Gabriel had originally visited the gallery to discuss purchasing a painting.

There, he happened to bump into Vincent, who had just finished his business there and was leaving.

Since Madame Roche knew the two men were close friends, she naturally invited them both to stay for dinner.

This is how one more person came to join the gathering.

Gabriel’s gaze drifted to the seat opposite him.

Winter’s fair face was partially hidden as she lowered her head and carefully chewed each mouthful.

‘I think Vincent mentioned that she injured one of her arms.’

‘Has it completely healed now?’

The thought surfaced unexpectedly.

Only after realizing that she showed no signs of discomfort did he turn his attention back to Madame Roche, who was speaking with Vincent.

“Didn’t you mention that you’ll be traveling to Vartz soon?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ll be leaving next week.”

“Your younger cousin is getting married, isn’t she? That’s wonderful news.”

At Madame Roche’s enthusiastic response, Vincent waved a hand dismissively.

“Honestly, if I ran into the bride or her siblings on the street, I probably wouldn’t recognize them. It’s been that long since I’ve been back to Vartz.”

He grumbled good-naturedly that his father had practically forced him to take the long journey.

When the subject of the capital was mentioned, Winter paused with her fork halfway to her mouth and instead reached for a glass of chilled lemon water.

The garden was now cloaked in darkness, illuminated only by the warm glow of nearby lanterns.

The moment she heard the name Vartz, countless familiar faces surfaced in her mind without warning.

As if trying to push those memories away, she quietly picked up her fork again.

She refused to become someone trapped in the past.

The past was behind her, and she had no intention of letting it hold her captive.

Noticing that the main course was coming to an end, Winter discreetly searched for an opportunity to excuse herself.

A short while later, that opportunity arose.

Vincent, who had kept the conversation lively and cheerful throughout the meal, was the first to stand up.

“Ah! Madame Roche, my apologies, but I think I need to leave.”

He slapped a hand against his forehead.

“I made a promise to my daughter today, and I nearly forgot all about it.”

“Oh dear. Then you’d better hurry.”

“Thank you for the wonderful dinner, Madame. And Miss Roche, I’ll see you next time.”

Vincent turned toward his friend.

“Gabriel, take your time and finish up.”

After checking the time, he hurried off.

Having missed her chance to leave with him, Winter quickly did the maths to work out when the grocery store would close.

Fortunately, it stayed open fairly late, so she still had plenty of time.

She was planning to take Lily out for the day the next day, so she needed to buy more supplies than usual.

As she sat quietly at the table, she started to organize her shopping list in her head.

She was planning to make egg sandwiches and pumpkin purée.

A little over an hour later, the impromptu dinner finally came to an end.

As she left the estate, she was joined by Gabriel, who had just said goodbye to Madame Roche.

“Are you heading straight home?”

Standing before the grand front gate, Gabriel asked the question casually.

Planning to leave immediately, Winter took a step away.

“No. I need to buy a few things, so I’m heading toward the main street. I’ll be going now. Take care, Lord Gabriel.”

“That’s perfect. We’re heading in the same direction, so shall we walk together?”

“…Pardon?”

For a moment, Winter could not quite understand what he meant.

She paused mid-step.

Pointing toward the road stretching ahead, Gabriel smiled as though it were nothing worth mentioning.

“I came here in Vincent’s carriage, but my friend left without me.”

Standing before the completely unbothered man, Winter was lost for words.

Gabriel could easily have asked Madame Roche, who had come out to see him off personally, to arrange a carriage.

In fact, he could have simply sent word to House Regner in advance.

Come to think of it, Winter had never seen Gabriel accompanied by attendants.

Having spent years among nobles in Vartz, where people of their rank rarely moved about alone, she felt oddly awkward as she resumed walking.

The two of them began making their way side by side through the lamplit streets.

After a while, Gabriel spoke again.

“So, what exactly are you going out to buy? At this hour, most of the shops nearby should already be closed.”

“There’s a grocery store that stays open late. I need to do some shopping.”

“Fortunately, the weather is perfect for walking. Once the sun goes down, it becomes ideal for an evening stroll.”

“Yes. The sunlight is harsh during the day, but the real summer heat hasn’t arrived yet.”

A cool breeze blew through the gaps in their scattered conversation.

Gabriel brushed a strand of hair back from his forehead.

From the main boulevard, his destination was not far.

At most, it would take twenty minutes to walk there.

Nothing troublesome.

Even before Vincent left, Gabriel had planned to walk home and enjoy the evening air.

Tilting his gaze slightly upwards, he found himself looking at Winter.

He hadn’t expected to share the walk with anyone.

Vincent had told him that Winter lived nearby.

“Gabriel, Miss Roche lives just behind this area. So you really did just happen to stop by, didn’t you, Miss Roche?”

“Yes. I happened to hear Lily laughing as I was passing by.”

“Haha, I see. Lily is so adorable that I can’t help smiling whenever I see her myself.”

Gabriel found himself unconsciously following the gentle sway of Winter’s chestnut-brown hair as it moved in time with her steps.

The long-sleeved white muslin blouse and sky-blue skirt she was wearing looked neat and refreshingly light.

Although she didn’t dress extravagantly or adorn herself with elaborate accessories, she continually drew his attention.

Realizing that he had been staring at her delicate profile, Gabriel quietly shifted his gaze away.

“I have an older brother and an older sister. Both of them started families early, so I already have four nieces and nephews. One of them is a girl the same age as Lily. Ah, and a fifth child is expected soon.”

“…You must care for your nieces and nephews a great deal. It sounds like things get quite lively whenever the whole family gathers.”

Winter answered cautiously.

She was unsure how best to respond to such personal stories.

“You’re not wrong. Last weekend was complete chaos. It was the first time I realized just how exhausting it is to keep up with children.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Though the younger ones are still a bit shy around me. Some of them were born while I was overseas.”

A warmth born of a loving family lingered in his smile.

Feeling a little more relaxed, Winter asked him a question first for the first time.

“How long were you abroad?”

“To be exact, I returned after three years and four months. At first, I only planned to visit my grandfather in Philburn for a few months, but I ended up staying much longer.”

“I see. I’ve only ever heard stories about Philburn.”

“The climate there is much milder than in Karten. Even in winter, it never becomes particularly cold.”

Gabriel continued in a calm voice.

“It’s also famous as a resort destination because of its many hot springs.”

“Hot springs?”

“Yes. Though personally, I’ve never been particularly fond of them.”

In truth, Gabriel had gone to Philburn for the inheritance.

His maternal grandparents wanted to leave a substantial portion of their estate to their youngest grandson.

Their eldest grandchild was destined to inherit the family title and business, while their granddaughter had received a generous dowry and married into a distinguished noble family.

At first, Gabriel had gone simply because he had been summoned.

But before long, he found himself growing attached to the place.

One day turned into two, and two days gradually became weeks, then months.

Before he knew it, years had slipped by.

Ahead of them, beyond the narrowing alleyway, the road divided into two streets.

For some reason, Gabriel found himself wishing their walk could continue a little longer.

However, just as he had expected, it was Winter — who had spoken only occasionally throughout their journey — who changed direction first.

“I need to go this way. What about you, Lord Gabriel?”

“I’m heading the opposite direction.”

“I see…”

Winter nodded lightly.

“Then please take care.”

She had no idea how Gabriel intended to return home, but she did not ask.

Unaware that his residence was nearby, she simply assumed he had his own arrangements.

“It was nice seeing you today. Take care, Miss Roche.”

“I’ll be on my way, then.”

Winter adjusted her grip on her handbag, turned around and immediately quickened her pace.

Watching her leave without hesitating for a moment, Gabriel let out a quiet laugh.

The feeling was strange.

Unfamiliar.

Throughout his life, most people he had met — men or women — had rarely bothered to hide their interest in him.

Winter was different.

There were countless things he was curious about and many questions he wanted to ask her.

Yet, judging by her demeanor, she was not someone who would willingly satisfy his curiosity.

Unable to fully understand his feelings, Gabriel slowed to a stop after taking a few more steps.

When he glanced back, the slender figure had already disappeared.

She had vanished so completely that it was almost as if she had never been there at all.

Then again, from Winter’s perspective, nothing significant had happened.

They had simply shared a meal and had a brief chat because their paths had crossed.

Shaking his head, Gabriel told himself it had merely been a pleasant walk.

Nevertheless, he found himself looking back one last time before finally turning away.

***

“This is the princess’s house.”

Lily sat on the sand, busily scooping handfuls of it from one place to another.

With each movement of her tiny hands, the sandcastle, which had previously been little more than an uneven mound, began to take on a more convincing shape.

“It’s the princess’s house, so we have to protect it.”

A smudge of sand streaked across her cheek as she issued the command with complete seriousness.