Before arriving at the rendezvous point, Leopold had deliberately left traces as he moved, believing that Marquis Aaron would surely try to make contact again for his next move. His prediction was accurate. However, what he hadn’t expected was the audacious content of the letter.

“The healer is safe. There is no issue with her safety, so you need not worry. What I wish to convey is that my foolish nephew dared to make advances toward the Duchess, unaware of his place. I want to reprimand him, but I find myself in a difficult situation because I cannot act rashly against my brother’s only bloodline. If you help, I will severely punish him and gladly release your wife.”

The term “healer” was replaced with “wife” at the end of the letter. Somehow, the Marquis had discovered that Hazel was Leopold’s wife and was blatantly using this information to threaten him. Unlike in the first letter, he didn’t even use the term “under protection.”

Furthermore, the excuse he used to request help was extremely irritating. Without Lanette’s report, Leopold might have laughed it off as a ridiculous reason.

However, he couldn’t completely dismiss the Marquis’s words.

In reality, Hazel was practically a savior who had restored the prince to his rightful place, and she was beautiful enough to capture anyone’s attention at least once. So it wouldn’t have been entirely strange if there had been some romantic tension between the two during their journey to the principality.

If that letter contained any truth, could it be that she also… had feelings for him?

Leopold had never set out to win back Hazel’s heart. He only wished to atone by her side, hoping she would heal her wounded heart. It was arrogant, but he believed it was possible. At least until he lost her.

Wandering everywhere like a madman searching for Hazel, he realized that his desire was nothing but greed. Even if she wasn’t by his side, even if he couldn’t atone, even if she met someone else, he had prayed countless times for her to live this life fully.

So when he first received news of Hazel, he was overwhelmed by a suffocating void as much as relief. At the same time, he mocked himself for being so insincere.

Still, it would have been better if it had ended there.

Having watched Hazel pour her heart out to him before the regression, Leopold found the assumptions in this situation unfamiliar. She could genuinely find solace in someone other than him. It was entirely possible for her to meet someone who could give her a life befitting the word ‘happiness.’

If he ended up being someone unnecessary and useless to Hazel, leaving only wounds…

Leopold closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the suffocating frustration tightening his chest. He then exhaled a short breath.

Well, so what? He was simply returning to his original life. Like an actor on a stage, all he had to do was perform his given role perfectly.

His task was clear: to stop Aaron and rescue Hazel safely. With the prince now in the picture, the likelihood of a successful rebellion seemed slim, and Hazel could be in danger.

Above all, Leopold couldn’t forgive the very idea of taking her as a hostage, so he had no intention of leaving Aaron alone.

The problem was his forces. The soldiers he currently commanded were those who had lived comfortably in the peaceful and warm south. They couldn’t compare to the Lawrence family’s troops, who underwent rigorous training to repel invaders descending from beyond the White Forest every winter.

Moreover, as they moved from the empire to the principality, the heat intensified, making it difficult even for Leopold’s knights to adapt. Therefore, joining hands with the prince seemed like a reasonable choice for both parties.

Just as he had separated his emotions from the situation and organized his thoughts, a dull noise came from the wall. Leopold stood up to observe the person entering. As the wall closed again, the silhouette reflected in the ceiling light became clear.

With bright blonde hair shining as brilliantly as Hazel’s sparkling hair, soft hazel eyes reminiscent of the autumn leaves she loved, and an energetic aura emanating from his slightly upturned lips, it was easy to recognize him as the missing prince at a glance.

“Nice to meet you. I am Raphael Rumatera, Duke Leopold Lawrence.”

His voice was like a spring breeze gently brushing one’s cheek. It seemed far more comforting to Hazel, who occasionally struggled with the northern weather, than his own heavy and dark voice.

“Did the prince send you?”

“Yes. He said he wanted to test my abilities. I apologize for not informing you in advance, and I ask for your forgiveness, Duke.”

Leopold sat down silently. He would have preferred not to encounter this person. Yet, the other began to speak, mixing in irrelevant stories that had no bearing on the immediate negotiation.

“Since you’ve come this far, I assume you understand the situation. Hazel found me collapsed by the roadside and helped me regain my memory. Thanks to her, I met my parents, but as you know, my uncle, who was supposed to be named heir, wants to eliminate me, the unexpected intruder.”

Ugh, it was irritating. The way he casually pronounced her name grated on my nerves.

“I apologize to my father, but I have no desire for the throne. Right now, the Marquis has her confined in his mansion. We must ensure Hazel escapes safely.”

His ignorance and serious tone were laughable.

“I know. It’s my responsibility.”

“That’s true, but…”

He averted his gaze, his words trailing off awkwardly, before looking directly at Leopold again.

“I want to help. I owe her too much.”

His serious demeanor, as if he was responsible, was irritating. Yet, the person in front of him seemed unconcerned about who he was talking to, adding more insolent remarks.

“I wish I had met Hazel a little earlier. I was confident I could win her over until she accepted my confession.”

Leopold struggled to suppress his emotions, reminding himself that the young man in front of him was a prince. Hazel, who had never made a marriage vow and had parted ways with him, was free. In truth, he had no right to correct this rude behavior since he didn’t hold the status of her husband.

“Don’t look so intimidating. She told me she had a husband and rejected me outright, apologizing for telling me late. It was quite heartbreaking.”

He spilled his thoughts without being asked, seemingly unaware of boundaries. There was no need to maintain superficial politeness with someone like this.

“I hear you keep making presumptuous remarks. You must not value your life, like your uncle.”

“Forgive me. I haven’t learned much as a wanderer.”

“Forgiveness seems like a luxury for the one who put my wife in this situation.”

Raphael couldn’t respond, perhaps because he found it hard to argue. Regaining his composure, Leopold looked at him with cold, steady eyes.

“As long as Hazel is safely rescued, I don’t care who becomes the ruler of the principality. I couldn’t care less if the people of this country perish. But Hazel would never want such a situation. And she certainly wouldn’t want to put someone like you, whom she saved, back in danger.”

Raphael remained silent for a while but didn’t shy away from Leopold’s fierce gaze, as if he were a knight accepting a challenge.

A silence so profound that even breathing seemed like noise swept through the room. Raphael spoke first.

“If you care for Hazel so much, why did you let her undertake a secret mission alone? From now on, make sure she has protection.”

Now it was Leopold’s turn. He had no words other than curses, so he kept his mouth shut. After all, losing her was due to his own carelessness. The price he paid was merely a few days of emotional turmoil, which was a small cost for him.

“Anyway, take a look at this.”

Raphael pulled out a strangely folded piece of paper from his pocket and spread it out on the table. The handwriting was instantly recognizable.

“…Hazel.”

“That’s right. As you can see from the content, we have five days left.”

Leopold slowly picked up the paper. The creases, the slightly smudged letters, the torn edges, and the small holes all piqued his curiosity about its delivery path. When he turned his gaze back to Raphael, he quickly explained.

“It flew into my bedroom. I found it caught in the window. I called the royal mage, and he said it’s a form of magic.”

Casting spells on inanimate objects, which lack the flow of life, wasn’t impossible for someone as powerful as Hazel, but it certainly wasn’t easy. The state of the letter was proof of that.

He felt a familiar sense of effort in the traces left behind. Once again, the past began to torment him.

‘I am studying diligently so as not to bring shame to Lady Lawrence and Duke Leopold, who support me.’

Even as a student,

‘I want to be someone who suits you. So I’ll do my best in my role, in the affairs of the ducal family, and in caring for your mother.’

Even when they were newlyweds,

‘This is the result of the lady’s efforts to heal herself. The entire library is filled with research records like this.’

Even when facing death.

Despite any trial and error, she never did anything carelessly. Perhaps, even as she left him, this process was no different.

“Duke?”

Unconsciously, he had clenched his hand, crumpling the edge of the letter. Leopold quickly relaxed his grip and carefully folded the letter, tucking it into his pocket.

Raphael shot him a protesting look, as if to claim ownership of the letter, but Leopold ignored him and outlined the plan in a dry voice. Essentially, it involved Leopold acting as a double agent.