The voice, tinged with anger, left no room for doubt. Gopher tried to piece things together, but the lingering fatigue dulled his thoughts. He had to respond for now.

“I’ll consider breaking off the engagement.”

Not “I understand,” but “I’ll consider it.”

Stella Allnight twisted her lips, revealing her displeasure, but refrained from demanding an immediate answer.

Thus, Gopher took some time to think and retreated to the study. But what did it matter?

For him, thinking was the process of finding an answer, but the answer had already been clear for some time.

Though he knew he had to let go, he spent days avoiding the conclusion and instead threw himself into uncovering Eos. He was well aware it was pointless stubbornness and futile regret.

“Lost in emotion, I’ve been acting like a fool.”

Gopher tilted his head back, sinking into the sofa. His shoe tip brushed against something unfamiliar as his body sagged under exhaustion. Lowering his gaze, he noticed a silver button partially crushed under the couch.

It looked like a button from women’s clothing. Perhaps someone dropped it while cleaning.

He picked it up absentmindedly. Against his black gloves, the dusty button stood out vividly. A particular silver-haired figure came to mind as he rubbed its surface clean.

“Bleria.”

He murmured her name repeatedly.

“Bleria Heaven.”

What was he supposed to do about her?

He couldn’t delay forever. It was time to make a decision. Staring at the button momentarily, Gopher clenched his fist lightly and balanced the button on his thumb.

“If it lands face-up…”

With that impulsive thought, he flicked the button. It spun mid-air, leaving a pale trail, then fell back down, landing on the sofa’s armrest.

Thud. The dull sound marked the result.

Sliding his gloved hand away revealed the button’s underside. A hollow laugh escaped him.

“You really don’t have luck with gambles, do you?”

Exhaling deeply, Gopher stood.

“Alright, enough foolishness.”

Bleria Heaven had lost her value. Defying Stella to stay loyal to Bleria would mean giving up the title of Duke of Allnight—a nonsensical notion.

Gopher Allnight’s life had been shaped for one purpose since the moment his talent was recognized in childhood.

Even if overbearing parents had set the direction, a lifelong goal didn’t simply vanish. Throwing away such a meticulously honed life for one person was absurd, even in imagination.

If he placed Bleria Heaven—the woman whose name he would soon lose—on one side of the scale and the dukedom on the other, anyone could see where the balance would tip.

Still, if lingering regret clung stubbornly, he’d leave a sliver of room. A bit of distance and some grace period would bring clarity, allowing his sharpened mind to settle everything. When the time came, dealing with Bleria wouldn’t be too late.

With his decision made, he left the study. Each step lightened his body and unburdened his heart.

When he finally entered Stella’s office, Gopher Allnight could smile as always.

“I will break off the engagement, Grandmother.”

A sense of certainty washed over him.

This couldn’t be wrong.

In the end, he would let go of Bleria Heaven.

***

That day, Bleria woke earlier than usual, her eyelids feeling lighter than they had in a long time. No nightmares, no persistent headaches.

She gathered the pouch of jewels hidden beneath her pillow and took one last look around the bedroom she had lived in for years. The sun rose slowly.

“My lady, are you awake already? Oh, you’re up!”

Lucy, who had come to wake her, chattered about why Bleria hadn’t called for her. The maid helped wash her face, dressed in the clothes Bleria had picked out and combed her hair.

This routine, too, would end today.

“It’s time for breakfast. Will you dine in your room as usual?”

“I’ll go down to the dining room today.”

“Very well, then—”

“Lucy, will you join me?”

Lucy’s eyes wavered at the uncharacteristic offer.

Bleria had always drawn a strict line between nobles and commoners to avoid suspicion, but not today.

Lucy had spent a lot of time with her. Once, she had been a spy, but even after hearing the rumors outside, she had done her best to act as usual.

She never slandered Bleria or reported the jewels she saw her stealing away. Gratifyingly and sadly, Lucy was the closest thing Bleria had to a friend.

Lucy hesitated before finally answering with a tearful smile.

“Yes. Let’s do that, my lady.”

They dined together in the dining room, attracting curious glances from passing servants. Oddly enough, those stares didn’t bother her.

Their conversation flowed more freely than usual, and the time they spent was surprisingly pleasant.

After breakfast, Bleria wandered through the estate before heading to the garden. There, she spotted Harriet. When their eyes met, Harriet nodded awkwardly before turning away.

It was a small gesture but deeply comforting for Bleria, who hadn’t seen Harriet in a while.

Finally, she felt ready to move forward. She turned to Lucy, who had been quietly accompanying her.

“Go about your duties now. I plan to go out.”

“Where will you be going?”

“I’m thinking of visiting the Allnight estate. It’s been a while since I’ve seen my fiancé.”

“The weather is cold. Shouldn’t you wear something warmer?”

“This will do just fine.”

Lucy seemed to want to say something more, her lips quivering slightly. However, she didn’t try to hold Bleria back. The maid who had served her for years simply bowed deeply.

“Have a safe trip, my lady.”

“Take care, Lucy.”

Having someone to see her off made the departure feel less lonely.

Once again, Bleria left the mansion with a simple lie. Knowing the Duke wouldn’t verify her whereabouts, she departed in a Heaven family carriage.

Egle Mountain was a small hill on the outskirts of the capital. Its trails were easy, and small animals were abundant, making it more of a recreational hunting ground than a place for serious sport.

What made it notable was its resemblance to Prune Mountain—the cliff from which the real Bleria had fallen—with a high precipice at the edge of the hunting ground and a stream flowing below. Perhaps that similarity was why Mixel had chosen this location.

Mixel must have informed him in advance, as Count Kesio welcomed Bleria warmly despite her arriving uninvited. His eyes gleamed with interest, but he refrained from mentioning the suspicions surrounding her. It seemed less an act of pure goodwill and more an acknowledgment that it wasn’t his place to intervene.

Most people gathered at the hunting ground had their eyes on Bleria. The whispers were far more blatant than at the Allnight banquet; some even approached her directly.

“It’s been a while, Lady Bleria.”

It was Emera Clover, someone who had been humiliated by Bleria. By her side was her new fiancé, Tobias Filbert, who stared blankly at Bleria as if entranced.

So this man had also been caught cheating and had his engagement broken off. Even knowing his reputation, he acted like this—what a fitting pair.

“I heard the news. Lady Eos requested a verification from the temple, didn’t she? That must be quite troublesome for you.”

“Well, I don’t find it particularly troublesome.”

“How can you talk about it so indifferently? Aren’t you even angry? You were close enough to attend tea parties with her, yet she’s making such claims about you. Claiming you’re Heaven… Anyway.”

Lacking the courage to say it outright, Emera trailed off awkwardly, then jabbed her fiancé’s side with her elbow for no apparent reason.

Tobias shuddered as if jolted awake and finally spoke in his deep voice.

“Ah, Lady Bleria, what brings you to the hunting ground? This is your first time here, isn’t it?”

“Not attending the Marquis of Delight’s tournament, are you?”

“You participated there? I wasn’t invited—”

“Did His Excellency Heaven allow you to come to the hunting ground so easily? I heard he was furious after your last trip to Prune Mountain. Surely you didn’t sneak out just to worry him.”

Emera glanced around as if searching for someone before adding, “Or perhaps you came to cheer someone on?”

“I only came to enjoy the mountain air.”

Bleria replied dismissively. Engaging with them seriously would only lead to endless bickering. Emera seemed irritated that Bleria didn’t give the reaction she wanted, but Bleria ignored her, glancing at the time instead.

“Have you ever hunted before?” Tobias asked abruptly, his face reddening even with his fiancé beside him. It was an absurd sight, and Emera’s hostility began shifting from Bleria to Tobias.

“If you want to enjoy the mountain air properly, hunting is the way. I’m quite skilled with a crossbow. Shall I teach you?”

“…Tobias.”

His fiancé hissed threateningly through clenched teeth, but Tobias pretended not to notice. Bleria was about to refuse his unwelcome attention when her gaze caught something over his shoulder, and she froze.