The following day, at noon, Sveta stepped into a carriage and quietly drove through the front gates of the ducal estate.

Aiden watched her leave from a distance, his expression unreadable. Only once the carriage had disappeared from view did he turn and head back to his office.

Lately, work had descended upon him without pause, leaving him no time to breathe. It was the same every year at this time. As the anniversary of his sister’s death approached, he drove himself relentlessly, almost punishingly, burying himself in endless tasks.

This year was no different. In fact, it was worse. He had recently expanded their trade operations into Sweenia, doubling his responsibilities overnight. Documents piled higher by the hour, each demanding his attention.

And so, as always, he prioritized work.

“Your Grace, Marchioness Matwood has invited you to a banquet.”

Dennis, looking paler than ever these days, hurried after him. Aiden glanced at the thin hand extending the letter and shook his head.

“Tell him I’m busy.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Marchioness Matwood must have far too much time on his hands.”

“….”

Aiden quickened his pace, muttering under his breath. Of all days, the ducal estate felt unbearably vast.

It was the word ‘Matwood’, mentioned in passing by his aide, that had soured his mood.

Without warning, Alyona Matwood’s face appeared in his mind.

Her ash-grey eyes, like a sky swollen with storm clouds, always reminded him of the day of his sister’s memorial service. He found her utterly loathsome.

He could still see the way her gaze had glittered as she looked down at Sveta lying on the floor. He could still feel the unsettling heat flickering in her eyes as she secretly observed what transpired in his office. And those damp, creeping eyes that had lingered shamelessly over his body.

The memory alone was enough.

His disgust for Alyona surged, rising like a jagged spire piercing the sky.

“…Unbelievable.”

The more he thought about what that woman had done, the hotter his blood ran. Aiden’s hand curled into a tight fist.

He knew Alyona Matwood’s temperament well. He had expected, to some extent, that she would torment Sveta.

What he had not expected was his own reaction.

‘I didn’t think it would twist my insides like this.’

He had not imagined that even the smallest slight against Sveta would make him want to retaliate. He had not thought that merely picturing the petty cruelties—large or small—that might come in the future would feel as though something inside him were rotting away.

To be driven this mad over a woman…

“Your Grace, next on your schedule is an informal meeting with Count Lowell of Teris. After that, beginning at five in the afternoon—”

At last, when they reached the study, Dennis began reciting the day’s agenda in a cautious voice.

Letting the words pass through one ear and out the other, Aiden walked toward the window.

“The coffee house.”

“Pardon? Ah, as you ordered, the transfer of ownership has been completed.”

“….”

“It was possible because you handled the paperwork on the way back.”

“….”

“We have also taken additional measures to ensure the young lady’s comfort.”

Keeping his gaze fixed on the sky, Aiden extended one hand. Dennis, well practiced, poured the wine and placed the glass into his grasp.

The bitter, grassy flavor spread across his tongue. As the liquor slid down his throat, heat flared within him.

It felt as though flames, born in his throat, were searing through his insides.

There was no need to question the reason.

His woman had gone out without him.

‘Should I never have allowed her to leave?’

He felt as though he could not breathe unless he saw with his own eyes that she was safe.

Perhaps he should have followed her himself—shadowed her in secret.

Since his father had attacked Sveta at the engagement ceremony, an inexplicable unease had begun to consume him.

Now, it was no longer the fear that Sveta might slip from his grasp that tormented him.

It was the possibility that someone might harm her.

Impatience closed around his throat like a tightening hand. In a low, strained voice, Aiden asked—

“The former duke.”

“As instructed, we have placed him under surveillance.”

“And?”

“According to the latest carrier pigeon from Levizan, there has been no unusual activity.”

The fact that his father was keeping quiet was good news. Yet Aiden still wanted to get to the root of his unease and destroy it.

So that no one would ever dare to lay a hand on her again.

“…Have them report even the smallest detail.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Even now, time ticked steadily forward. Glancing at the clock with visible anxiety, Dennis looked up just as Aiden turned toward him.

“Can the next appointment be postponed?”

“Pardon? For how long?”

“All of them.”

Rifling hurriedly through the stack of documents, Dennis finally nodded.

“For today… I believe I can manage somehow.”

“….”

“May I ask what this is about, Your Grace?”

“I’ve only dealt with the small fry so far.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.”

Aiden slowly drained the remaining white wine and said flatly.

“It seems I’ll need to file a few lawsuits.”

***

“…That’s a very honest name.”

Sveta stepped into the shop beneath the unassuming ‘Coffee House’ sign.

Although the name itself was unremarkable, it was indeed the most luxurious coffee house in Renan, as the coachman had said. The moment she stepped inside, she understood why. The interior was elegant and meticulously arranged — refined without being ostentatious.

Decorated in soft shades of white and grey, the space felt familiar to her. Each table was adorned with a different vase of flowers, adding quiet touches of color to the subdued surroundings.

Sveta made her way to a window table where a lush pink blossom bloomed in a slender vase. She had plenty of time before her appointment and intended to wait in peace.

No sooner had she taken her seat than a waiter appeared and placed a cup of tea in front of her, even though she hadn’t ordered anything.

The fragrance that rose from it was unmistakably familiar.

‘How did they know to bring this?’

The question arose, but this was not the time to dwell on such things.

Slowly sipping the herbal tea, Sveta rehearsed what she would say when she met Viscount Meriner.

‘You are looking for Baron Luce’s secret study, aren’t you?’

Too direct.

It would be better to circle around the point. After all, he had not openly declared his intentions.

‘Perhaps what you are searching for is the entrance to the study?’

No, that would not do either.

Better not to use provocative words like “secret study” or “escape.”

Shaking her head slightly, Sveta rearranged her phrasing in her mind.

‘I can provide the information you seek. In return, Viscount, you must assist me.’

“Yes, that would be a suitable opening.”

As she waited for Henrik to arrive, Sveta absentmindedly traced the rim of her teacup. Its shape felt familiar in her hands.

When she noticed the gold trim and the delicate pink butterfly painted on the cup and saucer, she tilted her head in faint puzzlement.

At that moment, the café door opened.

Sveta lifted her head expectantly, but it was not Viscount Meriner.

“It’s past two o’clock…”

Disappointment settled over her.

With a soft click, a small cup was placed before her.

“Your coffee, miss.”

“…I didn’t order this.”

The server smiled kindly.

“You asked for it to be brought at two. Please have the chocolate first.”

“….”

Caught off guard, Sveta gave a small nod and watched the server walk away.

The long wait resumed.

Even after another hour passed, he did not appear.

“Could something have happened?”

She murmured to herself as she idly turned the chocolate bar over in her hands. The wrapper, no bigger than her thumbnail, rustled softly beneath her touch.

Glancing up by chance, she noticed the server watching her.

When their eyes met, the woman nodded slightly.

Slowly, Sveta unwrapped the chocolate.

“It looks too sweet.”

Yet she had no desire to eat it. She put the chocolate back on the saucer.

Her gaze drifted to the discarded wrapper lying to one side.

Small letters were printed on it.

[Everyone inside is the duke’s man. It won’t be easy, but come to Marchioness Matwood’s residence. I am staying in the annex.]

The moment she read it, her heart began to pound violently.

Hastily concealing the note in her palm, Sveta lifted her teacup, only to put it down again immediately.

Her hand was trembling too badly to drink.

“Shall I clear this away?”

The server had approached her without her noticing and smiled gently.

Sveta nodded.

Soon, the wrapper bearing Henrik Meriner’s message and the coffee cup were taken away.

She stared blankly at her fingertips, smeared with melted chocolate.

‘He deceived me again…’

The outing that she had fought so hard to obtain did not lead her out into the world.

Instead, it had merely led her into another cage.

This was not the first time Aiden had deceived her. She should have grown accustomed to it by now, so why did it weigh so heavily on her heart?

As the world around her warped and blurred, Sveta steadied herself.

Any sudden agitation would look suspicious.

Swallowing the swell of sorrow, she began to think feverishly about her next move.

‘How can I reach the Marchioness Matwood’s residence?’

***

“Was your outing enjoyable?”

Aiden stood waiting as Sveta stepped down from the carriage.

The afternoon sunlight shone down on him as he stood at the entrance to the main building. As she approached, her shadow stretched across his broad frame. Looking at the way her shadow seemed trapped within him, Sveta answered quietly.

“Your Grace.”

“How was it?”

He extended his hand naturally. Sveta placed her palm over his.

“It wasn’t enjoyable.”

“….”

“I was supposed to meet Viscount Meriner.”

She raised her gaze slightly and looked at him. His face was calm and collected. He didn’t even bother to pretend to be surprised.

Keeping her gaze fixed on his perfectly arranged features, Sveta continued.

“He never showed.”

“….”

“I won’t go out anymore. It was only uncomfortable.”

They entered the main hall and crossed it slowly, side by side, ascending the staircase. Their footsteps echoed softly against the plush carpet, creating a dull thud.

“Are you upset?”

“Yes. I’m angry. I thought he was a good person, but he lied.”

“….”

“I feel like a fool. I shouldn’t have trusted him. I won’t associate again with someone who deceives me.”

She deliberately avoided the subject.

The words had been sharp enough.

Aiden’s brow twitched.

It was a small act of spite; a deliberate wound intended to provoke even the slightest hint of guilt in him.

It was a quiet accusation aimed at the man who had deceived her.

But that was as far as she would go.

Curving her lips into a faint smile, Sveta changed the subject.

“What were you doing, Your Grace?”

“I didn’t expect you to take an interest in my affairs.”

“Does it displease you?”

“Not at all.”

Although Aiden’s expression remained impassive, he tapped the back of her hand lightly and steadily with his fingers.

This was his way of showing that he was pleased.

“Then tell me. What have you been busy with lately?”