“You mustn’t, Miss Aria.”

“……”

I hesitated for a moment. Of course, I was afraid. It wouldn’t be strange if my arm was torn off the moment I took his hand, given the nature of black magic.

But I walked towards Duke Baniche as if entranced. Was it because his voice carried even more desperation than when he asked me to take care of Elodie? Or was it because I glimpsed a hint of hope in the Duke’s eyes, swirling with all sorts of emotions, that wasn’t there just moments ago?

I firmly grasped Duke Baniche’s right hand and shared the most sincere handshake of my life.

“…Thank you.”

A faint smile appeared on Duke Baniche’s lips. I stared blankly at his face. Was it my imagination that the madness that had thickly enveloped him like a fog seemed to lift, if only for a moment?

Bang. Only after hearing the sound of the door closing did I realize that Duke Baniche had completely left the café.

“Miss Aria, are you alright?”

Ian rushed over, but I couldn’t say a word. I couldn’t say whether I was alright or not.

***

Theodore Baniche, having quickly left <Café Aria>, leaned against the wall of a dim alley, breathing heavily. His entire body was drenched in cold sweat.

The resistance of the vassals, who believed they had already completely taken over the duchy, was beyond imagination. With even most of the duke’s private soldiers diverted, Theodore had to cross swords with the knights he had once cherished and nurtured.

The traitor who was once his right-hand man had been using only the tactics that cornered him the most, and even Theodore Baniche had no choice but to be driven into a tight spot.

Naturally, he used black magic. A lot, frequently, more naturally than breathing. He had no choice. In the current situation, black magic was the only solution.

He wasn’t unaware of the price. Two types of sacrifices can be used in black magic. One is the caster himself. And the other is someone else to be offered as a sacrifice.

Theodore gritted his teeth. He had sworn that no matter how far he fell, he would not drag another human into black magic.

All that remained was himself. It didn’t matter. Originally, as time passed, the madness would fade, and only physical side effects such as loss of senses or extreme pain would follow.

But this time was different. Was it because he had taken so many lives? The black magic didn’t let go of him, raging even during rest periods. In the end, only one thing came to his mind. Elodie.

He had to entrust Elodie to someone. With that single thought, he sought out Aria Bertin. Even though he wasn’t confident he could utter coherent words once he met her. And then…

‘…I thought it impossible, but.’

The closer he got to Aria Bertin, the more he felt free from the pressure of the black magic that had consumed him. Thanks to that, he was able to ask her to take good care of Elodie.

He doubted whether he had spoken properly, but seeing Aria Bertin nod and comfort him, it seemed the meaning had been conveyed somehow.

Satisfied with that fact alone, just before leaving the café. An inexplicable impulse arose. The urge to grab Aria Bertin, to embrace her, to hold her tight…

Asking for a handshake without acting on any of those impulses was his last bit of self-control.

‘I can’t believe it.’

Theodore closed his eyes. Aria’s hand was as warm and soft as a spring day. As he focused on that warmth, the madness gradually faded. Although he left in a hurry at that moment due to confusion, now that he had calmed down, he could understand.

That what had just happened was by no means a coincidence, and that his regained sense of taste was not due to Aria Bertin’s exceptional cooking skills.

Time passed and passed again. He knew he had to leave, but he couldn’t move a single step until everything was certain.

How much time had passed? In the middle of a moonless night, Theodore concluded. Aria Bertin was his last remaining salvation.

***

The old saying that time heals all wounds was true. Even the great commotion caused by Count Jacob’s visit had quieted down as winter deepened. The only somewhat regrettable thing was that the customers who had become fans of Duke Baniche and boosted the café’s sales had stopped coming. According to rumors, some of them were camped out in front of Duke Baniche’s mansion or something. But even that wasn’t all bad.

“Ah, I’m so glad I can finally drink coffee here. All this time, I’ve been taking it home and thinking, ‘What am I doing?’ while drinking my coffee.”

A young married woman, who used to be a regular customer coming every other day before Duke Baniche started bringing in fans, grumbled with her lips pursed.

“If I didn’t grab a seat from the morning, I had to get it to go. What was that all about?”

Next to her, the woman’s younger sister chimed in.

“It might have been good for Miss Bertin… but I felt it was unfair. This was originally our favorite café!”

“It’s good that things have returned to this state.”

I smiled faintly. Of course, seeing the sharply decreased sales was disheartening, but it wasn’t all bad. After all, the regular customers we had lost were now returning. Ding-a-ling. The bell at the door chimed. I looked up to see the elderly lady entering with her usual upright posture.

“Welcome.”

I answered with a bright smile.

“Would you like your usual?”

“Yes.”

The elderly lady nodded as if bothered and approached Elodie, who was absorbed in drawing at the table.

“Little miss, have you been well?”

“Yes!”

Elodie’s eyes sparkled.

‘Poor thing.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly. As soon as public interest waned, I started bringing Elodie to the café as before. It was an inconvenience to the elderly lady and Madame Debaka, but it was hard to forcibly separate from Elodie, who became gloomy every time we parted in the morning.

“Today, I brought a puzzle to solve together with the little miss.”

The elderly lady rummaged through her bag and pulled out a puzzle set. Marked as 100 pieces, it seemed suitable to complete during the morning hours the elderly lady usually spent here.

‘She’s truly kind.’

I smiled. By now, everyone knew Elodie’s identity. While everyone was eager to see Elodie, they would address her as “Lady” and show utmost respect when approaching her. Even Madame Debaka instructed her son, Paul, to use honorifics, which says it all.

I secretly hoped that Paul would become an uninhibited friend to Elodie, but I didn’t interfere because I fully understood their feelings.

‘Duke Baniche… has such a notorious reputation after all.’

It had been four years since Duke Baniche had lost Elodie and fallen into a state of semi-delirium. During that time, his reputation had deteriorated beyond repair.

Of course, as someone who had nearly been killed by him, I couldn’t exactly say that reputation was undeserved. Anyway, it would be difficult to treat the daughter of such a cold-blooded demon of a duke without reservations.

But now, the elderly lady spreading puzzle pieces all over the table with Elodie was treating the child without any hesitation. As if Elodie were just an ordinary child from next door.

‘I should offer her something.’

I started placing cookies that the elderly lady hadn’t even ordered onto a tray. When I set the food down on the table, the elderly lady’s eyes widened in surprise. Somehow, her expression reminded me of Elodie when she was surprised, which made me chuckle.

“What’s all this… Take back what I didn’t order.”

“I brought these for you to enjoy with Elodie. You might get hungry while concentrating on the puzzle.”

“……”

The elderly lady tilted her head slightly. It was her unique signal for a positive response. The afternoon continued with similar small events as the morning. The only difference was that Elodie became lonely again after the elderly lady left.

‘……’

I unconsciously looked up at the door and paused. I realized that I had inadvertently expected Duke Baniche to open that door and walk in.

‘Get a grip, Aria Bertin.’

I scolded myself harshly. A month ago, when Duke Baniche last appeared, he didn’t look well at all. Perhaps even after all this time, he hadn’t properly returned to his normal state. In that case, as promised, Duke Baniche would not approach Elodie and would only send letters.

‘But, there haven’t been any letters either……’

I swallowed dryly.