Lucienne’s weak tone, tinged with bitterness and desolation, struck Maya’s heart. So she rose resolutely and exclaimed loudly.

‘Who says you can’t? Has the courage that made you propose so boldly in that moment already melted away like snow? Someone of your stature, who took such an enormous action knowing you might become an object of ridicule and laughter, must absolutely achieve what you set out to do!’

‘Maya.’

Brook, who had turned completely pale, called quietly as if to restrain her, but Maya wouldn’t hear it. She pounded her clenched fist against her chest and continued:

‘I will use all my strength to fulfill your wish. You are the greatest beauty in the history of Edmus, no, the entire continent—who would dare refuse you? Moreover, in terms of wealth, the Bickman family would be among the top in Edmus. If that nobleman is in his right mind, he absolutely won’t refuse. I guarantee it!’

A smile that seemed impossible to appear flashed briefly across Lucienne’s blank face. It was close to a smile of disbelief, but still.

Hiding the overwhelming emotion that rose in her ash-gray eyes, she lightly squeezed Maya’s hand.

‘Thank you for being by my side, Maya. I’ll leave all the preparations to you.’

‘Of course. Even if my fingernails wear down to nothing, I’ll make you the most beautiful hair ornament in the world!’

‘No, we already have many hair ornaments, and since we’re not holding a grand party, wearing that at home seems a bit……’

‘From today, you also need special care. I’ll procure everything good for your skin, so you must eat and apply them daily. I’ll take care of decorating the mansion. Shanti, quickly bring a glass of lemon juice. Until that day, you must refrain from honey pudding and snacks. Understood?’

Lucienne looked like she had much to say, but she seemed to have decided to yield to Maya’s enthusiasm. Afterward, she followed Maya’s instructions without complaint.

And finally, the day arrived when that magnificent nobleman was supposed to come.

In Maya’s eyes, Lucienne’s condition was optimal. Her once-white skin now glowed with transparency, and her distinct features had become even more vivid, captivating people’s gazes at a glance.

Her endlessly deep eyes had grown more profound, and her eye corners, which tapered finely like a bird’s tail, exuded a somewhat languid and seductive atmosphere. Truly, anyone with functioning eyes couldn’t possibly ignore Lucienne.

Yes, I have a mission. For whatever reason, since Miss had proposed in front of everyone, this marriage must absolutely be realized.

So that she would never make such a sad expression again.

So that detestable count would never show his shameless face again.

“Miss, it’s time to pull yourself together and get ready!”

Clap, clap—at the energetic handclaps, Lucienne raised her head slightly. Maya quickly presented the chef’s plate.

“First, please choose a dessert. They’ve all been made with great care, which do you prefer?”

“If four were made, then serve all four. I don’t know what he likes either.”

Lucienne muttered as she got up groggily. After a small yawn, she smiled.

“Shall we go get dressed then? Maya, help me.”

Responding with a “yes,” Maya quietly watched Lucienne’s retreating figure.

She had called him “that person.” It was a curious form of address.

A way of referring to someone who wasn’t quite familiar but not entirely unfamiliar either. A term that seemed distant yet somehow conveyed affection.

That person. That person indeed.

Tilting her head, Maya followed Lucienne with quick steps.

The midday sun brightly illuminated the mansion, almost blindingly.

* * *

Looking around the mansion that had completely transformed, I tried to hide my nervousness. The bright, cheerful colored curtains and flowers placed throughout gave the feeling of being in someone else’s villa.

The mansion was polished without a speck of dust even in the most remote corners and exuded an excited vitality. The early summer breeze coming through the wide-open windows was slightly damp as if rain was approaching, but the energy inside was strong enough to withstand it.

After a long debate with Maya, I decided to postpone the brilliant hair ornament that made it seem like I should be taking marriage vows immediately, and opted for a headband with delicately embroidered lace. The white lace had small pearls attached to give a subtle sparkle, so it wasn’t too overwhelming.

The light blue dress, a color I rarely wore, felt awkward. The ribbons and strings that gathered my chest in the center made breathing a bit difficult, but not unbearably so. I was only embarrassed by my prominently pushed-up bosom.

“That’s what we’re trying to emphasize, Miss.”

With a tipsy-sounding, sly laugh, Maya arranged books and teacups around me, saying I needed to exude an intellectual and calm impression.

I could only smile bitterly. I couldn’t tell her that the other person already knew what kind of person I was.

Information about Duke Diconmeyer was scarce not only in Edmus but also in Freemont. He had fought as a mercenary on Prince Leon’s side and achieved many merits. Decisively, he had seized Recto Castle, where the Duncan family supporting Freemont II stored military supplies, with outstanding tactics, completely turning the tide of the war.

Lars had been standing with Prince Pelowic from the beginning to check Balshwin, and Prince Pelowic had a good relationship with Prince Leon, who is now the king of the Grand Duchy. So I could understand why he crossed over to Freemont to help Prince Leon.

Only one question kept circling in my mind.

Why he hadn’t let me know whether he was alive or dead during those four years.

Of course, he had no obligation to do so. We were merely working for the merchant group for our own purposes. I didn’t know where he lived, what he liked or disliked, what kind of life he had led, or what he lived for.

But even so, even if he had been busy participating in the war….

“……You could have written at least one letter.”

A long sigh escaped, and I tilted my head back with my eyes closed.

I had held an almost stubborn belief that he was alive, but that belief wavered frequently. I thought if he were alive, he would have contacted me in some way.

But I was completely mistaken. To Lars, I might just be a bothersome existence that briefly crossed his path. It felt as if someone was whispering in my ear that the thought of me being special to him was just my foolish fantasy.

What could I say to him? What answers could I get?

Did I even have the right to seek those answers from him?

“The carriage is coming! Everyone to your positions!”

Maya’s clear voice made my spine stiffen. I couldn’t sit calmly and stood up from my seat.

There was no use in pretending to be docile in front of him anyway. I paced around and looked out the window. The glossy black carriage had elegant gold patterns drawn on it.

Swallowing my heart that threatened to jump out of my mouth several times, I clenched my fists and endured the tension. The carriage arrived at the front door, and soon someone knocked. Maya glanced back at me once and flung the door open.

“Welcome to the Bickman mansion.”

Maya, who was speaking in an elegant voice I had never heard before, paused mid-bow. A neatly dressed man was speaking in a stiff manner, seemingly nervous.

“Excuse me. I must inform you that Duke Diconmeyer has met with a sudden accident and cannot come.”

Maya’s mouth fell open at this bolt from the blue.

“……What? An accident?”

“Yes. He injured his leg while hunting yesterday and sent me instead to explain the situation to Lady Bickman. He will formally apologize for this rudeness when he recovers. Though insufficient, I’ve brought some small gifts, please accept them.”

The man took out a considerable number of boxes from the carriage. There was quite a variety, from familiar jewelry store boxes to those from high-end tailors that dealt only with premium fabrics.

Maya’s shoulders slumped dejectedly. I was already walking toward them before she could turn around. The messenger spotted me and hurriedly bowed, startled.

“I’m truly sorry to deliver such news……”

“You say he injured his leg? How badly? Is it a wound? Or a broken bone?”

At my words, he rolled his eyes nervously and stammered:

“I-I don’t know the exact condition of my master, but he cannot walk well. He had a fever last night, and today he’s still bedridden.”

“That’s terrible. Has a doctor visited?”

When I asked with a serious expression, I could see him blinking and swallowing hard.

“A d-doctor, well… I suppose one must have visited.”

“You suppose one visited? It’s truly concerning that he’s injured while staying in a foreign country where accommodations must be uncomfortable. Wait a moment.”

The messenger tried to say something, but I didn’t give him a chance and hurried away. I gritted my teeth behind my tightly closed lips.

……Yes, I thought he might not come willingly. I did! But!

“So you’re really not coming. You intend to disappear without any explanation? Do you think I’ll let that happen?”

I was furious that I hadn’t slept properly for days due to tension. I went to my room, grabbed a coat I had prepared for any situation, and pulled out some random ointment from the drawer. It didn’t matter anyway since he probably wasn’t really injured—even a moisturizing ointment for dry feet would do.

Barely hiding my heavy breathing, I headed back to the front door and anxiously grabbed Maya’s arm. Then I spoke in a highly agitated voice:

“Maya, I’m so worried about him I can’t bear it. We have medicine good for wounds, so wouldn’t it be best to deliver it?”

Maya, who had been staring with her eyes wide enough to show the whites, quickly placed her hand over mine and exclaimed:

“Of course, Miss! What kind of family is the Bickman family! We own the Nix merchant group! All the most precious things in the world are in your hands! Including medicine for treating wounds! Whether the bone is broken, cracked, or wounded, if it cannot be treated with the medicine in this mansion, then no medicine can treat it!”

The messenger, who had shrunk his neck like a startled turtle at Maya’s booming voice, nervously licked his dry lips. He watched us awkwardly and smiled.

“Well, if you insist, just give me the medicine and I’ll……”