Several days had passed since she experienced her fourth heat.

With spring in full swing, the Grand Duke’s castle was abuzz with activity. The maids carefully removed the decorative pieces that had adorned the lobby and corridors throughout the winter, and the footmen took these to be stored away. The heavy velvet curtains were replaced with lighter fabrics in fresh, vibrant colors. Soon after, the sculptures and renowned paintings displayed in the lobby were exchanged for new pieces.

During a quiet break, Lunaria stepped out onto her private balcony and watched the gardeners below. Some were trimming tree branches, while others were turning over the soil. It seemed they were preparing the grounds for planting a new variety of flowers.

“The air’s already grown warm.”

As March began, the sunlight became brighter and gentler. A pleasant warmth drifted in on the breeze from afar. The hem of the new dress she had ordered the previous month fluttered softly in the breeze.

Leaning against the balcony railing, she gazed into the distance. Spring had a way of making people languid. She wanted to stretch out endlessly and lie somewhere in perfect idleness.

Just then, she heard the gardeners chatting in the garden below.

“Have you heard about the neighboring territory?”

“You mean the rumor that all the flour harvested last autumn was stolen?”

“It’s not a rumor. They say it’s true.”

“Declan’s territory may be smaller than ours, but it’s certainly not tiny. That flour was intended for relief supplies. It couldn’t have been a small quantity. How did something like that even happen?”

The four gardeners whispered among themselves, but as a beastkin, Lunaria could hear them clearly.

“…They say it was the Nuctein tribe that stole it.”

“The Nuctein tribe? You mean that race of darkness?”

“Bat-like creatures. I don’t know how they managed to crawl in, but they’re even more unsettling than beastkin.”

“Tell me about it.”

At the mention of the “Nuctein tribe,” Lunaria tilted her head slightly. She remembered hearing the name from her mother when she was young. Curiosity began to stir in her—just as one of the gardeners continued.

“But aren’t the Nuctein only able to move at night? They can’t stand sunlight, right?”

“Man, do you think thieves would steal in broad daylight?”

“No, but still. They didn’t rob some peasant’s house—they looted a warehouse managed by a lord. Wouldn’t they have had to scout the place beforehand?”

“They would’ve done that at night too. Honestly, you say the dumbest things.”

“I’m just saying—how can you see properly at night? You always have to be right about everything, don’t you?”

“Oh? You picking a fight right now?”

Two of the gardeners suddenly started arguing with each other.

Lunaria blinked, her eyes widening in surprise. She could not for the life of her understand why they were fighting.

Having overheard their exchange by chance, she hesitated. Should she step in and calm them down? Despite knowing that it was time to study classical literature, she slipped quietly out of her room. It was absolutely not because she wanted to avoid her lessons.

Since the servants were busy redecorating the castle, she descended the stairs more slowly than usual. When she reached the ground floor, she carefully made her way through the bustle of maids and footmen. She intended to settle the dispute between the gardeners and perhaps find out more about the rumor they had been discussing.

Truth be told, living on the estate under Cassion’s protection was not unpleasant. Yet the beastkin’s free-spirited nature lingered within her, and sometimes she felt stifled. If she could hear a story or two from beyond her own world, perhaps that restless feeling would ease.

She had just passed through the lobby when a familiar voice called out from behind her.

“Luna, where are you going?”

“…Oh? Cassion?”

Hearing his voice, she quickly turned around and fumbled for her pocket watch to check the time. It was not yet time for tea. If it were, he should have been in his study, attending to his duties.

Cassion closed the distance between them in an instant and asked softly.

“Shouldn’t this be the hour you’re reading Understanding Classical Comedy and Tragedy?”

Her lips pressed shut at once. She had only meant to skip out for a moment—but she had been caught perfectly.

“…That’s true. But it sounded like the gardeners were fighting outside, so I came to stop them.”

“Mm.”

“I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. I just… happened to hear it.”

Standing directly before her, Cassion tilted his head slightly.

“What does their quarrel have to do with you?”

Lunaria fidgeted with her fingers before apologizing a beat too late.

“I’m sorry. The truth is… the weather is just too nice. I wanted to step outside.”

That was it. The gardeners’ argument had not been much of a reason at all. The day was simply too warm, and the scent of soil and fresh grass was too inviting. She just wanted to be outside.

Hearing her honest answer, Cassion smiled.

“Spring has indeed arrived.”

“Yes. The breeze is cool and gentle—it feels so good. Why don’t you take a short break and go for a walk too? Doesn’t staying in the study all day feel stifling?”

“Mm. So you feel stifled?”

At his words, she gave a small hop and hurried to defend herself.

“No! Saying I’m stifled is just an excuse. It’s only because it’s spring…”

She knew exactly why he had never let her go out alone. He had said that she was the only beastkin in Lucius’s territory. Of course, he meant well; he wanted to protect her and ensure that she did not come into contact with humans and risk exposing her true identity.

For this reason, she did not want to burden him with trivial complaints. It was more than enough that he had let her live with him and kept her safe.

“So…”

Lunaria silently reprimanded herself for coming downstairs without thinking. She felt foolish, as though she had worried Cassion over nothing, and her mood darkened.

Seeing her expression grow increasingly downcast, Cassion spoke.

“It will be tea time in an hour. Until then, would you care to take a walk with me?”

At his courteous tone, Lunaria pressed her lips together and looked up at him.

During her second heat, she had felt happy when he had spoken to her so casually. No matter how low another person’s status, he always spoke formally.

She believed that she was the person closest to him.

Yet whenever her heat ended, his manner always reverted to how it had been before: polite, composed, and distant.

If she had never experienced the difference, perhaps it would not have mattered. But she had already seen him speak to her with unguarded ease. Each time he reverted to formal speech, therefore, it left her quietly unsettled.

When she hesitated and failed to respond, Cassion studied her with faint curiosity and asked in a low, measured voice.

“…Luna, have I upset you?”

“No! Of course not!”

“Then let us go see the daffodils together.”

Unable to refuse his offer, she slid her fingers into the space between his and threaded them together, leaving no gap. He grasped her hand firmly and led her forward.

“They say the daffodils are in full bloom. I had been thinking of going to see them with you.”

“Hehe, I already saw them from the balcony.”

“So the gardeners were only an excuse—you simply wanted to see the flowers, didn’t you?”

“No, it’s just… the gardeners were talking about a rumor from the neighboring territory. I was a little curious.”

“Ah.”

Cassion nodded as though he had known all along. He guided her along a newly laid path. Small pebbles crunched softly beneath their feet and the narrow walkway was lined with unfamiliar plants of various kinds.

Walking side by side, he explained in a gentle tone.

“I’ve heard that the Nuctein tribe is much smaller than the Beastkin. It is uncertain whether their lineage even continues. How could such a race have committed such a bold theft?”

“I thought so too.”

Tilting his gaze slightly toward her, he asked quietly.

“Did you know of the Nuctein tribe?”

“Yes. I heard about them from my mother when I was young.”

“Mm. Since you wandered the mountain ranges… you may have encountered them.”

“I’m not sure about that. All I remember is my mother warning me. She said that if I ever encountered the Nuctein tribe, I should run without hesitation.”

Hearing this, Cassion gave a faint, inscrutable smile and nodded.

“Your mother was wise. They would be a threat not only to humans, but to beastkin as well. They are fools who cannot even distinguish friend from foe.”