“What on earth…….”

“I will go with you.”

I blinked countless times, wondering if this was real, but Raphael’s expression, devoid of any warmth, remained unchanged.

“If you want to go with Leonel…… we can go together next time.”

Amelia raised the corners of her trembling lips and spoke as nonchalantly as she could. She was unable to keep her composure at his declaration that he would now accompany her even on her outings. It was difficult to guess what his ulterior motives were.

“…….”

His eyebrows rose slightly, indicating he was not happy with her answer. She wanted to run away, fearing what more he might say. But her feet wouldn’t move, as if they were caught by something. She knew the reason. Those golden pupils. Whenever she saw those eyes, everything stopped, and she could only gaze at them endlessly.

“And Your Grace is busy, anyway.”

His schedule wasn’t so lax that he could make such impromptu decisions. Everyone there knew that. Sure, they went to sleep together, but she doesn’t know when he wakes up. No one knew when he would rise to practice or start his work.

“I’m not busy.”

“What?”

“I can afford to take a family outing.”

Then he should’ve dismissed Edward, who was waiting for him at the door, before speaking. If Edward heard their conversation, he would have been burning inside. His master is saying he’s not busy, and he doesn’t even know why.

“Then please go with Leonel. I will give up my place for you.”

Surely she wasn’t included in that category of family. She couldn’t help it, but she felt like she had to let the two of them go. She was afraid that this might lead to him insisting on accompanying her on all her outings. Meeting the Master might be a problem, but there was also the fear that she might not be able to escape when it was time.

“……Your Grace?”

Amelia’s eyes widened again when Raphael grabbed her wrist as she turned around. Didn’t he grab her body like this too, last time? Wasn’t he the one who used to be careful not to touch even the tip of her finger?

“I don’t just want to be a good father, but also a good husband.”

***

Amelia quickly asked him to let go of her hand, worried that the maids around might misunderstand. It wasn’t as tight as the last time, but… the feeling of his touch seemed to linger on her wrist, making her feel odd. As if to erase that unfamiliar feeling, she furiously rubbed her wrist.

“Your Grace is already a good husband.”

This time, determined not to be held back, Amelia quickly fled out of the door. A good husband? The idea of Raphael Lloyd Siegfried being referred to by those words was absurd. It was as if the heavens and earth were turning upside down.

“Ah. Are you leaving, Your Highness?”

“Edward……?”

As she had expected, Edward was waiting for him in front of the door. But he looked even worse than she had expected, more haggard than when they first met, with shadows under his eyes that spoke of sleepless nights. She knew this all too well, having been the one to leave his company.

“Will His Grace be coming out soon?”

“That’s……”

She wanted to say, ‘Your boss is going out,’ but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. The Edward in front of her looked too pitiable.

“He should be out shortly.”

Sometimes a little white lie was necessary. Even if it would be exposed as a lie soon after.

“I’ll go upstairs.”

“Your, Your Highness……?”

The maids chased after her as she made a quick exit, but Amelia did not look back. She felt that if she did, she might be caught by Raphael again.

“I’m going to rest, so don’t let anyone into my room.”

Bang.

After pushing Ann and Jane back, who tried to follow her into the room, she shut the door forcefully. It was better to eliminate any risks. For now, they wouldn’t enter because of her command. She thought about locking the door just in case but decided against it.

She left Leonel behind in such a rush that her mind was a mess. Recently, Leonel and Raphael have been getting along well, so it should be fine, but…

“Why did I say such unnecessary things.”

A good husband? It still seemed unbelievable. The more she thought about it, the more certain she was that Raphael must be crazy. How could he say such things to Amelia otherwise?

“Why is he acting like this…….”

Raphael was the only one who wasn’t acting as she knew him to. Was he being nice to her because she was going to die soon? Once this winter passed, Leonel would turn six. It meant Amelia’s death was drawing near. Perhaps he’s trying to avoid the blame for his wife’s sudden death.

He must be trying to show a good relationship with his wife, with no strings attached. She realized that Raphael was much more meticulous than she had thought.

“Amelia’s death wasn’t just a simple suicide after all.”

It was insane to think Amelia would take her own life in front of her son. Especially not when she had to leave Raphael behind, whom she loved so much. She must have been deeply shocked or manipulated by someone.

These were absurd hypotheses, but one thing was certain.

“Staying here puts my life in danger.”

Could it really be that Raphael had gone so far as to manipulate and kill his own wife? The current Raphael didn’t seem capable of that……

“No, don’t make assumptions.”

It was possible that this is how he reassured and deceived people. To Raphael, Amelia was like a thorn in his eye. If he had the chance to get rid of her from his sight, he would do anything.

“This is not the time to sit back and wait.”

Amelia quickly took out a piece of paper and began writing a letter to the Master. She knew it would take time to persuade that man… but her situation wasn’t exactly favorable either.

She had written a letter urging the Master, but now she had to command the maids to send it to the merchantry. During this process, everything would likely reach Raphael’s ears. If only there were something like a mobile phone… or at least a carrier pigeon.

“Your Highness?”

“Please deliver this to the Chester Merchantry.”

“Understood.”

Ann and Jane blocked her way as she was trying to re-enter the room. Amelia looked puzzled at their resolute expressions.

“What is it?”

“We’ve found out something about the head maid.”

Is that why you’re filled with so much energy? She couldn’t understand why they were so tense.

“The head maid said she quit her job.”

“What? May quit?”

Amelia couldn’t believe the absurdity and asked again. Her eyes widened more than twice in shock. May, of all people, walked out of the Siegfried family on her own? That was impossible. Even when Raphael died, May stayed until the end just to see Leonel, who resembled him.

Even though she hated Leonel more than anyone, she had to watch over Raphael’s spitting image. May’s obsession wouldn’t have disappeared so easily. She was someone who would never leave on her own accord.

“Did May quit by herself?”

“I’m not sure about that…….”

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t believe it. Amelia staggered from the shock. It had to be a lie. There was no way May would quit on her own. May’s obsession with Raphael was anything but normal.

“All we know is that the head maid submitted a leave of absence due to poor health…….”

“She was sick?”

“Yes, and then it seems she finally quit.”

May was sick? That’s not a reason for her to quit. She would die here, in front of him if it came to that.

“Your Highness? Where are you going?”

“To Edward. Make sure the letter is quickly delivered to the merchantry.”

Raphael clearly said so earlier. If she was curious about the head maid’s whereabouts, she should ask Edward. He surely knew but was avoiding the answer.

“Ah, and tell Leonel…… I’ll come see him later.”

The future had changed. May was a character who remained by Leonel’s side until the end, even after Amelia and Raphael died. How much she wished for May to leave.

It might have started when she began to take what Aaron had. Now the story had changed significantly from what she knew.

And maybe……

“Edward.”

She had to find out exactly what happened to May. If necessary, she was even willing to go look for May herself. Amelia quickened her pace. Before she even reached his office, she found Edward in the corridor.

“Edward, I have something to ask you.”

As soon as Amelia arrived at the office, she knocked on the door quickly. May’s resignation was not something she had anticipated.

“Your Highness……? What’s the matter?”

“The head maid, what happened to May.”

It didn’t matter how tired the other person looked. As soon as Edward came out, she grabbed his arm and bombarded him with questions.

If the future had changed, her death might have been brought forward as well.