I couldn’t say anything; I just stared blankly at Leopold. His hair fluttered softly in the breeze, his green eyes sparkled beneath it, and his lips curved into a faint smile. It felt like looking at a vivid painting or dreaming an unrealistic dream.

“You didn’t even notice someone approaching. What are you so engrossed in?”

His soft, low voice, penetrating deep into my heart, snapped me back to reality. I had tried hard not to think about him and thought I had succeeded, but here I was, facing him like this.

I quickly turned my head, gathered my basket, and headed toward Alisa’s house. I didn’t want to exchange a single word. I had warned him, yet he ignored me again. This man never listened to anything I said—

“I’m sorry, Hazel.”

His urgent call stopped me in my tracks.

“I came to ask for your forgiveness.”

The sincerity in his voice was palpable. It was both predictable and unbelievable. I now understood that he was the same person he had always been. Leopold Lawrence was never one to apologize first.

“I misjudged. I never wanted to hurt you—”

“No. Just stop.”

I coldly rejected him and walked on. Was he sincere? He had always been acting with me, and I had been fooled by him again. Believing him would be foolish.

I heard footsteps behind me. Why was he being so persistent? It was unlike him. Still, it was better not to know his true feelings. I was sick of constantly thinking about Leopold. I wanted to end the cycle of guessing, hoping, and giving up on his feelings.

“Go back.”

I stopped, gritting my teeth. I didn’t want him to see my turmoil.

“I’m not asking you to forgive me right away. Just allow me to stay by your side until your heart softens.”

“You, really!”

I turned around, shouting. I was angry because I still remembered how he deceived me. But I couldn’t continue. His pleading face was pitiful. It was ridiculous. Wasn’t I the one who should be pitied?

“Please, Hazel.”

I couldn’t do anything but stare at him endlessly. If those eyes weren’t sincere, then what in the world could be true? Was it just because I was particularly weak for you?

There were too many unspoken words floating between us. However, neither of us could speak. I, and perhaps he too, were overwhelmed by how to untangle our complicated feelings.

Suddenly, Leopold slowly lowered himself. He knelt on the ground, placing his hands neatly on his thighs, and began to bow his head. I instinctively grabbed him, causing the basket to drop and scatter the herbs inside.

“What are you doing!”

Startled, I tried to scold him and help him up, but Leopold remained still, speaking calmly.

“I don’t know how to convey my feelings. I know this isn’t something that can be resolved with an apology. But I have to do something—”

“Get up right now! You’re not a criminal; what on earth are you doing!”

I tugged at his arm, but he didn’t budge, like a massive tree rooted in place.

“Okay, okay, just get up. I’ll keep being angry if you don’t!”

When I raised my voice, Leopold finally lifted his head slowly. I took hold of his arm with both hands and pulled. His heavy body, like a rock, followed my movement gently for the first time. When he finally stood up straight again, I released his hand as if shaking it off. Instead of feeling relieved, my dissatisfaction only grew.

“This is coercion.”

“Sorry. I’m standing now, so don’t be mad.”

He said with a pleading look, his face still beautifully smiling. He was still as beautiful as ever.

Just like when I was eighteen, I was momentarily at a loss for words. Even the refreshing scent of the forest mixed in the breeze seemed to belong to him. Regardless of my mood, my heart raced uncontrollably.

Avoiding his gaze, I silently bent down to gather the scattered herbs. Leopold picked up the basket beside me. There was a time when I had imagined moments like this, gathering herbs alone and walking with him. Now that it has become a reality, should I be happy? Suddenly, the thought seemed absurd, and I let out a small laugh.

When I had collected all the herbs, I held out my hand for the basket, but instead, he asked a question.

“Tell me. How can I earn your forgiveness?”

I stared at him blankly. If I didn’t have to face him like this, I could have just buried my feelings. The confusion, the anger that had gradually diminished, and the disappointment could all fade away, leaving only good memories.

However, Leopold didn’t seem inclined to leave just because I told him to. It didn’t look like he was going to return the basket either.

“There’s nothing like that…”

I barely managed to squeeze out an answer and turned back toward Alisa’s house. I walked quickly, but for someone as tall as him, catching up was effortless. Unintentionally, we ended up walking almost side by side.

“Then I’ll find it.”

His tone was pleading, as if asking me not to stop him.

“Aren’t you busy? Where do you find the time for this?”

I couldn’t understand how someone who should naturally be looking at one more document instead of giving me a glance had tossed all his work aside to be here in front of me. Besides, the Lawrence estate always had plenty of work due to its geographical location and seasonal influences. That’s why I couldn’t dismiss his excuse of being busy as just an excuse.

“Don’t worry. I’m not busy at all.”

He lied blatantly, his eyes crinkling with a smile. How was I supposed to handle that fresh face? For a moment, I lost the will to respond and just looked at him indifferently. With the main cause of my thoughts right in front of me, it was hard to clear my mind.

The distance to the house wasn’t far, so we soon stopped walking. I hadn’t noticed how he found this place, when he arrived, whether he had a horse, or if he had a guard accompanying him. If he left now, the day would soon end, and he might need to stay in the village for a day. All these questions rose to my throat. But holding back was also my specialty.

“Stop following me now. This isn’t my house, so I can’t let a stranger in. Give me the basket.”

As soon as I reached out my hand, he immediately stepped back and tilted his head slightly.

“A stranger?”

Leopold narrowed his eyes and asked, seemingly displeased. It was surprising how he reacted to such trivial things. He used to tell me to figure out important matters on my own, after all.

I swallowed a sigh and added a rational explanation.

“It’s true for the homeowner, isn’t it?”

He nodded quietly, perhaps because he couldn’t refute it. Then he made an unexpected comment.

“The homeowner is Emily’s younger sibling, right?”

“How do you know that?”

I was so surprised that my voice rose automatically. But he remained calm.

“How else would I have known to come here?”

Leopold shrugged slightly, as if it were obvious. So, my plan to escape him had failed from the start. It was absurd and frustrating.

“I specifically asked Emily to keep it a secret!”

“If your request had come before my order, she would have. But I was a step ahead.”

His nonchalant explanation was so brazen that I didn’t even have the energy to argue. Half resigned, I asked him.

“It seems there are quite a few things you’ve kept from me, aren’t there?”

“Rather than hiding, I couldn’t tell you. This time… I absolutely didn’t want to lose you.”

I couldn’t avoid his unwavering gaze. Questions kept swirling inside me.

Why did he say he didn’t want to lose me this time, after disliking me so much? Was it guilt for his bad actions? Or because he needed to heal my mother’s leg? If not, was it because he pitied me for dying young? Or did all these reasons mix, making him look at me with compassion?

I was curious about his thoughts, but remembering his naturally deceitful demeanor made me lose the desire to ask for his true feelings. Whatever answer he gave, I couldn’t rule out the possibility that it would be a lie…

If only I had directly accused him of being the cause of my death, I wouldn’t feel this frustrated.

In the end, I coldly brushed off the situation.

“After playing with someone, you call that an excuse?”

“It’s not an excuse… I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”

He raised his hand briefly before lowering it. Seizing the opportunity, I immediately snatched the basket.

“Enough. Anyway, I’m going inside now, so you can see yourself out, Your Grace. Goodbye.”

I hurried inside without leaving any room for further discussion. My feelings were indescribably complicated, but I reminded myself that, like the past few days, I would soon forget by immersing myself in research. Still, feeling the need for some stability, I headed straight to the kitchen to make tea.

Just as the water began to boil and steam rose, the front door suddenly opened. Alisa’s excited voice followed.

“Oh my, I didn’t expect His Grace to come too. I didn’t hear anything from my sister! Please, come in!”

Ignoring the loud whistle of the teapot, I slowly turned my head to see Leopold entering the house with his polite smile still in place.