Karsten’s lips drew close, brushing against hers in a brief touch before pulling away.

When he withdrew, a look of bewilderment settled over Breti’s face. She covered her mouth and took a hesitant step back.

“Why, all of a sudden…?”

In that instant, Breti caught the sudden flash in Karsten’s eyes—a look she had often seen when he became Adrian.

Glancing outside to see the rain falling, Breti silently understood.

‘Ah… for a moment, Adrian…’

So he had appeared.

It was Adrian who had acted like this. Having quickly decided as much, Breti turned her gaze away from Karsten. In any case, this kiss would vanish from his memory, so she had to pretend not to know either.

But Karsten’s eyes lingered on her in a strangely intent way.

‘Why?’

Why was he looking at her like that?

Then—

“Breti.”

At the sound of her name in Karsten’s voice, Breti’s fingertips stilled for a moment.

‘So not yet.’

She thought Adrian had only appeared for a moment before vanishing, but he was still there. Karsten never called her by name, no matter the situation. As if casting a spell, he always called her ‘Laterna’.

For Karsten to speak her name left Breti in no doubt — this was Adrian.

Brushing the dirt from her clothes, Breti spoke.

“Let’s go.”

She rose to her feet, wishing Adrian would disappear quickly.

“I…”

Just as Karsten began to say something, a familiar voice rang out from afar.

“Karsten!”

Recognizing Gabriel’s voice, Breti grasped Karsten’s shoulder.

“His Highness the Prince has arrived.”

Hoping it would bring him back to himself, she gave the hand on his shoulder a slight squeeze.

Karsten replied in a low voice, his expression hazy.

“…Yes.”

Just then, Gabriel—without even an umbrella—stepped under the tree and immediately began to chide them.

“Do you know how long I searched for you after you suddenly disappeared?”

“My apologies, Your Highness. The rain started so suddenly that all I could think of was finding shelter.”

“Yes, Gabriel. The rain fell so suddenly I couldn’t think to move.”

Hearing Karsten’s voice, Breti thought he had returned to himself.

‘It must have been because it was daytime. He only appeared briefly before vanishing again.’

She glanced up at the sky.

‘This rain…’

Would it really last until nightfall?

But her hope was short-lived. The rain was already thinning into a light drizzle.

💙💙💙 💙💙💙

With Gabriel holding the umbrella, Karsten and Breti returned safely to camp.

The first thing they saw upon arrival was Meliover, umbrella in hand, shifting from foot to foot in agitation.

“Mother.”

The moment she heard Karsten’s voice, Meliover hurried toward them. Seeing their condition, she gasped in alarm.

“What on earth happened to you both? How did this happen?”

“I’m sorry, Mother.”

“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”

Breti fidgeted with her fingers, her gaze lowered, caught between Meliover’s scolding look and the sorry state of her own clothes. When her expression turned embarrassed, Karsten stepped in first.

“My apologies, Mother. I failed to lead her properly, and Laterna fell.”

“My dear, you’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”

“Ah… no, I’m fine.”

Breti sat in a daze for a moment before answering. Hearing the name Laterna from his lips again made her chest ache.

“Even so, how did you end up like this?”

With a pained expression, Meliover pulled Breti closer by the shoulder and added.

“His Majesty’s asthma suddenly worsened, so the hunting tournament has been called off. Let’s return to the ducal estate at once.”

She urged Breti along with hurried gestures.

All the way to the carriage, Breti tried to push from her mind the kiss they had shared just moments ago.

‘He won’t remember it anyway.’

A kiss that would not remain in his memory was meaningless, no matter how much she remembered it herself.

Before long, Karsten, Breti, and Meliover climbed into the same carriage.

The moment they were seated, Meliover cupped Breti’s face.

“My dear, you truly aren’t hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine, Mother. My brother protected me… If anything, I’m worried that he might be the one injured.”

Breti spoke without so much as glancing in Karsten’s direction.

“Let’s see, Karsten. Are you all right?”

Looking him over at Breti’s words, Meliover noticed a tear in the sleeve of his outer coat.

“Karsten, you have a bad wound on your arm. Are you all right?”

“…Yes.”

Karsten, for his part, responded as if it were nothing, his tone calm. His gaze, however, never left Breti—who, since earlier, had not looked at him once.

Meliover studied the two of them with a face full of concern.

“You should both get some rest today.”

“…”

“…”

Despite her words, neither Karsten nor Breti gave any reply.

As soon as they returned to the ducal estate, Meliover immediately called for Bagi.

“Bagi, take Laterna upstairs right away and help her wash.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Breti offered no objection and headed straight up the stairs. Karsten started to follow her.

“Laterna…!”

“Karsten, get your arm treated before you go up.”

But at Meliover’s voice, he couldn’t take another step. She led the unmoving Karsten toward the drawing room, calling for Brunon as they went.

“Benon, summon the physician. Karsten’s arm needs treatment.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Even as he followed her, Karsten’s gaze lingered on Breti as she ascended the stairs.

By then, the surroundings had grown dim, and the steady rain had already stopped.

💙💙💙 💙💙💙

Meanwhile, Breti was bathing with Bagi’s assistance. Ordinarily, she would have refused and insisted on doing it herself, but today was different.

Once in the tub, Breti did not move, her expression distant and blank. Bagi’s face showed quiet worry.

As she gently rubbed Breti’s shoulder with a sponge, Bagi spoke softly.

“My lady.”

“…Mm?”

Breti answered after a delay of several beats.

“Did something happen?”

“…No.”

Her reply was just as unconvincing.

Bagi could only fret in silence, unable to guess what her mistress was truly thinking.

Then—

“The rain has stopped.”

Breti said suddenly.

“It hasn’t been long since the rainy season ended, and yet it rained again.”

Baegi remarked.

“What a shame.”

“…Pardon? You think it’s a shame?”

“…Yes.”

“My lady, you’re so peculiar!”

Bagi laughed playfully as she poured warm water over Breti’s shoulder.

‘If it had rained now, Adrian would have awakened from his slumber.’

Yes, if only it had. But it hadn’t. The weather seemed almost cruel for denying her that chance.

A little later, having been dressed by Bagi, Breti stepped out onto the balcony. Looking up at the clear, cloudless sky, she felt a pang of inexplicable disappointment. Her gaze shifted from the heavens to the brightly lit windows of Karsten’s office.

💙💙💙 💙💙💙

At that moment, Karsten was pacing his office—something uncharacteristic for him.

‘I meant it.’

When Breti had cupped and stroked his cheek, he had felt an overwhelming urge to press his lips to hers.

So he had.

The memory of that soft, fleeting touch made his vision grow faint.

‘This is…’

Yes, there was no denying it now — the way he had been looking at Breti.

Karsten recognised and accepted that his feelings for Breti had deepened beyond measure.

‘I need to talk to her.’

He had come to a clear conclusion: he wanted to talk to her openly about their kiss.

He left his office and went straight to Breti’s room. His steps felt lighter than usual.

Just then, Bagi stepped out and closed the door behind her.

“Is Laterna inside?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I see.”

Karsten was about to knock when Bagi quickly stepped in front of him.

“She must have been very tired from today’s events—she’s already asleep.”

At her words, Karsten cast the door a lingering, regretful glance before stepping back.

“…All right.”

Back in his office, he turned toward the window that connected to Breti’s room. There was no movement—she seemed to be fast asleep.

Then, a sudden thought crossed his mind.

“Why didn’t she ask me anything?”