So he isolated himself. He feared the people around him would someday face hardship because of him. So he built walls. He pushed away with all his might anyone who approached.

Even when bullied at the Academy, he never thought to resist his tormentors. He thought he just needed to curl up quietly and endure.

Then, Daphne was the first person to stand up for him.

This time, it was his turn to help Daphne.

“Bring me a quill, Vicente.”

Phaios quietly wrote a letter.

And on that night when the full moon rose, a cloaked figure slipped out of the Second Prince’s villa as nimbly as a squirrel.

The destination was Duke Seyfried’s estate.

* * *

The next day.

Daphne sat quietly in the study reading a classical novel. Then a maid approached carrying a teapot and bread basket.

“I’ve prepared something light for you to have with lunch.”

“Thank you.”

Daphne closed her book and nodded lightly. She raised her head and held eye contact with the maid for a long time.

The maid the Second Prince had infiltrated into this estate long ago.

Daphne had used her in reverse to send a letter to the Second Prince.

And today, the day after, a reply came.

Daphne quietly moved the bread aside.

Hidden at the very bottom of the basket was a white envelope.

Daphne learning that the Second Prince’s spy was hiding within Duke Seyfried’s estate was largely thanks to coincidence.

One day while walking through the garden.

She discovered a hole in one corner of the fence, barely large enough for one person to pass through.

“I should call the head butler.”

Just as she was about to call the head butler and instruct him to seal the hole, an inexplicable feeling flashed through her like lightning.

It didn’t look like an accidentally formed hole.

From then on, Daphne stayed awake until late at night, looking out the window.

Coincidentally, from the window of the private bedroom Daphne used, looking down gave a view of anyone passing through that hole in the quiet corner of the garden.

Wasn’t that an incredibly positioned location?

She didn’t need to stay up for several nights.

She soon caught the maid named Maria.

“Maria, you know why I called you.”

Daphne met privately with Maria the next day.

Maria, with a pale face, immediately knelt before Daphne and confessed everything.

That she’d actually been sent by the Second Prince to come to this estate.

“Stand up, Maria.”

At Daphne’s cold voice, Maria looked up slowly in surprise.

“You don’t kneel carelessly.”

Daphne spoke in an extremely stern voice.

The maid, overwhelmed by the dignified Duchess’s presence, couldn’t do or say anything.

“Instead, there’s something you need to do for me.”

That’s how Daphne sent a letter to the Second Prince through Maria.

She also received a reply through Maria.

Daphne didn’t even touch the teacup, only unfolding the letter.

Thud.

The moment she opened the letter, something fell to the floor.

When she picked it up, it was a dried laurel leaf.

Nothing was written on the white letter paper.

Daphne smiled quietly.

The Second Prince was responding that he’d help her, with a laurel leaf—the origin of Daphne’s name.

‘Still, I can’t rely on the Second Prince forever.’

Ultimately, even receiving his help had to be temporary.

Daphne now acknowledged her shortcomings. That she was insufficient to stand completely alone.

But there was still enough time.

If she prepared during that time, couldn’t she someday achieve the life she wanted, depending on no one—true freedom?

Though it was a baseless conviction, Daphne felt the embers sleeping within her beginning to blaze.

* * *

Maria was originally in charge of kitchen cleaning. However, the Duchess requested the head maid to change the maid in charge of cleaning her bedroom. Thus she changed Maria to be the maid in charge of her bedroom.

Daphne was reading the report on the estate servants’ attitudes and work proficiency that the head maid had presented when she stopped and said:

“I’ll take that girl.”

“Yes.”

Maria was a maid with a tight mouth and quick hands. Fortunately, because she was receiving good evaluations from the head maid at the time, when Daphne changed Maria to be the bedroom maid, the head maid didn’t harbor any particular suspicion.

Daphne’s tightly closed bedroom.

Inside the room now, Daphne and Maria prepared the Duchess’s escape plan.

“There’s only one day, and only one chance.”

From Duke Seyfried’s estate to a quiet estate within the capital that the Second Prince personally owned.

Maria had prepared most of the plan and informed Daphne in advance.

Of course, Daphne knew.

That Maria hadn’t devised the plan, but the Second Prince had prepared it for her in advance and was conveying it through Maria.

Somehow Daphne felt like she’d already met with the Second Prince.

Of all people, someone in confrontation with the First Prince faction.

She still hadn’t forgotten.

That the First Prince had sent his subordinate Rowell to propose she join his side.

And that she’d refused without a moment’s hesitation.

“There’s a day when His Grace goes on a regional business trip for one day. We need to aim for that time.”

Daphne quietly flipped through the calendar, pointing to a particular date with her finger.

Seeing it, Maria nodded.

“Yes. I’ll prepare.”

Before leaving the room, Maria informed her of several things Daphne needed to do in advance. That too was probably instructions the Second Prince had prepared.

“The most important thing is not arousing His Grace’s suspicion. Don’t treat him especially well or especially badly—just treat him as usual.”

“I will.”

Daphne nodded knowingly.

She just needed to act as usual.

“And, Maria.”

Daphne quietly called to Maria who was about to leave the Duchess’s bedroom. Maria, who’d been about to exit, turned to look at Daphne.

“Yes?”

They’d already dragged out too much time discussing the plan. If the cleaning time became excessively long, it would be perfect for arousing suspicion from the head maid who managed and supervised the maids.

Daphne asked hurriedly, “By any chance, did His Highness the Second Prince want anything from me?”

Maria’s eyes widened in puzzlement for a moment, then after consideration, she shook her head.

“No, as far as I know, nothing.”

“I see.”

“That person desires nothing except for the Duchess to safely leave the estate.”

Daphne found herself deep in thought.

She knew too.

That there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

And she didn’t think the Second Prince had absolutely no reason to help her this much while taking such risks.

What the Second Prince wanted from her might not necessarily be something material and visible.

“My lady?”

Maria called to Daphne again, seeing her lost in thought. Daphne gestured dismissively, issuing an order for Maria to leave.

“It’s nothing. Go ahead. Thank you for helping.”

“Yes.”

Truthfully, Daphne wasn’t entirely without speculation.

Second Prince, Phaios.

Jayden.

She recalled once more the man with various names. Her memories of Academy days with him were vivid too.

Daphne was still confused.

How to repay Phaios’s feelings.

Perhaps she might never repay them.

Daphne put those bitter feelings aside and quietly closed her eyes in the darkness.

* * *

Finally that day arrived.

The day Duke Seyfried left on a business trip to inspect a regional trading company branch.

Coincidentally, the evening before was the day Daphne and Astaire had their weekly private dinner together.

In the dining room with crimson velvet curtains drawn, there was only silence, making the luxurious interior meaningless.

Daphne stared quietly at the silver utensils gleaming under the large chandelier.

Astaire wasn’t much different. The man silently cut and ate veal. Though the head chef had painstakingly roasted the steak before the Duke’s regional trip, the person in question seemed to taste nothing.

“Got something to say?”

Daphne was quietly picking up a cherry tomato when Astaire broke the silence and spoke.

She’d thought he wasn’t watching. But he’d actually been seeing everything.

Daphne looked at Astaire’s face quietly.

Today was the last time with him.

The real last time.

If leaving the house last time had ended as a simple running away, this time it would be a parting with no end.

Thinking that far, strangely her feelings were complex.

The candle on the table flickered gently, illuminating Daphne’s face.

Astaire silently put down his cutlery and met Daphne’s eyes.

“You look like you have a lot to say to me.”

“…No.”

“Speak.”

Having eaten only a few pieces, Astaire wiped his mouth with a napkin. He was now clearly looking at Daphne’s vivid blue eyes.

She felt like her mind was being rifled through.

Daphne quietly swallowed and blurted out whatever words came to mind.

Somehow she mustn’t arouse Astaire’s suspicion.

“Have a safe trip.”

Suddenly Astaire laughed softly.

Unable to believe the Duke had laughed, Daphne stared at him blankly.

“You’re talking like I’m going to my death.”

Because I’m leaving you.

Words she could never say lingered in her mouth. Like a bitter candy that would never dissolve.

“Still, I won’t be able to see your face for several days…”

“You’re talking like we’ve been seeing each other’s faces well until now.”

Even when Astaire spoke coldly, Daphne didn’t yield and responded indifferently.

“We’re married.”

“Married?”

Astaire put down the wine glass he’d sipped from.

Once again green and blue mixed together.

If she looked away here, Astaire would think it even stranger.

Thump, thump, thump.

Her heart began beating fiercely, representing its owner’s trembling feelings.

Though there was clearly a wide distance between them sitting at the dining table, Daphne worried her heartbeat might reach Astaire.

“Right, that’s correct.”

Finally Astaire smiled, narrowing his eyes.

But only his green eyes shone coolly like a forest at night.

“We are married.”

We, and married.

Astaire emphasized those two words like they were important.

“If we’re truly married.”

“…Yes.”

“We need to do things married couples do to become a real married couple, don’t we?”

A few hours before leaving on the regional trip.

That night and dawn, Astaire held Daphne.

“I want to have you.”

At his quiet words, Daphne nodded silently.

If following Astaire’s words could avoid his suspicion…

She would do so willingly.

“You already have me.”

Daphne quietly rose on her heels, looking up at the man’s handsome face.

Before she knew it, her hand moved out, cupping his left cheek. It was a reflexive action, independent of her will.