Marcel, the Commissioner of the Grandis Imperial Police Investigation Bureau, carefully questioned Carlo about the Grand Duchess’s fall into the water, then closed the bedroom door and turned around.

“Commissioner Marcel, how is the investigation proceeding?”

“Has the culprit been identified?”

“How did the Grand Duke’s mood seem?”

“Is the Grand Duchess in critical condition?”

Many nobles standing in the corridor tried to gauge Marcel’s expression while expressing concern for the Grand Duchess’s condition, but he maintained his silence.

Deputy Commissioner Gildart, who had been waiting outside with other officers, began walking alongside Marcel.

On the night of the fireworks festival, they had received a report that the Grand Duchess had fallen from the ship due to someone’s actions.

Marcel had to rush to the imperial palace by carriage in the middle of the night because of the incident.

“…How was it?”

“I just feel we must find the culprit before the night is over.”

Marcel replied as he walked down the corridor.

Grand Duke Hedegen appeared to wear the same expression as usual, but he was politely suppressing a murderous atmosphere.

This made one sense the danger that he might become ferocious if provoked.

While it was natural for him to feel anger as a husband when someone tried to harm his wife, what he displayed was something more chilling.

It was quite different from Grand Duke Hedegen’s attitude Marcel had briefly observed and felt in the past, including what he had heard through rumors.

Marcel sighed heavily and instructed the Deputy Commissioner.

“Have them search the entire Conz River area thoroughly. Since the search began immediately after the incident, the culprit is likely hiding nearby.”

Meanwhile, after the bedroom door closed, Carlo sighed lightly as he gazed out the window at the garden.

“……”

He ran his fingers through his hair irritably before walking to the canopied bed.

As her figure came into view, his eyes sank deeper into a blue abyss.

Her faintly reddish hair lay limp on the white pillow, and her neatly placed white wrists didn’t look like those of a living person.

Though she was merely asleep, he felt a strange thirst.

“Hoo…”

He couldn’t tell whether time was moving slowly or if he was growing impatient.

After sighing out of habit, he eventually sat on the edge of the bed.

He stared down at her while resting one hand on the sheet.

Her face, usually tinged with a peach color, was pale.

The bright expression that normally wore a full smile was deeply asleep.

She was a woman who overcame any situation well, always armed with absurd positivity. Yet that same woman had repeatedly clung to him in fear, trembling with her fragile body as she burrowed into his arms.

In that moment, his blood had boiled like an explosion, and cold anger had sunk him to the bottom.

He had held her tightly, baring his fierce teeth, preventing anyone from approaching. He could have killed anyone who reached out to touch her.

“……”

He had thought he wouldn’t mind killing everyone if it meant saving her.

“Ha.”

He looked at Lea’s face with a cold, mocking laugh.

And to think he had planned to use this woman…

“……”

She had always made him dumbfounded, and he had treated her with ridicule and contempt. There had been no need to reconsider that perception.

He had never once doubted that assessment.

But now…

She was no longer amusing.

If she had been, he wouldn’t have reacted this way.

The fact that his heart was leaning toward her, his eyes drawn to her.

The fact that he felt anger and became impulsive.

The fact that he wanted to embrace her rather than punish her. That was the problem.

“……”

What was he doing?

What was he trying to do with a woman who had no memories?

Today’s incident had made it clear.

This party had been arranged to kill Lea, and whether it was solely the imperial family’s work or coordinated with the Azanie family would be determined by how the two powers reacted.

If it was a solo crime, they would be desperate to blame each other, and if it was agreed upon, they would try their best to cover it up.

Both families would already be fighting desperately to find a way out, like mice chased by cats.

They would know that a young, vigorous Grand Duke wouldn’t wait long.

“……”

He looked down at his hand resting near Lea’s face.

He needed to stop before he felt willing to do absolutely anything for this woman.

Carlo finally stood up just before his fingertips could touch her hair.

Slowly opening my eyes, the bright light from the illuminated canopy entered my vision first.

In my drowsy state, I closed my eyes again, but heard footsteps approaching.

“How are you feeling?”

A warm hand on my forehead.

A familiar, pleasant scent.

Opening my eyes languidly, I saw Carlo with a calm gaze.

“I’m fine.”

He nodded and straightened up from his bent position.

“Are you alright?”

Violet rushed to the bed and grabbed my hand.

Her eyes were swollen from crying so much in her terrified state.

“…I’m fine. Are you okay, Violet?”

“I’m sorry. Sniff, if only I hadn’t left my post, this wouldn’t have happened…”

“How is that your fault? I’m fine now, so everything’s okay.”

I thought I was going to die helplessly in the water, so being alive is what matters.

Besides, who could have known I would be kidnapped while she was briefly greeting an acquaintance?

“By the way, how long have I been asleep?”

“About an hour. You haven’t slept much. It’s still the middle of the night.”

“It looks that way from outside.”

Smiling gently while holding Violet’s hand, I tried to sit up, but she startled and helped me lean back against the pillow.

I was wearing a loose chemise—someone had changed my clothes while I was asleep.

“Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

“No.”

“But still…”

“They said nothing was broken earlier, so I should be fine.”

I wiggled my fingers and toes discreetly and sighed with relief when they all moved well.

“Would you like some water?”

“Yes.”

After thanking Violet for handing me the cup, I moistened my parched lips with water.

I noticed Violet watching me, and beyond her, Carlo quietly observing us.

His blue eyes, watching me with a composed face while standing, felt like stillness itself.

“They say you should get treatment for your many scrapes.”

Just as I was about to be overwhelmed by a strange feeling, Violet spoke up.

“Ah…”

“You must have been so frightened.”

The moment I heard her words, the dark river water flashed before my eyes.

I quickly shook my head to dispel the ominous feeling.

Though I shuddered slightly, I thought I should be able to overcome this much.

“I’d rather not recall it. Remembering only makes it scarier.”

“Hing, I shouldn’t have mentioned it…”

“You were just worried about me. It’s fine.”

I quickly comforted Violet and smiled brightly.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re safe, Lady Lea.”

Violet quickly wiped away the tears in her eyes with a handkerchief, then smiled back at me with her reddened face.

“Everyone was worried about you. Her Majesty the Empress also asked to be notified immediately when your condition improved.”

“Aah… But what about the fireworks festival?”

“Of course it had to stop. If anyone had suggested continuing the event while the Grand Duchess was collapsed, they would have faced divine punishment. The event had to be suspended.”

“Still, I feel bad that the festival was interrupted because of me.”

“Useless talk.”

Carlo approached, took the empty glass from my hand, and cut off my concerns.

“There’s no need to worry about such things, nor any reason to apologize.”

“……”

“Just focus on your recovery now.”

He placed the empty cup on the table and looked at me.

Unconsciously, I stared at him blankly, closing and opening my eyes. Why…

“But why are you standing over there…?”

“What?”

“Nothing! It’s nothing.”

Seeing him perfectly dressed with no trace of his earlier appearance, I felt a strange distance between us.

Or was I wrong? He had always maintained a perfect appearance.

It was strange that I felt bothered by him standing at a distance from the bed rather than coming closer.

“…Hmm.”

Huh? Why am I bothered by this?

That man can stand wherever he wants in the bedroom—it’s his freedom.

Why was I taking it for granted that he should be by my side?

“I just realized a lot.”

“I’ll do well, I will. If I survive this, really…”

Suddenly I remembered mumbling whatever came to mind while leaning against Carlo in my half-asleep state.

I had mistakenly created a sense of internal intimacy on my own.

I had clearly felt afterward how thoroughly methodical that man was.

I’m truly embarrassed by myself. Sigh.

Knock knock—

Just as I wanted to bury my face in a plate out of embarrassment for all the nonsense I’d spouted, a knock sounded.

“Your Highness. His Majesty the Emperor is looking for you.”