“My name is Maximus…”

“Greatroyson. That’s your name.”

Brandon’s name was Maximus Greatroyson.

It was Genevieve who completed his name as he quietly repeated it, uncertain of himself.

To think that Brandon was Count Greatroyson, the man Genevieve had been searching for so desperately…

Violet’s words about him being an old friend of Genevieve briefly came to mind, followed by the fact that his wife and daughter had both died falling off a cliff.

Despite this, he had insisted on changing his daughter’s death certificate to a missing person report…

“I see.”

Overwhelmed by the sudden reality crashing down on him, Maximus floated in space with an indescribable expression before looking at me and Brianna in turn.

He likely didn’t remember his wife and child yet, having not recovered his memories, but once he returned to his estate, familiar surroundings would gradually bring back old memories.

Maximus looked at me again.

Watching him at a loss for words, I felt concerned for some reason.

His colleague’s mention of him crying out someone’s name also weighed on my mind.

That name was probably his wife’s or child’s.

“Maximus.”

Just then, a voice calling him urgently, as if to steal his attention, echoed through the office.

It was Genevieve who had called him.

About two hours earlier, Brianna had come to find me in the garden and asked me to go somewhere.

She added that someone was waiting for me.

After crossing deep into the garden with Brianna’s hand in mine and leaving the banquet hall, I turned around a large pillar…

“Carlo?”

Unexpectedly, Carlo was waiting for me.

I wanted to ask how he had gotten here, but before I could pose the question, I saw his expression harden instantly.

Carlo immediately ordered Joseph to evacuate me and Brianna.

Since Brandon—no, Maximus—had followed along after confirming Brianna had separated from the group of children, the three of us suddenly had to take refuge in my office.

“Wait, Joseph.”

As I walked under the protection of Joseph and other knights, not understanding what was happening, I looked back at Carlo and caught a glimpse of a group dressed in black just turning the corner.

“We must go, Your Highness.”

At that moment, feeling strangely uneasy, I had no choice but to follow Joseph’s urgent prompting.

“I never dreamed you had lost your memory. I suppose it makes sense that people didn’t recognize you with your changed appearance.”

At Genevieve’s voice, I gathered my thoughts again.

I wanted to ask Carlo what had happened back there, but now wasn’t the time.

Carlo stood beside me, holding my hand.

When I slowly looked up at him, he wrapped his arm around my waist.

“Lea, perhaps we should have the child wait outside.”

He was referring to Brianna.

Ah! I had been so distracted since Genevieve burst into my office and revealed Brandon as Maximus that only now did I realize Brianna shouldn’t continue to be here.

Seeing the child’s utterly confused face, I asked Medlin, who was waiting in the hallway, to look after Brianna.

“With your beard completely shaved off, who could have recognized you?”

When I returned to the office, Genevieve was smiling at Maximus with her dazzling eyes narrowed.

I noticed Aiden, the Crown Prince beside her, glancing at her with a somewhat surprised expression.

So she was capable of such expressions.

Genevieve’s attitude toward him seemed softened, as if she had shed a layer of sharp scales.

Though she typically displayed a gentle demeanor to everyone, her current softness was quite different from when she addressed her subordinates with her chin raised.

“Ah, this is…”

Maximus unconsciously touched his chin and smiled faintly with lowered eyes, as if suddenly remembering why he had shaved his beard.

I knew the reason well.

The children following him had complained that his facial hair kept pricking them, so he had shaved it all off.

I had laughed several times watching the children climb on him like a tree, grabbing his arms and hugging his neck.

“Count Greatroyson?”

Aiden, who had been staring at the contemplative Maximus, called out to him with furrowed brows.

“If you start a conversation, you should properly finish it. How dare you end it by smiling to yourself in front of…”

“Aiden!”

Genevieve turned to Aiden and cut off his words.

It was a rebuke to stop his criticism.

Aiden’s pride was hurt, and he scowled tightly, but Genevieve paid no attention and looked at Maximus.

“With such a significant change in your condition, checking your health should come first.”

As Genevieve spoke softly, Aiden’s jaw clenched as if he was grinding his teeth, and he suddenly looked at Carlo.

Aiden stared at Carlo for quite some time, like a child throwing a tantrum demanding attention.

“……”

However, Carlo seemed not to notice his gaze and leisurely played with my hair falling down my back.

He must surely be aware, so why was he acting as if focused only on me?

Carlo’s blue eyes looking at me wore a serene smile, but to someone not meeting his gaze, his face would have appeared expressionless and languid.

“Now we should move somewhere else and talk about how you’ve been doing, shouldn’t we? Right now. It must have been difficult for a noble like you to stay in a place like this. Your nutritional state must be similar.”

At that moment, Maximus, who had been quietly listening to Genevieve’s words, slowly opened his mouth.

“I apologize for saying this, but I enjoyed living here, Your Majesty.”

“What…?”

“My health and nutritional state are probably excellent. The Grand Duchess checks on everyone’s condition in December through medical staff. It’s all thanks to Her Highness the Grand Duchess.”

Genevieve’s complexion visibly changed as she looked at me.

“……”

Would it be my imagination to say her eyes seemed somehow filled with humiliation and anxiety directed at me?

She could have simply dismissed the praise with displeasure, but her eyes held hatred that couldn’t easily be overlooked.

“Yes, you’re right, Count. Regardless, you must return to your place. There are people waiting for you. You need to look after your Greatroyson estate as well.”

Genevieve immediately urged Maximus as if she wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

“Now, right away?”

“Yes, now. To make up for your neglected duties as Count as quickly as possible, you need to move quickly.”

“One thing…”

“One thing?”

Genevieve sharply echoed his words reflexively, then immediately closed her mouth as if wanting to take back what she had said.

Maximus looked at Carlo and me once before opening his mouth with a thoughtful expression.

“I understand I should follow Your Majesty’s words. However, leaving immediately would not be proper considering the kindness I’ve received from His Highness the Grand Duke and Her Highness the Grand Duchess. Please give me time today to express my gratitude and farewells to everyone. Then I will depart first thing tomorrow.”

“But, Maximus. This place is busy with the event, and your farewells won’t be that important. The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess will surely understand. Don’t you agree?”

Having no other way to persuade Maximus, she suddenly turned to Carlo and me for our opinion.

She was smiling sweetly, but it wasn’t directed at me.

At that moment, Carlo leaned slightly toward me and whispered.

“December is yours. Everything according to your wishes.”

Startled by the thrilling touch on my waist, I looked at him with wide eyes and took a deep breath.

Genevieve would want to take Maximus away from here as quickly as possible, but…

“I would like to respect the Count’s wishes, Your Majesty.”

Between checking on the event’s progress and meeting and conversing with countless people, I had no idea how the day had passed.

Though Carlo had arrived, I hadn’t even had a proper conversation with him.

I’ll ask him various things after I wash up and go out.

“The event still has two more days left.”

I slumped my exhausted body into the bathtub.

Taking a warm bubble bath, a languid happiness naturally welled up, making my eyes close and my toes wiggle by themselves.

Click—

Hearing the bathroom door open, I leaned back against the tub, confident it was Jeanne, and exhaled deeply.

Because Jeanne had insisted on helping me despite my saying I would bathe alone, I was now enjoying the luxury of even bathing.

Is it okay for me to become this lazy?

“Thank you, Jeanne…”

I greeted first with my eyes closed, comfortably stretching my legs, which felt softened in the bubbles.

When Jeanne washes my hair, it makes me so drowsy, as if my body is melting.

She’s usually so thorough and gentle… but this doesn’t feel right.

What is this unfamiliar touch!

“Huh?”

As I quickly turned around, my eyes met Carlo’s, who was resting his chin on one hand while casually stroking my hair with the other.

His large frame, wearing only a robe, was believable as a beast disguised as a human.

Has he grown even bigger?

“Wh-what are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing?”

He removed his elbow from the edge and stepped forward to the tub, bringing his beautiful face close to mine.

His needlessly handsome appearance seemed ready to devour my field of vision.

“What should I do?”

The clean scent of someone who had just showered wafted from Carlo as he faced me up close.

“Perhaps seduce you…?”

With his not-quite-dry hair covering his forehead, he seemed like a fresh-faced boy, yet his downward gaze appeared like that of a decadent adult.

At that moment, he carefully cupped both my cheeks and gazed intently into my eyes.

“What should I do to win you over? Hmm?”