The Duke of Mayer gave no particular reaction.

As the project manager continued speaking, increasingly embarrassed by the feeling that he had said something unnecessary, Parker reached over and accepted the booklet on the Duke’s behalf.

“Thank you for the helpful information. I’m sure His Grace will take a look.”

The technical director, who had been at a loss as to what to do, finally relaxed and bowed his head in relief.

Only then did Eden lower his gaze to the booklet in front of him.

Although he had no time to enjoy the festival itself, he absentmindedly flipped through its pages.

It was filled with colorful event listings, performance posters, and advertisements from local merchants.

Then, without realizing it, his fingers stopped on a single page.

[Roche Salon – An Artistic Space That Colors the Festival]

Beneath the title was a detailed schedule of the salon’s festival events.

An art class for children.

A perfume blending demonstration.

An outdoor exhibition.

A small chamber concert.

Every event reflected the salon’s determination to fill each day of the festival with art.

Somewhere among them…

Winter would be there.

He could almost picture her mingling with the crowd, busily preparing something or standing beside the children.

It had all begun with a single painting he had happened to see.

Then came Roche Salon.

And now, the festival.

Every path in Santero seemed to lead him back to Winter.

He wanted to see her.

But he had no idea how he was supposed to approach her.

How was he supposed to begin a conversation with someone who refused to listen to what he had to say?

His thoughts became hopelessly tangled.

He had always been the one to make the choices.

Others had always approached him first.

He had never struggled to win someone’s heart.

Nor had he ever hesitated to ask for what he wanted.

As this was something he had never experienced before, he found himself proceeding with unusual caution.

He didn’t want to hurt Winter any more than he already had.

He also didn’t want to force his way into her life, only to make her resent him further.

But if a natural opportunity presented itself…

He wanted to stand before her again.

Just like today.

Even if he had to use the festival as an excuse.

***

Beneath the white canopy and the Roche Salon sign, the area was bustling with people.

It was only after the children poured out of the building at the end of their art class that Winter finally stood up straight and took a moment to catch her breath.

Perhaps because the weather was so mild, the square was packed with people enjoying the festival.

“Auntie Winter, are you tired?”

Lily had quietly wandered over and whispered to her.

Carefully cradled in her tiny hands was a single blossom, held so gently that not even a petal would be bruised.

Smiling warmly, Winter bent down and straightened Lily’s slightly crooked yellow hat.

“No, I’m fine. But where did our Lily find such a pretty flower in the middle of winter?”

“The nice man over there gave it to me. I brought it because I wanted to give it to you.”

Pointing toward the flower shop’s tent across the way, Lily held out the bright bloom.

It was the kind of flower that could easily be found in spring.

But somehow, seeing it in the middle of winter made it feel all the more precious.

With a gentle smile, Winter knelt before her.

“Thank you. Our Lily has such a beautiful heart.”

Taking the flower, Winter looked around.

Aside from the area reserved for the salon staff taking a break and the artists leading the classes, every one of the more than ten tables stood empty.

Gently helping Lily into a chair, Winter smiled.

“I want to give you a really beautiful flower too. But this one is only for Lily.”

Lily’s eyes widened with excitement, and she nodded eagerly.

Winter picked up a fine brush from the table and opened the paint containers.

“Can I see the back of your hand for a moment?”

With delicate strokes, she painted a small flower on Lily’s soft hand.

Layer upon layer of pink petals—the color Lily loved most—bloomed beautifully across her skin.

“Wow! It’s so pretty!”

Lily stared at it in amazement, unable to look away.

“Is this really just for me?”

“Of course. You’re special, Lily.”

“There. All done.”

Winter gently patted Lily’s shoulder to let her know she had finished.

Beaming from ear to ear, Lily tightly took hold of Winter’s hand.

“Let’s go outside.”

Although part of her wished she could enjoy a few more moments of rest, Winter couldn’t resist those sparkling eyes.

With a smile, she picked up her handbag.

When she mentioned that she was going to take Lily for a walk around the festival, Joanna, who had just returned with snacks, waved her hand dismissively.

“Why come back? Once you’ve finished looking around, just take Lily home and head in for the night.”

“No. The festival gets the busiest in the evening.”

At Winter’s reply, Joanna simply shrugged with a helpless smile.

“All right then. Take your time and look around every corner. And make sure you and Lily get something delicious to eat.”

The moment Joanna finished speaking, Lily grabbed Winter’s hand and tugged eagerly.

Knowing there were countless things to see around the square, she looked as though she wanted to run off that very instant.

“Let’s go over there first!”

Pointing excitedly at a cart covered with colorful balloons, Lily urged her on.

After choosing a bright red balloon, she hugged it tightly with both hands and bounced happily on her feet.

Then, when she couldn’t take her eyes off a candy stall they passed, Winter bought her a large lollipop.

“Thank you.”

Lily skipped ahead, beaming with excitement, while Winter followed at an unhurried pace.

They had made their way around about half of the square when a familiar voice called out.

“Lily?”

Her cheeks puffed out from sucking on her candy, Lily quickly turned around.

The moment she recognized him, her eyes lit up.

“Uncle Gabriel!”

Wearing a long overcoat, Gabriel walked over carrying a small sachet of fragrance that had been handed out at the salon’s booth.

“I found you sooner than I expected. I stopped by the event tent, and they told me you’d gone to the square, so I came here hoping I’d find you.”

“We’re playing! I got flowers, and I’m eating candy too!”

As Lily proudly showed off the treasures filling both her hands, Gabriel bent down to her eye level.

“Our Lily looks just like a real princess today.”

He carefully unwrapped the balloon string from her small hand.

Standing up straight, he met Winter’s gaze.

Having heard from Joanna that Winter had taken Lily out for a walk, he decided to have a look around the square himself.

To run into them so quickly!

Today really was a lucky day.

“Hello.”

“I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Gabriel smiled lightly at Winter’s greeting as she gently held Lily’s hand.

“I guess I was lucky. I wanted to buy Lily something delicious.”

His easy-going reply was honest yet deliberately vague.

After all, he had really been hoping to see Winter.

At that moment, Lily tugged on his sleeve; she had candy puffing out her cheeks.

“We’re going to get something yummy. You should come with us too, Uncle!”

Before Winter could respond, Gabriel looked down at Lily.

Matching her eye level, he held out his hand and asked with an eager smile,

“Really? Thanks for inviting me. So, what are we going to eat?”

As Lily’s tiny hand gripped his finger tightly, the dimple in Gabriel’s cheek deepened.

In that moment, he simply didn’t want to let this opportunity slip away.

Brimming with excitement, Lily looked back and forth between them before announcing proudly.

“Apple pie! It’s Auntie Winter’s favorite.”

Caught off guard, Winter couldn’t help but smile.

Whenever they had stopped by the bakery together, she had always picked up an apple pie without fail.

She hadn’t expected Lily to remember something so small.

Gabriel leaned closer to Lily and gave her a playful wink.

“Then let’s each have one. And we’ll buy two for Auntie Winter.”

“If it’s your favorite, you should have extra. Right?”

“Yes!”

Gabriel was very good with children.

He had mentioned before that he had five nieces and nephews.

The way he spoke to Lily, the warmth of his expression, and how easily they joked together all felt completely natural.

Winter suddenly remembered something Joanna had once said.

“Children can instantly tell who genuinely likes them.”

Looking at Lily’s face, Winter realized that her remark had been genuine.

She gradually slowed her pace as she watched the two of them walk side by side.

Whenever they met, Gabriel was always the first to smile.

The first to greet her.

Sometimes, without saying much at all, he would simply fall into step beside her as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Perhaps that was why spending time with him no longer felt as burdensome as it once had.

He never walked too far ahead.

Nor did he lag behind.

The comfortable distance between them had gradually turned into familiarity.

As they crossed the lively square, she was suddenly struck by a memory of Eden.

There had once been a time when she had wanted to walk with him beneath the crimson autumn leaves.

There was a long path beside a lake famous for its brilliant autumn colors.

She had almost suggested it several times.

But, in the end, she never did.

Walking with him in a crowded place had always seemed like an impossible dream.

So the idea was almost laughable.

To find herself thinking about him…

In a place that suited him even less.

Steeling herself, Winter tried to push the wandering thoughts from her mind.

Just then, Lily, who had run several steps ahead, called out loudly.

“Auntie Winter!”

***

At that moment, Eden stepped out of the carriage as it pulled up to the town square.

The festival was much larger than he had expected.

Soft music drifted through the air, mingling with the cheerful hum of countless conversations.

The square was alive with people, its colorful tents, festive decorations, and bustling stalls stretching as far as the eye could see.

Children’s laughter rang out all around him.

But none of it held Eden’s attention.

He hadn’t come with a plan.

In fact, he didn’t even know if Winter would be there.

Even so…

His feet had carried him here the moment he left the office.

Without saying a word to Parker, who followed a short distance behind, Eden stepped into the bustling crowd.