The former duke approached the pile of hay.

The way the bundles were stacked seemed oddly out of place. Having just watched the workers finish tidying the area, he could see the difference clearly.

When he shoved the hay aside, he uncovered a bundle of rolled clothes and a large leather pouch hidden beneath it.

“Men’s garments… and a pouch filled with jewels.”

His thoughts branched swiftly.

‘Is this not the preparation of someone intending to flee in disguise?’

Yes, he had heard that she had run away before. He also knew that, in the process of capturing her, his wife had fallen unconscious — yet his son had not cared.

The former duke was well aware of how tenacious his son was. He could easily imagine how Aiden must have restrained his mistress.

“So even if left alone, this relationship is destined for ruin!”

Charles Strilland emerged from the stables, looking satisfied and laughing loudly.

The midday sun was fixed to the top of the highest spire.

If the woman had left, then his radiant son would finally find a partner worthy of him.

He need only observe quietly.

Charles quickened his steps.

Then, abruptly, a question arose.

“…But what if she is caught?”

If the woman in question were his daughter, he would scour the entire continent to find her.

Aiden was a Strilland.

A young Strilland would stop at nothing to achieve his goal.

He had been no different. His father before him had been the same. And so his son, Aiden, was no different.

Charles halted.

Lifting his head, he fixed his gaze on the flag fluttering furiously above the castle walls.

A golden arrow pierced the air above the crashing waves.

Looking at the Strilland crest, he felt a strange exhilaration.

He had come to a realization.

“The hunting festival, is it not? Then I should take up the bow.”

The former duke hurried back to the detached palace. As if waiting for him, his adjutant stepped forward and reported.

“As you instructed, the wolf has been prepared.”

“Put it on hold for now. A better plan has occurred to me.”

“Yes, sir.”

The adjutant responded in an emotionless voice, lowering his head as he awaited further orders.

His son’s lowborn plaything was supposed to be torn apart by a huge Balrog wolf that would suddenly charge into the tents and eat it.

However, no matter how flawless a scheme might seem, a wolf is still a beast. There were variables beyond control.

An arrow shot by his own hand would be far more precise.

‘First, it would be better to open a path for her to escape.’

The former duke turned to his adjutant. A cold smile curved along his wrinkled lips.

“What is the current state of the castle’s guard?”

***

The northern wind blew.

Cold and dry, it brought with it a desolate chill that seemed to seep into the deepest part of your lungs.

Perched on a grand arch, Sveta looked down over the garden and beyond.

“…It feels as though I’m standing atop a mountain.”

Perhaps it was because she was standing on such high ground that she could see the forest so clearly.

Beyond that forest lay freedom.

It was a small, fragile freedom, like an open window. An ordinary life, free from prying eyes.

“Freedom.”

Freedom.

She rolled the unfamiliar word around on her tongue.

Truthfully, she had no idea what it meant. It had never existed in her life.

So she could only imagine what it might be like.

If freedom resembled the dim hush before dawn, she would embrace the light.

If it was as radiant as the midday sun, she would never retreat into darkness again.

As she made that firm resolution, she felt a faint stirring in her chest.

But the flutter of anticipation did not last.

“Sveta.”

Startled by the sudden call, she turned around.

The swell in her chest collapsed at once.

The warm scent of musk drifted into her cold, constricted lungs.

It was Aiden who had approached. He knelt on the floor, rested his cheek against her thigh, and asked her something.

“What were you doing?”

“I was just looking at the garden.”

“Do you like it here?”

Sveta carefully brushed back his hair, now tinted by the glow of the setting sun.

Beneath his smooth forehead, his brow furrowed slightly. She smoothed that, too.

“It’s barren here—unlike the ducal estate or the forests of Czernok. It would be beautiful if there were a lake.”

“Shall I have one made at once?”

She let out a soft laugh.

“How could you make a lake immediately, Duke?”

“Then shall I take you to the sea?”

“…Later.”

“It seems you fear water, yet like it all the same.”

Her hand, which had been stroking his short blond hair, stilled abruptly.

“You… knew that I’m afraid of water?”

“……”

He did not deny it. The fact that he had spoken about it meant that he had no intention of keeping it hidden.

The long-dormant betrayal swelled in an instant.

Its sudden weight was suffocating. She trembled under its weight.

“You knew… and yet you still…”

Aiden looked up at her.

Beneath the elegant arch of his brow, his deep-set eyes darkened further.

Regret flickered in his beautiful green eyes.

“Sveta. I regret what happened then. I—what I did to you…”

Sveta was confused. Her stomach twisted uneasily.

Gripping the hem of her dress with all her strength, she turned her face away.

This look—this expression on his face—

It was as if he were about to apologize.

He mustn’t.

She did not want to give him the chance.

‘You threw cruel words at me. You confined me. You stripped me of my power.’

Even if he apologized, nothing would truly change. He would still watch her. He would still keep her locked away.

She didn’t want to hear a shallow apology offered just to ease his conscience.

Sveta raised both hands and gently cupped Aiden’s cheeks.

Startled by the sudden touch, he fell silent.

Her fingers brushed softly over his slightly parted lips.

The words he had been about to speak seemed to crumble and disappear beneath her touch.

“It’s cold, Aiden.”

“……”

“Let’s return to the bedroom.”

He nodded without protest. His strong arm slid beneath her knees, lifting her effortlessly.

Sveta closed her eyes and leaned into his embrace.

Thud. Thud.

The slow rhythm of his heartbeat made it feel as though the sound of waves was faintly echoing in her ears.

No — it was as though a tide was crashing over her entire body. She did not know what it was.

***

After washing in hot water, Sveta stepped into the bedroom. Inside the large fireplace, crimson logs crackled and burned.

“Come here.”

Aiden stood by the window and beckoned to her.

Streams of sunlight from the setting sun reached the ceiling through the tall window, casting him in a deep red glow.

As she approached, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his gaze still fixed on the view outside.

Following his gaze, Sveta looked out and her mouth fell open.

“Wow…”

A desert landscape covered in brown sand filled her vision.

The pale brown branches of the leafless trees stretched bleakly across the land, resembling faded fabric laid over the earth.

“I’ve never seen trees like that, Duke. Is that a forest too?”

“Dreipium.”

“…Pardon?”

“That is the name of the tree. It has so many thin branches that even a few dozen together can appear like a forest.”

Pressing her palm against the glass, Sveta murmured.

“I see. How pitiful.”

“You find the trees pitiful?”

“Yes. The branches look like threads. When the wind blows, they seem as though they might all snap.”

A low laugh sounded above her head.

“Beneath those thin branches are thick, sturdy limbs. There’s no need to worry. There are just so many branches that you can’t see what’s underneath.”

“That’s a relief.”

Her pale fingers brushed lightly against the glass, as if trying to calm the trees.

Aiden smiled.

This was typical of her; she was the kind of person who couldn’t even pick a single rose.

How utterly lovable.

On impulse, he pulled her tightly into his arms.

Her small feet flailed in surprise, her slippers flying off in different directions.

“Ah—my shoes…”

Her flustered expression was endearing.

Aiden lowered her to the ground again and wrapped a hand around her slender ankle. Her ankle was still warm from her bath, the fragile bone and soft skin visible through the water.

When he gently cupped her foot and began to rub it, Sveta flinched sharply.

He slowly put her slippers back on, one at a time.

“Duke… aren’t you tired?”

She whispered as she looked down at him, her white cheeks now flushed a soft red.

“Not particularly.”

“I’m tired.”

Her slender fingers brushed along his jaw. Tracing down the line of his neck and across his shoulder, Sveta gently urged him to stand.

“Let’s rest.”

Sveta wrapped her arms gently around his waist.

“Yes? Duke. Let’s do that.”

“……”

She took hold of his arm with both hands and pulled him towards the bed. Aiden allowed himself to be led like a captive, drawing on whatever strength he had left.

Once they were sitting on the edge of the bed, Sveta asked.

“Have you got any more work this evening?”

“…Yes.”

“Then when will you return?”

“Around midnight.”

“Midnight…”

She bit down lightly on her lower lip. It was clear she did not like the sound of him being busy.

As she hesitated, as though debating whether to speak, he soothed her gently.

“Sveta, if you’re tired, go to sleep first.”

Her shoulders trembled slightly. Then she wrapped her arms around his waist again.

“……”

“It was scheduled days ago.”

“Stay with me.”

Her scent, faint as the air before dawn, brushed his senses. Her voice, as soft as the murmur of calm water, caressed the curve of his ear.

It bound him like an invisible rope.

“Let’s sleep early together, Aiden.”