“…Selenia Marco.”

Since Rosend had taken the name of House Marco, Selenia still formally belonged to the Marco count’s family as well. Daniel’s lips curved upward.

He took Selenia’s hand.

“Slowly.”

With Daniel’s support, Selenia rose to her feet. Daniel flicked a glance at Antoni. At the signal, Antoni clapped his hands—and the music abruptly changed. The gentle tune shifted into a waltz. Realizing that Daniel had no intention of drawing attention, the guests began to dance.

Daniel walked along the outer edge of the deck, guiding Selenia inward. Her shoulders trembled.

“Where is your room?”

At those words, Selenia went deathly pale. Returning to her room meant—

Rosend might be looking for me by now.

That meant returning to that h*ll.

Selenia swallowed dryly and, without quite realizing it herself, let the words slip out.

“I—I don’t want to go back.”

Daniel narrowed his eyes.

There had been countless women who had tried to throw themselves into Daniel’s bed. But Selenia, standing before him now, didn’t give off that sort of air at all…

Her fingers were clenched so tightly around the shawl that they had turned white, her pupils blown wide like those of a frightened deer.

Selenia radiated desperation and fragility.

This was not the face of a woman trying to seduce him.

Her disheveled hair clung to her cheeks. The traces of tears were unmistakable.

Come to think of it, he’d heard something before—about the Count of Marco selling off his eldest daughter, the heir to the title, to pay his debts.

And the man she’d been sold to was…

“P-please.”

The woman’s fingers hooked around Daniel’s wrist as if clinging for dear life. Her hand—far colder than his—was trembling so pitifully it bordered on painful to watch.

Daniel spoke to Antoni in a voice laced with a sigh.

“To my cabin—”

“Your Grace!”

Antoni cried out, his face going white.

“S-surely you don’t mean—”

Just what did he think he was doing? Daniel asked, a crooked smile tugging at his lips.

“I see you have a very vivid idea of what sort of man you think I am.”

“Ahem! If that isn’t what you meant, then—”

“Prepare the sitting room instead. It seems this lady needs a place to rest.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Antoni bowed deeply, relief washing over his face. After confirming that Antoni had dispatched a page to run the errand down the corridor, Daniel removed his jacket.

A shawl alone wouldn’t be enough to chase away Selenia’s chill. He draped his jacket over her shoulders, covering even her face.

Perhaps when the headache faded, a man became capable of mercy.

Judging by the fact that this situation didn’t irritate him in the slightest.

He led Selenia to the largest—and finest—of the cabins. Daniel’s private quarters.
The sitting room, as lavish as any in his estate, had already been prepared with warm soup and tea to help her regain her strength.

Soon after, a page entered carrying a small brazier used by noble ladies.

“Selva. See to this lady.”

“This lady is…?”

“She’s a guest who will be staying briefly.”

Daniel tilted his head, a clear signal not to ask further. Selva looked surprised but promptly tended to Selenia’s comfort. Throughout it all, Daniel cut the end of a cigar and placed it between his lips.

It was a cigar developed personally by the Libertás family physician to keep Daniel’s curse in check.

Daniel perched himself by the window.

“Madam, this is milk sweetened with honey. It will warm you.”

Selenia’s large eyes filled with moisture. Cradling the cup with trembling hands, she offered a very small smile.

“Thank you.”

Selva—unable to pass by anything pitiable—smiled warmly.

“It’s nothing at all. Have a little of the milk first, then try the soup. It will help settle your stomach. It’s made with ingredients that are easy to digest, so please have at least a bit.”

Selenia nodded. The way she pressed her lips together suggested she was barely holding back tears. The pallor in her hands slowly gave way to color.

Along with it, Selenia began to regain her composure, little by little.

No matter how much power Rosend held, he wouldn’t dare come all the way here and drag her away.

Daniel was a Grand Duke—more than that, the younger brother of the reigning Emperor. When granting him his title, the Emperor had personally created a new ducal house in his brother’s honor. Such was the depth of imperial favor that no one could afford to treat Daniel lightly.

On top of that, Daniel had founded Libertás Industries with the wealth bestowed upon him by the imperial family. Combined with his sharp business acumen, the company had flourished spectacularly. Beginning with railways and electricity, Libertás Industries had come to dominate nearly every field of scientific advancement.

And Le Pah could be said to stand at the very pinnacle of it all.

Electric lights blazing across the open sea—

It was certain to usher in a wave of innovation across the continent.

A man like that was not someone Rosend could treat lightly. On the contrary, Rosend was desperate to build a connection with Daniel. He had put his name down for every party aboard Le Pah that Daniel might attend.

Had he not been indulging in his sordid hobbies today, he would have attended the shipboard party with Selenia.

Just as Selva had said, after finishing even the warm soup, Selenia felt her heart finally begin to settle. Her cheeks flushed as she smiled.

“Thank you. Your name is…?”

“You may call me Selva.”

“I see, Selva. Truly, thank you. Just as you said, now that my body’s warmed up, I feel much better.”

Selva smiled with a look of sympathy. Then Selenia’s gaze lifted and settled squarely on Daniel. Their eyes met.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Daniel gave a small shrug. He didn’t find Selenia particularly uncomfortable to be around. For a man who rarely allowed anyone into his private space, that in itself was unusual.

“You may rest a while longer. You seem to need time to steady yourself.”

“…Thank you.”

Selenia smiled faintly. Someday, she would have to go back. The thought made her feel as though her body were sinking beneath the surface, plunging into a deep abyss. Perhaps she should have found the courage earlier—should have thrown herself in when she had the chance.

Her lips trembled in fine, barely perceptible motions.

It felt as though the cold were seeping back in.

The very fact that she was clinging so foolishly to life disgusted her. What was there left to live for, anyway?

Selenia smiled bitterly.