Under the clear sky without a single cloud, trees quickly passed by outside the carriage window.

“You seem in particularly good spirits today.”

As the carriage entered the birch forest path, Theodore casually addressed Vivianne sitting across from him.

“Yes!”

Dressed in her newly tailored dress, Vivianne looked away from the window and answered with a bright smile.

She was holding An tightly in her arms.

“You’re happy too, aren’t you, An?”

Woof!

An barked briefly in response.

Neither Vivianne nor her puppy could take their eyes off the window.

Still the same. That habit of clinging to the window like a child whenever she rides in a carriage.

“Did something good happen?”

He asked deliberately, though he already knew. It must be because they were on their way to meet Kian.

This was a rare outing with the puppy, leaving the twins behind.

For whatever reason, Kian had summoned Vivianne to the townhouse within Baldwin territory rather than visiting her at Baldwin Manor. Theodore had come along to escort her.

Though they were merely going to the townhouse where Kian was staying, Theodore felt strange watching her childlike excitement.

“The breeze is so pleasant, and the weather is lovely. I’ve been cooped up in the mansion every day, so coming out feels exhilarating.”

Vivianne answered with a dreamy expression while gazing out the window.

“Besides, it’s been a while since I’ve gone out with Theo.”

True enough, this was their first outing since the twins were born. Originally, he had been responsible for escorting Vivianne and Marchioness Baldwin in Baldwin territory, but while Vivianne was recovering from childbirth, he had been training other knights at the mansion and handling minor security duties.

“This almost feels like I’m on a date with Theo.”

Suddenly, he recalled what Vivianne had once said at the opera house and couldn’t help but smile.

He knew it was just a casual remark with no particular meaning. Yet knowing this…

She had no idea how rapidly his heart had beaten at those words. Today was no different.

How strange. When it came to this woman, he found himself attaching special meaning to even the most trivial things.

“What about you, Theo? How are you feeling today?”

Vivianne asked with wide, round eyes. Despite being a mother of two, her face still retained a childlike quality.

Even by his own assessment, his taste was beyond salvation. How could he still be so fond of her? Even though she had given birth to another man’s children?

Despite hundreds of attempts to give up and let go, the momentum of his heart always brought him back to her.

“I’m in good spirits too. Of course, for the same reason as Vivi.”

Theodore smiled readily.

“Aren’t the twins giving you a hard time these days?”

“It’s manageable. With Matilda and the wet nurse around, I can handle it.”

“Even so…”

“Honestly, I do get exhausted sometimes. But they’re just so adorable. It’s also amazing to think they were born from my body.”

Vivianne eagerly chattered away.

“Anthony loves people, but Marian cries whenever Kian holds her. Matilda says our Mari is just shy around strangers, but I think she simply dislikes Kian.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Well, Mari doesn’t see you often either, but when you hold her, she sleeps soundly and doesn’t cry.”

Though no one else was around, she whispered this like it was a secret.

“Have you forgotten? I’m recognized by Estella as a childcare expert.”

“That’s right! You did that! You even got children to eat cabbage when they didn’t want to, and you tied their hair prettily.”

“Kian needs to step up his game.”

Though it was just a joke, the idea that he was better than Kian at something made him feel somewhat proud.

“I’m probably better at swordsmanship too, not just childcare.”

“I’m sure you are! I think your personality is better than Kian’s too. Matilda says Mari seems to take after Kian. I’m already worried.”

Vivianne agreed with a broad smile.

After their cheerful conversation continued for quite some time, Vivianne cautiously broached a subject.

“Um, Theo.”

“Yes, Vivi.”

“I think I’ll need to leave Baldwin soon.”

Had she been contemplating this for a while before bringing it up? She seemed hesitant, her voice becoming somewhat timid.

“For Marian’s sake, I should stay with Kian. I’ll probably go to Larson. Matilda says children overcome shyness by seeing people frequently. It would be too sad if the baby dislikes her father.”

She added various excuses, seemingly embarrassed by her own statement.

“Marchioness Baldwin told me that ‘later’ isn’t promised to anyone. Human affairs can change unexpectedly. So I’ve decided not to postpone this any longer.”

Theodore appeared lost in thought for a moment before smiling slightly and agreeing.

“You’re right. I also agree that human affairs are unpredictable.”

“Aren’t they?”

“So, just in case. If you ever grow tired of life at Larson, or if Kian troubles you again, give me a hint.”

“What? Why?”

“This time, I’m confident I can hide you where no one will find you. With Marian and Anthony too, of course.”

It was half-joke, half-serious. No, he couldn’t deny that the serious portion outweighed the joke. Vivianne seemed to sense this and responded carefully.

“Theo, I appreciate the sentiment, but I won’t run away anymore.”

Fortunately or unfortunately, her firm rejection didn’t hurt him. It seemed his unrequited love had grown quite resilient over time.

“Still, isn’t it good to have at least one reliable backup? Since human affairs are unpredictable.”

As they continued their conversation, the carriage slowed down. When it stopped at the townhouse entrance, Theodore opened the door first to escort Vivianne.

The moment he stepped out of the carriage, Theodore encountered a familiar figure.

“If I’d known, I would have come to pick you up myself.”

It was Kian, looking quite dapper, though it was unclear how long he had been waiting. As Vivianne was about to step down from the carriage, Kian smoothly inserted himself in front.

“I’ll escort her from here.”

“With all due respect, I’m simply following my master’s orders.”

Theodore didn’t back down either. As her escort from Baldwin, his master was Vivianne, not Kian.

“Your escort says that. Vivi, you’ll have to decide.”

Kian looked at Vivianne and extended his hand, dismissing Theodore’s claim. She hadn’t even stepped down from the carriage yet, and already two men were competing to escort her.

Holding An tightly, Vivianne looked back and forth between the two men before glancing down at her feet. Fortunately, she was wearing comfortable flat shoes today.

“I’ll decline the escort. I’ll walk by myself.”

Vivianne stepped down from the carriage without taking either man’s hand. Then she walked past them and strode ahead.

Stunned by her unexpected choice, the two men stared at each other before breaking into laughter. Walking side by side behind her, Kian spoke first.

“Theo, I want to make something clear to you. Vivi isn’t your master; she’s mine.”

How childish. He’s not a kid anymore.

Despite being a duke and all that, Kian hasn’t changed a bit since childhood. Theodore’s stiff expression softened slightly at Kian’s joke.

“Shouldn’t we hear the master’s opinion on that?”

“Vivi’s escort must have written his will before coming out this morning.”

“Ask the master if it’s acceptable to kill her escort.”

They continued their bickering while watching the back of her round head walking ahead of them.

They could have caught up to her instantly if they wanted, but they deliberately walked slowly, finding her tiny steps endearing. The lace ribbon fluttered gently in the breeze.

The two men smiled innocently, like boys chasing butterflies.

“Why are you walking so slowly? Aren’t you coming?”

Vivianne turned around and called out primly.

“See you later, Theo. Though I don’t know when that will be.”

Kian taunted before widening his stride and walking quickly ahead. In an instant, he caught up to her, took her small hand, and began walking side by side with her.

“…They do look good together. Makes the rejected one jealous.”

Regardless of how much he disliked admitting it, they truly made a picturesque pair. So much so that he couldn’t help but acknowledge it.

“Still, don’t let your guard down, Kian.”

…Because human affairs are unpredictable.

Theodore muttered as he took something out of his pocket.

It was a white, round seashell, just like Vivianne.