“Y-Your Grace?”

In her shock, she reverted to his old title.

“It’s just Caleb,” he corrected immediately, still holding her tightly.

“Are you hurt?” Astrid asked, alarm flashing across her face. Caleb stepped back slightly, his eyes meeting hers. Her worry was unmistakable.

“Caleb! If you’re injured, you need treatment. I brought herbs for wounds—”

“I told you to rest,” he cut her off, releasing her and stepping back. His lowered voice made her flinch, but she stood her ground, meeting his gaze.

Looking into his midnight-blue eyes, Astrid spoke firmly.

“If you are the lord of Cliff, then I am its lady. If you see me as one of your people and not an outsider, you owe me an apology.”

Her tone was calm but resolute.

“As the lady of Cliff, I have both the right and the duty to be here.”

“…Hah.”

“If you’re not hurt, I need to go. The people need food and blankets—”

Astrid turned to leave, not waiting for his response. But before she could take a step, Caleb’s hand caught her shoulder, spinning her back around.

“What’s this?”

Holding both of her wrists, he examined her hands—covered in cuts and scrapes. His gaze was icy.

“I was rummaging through the herb storage. But that’s not important right now—”

“Are you an idiot?”

“…What?”

“How do you expect to help anyone when you can’t even take care of yourself?” he scolded, raising his voice slightly.

Astrid, however, wasn’t looking at him. Her eyes were fixed on something else entirely.

“Caleb! Did you see that?”

Just as he was about to chastise her further for changing the subject, he noticed her radiant smile. She held out her injured hands toward him.

What in the world…

Caleb clicked his tongue in frustration, his brow furrowing. Then, a single, icy raindrop landed on her outstretched palm.

Their eyes met, locked in silent understanding.

The rain had come.

***

A miraculous rain had finally arrived, helping to bring the fire under control. As the flames died down, Astrid worked tirelessly alongside Matilda, Edith, and several maids brought from the castle, tending to the needs of the villagers.

A large open space, free from the risk of collapse, served as a temporary shelter for the displaced. The knights skillfully erected large tents, under which the homeless gathered in tight clusters.

Although the food was simple—just dry bread and cheese—it was plentiful, thanks to careful preparation. Every blanket in the castle had been brought, even the decorative curtains from the banquet hall. It was enough to get by for a few days, at least.

“Thank you, Dame Knight.”

 “…Are you a lady knight?”

“I didn’t know there were female knights in the Cliff Order.”

“Oh no, your lips are blue! Come sit with us, Dame Knight!”

Perhaps it was because of her disguise—or the soot smeared across her face.

The villagers seemed to assume Astrid was part of the knightly order. It was precisely the effect she had hoped for. She wanted no part of being addressed as “Your Grace” in a relief effort, so she had deliberately dirtied her face.

“Here, grandmother. Please take some bread and wine. I wish I had warm soup, but this will have to do for now.”

“Oh, Dame Knight!”

Astrid flinched as the old woman suddenly grasped her hands. But soon, she smiled and gently clasped the woman’s hands in return.

“Yes, please tell me. Is there something you need?”

“My granddaughter, Ellie—she’s missing! She was playing nearby just a moment ago!” Tears trickled down the wrinkles lining the elderly woman’s face.

“She was here just now? There’s nowhere to hide around this open space…”

Astrid scanned the area thoroughly. Only the knights moving the injured were visible. No sign of a lone child.

“She kept asking for her doll,” the old woman continued, voice trembling. “It’s the only thing her mother made for her before she passed. She can’t sleep without it. Maybe she went back home to get it…”

The woman’s voice broke as she lowered her head, trying to suppress her sobs.

“…I see.”

Astrid silently took in her surroundings. Apart from the injured and children, everyone else was busy. It seemed she would have to search for the child herself.

“Our house is just beside the open field. She probably thought she could fetch it quickly.”

“I’ll find her,” Astrid reassured, patting the old woman’s trembling hands before standing up.

Nearby, Matilda, tending to the injured, turned her head sharply.

“Lady Astrid, where are you going?”

“A child is missing. It seems she went home to get something. I need to find her quickly.”

“I’ll send a knight! You should—”

“The fire’s out. I’ll be back soon.”

“No! What if Lord Caleb finds out? He’s already upset about you being here.”

“I won’t go alone.”

“Then I’ll go with you!”

“No. You’re needed here, Matilda. As the grand duchess, I’m asking you—please take care of the people.”

“…Your Grace.”

“Kyle?”

Astrid approached Kyle, who had just finished splinting a broken leg. He stood abruptly upon noticing her.

“Yes, My Lady! Do you need something, Your Grace?”

Sixteen years old and the youngest, still an apprentice knight, Kyle’s loud voice drew attention. When he said “Your Grace,” all eyes in the tent shifted to Astrid.

“Come with me.”

Ignoring the murmurs, Astrid grabbed Kyle’s sleeve and quickly exited the tent.

***

The second house, just around the bend from the open field.

“Found it. It should be here,” Kyle confirmed, pointing to the partially burned structure.

Just as the old woman had said, it wasn’t hard to locate. Astrid gestured for Kyle to hold back as she stepped forward, indicating the charred remains.

“I’ll go in first, Your Grace. Please stay back!” Kyle insisted.

“Shh.”

Astrid pressed a finger to her lips, signaling for silence.

Sniff… sniff.

“…Did you hear that?”

“Yes, it sounds like a little girl crying!”

“Ellie? Ellie, are you there? Answer if you can hear me!”

Sniffle… sniffle.

“Ellie? Your grandmother is waiting for you. Would you like to hold my hand and go back together?”

The crying grew louder as Astrid moved toward the sound.

“Your Grace, it’s dangerous! The fire is out, but there’s still a risk of the building collapsing. Please allow me to bear the risk in your stead.”

The young knight bowed his head solemnly toward Astrid. Under different circumstances, she might have laughed.

His formal tone and upright posture were uncharacteristic of someone his age. Kyle exuded an old-fashioned sense of chivalry, something rarely seen among the knights of Cliff.

Astrid wished she could go in with him, but she nodded silently. Acting recklessly now would only invite unnecessary danger.

If she got hurt, Elkan would be the only one left to handle things at the castle. Besides, she had a strong feeling Caleb would be furious if she returned injured.

It wasn’t fear that held her back.

“How do you expect to help anyone when you can’t even take care of yourself?”

She recalled Caleb’s scolding as he grabbed her injured hand. His voice had been cold, but Astrid had noticed that his eyes told a different story.

For a moment, she felt she understood the emotions hidden in his deeply shadowed gaze.

‘I forgot. He’s still grieving the loss of his mother.’

Amid the chaos, he had likely feared losing someone else close to him. Astrid knew all too well what that was like.

‘I’ve been through it too.’

Since her arrival at Cliff, no one had spoken of the late grand duchess. The people of Cliff mourned quietly, allowing their sorrow to flow naturally. Astrid had experienced something similar when her father passed away. Back then, she couldn’t protect her family or her people.

The desire not to lose anyone dear to her hadn’t changed. She realized Caleb must feel the same.

Even if she was only a wife in name, she couldn’t let him endure the pain of losing another loved one. Kyle was right.

“Sir Kyle, I leave this to you.”

As Astrid stepped back, Kyle wasted no time and rushed into the house. Barely a minute passed before a loud crash and a child’s piercing scream echoed through the air.

“Kyle! Kyle! Are you okay? Please answer me!”

The only response was the girl’s increasingly loud cries. Astrid’s mind went blank, and her resolve from moments ago vanished.

“Ellie! I’m coming! Just hold on!”

She pulled her cloak tightly around her and drew the hood over her head—taking the only precaution she could in this dangerous situation.

Rushing inside, Astrid quickly spotted Kyle lying on the floor, shielding the child beneath him. A fallen beam pinned him down. Her eyes darted over him, relieved to see no serious injuries.

“Kyle? Kyle? Stay with me! We need to get out of here.”

“Y-Your Grace… Ugh.”

“Waaaah!”

“Shh, shh. It’s okay, sweetheart. We’re getting out of here. You’ll see your grandmother soon. And your bunny doll…”

“Anna,” the girl whimpered.

“Yes, Anna. We’ll go see Anna and your grandmother. Okay?”

“O-okay,” the child replied softly, her teary eyes wide.

Astrid nodded reassuringly, then turned her attention back to Kyle. His leg seemed injured.

“Kyle, can you move?”

“I can manage, but… my leg.”

“I thought so. Wait a moment. I’ll lift the beam. On three… One, two, three!”

Astrid gritted her teeth and tried to lift the beam. Suddenly, the weight disappeared, and the beam was flung aside like kindling.

“You…!”

A towering figure stood before them—Caleb. His expression was cold, like a grim reaper rising from the depths of hell.

“Caleb!”

Despite his terrifying demeanor, Astrid felt an overwhelming sense of relief. She was so glad to see him that tears welled up in her eyes. But Caleb, still furious, didn’t seem to notice.

“Get out. Now.”

His low, growling command silenced her. Swallowing hard, Astrid quietly turned and walked out. Caleb’s dark eyes followed her until she was completely out of sight.

“…Are you okay?”

Only after ensuring Astrid was safe did Caleb offer a hand to Kyle.

“I’m fine. But the child—”

Kyle moved aside, revealing the little girl in his arms. Unlike before, she was now frozen in fear, too stiff even to cry.

It seemed the little girl was frightened by Caleb’s imposing figure and deep, intimidating voice. His stern expression only added to her fear.

Unbothered, Caleb gently lifted the child with one arm. Ignoring Kyle’s protests, he slung Kyle’s arm over his shoulder. Despite bearing the weight of both, Caleb’s steps remained steady and unwavering.

Fortunately, Kyle and the child were near the entrance. When they emerged safely, Astrid’s face lit up with relief.

“You’re both safe! How’s the child?”

Caleb didn’t respond but tilted his arm to show the child’s face.

“Oh, she’s asleep.”

The exhausted girl had nestled into Caleb’s broad chest and fallen asleep. Astrid reached out toward him with open arms.

“Give her to me. I’ll carry her.”

Handing the child over, Caleb spoke in a cold, clipped tone.

“Take the child back. And you…”

Astrid flinched. Caleb rarely addressed her so impersonally—it was the second time he’d called her “you” instead of her name. It was a clear sign of how angry he was.

“Go back. Immediately. Stay inside the castle. No—stay in your room. Don’t take a single step outside until I return.”

Astrid’s eyes, which had sparkled moments before, dimmed as she lowered her gaze. She nodded meekly. Only after ensuring her compliance did Caleb lift Kyle onto his shoulder.

Without a backward glance, Caleb strode forward, his long strides carrying him far ahead. Yet, he kept stopping, allowing Astrid to catch up before continuing. He repeated this several times until they reached the temporary shelter for the refugees.

Upon arrival, Astrid was immediately sent back to the castle with Matilda and Edith. For the next two days, she didn’t catch so much as a glimpse of Caleb.