At Carlo’s calm tone, Norbert, who had been approaching, froze in place, speechless.

Carlo turned away from the fireplace without hesitation and patted Norbert’s shoulder.

“So cooperate.”

What on earth did all this mean? Norbert gathered his wits with difficulty and followed him.

“What do you plan to do now…?”

“The sender is obvious. They’ve been under surveillance for some time.”

“But…”

“I’ve thought about that ‘but’ countless times.”

“……”

“Yet that woman makes me willing to risk it all.”

Last night, watching Lea fall asleep holding his pinky finger, Carlo felt a tightness beneath his ribs.

Was that elation…?

He barely suppressed the urge to embrace her, settling instead for fully holding her hand.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly whenever he recalled her honest words about feeling let down by his absence.

Carlo readjusted his grip on Lea’s hand.

He could have pulled her into his arms if he had held her more firmly, but he didn’t.

The image of her upset face saying she disliked impulsive actions driven by emotions was firmly imprinted in his mind.

With his arrogant nature, he would normally have done as he pleased, but for some reason, he suppressed the impulse, reluctant to face Lea’s disappointed expression.

“That woman did nothing. Yet I crumbled.”

At her annoying meddling.

At her smile like cotton candy.

At those pretty eyes that held me.

“Enough to forget all intentions and justifications.”

To the point where he couldn’t openly mock her ridiculous judgment that called him a good person.

She was no longer his amusing counterpart.

Carlo stared at Norbert, who stood rigid with surprise.

“Then I must protect her. By any means necessary.”

Norbert, looking at him, closed and opened his eyes as if gradually understanding his meaning.

He had never seen Carlo speak this way about anyone before.

Norbert glanced back at where the letter had been, now reduced to ashes and formless, then turned his gaze back to Carlo.

“…So you’re completely removing Her Ladyship from the list of suspects?”

“I’ve been doing that all along. Didn’t it seem that way?”

“I suspected as much, but seeing you destroy evidence, I wondered if it was really true…”

“Indeed. After doing that just now, I’m certain about what I want to do.”

Carlo glanced at the fireplace where red flames leaped.

One piece of evidence related to Lea’s crime had just completely vanished from the world.

And the moment he did it, Carlo clearly knew what he wanted to do going forward.

Eliminate all evidence related to Lea’s crimes.

Make anyone connected to it disappear forever as well.

Even if she regained her lost memories and wanted to return to her past…

What could be done? She would have to remain in this castle and live by his side.

“If they feel pressured enough to send something like this… a little more pressure and they’ll spill everything else.”

Carlo wore a crooked smile as he took the envelope bearing the Grand Duchess’s seal and dropped it into the flames.

“Are you saying the Empress is frightened?”

“Not likely. She’s not one to be frightened, though she might frighten others. Someone she threatened must have felt pressured and taken action.”

Carlo had likely pressured Empress Genevieve, and Genevieve had probably urged the Azanie family, with whom she was allied, to find a solution.

As evidence, Genevieve was supporting the public opinion that the attack at St. Berte might have targeted the Grand Duchess, while simultaneously framing the Azanie family, who had a grudge against her.

With several such articles already published, even someone with limited intelligence would realize Count Azanie was backed into a corner.

Of course, Count Azanie must have noticed the Empress’s scheme as well.

“Then you’re saying the Azanie family sent Your Highness the letter that Her Ladyship had previously sent. After all, you’ve been suspicious of the Empress and the Azanie family.”

“That would be the case.”

Though sent to him anonymously, sadly, the Grand Duchess had only sent letters to her family from this castle.

The Azanie family’s goal was likely to make Carlo believe Lea was the mastermind behind the St. Berte attack through that letter, making him feel betrayed.

Naturally, the Grand Duchess would then have to leave St. Berte Castle, making it easier to pin all crimes on her afterward.

“Norbert.”

Carlo sighed lightly and swept back his hair.

He needed to tighten the noose around their necks.

He had to finish this before the Grand Duchess regained her memories.

“Wasn’t there an announcement about the venue selection for the Imperial Palace charity event around this time?”

“Travel safely.”

I greeted Carlo, who was dressed in his uniform.

An antique carriage that had emerged from the huge carriage garage waited for his departure.

After looking back at the carriage, Carlo looked down at me again.

His epaulettes gleamed in the morning sunlight, and beneath his neatly combed bright golden hair, his blue eyes seemed to shine more vividly, perhaps because of his navy uniform.

Seeing him outdoors made me newly surprised at how handsome he truly was.

“I’ll be back.”

Carlo said, staring at me with an inscrutable gaze.

I was curious about the letter that had arrived for him, but I doubted either Carlo or Norbert would tell me its contents even if I asked.

“When will you return?”

“In three days.”

“I see…”

“I’m going to Novahans.”

Huh? I already knew that.

I was slightly puzzled but nodded anyway.

“Yes.”

“I’m going for military training.”

“Um… I understand.”

“I’m practicing. Can’t you see my effort?”

“What are you practicing?”

“Telling you where I’m going when I go, and when I’m coming back. Reporting to you.”

“That’s not reporting, it’s…! But… well, you did well.”

He burst into laughter, seemingly incredulous at receiving praise.

“I did well?”

“That’s what I’m telling you.”

“…Have fun with Odin while I’m gone.”

Carlo nodded toward Odin, who was wrestling with his tail on the lawn in one corner of the garden.

When I told Odin we needed to see Carlo off during our walk, Odin had told me to put him down and go.

Odin, who had finally caught his tail after several near misses, tumbled over.

“Though he seems to be having fun by himself.”

Carlo added, glancing at Odin.

Odin had told me how much fun it was to finally be able to walk on the ground, taste delicious things, and touch things he was curious about after wandering this castle for hundreds of years as an invisible spirit before manifesting as a lion cub.

“This is what it feels like to live again, haha!”

Recalling Odin’s satisfied words, I agreed with Carlo’s comment.

“If anything happens…”

“I know, I know. I’ll contact you right away. But Joseph is always with me, so nothing bad can happen.”

“I suppose so. Still, don’t get too close to him.”

“Why did you tell me to go with him if you’re going to say that?”

“Among those with exceptional minds, he handles a sword best.”

“Hmm… Then what about you?”

“I’m a rare talent with both extraordinary intelligence and exceptional swordsmanship.”

Wow… I didn’t know he could say things like that.

Unable to contain my laughter, I narrowed my eyes and looked up at him.

“How can you say such things with a straight face?”

“Well, I must be taking after someone.”

“…Are you talking about me?”

Have you been looking at me so brazenly all this time?

As I gaped at him, Carlo showed a languid smile and gently lifted my chin to close my mouth.

“Don’t get hurt. Eat your meals on time.”

Then he naturally raised his hand and silently began tidying my hair, which had become disheveled while playing with Odin.

“Write to me if you think of it.”

At his seemingly indifferent yet calm voice, I nodded reflexively.

Each time he brushed my hair back, the wispy strands that had been tickling my cheeks and nape settled neatly over my shoulders.

Though his touch was rough, it contained a hint of carefulness that felt strangely affectionate, making my face flush without my realizing it.

“Would you be happy if I sent you a letter?”

Looking down at me as if peering into my eyes, he spoke in a low voice.

“If you send it only to me.”

“……”

“If you promise to write only to me.”

A smile resembling cold winter air suddenly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Can you do that for me?”

I felt puzzled by his somehow chilling demeanor.

“From now on?”

“Yes, it’s not difficult.”

“Sure, why not. It’s not difficult.”

“Good. That’s enough now.”

Returning to a composed expression as if having completed his thoughts, he brushed my hair once more and smiled faintly. What did he mean by “enough”?

“Ah, right.”

“……”

“What characteristics did you say the culprit had? The one who pushed you into the water.”

“Yes. Why so suddenly?”

“The Grandis Imperial Police Investigation Bureau contacted me saying they might have found the culprit. I want to confirm if their description matches what you know.”

“They contacted you?”

“Of course.”

He replied casually.

I had been wondering why the Investigation Bureau hadn’t contacted me separately, but apparently they felt they should report to Carlo. Well, perhaps that was natural.

I hesitated briefly, then nodded and raised my heels.

Carlo naturally wrapped his arm around my waist and lowered his head to listen to my whisper.

His eyes grew cold as he listened to my words.

Until then, I had believed the Investigation Bureau had truly caught the culprit. Because…

“That must be him.”

That’s what Carlo had said.