“Marchioness Baldwin has refused to meet.”

“As expected.”

Richard returned with the news. Kian, who had been sitting in the carriage, showed no particular distress, having anticipated this response.

He remembered the Marchioness’s final warning: if he truly cared for the girl, he should never return. Having ignored that warning, she was undoubtedly furious.

“What shall we do now? Should I ask again?”

“Dismiss the carriage and return home, Richard. I’ll remain here. I have business to attend to.”

After giving this brief command, Kian stepped out of the carriage. Concerned by his master’s sudden eccentricity, Richard followed him out.

“Are you certain this is wise, sir?”

“It’s something I must face eventually. Better to pull the bull’s horn while the iron is hot.”

Marchioness Baldwin was known for her stubborn nature and rarely went back on her word. 

Even if he stood at her door persistently, she wouldn’t easily grant him an audience. Richard worried about his master’s reckless decision to remain alone and unprotected.

“Please allow me to stay with you, sir.”

“Think about it rationally. What help could you possibly offer right now?”

“…Master.”

“I need to be single-minded now, and you would only dilute that focus. With you here, I don’t think I’ll achieve what I want.”

Finally understanding his master’s intention, Richard bowed respectfully.

“I shall obey your command.”

Nothing mattered more than reclaiming Vivianne. This was a battle he needed to fight alone, with no one else involved.

“If there are any other orders, please let me know.”

“Go take care of An.”

“Pardon? The puppy?”

Richard was surprised by this seemingly random instruction.

“Yes, An doesn’t like being alone.”

This was both the Duke of Larson’s command and Vivianne’s wish as well.

* * *

“What happened?”

Marchioness Baldwin immediately questioned Josephine when she returned from observing the situation outside.

“The carriage has left, my lady.”

“Good, that’s how it should be.”

Still visibly irritated, the Marchioness slapped her knee while remaining seated.

“I clearly warned that Larson Duke last time not to even think about setting foot in Baldwin. To ignore my warning and come here anyway, it’s absolutely outrageous!”

She repeatedly clicked her tongue, condemning Kian von Larson’s excessive rudeness. While the Marchioness wore a somewhat satisfied expression, Josephine looked like she had more to say.

“However, my lady, about that…”

Josephine hesitated, seemingly struggling to deliver difficult news, causing the Marchioness to raise her eyebrows.

“According to the knights… the carriage left, but Duke Larson remains standing alone at the front gate.”

“What?”

“He says he’ll wait until you agree to see him…”

“Have you ever seen such a madman!”

The Marchioness forgot her dignity and cursed at this absurd news. Vivianne, who had been carefully watching the Marchioness’s reactions, flinched at the outburst.

She couldn’t raise her head, feeling responsible for all this commotion.

“He seems determined to challenge me. That young man has truly lost his mind. Does he plan to stage a protest in front of my house? Tell the knights to drag him away.”

Despite her mistress’s agitated tone, Josephine couldn’t hide her discomfort. Though the Marchioness spoke harshly in her anger, Kian von Larson was still a duke of the realm. Even the Emperor himself couldn’t use force without proper justification.

Though he was being stubborn, he hadn’t harmed anyone or trespassed into the estate, so they couldn’t call the guards either.

The Marchioness noticed Vivianne repeatedly glancing toward the window.

She was such a gentle, delicate girl, which made her easy prey for others. Just watching the two of them together felt like releasing a small animal before a predator, causing anxiety. Keeping them apart was the wisest course of action.

But she never expected him to return so boldly. The situation had become truly troublesome. The Marchioness took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure.

Getting worked up wouldn’t solve anything. If she failed to maintain her calm, she would likely fall into the trap set by that wolf-like man.

After contemplating for a while, the Marchioness reached a surprisingly simple conclusion.

“No, just leave him be.”

“Pardon?”

“He’ll get tired of waiting and leave on his own. Don’t pay him any attention. Treat him like he doesn’t exist. All of you, carry on as usual.”

If they couldn’t confront or remove him, ignoring him was the best strategy. She also made sure to firmly advise Vivianne.

“Vivi, I absolutely cannot allow this. See? He’s exactly the ill-mannered rogue I predicted.”

“…”

“Is there anything wrong with what I’ve said? If so, please tell me.”

Vivianne silently lowered her head.

“You must never fall for such obvious tricks. Do you understand?”

“…Yes.”

“Remember my words well.”

* * *

It was well past midnight. After dinner, Vivianne had returned to her room but still couldn’t fall asleep.

Since ordering everyone to ignore him, the Marchioness had acted completely normally. Vivianne feared that showing any concern for Kian would incur the Marchioness’s wrath, so she had maintained her composure even through dinner.

Vivianne knew she should follow the Marchioness’s advice and pay no mind to that ill-mannered man.

Yet the anxiety that had begun during the day still hadn’t subsided.

‘Has Kian… gone home?’

Try as she might to think of other things, her mind was filled with thoughts of Kian.

Kian had arrived and requested an audience during daylight hours. Now darkness had fallen. To make matters worse, rain was steadily pattering outside her window.

‘He must have left by now. It’s been hours, and it’s raining…’

This was the logical conclusion. Despite repeatedly telling herself this, Vivianne paced around her room, sighing continuously.

Her restlessness wasn’t solely because of Kian.

Vivianne recalled what she had said to Kian when they met at the boutique:

“I feel guilty about sneaking out behind the Marchioness’s back.”

“It feels like I’m committing a sin.”

When she said she disliked meeting him secretly, he had apparently decided to come openly instead. No matter how she looked at it, that was the only explanation.

Her loose tongue was to blame. Why had she said such unnecessary things that caused this mess?

Vivianne felt uncomfortable all day, believing this entire situation stemmed from her careless words.

Even so, there was no clear solution. She couldn’t take back what she had already said.

Though he seemed desperate for her, the man was remarkably stubborn in his own way.

How could she persuade Kian to stop acting so recklessly?

‘No, I shouldn’t worry about it.’

Vivianne shook her head vigorously.

The Marchioness had warned her that he was ill-mannered and that she shouldn’t fall for his tricks. If she intervened again, she might get entangled with him and cause another incident like today’s.

Remembering the Marchioness’s unyielding demeanor made Vivianne hesitant on all fronts. Though the Marchioness loved her dearly, Vivianne was still living under her care and owed her a debt of gratitude for saving her life.

The Marchioness was indeed like a mother to Vivianne, and obeying her took priority.

“Whatever. I’m going to sleep.”

She muttered deliberately as she climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her head. Despite squeezing her eyes shut, sleep eluded her, and her mind only grew more alert.

Thump-thump. Her inconsiderate heart continued to race due to her anxiety.

BOOM! CRASH!

Startled by the sudden thunder, Vivianne bolted upright from her bed. Her pounding heart felt like it had dropped out of her chest.

‘Is Kian alright? With the rain pouring down like this… surely he’s not still out there?’

Pitter-patter—the sound of raindrops hitting the window grew more intense. Looking toward the window, she saw the curtains she had deliberately kept tightly closed.

She had resolved not to peek through them, but now found it impossible to bear the uncertainty.

‘Alright. Just one look. I’ll only check if he’s gone or not.’

Vivianne carefully pulled back the curtain.

“…Good heavens.”

Shocked, Vivianne covered her mouth with both hands. Kian was still standing there, drenched in rain.