Astrid tilted her head slightly, genuinely puzzled. As her face filled with curiosity, Caleb let out a long, heavy sigh.

“…No, that’s not it. It’s true I’m picking a gift, but not for that reason.”

“Oh, so you have someone in mind to give it to? If that’s the case, of course, I should go with you. Is the recipient a woman?”

“…Yes.”

“Hmm. How old is she?”

“…Young. Well, younger.”

“Can you describe her build or general aura? It helps when choosing gifts.”

“…”

At that moment, Caleb visibly flinched, his expression growing complicated.

‘Who could it be…?’

Astrid’s curiosity grew as she wondered about the person capable of making Caleb deliberate so intensely. Her wide eyes practically sparkled with interest.

“…Sigh.”

Watching her, Caleb raised his hand and roughly ran it down his face.

She didn’t even consider the possibility that the gift might be for her. Since coming to Cliff, Astrid has exceeded all expectations, flawlessly fulfilling her duties. During Caleb’s absences, she had cultivated the land’s prosperity and ensured its safety. No one could deny her efforts.

Caleb knew this better than anyone. He simply wanted to give her a small token of appreciation.

But as he faced Astrid—who seemed utterly oblivious and instead peppered him with unrelated questions—he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

‘How little does she expect from me? What does this woman even think of me?’

It was mostly his fault that Astrid neither asked for nor anticipated the privileges she was entitled to as the Duchess of Cliff.

He had vaguely assumed that she might be struggling because of the situation with Elena, but he believed Astrid could handle it. Once the truth came out, all misunderstandings would be resolved. Yet, somewhere along the way, things seemed to have gone awry.

“Is it some kind of secret?” Astrid asked.

“…What?”

Caleb, lost in thought, had been silent for so long that Astrid had to prod him again. His face contorted slightly in response.

‘Is asking if it’s a secret rude? Is it really for Elena…?’

As Astrid’s expression subtly shifted, Caleb exclaimed in a flustered voice, 

“It’s not!”

“What? I didn’t say anything.”

“I’m saying it’s not for Elena Blevit,” Caleb clarified firmly.

“Oh, okay,” Astrid replied, though her expression remained uncertain.

Seeing her response, Caleb muttered under his breath, barely loud enough to hear.

“…For someone.”

“Sorry, what?”

At this point, frustration began to bubble up. This lack of clarity was unlike Caleb, who usually communicated his thoughts decisively. Astrid sighed softly and was about to suggest he go with Matilda instead when Caleb finally spoke.

“She’s a beautiful person.”

“…Hmm.”

“Her words, actions, and heart are all beautiful. She’s gentle and kind, the sort of person who puts others at ease just by being herself. And she’s someone I’m…grateful to.”

He stopped short of saying, “someone I feel deeply sorry toward.” It felt too awkward to confess such a thing to Astrid, the very person he was describing. Heat rushed to his face, making him worry it might be turning red. In reality, his face appeared more stern than embarrassed.

Fortunately, Astrid wasn’t looking at him. She was too busy piecing together the clues he had provided.

“Hmm. I’m not entirely sure, but I’d suggest something elegant and refined rather than flashy. Choose something luxurious but understated,” Astrid suggested.

“…Alright.”

Thus began the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Cliff’s first outing together.

Upon hearing the news, Matilda and Edith were ecstatic, seeing it as the perfect opportunity. They enthusiastically offered an array of dresses and accessories to transform Astrid into the most dazzling lady. However, their excitement quickly faded.

“The Duke simply needs to pick out a gift in return for a favor. I suppose my judgment will be helpful in such matters,” Astrid explained with an awkward smile, her expression apologetic at their disappointment.

“…I don’t want to inconvenience the townsfolk unnecessarily, and I’d prefer to avoid drawing attention to our status. Can we keep it simple, please?”

Astrid’s words caused Matilda and Edith’s expressions to grow even darker. Feeling both grateful and somehow apologetic toward them, Astrid kept her honest feelings hidden.

Few things wear people down as much as balancing between expectation and disappointment. Astrid felt deeply sorry for subjecting the two to such an emotional process because of her, so she forced a faint smile as she always had.

“Edith, I promise to bring back a novel for you on my way back.”

“Oh my!”

Edith’s face lit up with joy before she quickly covered her mouth with her hand, embarrassed by her reaction.

“How about a reading session in my room tonight?”

“W-Would that be alright?”

“Of course! Remember the one you mentioned last time? The sequel to that novel?”

“Oh! That’s Madame Alexandra’s new release!”

Edith, who had looked sullen just moments ago, began chattering excitedly about the novel as if nothing had happened. Watching the two women chat like friends, a trace of sadness appeared in Matilda’s eyes.

‘How much longer does the Grand Duke intend to leave Her Grace in this state? Such a lovely person…’

Although Astrid was smiling brightly, the sparkle in her eyes was nowhere to be found.

The Duchess of Cliff had always been a curious and inquisitive person, fascinated by exploring new things. While she was usually graceful and composed, she occasionally revealed a playful side reminiscent of a mischievous teenager—albeit only to those she considered her own.

The people of Cliff adored her for her unique blend of cheerfulness, wisdom, and warm-heartedness. Yet lately, Astrid had changed. Those who spent time with her couldn’t shake off an uneasy feeling, as if she were teetering on the edge of something.

Even now, her blue eyes appeared unusually hollow as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her expression vacant and detached.

‘Not even during the days when she waited and longed for Lord Caleb’s return did she look like this…’

It was clear that Astrid had begun to lose her light ever since Caleb had returned—more specifically, since he returned with Elena. If this continued, Matilda felt certain something dire would happen.

‘This can’t go on. I’ll have to speak with the Grand Duke myself.’

Matilda resolved to confront Caleb, determined to understand his intentions and persuade him or find another solution. She couldn’t bear to watch Astrid suffer any longer.

At fifteen, Matilda had followed the former Grand Duchess, Iris, to Cliff after losing her family and having nowhere else to go. Since then, Cliff had been her home, her sanctuary, and the place she intended to spend her final days.

She knew that confronting the Grand Duke might mean stepping down from her role as head maid—a position that was her pride and identity—but she had already steeled herself.

‘I can’t back down. Not for Astrid’s sake, nor for Caleb’s.’

Hiding her conflicted emotions, Matilda silently assisted Astrid with her clothing. Thankfully, Edith’s constant chatter kept Astrid from noticing anything unusual.

****

“Guol & Sharon.”

The shop, run by a pair of siblings—a tailor and a jeweler—hailed from the Bliss Duchy, famous for its gemstones. Recently, their store had become the talk of Cliff. In short, it was the latest hot topic, as fresh and intriguing as a newly baked delicacy.

Cliff, known for its vast lands and magic stone mines, was one of the wealthiest territories in Croatan. However, being located in the empire’s northernmost region, close to monster-infested borders, its residents were often dismissed as unsophisticated bumpkins in the central social circles.

Of course, no one dared openly disrespect the Grand Duke of Cliff, whose wealth and military power rivaled even the king’s. Yet the Duke’s absence from social gatherings rendered him nearly invisible in high society.

Though previous Grand Dukes had faced similar situations, the internal dynamics were more complex. Whenever a Grand Duchess left Cliff to reside in the capital, problems arose.

Rumors about the Grand Duchess being unfashionable, backward, or unworthy of nobility would spread, fueled by whispers from other aristocrats. There was even an incident where a Grand Duchess’s knight, unable to contain his anger, drew his sword during an evening party.

Thus, Cliff was often regarded as an isolated, unrefined corner of the kingdom, far removed from fashion trends. The arrival of a tailor and jeweler from the Bliss Duchy—an epicenter of style for both continents—was nothing short of a sensation.

The fact that even envoys from the royal capital came to commission attire for the Queen spoke volumes.

“Oh my, such a handsome gentleman and a beautiful lady! Especially the lady! Even in this modest attire, your natural elegance and grace are overwhelming. I’ve traveled across Cliff and even the western continent, but I’ve never seen anyone as stunning!”

A petite woman, her height barely reaching Astrid’s chest, greeted Caleb and Astrid with unrestrained enthusiasm. Her childlike stature could easily have led one to mistake her for a young girl.

“Hey! You can’t just leave in the middle of a consultation!”