From his friend’s reaction, Lucas knew he finally understood the situation.

“Yes, I see you understand what I’m saying now? That’s why I’m worried, okay? Though things have already happened, properly confess your feelings again. That’s the first step.”

“…Confession. I don’t even know how to do it.”

“Classical methods work best. Things like red roses, a ring, perfumed letters.”

Though his sister Karina would hate such methods, Lucas liked these classical approaches. They actually worked well too.

“Now you’re back to being the Dominic Winchester I know. When you came into the room, you really looked like you might kill someone.”

Even Lucas, who had long been friends with him, had never seen Dominic so agitated.

“It’s thanks to you. Confession. That’s what I need to do first.”

If he needed to clearly convey his feelings that he thought didn’t need to be put into words, Dominic was willing to do so.

* * *

When Dominic visited the Crawford mansion a few days later, Lucas couldn’t help but be surprised.

Instead of his usual navy blue uniform, Dominic was standing in front of the mansion in a stylish suit holding red roses.

“Dominic…? How are you here…?”

“I came to see Lady Crawford.”

“Ka-Karina? Why would you…?”

“To confess.”

Lucas’s eyes widened as if they might pop out. No matter how many times he replayed what he’d just heard in his head, he couldn’t clearly grasp the meaning.

“What, what are you going to do? To Karina? What?”

To his friend who kept stammering foolishly, Dominic, with his hair slicked back with pomade and holding a bouquet of roses with his handwritten letter, answered again.

“A confession, of course. You said that’s what I need to do first, right?”

“Why a confession…”

To Karina. That’s what he wanted to know most. But Dominic, unaware of Lucas’s inner thoughts, frowned and said.

“Coming to your house is embarrassing for me too. But I sent several letters asking to meet outside and got no response, so I couldn’t think of any other way.”

Of course there would be no response.

Lucas could finally understand why Karina had seemed like she was being chased by someone these past few days.

Lucas put his hand to his forehead. His head was spinning.

“So you’re saying the ‘woman you need to take responsibility for’ isn’t Lady Lindid but my sister?”

“Why do you keep talking about Olivia?”

Dominic frowned. He was starting to get annoyed that both Karina and Lucas kept talking about Olivia. When his heart was directed at only one person.

“Surely you’re not saying you need to take responsibility up to marriage just for attempting a kiss. That was literally just a past emotion. I’ve already talked it through with Olivia herself. Besides, that person is by Olivia’s side now.”

“You knew?”

“How could I not when they make it so obvious? And I’m Olivia’s childhood friend. Of course I would know my friend’s feelings first.”

At his somewhat sharp response, Lucas blinked uncomfortably.

“I didn’t think you were such a perceptive person.”

Well, he couldn’t help but know. Even to Dominic, Olivia and that person looked good together. The way Olivia looked at that person was exactly the kind of look he wished Karina would give him.

“Wait. When you say you won’t take responsibility up to marriage for attempting a kiss…”

Horror gradually filled Lucas’s face.

“Don’t tell me you did something to Karina?”

“…Do you really want to hear in detail what happened between your sister and me?”

At Dominic’s response, Lucas quickly waved his hands.

“No, absolutely not. Don’t say anything. I don’t want to know and I want to never know.”

“I’m sorry, Lucas, but I’d like to end this conversation here. I’d like to see Lady Crawford first.”

Karina had run away frightened by his words. So he had sent polite letters, suppressing his desire to meet her immediately and settle things. Even when there was no reply, he sent more letters multiple times.

But now his patience had completely worn thin. Due to her consistent silence, he had impulsively bought red roses and come to the Crawford mansion, determined to properly finish this matter that could no longer be postponed.

“Is Lady Crawford in her room? Would you mind letting her know I’m here?”

“…Karina isn’t home right now.”

“Did she go out somewhere?”

Hearing that difficult question, a pained sound escaped Lucas’s lips. After pondering for a while how to say it, Lucas spoke honestly.

“Not just out… she ran away.”

Dominic didn’t immediately understand Lucas’s words. He blinked several times and recalled in his mind what he had heard.

“Ran away…?”

“She packed her bags and ran away, saying not to look for her for a while.”

When the maid knocked on her door to announce breakfast time, there was no response at all. When they opened the door just in case, only a letter had been left behind.

“I was thinking of requesting an investigation from the police if she didn’t return by evening.”

Dominic’s hand gripping the rose bouquet tightened. Seeing his friend’s veins bulging on the back of his hand, Lucas asked in alarm.

“Are you alright? The roses must have thorns. You might hurt your hand. Quick, give me the bouquet.”

“That woman really…”

His angry muttering was like an animal’s growl. Lucas flinched. To his friend, Dominic spoke in a deeply sunken voice.

“Excuse me. I’ll visit again another time.”

At first listen, it was the same calm tone as usual. A bit dry perhaps. But the fierce emotion in his eyes was hot enough to burn everything.

Though he had known Dominic for a long time, he had never seen him like this. Watching his retreating back, Lucas covered his face with both hands.

“Why did you have to provoke Dominic, Karina.”

Did his sister not know there were types of people you shouldn’t mess with? The serious Dominic who couldn’t take jokes and Karina… Lucas’s head grew dizzy thinking about how to explain this to their parents.

* * *

“It’s truly an honor to host Lady Crawford.”

The manager opened the door to the private quarters and greeted again with an emotional voice. From the garment bag he was holding, a dress’s frilled sleeve that hadn’t been neatly packed due to haste was sticking out.

“I heard this place was opening soon so I visited, but I’m sorry to be causing trouble.”

“No! What trouble? Though we haven’t officially opened yet, just having Lady Crawford be our first guest is a great honor for our hotel. We wanted to invite the ladies from the capital, but regrettably couldn’t contact them first due to the distance.”

The manager answered with a bright smile. It was true. Lady Crawford was a well-known figure in social circles whose name even he had heard of. The fact that she was interested enough to come here herself was nothing but good fortune for the hotel. It was definitely not a bad thing.

“How long did you say you would be staying?”

At the manager’s words, Karina did a rough calculation in her head. There was about a week left until the warship launching ceremony ball. She had only one goal. To hide from Dominic’s eyes until the ball.

On that fateful day, after he spends a passionate night with Olivia, surely Dominic will realize his thinking was wrong. He will realize that Olivia is his destined partner.

“I’ll stay for about a week before returning to the capital.”

“I see. Then I hope you have an enjoyable stay.”

The manager answered her with a smile. While still not missing the chance for subtle marketing.

“As you know, this hotel is designed for nobles to spend private time without worrying about others’ eyes, catering to their refined tastes. Next time if you visit with someone else, you’ll experience a different kind of pleasure.”

Karina responded to the manager’s words with a smile. She was just amazed that even people this far in the north knew of her reputation.

‘He’s saying I shouldn’t hesitate to bring a man since it’s a high-class resort where I won’t run into other people.’

“Yes. Next time I’ll definitely visit with someone else. For now I’d like to rest.”

“Ah. Yes. Understood. Then please rest well.”

The manager hurriedly bowed his head as he spoke. He placed the bag with the frilled sleeve sticking out in a corner and disappeared far from the lodging.

“Haah.”

Finally, a sigh of relief escaped. Karina flopped down on the bed and stared blankly at the ceiling.