And he wanted to confirm today’s questions.

He had never failed at anything he set his mind to until now. So he would surely be able to meet Chloe too.

After tidying his clothes and fixing his tie just below his Adam’s apple, Andert turned his head.

“Roman, let’s return as soon as it’s dawn.”

“Yes. I’ll first escort you to the lodgings near the station.”

Roman, picking up Andert’s hat from the floor, took the lead.

Though his master’s unfamiliar appearance, which was usually so flawless, felt quite awkward, that wasn’t what was important. For now, it was fortunate enough that they weren’t returning to the capital with the worst news.

***

Upon returning to the capital, Andert immediately summoned his lawyer. Just before entering the study, Daniel was able to briefly hear about what happened in Saphi from Roman.

“What happened with looking into Chloe as I asked before?”

“Yes. I’ve first organized the matters we know so far.”

Fortunately, Daniel, who knew Andert’s temperament well, had thoroughly prepared the documents.

First, the quantity was different from the previous single sheet of paper. The information discovered by House Dietrich’s legal counsel, who had realized the gravity of the situation, was much more detailed than before.

Andert’s eyes stopped at one point while reading the documents. He asked without raising his head,

“Did Chloe enter the Royal University on a full scholarship?”

“Yes. She entered the Art History department at age 19.”

“……”

Andert’s head tilted slightly at the unfamiliar story. Though he didn’t know about Chloe’s childhood since it was before he knew her, her time at the Royal University was around when they got married.

To think he didn’t even know this. Or perhaps he had been told but it hadn’t remained in his memory.

Even to him, it was now beyond comprehension. But…

“Why didn’t she graduate?”

It was something that didn’t make sense logically. Moreover, according to the documents, it showed that Chloe quit school of her own accord.

“I don’t know the detailed circumstances either. According to what I’ve roughly gathered… that period was after the Duchess criticized Lady Dietrich over the matter regarding the Hardin family.”

The voice that had hesitated slightly when mentioning Fabiana answered his question calmly.

Andert’s eyes sank deeply at the unknown fact. After being criticized by Fabiana… It was an easily imaginable picture.

He searched his memories. Was there such an incident then? But that was when he had graduated from the military academy and had gone to Daloa.

If I don’t even know the details of the time I spent with Chloe, how could I possibly know about that time?

Andert, who couldn’t be more disappointed in himself, let out a deep sigh. At the same time, his gaze that had moved to the next page returned to the page he had just checked.

After quietly thinking about something, he asked a question,

“Then, there must be people who were friends with Chloe during her school days?”

“Yes. That list is organized on the last page. Lady Dietrich didn’t have particularly broad friendships. And even those mostly match the list of connections she built in social circles.”

The answer came without hesitation, as if he had been waiting.

Andert immediately opened the last page. It was as explained. On the page Daniel mentioned, there continued names of people he was familiar with.

Well, it was natural. Among Royal School graduates, those who weren’t nobles could be counted on both hands each year. The same went for Andert, who had graduated from the military academy likewise filled with nobles.

But among the familiar names, there was one unfamiliar one mixed in.

Kate Norden. Norden?

It was a name that didn’t exist in his memory. His straight finger pointed out the anomalous name.

“Kate Norden?”

“Ah, yes. The Norden family aren’t nobles. Mr. Norden accumulated wealth through mine development in the mid-western mountain region. He’s also said to have an artists’ association he sponsors due to his interest in artwork.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes. In fact, after Lady Dietrich quit school like that, she didn’t attend any related gatherings at all. Therefore, unless it’s someone whose friendship continued in social circles afterward, there likely wouldn’t be any other points of contact.”

From Daniel’s perspective, it was a very ordinary answer.

After all, he didn’t know that Kate was someone Chloe occasionally exchanged letters with after quitting school. Moreover, he judged that Lady Dietrich wouldn’t have contacted such predictable people.

Andert felt the same way. He silently checked the remaining documents.

He couldn’t hide his bitterness as he read the materials that organized many facts that could explain Chloe. Almost all the content was completely new to him.

Finally, after confirming the last page of the documents had been turned, Daniel carefully reported,

“Those searching for Lady Dietrich’s whereabouts have sent word. Since there are no specific clues to follow now, they plan to expand their search to train stations across all of Artion.”

Across all of Artion… Andert briefly echoed, recalling the map of Artion with its vast territory.

The train stations, intertwined like a spider web in all directions, numbered over 100 by rough estimate. It was something that would inevitably require enormous cost and time. Of course, what he cared about was the latter. In any case, it meant they couldn’t find Chloe in a short time.

Andert deliberately suppressed his rising impatience. Compared to experiencing the worst situation in Saphi’s morgue, it wasn’t such a difficult task.

Yes, as long as Chloe was alive, they could meet. It was just a matter of how long it would take.

So he was prepared to endure that time as long as necessary.

***

“Chloe! Over here!”

Chloe waved slightly at the familiar voice. Kate was standing in front of the clock tower square. Though it was Bergen’s busiest street, the surroundings were relatively quiet due to the early hour.

“Kate, did you wait long?”

“No. I just got here too. Shall we go then?”

“Yes. The play starts at 10:30, so if we go now, we should make it just right.”

Kate nodded and looked up to check the clock tower. Just then, the bells began to ring announcing 10 o’clock sharp.

“Let’s go. We’ll watch the play first and then have lunch — perfect timing.”

Kate confidently led the way, pointing to the small theater at the end of the main street. For Chloe, it was a leisurely time she hadn’t experienced in a very long time. Originally, she planned to go to the office today, Sunday, as usual.

The association building was nearly empty on weekends, and she was the only one who unfailingly kept her post. But working was better than spending the day idly at the residence. Above all, she didn’t want to face someone’s face that inevitably came to mind when she had too many thoughts.

So today’s outing was actually sudden. If it weren’t for her friend who had practically forced the theater tickets on her just yesterday.

Chloe walked while fidgeting with the ticket in her pocket.

It was her first time out in the city since coming to Bergen. Shops lined up along the street were just starting to set up their display stands and arrange their goods. Kate, passing through the bustling crowd, whispered,

“Shall we stop by here after the play? It’s a newly opened bakery, and I heard their food is quite excellent.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Chloe nodded readily after seeing the store decorated with appetizing pictures of cakes and cookies. She understood her friend’s intentional thoughtfulness.

But while walking, she again encountered the afterimage of Andert.

It was the memory of them watching a play at the Royal Theater. Of course, it was an official occasion they attended by royal invitation.

In fact, she barely remembered what the play on stage was about. What mattered was that she could spend over three hours together with Andert. So until the final curtain call, her attention was entirely focused on him.

“There are more people than expected. Good thing we got tickets in advance.”

Kate gently pulled on Chloe’s hand, who was lost in thought. They had already reached the small theater where audiences were beginning to enter.

Receiving the program guide, Chloe tried to smile while shaking off the lingering memories of Andert.

“Let’s go in, Kate.”

Sometimes, spending a day like this seemed nice. Yes, sometimes… maybe more often once she settled in. Chloe decided to allow herself to relax just for today.

So this leisurely time was like a gift Chloe was allowing herself after a very long while.

***

Time passed quickly.

The dates that had entered April with blooming flowers were now approaching May. The midday sun was now hot enough to sting.

Chloe routinely organized the last file. Only after finishing the month’s publication deadline work did she massage her stiff shoulders. Kate lightly tapped the desk as if she’d been waiting.

“Well, shall we move to the conference room?”

Come to think of it, it was the day for the general meeting. Checking the clock, Chloe hurriedly gathered her pen and notebook. Following Quincy and Gemma, she entered the conference room where about 30 people were seated. This was Chloe’s second time attending the monthly meeting.