Matilda and Edith were preparing to assist Astrid to bed.

Carrying a muslin nightgown with a cozy scent, slippers, a magical lamp for gentle lighting, and a prayer book, the two shared the items and began climbing the stairs, their conversation unbroken.

After all, thinking about the disastrous banquet made them feel sorry for Astrid and angry at Caleb. Neither of them could keep their complex emotions to themselves.

Cliff Castle, now shrouded in soft darkness, was filled with restless souls unable to sleep due to their troubled hearts.

Edith, whose dissatisfaction had reached its peak, could no longer hold her tongue.

“It’s just hosting guests, isn’t it? Frankly, His Grace brought Elena and made his feelings clear! Why get so upset over a visit to the lab?”

“…Edith.”

“But, Matilda, His Grace is too soft on Her Grace. He could afford to be more assertive.”

“You’re not wrong… but as subordinates, we must be careful with our words. Acting rashly will only burden Her Grace further.”

“Yes, yes, I know. That’s why I’m venting here. But watching it makes my blood boil. Matilda, what is going on in His Grace’s heart?”

Edith’s last question hit Matilda deeply.

Caleb’s heart…

Even Matilda, who had known Caleb since childhood, couldn’t easily guess where his heart lay. However, she had recognized the intensity in Caleb’s gaze toward Astrid during the banquet.

That was not the look one gives a younger sibling or a close friend.

‘…But what about Elena?’

There must be some underlying reason. Matilda hoped there was, but knew better than to voice it.

False hope only leads to crushing disappointment, leaving one unable to rise again. Matilda didn’t want to bring Astrid fleeting solace, only to cause her greater pain later.

“…Who knows? Even I, who’ve served him for years, cannot say where His Grace’s heart lies.”

“Hmm. It seems like Caleb has feelings for Lady Elena, but then, when I see how he looks at His Grace, I get confused.”

Edith recalled the intense gaze Caleb had fixed on Astrid throughout the evening, as though he couldn’t bear to look away.

“Nobody looks at someone that persistently unless they’re here to collect a debt—or if they’re lovers, perhaps.”

“…Hmm.”

Matilda gave a barely perceptible nod. It seemed Edith felt the same way she did.

“Mark my words, there will come a day when His Grace regrets making Her Grace shed tears.”

“…”

Matilda didn’t scold Edith for her brazen remarks about the master of Cliff. She couldn’t refute her words either.

A foreboding feeling gripped her—one day, her precious young master might suffer great sorrow because of Astrid.

***

It was just after Astrid had finished preparing for bed.

“Aren’t you tired?” Matilda asked, having carefully ensured every detail for Astrid’s comfort.

A faint smile appeared on Astrid’s lips. “It was an enjoyable evening. It was nice to see people I hadn’t met in a long time. It’s been ages since we had such a grand banquet. I’m glad everyone seemed satisfied.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. Matilda, you’ve worked so hard too. I plan to give all the staff extra wages this month. The Cliff’s Tears are selling well, and the harvest has been abundant this year, so the budget is looking good…”

“And your heart? Is it alright?”

“…Ah.”

The cheerful chatter fell silent. At Matilda’s words, Astrid felt something inside snap—the tight string of tension she’d carried throughout the banquet suddenly giving way.

“This is as good as it gets, isn’t it? My heart aches, but I eat, sleep, and work. That means it’s not unbearable. It just hurts enough to endure, so I tell myself it’s fine.”

“…Your Grace.”

Matilda’s face crumpled, as though she might cry at Astrid’s candid confession. But Astrid shook her head, comforting her instead.

“It’s not worth that face. After all, Caleb never loved me to begin with. It’s just my long-standing feelings. If he acknowledges me as the grand duchess, that’s enough.”

“…Your Grace.”

“It’s just that someone else has taken the place that was once empty in his heart. Perhaps… it was never meant to be mine in the first place.”

“Your Grace!”

Matilda’s heart sank at the words that seemed to signal Astrid giving up on Caleb.

“But if I don’t give up on Caleb, does that make me selfish?”

“…!”

“You know I have nowhere to return to.”

The calm tone made it sound like she was talking about someone else’s life. Matilda barely held back tears.

‘Poor soul.’

“If I’m to spend my life at Cliff anyway, shouldn’t I be allowed to wait? That’s what I think. As long as Caleb permits it, I want to wait until his heart turns back to me.”

“…Your Grace.”

“I think I deserve that much selfishness. Don’t you think so, Matilda?”

Faced with Astrid’s steady gaze, Matilda hesitated before deciding to be honest.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I want to tell you to let it go, that it’s enough to live as the grand duchess, to stop hurting and find peace in that role. But…”

“Matilda.”

“I wish for you to remain Caleb’s companion, his only woman. I beg you not to give up on your feelings. Please forgive my selfishness, Your Grace.”

“Then isn’t that enough?”

“…Your Grace.”

Matilda, unable to meet Astrid’s gaze, slowly raised her eyes to find her usual gentle smile.

“We’re both selfish, so neither of us owes the other anything. Let’s follow where our hearts lead. After all, they’re pointing to the same place, aren’t they? Honestly, I feel relieved—it doesn’t feel like I’m alone.”

“…Of course, Your Grace. From the knights of Cliff to the staff, none of us will ever accept anyone else as His Grace’s woman but you.”

Astrid clapped her hands at Matilda’s heartfelt words. “Wow, that was truly touching.”

The exaggerated gesture and playful tone finally brought a faint smile to Matilda’s face.

“And as for tonight’s banquet, I really didn’t think it was bad. It was actually more entertaining than I expected, though it was a bit… peculiar. Lord Chase, for example.”

“…!”

“He’s surprisingly knowledgeable and quite amusing. His depth of education and experience made our conversation enjoyable. So honestly, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

“…Oh. Is that so?”

“Matilda?”

Matilda’s face had frozen stiff without her realizing it. Astrid, who had been looking at her with a puzzled expression, slowly shifted her gaze toward the door.

“You’re looking forward to spending time alone with Chase? I’d like to hear the reason for that.”

“…!”

When had he come in? Caleb was leaning casually against the doorframe, staring intently at Astrid.

Astrid gazed at Caleb, who was leaning against the doorway. Tonight, his dark pupils seemed even more shadowed, like the gaze of a predator eyeing its prey.

Caught by the dangerous glint in his menacing eyes, Astrid found herself at a loss for words, her mouth frozen shut. Instead, Matilda spoke up on her behalf.

“Your Grace, why did you come without notice…?”

“Isn’t this the bedroom of the Grand Duke and Duchess? When did I need permission to enter my own quarters?”

“T-That is…”

As Matilda stammered in embarrassment, Astrid quickly intervened.

“That’s enough, Matilda. You’ve done so much today. Please take your leave.”

“Then, have a peaceful night.”

Matilda bowed to both of them and exited. Astrid immediately turned toward the table.

“Let’s sit and discuss—!”

But she couldn’t take another step. Before she could move forward, a firm arm spun her around. She tilted her head up to look at the owner of that arm.

When her eyes met his darkened gaze, she couldn’t utter a single word, as if her lips had been sealed shut.

For a long moment, the two stared into each other’s eyes without a word. Finally, Caleb broke the silence.

“Even in summer, Cliff’s night air is cold, isn’t it?”

To visit her at this hour only to talk about Cliff’s weather? Astrid couldn’t grasp Caleb’s intentions. While she was at a loss and nervously rolling her eyes, something suddenly coiled around her ankle.

“…!”

Startled by the unexpected sensation, Astrid’s eyes widened. A large hand had clasped her ankle, its warmth seeping into her skin. Caleb had dropped to one knee before her, firmly gripping her ankle.

“Your foot.”

“Uh, oh…”

Though he only said “foot,” Caleb didn’t wait for her to react. Before she could gather her thoughts, he lifted one of her feet, causing her to wobble precariously on the other.

Flailing her arms for balance, Astrid’s hand instinctively landed on something solid. Only then did her unstable posture steady.

“…Phew.”

She let out a sigh of relief, but it was short-lived.

Realizing where her hand had landed, Astrid’s eyes filled with alarm. Her hand was resting on Caleb’s broad shoulder.

“I-I’m sorry!”