given him the most important advice yet.’

But before Olivia could finish speaking, Edmund moved his feet.

“Your Grace. Just a moment. Please let go. How did you suddenly come to Ember territory?”

“Why? Are you disappointed I came? Because you missed your chance?”

Edmund smiled coldly as he left the drawing room. It was a chilling smile that made observers flinch. It wasn’t like Edmund, who always smiled warmly like spring sunshine. 

At his unfamiliar expression, Olivia couldn’t even try to understand what he was saying. She simply stared up blankly at Edmund’s face.

Following where he led, she found herself at the Count’s residence entrance before she knew it. 

Outside, several knights who appeared to be the Duke’s escort were waiting. Edmund approached his steed with her.

“Why the horse all of a sudden…”

“We need to go to our home, Olivia.”

“Then please wait just a moment. I’ll just say goodbye to Ted. And to Mother too.”

“I’ve already informed the Countess and obtained her understanding. And…”

Edmund, who had been walking without hesitation, stopped abruptly. His straight forehead wrinkled irritably.

“The maids will explain to Philip.”

Edmund, pronouncing Ted’s wrong name like chewing and spitting it out, suddenly grabbed Olivia’s waist. Before she could even scream, her body floated up in an instant. Edmund, who had lifted Olivia onto the horse, soon positioned himself behind her.

“Are we riding together?”

Olivia hurriedly looked around. The ducal house carriage she’d arrived in should definitely be there, but somehow it wasn’t visible.

“Won’t the horse tire quickly? I’ll ride a different horse.”

No spare horses were visible either, but they could borrow one from the Count’s residence.

That’s when it happened. Edmund’s hand gripping Olivia’s waist suddenly tightened forcefully. He brought his lips to her ear and whispered in a terribly low voice.

“Why? Trying to run away?”

“…Pardon?”

Just as she turned her head in bewilderment at the incomprehensible words, Edmund spurred the horse. Olivia was startled and stiffened her body, staring straight ahead.

Clop clop clop. The loud sound of hoofbeats filled her ears. At the situation that had suddenly changed in an instant, Olivia was completely out of sorts.

Why had Edmund suddenly come to the Count’s residence? Wasn’t he supposed to be spending intimate time with his lover? And what was that about running away? 

Held in Edmund’s arms, Olivia stared blankly at the rapidly passing scenery.

The horse’s speed gradually increased. The wind brushing her face grew fierce and felt stinging. When Olivia reflexively shrank back, Edmund’s cloak firmly covered her body.

“What were you talking about?”

A calm question came from above her head. She glanced up, but all she could see was Edmund’s sharp jawline. Seeming to feel her gaze, Edmund added an explanation while staring only straight ahead.

“With that friend… Cain.”

Olivia, who had been persistently watching Edmund, slightly furrowed her brow. For the brilliant Edmund to not remember Ted’s name after mentioning it twice? 

Something was strange. He was originally a man who never forgot even the most trivial things Olivia mentioned in passing.

“You were laughing happily, weren’t you?”

Edmund glanced down at Olivia, who kept her lips pressed shut, and continued as though urging her. Olivia simply thought he hadn’t heard properly and pronounced Ted’s name clearly once more.

“Ted is my longtime friend.”

Edmund moved his chin. It seemed to mean keep talking.

“Well, Ted is proposing…”

“What did you say?”

“Hm? Oh, I mean he said he’s going to propose, so I…”

“Did you just say propose?”