Following behind Duke Dietrich’s waiting escort, Espin looked at the back of the man walking away. Everyone she had ever faced had been kind to her. Especially if they were men.

But Andert Dietrich, what makes you so cold?

Not caring about Espin’s inner thoughts, he immediately left the hotel. The sun was still blazing, heating the air.

Maybe the same coincidence as yesterday could happen again.

Of course, it was a ridiculous thought. But Andert’s gaze was fixed on something far beyond the boulevard. It was in the direction of the Royal Library, where he had met Chloe yesterday.

His constant pondering was interrupted when Daniel approached him.

“Have you finished all your business?”

Daniel had just rushed over after hearing what the Duke had said to the manager. The lawyer, who had been staying at his office near the hotel, was already carrying a heavy briefcase.

He had no idea why Andert had called him so suddenly, on a holiday no less, so he had come prepared for anything. But what appeared out of the blue was something that had nothing to do with the papers he had brought with him.

“Chloe is in the capital. Find out where she is and how long she’s staying.”

Daniel hesitated to answer when the familiar but now distant name was mentioned.

Whether Miss Chloe is in the capital or not, what does it matter? Why bother finding out the whereabouts of someone you’ve already paid alimony to and broken up with?

But he couldn’t bring himself to say a word.

“Yes. I’ll find out.”

Andert turned around after confirming his answer. His polished shoes naturally boarded the carriage the lawyer had arrived in.

Daniel quickly glanced around. Where did he leave the Dietrich family carriage? But as always, he couldn’t satisfy his curiosity and took a seat next to the Duke.

“Don’t go straight to the mansion.”

Andert gave a brief order and closed his eyes. He had already made up his mind. He was going to see Chloe.

More than anything, he wanted to confirm the reality of the emotions he had become acutely aware of since yesterday.

***

Chloe’s lodging was in a residential area lined with similar-looking buildings.

It was a close distance of 30 minutes from the city center, where the train station, hotels, libraries, and exhibition halls were located. It must have been carefully considered in consideration of the movement of the association’s employees. It was a natural result since Kate had meticulously checked and chosen it.

The streets, where festivals continued day after day, were still crowded.

Chloe, who finished her work today, headed in the opposite direction of her accommodation. Her destination was the Hussler Cultural Foundation. She had an appointment with Countess Declen there. A quiet coffee shop located in the old building of the Cultural Foundation was the meeting place for today.

“We’ve arrived, Miss.”

The carriage stopped right at the entrance to the foundation, which was crowded with people. The new building, which had recently opened, was at the front, close to the entrance. To get to the old building, which had given its reputation to the newly expanded new building, one had to go much further inside.

The moment Chloe hurried her steps, exclamations erupted from among the people.

“Wow.”

“Look at that, over there.”

It was a picture frame that filled one side of the wall of the new building that caught the eyes of those who came out for a Sunday afternoon outing. Chloe also stopped in front of dozens of paintings that could be freely viewed without paying to enter the interior.

From idyllic landscapes to abstract paintings with primary colors. The types were also diverse. Chloe smiled faintly, remembering Aaron, who had planned such a public exhibition.

She wanted to appreciate the paintings longer, but she had to postpone it to the next opportunity. Chloe hurriedly quickened her pace again.

“Miss Chloe, how have you been?”

Countess Declen had already arrived at the coffee shop, located at the innermost part of the old building. Her face, as she faced Chloe, was a mixture of anxiety and welcome.

“I apologize for causing you concern.”

“Oh, my, what a harsh thing to say. Please don’t say that, considering my relationship with your mother. Come on, sit down first. This way.”

The Countess led Chloe with a more benevolent smile.

Seeing her friend’s daughter, who had left the world first, doubled her sorrow. She was such a righteous and upright child, so she believed that she would do well in the Dietrich family. She couldn’t hide her dismay at the sudden news of the separation and the announcement of the divorce.

She looked warmly at Chloe, who was neatly dressed in a blouse and a long skirt. How lovely. How nice it would have been if she had a daughter like this.

Every time she saw Chloe, the regret that came to her mind remained unchanged. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for the fact that she had only two sons.

“Have it with the cake.”

The Countess kindly offered the tea that the staff brought out.

Her eyes, watching Chloe sipping tea carefully, were filled with longing. It was because her best friend, who had left so early at a rather young age, came to mind.

On top of that, to think that she had suffered all her life after meeting a man who was only good-looking—Hudson Hardin.

If only she had had a little stronger support, Chloe would have lived a much better life.

Every time she thought of Viscount Hardin, who appeared with a new scandal whenever things calmed down, she became enraged, but that was something she couldn’t help either. So, she had hoped that Chloe would settle down in the Dietrich family and live well.

‘It’s all because of Andert, that arrogant man.’

The Countess was sure without having to see more. She was certain that the responsibility for Chloe’s divorce would rest entirely with Duke Dietrich.

Besides, she was very displeased that her husband had been meeting with him frequently these days. It was even more frustrating because her husband was the type who never said a word about outside matters, so she couldn’t figure out what was going on.

Her eldest son, Raymond, had been friends with Andert for a long time, so there was nothing she could do about it. The Countess, suppressing her frustration, began to bring up the things she had been curious about one by one.

“Where are you staying now?”

“There is staff accommodation provided by the association. It’s a high place on the other side of the Edesa Bridge.”

“Ah, it’s not far from here. How’s work?”

“I’m still learning hard. Fortunately, it’s a field I’m interested in, so it’s rewarding.”

Oh, how sincere.

She nodded her head broadly at Chloe’s answer. To think that Dietrich had missed a woman like this. He must have had a poor eye for people.

Not only that. It seemed that there was already talk of the Sharlo family in the Dietrich family. It was something that Countess Sharlo had boasted about, so there was no need to doubt the source.

To kick Chloe out and put Espin in her place… She wanted to laugh at his terrible taste. It was true that Count Sharlo had amassed enormous wealth in the financial industry. In addition, his daughter’s appearance was exceptionally beautiful, so she was a target that men would fall for.

However, Espin’s notoriety was an open secret among the fast-talking noblewomen. Of course, not all rumors were to be trusted. But if someone had a personality that made many shake their heads, there must be a good reason for it.

In many ways, she was a completely different young lady from Chloe.

Now that she thought about it, Chloe was old enough to meet someone.

Of course, there was the restriction of remarriage, but that didn’t mean she had to live alone for the rest of her life. Above all, Chloe’s beautiful face and upright demeanor, which were seated opposite her, were enough to make men of the right mind flock to her.

The Countess drew a line under the word ‘right’ as if to emphasize it.

It meant that he wasn’t a man who indulged in unrealistic investments or alcohol like Viscount Hardin, nor was he a man who lived with a superiority complex like Duke Dietrich.

‘I’ll have to step in before some idiot snatches her up.’

It was a little early, but it was a much better picture than having a strange man take the place next to Chloe. Once the bridge was built, it wouldn’t be bad if they got to know each other slowly.

She decided not to stand by this time, at least for the sake of her friend in heaven. It was Chloe’s cautious question that interrupted her thoughts.

“How have you been, Countess?”

“I’ve been well. There’s nothing special to say since I always meet the same people.”

“How’s your shoulder? You said it was uncomfortable the other day.”

“Ah, thanks to my doctor whom I see twice a week, it’s almost healed now.”

“That’s a relief.”

Chloe, who had asked with concern, was relieved inwardly. After her mother passed away, the Countess had told her not to hesitate to come to her if anything happened.