It was as if he had read Chloe’s mind.

“It was a beautiful day just like today. It was good to see you. I was glad…”

His voice left a strange lingering impression.

Chloe wasn’t sure how to respond. As she silently stared at the wine glass on the table, Kate, who had been away, approached.

“Shall we move? Let’s go to the garden, the breeze is nice.”

“Should we?”

Chloe stood up without hesitation at the perfect timing to break the previous atmosphere. Aaron nodded and followed the two as if nothing had happened.

“Oh right, about what we were saying earlier. Chloe, remember that party in the dormitory during our first year?”

“Yes. I think it was in midsummer.”

“Right. The hem of my dress got ruined then. I was making such a fuss, clinging to you about what to do.”

As they entered the garden, Kate’s cheerful chatter continued along with the stronger scent of flowers.

These were memories Chloe rarely had the chance to face. A faint smile crept onto her lips as she recalled the vague memories. At the same time, she brushed off her conversation with Aaron without dwelling on it too long.

Attributing meaning to someone’s small actions or words was an old habit from the days when she looked up to Andert. And Chloe didn’t want to do that anymore.

***

As May approached, the peak social season in the capital began with grand parties being held day after day. Numerous invitations arrived at the Dietrich mansion.

But all those invitations were sorted at Roman’s fingertips. This was after Andert, who never missed official duties, had firmly stated he would not attend any parties or social gatherings.

Roman was well aware. How much talk there was about the Lady Dietrich who hadn’t shown her face for nearly two months. On top of that, all sorts of speculation swirled about Andert, whose facial features had grown sharper.

“What could be happening at House Dietrich?”

“I know, right? I heard the lady hasn’t come up from Hanover at all?”

“And what about Lord Andert? His face looked more than just a little harsh, I tell you. Something must have happened between them. Could they be practically separated?”

“Now that the palace has a new master, House Dietrich has no reason to hold onto House Hardin anymore. Just watch. There will be a major announcement from Duke Dietrich’s side soon.”

Roman had long been aware of the rampant rumors but could do nothing about them. For now, all he could do was ensure the servants didn’t spread the talk.

“Welcome. The master is in his study.”

Roman greeted Daniel, who came as usual today, without much expectation. These days, the lawyer was visiting the mansion almost daily.

There was one reason. It was to report news from those searching for Lady Dietrich’s whereabouts. Daniel’s footsteps, quickly entering the study, were louder than usual.

Andert raised his eyebrows at the disturbing noise. Until just before, the space had been filled with familiar silence. His already sensitive nerves began to stretch taut.

But Daniel spoke before getting permission.

“We’ve found someone who can positively identify Lady Dietrich’s face.”

“……!!”

Andert’s irritation, which had suddenly peaked, vanished without a trace. He had unconsciously jumped up from the sofa.

“Where?”

“At Aden Station in the west. One of the station workers there clearly remembers Lady Dietrich’s face.”

“Aden?”

Andert questioned the station name he’d never heard before. The west was the region bordering the country.

“Yes. There was a commotion at Aden Station that day due to a train breakdown. Among those who stayed to transfer trains was a woman who looked identical to Lady Dietrich.”

“And? Where did Chloe go after that?”

He urged for an answer, frustrated by the unresolved questions. The process wasn’t what interested him now. He wanted to know exactly where Chloe was.

“Bergen. And those who sent the news have already departed for Bergen Station.”

So they hadn’t actually found Chloe yet. Andert ran his hand through his disheveled hair, organizing his thoughts.

But this was the first time they’d discovered even a small clue about Chloe’s whereabouts. Just being able to pinpoint the region was an encouraging development.

He consciously tried to take a deep breath. His dark blue eyes, which had been sunken, now wavered with clear expectation.

On the other hand, anxiety surged that the woman might just resemble Chloe. But remembering a passenger’s face who briefly stayed at the station after so much time… Something didn’t add up.

“Daniel, are you certain the station worker positively identified Chloe’s face?”

“Yes. They say they’ve confirmed it repeatedly.”

His face showed no sign of hesitation.

That was because until now, they struggled without finding any clues. From Daniel’s perspective, given various circumstances, the likelihood of that woman being Lady Dietrich seemed very high.

According to what they’d learned, a train broke down at Aden Station that day. So stranded passengers waited at the station for anywhere from a few hours to over half a day for another train. The station worker in question had checked tickets one by one and helped passengers transfer trains.

During that process, one passenger who presented a ticket from Saphi to Bergen caught their attention.

Most passengers on trains departing from the northern mountains were tourists. Among tourists carrying large suitcases, a young woman in simple attire would have stood out even more.

“And because the next train to Bergen was also delayed, the station worker had to apologize to that passenger two or three more times.”

Daniel’s explanation made sense at first glance. If they had encountered that person repeatedly rather than just passing by once, it wouldn’t be unreasonable if they recognized their face.

“Bergen…”

Andert softly repeated the name of the city mentioned as Chloe’s next destination. However, nothing particular came to mind.

“It’s a small city bordering the western frontier. Also known as ‘the City of Artists.'”

Daniel’s explanation ended there. Even that much he knew only because he had learned various information about Artion’s cities while searching for Lady Dietrich.

But Andert’s eyes suddenly narrowed as he had been silent. Something crossed his mind at the word ‘artist’. Chloe had majored in Art History at the Royal University. And…

“Mr. Norden accumulated his wealth through mining development in the mid-western mountainous region. He also has an artists’ association he sponsors due to his interest in artwork.”

It was what Daniel had reported. More than a month ago.

Andert immediately pulled open the topmost drawer of his desk. His fingers began quickly turning pages through the pile of documents that spilled out. His eyes wavered as they found someone’s name.

Kate Norden.

The scattered pieces of information in his head began coming together as one possibility. Without delay, he tore out that page and handed it to Daniel.

“Check which artists’ association Mr. Norden sponsors.”

This was an unexpected development. He hadn’t thought Chloe would contact people she knew after leaving the capital. Rather, he assumed she would disappear to somewhere where she knew no one.

So had Chloe anticipated even this blind spot?

Andert clicked his tongue at the fact he had carelessly overlooked. Daniel felt the same way.

“…Ah, could it be…”

His face showed realization as he belatedly understood the meaning.

If Chloe’s whereabouts were really connected to this woman named Kate… It meant they could have found Lady Dietrich much earlier. But now knowing the exact direction to focus on, Daniel didn’t hesitate.

“I’ll check right away.”

After the lawyer disappeared, Roman, who had been standing straight, began picking up the papers that had fallen to the floor. Andert pushed aside the closed window and curtains, leaving the butler behind.

Suddenly, sunlight filled with red hues poured down overhead. The sky, with the sunset halfway down, was turning completely red. Like a puzzle that was starting to come together, they would soon discover Chloe’s whereabouts.

What should I do next?

Andert, who had been focused solely on one goal, finally thought about the next step.

After meeting Chloe who had left this place, then what? Of course, there were things he wanted to ask. But he had never really had any deep conversations with her before.

He stood blankly before this unprecedented challenge. Not a single convincing word came to mind. Just like how he hadn’t even noticed losing his wedding ring.

It was probably in Daloa.

Even that was just a speculation. Because he had taken off the cumbersome ring while staying in Daloa right after the wedding. Afterwards, he had forgotten the ring had even existed. Until he received the wedding ring Chloe had left behind.

His actions and behavior, which he hadn’t been conscious of before, were all indifferent. He only realized this fact after Chloe disappeared.

Why? Because Chloe would always be in the same place no matter what he did? You fool.

A bitter laugh escaped at this terribly late realization. But anyway, he would be able to meet her now. Starting from there.

That was all he concluded after standing by the window where cool wind rushed in for a long time. It was completely different from how he usually arranged multiple backup plans in case something went wrong.

But it couldn’t be helped. Because he couldn’t predict at all what Chloe would really be like.