By the time she had endured a third heat, which arrived only a month after the second, they both realized the truth.

Lunaria was experiencing the wolf beastkin’s long annual heat in fragmented intervals. They also realized that it began whenever the full moon rose.

The chill in the wind was gradually fading. In Lucius’ territory in the south of the Lumentis Empire, signs of new life were already visible everywhere. At the same time, Cassion was busy too. He had to prepare for the coming year once again.

A task had already been set for the start of spring.

“Gael, send word to Madam Angela.”

The head butler, who had been helping Cassion get dressed, paused briefly while lifting his vest. After helping the Grand Duke finish getting dressed, he asked casually.

“As we do every year, shall I have the young lady’s spring dresses prepared?”

“Yes, that’s correct. She gets warm even when the weather softens just a little, so we have no choice but to choose lighter fabrics.”

“In that case, it would be best to prepare matching hats and shoes as well.”

“Focus on indoor shoes rather than those meant for outings.”

“Yes, understood.”

After putting on his jacket, Cassion stood in front of the full-length mirror and adjusted his appearance with practiced composure.

Reflected beside him was the head butler, whose features bore a faint resemblance to those of his father. At first glance, they could easily have been mistaken for family.

The older Cassion grew, the more he loathed his own face. Sometimes he wondered if it would be easier if others saw nothing in him but his father’s likeness.

If that were the case, Lunaria would be the only person in his entire life to ever look at him differently.

Gathering his thoughts, he turned slightly and asked the head butler, who was carefully smoothing his hair into place.

“When will the interior renovations begin?”

“We were planning to start today. Spring arrives earlier in our territory than in others, after all.”

“That’s true. The wind already feels warmer.”

“Yes. We’ll finish the preparations as quickly as possible.”

“Hm…”

At the quiet hum of contemplation, Gael recognized that the Grand Duke had more to say and waited.

As expected, just as Cassion stepped out of the dressing room, he gave another instruction.

“I would like the former Grand Duchess’s room to be redecorated.”

“…The late Grand Duchess’s chamber, Your Grace?”

“That’s right. From now on, I intend for Lunaria to stay there.”

The head butler would never usually question any of the Grand Duke’s orders. However, this was so unexpected that he could not help but ask again.

“Could it be… the young lady…?”

The situation was so far beyond anything Gael had anticipated that he struggled to finish his sentence. However, Cassion understood perfectly and answered without hesitation.

“There are certain days each month when I must stay with her. If we leave the rooms as they are, it could lead to a dangerous situation. I merely intend to move her to the same floor. In that case, the former Grand Duchess’s chamber is the only option.”

“Ah…”

It was not an expression of understanding; it was merely a quiet sigh that escaped him unthinkingly. Although Gael did not know the full truth of her situation, he was well aware that they spent two whole days together every month, without fail.

He clearly remembered what the Emperor had said when he sent him here.

“Place the Grand Duke above all else.”

From that moment on, he ceased to be the Emperor’s hands and feet, becoming the Grand Duke’s instead.

Idle speculation was unnecessary.

The only correct answer was to follow the path chosen by his master.

“…In that case, may I ask whether we should consult the young lady for her opinion?”

“Hm?”

“Surely she has preferences of her own. It may be best to fill the room with furniture she selects herself.”

“……”

Upon hearing the butler’s words, Cassion fell into a long silence. He had never given her a choice. Even the things she wore, used and carried had been chosen by him.

He liked the idea of shaping her entirely himself.

Absentmindedly, he brushed his thumb along the contraceptive ring on his index finger. As his blue eyes darkened, he finally spoke.

“…I will choose.”

“Yes, understood.”

“As always, anything related to Luna is to be brought directly to me.”

“…I obey.”

The conversation ended, and he began to walk. When the butler stepped ahead to open the door, Cassion passed by him, then suddenly halted and added.

“From now on, you are to personally inspect every ingredient that enters Luna’s meals.”

“Yes, I will.”

“This is a time when we must be cautious… Examine everything carefully.”

Though spoken as if in passing, the words made cold sweat bead at the back of Gael’s neck. They were not easy to dismiss. Yet instead of asking further, he bowed his head in obedience.

“Leave it to me.”

“Other than you and Miss Emma, ensure that no one else addresses her carelessly.”

“Yes, Master.”

Only after finishing the conversation did Cassion stride ahead without hesitation. The head butler followed behind and, once he confirmed that the Grand Duke had entered his study, descended the stairs.

He immediately went to find Emma.

“Miss Emma, could you spare me a moment?”

“Ah, of course!”

“I’ll wait in the corridor. Take your time.”

“Yes!”

Emma, who had been finishing her breakfast in the servants’ lounge, hurriedly shoved the rest of her food into her mouth. Chewing hastily, she wondered what he could want.

Whether it was the head maid or the head butler, they were both intimidating in their own way. Still, the head butler was slightly easier to approach, so she left the room feeling relatively relaxed.

She approached him as he waited in the corridor.

“Someone from the dress atelier will be visiting by tomorrow.”

“…Ah, now that you mention it, spring has come.”

“Indeed. Also, from now on, I will personally inspect all food and desserts before they are served to the young lady.”

At those words, Emma’s complexion paled.

“Have I… made a mistake?”

“Nothing of the sort. It’s simply that… the Master seems to have grown increasingly concerned.”

In truth, Lunaria was the only person unaware of the threats made against her from time to time.

The Grand Ducal residence was a tightly guarded place. Following the Night of the Red Moon, the Emperor had taken a particular interest in it, and the servants’ loyalty was beyond question.

Even so, no place was entirely without weakness. The kitchen, in particular, had proven vulnerable.

Somehow, word of Lunaria’s existence had spread. Young noblewomen, using their connections, began to scheme. Jealous of her standing and her potential to secure the Grand Duke’s favor, they blamed her and attempted subtle acts of sabotage, occasionally resorting to poisoning.

The number of kitchen staff dismissed because of such incidents could be counted on both hands.

Since then, Emma had made it a habit to test every dish and drink with a magical device before serving them to Lunaria.

Now, however, the head butler would oversee the inspection of ingredients from the outset to ensure that nothing suspicious ever reached her.

“You’ll be busy for a while as well. The young lady’s room is to be moved.”

“…Pardon?”

“As soon as the interior design is decided, we’ll proceed immediately. Do not inform the young lady yet—just begin preparing quietly for the relocation.”

“Understood.”

“Very well, then.”

“Yes, I’ll go attend to the young lady right away.”

With that, they parted ways.

“I see.”

After saying goodbye to the head butler, Emma made her way upstairs. As she climbed the stairs to the young lady’s room on the third floor, her thoughts wandered.

To her, the Grand Duke seemed rather strange. She would never voice such thoughts aloud or indulge in gossip, but it was something she had pondered quietly for a long time.

Why did he not encourage the young lady to become independent?

Whenever she saw him treat Lunaria as though she were still a child, it almost felt as though he wanted her to stay that way forever.

And yet, Lunaria herself looked unmistakably like a woman in love. She had spoken to Emma about her feelings openly, and they were plain to see.

Reaching Lunaria’s door, Emma pushed aside her wandering thoughts and knocked gently.

“Emma, come in!”

The bright, cheerful voice drew an unbidden smile to her lips. After six years at Lunaria’s side, Emma saw her as more than just a young lady she was duty-bound to serve. She regarded her almost as one of her seven younger siblings.

When she stepped inside, she found Lunaria smiling radiantly and lifting her hand in greeting.

“Good morning!”

“Good morning, my lady.”

“I’m going to wear this dress today.”

She held out a black dress with a subtle sheen of red.

“That’s velvet, my lady. Won’t it be too warm for this weather?”

“No! I have to wear it at least once before winter is completely over! Otherwise, I’ll miss my chance. Cassion gave it to me as a gift — I don’t want to wait until next year.”

Hearing this, Emma’s expression became more complicated.

She had served alongside them all this time, yet even now, it was difficult to define the nature of their relationship.

All she fervently wished was that her precious young lady would never get hurt.