“Just everything. He’s handsome, talented, has a good personality, treats me kindly, and we have things in common. What more needs to be said?”

Rizel answered smugly while wiggling her finger. She heard Harzen chuckling softly beside her, but she maintained her confident attitude.

“Oh, that’s refreshingly honest.”

Delion whistled admiringly with amusement. Vivian maintained her formal social smile.

Isabella’s face was expressionless but seemed displeased. Having been quiet throughout the meal, she finally uttered a single remark to Rizel.

“Lady Darkus seems to be quite simple-minded.”

“Well, I suppose I am.”

At Rizel’s relaxed response, the elder lady said nothing more and closed her mouth. Nevertheless, the dinner ended in a relatively peaceful atmosphere.

* * *

Night fell. Rizel sat alone on the sofa in her guest room and secretly summoned Nix. The shadow spirit’s form wasn’t clearly visible as it blended with the darkness, but she could see it distinctly.

The shadow spirit yawned lazily and muttered.

[Ah, it was really boring, but I endured it for your sake.]

‘How thoughtful of you.’

Rizel stroked Nix. She was especially grateful because spirits typically disliked boredom and lacked patience. The shadow spirit blinked its eyes.

[You said we’ll stay here for two more days before returning, right?]

‘Yes. My employer has business to attend to. Something official with Marquis Carter. Probably something more important than just introductions and greetings.’

Rizel recalled what Harzen had told her beforehand. Nix tilted its round body curiously.

[So what will you do in the meantime?]

‘Me? I’ll just rest and observe the situation. That’s what my employer told me to do.’

[…I shouldn’t reveal myself, right?]

‘Given the circumstances, yes. But this much should be fine, don’t you think? As long as others can’t see you.’

As they casually conversed in the dimly lit room, there came a careful knock at the door. Rizel instinctively knew it was her employer.

“Come in.”

“Yes.”

As she expected, it was Harzen who entered. The shadow spirit quickly melted into its contractor’s wedding ring. He blinked, surveying the room that was dark except for the faint moonlight streaming in.

“Rizel, you’re still awake. Are you comfortable in the dark?”

“Yes. It’s actually quite pleasant thanks to my contracted spirit’s attribute.”

“You are remarkable and unique in many ways.”

Harzen expressed genuine admiration. Spirit contractors who had been overwhelmed by spirits often became uneasy in situations matching their spirit’s attribute, but she remained consistently calm.

Rizel shrugged and changed the subject.

“It’s nothing special. What brings you here so late at night?”

“I wanted to hear your thoughts about today’s gathering.”

“Ah, then let’s go out to the balcony and talk while getting some fresh air.”

She led her employer to the balcony. The bluish moonlight settled on their bodies, giving them a faint glow. When Rizel slightly opened the window, the cool night breeze entered.

After a brief silence, Harzen spoke first.

“How was it?”

“Hmm, better than I expected. Your family’s reactions were reasonable. The Marquis seemed quite pleased, the Marchioness appeared to be a neutral observer, and the Dowager…”

Rizel hesitated to finish her sentence.

Even though she knew the background from the original story, it felt uncomfortable to touch on someone else’s sensitive issues. Especially when that person was her employer, with whom she would be living in the same space throughout their contract period.

Harzen completed her thought with a faint, self-deprecating smile.

“She was uncomfortable with me and rather cold toward you, right?”

“…Yes.”

“That’s my fault.”

Despite his calm, quiet voice, Harzen emanated a melancholic, lonely atmosphere. The pale moonlight accentuated this impression. Rizel pretended not to know and asked out of courtesy.

“Why?”

“The previous Marquis Carter, my father, died in a spirit rampage accident I caused. It was a disaster that happened when my spirit energy became uncontrollable as my spirit rank increased.”

Harzen clenched and unclenched his fist, sighing.

It was during the unstable period when his spirit rank rose from low to intermediate. Attempting to control his energy, he practiced spirit arts in a small forest on his estate, only to end up covering the entire area with earth and rocks.

Unfortunately, his father had come looking for his second son at that time and was caught in the devastated forest, losing his life.

It took considerable time for the unstable spirit and spirit arts to stabilize, so managing the aftermath was prolonged as well. The memory remained vividly etched in his mind, unfaded by time.

“My brother grieved but gradually accepted me, but my mother did not. She had been anxious since I was identified as a spirit contractor, and after that accident, it only worsened. Well, that’s understandable.”

“…Hmm.”

Rizel’s lips moved slightly, unable to find appropriate words. It was exactly as described in the original story, but hearing it directly from him made it feel more tragic.

‘Come to think of it, Master and Romari also nearly faced dangerous spirit accidents.’

She had only heard about Veronica’s case, but Romari had actually almost experienced an incident while working. Fortunately, while others bought time, Rizel had managed to stabilize and protect her.

Harzen gently tucked a strand of her wind-tousled hair behind her ear and spoke softly.

“At one point, people whispered that I was an unfilial son who drove my father to his death.”

“No, how could they say such nonsense about the person who was most hurt? It wasn’t something you wanted to cause, and despite trying alone in a remote forest, it was just an unfortunate coincidence…”

Rizel trailed off, taking both of his hands in hers. Harzen silently felt the warmth of her hands before asking directly through spirit communication.

[…Are you saying kind words because I’m your employer?]

[No. Blaming you for something like that would be like spitting in my own face.]

Rizel chuckled and shook her head. Harzen’s eyebrows raised slightly.

[What do you mean?]

[I’m a spirit contractor with close spirit contractor acquaintances.]

[Ah.]

Harzen blinked awkwardly. Being understood this way regarding ‘that accident’ was a novel experience for him. She continued, observing her employer’s now more relaxed expression.

[Besides, I’ve taken lives in the Western Territory War that I joined for my own benefit. I’ve lost comrades I couldn’t protect in my inexperienced days, and I’ve forced those who tried to take my life into dangerous situations and buried them. By that measure, I’m worse than you.]

[Rizel.]

His eyes widened slightly. Rizel looked directly at her employer and said kindly.

“Harzen, nothing I say can truly comfort you, but please don’t blame yourself too much.”

“…Thank you.”

Harzen unconsciously smiled gently. Though they had merely conversed, he somehow felt consoled. After hesitating, he kissed her smooth, round forehead.

* * *

The next day. With Harzen out with Marquis Carter, she spent her time leisurely—reading books obtained through a maid’s help or simply lounging in her room, except for mealtimes.

‘Hmm, is it okay to share such personal matters? Even though I already knew the content, hearing it directly from him is different. Surely he won’t try to silence me after revealing so much?’

Rizel, deeply nestled in a comfortable sofa, thought about Harzen. Apart from her vague knowledge from the original story, getting to know more about her spouse was inevitable after marriage, but it still concerned her somewhat.

‘Well, considering his situation and personality, that possibility seems unlikely. I should just keep a good eye on things until the contract period expires.’

She quickly dismissed her uneasy feelings. Just then, there was a careful knock at the door.

“Come in.”

The person who entered was a neat-looking maid with a businesslike smile. She respectfully bowed to Rizel before stating her purpose.

“Lady Darkus, hello. The Marchioness was wondering if you would like to join her for tea. Would you be available?”

“Ah, I have nothing to do anyway, so that’s fine. Will it be just the Marchioness?”

“No. The Dowager will be there as well.”

The maid watched the distinguished guest’s reaction carefully, seemingly worried she might decline due to discomfort. But Rizel nodded nonchalantly.

“Alright. Where should I go?”

“To the greenhouse. I’ll guide you there.”

“Okay.”

Rizel followed the maid.

The location was a greenhouse at the back of the mansion. Inside the beautiful greenhouse where colorful flowers bloomed harmoniously, the two noble ladies were already seated.

As she took the empty seat, the round table created a formation with the three of them sitting around it. In the subtly awkward atmosphere, Vivian opened the conversation with an elegant smile.

“Lady Darkus, thank you for joining us.”