Roina walked with her brother toward Aila’s room.

In the heavy silence, Bleon cautiously spoke.

“So he allowed you to come here.”

“……”

Though she knew who he was referring to, Roina gave no answer.

Bleon raised one eyebrow obliquely, as if finding this interesting.

“Don’t tell me you decided this on your own?”

“……”

He seemed to have many questions, but Roina simply continued walking silently.

After passing through a long corridor, they reached Aila’s bedroom.

It seemed Aila hadn’t left her room for days.

It had always been like this since childhood.

When his children disobeyed, Marquis Würetti would rationalize punishment under the pretext of discipline.

Since this was so natural for family members, they couldn’t easily defy it.

‘Defiance would surely bring consequences.’

Feeling her heart burning at the merciless situation, Roina swallowed a deep sigh.

The knights guarding the door all bowed to their young master.

“You may all withdraw now.”

“Pardon? What do you mean…”

“I will report this matter to the Marquis myself.”

Glancing at Roina, Bleon soon dismissed all the knights as if annoyed.

Then, slightly furrowing his brow, he massaged the back of his neck and said.

“Many servants have seen you, so it will be difficult to silence them all.”

“I was prepared for that when I decided to come here.”

From the moment she decided to visit the marquis’s residence, Roina had been ready to accept the consequences.

Nodding at her words, Bleon soon stepped aside.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

In the corridor filled with silence, Roina steadied her trembling voice and knocked on the door.

Knock knock—.

“Aila, it’s me.”

“Sister…? Is it really you?”

Flinging the bedroom door open, Aila confirmed her sister’s face and burst into tears.

Pained by this sight, Roina struggled to hold back her own tears and spoke in a voice full of concern.

“I’m sorry I came so late.”

Entering the room, Aila’s face became clearly visible under the bright light.

She had grown much thinner, likely due to her emotional distress.

The two sat on the bed as they used to when they were young and began sharing stories they hadn’t been able to tell.

After explaining recent events, Aila tightly closed her eyes, still marked with tear stains, and spoke in a resentful voice.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“……”

“I didn’t even know you sacrificed yourself for me…”

With a heavy heart, Roina firmly shook her head.

Though she had no memory of that time, she believed it must have been her decision from the moment she accepted the marriage.

“I never once thought of it as a sacrifice.”

“But it’s practically the same as me pushing you into a pit!”

As emotions surged and tears welled up in Aila’s eyes, Roina gently patted her back.

“I’m really fine.”

She wanted to ask why Aila was also choosing unhappiness, but couldn’t bring herself to say it.

After all, Aila had chosen what she thought was best for her sister.

“I should have thought of you first.”

Wiping the tears flowing down her cheeks, Aila deliberately showed a faint smile.

“All I want is your happiness.”

“……”

An unbearable sadness filled Roina’s eyes.

Then, suddenly noticing Aila’s injured leg, she couldn’t keep quiet.

Her exposed calf was covered with wounds that had festered into bruises.

“Aila, what is this…!”

Aila slightly avoided Roina’s eyes and clutched her skirt tightly.

“I talked back, so he must have been very angry.”

Seeing her sister speak so calmly as if nothing was wrong, Roina was overcome with despair.

Perhaps her father’s *buse had continued even after she left the mansion.

Aila, not wanting to worry her, would have kept quiet about it.

‘Why… did I think you would be alright?’

Roina felt powerless for having been reassured by her still-bright sister.

As if trying to reassure her, Aila pointed to an ointment on the bedside table and said.

“Don’t worry too much. I received healing ointment and I’m using it.”

The Marquis had apparently given her ointment so the wounds would heal quickly.

Seeing her sister pretending to be brave, Roina felt as if she couldn’t breathe.

“Aila, why don’t you come with me—”

“No, sister.”

Aila firmly shook her head, as if anticipating what Roina was about to suggest.

Then, with determined eyes, she added.

“I’m really fine. This is what I chose.”

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

What had started as simply watching Aila fall asleep stretched late into the night.

During the carriage ride back to the duke’s residence, Roina remained lost in thought.

‘Conrad must have received reports by now.’

She could imagine Conrad’s anger upon learning his wife had gone to her family home without saying a word.

Even though she had made up her mind, Roina couldn’t relax.

Having unintentionally disobeyed his warning, his distrust of her might have deepened.

‘But I can’t hide it forever.’

Upon returning to the mansion, Roina intended to reveal the matter of the Second Prince to her husband.

Of course, she would have to endure his interrogation, but she considered that only natural.

When she arrived at the duke’s residence, Conrad, who had been reviewing ledgers in the main reception room, looked at her with a subtly hardened expression.

“So you’ve finally returned.”

“…Yes.”

Lacking the courage to face him, Roina answered quietly.

It had been this way ever since she learned what her father had done.

“Let’s continue our conversation in the study.”

When Conrad’s cold gaze turned toward the servants, they bowed respectfully before returning to their posts.

Soon, the two moved to the study and sat across from each other at the table.

“I clearly told you.”

A cold voice flowed from Conrad as he exhaled a deep sigh.

Seemingly angered by Roina’s unilateral action, he made no effort to hide his displeasure.

She understood well that she should behave as the lady of the Asheter household.

With her head lowered, Roina apologized to him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you beforehand.”

Yet she thought she must steadfastly convey what needed to be said.

‘You might be able to thwart Father’s plans.’

If Marquis Würetti gradually distanced himself from politics, he would no longer pose a threat.

With an anxious and impatient heart, she continued speaking in a trembling voice, somewhat incoherently.

“Aila’s debutante ball will be held this winter.”

“……”

“And they say her partner is His Highness the Second Prince.”

Perhaps the Marquis was plotting a strategy to enthrone a new emperor.

His eldest daughter’s marriage might have been merely a smokescreen.

Roina couldn’t shake her worry not only for Aila but also for the man sitting before her.

That’s why she revealed everything honestly within her capacity.

‘I don’t know if you’ll believe me.’

A long, suffocating silence continued in the coldly subdued study.

After some time passed, a sneer escaped from Conrad’s twisted lips.

Having apparently felt stifled, he loosened his tie, and his chilling gaze fell on Roina.

“Why are you telling me this.”

“……”

Feeling her heart sink, Roina couldn’t give any answer.

Conrad raised one corner of his mouth obliquely and continued.

“Did Marquis Würetti order you to say this?”

“That’s not it, Conrad!”

Roina hastily shook her head, denying his words.

Feeling his contemptuous gaze directly upon her, she felt as if she might crumble endlessly.

Chewing her lip finely, Roina tried to appear unaffected as she looked at him and said.

“You may not believe me, but I really have nothing to do with what my father does.”

“I’m sure you don’t. A woman like you.”

Even under his cold, piercing gaze, she could only accept it silently, unable to do anything.

Conrad slightly furrowed his brow at Roina’s coldly frozen expression. Then, in a low, deep voice, he added.

“Was there ever any truth in your words to begin with.”