“Ha……”

It was ridiculous even to himself. He was the one who had taken one of two choices. Then the other possibility should have been discarded immediately. It no longer had any value.

But even after putting the period of divorce, Chloe freely traversed both Andert’s consciousness and unconsciousness. That brilliantly sunny day remained vivid.

“I hope you’ll be happy, Andert.”

Even Chloe’s voice left as her last words.

What future are you dreaming of after parting with me?

Chloe was fundamentally intelligent and strong-willed. She was also beautiful enough to draw attention anywhere.

It wouldn’t be unreasonable for her to settle down and meet someone new.

At the end of this stream of consciousness, someone’s face appeared. The son of House Hussler whom he had encountered in Bergen. Gray hair and eyes of the same color that had been fixed steadily on Chloe. The very hazy color that Andert hated most.

His displeasure was both sticky and vivid. Only when he became amused at his own state did Andert rise from his seat. Unlike his silence until now, the fully standing man appeared unhindered.

Only then did Daniel, who had been waiting for dismissal, slightly withdraw.

“Go down to Hanover as soon as day breaks tomorrow.”

Then came an inexplicable instruction.

“Resolve whatever problems there are as quickly as possible.”

“……Pardon me, but could you clarify the scope of resolution you’re referring to, Your Grace?”

It was an unexpected order. Above all, as a lawyer, he needed to understand the exact meaning first. Of course, for other matters, he wouldn’t have questioned so specifically.

But why would the Duke step in for House Hardin’s affairs?

“Clean enough that newspapers can’t write articles about it. Do I need to explain more specifically?”

After finishing his answer, Andert looked as if he had encountered the world’s greatest fool.

Daniel felt wronged but immediately bowed his head. Whether he understood the reason or not, he had to follow orders. The position of Duke Dietrich’s closest aide wasn’t something that could be obtained for nothing.

“Yes. I’ll depart on the first train tomorrow morning.”

Even after the lawyer left, Andert remained in place for a long while.

Though he had achieved what he so desperately wanted, the sense of accomplishment fell far short of expectations. Rather, his mood seemed to twist more and more.

So Chloe, how are you? You who said you had no other wishes except parting from me, are you doing well?

The question without an answer melted into the ticking sound of the clock’s second hand.

Breathing out a dry sigh, Andert stopped abruptly in his pacing. As always, the mansion was deathly quiet. That was entirely due to the butler’s efforts to accommodate the master who was sensitive to noise. But today, even the familiar silence was disagreeable.

“Crazy bastard.”

The quietly uttered curse didn’t easily disperse but lingered in place. Since Chloe left this mansion, he was the one acting like a fool.

***

“I’ll take this one. This size should be sufficient.”

After much deliberation, Chloe chose a light lemon-colored fabric. The cloth without any particular pattern was plain but neat.

Aaron was impressed by Chloe who made all decisions in less than 10 minutes after entering the shop. The uncomplicated customer had only two conditions.

A thickness suitable for all seasons and a reasonable price range.

Chloe’s precise requests immediately stopped the shop owner who knew Aaron’s status. Even afterward, the owner couldn’t bring out any of the expensive fabrics he had been eager to show.

Aaron watched the simple selection process from a few steps behind. He didn’t know exactly what kind of space the residence where Chloe currently stayed was. Come to think of it, he knew almost nothing about her detailed preferences.

During their days at the Royal School, there were few chances for the two to become personally close. Moreover, Chloe married suddenly after finishing her first year.

For the palace to push House Hardin as Dietrich’s match… Aaron could only watch without being able to make any moves.

At that moment, the owner quietly approached him, who was lost in thought.

“Is there anything else you need?”

Though his eyes held expectation, Aaron turned away. Chloe was carefully checking the fabric she had finished purchasing. He answered half-dismissively.

“If there are items I need, the caretaker will send a list.”

“Ah, yes. How could there be any issue? We’ll prepare whatever products you request.”

House Hussler redecorated their villa’s interior with each changing season. The shop owner saw off the customer who spent freely every season with a bright smile.

“Thank you. Please take care.”

When they left the shop hung with colorful fabrics, it was already dark outside.

Fortunately, since she hadn’t exceeded her budget, Chloe felt lighthearted. The street was crowded with people. She slightly stepped aside to avoid bumping into oncoming pedestrians. As a result, she moved closer to Aaron standing beside her. Though Chloe wasn’t conscious of it.

The brown hair that had come close to Aaron’s chin then moved away fluttered in the breeze. His gray eyes quickly checked the time. It was the perfect timing to suggest dinner. Perhaps the goddess of fortune was on his side this time.

“Chloe, aren’t you hungry?”

Aaron’s next suggestion, with a full smile, came right away. Of course, he didn’t forget to add the complaint that he had skipped lunch due to urgent business.

In the end, Chloe couldn’t refuse the plea that he was too hungry. The restaurant they entered was completely different from the bustling outside. Its location was also in a quiet area behind the main road that stretched in a cross centered on Bergen Station.

Chloe sat in a heavy wooden chair and looked around the classical interior. The luxurious interior was comparable to famous restaurants in the capital. It was a splendor that was once familiar but now felt awkward.

“I’ll prepare your main course.”

The staff who brought out food in set order quietly disappeared. Every dish was excellent. But Chloe felt gritty in her mouth as if chewing sand.

Her calm green eyes looked at Aaron who sat across from her.

There was no such thing as kindness without cost in this world. If such goodwill was possible, other reasons had to be premised. Such as friendship, affection, sympathy. If any emotion existed between two people, excessive kindness was certainly possible.

But there was no particular intersection between Aaron and herself. It wasn’t like they had built a continuous friendship like with Kate.

Then, why?

While she was lost in thought, dainty fruit tarts were prepared on the table where the main plates had disappeared. Aaron, taking a bite of the tart where the fruit pulp could be felt, spoke as if in passing.

“Chloe, what do you like?”

It was a question without a defined range. Chloe smiled faintly and answered.

“That’s a difficult question to answer, Aaron. The range is too broad.”

“Anything is fine. Favorite colors, food, types of flowers too.”

Her effort to gently turn the direction of conversation was in vain. It was a different flow from Aaron’s usual manner of not pressing further when the other party withdrew.

Simultaneously, he who had put down his small spoon met her eyes directly. His gray eyes that reflected surrounding colors completely changed feeling according to lighting and light.

For instance, pupils that looked much darker under dim lighting could feel like an entirely different color under bright sunlight. Aaron’s eyes meeting her gaze shone as if absorbing the lamplight directly.

“I want to get one step closer to you. And I want to know about things you like. Going a bit further, I hope we can share each other’s interests.”

“……”

Since Chloe wasn’t insensitive, she had been gradually becoming conscious of him. But such a direct answer? Her startled eyes blinked quickly without realizing.

Aaron smiled gently to reassure her.

He didn’t want to force anything. He just wanted to honestly show the feelings he had kept only in his heart until now. Because once was enough for watching Chloe’s back without being able to do anything.

“Of course, I don’t expect all this to happen right now, Chloe. I’m not hoping to become something right away either. I want to approach you little by little. And……”

Aaron’s gentle voice broke off momentarily.

At that moment, Chloe realized a fact she had overlooked. If he had approached like this when they first met again. She would certainly have cut off further meetings immediately.

So Aaron had been moving very slowly, keeping within bounds that wouldn’t make her uncomfortable. At her pace. And as if to confirm that thought, Aaron confessed clearly.

“You probably haven’t heard this before, but I wasn’t able to show my feelings properly in the past. So this time, I decided not to miss this opportunity.”

***