Oscar Midstern had just returned from a dull round of horseback riding with his friends.

“Hot day.”

Spring was finally beginning in earnest. The days grew longer, the air warmer, and the thinner fabrics of his clothes rustled with a crisp sound each time he moved.

Taking the stairs three at a time on his long legs, he quickly reached the study and knocked. His secretary, Aaron, stepped out and bowed.

“The master is waiting for you.”

“Good.”

With practiced tact, the capable secretary closed the door behind him and withdrew.

Lady Sina sat with her back to the sun at her walnut desk. Lowering the documents she had been reading, she spoke.

“You’re home early.”

The silver rims of her spectacles caught the light, flashing a cold gleam that sliced across Oscar’s lashes.

“One of them was thrown from his horse, and the game was spoiled.”

“And the injured man—he’s safe?”

“At worst, a broken bone.”

“I’m glad it wasn’t anything more serious.”

Lady Sina’s words carried the calm sympathy of someone offering comfort to an unfortunate subordinate.

Normally, that would have ended the mother and son’s sparse exchange. But this time, instead of leaving, Oscar lingered with an unreadable expression.

Lady Sina twirled her pen between her fingers and asked,

“Do you have something to say?”

“Has a new maid arrived?”

“No.”

“Brown hair, petite…”

“A beauty, then?”

“……”

Oscar opened his mouth, then shut it again.

Lady Sina set down her pen and pressed her temple, her gaze saying she already understood.

“She’s Rio’s tutor. She’s to begin next week.”

“I see.”

“You must have run into her on your way in. Did you exchange words?”

“As if I would.”

“Then?”

Her tone was dry, not an accusation, not even suspicion—simply asking why he would bring up a woman he hadn’t even spoken to.

That bland indifference rankled Oscar.

“I was only concerned something… unbecoming might happen. Father entrusted the family to us before he went away. It would be troublesome if rumors started.”

“……”

“I only hope, Mother, that your judgment isn’t mistaken this time. Though, of course, it rarely is.”

By unseemly matters, he was referring to the incident from the previous winter, when the head maid had taken an extended leave to recover from illness and recommended someone to serve as her temporary replacement.

Lady Sina had exhausted herself trying to contain the scandal caused by that deceitful maid, even increasing the dosage of her medication for her nerves.

Strictly speaking, every household appointment required her approval, so she bore some responsibility for allowing such a person into their home.

Oscar’s praise of her discernment, therefore, had been anything but sincere.

Her son did not trust her—and deep down, she knew that she was partly to blame for his distrust.

“Yes. Let us hope this one lasts.”

With those weary words, she lowered her gaze.

Oscar studied his mother with eyes devoid of emotion—then turned away without the faintest hesitation.

***

Golden sunlight poured down like a shower of rain on that Wednesday morning.

From a distance, the forest looked like a dark, boundless sea. Once inside, however, tender greenery could be seen peeping through the dense canopy. The air deep within the woods was so cold and pure that it seemed to chill her lungs with every breath.

Despite her thick shawl being wrapped tightly around her shoulders, Mia occasionally shivered.

Today was her third day working as a tutor for the Midstern family.

Feeling stifled by the previous two days, she set out for a walk without any particular destination in mind. It was the right decision. With every step, her thoughts became clearer, and she began to feel quietly confident.

She could make a life for herself here.

The chauffeur who had driven her to the estate for her interview had told her about the Midstern Forest. He explained that, originally, this vast expanse of land was all that the Midstern family possessed.

In Braid Hills, nature’s bounty was paramount, and the first Count of Midstern had devoted his life to cultivating that precious inheritance.

The chauffeur’s words had been true. The spruce forest was breathtakingly beautiful.

The path hadn’t been carefully shaped by human hands, but was instead a trail worn by frequent footsteps. Mia followed the quiet track deeper and deeper into the woods.

What might she discover?

She felt like a child exploring another world; her chest was tight with excitement.

Before long, she caught sight of a flash of blue beyond the tall, dense trees.

“Wow!”

Her vision opened wide to reveal a glassy lake stretching before her. A faint mist hovered above the water, carrying with it a clean, fresh scent that tickled her nose. Beside the lake stood a small, charming cabin and a wooden pier.

“How romantic…”

As she had before, Mia slipped off her shoes neatly and wandered barefoot along the shore. Today she wasn’t wearing stockings, and the soft earth pushed up between her toes.

“Oh! Clover!”

Between clusters of nameless wildflowers, clover and rabbit grass peeked out shyly. Mia crouched down and brushed the pale-green sprouts with her hand.

“I used to be a champion at finding four-leaf clovers.”

Settling onto the grass, she searched intently through the patch, and before long she had found one.

“Hehe. Haven’t lost my touch.”

The Green family lived on the outskirts of Rockfelt, where a small, quiet station was the only sign of civilization.

Mia used to eagerly await her sister’s return from school. Then, the two of them would climb the hill behind the village and compete to see who could find a four-leaf clover first. Since her sister was too exhausted from the climb to continue, Mia always won.

Whenever her sister fell asleep, still out of breath from the effort, Mia would weave a crown of rabbit grass and place it on her head. In return, her sister would make a ring from the same delicate stalks and slip it onto Mia’s finger.

Mia would wear the little ring until it withered.

“I miss you, Sis.”

Tonight, she would have to catch up on their shared diary. Sniffling, Mia pushed herself up from the ground—

Splash!

The water’s surface broke with a noisy spray.

“Goodness!”

Startled, she fell back onto the grass.

Splish, splash—

Something rose, tearing through the lake’s surface: a head of golden hair.

Even from the fleeting glimpse of his profile, Mia knew at once who it was.

“Oscar…”

Oscar Midstern was the second son of the Count of Midstern.

From their very first meeting, he had been unbearably arrogant. She spent days on edge, terrified that she might be dismissed before she had even started work. This was the first time she had run into him since that day.

“……”

Oscar moved with long, fl*id strokes, his arms and legs cutting through the water with ease. There was such effortless grace in his movements that he seemed less a man than some powerful, aquatic creature entirely at home in its element.

Mia stared, entranced, for several minutes—long enough for him to notice her presence.

Shhhhk—

He emerged from the water—completely bare.

“…!”

And then he walked straight toward her.

Drip. Drip.

Water streamed down along the carved lines of his muscles. Mia’s gaze followed the rivulets as they traced his body.

It was a physique that inspired both reverence and envy. Droplets pooled like a spring in the hollow of his navel, and below that…

Mia squeezed her eyes shut, unable to look any further.

Rustling—his presence drew closer.

“You.”

When she opened her eyes again, Oscar had wrapped a towel around his waist.

Drop.

A bead of water fell from his hair onto the top of her foot. The chill made her flinch.

“Do you have a voyeuristic streak?”

“……”

She ought to deny it, but her lips refused to part.

“Not even a defense?”

“That’s—”

“Must’ve been worth the look, then.”

Gulp.

Her swallow echoed loudly, like the ticking of a clock in an empty room.

Of all times…

As Mia’s face flushed red, Oscar’s mouth curved into a crooked smirk.

“Maybe I should charge admission. Wouldn’t feel quite so cheated then.”

With that, he held out his hand to her—an offer to help her up, perhaps.

After a moment’s hesitation, Mia took it. The chill of his grip bit into her skin, as though she’d grasped a handful of ice.

Straightening her crumpled skirt, she managed to speak.

“This is a misunderstanding.”

“What is? The way you hungrily devoured me with your eyes?”

“H-hungrily?!”

“You were staring right there.”

“I was not!”

“A shame. I’m rather confident in that area.”

“That’s—this is harassment. S*xual harassment.”

Mia mumbled the words, biting her lower lip. Oscar chuckled lightly in response. The sound startled a flock of birds from the canopy, sending them scattering into the sky.

“And you spying on me doesn’t count as harassment?”

“……”

“Pretty face, but a pervert.”

“……”

“Begging me to have you dismissed, aren’t you? Hm?”

There it was again. That infuriating line.

Mia clenched her fists and lifted her gaze squarely to his.

“I was the one who got to the lake first. You came after. And it was you who decided to walk out like that… n*ked.”

“So our tutor swims fully clothed, does she?”

“I didn’t want to see you.”

“Wipe the drool from your lips before you say that.”

“You’re mistaken if you think everyone in the world adores you.”

“……”

“And don’t joke about someone’s livelihood.”

Her voice quivered with emotion, but her face remained resolute, as though her very life depended on this trivial quarrel.

Fine, then. Let her have that much. After all, mercy is something the powerful bestow.

When Oscar reached towards her, Mia flinched as if he intended to devour her.

But with a faint scoffing breath, he simply plucked the four-leaf clover tucked behind her ear.

Rolling the pale green leaf between his thumb and forefinger, he said,

“This will do. Your admission fee.”

“……”

“Be grateful. I gave you a discount.”

With that, he turned toward the pier.

The place where his fingers had grazed her ear burned as though seared by fire.

Clutching her pounding chest, Mia fled into the forest path as though running for her life.