By the time the wind began to carry the sharp chill of the approaching winter, the Duke of Mayer received a summons from the Royal Palace of Belmar.

Eden appeared in the audience chamber for the first time in several months and observed the proper formalities.

Not only had King Edward summoned his nephew, but also his son, the Crown Prince.

The first thing the king did was to study Eden’s complexion carefully.

‘At least it’s better than when he was shutting himself away at home…’

Suppressing the thought, the King casually began the conversation.

“I’ve been wondering how the construction of the new steel mill is progressing.”

“Yes. We’ve already begun leveling the site. The chief engineer has been dispatched, and the project will soon move into the foundation stage.”

Eden’s reply was brief and devoid of emotion.

“I see. Then I imagine you’ll need to devote much of your attention to it for a while. From what I’ve heard, there aren’t any particularly urgent matters requiring your attention in Vartz at the moment.”

“No, there aren’t.”

Edward stroked his beard and nodded.

Deciding it was time to address the real reason for the summons, he finally broached the subject he had been considering.

“Eden, what do you think about going to Santero yourself?”

Still expressionless, Eden looked toward the throne before responding a moment later.

“Is there another reason?”

“Well, the Royal Palace has high expectations for this project. The steel mill must be completed without complications if we want to keep the palace’s own initiatives on schedule.”

The answer came naturally and smoothly.

Eden remained silent.

The King’s reasoning was sound.

After all, most of the major projects currently being driven forward by the Royal Palace depended on a steady supply of iron.

Given this, it was understandable that Edward would take a particular interest in the construction of the steel mill.

However, his insistence that Eden travel to Santero in person felt less natural.

When Eden didn’t immediately respond, Crown Prince Lionel, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up.

“I’ve heard it’s a lively place with beautiful scenery. Why not stay there for a while?”

The suggestion sounded casual.

In truth, it was born from genuine concern.

Not long ago, Lionel had visited the Mayer estate once again.

It had been on the very day Eden collapsed before his eyes.

“Your Grace is suffering from severe anxiety, chronic insomnia, and extreme physical exhaustion. These symptoms have persisted for several months. If he continues to refuse his medication, it will become increasingly difficult to treat him.”

The doctor had rushed over immediately and explained the situation, still struggling to catch his breath.

Lionel, who had been pressing the doctor for answers, was genuinely shocked.

He had never imagined that Eden’s condition had deteriorated to such a serious extent.

When Lionel asked if Eden might collapse again if things continued this way, the doctor answered carefully.

“If he continues to force himself to maintain his current routine, the symptoms will inevitably worsen and recur. In fact, it might aid his recovery if he took some time to rest somewhere with fresh air and a peaceful atmosphere.”

The doctor was measured and cautious in his opinion, especially after finding himself speaking directly to the Crown Prince unexpectedly.

Lionel stared at Eden’s pale face as he lay on the bed with a grim expression.

He then headed straight for the Royal Palace.

Fortunately, Mayer Company was in the process of constructing a new steel mill.

There could hardly have been a more suitable excuse.

“Santero would be ideal. The climate is mild, and it’s far enough from Vartz to prevent unnecessary visits and interruptions. Coincidentally, the royal family owns a villa there, so no additional preparations would be required.”

Lionel had been one of the strongest advocates for the plan.

Looking at Eden, he spoke once more.

“Do it, Eden.”

“So you’re telling me to go recuperate.”

A bitter smile touched Eden’s lips.

He already understood the true meaning behind their suggestion that he travel to Santero.

He wasn’t blind to the fact that his cousin and uncle were both worried about him.

This only made him feel worse.

Of all days, he had collapsed on the day that Lionel came to visit.

The timing could hardly have been worse.

Eden remembered everything that had happened before he lost consciousness.

The suffocating sensation had begun just as Lionel was preparing to leave.

The moment his gaze fell on his portrait hanging in the corridor, he felt a sharp pain in his chest.

‘Winter.’

The instant her name surfaced in his mind, breathing became difficult.

It felt as though a giant hand had wrapped around his lungs and begun crushing them.

Unable to inhale.

Unable to exhale.

His vision wavered.

The long corridor swayed before him like a compass that had lost its bearings.

“Eden? Your face… Eden!”

Lionel’s urgent shout—so unlike his usual composed demeanor—was the last thing Eden remembered.

***

Two weeks after visiting the Royal Palace, Eden left Vartz.

There was no grand announcement.

There was no formal send-off.

The Duke of Mayer’s departure for Santero was kept entirely private.

Officially, he was just taking an extended business trip, so even if word got out, it wouldn’t attract much attention.

Nevertheless, Eden had no desire to become the subject of unnecessary articles before he had even left.

And so, he quietly boarded a specially arranged train.

Initially, he had no intention of accepting their suggestion that he go away to recuperate.

Even if the recommendation came from the Royal Palace itself, no one had the right to decide where he should go.

The reason he changed his mind was simple:

Santero.

It was not an unfamiliar name.

It was somewhere he had once wanted to visit with Winter.

‘What does it matter now?’

The thought had crossed his mind.

Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

So he chose Santero.

Entering the compartment reserved for the long journey, Eden took a seat by the window.

Without saying a word, he watched the streets of Batz gradually disappear into the distance.

Outside, beneath a gloomy sky, everything was painted in shades of grey.

Beyond the frosty window, bare branches swayed wildly in the wind.

“I’ll take my leave now, Your Grace. Please get some rest.”

After leaving the Duke’s compartment, Robert finally rubbed his aching shoulders. He was exhausted from the past two weeks of preparations and urgent matters that had demanded his attention.

Those two weeks had been a whirlwind of activity and urgent tasks.

Nevertheless, Robert was grateful that they were leaving Vartz for a while.

He genuinely believed that a change of scenery would do the duke good.

As he gazed silently out of the window at the winter fields passing by, Parker approached him.

“Is this your first time going to Santero as well, Head Butler?”

“It is. I’ve heard about the place many times, but this will be my first visit. More importantly, I’m worried whether the people we sent ahead are managing everything properly.”

Robert couldn’t quite put his concerns aside as he thought about the departed servants.

While in Santero, the Duke would be staying at a Royal Palace villa.

Fortunately, the estate already had a caretaker and household staff, so there was no need to send a large number of servants.

Lost in thought, Robert’s gaze drifted towards the window.

Small droplets had begun to gather on the glass.

At some point, it had started to rain.

“The weather isn’t very pleasant.”

Robert glanced toward Parker.

“You’ve worked hard as well. Go and get some rest for the day.”

“Yes. If you need anything, please call for me at any time.”

After sending Parker off to rest, the butler went to his own compartment.

Upon entering the room closest to the Duke’s, he immediately checked the time.

There was still plenty of time before dinner, so he decided to take a short break.

Only after carefully hanging his jacket up to prevent creasing did he sink back onto the sofa.

As he gazed through the rain-streaked window, he had just one wish.

He hoped that, by the time Eden returned to the capital, his body and mind would have healed.

“They will. I’m sure they will.”

Muttering to himself, Robert forced himself to his feet.

No matter how hard he tried to ignore it, the unpacked luggage was still bothering him.

He kept himself busy moving around the gently rattling compartment.

Meanwhile, the rain outside gradually eased.

The first day of their journey to Santero quietly faded away, as silently as the twilight beyond the windows.

Once the last traces of daylight had disappeared, the train carrying the Duke of Mayer continued racing through the darkness without pause.

***

“Lord Gabriel bought it?”

“He did, Winter. The moment he saw your painting displayed in the salon, he said he wanted to purchase it immediately. I heard the Marchioness of Regner’s birthday is this weekend. I imagine he’s planning to give it to his mother as a gift.”

“I see.”

After hearing Madame Roche’s explanation, Winter looked at the part of the wall where the painting had been hanging until that morning.

She had brought the seascape to the salon just a few days earlier.

It was also the eighth piece she had completed for the collection she had been steadily building since spring.

To Madame Roche, Winter’s paintings were characterized by their gentle colors and warm, soothing atmosphere.

The women who purchased them were often noble ladies with particularly refined tastes.

Many of them had happily paid the asking price, saying that the paintings would look perfect in their drawing rooms.

Remembering those customers, Madame Roche smiled softly.

“The response has been far better than I expected, Winter. This is the payment Lord Gabriel made. Be sure to keep it safe.”

Winter accepted the brown envelope that had been placed in front of her.

The idea of Gabriel taking one of her paintings home felt strangely unsettling.

Of course, he had chosen it knowing only the artist’s initials.

There was no way he could have known that she was the artist.

The salon was quiet at this time of day, as most of the staff had left for lunch.

Absentmindedly running her fingers over the neatly folded corner of the envelope, Winter lowered her head slightly.

“Thank you. I feel like I’m always indebted to you…”