The next day, at the break of dawn, I headed to the back garden of the Grand Duke’s castle with Mathias.

“I don’t care if you tend to these plants twenty times a day, just come with me.”

That was what Cedrion had said yesterday, but how could I use someone who was the master of the Grand Duchy for gardening?

I dismissed his words as mere hospitality from the house owner and naturally called upon Mathias instead.

Angie accompanied us for the first time in a while. As we walked, inhaling the phytoncides emitted by the trees in the Grand Duke’s garden, I didn’t find myself missing the forest behind the mansion.

“It really feels like I’m taking a morning stroll after a long time.”

“It’s only been a few days, but so much has happened in the meantime, hasn’t it?”

“Ma-ya.”

Angie babbled again, as if she understood something.

Perhaps because it had been a while since he last saw Angie, Mathias seemed to be in an even better mood today.

“Our little Grand Duchess, this huge castle is your home. How does it feel? Exciting, isn’t it? As expected, Your father is the best, right?”

Thump. Angie’s chubby hand pressed against Mathias’s mouth again today.

As Dame Gwendolyn had said, could it be that Angie truly understood everything we were saying?

Mathias didn’t seem to question it at all; he simply shook his head and continued playing with Angie, giggling.

“Are the knights treating you well?”

“Yes, of course!”

As Cedrion had arranged on the first day, Mathias had been accepted as a guest knight in the Grand Duke’s Order. During the day, he trained with the knights of the Grand Duke’s castle, and in the mornings and evenings, he was assigned to guard duty while I tended to the vegetable garden.

“Is anyone giving you a hard time?”

“Not at all! In fact, the knights have been treating me well, saying they are grateful to you, my lady, for saving the hopeless Grand Duke.”

“…Is that true?”

“Yes! Why would I lie about something like that?”

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, but Mathias’s expression remained bright and carefree.

Well, judging by the reactions of Viscount Nielsen and the maids, the people of Norhart had indeed been very welcoming to us.

“I’m glad to hear that… but if anything unfair happens, you must tell me, alright?”

“Of course!”

For some reason, I had a feeling that Mathias had fallen out of Cedrion’s favor, and that worried me.

‘Could it be because Angie gets along well with Mathias while still being wary of me?’

But Mathias, who was not a skilled actor, showed no hint of hesitation. The boy simply smiled, his black eyes shining.

“My lady, I’m truly grateful.”

“For what?”

“For taking care of me like this. I have no choice but to follow wherever you go.”

Mathias, who had been speaking in his usual cheerful tone, suddenly adopted a serious expression.

“It must not have been an easy decision for you to come to Norhart… You’ve endured so much for Angie’s sake.”

“Ma-ya.”

As if agreeing with Mathias’s words, Angie bobbed her head.

‘For Angie’s sake… That’s all people think it is.’

The decisive reason I had chosen to relocate was because I had learned that Michael was keeping me under surveillance and that Baron Alterman was his informant. However, I had not shared this with the nanny, her son, or Dame Gwendolyn.

Even if I were to die, I couldn’t tell those who would continue living in Arcadia to be wary of the Crown Prince.

‘But what if, after my death, Michael punishes them for allowing me to escape from Meldorf?’

The thought struck me suddenly, and I began to worry about their future.

If Norhart was the safest place for me, wouldn’t it be the same for them?

In a subtle tone, I probed Mathias.

“Mathias, how do you find life in Norhart? The weather, the people…?”

“It’s hard to say since it’s only been three days, but I do feel at ease here.”

“If you could stay here long-term as a knight, would that be better?”

“What?”

Startled, Mathias turned to face me, searching my expression.

“My lady, are you…?”

“Yes, since even Baron Allen ended up staying… I thought it might be good for you to settle in Norhart and start a new life.”

“My lady, please don’t say such things.”

Mathias’s expression suddenly drooped, as if his invisible ears and tail had fallen.

Even though he knew I was terminally ill, it must still be difficult for him to talk about what would happen after I was gone.

Careful not to say words like “dying” or “terminally ill” in front of Angie, I continued.

“Well, it’s not something that will happen immediately. But think about it. If you like Norhart, I can request for you to be formally accepted into the Order of Knights here.”

“My lady…”

The ever-cheerful boy’s face filled with deep emotion.

‘Yes. There’s a lot I need to do in Norhart.’

Not only did I have to help Angie and Cedrion grow closer, but I also had to consider the future of those who had helped me during my exile and might now be in Michael’s bad graces.

‘To do that, I’ll need to cooperate with Cedrion as much as possible. He seems to want to know the truth behind Lure’s downfall…’

Perhaps I should find out the truth. Of course, I also needed to determine whether Cedrion was someone I could entrust these people to.

I nodded to myself, silently reaffirming my decision.

Because of that, I failed to notice that Angie, who had been babbling nonstop just moments ago, had now fallen completely silent, wearing an uncharacteristically serious expression.

As we arrived at the spot where the laborers had worked tirelessly through the night, my small vegetable garden came into view.

“There’s a lot to do today, isn’t there?”

“Yes, we need to water the plants quickly before the sun gets too high, and since they were just transplanted yesterday, we have to check carefully to make sure they’re not wilting.”

“Yes, I’ll fetch some water first.” Having not properly tended to them for days, I felt anxious. Just as the strong-built Mathias headed toward the newly installed outdoor faucet to fill the large, rough watering can—

“Your Grace? Good morning!”

…Your Grace?

Mathias came to an abrupt stop and bowed deeply, prompting me to follow his gaze. For some reason, Cedrion stood alone in the middle of the garden. I was so startled that I almost jumped as if I had seen a ghost. And with good reason…

“Aren’t you cold…?”

He was wearing nothing but a thin pajama slip under his nightgown and slippers. He wasn’t even wearing the pajama top…

‘On this chilly morning… T-T-T-This is indecent…!’

Through the loosely tied gown, Cedrion’s firm… chest was visible. I didn’t know where to look, so I quickly turned my head away.

P-P-P-Palpitations again…

It was too much for Odelia’s heart to handle. I hugged Angie even tighter.

“…Why are you fussing over some damn weeds when you’re the one in poor health, up so early?”

Cedrion’s voice, laced with irritation, sounded unusually serious, as if he were truly worried about me. Maybe my heart wasn’t working properly, because for a fleeting moment, I almost misunderstood his concern.

‘But now that I think about it…’

Having barely regained my composure, I replayed his words in my head. Did he just call my crops… weeds? And besides, isn’t he the last person who should be commenting on anyone else’s attire…?

“If you catch a cold, both you and Angie will suffer.”

Saying that, Cedrion strode toward me and, in his hands…

‘A blanket…?’

It was a thick silk quilt, still holding someone’s warmth, which he wrapped tightly around me. It was so large that even someone as big as him could have easily used it, and with Angie in my arms… I ended up looking like a swaddled caterpillar.

“What is this? I’m not some kind of rolled pancake!”

“If the person dedicating herself to improving my relationship with my daughter were to fall ill just from tending to some weeds, it would be quite a problem.”

“But…!”

Hearing my protest, Cedrion stared down at me with his signature stern expression before silently mouthing a word.

C-O-N-T-R-A-C-T.

‘Ugh, how underhanded.’

Feeling cornered, I clamped my mouth shut. Cedrion, apparently satisfied with my reaction, curled one side of his lips into a smirk.

“Didn’t you agree to do your best?”

“…I did.”

“If you really must do strenuous work, then leave it to your beloved knight and take a break.”

“Eek!”

Did he sound slightly mocking when he said ‘beloved’?

Before I could react, Cedrion lifted me, blanket and all, and placed me on a nearby bench.

“Babuu.”

Angie, also wrapped up with me, wriggled as if feeling trapped.

Unconcerned, Cedrion simply gazed at us with a pleased expression, as if admiring his handiwork.

What is happening right now? Flustered, I voiced my complaint.

“I dressed warmly before coming out. Moving around keeps me warm. And Angie is with me.”

“Angie?”

“When Angie smiles at her big sister, it gives her strength, right?”

“Mmma!”

Ugh, I’m not your mom…

But Angie’s bright smile was just too adorable, so I couldn’t help but shower her chubby cheeks with kisses.

Watching our affectionate moment with his usual expressionless face, Cedrion muttered in clear discontent.

“…I told you to come with me. Why didn’t you?”

“After seeing Viscount Nielsen’s face yesterday, I couldn’t possibly call His Lordship out here.”

Cedrion’s perfectly shaped brows furrowed.

“Franz’s health is important, but your health matters more to me.”

“But even Dame Gwendolyn said this much is just light exercise…”

“Speaking of which, I’ll be meeting with your physician soon.”

“What?”

I was so shocked that my eyes widened.

“If my beloved fiancée keeps collapsing, how do you think the Norhart family will perceive me? My reputation will be in shambles.”

“But that’s…!”

No! My illness was already rare enough that if he probed too much, he might discover it was terminal.

Of course, Dame Gwendolyn wouldn’t disclose my condition without my permission. However, considering her interest in the rare herbs that only grew in Norhart, she might decide that Cedrion’s assistance was necessary for my care. Worse, he might persuade her with financial incentives…

I needed to ensure Dame Gwendolyn kept quiet while also handling this matter myself.

I firmly declared,

“That’s Lure’s secret.”