After soaking in the hot water until the tension had finally left his body, Aiden got dressed meticulously.

He swept his still-damp golden hair back in one smooth motion, then stopped in front of the small door that led to the adjoining bedroom.

Beyond that door, she would be waiting for him.

He could picture her gentle smile blooming on her face the moment their eyes met. He could imagine the soft, hesitant steps of her small feet as she came towards him.

Sveta.

Despite her limp, his lovely mistress would always walk towards him without hesitation.

She was the one who brought him relief.

‘So how could I not look for her?’

Justifying the sinful impulse that had led him to seek her out on his sister’s death anniversary, Aiden tightened his grip on the doorknob.

At that moment, however, he sensed a presence at the door.

He turned around.

It was his aide, who had knocked carefully before entering the bedchamber.

“What is it?”

“Your Grace. I bring two important pieces of news, and so I have come despite the late hour.”

Dennis bowed deeply.

His face was as pale as ever, but the hint of excitement in his voice suggested that the news was favorable.

Aiden cast a brief glance at the pitch-black window before speaking.

“Report.”

“We have found traces of Jace Gould.”

“……”

Aiden turned fully towards him.

He crossed the chamber with his usual composure.

He lowered himself onto the sofa, tilting his chin in silent command for his aide to continue, and unfolded a map.

“There was a witness at a tavern frequented by mercenaries.”

“And?”

“Based on multiple testimonies, we investigated and marked the places where he has been staying.”

Small circles had been drawn in several spots across the map Dennis handed over.

“He moves every day.”

His range of activity was fairly wide. But with a mind as dull as his, that seemed to be the extent of it — the pattern was easy to read.

After a brief glance, Aiden placed the map on the table lightly.

“…Perhaps a week.”

At most, it would take two weeks to capture him.

The good premonition he had felt days earlier when looking into her eyes now seemed to be coming true.

The mere thought of her clear, sky-blue eyes lifted the weight that had been dragging him down all day.

Something in his chest itched faintly.

Aiden placed his palm against his heart.

“Are you unwell, Your Grace?”

His aide, quick to notice even the slightest change, asked cautiously.

“No.”

Having perfectly subdued his emotions, Aiden gave his order in a flat tone.

“Identify likely locations where he may stay next. Station soldiers and archers in an ambush position nearby. The moment he is sighted, summon me. I will capture him personally.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“And the other matter?”

“Ah, that…”

“……”

“There was someone on Lady Noma’s guest list today who is not of noble birth.”

Dennis swallowed.

“Upon inquiry, we learned he works as a boatman in summer and sells wild game and firewood in winter.”

“…Lady Noma must be terribly lonely.”

“……”

“Place him under surveillance.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Dennis withdrew from the bedchamber after bowing deeply.

How lonely must the proud Elise Strilland be if she’s entertaining a mere laborer?

There must be a reason.

When his mother had a reason, it was rarely innocent. It was usually shrouded in secrecy — petty manipulations or something far darker.

She was plotting again.

Aiden sensed it instinctively, and his green eyes darkened.

***

A full month had passed since the rainy season began.

As the oppressive summer heat gradually eased, the Duke’s schedule became increasingly demanding.

In Levizan, a territory along the north-eastern border, preparations for winter were already underway. The late-autumn hunting festival was approaching quickly.

Aiden had not returned for over two weeks since departing to oversee these matters.

In a way, this was fortunate.

Meanwhile, Sveta quietly counted the days, waiting for the relentless rain to finally end.

‘We’re escaping by ship. Once the rainy season ends, the time will come.’

As if in answer to her wish, the long, exhausting downpour had stopped the previous night.

Looking up at the clear sky beyond the window, Sveta gently stroked her abdomen. Estimating its size had become a new habit.

“Why… isn’t it growing?”

Could it have been because she hadn’t eaten well as a child?

Even though life was taking root within her, her small, slender frame showed little change.

She had asked Ivan about it quietly, but he had only said that belly size varied from person to person, and that it was still early days.

“At least it isn’t because something is wrong…”

Yes, perhaps that was a blessing.

No one would suspect that she was pregnant.

She let out a small sigh and wandered aimlessly along the edge of the room.

She stopped when she heard movement outside the door.

“My lady, your breakfast.”

A servant entered, carrying her meal.

As she arranged the dishes neatly on the table, Sveta’s gaze drifted to the rosewood chest beside it.

On its scarred surface, marked with faint nail impressions, lay a single dried rose.

Sveta lifted the flower that Aiden had once broken for her.

Several brittle petals, utterly devoid of life, fell soundlessly.

“It is ready. Please enjoy.”

“Thank you, Kyle.”

With his hands folded neatly in front of him, the servant bowed and smiled gently.

Knowing that she disliked being waited on, he withdrew at once.

For a long moment, Sveta stood motionless. Then she reached out to the fallen petals.

Crackle.

They crumbled helplessly beneath her fingertips.

Fearing that the rest would turn to dust as well, she carefully replaced the withered rose.

***

At noon, Beth arrived.

Sveta looked at her with unsteady eyes.

As usual, she carried a large rattan basket filled with laundry, but she looked determined.

“Beth, is something wrong?”

“Come here. Quickly.”

Her tone was firm.

Sveta knew the time had come.

“Sveta, there’s a knight stationed near the entrance.”

“Yes, I know.”

Beth swiftly placed the clothes from the basket into the wardrobe.

“This way.”

She led Sveta into the bath chamber, carrying the empty basket.

Beth was always quick and agile, but today her movements were particularly urgent.

In response, Sveta’s anxiety rose.

After locking the door, Beth took something out of the basket.

It was hair dye.

“Dye it back to your original color.”

“……”

“I brought a maid’s uniform. Imitate me and leave this room.”

“What about you?”

Beth glanced at Sveta’s worried eyes, then lowered her gaze to her hair.

Without hesitating, she began to apply black dye to the orange strands.

“You go first. I’ve prepared everything in advance. When you reach the Brimiya River, the boatman will tell you what to do next.”

“And what about you, Beth?”

“Just go wherever the boatman leads you. I’ve already requested leave for next week. I’ll slip away without arousing suspicion.”

With practiced ease, Beth tossed the empty dye bottle into the basket. A cloth had been placed at the bottom to muffle the sound.

Relieved that it had not shattered, Sveta asked quietly.

“You throw better now.”

“Hmm? I was always good at throwing.”

“…Were you?”

“Of course. I take after my father.”

Beth grinned.

The sharp curve of her lips only served to make Sveta more uneasy.

Smoothing the furrow in Sveta’s brow, Beth said gently,

“As soon as you’re out, I’ll leave through the window. This is the second floor—I can manage that easily.”

“…All right.”

After waiting for the dye to set, Beth washed Sveta’s hair.

She twisted up the roughly dried strands and dressed her in the maid’s uniform.

“I smuggled these clothes out a few days ago.”

“Mm…”

“A woman carrying a child shouldn’t be this thin.”

Tightening the apron firmly around her slender waist, Beth clicked her tongue softly.

“I told the head maid I’d be stepping out today. As long as you reach the carriage without being noticed, you’ll be fine.”

“All right.”

Her heart was pounding wildly.

Sveta bit down on her lip.

Although she was not confident that she could do it, she nodded firmly.

“Today, now that the rain has stopped, might be our only chance. The rainy season isn’t fully over yet…”

Beth was right.

Sir Pailin had said that Aiden would be back soon. After that, it was impossible to say how long he might be gone for again.

She had been refusing him for weeks, claiming she was unwell.

Fortunately, Aiden had not forced her into his bed.

He only held her tightly while they slept, but she could not keep making excuses forever.

“There’s no time.”

Beth gripped her shoulders and turned her around.

It was the same gentle voice that had once helped her to escape from Zloytan; now, it urged her forward.

“I love you, Sveta. You must stay safe.”

***

On the ducal estate, it was a common sight to see a maid carrying a large laundry basket.

The duke was obsessed with cleanliness, so the bedding and curtains in the many unused rooms were washed regularly.

Following Beth’s instructions, Sveta crossed the empty servants’ hall and headed towards the kitchen.

No one paid her any attention.

That was fortunate.

Keeping her head lowered, she imitated Beth’s quick, efficient stride.

“Climb into the fruit merchant’s wagon. I’ve already paid him, so if he asks for more money, don’t give it to him. Understood?”

Recalling Beth’s warning, Sveta spotted the cart waiting in the rear courtyard and approached it at once.

She climbed onto the back of the open wagon.

Her heart would not steady.

She clutched her apron tightly, twisting the fabric in her fists.

Soon, the merchant stepped out of the kitchen, glanced briefly behind him, and set the cart in motion without saying a word.

The cart jolted forward.

“Wait!”

A familiar voice suddenly called out, halting the merchant.