Rustle.

The sound of footsteps on grass echoed beneath the quiet evening sky.

Martiana was crossing the gardens of the Vandyk estate after her meeting with Drisena.

She was now heading from the main residence towards the annexe.

“Where is she?”

That had been her question.

It was the answer that had led her there.

Of course, Drisena had not offered it willingly.

She was stubborn and unwilling to give her daughter-in-law even the slightest concession.

In the end, she kept her lips sealed.

Martiana was forced to summon the steward and confirm it herself.

“Fu…”

Though she had spent less than thirty minutes with Drisena, she already felt drained.

She had arrived full of resolve—but could she truly endure six months like this?

‘No. Pull yourself together.’

She could not afford to falter at this stage.

She had not achieved any of the reasons why she had come here yet.

She was walking this path for that very reason, even now.

Step by step.

Her pace towards the annexe quickened.

Ever since she had heard from the butler that Lamelata and the child were staying there, she had not been able to settle.

She needed to go.

The fact that they were currently out did not slow her down.

Ordinarily, one would wait for their return.

‘Wait for how long?

Martiana was impatient.

Call it blindness.

Call it greed.

After everything she had been through, it would have been strange to come all the way to the estate and not do anything.

Her daughter might be within reach, just beyond her grasp.

Was it so wrong to want to confirm this?

Even if she could not immediately see the child, perhaps she would catch a glimpse of her.

A sign.

Something bearing the name Licorice.

It was this fragile hope that propelled her forward.

“Ah!”

“Careful.”

Suddenly, a branch sprang into her path, making her flinch.

The man walking behind her reached out his arm at once.

He had been accompanying her since they left the main residence — it was Tapnad who had switched places with his sister, Melissa, after sunset.

“Thank you.”

Martiana watched, feeling embarrassed, as Tapnad moved the branch out of the way.

She had almost been hit in the eye.

Despite it being dusk and her vision being impaired, it was surprising that she had not noticed something so obvious.

She must have been walking without paying attention to anything but the path ahead.

“I’m sorry. I must have been distracted.”

“It is all right. From here on, I should walk ahead.”

They were almost at the annexe.

Given the possibility of another mishap, Tapnad stepped in front of her.

The likelihood was not small.

Between the main building and the annexe was a small wooded area.

They were passing through it now.

Although there were lampposts, the dense trees swallowed much of the light.

“Be careful. There might be snakes.”

Martiana gestured anxiously toward Tapnad’s back.

She had once heard that a snake had been spotted here—though it had been long ago.

‘Still. One never knows.’

It would not do for an accident to occur on his very first day guarding her.

So she followed behind him, carefully scanning the ground.

They were close now.

Only a few more steps.

She had only been attentive for a moment—

‘Hm?’

As they reached a certain point, her eyebrows drew together.

They had just emerged from the trees and could see the entrance to the annexe almost directly ahead of them.

Something caught her eye.

“What is that?”

If she hadn’t been looking at the ground, she might have missed the mark.

In the dim light, dark stains were spreading erratically near the annexe.

They resembled twisted threads scattered across the courtyard.

Like spilled ink soaking into stone.

She rubbed her eyes several times, half-convinced she was mistaken.

“Please wait.”

Tapnad, who had also been looking towards the annexe, suddenly moved to block her path.

She had just started to step closer.

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

He kept his gaze fixed on the annexe, narrowing his eyes.

His tone was grave.

Had he seen the same darkness that she had?

Martiana kept her gaze fixed on the annexe and spoke.

“Tapnad… can you see that too?”

“See it as well?”

Tapnad looked from her to the annexe, his brows drawing together in confusion.

He saw nothing.

The moment he looked towards the annex, he felt a prickling sensation crawl over his skin.

Something unpleasant.

Something alien.

That was all.

It was that unease alone that had made him step in front of her.

But had he seen something?

“Is there something there?”

He looked again.

A small building.

Thickets.

Nothing more.

It was an ordinary sight that could be found anywhere.

“I’m not sure what it is. Just… something black.”

Martiana tilted her head slightly as she answered.

It seemed the man beside her really couldn’t see it.

She blinked several times.

The dark traces were still there.

Under the dim lamplight, the blackness spread across the ground.

‘I’ve seen something like that before…’

“You said black?”

“Do you recognize it?”

“I cannot see anything myself. However… I believe I have felt something similar before.”

“Where?”

“Perhaps during outdoor training at the seminary. I recall sensing something like this once.”

It had been brief and years ago.

He could not immediately recall where it had been.

Scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, Tapnad lowered his gaze.

“I apologize. If I remember more clearly, I will inform you at once.”

“It’s all right. There’s nothing to apologize for. I didn’t realize you attended the seminary. I did as well.”

“I know. We were in different years, so we never met—but you were quite well-known.”

His voice trailed off at the end.

He continued to rub the back of his neck, looking embarrassed.

Martiana let out an awkward laugh, too.

The mention stirred up old memories.

“That’s right. I was.”

Even now, her name was recognized within the temple.

The House of Kisca held that kind of status there.

Would the affiliated seminary have been any different?

From the moment she enrolled, she had been the center of attention.

The temple’s princess, they had called her.

What a mortifying nickname!

It couldn’t be helped.

The seminary was intended for ordinary children.

More precisely, it was for children from poorer backgrounds than average.

Officially, it was a training ground for clergy.

In truth, however, it was closer to a refuge.

So, when Martiana first arrived, she was in for a considerable shock.

It took her a long time to adapt. But now, that was merely a memory.

“Then Melissa must have attended as well? If I known sooner, I would have been more familiar with her earlier.”

“There is no need for that.”

“Why not? Hearing that makes me feel closer already. Shall we greet each other again?”

Martiana blushed faintly and suddenly held out her hand. Perhaps there had once been a time when he had called her ‘Princess’ too.

The thought moved her before she could stop herself.

Then again, maybe she was simply trying to change the subject, to show that she wasn’t as distant as she seemed.

It was certainly not something a noblewoman would usually do. Even during formal greetings, aristocratic ladies did not offer their hands for a handshake.

Tapnad hesitated, clearly flustered — almost troubled. He knew very well that such a gesture was not customary. Among commoners, perhaps it was ordinary. Perhaps she was acting this way out of consideration for his status.

Besides, if someone offered their hand first, it would be discourteous to refuse it.

“…It is an honor.”

After a brief pause, he took her hand.

Though hesitant, Tapnad slowly extended his own.

He intended to offer nothing more than a light handshake — brief contact, followed by an immediate release.

He meant to.

But—

Clasp.

A large hand suddenly seized his.

Firm.

Unyielding.

Then came a voice, hard as iron.

“Is cultivating intimacy with the one you guard now considered a virtue of a holy knight?”

Siliar stood there, his expression unmistakably displeased.