Selenel locked eyes with Fedriol, her gaze sharp with accusation.

But Fedriol was hardly the type to shrink from a change in her tone. Instead, he looked almost relieved, as if the conversation was finally moving forward.

“Ah, so we’re getting to the heart of things.”

He stood up from his seat, the movement brisk and unbothered.

Startled, Selenel scrambled to her feet after him.

“That young lady will only bring disgrace to Your Highness’s reputation!”

“And why is that?”

“I heard she spent most of her life among commoners, not the nobility.”

“Hmm…”

“She’s barely set foot in high society—a nobody—!”

Selenel, unable to contain herself, grabbed his sleeve in frustration, her words tumbling out. But at a glance from Fedriol, she hesitated, suddenly aware that he was not as impassive as he looked. She could sense, somehow, that he was genuinely angry.

“But she simply doesn’t stir my heart.”

“…Your Highness.”

“My heart is moved by her. Not by you.”

“…”

“Isn’t that what matters most?”

Fedriol had always detested obstacles blocking his chosen path. He was relentless about pursuing anything he set his mind to—and Selenel had tried to stand in his way.

With a frosty glare, he brushed her hand from his sleeve.

“In any case, I’ll be sending official notice of our broken engagement to the Count of Nox soon.”

“Your Highness—!”

“If you want compensation, you can have as much as you like…”

At the mention of compensation, Selenel clung to his arm in desperation, her face contorted with emotion.

Fedriol’s expression darkened in annoyance.

“Your Highness, please—don’t do this. You can’t.”

“Let go.”

“Please, just once—think it over one more time. Just this once, Your Highness.”

He answered with cold finality,

“I don’t think any amount of thinking will ever make me see you as a woman.”

His words, brutally honest, made her hands fall limply from his arm. She crumpled to the floor, while Fedriol walked away without a hint of regret.

Watching his retreating back, Selenel whispered in a low voice…

“Lady White…”

Selenel’s fists trembled as she whispered the name.

💙💙💙 💙💙💙

The steady rain finally began to ease, signaling the end of the rainy season. Whether it was thanks to the tea leaves Breti had given Karsten, or simply the waning rain, Adrian’s appearances became noticeably less frequent.

Because of that, Karsten seemed to be sleeping much better these days.

One quiet morning, just as the rain was almost gone, Karsten spoke to Breti over breakfast.

“Thanks to you, I’ve been sleeping well lately. I appreciate it.”

He even added a word of praise.

“It’s nothing. I’m just glad it helped you rest.”

Breti replied, shaking her head.

“But… I’m worried about my mother’s health.”

Since the rainy season began, Meliover’s condition had not improved; in fact, it had worsened considerably.

Breti made it a point to check on her every day and brew herbal teas to help with her heart condition. However, there was no sign of Meliover’s long-standing illness getting better.

Breti bit her lower lip, feeling increasingly guilty.

“Don’t look like that. It’s not your fault.”

 Karsten said quickly, noticing her expression.

“Mother’s illness is chronic. It’s only gotten worse because of her age.”

Lately, Karsten’s manner toward Breti had grown noticeably warmer. Sensing that change, Breti felt a bit of relief, as if she’d finally earned a measure of his trust.

“Let’s eat for now.”

But…

‘What I really want…’

What Breti truly wanted from Karsten wasn’t trust. She longed for his affection.

When had she fallen this deeply?

Breti couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment, but one thing was certain.

‘The kind of person who would pay for that audacity you spoke of…’

Ever since the moment she’d seen him rescue her from Madam Aba, she’d found her heart slowly being stolen. Now, it didn’t even belong to her anymore—it was Karsten’s.

Breti forced herself to steady her pounding heart and picked up her utensils.

As their meal was drawing to a close—

“Your Grace, you have a visitor.”

Brenon announced, stepping into the dining room.

“At this hour? Who is it?”

“His Highness the Prince.”

“Karsten, I’m here!”

Peeking out from behind Brenon, Gabriel entered with a bright smile. He walked over to Breti and greeted her warmly.

“Lady, it’s been a while.”

“Your Highness.”

Breti replied, rising quickly from her seat to greet him.

A faint smile tugged at her lips as she bowed.

Seated across from her, Karsten couldn’t help but notice the way Breti smiled.

Seeing there was still food left in front of both Breti and Karsten, Gabriel offered an apologetic smile.

“It seems I’ve come at a rather awkward time—right in the middle of your meal.”

Breti got up and moved toward Gabriel.

“Not at all, Your Highness. Please, allow me to show you to the drawing room.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

Karsten watched as Breti and Gabriel made their way toward the drawing room.

The relaxed smile on her face—so rare for her—left a mark on his heart.

‘She really does smile easily with him, doesn’t she?’

She always looked so tense around him, yet in front of Gabriel, she seemed at ease, even cheerful.
A sense of irritation twisted inside Karsten, with no way to relieve it.

He followed after them, only to realize they weren’t heading for the drawing room at all, but out the front door of the mansion.

Karsten reached out and grabbed Breti’s arm.

“Where are you going?”

“His Highness wanted to see the grounds.”

Gabriel slipped between them with a bright grin.

“You seemed busy, Karsten. Do you mind if I borrow the lady for a while?”

Karsten’s brow twitched at Gabriel’s audacity.

“You must have so much to do, brother, so I’ll show His Highness around.”

Breti added, her words grating on him even more.

“I won’t be a bother.”

But for some reason, those words didn’t reassure him at all. As he watched the two of them walk away, Karsten rubbed the back of his neck.

Just then, someone approached him.

“Don’t they look good together?”

Meliover, looking rather unwell, stood nearby, supported by her maid Rosand.

Karsten hurried to take his mother’s hand.

“Mother, are you all right?”

“How could I not be? Laterna checks on me every single day.”

Meliover praised Breti’s capable care, patting Karsten’s hand affectionately.

“Stop worrying about me, Karsten.”

“Mother…”

“It’s only natural that nothing in my body works the way it used to. My time is coming soon.”

All Karsten could do was gently stroke his mother’s hand.

As Meliover accepted her son’s touch, she spoke softly,

“If there’s one thing I wish for before I die, it’s for you to find a good partner.”

“Mother, that’s…”

Karsten flinched as soon as she spoke the words.

“I hope Laterna finds someone good as well.”

At the mention of Laterna’s name, a cold sweat ran down his back.

Breti was already drawing too much attention in society just by going out as Laterna. If talk of marriage began, the situation could spiral out of control.

“Laterna is still…”

“Laterna is an adult now, Karsten. You shouldn’t treat your sister like a child forever.”

“It’s not that, Mother. Laterna hasn’t even fully adjusted to this world yet—how could she…”

“I know you care for her, Karsten. I truly do.”

Meliover’s voice was gentle, but resolute.

“But she deserves a life that suits her age, don’t you think?”

“Karsten, will you take me out onto the drawing room balcony?”

He helped his mother as they moved together.

“…I think Laterna’s opinion should come first.”

“Of course. What she wants is what matters most.”

As they stepped out onto the balcony, Karsten saw Breti and Gabriel laughing together below.

Suddenly, a stiffness crept up the back of his neck.

Around them, the daylight was beginning to fade.