“Then, let’s go. Even if you make mistakes, it will be seen entirely as a lack of skill on the part of the man leading.”

But contrary to his words, Andert’s smiling face was confident.

Five years had passed since he treated Chloe like a stranger. Whenever he thought about the time wasted in a finite life that would eventually end, he felt regretful. That’s why every moment now was precious to him.

He wanted to do everything he wanted with the Chloe he loved, without regrets. Whether people behind them gave lengthy speeches about their dancing skills or not was beyond his concern.

However, all this was only possible if Chloe didn’t dislike it. He was prepared to step back without a word if she truly didn’t want to. But if she was merely hesitating due to other concerns, he wanted to tell her there was no need. Because what mattered to them wasn’t that.

But this time, before Andert could speak, Chloe answered.

“Alright.”

At the same time, one hand overlapped his large hand.

Andert Dietrich wasn’t a man who enjoyed appearing before others. Chloe thought that when such a person repeatedly requested something, there must be a reason.

And she didn’t want to reject his outstretched hand for fear of others’ judgments. A perfectly symmetrical smile formed on Andert’s lips, as if responding to that courage.

People discovered the Dietrich ducal couple entering the banquet hall just after the second waltz began.

“Oh my! Did you see that?”

Countess Declen and Countess Hussler only noticed Chloe after the whispers around them.

This was because the edge where the Dietrich couple stood was hidden by people moving in the center.

“Hmm.”

Countess Hussler, who had been watching Chloe with narrowed gray eyes, was the first to turn away.

Aaron, who had gone abroad, didn’t send her any news. Though it seemed he sent simple greetings to her husband once every few months. She felt resentful thinking of her son who had left so coldly because of a woman.

‘She was going to reconnect with Duke Dietrich anyway. I shouldn’t have called Chloe out back then.’

It was a belated regret.

Though she had done it out of concern for her son, it seemed Aaron would never forget that fact. But thinking about past events wouldn’t change anything.

Tap, Countess Declen closed her fan and suddenly moved away. She had excused herself to the people she was conversing with, saying she needed to fix her hair ornament.

“I don’t know about anything else, but it seems certain that those two are deeply in love with each other.”

Countess Asbeck’s voice reached the ears of Countess Declen, who had been continuously watching Chloe. Even to the eyes of the silver-haired noble lady, the love between the young couple seemed indisputable.

Countess Declen, who only wished for Chloe to live well, agreed with that opinion with somewhat relieved eyes.

“A wise observation, Countess Asbeck.”

She couldn’t know what catalyst had awakened love in the cold and heartless Andert.

But even after Chloe conveyed her intention to marry again, she couldn’t put her mind at ease. She had also been concerned about when the man who inherited the cold Dietrich blood might return to his original self.

So whenever she had the opportunity, she carefully observed the couple.

But the duke’s gaze toward his wife was solid and steadfast. Duke Dietrich was arrogant and cold, but not a fickle man.

Seeing such a person seemingly devoting his pure heart to one woman, it seemed she could finally put her mind at ease.

* * *

“My lady?”

Bellisa, who came to inform Chloe that the duke had returned home, approached her closely.

But when there was no response from the mistress, she was about to call again but soon closed her mouth. Chloe was sound asleep on the balcony where a cool breeze blew.

It was still early evening. Bellisa, who had never seen Chloe resting at such an hour, hesitated briefly. But she soon quietly withdrew.

She didn’t want to wake the mistress who had fallen into a deep sleep. Moreover, it didn’t seem like the duke would want that either.

Her steps, trained to be discreet, left the bedroom without making a sound. Descending to the first floor and standing before the butler, Bellisa quietly conveyed this fact.

“The duchess, you say?”

“Yes. Should I go back up and tell her?”

“No, that won’t be necessary. You may go.”

Roman, who shook his head at Bellisa’s inquiring look, headed to the study.

But before he could enter, Daniel, who had finished his business, opened the door and came out. After a brief bow to the lawyer, Roman reported to the duke who was heading upstairs.

“The duchess is resting in the bedroom. Following the maid’s report that she’s sound asleep, I instructed not to wake her.”

“……Chloe? Is she perhaps unwell?”

Andert, who was about to climb the stairs, stopped at the unexpected news. It wasn’t even 8 PM yet.

For Chloe to be asleep at this hour.

Since this was unusual, he worried first about whether she might be sick.

“There was no sign of that until she finished dinner. Recently, the duchess has been eating more than usual, so the chef is also exercising his skills to the fullest.”

Roman’s answer, aspiring to perfectionism, was flawless. This was a natural response given his thoroughness in serving the mistress of Dietrich. But he too had found it strange based on Bellisa’s words.

After all, Chloe was normally a busy person who didn’t even take naps. So it was puzzling.

“If the mistress happens to be unwell, please let me know. I’ll immediately send for the physician.”

Leaving behind Roman’s answer that he could call anytime, Andert continued up the stairs.

Following his movement, a red ribbon fluttered continuously from his neatly arranged fingertips. Above the delicately tied ribbon, a green brand name was clearly engraved.

Today, what he had prepared as a gift for Chloe was a hairpin. Though he had received help from the manager of a newly opened general store on Alonso 4th Avenue.

“Your Grace, if I may be so bold, could I recommend something? I think this would suit the duchess better.”

Of course, after that, he had to deliberate a bit more before choosing a wine-colored decorative pin that would complement her warm brown hair. But Andert enjoyed the time he spent choosing something for Chloe.

Just counting the frequency, there were far more occasions when he didn’t return home empty-handed. That’s why the servants of House Dietrich often made bets on guessing the contents of the boxes.

The types and range of gifts were truly diverse.

From cakes from newly opened bakeries to leather notebooks engraved with Chloe’s name. And from thick document bags to bouquets of seasonal flowers.

Andert, who had quickly reached the front of the bedroom, opened the door as quietly as possible. He didn’t particularly want to wake the sleeping Chloe. After placing the small box on the console, his steps immediately surveyed the room.

“Andert, you’re back? How was your day?”

The bedroom without the voice that usually welcomed him as if she had been waiting felt unfamiliar. After checking the empty bed and sofa, his gaze turned to the rocking chair on the balcony.

Chloe had her eyes closed in a space where the yellow exterior light had settled.

Amidst the gentle concerto created by insect calls and bird chirping, her soft breathing seeped in. With her head slightly tilted, Chloe was indeed sound asleep.

After hanging his jacket on the opposite chair, he pondered for a moment. He wanted to move her to the bed so she could rest comfortably. But Chloe, who was a light sleeper, would surely wake up soon.

Andert, who had been seriously weighing both options, slowly bent his waist. This was after he had made the judgment that it would be better to take her inside rather than leave her on this chair.

Chloe woke from her deep sleep when he had completely lifted her limp body.

“……Andert?”

The moment his eyes met with her green eyes drunk with sleep, he soothed Chloe in his arms. Yet he didn’t stop moving toward the bed.

“Did you just arrive? I must have dozed off. What time is it?”

“It’s alright, sleep more.”

Even after covering her with the bedding with a small whisper, he didn’t actually think Chloe would close her eyes again. Normally, she would typically only lie in bed after midnight.

But her blinking eyes soon fell asleep. Andert, who had been quietly watching, only slowly rose after confirming that Chloe didn’t have a fever.

Fortunately, there seemed no need to call the physician. Chloe’s condition didn’t appear bad.

After lowering the bedroom’s lighting considerably, he headed to the bathroom. She had been dedicating herself solely to work, preparing for the exhibition for some time. So it was a natural wish that she should rest adequately when given the opportunity.

A while later, his steps from the bathroom took a seat at the table, making almost no sound. Andert, who had only brightly lit the bedside lamp, quietly picked up the documents.