At Luden’s words, Andre whistled. To him, it seemed like a feeling that wouldn’t disappear easily. After all, this was the first time he’d seen Luden obsess over someone like this.

Luden insisted these emotions arose only because his surroundings were too difficult, but regardless of how it started, the feelings had already formed. Such emotions didn’t disappear easily.

However, Andre deliberately didn’t say anything. Even if he did, Luden would obviously deny it.

He hated admitting someone had become special to him.

“Have a safe trip.”

Andre waved at Luden. Then Luden looked at Andre.

“It would be strange to bring a bouquet, wouldn’t it?”

Though he still wanted to give it to her. At his words, Andre smiled and said.

“Just say you were going to give it to a business partner but couldn’t.”

“I don’t want to do that.”

Luden said that and looked at the flowers.

“After a week, the flowers will wilt. I’ll just put them in my vase.”

At his words, Andre looked disappointed.

“You’re not going to give them?”

“I’ll pick new ones next week.”

As expected, he didn’t say he wouldn’t give them. Andre grinned and looked at the bouquet. It was a bouquet full of yellow flowers, reminiscent of Annelia’s beautiful blonde hair.

He wished Annelia could know Luden had personally chosen these flowers. How could he create that opportunity?

Watching Andre ponder, Luden said.

“Don’t do anything unnecessary.”

Andre nodded.

“Of course.”

Though he said that, Andre’s mind was rolling in a different direction.

* * *

Lella looked at me.

“Are you that happy?”

“Of course!”

“You used to hate meat because you said it would make you gain weight.”

“Meat is so precious though!”

Apparently we’d be eating meat at the valley.

“I should have brought Luden…”

I said, leaning back. Then Lella nodded.

“It would have been nice if he came.”

“Yeah, right. Everyone else is a couple.”

It wasn’t like I wasn’t part of a couple either, but it was disappointing. Still, Luden was busy, so he might have been troubled if I’d asked him to come along.

“But even if I’d asked him to come, he probably couldn’t have because he was busy.”

“You don’t know that. Even though he’s busy, you meet once a week.”

“That’s true, but.”

Luden and I had been meeting for quite a while. I didn’t particularly dislike it. Luden talked reasonably well and paid a lot of attention to me.

“So he would have come.”

“Would he really?”

My ears perked up at Lella’s words.

“Of course. He might be feeling disappointed right now.”

Ah, I didn’t think that was the case. I chuckled at Lella’s words. I remembered Luden testing me and trying to break off the engagement.

I also recalled him interrogating me at the debutante, unable to trust my words.

‘I wonder if that’s really true…’

“He might come to love you, Lady Annelia.”

At Lella’s words, I shook my head.

“That won’t happen.”

In the original story, the male lead fell for the female lead at first sight. Of course, he’d also struggled a lot before declaring divorce to Annelia. What he wanted was to live peacefully with Annelia, not a passionate romance.

But in the end, he succumbed to his feelings. Either way, until then, Luden would never easily fall for someone rationally.

“Making Luden fall for someone—I want to meet that woman later.”

“Miss.”

Lella glared at me.

“Who would he fall for if not you! You’re the best!”

“As if.”

I spoke indifferently and laughed.

That sort of thing wouldn’t happen.

* * *

Luna got out of the carriage.

“We’ll stay here for one night.”

Then everyone looked at the hotel. The square building had fancy lighting attached. People in uniforms stood at the entrance to greet guests.

‘This is…’

The Charlot Hotel. It was a hotel run by Luden’s family.

“There were so many people that this was the only place I could make a reservation.”

“I like it.”

Everyone was satisfied. The Charlot Hotel was famous for its good facilities. And since everyone was nobility who lived reasonably well, staying at the Charlot Hotel wasn’t burdensome.

‘We agreed to split the cost later.’

I heard Luna’s admiring voice.

“Oh my, he’s really handsome.”

At her words, I turned my head. Flowing black hair cascaded down to his shoulders. Beautiful red eyes that asserted his presence were visible.

He’d spotted me and was walking over.

“Annelia.”

“Do you know him?”

Luna asked.

“Of course, I know him well.”

Why are you coming out here…?

“Perhaps?”

Looking at his hair color and eyes, Luna asked with a hopeful heart.

“That’s right.”

I said that and smiled awkwardly.

“It’s Luden Charlot.”

At my words, everyone looked at Luden.

“We meet here.”

He approached and greeted me.

“You’re staying here?”

At Luden’s words, I nodded with a bewildered expression.

“Oh my. Marquis Charlot, hello.”

Luna greeted him.

“Nice to meet you.”

“I’m pleased to meet you too.”

Luden greeted Luna. And he greeted the others with a gesture.

‘Why did Luden appear? It can’t be because of me.’

I was confused by Luden’s sudden appearance. What a coincidence!

No, was it really a coincidence? Unable to know Luden’s sinister inner thoughts, I clutched my head.

* * *

Somehow I ended up in the best room in the hotel. I’d sleep in the room Luna had reserved anyway, but I ended up eating dinner with Luden.

I’d thought I’d eat with the others. I’d thought I could become closer with them.

Disappointment washed over me, but as his fiancée in name, I couldn’t refuse to dine with Luden.

“What brought you here?”

Then Luden, who was eating soup with a spoon, said.

“I came to examine the hotel ledgers.”

“Did you look at the ledgers well?”

“There was something slightly suspicious. Compared to other places, it’s peak season but sales were too low, so I brought subordinates and interrogated them.”

Saying that, he smiled bitterly.

“They’d been embezzling.”

I was shocked at his words.

“Until now…”

“I knew. But at that time I couldn’t pay attention to the hotel side. Because Mother had collapsed.”

How pitiful. Meat came out. Luden had ordered the steak I liked. Since it was food I ate often, I excitedly cut into the meat.

“It’s delicious.”

“The chef here is skilled.”

At Luden’s words, I smiled thinking of the chef who must have put his soul into it to welcome Luden today. After finishing the steak, I tried to return to the room where I’d be staying. But Luden grabbed my arm.

“Where are you going?”

At his words, I said matter-of-factly.

“I should return to my room.”

“Your room is here.”

At what he said, my eyes widened.

“I told Lady Luna your room could be cancelled.”

“Why?”

“Isn’t it natural for a fiancée to share a room with her fiancé?”

I was speechless.

“Then what about Lella?”

“She’s in the next room.”

Without my knowledge, things had progressed like this.

“Luden, you should ask me before deciding things like this!”

I huffed in anger.

“It would look bad publicly if you used a different room.”

That was true. If a fiancée used a different room from her fiancé, it might invite accusations.

“That may be so, but.”

Still, that was that and this was this. I said firmly to Luden.

“If something like this happens in the future, ask me. It could be a contract violation.”

I asked to be respected as a wife, so shouldn’t he ask about things like this? It wasn’t like I’d oppose it just because he did this.

Seeing me jump up and down, Luden laughed.

“You really are honest.”

Why is he suddenly saying that?

“What?”

“I’m sorry. I decided on my own. I’m not used to talking and consulting with someone. I’ll be careful from now on.”

When he spoke so gently, my heart softened a bit. At his apology, I sighed.

“First I’ll call Lella to remove my makeup.”

“Alright.”

And then he suddenly said this.

“You’re beautiful today.”

It didn’t seem like a soulless compliment. Was it sincere? I looked at him and smiled. I didn’t know what wind had blown, but his words didn’t feel bad. Was it meant to appease my anger?

“Thank you.”

I called Lella and removed my makeup. And I quickly fell asleep.

* * *

The beds were separate. Luden, who’d been watching the sleeping Annelia, approached and kissed her hair.

“Sleep well, my fiancée…”

He said that and lightly stroked her face. So she wouldn’t wake up.

Being with Annelia was truly peaceful. It was a space where a person could live. Here he could breathe comfortably.

That night, Luden slept soundly for the first time in a while.

* * *

Luna was looking at a booklet she’d prepared. Then her maid Ellen, who was arranging her hair, saw it and tilted her head.

“Didn’t you say you’d open that on the last day?”

“I did.”

Luna said that and thought of Luden. She’d thought the rumors about Marquis Charlot’s appearance were exaggerated, but meeting him in person, he was truly surprisingly handsome.

For him to appear here. Actually, when inviting Annelia, she’d hoped he’d come too.

This was an opportunity. She’d heard Marquis Charlot had given Annelia money, so she’d invited her thinking she’d be useful. But Marquis Charlot had appeared in person. Then the story changed.

“I need to make an effort.”

It would be even better if Marquis Charlot took interest in what she was trying to do. Thinking that, Luna smiled.

Things might work out better than expected.

* * *

Waking up in the morning, I briefly closed and opened my eyes. Huh? Luden was still sleeping?

His breathing seemed peaceful. With his eyes closed, he finally looked his age. He always had such a stern face.

‘He really is handsome.’

I thought that and smiled quietly. We’d probably arrive at the valley around today. They said we’d have a barbecue party in the evening. I was really looking forward to it. Though it was disappointing to eat alone.

It was time to part with Luden now. Since he’d finished handling the ledgers, he’d be leaving.

I went into the bathroom first and simply washed my hair and face. When I came out shaking my hair with a towel, Luden had woken up and was fully dressed, waiting for me to come out.

He was reading the newspaper from morning.

“You’re out.”

“Luden, you go wash up too.”

“It’s fascinating. Washing alone without even a maid.”

“I couldn’t bring her because you were sleeping.”

He nodded.

“Then I’ll wash up too.”

Luden said that and entered the bathroom. Since Luden had woken up, I thought I could call Lella now and quickly called her. I needed Lella’s help to dry and put up my hair.

By the time Luden finished washing, I’d finished preparing.

“When are you leaving the hotel, Luden?”

“Originally I was planning to leave in the afternoon.”

“Did it change?”

“I’m going to the valley with you, Annelia.”

No, what was he saying? At his words, my eyes widened. Then Lella looked back and forth between me and Luden with a strange look.

“Why so suddenly?”

“Not suddenly—I decided last night.”

Luden observed me. Hmm? It seemed like he was reading my mood?

…I must be mistaken.

“If it’s uncomfortable…”

“It’s not that, but.”