“Have you finished reporting everything to His Grace?”

Robert, who had been waiting in the corridor for Parker to emerge, immediately stopped him.

Stepping into a more secluded area, the butler asked again, still sounding as though he could hardly believe it.

“Is Miss Wood truly alive?”

“Yes. I’ve confirmed it several times.”

“So she’s been living here… in Santero?”

“Yes.”

“How could this have happened…”

In response to Parker’s unequivocal answer, Robert let out a heavy sigh.

Parker was not a man who took his duties lightly.

When Robert first heard that Winter Wood was alive, he found it impossible to believe.

Yet every part of it had turned out to be true.

He no longer knew whether to rejoice or worry even more at the news.

The royal palace had sent His Grace to Santero to recover, both physically and emotionally.

Robert had never imagined that he would encounter her here.

After clearing his throat, he asked,

“Did His Grace give you any other instructions?”

“Yes… He ordered me to reexamine, from the very beginning, the hospital records and rescue reports for everyone who was transported after last year’s train accident.”

“Why all of a sudden…”

Robert began to voice his confusion, but then fell silent when he realized something.

If the Duke had suddenly ordered the records to be reviewed, there must be a reason for it.

It had been a devastating accident.

Yet the compensation had been processed with astonishing speed.

And Winter Wood…

A woman who was alive had somehow been declared dead.

That could only mean one thing.

There must have been a serious flaw somewhere in the entire process.

Eden was determined to uncover it.

Understanding the duke’s true intentions, Robert simply nodded.

After all, it was a welcome change to see his master take the initiative again.

Not long ago, he had become so consumed by guilt that he was self-destructing.

‘But…’

‘Of all people, it had to be that painter.’

Robert knew who Winter Wood’s father was.

The thought left his heart heavy.

‘Why…’

‘Why did she have to be that man’s daughter?’

Even knowing everything, the one who still couldn’t let her go was Eden Mayer.

As Robert remained silent for a long while, unable to decide what to think, Parker, who had orders to carry out, spoke first.

“I’ll be on my way, then.”

After watching Parker hurry off, Robert was left alone with his thoughts.

Who would have thought that, after leaving Vartz and travelling all this way to a faraway place, fate would bring them together again?

In a way, it almost seemed inevitable.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t just hope that the two of them would find happiness together.

His heart was too heavy for that.

Still, one thing was certain.

He had no right to interfere in this matter.

All he could do was watch over the duke, as he always had, from the shadows.

***

The annual Santero Festival was a grand celebration combining charitable events and artistic activities.

What started as a ceremony to pray for safe winter voyages had evolved into a two-week festival that filled the entire city with excitement.

From early morning, long decorative banners and streamers were hung from buildings along the main streets, while portable stages and temporary market stalls were set up around the harbor square.

The lively music of performing bands mingled with the laughter of children, creating a festive atmosphere in every alleyway.

In the evening, winter finally stepped out into the streets.

Beneath one of the large tents, the art class organized by the salon was still in full swing.

She had spent the whole day organizing brushes and supplies, welcoming children, and assisting with activities.

Once the busiest hours had passed and things had calmed down, she handed her duties over to another employee and stepped outside the tent.

“You’ve worked hard today. Have a safe trip home, Winter.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Winter adjusted her hat and looked around.

As expected on the opening day of the festival, every corner of the city was beautifully decorated.

Beneath the enormous banner stretching across the square, colorful lanterns illuminated the night sky.

The air was filled with the warm, savory and sweet aromas of hot drinks and sugary treats from the food stalls.

Surrounded by families, friends, and couples chatting merrily as they passed by, Winter lifted her head and considered her options.

To get home, she should have headed towards the square’s entrance.

Instead, she walked in the opposite direction.

There was a place she had wanted to visit ever since noticing it earlier that day.

Crossing the vast square, she entered the exhibition area that led towards the harbor.

Colorful, seaweed-shaped lights stretched overhead and sculptures inspired by sea legends were scattered throughout the display.

Although some exhibits had long queues of visitors waiting their turn, Winter deliberately chose one of the quieter paths.

The melody of a street musician drifted through the air, and bright lights cast the sculptures into sharp relief.

Winter came to a stop before a small installation she had seen in the festival guide.

Inside the transparent glass structure stood a statue of a goddess, her hands gently clasped together in prayer.

The goddess’s half-closed eyes and slightly hunched shoulders gave her a weary appearance, yet she also looked as though she were waiting endlessly for someone.

[Guardian of the Sea’s Repose.]

The moment Winter finished reading the inscription beneath the statue, a gentle voice called out.

“Miss Winter?”

Turning around, she saw Gabriel approaching with a bright smile.

“Were you at the tent where today’s event was being held? I stopped by the salon earlier, but you weren’t there, so I figured you must’ve been busy elsewhere.”

Caught off guard by the unexpected encounter, Winter greeted him with a faint smile.

“Yes. I’ve been there since this morning. I was helping prepare the art class. There were so many children, and it was incredibly busy…”

“Are you finished with work now? You’ve got some free time?”

His friendly tone left no room for awkwardness.

Winter gestured toward the goddess statue in front of them.

“Yes. I stopped by before heading home. I wanted to have a look around first.”

“Perfect timing. I was just about to take a walk through the exhibits myself. Would you mind if we looked around together?”

Gabriel smiled casually, as though he was simply suggesting they enjoy the exhibition.

“I’ve loved this place ever since I was a kid. The sculptures change every year the festival is held. When I was little, I actually believed there was another world beneath the sea where gods like these really existed.”

As they strolled at an unhurried pace, he pointed diagonally ahead.

“That sculpture over there was inspired by a castle that sank beneath the sea… It’s quite impressive, isn’t it?”

“…A castle beneath the sea?”

“That’s right. A world that sank into the ocean, yet still lives on in people’s memories.”

“Don’t you think there’s something rather romantic about that?”

Winter let out a soft laugh.

“This is the first time I’ve heard someone describe it as romantic. Most people would probably call it a forgotten glory.”

“Really?”

Gabriel nodded without hesitation.

“I like that perspective too.”

He quickened his pace slightly, catching up with Winter, who had unknowingly walked a short distance ahead of him.

Truthfully…

He was happy with anything.

This chance encounter…

Walking beside Winter.

That alone was enough.

After they had made their way through about half of the outdoor exhibition, Gabriel glanced around before speaking.

“There’s a stand over there selling hot drinks. If you don’t mind… would you wait here for a moment?”

“What if we go together?”

“It’s all right. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Gabriel hurried off, smiling brightly.

Winter sat down quietly on a nearby bench and waited, watching him disappear into the crowd.

Talking with Gabriel never felt like a burden.

In fact, their conversations flowed so naturally that it was easy to lose track of time.

Then, without warning, a different thought crept into her mind.

She remembered Eden, who had visited the salon after seeing her painting at the Regner estate.

Her thoughts became tangled.

She didn’t want to think about him, yet the image of his wounded eyes and expression kept resurfacing, painfully scraping at her heart.

She had convinced herself it was all over.

And yet…

She still couldn’t sever those memories completely.

The realization only left her more frustrated.

“Hot cocoa. It should help warm you up.”

Gabriel returned carrying two cups, white steam curling gently into the cold air.

Winter instinctively rose from the bench.

“Thank you. I was so busy looking around that I didn’t even realize how cold it had gotten.”

“On a day like this, you need something warm. Let’s drink while we walk. There are a few more exhibits worth seeing farther inside.”

Winter naturally fell into step beside him.

At the far end of the festival grounds, where the crowds had thinned out, there was a large sculpture of a mermaid.

The legendary creature sat gracefully on top of a huge rock.

Delicately crafted glass beads shimmered like rolling waves, and a soft blue glow emanated from her tail.

Winter stopped in front of the sculpture.

It was as though a scene from a fairy tale she had read long ago had come to life.

Light reflected off the metal ornaments and glass, dazzling her eyes like sunlight dancing across the sea.

It was as if a legend had risen from the ocean itself, casting a mesmerizing glow over all who beheld it.

Without realizing it, Winter took a step closer.

Then she frowned.

The light was much brighter than she had expected.

Just as she took a step back, someone stepped in front of her.

For a split second, it felt as though Eden had suddenly appeared in front of her.

Her heart lurched violently.

He was the only man she had ever allowed to get this close.

Her body reacted on instinct, remembering him before her mind could register his presence.

Startled, Winter leaned back.

Then a gentle voice reached her ears.

“The light is much too bright from this side.”

The owner of the broad shadow shielding her was Gabriel.

Without a word, he had stepped closer, positioning himself so his tall frame blocked the glare from Winter’s view.