A year had passed. Nothing terrible had happened to Anna.

Ertel stayed close by her side, and the gemstone hunters were eradicated at the hands of the Juans. Thanks to that, Anna remained safe, but Icarus’s situation was a bit different.

Not long after, he received a furious letter from his father.

[You were sent out to retrieve the Stone, and what is this nonsense?

Instead of following my command, you personally eliminated the hunters?

Are you in your right mind as the eldest son of the Juan family?

What exactly is your plan for ruling Tiamor in the future?

I’m so angry I don’t want to see you for a while.

Unless the day comes when you kneel before me and beg for forgiveness,

you are no longer my son. Do not call me Father.]

Even after reading the letter, Icarus did nothing. He simply sighed bitterly and prepared for what came next.

Though he was now at odds with his father, he had no other choice if he wanted to save Ertel’s life. After all, wasn’t that the life he had returned to live—one filled with determination?

‘Father. Someday, you’ll understand me.’

And so, Icarus chose the solitary path.

Enduring his father’s relentless rebuke, he continued to suppress the gemstone hunters, preventing them from ever running rampant in the capital. Thanks to his efforts, Ertel could live safely as time passed.

Additionally, the bond between the Agnes and Juan families grew very strong.

***

A few days later, at the Juan estate.

Icarus gazed at his reflection in the mirror with upright, steady eyes. The maids surrounded him, helping him dress with the utmost care.

His thick, black hair flowed gracefully, and an ornate golden ornament adorned his neatly combed forehead. The Duke’s eyes were filled with quiet melancholy. His perfectly poised appearance shone brighter than usual. A hint of nervousness and anticipation peeked through his otherwise expressionless face.

One of the attendants, having finished her task, asked,

“Master, shall we prepare the carriage to take you to the palace?”

“Do so.”

Icarus left the dressing room and headed to the study. Right about now, his beloved was probably immersed in reading, unaware of anyone’s presence.

Indeed, Ertel, completely absorbed, didn’t notice someone had entered behind her. Her face was full of interest as she read the lines on the page.

A pleased smile spread across Icarus’s lips as he cast a shadow over her from behind. Her orange hair, reflecting the sunlight streaming through the window, looked strikingly beautiful. Her distinctive scent tickled his nose.

He slowly approached and gently wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

“…Icarus!”

“How into that book were you that you didn’t even notice someone coming?”

Taken by surprise, her ears turned red. As always, the warmth of the Duke’s embrace from behind was cozy and tender.

Ertel proudly held up the book cover.

“I was reading a bestselling mystery novel. The descriptions are so vivid, I got completely drawn in without realizing. Are you ready for work?”

She looked him up and down, taking in his elegant appearance. Today marked his first official day as Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Aronder Palace.

Even though she already knew how the future would unfold, she genuinely wanted to congratulate him.

“Congratulations. Good luck today.”

“How do I look?”

“Pardon?”

“I did my hair today. How handsome do I look?”

Momentarily speechless, Ertel let out a scoff. Icarus was stroking his chin quite seriously.

Though he was objectively a stunning man, for some reason, he especially wanted Ertel’s approval.

She humored him with a gentle smile.

“There’s nothing more to fix. I think you’ll leave a very good impression at the palace.”

At that, Icarus couldn’t hide his pleased smile. He scratched his head a little bashfully but was clearly happy.

It meant a lot to him that even the smallest of things received her attention.

“Would you like to come to the palace with me?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Since it’s a special day, I’d like you to come with me.”

Icarus made an unexpected suggestion, sitting casually at the edge of her desk and gazing at her.

Ertel closed the book and looked up at him.

“You want me to go with you?”

“Yes. It’s a historic day for me in a way, and I want it to be meaningful.”

“…”

“In this life, I want to get along with the King.”

He had his own strategy in mind. His desire to start everything anew was strong. And he wanted that beginning to include Ertel.

For a moment, she quietly looked into the Duke’s eyes.

“All right.”

It wasn’t a request she couldn’t fulfill.

***

Aronder Palace.

The door to a stately office filled with elegant furnishings opened.

Ertel stepped in, followed by Juan. Both of them looked around the room with faces full of anticipation.

A tranquil atmosphere settled in, giving the impression that time had stopped.

“This feels like the kind of place where work would go really well.”

Ertel let out a word of admiration.

Perhaps because it was prepared after the King’s official recognition, it was clear they had put special thought into arranging the office.

Sitting at the desk, Icarus also felt a wave of emotion.

‘As Minister of Foreign Affairs, I’ll accomplish great things—and then marry Ertel in celebration.’

Just envisioning the future filled him with excitement and joy. His long legs beneath the desk trembled restlessly. He could hardly contain the thrill rising within him.

After finishing her tour of the office, Ertel turned to Icarus.

“Since I’m at the palace anyway, there’s a place I’d like to stop by.”

“Name it.”

That place was the spice storage room.

The only thing she had ever voluntarily wanted to do in a life that had been solely devoted to revenge. The memories of joyfully studying and experiencing spices while recalling her days working at the palace still lingered vividly within Ertel.

“Today, everything will go your way.”

Icarus showed her not only the spice storage room, but many other places as well. He took her anywhere within the palace grounds that their steps could reach. Time flew by as they wandered together, and eventually, they stopped in front of the banquet hall.

“Would you like to play the piano?”

The piano room was adorned with romantic flowers. Ertel immediately rolled up the sleeves on both hands and sat in front of the piano keys. The neatly inscribed notes on the sheet music in front of her stirred a pure curiosity.

“I actually learned piano from Sarah, remember? It’s a bit vague now, but my hands still remember.”

With fingers gliding over the keys, a beautiful melody filled the air. She became immersed in her playing, as if she had forgotten time itself.

Her calm, serene gaze lowered downward struck Icarus right in the heart. The deep, resonating tremble he felt—he couldn’t tell whether it came from the music itself or from how beautiful Ertel looked as she played.

He turned his head to hide the shy smile creeping up on his lips.

“All done. Icarus, how was my performance?”

“It had a nice feel to it.”

“Really?”

“It was very pleasant to listen to.”

“It’s been a while since I played, but I had fun. Maybe I should start practicing again regularly.”

Even though it was such a simple date, it was incredibly enjoyable. As their eyes met, they couldn’t hide the tenderness in their hearts.

“Ertel. Do everything you want to do.”

His gaze upon her dripped with affection.

“I’ll make everything possible for you.”

Icarus made this vow to her again and again.

***

Dreamlike days continued. Ertel treasured every moment so dearly, she wondered if it was even okay for life to be this joyful.

It was like any other night, just before falling asleep in bed. Lying down with a head full of thoughts, she looked out at the moon beyond the window.

She found it amazing that she could now fall asleep without worrying about what tomorrow might bring.

‘Everything feels like a dream.’

She had met her mother alive and received boundless love from her father. She was glad that she no longer had to doubt Icarus’s sincerity.

Only one thing tugged at her heart.

‘It would’ve been wonderful if I could have saved my birth mother, too.’

It pained her to think of Belle, who had been sacrificed not by the Juans but by another hunter. It would have been ideal if she could have saved everyone with the Kaiya Stone, but there were limitations.

Ertel always tried her best never to forget. That she had been born into this world only because of Belle’s persistent, unwavering love.

She closed her eyes and placed both hands over her chest.

‘My beloved mother. Please don’t be hurt that I now serve another as my mother. Both of you are precious to me beyond words. Though I was not able to live life by your side, I feel as though you’re always breathing within my heart. May you receive the grace of the gods even in the heavens.’

Only after offering that heartfelt prayer could she finally fall asleep. Her sleeping face, bathed in moonlight, was peaceful and serene like that of an angel.

That night, Ertel dreamed a beautiful dream.