Chapter 16

Noah, who had been staring intently at Karina, nodded his head. The two of them stood up at the same time. The street they stepped back onto was still quiet. While walking and minding the puppy that followed beside her, Karina suddenly remembered and asked.

“By the way, where did the wolf from earlier go?”

“The wolf? Are you talking about Reed?”

It seemed to have disappeared while they crossed over to the neighboring village, but she wondered if it might scare the people.

“If it’s Reed, you don’t need to worry. He’s good at finding his way home.”

Noah seemed to interpret Karina’s concern in a slightly different way. Karina was about to argue but decided against it.

‘For some reason, it doesn’t seem like he’s dangerous.’

Recalling the wolf’s indifferent, almost human-like expression, she couldn’t help but think that. More importantly, there was another issue that needed resolving.

As they walked quietly, Karina hesitated for a moment before stopping. Noah immediately turned around to look at her.

“There’s something I want to ask. Can you answer me?”

At her straightforward tone, Noah tilted his head slightly with a curious expression but nodded.

“Why were you in the Imperial Palace back then?”

There were some situations too embarrassing to revisit, but since they had met, she couldn’t just let it go.

Climbing over the Imperial Palace wall, suddenly lifting and lowering her onto a tree, and then disappearing without a trace.

‘I need to know what on earth this person is.’

At this point, it wasn’t just suspicion; it felt like a mission to uncover his identity.

“Well… I was chasing a butterfly, and before I knew it…”

“Don’t say such nonsense.”

Cutting him off sharply, Noah started pointing at the air and feigned ignorance. It was a transparent attempt to evade. She had no intention of backing down. Karina locked eyes with him, her gaze firm.

‘Is he really a noble? Or maybe a knight?’

As her suspicions spiraled, Noah’s lips slowly parted.

“Do you remember what I told you before?”

At his sudden question, Karina, puzzled, recalled the last time they met.

‘Let’s meet again before winter comes.’

As she revisited his farewell, whose meaning she hadn’t understood, Noah looked down. Following his gaze, her eyes landed on his gleaming shoes. A single autumn leaf fluttered down and settled between their feet.

The trivial sight made Karina forget the topic of their conversation and ask him instead.

“…Hasn’t winter come yet?”

“There’s not much time left.”

Noah answered playfully with a grin. Karina, watching him, found herself smiling as well. For some reason, she no longer felt the need to ask anything.

It was strange. Whenever she looked at the man before her, she felt as though she were forgetting reality, as if she had stepped into another world. Perhaps it was exactly what Karina needed at this moment. The two of them started walking again.

“Why before winter, of all times?”

Karina tilted her head slightly and asked. Noah raised his hand and lightly clenched his fist as he replied.

“Because it’s the season I hate the most. It’s cold, and you can’t hold onto it.”

It was a vague expression. Karina, somewhat agreeing, continued walking. Before she knew it, they had almost reached the bridge. When she stopped and looked down, one of the puppies still following her caught her eye.

“Are you going to take it with you?”

“Well, I’ve never raised an animal before.”

Noah, seeing her hesitation, surprisingly made a cheerful suggestion.

“I’ll take all four of them. They’re Reed’s friends, after all.”

Though it was a kind offer, she couldn’t bring herself to trust it. Thinking of the wolf’s large paws, Karina voiced her concern.

“The size difference is too big for them to be friends. They even look like entirely different species.”

Despite her genuine worry, Noah remained calm.

“When two beings are different, that’s when they can become true friends.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Karina laughed softly, lowering her gaze, while Noah added another comment.

“Like you and me, Miss Karina.”

His tone was lighter than a passing breeze. Karina unconsciously lifted her head.

His clear, sky-blue eyes were fixed on her. The man who had felt so distant was now standing right in front of her.

***

Inside the quiet carriage, Cornell adjusted her glasses and spoke.

“Get some rest, Phyllis. There’s still a long way to go before we reach the Imperial Palace.”

Phyllis, who had been staring out the window, shook his head slightly as if to say he was fine. A beat late, Cornell put down the documents she was holding and took off her glasses. Her eyes felt dry, as though they might fall out.

“You should rest too, at least on the way. You didn’t get any sleep last night, did you?”

“For me, that’s normal.”

At her joking remark, Phyllis’s expression darkened slightly. Realizing her mistake, Cornell quickly added.

“I mean, I’m sturdy, so it’s fine.”

She exaggeratedly raised both arms to show off, laughing, and Phyllis smiled faintly in response.

In truth, Cornell had been pulling all-nighters for several days, not just last night, and was in an incredibly sensitive state. It was because of Earl Herwin’s promise. If she completed this research successfully, she would be granted a break from the research institute for a while.

‘Since I have nothing, I have to work that much harder.’

She didn’t feel resentful about it. Cornell was well aware of her position. Ian Herwin was not her parent.

“There’s no need to rush this much. Didn’t they say the research just needed to be done before winter ends?”

As she picked up her glasses again, Phyllis asked in a concerned tone.

“That’s true, but… the sooner I finish, the more time I’ll have.”

“Time?”

“To prepare for the engagement ceremony, we’ll probably need some time.”

Cornell, who answered nonchalantly, noticed the momentary silence and stopped flipping through the documents. Fortunately, Phyllis soon gave the expected reply.

“That’s true. You’re right, Cornell.”

Glancing over, she saw Phyllis looking at her with his usual kind expression.

“But don’t overdo it too much. I’m worried about you.”

His slightly stern tone gave her a subtle hint. In the end, Cornell put her glasses down again. It was true that she had been pushing herself. Taking this opportunity, she leaned back comfortably against the seat.

“I’ll wake you when we arrive. Get some rest in the meantime.”

“Alright. I’ll leave it to you.”

Following Phyllis’s suggestion, Cornell gently closed her eyes. The swaying carriage felt unusually cozy today. It seemed like she could get a good nap.

However, it wasn’t long before Cornell slightly opened her eyes. She felt guilty about sleeping while Phyllis stayed awake. But then, she noticed an unusual expression on Phyllis’s face as he stared out the window. Trusting her instincts, Cornell lowered her gaze and scanned outside as the carriage turned a corner.

‘…As expected.’

She saw the backs of two people walking down a quiet street.

It was undoubtedly Karina and the man named Noah. Closing her eyes immediately, Cornell pretended to stir as if she had just woken up. A moment later, when she reopened her eyes, Phyllis was looking down at the documents, reading.

“You’re awake?”

“The carriage shook a little. Don’t worry about it.”

“Do you want me to switch seats with you? I’m fine here.”

“No, I’m not sleepy anymore.”

Stretching naturally, Cornell began to hum a tune as she looked out the window. Her cheerful demeanor seemed to puzzle Phyllis.

After traveling a bit further, the carriage came to a stop. Cornell and Phyllis gathered their documents and entered the Imperial Palace.

“Would you like to head to the meeting room first? I have some documents to submit.”

“Alright. Take your time.”

Turning away from the research building, Cornell headed toward the main palace.

The guards standing at the main palace gates recognized her and stepped aside, but her business wasn’t with them.

“I have something urgent to tell His Highness, the Crown Prince. May I request an audience with him?”

The sudden request left the guards exchanging confused looks. Smiling brightly, Cornell added one more thing.

“Please tell him I know the truth about Velcarid.”

***

Karina lay in bed, staring at the small white creature sprawled on her stomach.

“Ah! Miss! I told you not to let it on the blanket.”

Becky, who was cleaning the room, gasped and quickly picked up the puppy.

Ever since it had scratched up her blanket on the first day, Becky seemed to have developed a bad memory of it and was clearly displeased.

“It’s fine. We trimmed its nails back then, remember?”

“Still, this little thing causes more trouble than it looks.”

Becky glared disapprovingly at the tiny fluffball in her hand. Karina laughed and reached out her hand, feeling the soft fur as it nuzzled against her. The puppy yawned lazily and nestled into her arms.

This was Edel, who had joined the household three days ago.

“Well, it’s cute, so it’s fine.”

“Miss, honestly. When you were scared and keeping your distance at first, what was that about?”

“I wasn’t scared. It just kept getting underfoot, so I was worried I’d step on it.”

Becky nodded in agreement, acknowledging Karina’s sincerity. But that wasn’t the case anymore. Karina had realized within a day that Edel, contrary to its appearance, was quite quick on its feet.

This was also why the maids disliked it. Becky sighed as she looked at her chewed-up slippers.

Karina, however, was busy stroking Edel’s round head, paying no mind.

“By the way, Miss. Didn’t you say you didn’t like animals?”

Watching her with curious eyes, Becky asked. Karina hesitated for a moment but answered calmly.

“Not particularly… I still don’t like them much.”

“You don’t seem that way at all.”

Though none of the maids in the room seemed to believe her, Karina was being sincere.

It wasn’t that she had any particular interest in animals; she was simply taking care of Edel because she had to.

‘‘If Edel ever seems restless, feel free to visit.’

Thinking of Noah, who had casually named the puppy, Karina let out a faint laugh.

“Miss Karina!”

Just as the maids were finishing their cleaning and about to leave the room, an urgent voice called out. Karina turned her head.

It was Sophia, who wasn’t even one of her personal maids but someone in charge of kitchen duties. As everyone tilted their heads in confusion, Sophia, catching her breath, finally spoke.

“Well, Young Lord Phyllis just arrived. He’s waiting in the drawing room now…”