Whenever the wind blew, the green leaves sang in unison. Amid the rustling whispers, birds’ wingbeats mixed in with a flutter. All these elements combined to create a peaceful abundance for sight, smell, and hearing.

How could she resist such a grand welcome? Eventually, a smile moistened Radilt’s dry lips. The spring forest was so familiar it even reminded her of her old hometown.

She had run barefoot through forests as a child. Wet soil and soft moss, grass leaves tickling between her toes. An old memory of innocent joy.

After walking for some time, a circular clearing with antique chairs appeared, suggesting a rest stop. Pendlore dismounted first and looked back at Radilt.

“You’ve skillfully followed narrow paths, so the capital’s wide roads should be no problem.”

Radilt also stepped down onto the grass. The hem of her dress rustled against the long grass blades.

“Yes. Thanks to you, Sir Duston.”

“Then let’s move on to new education, Mrs. Brill.”

“……What new education?”

Taking one step directly in front of Radilt, Pendlore continued.

“Education to prevent you from being embarrassed again in society, like just now.”

Dense bewilderment spread across Radilt’s eyes.

“Society……?”

“Spring is the season of green, inexperienced children.”

Pulling his chin slightly, looking down at Radilt, Pendlore continued.

“Gardens blooming with tender spring flowers. Meeting places for youths around twenty. A time when adults step back and watch over them.”

That’s why during spring, apart from gardens, social activities were limited to small gatherings.

“The fact that I set foot in the Plumen Party was largely due to the leisurely spring.”

Though his friend Cherse’s guidance was the main reason, if it had been a busy social season, even that friend wouldn’t have had time to attend a widow’s party. That’s why the Plumen Party, which didn’t discriminate by status or family, was mainly held in spring. Wealthy men would take advantage of the idle season to participate in greater numbers.

“I know about the gardens.”

Radilt said, taking a step back.

How could she not know? The reason she participated in the Plumen Party, the cause of her entanglement with the man before her. All these started so she could earn money for her sister-in-law Erite’s garden party dress.

“But I heard it continues throughout all four seasons……”

“Spring is merely the most flourishing time, but well-maintained gardens have their own beauty even in midwinter. Though not as frequent as spring, it continues, that’s true.”

Pendlore closed the distance with one large step as Radilt stepped back again. Closer than before, their clothes brushed against each other, their breaths almost touching. Like he might firmly embrace the fleeing woman at any moment.

“But when summer comes, banquets begin that involve more complex connections beyond simple meetings between men and women.”

The dance of power and wealth, stickier and hotter than burning affection. Parties where all kinds of interests are exchanged splendidly.

Pendlore’s hand reached out toward Radilt. Reflexively trying to back away, Radilt’s heel struck a tree root hard.

“Ah!”

“The appearance of wandering alone through banquet halls for years.”

Swiftly catching her waist and arm as she lost balance, twirling her around;

“Doesn’t reflect well.”

Spinning her half a circle like in a dance,

“I implore you, Mrs. Brill.”

Over the panting woman’s cheek in his arms,

“Would you be my partner this summer?”

A distinctly deep smile descended. His lips almost touched her skin, brushing past her ear. Blue-gray eyes filled with confidence that didn’t consider rejection. Though frightened by his gaze, Radilt tried with all her might to push Pendlore away. She shook her head at the unmovable man.

“No! I can’t do it!”

She had no confidence in such matters. She felt instinctively that she couldn’t and shouldn’t do it.

“The contract, I, was only supposed to pretend to be a simple lover, wasn’t I!”

“Standing side by side at banquets is a natural duty of lovers, isn’t it?”

“……Not for me, Sir Duston. I’m a woman raised in the countryside. A woman of the fields who hasn’t even set foot in gardens.”

Though connected by fate and married to a titled nobleman, she had constantly received glares from her mother-in-law for that very fact.

“The Plumen Party was my first and last banquet. That’s enough. No more. I can’t do it.”

“Well.”

Pendlore’s hand, which had been holding Radilt’s arm, moved up to her shoulder and neck. He gently stroked along the line of her slender neck as it shrank back in surprise, lightly caressing her ear. The thick fingers wound around her golden hair that beautifully captured the light.

Her green eyes grew round. Under the forest shade, they deepened like smooth, moist jade from a distant land.

Could there be a gem more suitable to adorn Pendlore Duston’s side?

“I think the woman before my eyes could perfectly maintain her place.”

“……No.”

“So that no one would dare even think of filling that empty space that will become vacant in two months.”

Radilt desperately shook her head again. Her eyes trembled pleadingly.

“I am not. Isn’t our current status as lovers…… sufficient? Walking together, riding horses, dining and drinking tea……”

Normal lovers. The kind where a shy intertwining of fingers on the table fills the heart with warmth. A man and woman who whisper quietly, laugh, and slowly get to know each other.

“Perhaps that would have been the case for Mrs. Sentangs.”

A cold mockery appeared in the corner of Pendlore’s eyes.

“But not by my side.”

There was no simple love like children’s play here. The finger that had caressed the ear adorned with gifted earrings slowly withdrew. Yet the cool, hot touch remained engraved on her skin.

Her waist and arms were released. But Radilt couldn’t escape. Her ankles froze in place as though caught in a trap. Seeing her like a frightened doe staring at a gun barrel pointed at her, Pendlore softened his voice somewhat.

“Of course, Mrs. Brill. I will pay you adequately for it.”

He continued in a soothing tone.

“On the day everything ends and you become free, I’ll gift you a mansion just for you.”

“……What?”

Radilt’s voice leaked out faintly, barely audible.

“A house with a small garden and stable. On a quiet, clean street. A place overlooking a clear flowing river would be nice too. I certainly couldn’t leave my dear Mrs. Brill in such an old, dark house.”

This man. What on earth was he saying?

“……I don’t need it.”

Dark blue eyes flared fiercely. She clenched her molars while meeting Pendlore’s gaze. Her hands gripping her dress shook violently with tension.

“I don’t need it. That old, dark house you speak of is the last gift my husband left for me.”

It was certainly shabby. The wallpaper was tattered in places, and the stairs and windows frequently made spine-chilling creaking sounds. A house where just when she managed to save a penny or two for minor repairs, an even worse problem would emerge…… Such an insignificant house.

Still, it was Radilt’s home.

“No matter how fine a mansion you offer, I don’t need it. The house where I currently reside will be my sanctuary for the rest of my life. I will sleep, wake, and grow old there.”

Radilt raised her voice as though she had never been intimidated or frightened. She firmly revealed her heart, her deep conviction.

She would never set foot in a mansion he gave her. When the contract ended, Radilt Brill would continue living as Lushen Sentangs’ wife. Without any connection to the Duston name, for all her remaining time, until the final moment.

Pendlore’s lips closed firmly. Then they twisted slightly. His blue-gray eyes, tinged with a cold light, looked down at the impertinent woman.

“Your futile struggle is pitiable.”

“What do you……”

“If you wanted so badly to remain as Mrs. Sentangs, you should have borne a child.”

“……!”

Radilt’s face instantly turned pale. The blood drained white as though she were dead. Nevertheless, Pendlore’s voice didn’t stop.

“Without carrying that meager Baron Sentangs’ bloodline, the woman before me is merely Mrs. Brill.”

His sharp tongue once again split open Radilt’s staggering heart. Each word stabbed like a knife. She trembled all over with her eyes wide open in shock. And then.

Slap—

Her delicate hand struck Pendlore’s cheek with all her might. Pendlore looked down at the pitiful, foolish woman without the slightest movement. No matter how she insisted, she was only Mrs. Brill, forever. Unless a miracle occurred and her husband came back to life.

“I…… I……!”

Radilt stepped backward. The figure of the heartless man standing there blurred like dust on an old window. The corners of her eyes grew red and hot.

A child.

A little bundle of flesh that would warmly fill her empty arms.

She couldn’t have not wanted one. She had desired it more desperately than anyone. Even after losing her husband and being unable to have one forever, or rather, precisely because of that, even more desperately.

A child resembling herself and her loved one. A small warmth that would have filled the empty space and quietly held her empty hands.

The lovely proof of their love that could have kept Radilt Brill as Radilt Sentangs forever.

Ah.

Radilt turned her body. Unable to endure or bear it any longer, she fled. Pendlore silently watched her figure disappear, the bright colors of her dress swaying between the dark bushes.