Although the birthday banquet in Amelia’s honor had come to an end, Logan chose to remain at the Count’s estate for a few more days. He said that he wanted to survey the site where a hotel was due to be built in Rosedale.

For reasons that no one quite understood, the Count, who had once been keen to show off every possible location, now seemed less than pleased by the Duke’s extended stay. Amelia, however, made no effort to hide her happiness. Although she knew her fiancé was more devoted to his work than romance, she seized every opportunity to visit and spend time with him.

“I’m so happy you’ll be staying longer in Rosedale, Your Grace. Since you’ll be here for some time, I hope nothing causes you the slightest discomfort. How is the maid attending you? If you’d prefer, I can replace her right away.”

“It’s fine. She seems well trained.”

“I–Is that so? I’m relieved she hasn’t inconvenienced you. She’s always been prone to small mistakes, so I’ve worried.”

Wearing a newly tailored, pale pink gown trimmed with ribbons, Amelia approached Logan, taking light, careful steps.

After securing a brief moment alone with him over tea after breakfast, she took a seat opposite him, quietly hoping he would notice her new dress.

But Logan paid her little attention. At some point, his gaze had drifted beyond the window.

Outside, Bella was walking with a man he didn’t recognize. They were speaking animatedly and laughing together easily.

‘I didn’t know she could make a face like that.’

The maid, who usually wore an impassive expression and would occasionally lift the corners of her lips into a faint smile, was now laughing brightly in a way that Logan had never seen before.

Bella would occasionally turn her head towards the man, meet his gaze, and shyly cover her mouth as she smiled.

Seeing the man’s clear affection for Bella, Logan’s expression darkened.

“I don’t recognize him. Who is he?”

Startled by the sudden question, Amelia fell silent and followed his gaze out the window.

“There he is — Joshua. He’s the grandson of my grandmother’s doctor. He lives near the Netherwell estate. It’s quite remote, so he and my grandmother didn’t have any other friends and grew close. He’s now studying at university in the capital. I hear he’s doing very well academically and has a promising future.”

Joshua Powell.

A rising star in the field of chemistry. Logan had heard of him before.

The man, who was known to be from the capital, had once lived in Netherwell.

“I didn’t know he had ties to the Everett.”

“He was born and raised in the capital, but his parents abandoned him on his fourteenth birthday. He completed his secondary education in Netherwell, a fact that was probably never widely known. It’s not the kind of unfortunate family history one would openly speak about.”

Amelia’s voice carried a trace of gentle sympathy.

“I’d only heard that they were close because of their similar circumstances, but this is the first time I’ve actually seen them together. Still, I can’t help but wonder: would a man destined to become a professor really fall for a maid?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Vincent mentioned that, before Joshua left for the capital, he had announced at a gathering that he intended to propose to the maid upon graduating. However, even before completing his studies, he has already received offers from major corporations, as well as invitations to become a professor. He may not realize it yet, since he’s still a student, but once his position is secured, noblewomen eager to marry him will come flocking. I doubt even he anticipated such success.”

Though her words were couched in sympathy for the maid, there was a faint undercurrent of mockery in them.

“How much could a maid possibly hope for? She must be waiting for marriage to elevate her status.”

It was the kind of tone a hypocritical noblewoman might use when visiting the slums and looking upon poor children with feigned pity, but recoiling the moment they got too close.

Logan gave no reply.

His gaze remained fixed on the path where the maid had disappeared. Only after a long moment did he lower his gaze to the book in his hand.

Amelia, who had naturally expected him to respond, shifted uneasily in her seat, her fingers tightening around her teacup as the silence stretched on.

Even afterwards, she tried to continue the conversation, but each attempt was met with nothing more than a curt reply.

Her fiancé’s indifference was cold and unyielding, and it made resentment churn within her. Yet she lacked the courage to confront him outright.

Whether he realized it or not, Logan’s thoughts lingered on the maid who had vanished from sight — and on the man who had appeared so suddenly at her side.

***

Logan was not the only guest staying at the Count’s estate.

Joshua had been permitted to stay in a detached annexe by the Countess while he waited for a carriage to take him to Netherwell. Whenever he had the opportunity, he sought Bella out. Two days were far too short to make up for all the conversations they had missed.

Most of their conversations centered on Joshua’s life in the capital, and Bella listened intently.

“Lately, it seems word has spread somewhere. It’s not just companies—noble families have been offering to sponsor my tuition as well. Some days I spend so much time replying to letters that I can’t even study.”

“That’s amazing. You’re brilliant, Joshua. Of course the nobles would want to support you.”

“Still, I have to be careful. Grandfather always told me not to trust the sweet words of nobles so easily.”

Although a powerful network awaited him after graduation, Joshua remained wary of proposals from noble families.

His grandfather had once been a renowned physician in the capital, serving many noble households, but he had fallen from grace overnight due to a single noble’s false accusation. He had repeatedly warned his grandson never to take a noble’s words at face value.

Even after moving to the countryside to work as the Everett dowager’s personal physician, Joshua’s distrust of the aristocracy never faded. This only deepened when his parents ultimately divorced, unable to overcome their differences in status.

“I worry about you all the time, Bella. I just want you to be happy.”

Joshua spoke with sincere earnestness.

Yet, as he recounted stories of his life in the capital, Bella’s thoughts often turned to the recently arrived Duke of Fraser.

Joshua could not help but wonder if Bella was relying too heavily on the Duke.

“His Grace will be returning to the capital soon.”

Bella nodded quietly to acknowledge Joshua’s sincere concern. She was well aware of it herself. The duke’s kindness was merely the courtesy expected of his position.

“And once the dowager returns to Netherwell, I’ll go back as well.”

“Good. That’s a relief.”

Joshua studied her for a moment, then smiled gently. The warm, early-spring air seemed to settle softly between them. Meeting a friend with whom she could finally speak freely made Bella beam as though she had returned to her childhood.

Joshua, too, felt reassured. She seemed brighter than when he had first seen her.

And perhaps—just perhaps—he still held meaning for her.

“If things get hard, tell me. Even if I’m only a student, I can at least take responsibility for you.”

After walking with her along the path beyond the main gate and escorting her back to the front of the estate, Joshua spoke with quiet resolve.

Bella was just about to respond to his bold declaration when Amelia appeared from the garden path they had just walked along, arm in arm with Logan.

“Oh, what a coincidence to see you both here!”