“Yes, you told me to climb a tree, and I followed you and got hurt.”

“I didn’t think you would actually climb up! I wasn’t teasing you!”

Oliver was momentarily upset, but even that was endearing. Kayla smiled for the first time in a while and replied:

“Haha, I know. I just wanted to follow you up there.”

But shortly after, Oliver’s gaze brushed the end of her sleeve. A faint blue bruise was visible through the thin fabric.

“Are you… physically okay now?”

Kayla hurriedly pulled down her sleeve and smiled.

“I think I’ll be fine now.”

Oliver couldn’t bring himself to ask further and looked away. A moment of silence passed.

“What kind of person is he… His Highness the Grand Duke?”

Oliver’s question was mixed with fear and curiosity. Kayla hesitated to answer. She too didn’t fully know him yet. Someone who seemed indifferent yet had warm moments, who appeared to keep a cold distance but showed unexpected consideration. He was a being that couldn’t be defined in a single word. As she pondered her answer, the air in the garden suddenly grew heavy. The wind stopped, shadows stretched long, and footsteps echoed rhythmically. The sound of heavy steps drew closer.

“His Highness the Grand Duke?!”

Oliver jumped to his feet. Theodore was standing there. An intense aura surrounded his black uniform, and a sharp atmosphere dominated the entire garden.

“I-I greet Your Highness the Grand Duke!”

“What situation is this?”

Oliver trembled, unable to straighten his back from fear. He could feel Theodore’s cold gaze on his back. Oliver shuddered at the thought of him finding out that his wife had received a proposal from another man.

‘Could he have heard what I said? From where did he start listening?’

Even the wind fell silent at Theodore’s voice.

“You, I asked what situation this is with my wife.”

Seeing Oliver’s terrified face, Kayla quickly stepped in front of him and exclaimed:

“Wait, Grand Duke… no, Theo! Please listen to me. This person is my childhood friend.”

Theodore slowly looked back and forth between the two. His gaze was colder than anything, and displeasure was etched within it.

“To my eyes, he just looks like a man, Kayla.”

Theodore’s voice was cold as ice. Under the pressure emanating from his words, Oliver hunched his shoulders tightly.

“Why is my wife with another man in our home?”

Kayla clutched the hem of her dress with her fingertips and spoke as calmly as possible.

“We haven’t seen each other for a long time. He’s a friend who stayed by my side when I was struggling, when I was alone.”

“He helped you?”

“Yes. He secretly brought me bread when I was starving, and medicine when I was hurt.”

Kayla’s fingertips trembled. However, she was summoning a small courage for her friend. Hearing her sincerity, Theodore unfolded his arms and quietly sighed. His gaze seemed to soften a little.

“Haa… I’m not angry at you, so don’t be discouraged, Kayla.”

His voice had become much gentler than before.

“But it’s my fault for letting an outsider in without your permission… Still, he’s truly a precious friend to me.”

“I understand, this is as good as your home now. I was just hasty in getting angry, I’m sorry.”

He carefully placed his hand on Kayla’s cheek. It was gentle and warm, as if caressing a precious treasure. Watching this, Oliver’s mouth fell open. The Grand Duke, whom he thought would be cold and aloof, was treating a woman so tenderly right before his eyes. Complex emotions soon wrapped around his heart.

“You’re welcome to visit in the future, but refrain from being alone together. Kayla is my wife now.”

The final words were firm. Theodore’s gaze pierced through Oliver. Oliver hastily bowed his head and stammered.

“Y-yes! Your Highness the Grand Duke, I apologize.”

“Kayla, finish your conversation and come inside. I’ll be working in the study.”

“Ah, alright…”

Theodore nodded slightly to Oliver and walked toward the study. Oliver stared blankly until Theodore had completely disappeared, then collapsed into his seat with a sigh of relief. His back was drenched in cold sweat.

“Whew, I survived.”

“I’m sorry, Oliver. Were you scared?”

“No… But I realized that His Highness the Grand Duke is sincere about you.”

“Sincere?”

Oliver got up, dusting off his clothes, and smiled slightly. Kayla’s blue eyes widened.

“I was worried, but now I’m relieved. I can tell by seeing His Highness the Grand Duke.”

“……”

“I’ve lost, I’ll admit it cleanly. I sincerely wish for your happiness, Kayla.”

“Oliver…”

Suddenly, Kayla’s nose stung with emotion. He’s friend who had always watched over her. Only now did she understand his sincerity, but that also meant farewell. Oliver continued with a bitter expression.

“I actually knew. That Joanna wouldn’t send you to our family. Because our family isn’t wealthy enough… Still, I wanted to be by your side…”

“I’m sorry for realizing your sincerity so late…”

“No. I’m glad someone appeared who can make you happier than I could.”

“Theo…?”

“Yes. Didn’t you see that look just now? Completely like a hunting dog’s eyes. Seemed like he would do anything for you. I really thought I was going to die just now.”

“What?”

Oliver giggled. Kayla’s face reddened for no reason.

“Don’t tease me, Oliver!”

“Haha, I’m not teasing. It’s true. His Highness the Grand Duke is sincere about you. So, I’ll always support you, Kayla.”

At Oliver’s sincere encouragement, Kayla responded with a small smile.

“Thank you, Oliver… I hope you’ll be happy too.”

Oliver put away his playful smile and stood directly in front of her. Kayla wondered why this scene felt like a last goodbye, and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Still… will you come visit?”

When Kayla asked cautiously, he shook his head slightly.

“Well, actually… I’ve had marriage talks too. I’ve been avoiding them, but… I should accept them now.”

“Really…?”

“Yes, I’m an adult now too. And if I visit often, His Highness the Grand Duke will keep being concerned.”

“No, he said it’s okay…”

“And…”

Oliver took a deep breath and exhaled before speaking.

“I should create my own family now. That way, both you and I can move forward… I don’t want to hold you back.”

Oliver looked deeply at Kayla one last time.

“I’ll be going now, Kayla.”

“Take care, Oliver.”

That day, Oliver turned his back on Kayla for the first time. The one who always waved goodbye had now decided to turn away. As his first love quietly ended, Kayla’s first love was just beginning to bloom with Theodore’s gentle touch. It didn’t take long to realize this. The hot summer breeze rushed tactlessly between them.

Theodore returned to his study and collapsed into his chair. He was breathless, with beads of sweat on his forehead. Whether due to the weather or rising anger, a hot heat seemed to boil inside him. His fingers automatically clenched and unclenched, tension spreading to his fingertips. William carefully entered.

“I apologize, Your Highness the Grand Duke. He said he was Miss Kayla’s friend, so…”

Theodore looked at him and slowly exhaled.

“No, it’s fine. This feeling is new to me.”

“Pardon?”

“Seeing her with another man strangely shook my mood.”

William seemed surprised for a moment but soon smiled kindly and said:

“It sounds like Your Highness is jealous…”

“Jealous?”

“This is the first time I’ve seen Your Highness like this.”

Theodore paused momentarily. Jealousy? As that word overlapped with the emotion he felt, his face grew hot. Unconsciously, he leaned back in his chair and fidgeted with his fingers.

“…Am I jealous.”

William gave him a deep smile at his reaction. Theodore noticed his gaze and quickly hid his expression. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he spoke in a firm voice:

“Ah, William. There’s something I need you to look into.”

“Yes, please command me.”

“Find out why the Grenville baronial family suddenly went bankrupt.”

At Theodore’s words, William asked again:

“You mean Miss Kayla’s parents?”

“Yes. No matter how extravagant they were, they suddenly went bankrupt from the time the stepmother arrived. Something is suspicious.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

Having finished speaking, William quietly left the room.

“I should have cut him down right there…”

At that moment, Kayla’s bruises and split lip, and the kindness he showed to Oliver, kept flashing through his mind. Jealousy mixed with anger, rage, and protective instinct all rushed in at once.

“No, let’s not think about Oliver. She said he’s a friend…”

Theodore’s anger turned back to Kayla’s parents. He knew Baron Grenville was foolish and had a weakness for women, but he didn’t know he was incompetent enough to allow Joanna to ab*se Kayla. There must be a reason why they urgently needed money.

“Even gambling requires money. There must be a reason for the sudden massive loss.”

Theodore muttered lowly. His fist tightened.

‘I need to make sure those people can’t set foot here even after the marriage.’

Knock knock—

At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the study.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Kayla.”

“Come in.”

A moment later, Kayla, having exchanged greetings with Oliver, entered the study. She instinctively held her breath. Theodore moved to the sofa and gestured.