Feeling that I had shared enough, I recounted everything about the suffering in Fojetta due to pirate attacks and my audience with His Majesty. Finally, after quietly sipping her tea the entire time, she granted her permission.

“Do as you wish. Don’t worry about the travel expenses.”

“I knew you’d agree! I’ll make sure to fix your right leg too. Just wait a little longer!”

She smiled warmly, as if she were watching a child play. For a moment, I saw Leopold reflected in her expression. Then, that strange sense of unease that occasionally visited me crept in.

Why had Mother never mentioned her son, not even in jest? Especially during our early days as newlyweds. I knew they weren’t particularly close, but not a single word?

Could it be that she still resented him?

It was a well-known story in social circles.

The noble mother who risked her life during childbirth, the great maternal love that endured despite her paralysis, and other such gossip.

I had heard that there was significant bleeding when she gave birth to Leopold. Due to delayed treatment, she eventually lost the use of both legs, and people offered only sympathy disguised as praise.

“Mother, if you could travel back in time, what point would you choose to return to?”

She never explained the cause of her injury or the circumstances at the time. I assumed it was too painful for her to recall, and since it wasn’t essential for her treatment, I pretended not to notice.

So, the question I had never considered slipped out, prompted by my own return to the past and the occasional emptiness on Leopold’s face.

“Before I had children would be nice.”

Her answer came without hesitation. As I fumbled for a response, Mother added with a faint smile, “I’m not saying this because of Leopold, so don’t make that face. Around that time, my husband also passed away. It was a difficult period.”

The topic of the late Duke was one everyone in the ducal household avoided. Hearing Mother bring it up herself piqued my curiosity.

“How did it happen…?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. I hope you understand. Anyway, Hazel, have a good trip. I’m looking forward to it.”

Faced with her firm refusal, I quietly closed my mouth and finished my meal.

***

After dinner, when I returned to my room, Leopold rose from the sofa to greet me.

He never showed even a hint of emotion when I desperately wanted him to.

I was upset with him for being so indifferent, but he had no idea what he had done.

“Are you planning to visit every evening?”

I tried to calm myself as much as possible when I asked, though my choice of words wasn’t the best.

“Of course. We’re newlyweds, and I’m your husband. We should arrange a shared bedroom soon.”

With that shameless reply, he approached me swiftly. His mischievous grin and playful eyes, along with his confident embrace around my waist, left me speechless.

He was so different from before that it felt awkward to push him away, so I reluctantly accepted his embrace and averted my gaze.

“…I’m tired.”

“I know. I’ll just have a look at you and leave.”

Even though his hand on my waist wasn’t forceful, it felt as solid as a rock. It seemed impossible to push him away, so I murmured in resignation.

“You seem… like a different person.”

“You speak as if you’ve known me.”

He whispered as he leaned slightly forward, his warm breath settling on my neck. The distance between us was closing in a way I didn’t want.

Just before my fingertips stiffened, I managed to grasp his hand from my waist and turned away.

“Don’t do this. It’s overwhelming.”

Feigning nonchalance, I moved to the window, trying to hide my racing heart.

Regardless of my feelings or determination toward him, this kind of physical intimacy was difficult to handle. Leopold was the only man I had ever regarded in such a way, and even then, it was only on the surface.

Facing away from his approaching footsteps, I spoke in a firm voice to change the subject.

“I’m leaving for Fojetta tomorrow. I’ve received a status token from His Majesty, and Mother said she’d help with the expenses.”

Initially, I had planned to leave a short note while he was at the palace, but I couldn’t think of anything to say at that moment.

As I mentally prepared for any objections, an unexpected response came.

“Take Jayden with you.”

He was pushing me to go without asking any questions? Surprised, I turned around quickly. Leopold looked quite relaxed.

“I told you, didn’t I? His Majesty is quite fond of you and praised you a lot.”

Then it dawned on me.

Even in the past, my husband had maintained a close relationship with His Majesty. It wasn’t surprising that he knew about my audience; it would have been stranger if he hadn’t.

With my doubts cleared, I felt a bit deflated.

“It’s okay. I can go alone.”

“It’s an unstable area. You could get hurt before you even start treating people.”

His firm warning carried a sense of concern.

I looked at him quietly. If he had shown this side of himself earlier, could I have held on a bit longer? The embers of resentment and lingering feelings stirred in my heart, which had turned to ashes.

It’s fine. As long as I distance myself from him, these feelings will gradually fade.

“Alright.”

I repeated my plan to myself, trying to steady my resolve. Fojetta was just a smokescreen. It was merely a public excuse to leave the estate, and my real destination was elsewhere.

I was a bit concerned about Jayden accompanying me, but putting someone to sleep was no big deal, so I could slip away unnoticed once the situation in Fojetta calmed down.

Leopold stepped closer, the familiar scent of the forest accompanying his low voice in my ear.

“It’s not exactly fitting for someone going to treat the wounded, but… I hope you enjoy whatever you do.”

“…”

Sometimes his eyes seemed like a landscape. Sunlight poured through trees lining a gently flowing river, leaves riding the wind to settle on the water… I wanted to immerse myself completely in that green scenery.

You’re binding me so beautifully and cruelly, and with such affectionate behavior, I couldn’t trust myself not to fall for you. It was better not to look.

I barely managed to avoid his persistent gaze.

“I need to pack, so please leave.”

I spoke heavily, hoping he would notice the sigh in my words. Fortunately, Leopold didn’t seem intent on bothering me further.

“Alright. Rest well, Hazel.”

I finally managed to send him off and leaned my forehead against the closed door.

Why do you speak with such regret and concern, calling my name so tenderly? Why? You’re still Leopold here. You’re the same person…

Words I couldn’t express kept choking me.

Ah.

I really despised him.

***

Late in the evening, Emily busied herself with tasks for the new madam. It was somewhat surprising to hear they were leaving the estate suddenly, but given the Duke’s orders, she had to ensure everything was prepared without any discomfort.

“Emily.”

Peter called out to her as she headed to the dressing room.

“Mr. Butler.”

Since she had started working at the estate at eighteen, Peter had been the Duke’s right-hand man. He handled everything flawlessly and, like the Duke and the late Duchess, remained indifferent and emotionally steady.

The reason she hadn’t heard any gossip about the ducal family in over ten years was solely due to Peter. Despite his graying hair, he personally dealt with employees who were too talkative. The suffocating silence of the estate was a result of his efforts, and the owners preferred it that way.

“There’s a reply from your brother. Check it out.”

“It’s probably just a note saying he understands.”

Emily quickly glanced at the letter she received.

“Nothing unusual?”

“No. He says he’ll do well.”

“Make sure he doesn’t slip up.”

“He’s not very talkative, perhaps because he’s been sick. He’s a bit shy too, so don’t worry.”

“Alright. Get back to your work.”

With a slight bow, Peter quickly disappeared from view.

“Phew. What’s all this about?”

Muttering to herself, Emily adjusted the clothes she was holding.

On the evening of the wedding a few days prior, the Duke had personally sought her out for the first time.

Initially, she had trembled, fearing she had made a huge mistake. The master, who was generally indifferent to the happenings in the estate, had never called any employee other than Peter.

When she mustered the courage to go to the study, it turned out to be purely businesslike instructions.

“Report all conversations you have with Hazel from now on. Don’t miss a single detail.”

It wasn’t a difficult task.

Since staying at the estate as a guest after graduating from the academy, the young madam had managed most things herself. She was awkward with the servants, and Emily herself wasn’t very social, so she hadn’t thought much of it. Naturally, there weren’t many conversations to remember.

Even on the day the new madam asked about her family, the exchange was so brief that Emily assumed her meeting with the Duke would end quickly too.

“Today, the madam asked about my personal details.”

“Personal details? What exactly did she ask?”

“She asked where I’m from and who I live with.”

The change brought about by that seemingly trivial answer was truly enormous.