Joseph was a fairly intelligent young man with a sense of responsibility as the head of the family, but the Hazel family’s financial situation wasn’t what it used to be. The main causes were the debts left from her father’s successive business failures and her extravagant mother, but her intense hatred was directed at the innocent Florencia.

‘This is all because of sending that wench’s lowborn brother to Lugarn. My brother Joseph must be out of his mind to spend money on such useless things instead of increasing my dowry.’

Eriendna, unaware that it was Ludwig who had sent Michael to the knight school, built up more resentment with these thoughts.

“Emma, contact brother Geoff and tell him I want to meet. Without my eldest brother knowing.”

“Yes, Miss.”

After instructing her maid, she gnawed at her nails while scheming.

She’s born with dirty blood yet she’s pretending to be virtuous, saying she’ll become a saintess…….

A terrible life of just service and prayer at the Temple forever—she thought it suited that narrow-minded wench perfectly, but she didn’t want to let her have her way.

It’s right to return a lowborn who doesn’t know her place to her proper position.

Even while strolling through the beautiful autumn garden, the mere scenery didn’t enter her eyes at all. Her mind was filled solely with thoughts of how to make that damned wench more miserable.

* * *

The change of seasons came unfailingly to every place. Florencia was spending tea time sitting across from Ludwig in his office after a long while.

Thicker ivory-colored curtains than before hung on the glass window beside the table. Today, they were drawn to both sides and gathered with decorative curtain ties, allowing soft sunlight to seep through the large, well-lit window. The warm sunshine of this season was especially precious because it shone brilliantly for only a short time during the day before quickly disappearing. Just like these moments with her lover, who had become even busier recently.

Florencia could sense that the documents piled on his office desk were several times more than before. She had vaguely heard that heretics were rampant lately and that he was busy with that issue. Ludwig was always in his office when he stayed at the Temple, even after being away for days at a time, and Saintess Elisabeth visited more frequently than before.

She thought the two might be much closer than she knew. She had heard that the saintess served His Holiness the Pope, and seeing her come so often from afar made jealous thoughts spring up, wondering if she might not be that busy after all.

“Father, is there anything I can help with?”

“It’s alright, Laura.”

“But you seem so busy lately, I’m worried……”

“I appreciate your concern for me, but this is my duty, so it’s natural.”

Even Father Ludwig must have difficult tasks or worries, so why won’t he share even a little with me? Is this how all lovers are……?

Though she didn’t think she had a greedy personality, Florencia found herself wanting more and more. She wanted to be not just a good girl who followed his words well, but a mature lover who could share difficulties and sometimes be relied upon.

“Um, Saintess Elisabeth has been visiting often lately, is something happening? Yesterday too, you two were together for a long time……”

“She comes to discuss Temple matters, not for personal visits.”

“Yes…… I know, the Temple must have many important matters. Difficult things that silly me wouldn’t understand a word of even if I became an official saintess.”

“Laura, you’re speaking unkindly with that cute mouth. Are you upset about being left alone?”

His gentle tone was filled with warm affection, but Florencia’s heart sometimes grew complicated. It was a natural change, like the flow of seasons that even divine power couldn’t prevent.

Father, if Saintess Elisabeth asked you to work together at the Elysium Temple, would you leave me behind?

The biggest worry that lingered in her mouth was never expressed.

The afternoon sunlight flowing through the arched window’s golden frame colored Ludwig’s fine hair. His appearance as he lifted his teacup was perfect like a sculpture meticulously crafted by God, and Florencia stared blankly for a moment. Like the autumn sunlight that would soon scatter in the evening chill, she feared her one and only lover might disappear somewhere too.

As she gulped down a handful of autumn floating on the tea, the rich liquid infused with the sweetness of natural honey flowed down her throat.

Winter hadn’t even arrived yet, but Ludwig had already served warm apple cinnamon tea with ginger. It was probably because he worried she might catch an early cold. Small pieces of apple preserved in sweet honey helplessly swirled inside the teacup.

“Father, it’s autumn now. It’s not that cold, and I won’t die immediately from a cold like a newborn chick.”

“I know. As long as I’m alive, you won’t die from a cold or any disease.”

“If I even cough, you’ll pour holy power into me to cure it, so why worry so much?”

“Because I can’t bear it if you’re in pain, even for a fleeting moment.”

Florencia was left speechless by his calm answer, then turned her gaze to Ludwig’s teacup.

“Father, what tea are you drinking now?”

Ludwig’s tea preferences differed from Florencia’s, who favored sweet scents. Assuming he had prepared two types of tea, she hadn’t particularly questioned it before, but today she suddenly became curious. His tea, with a flowery scent, seemed like early autumn peppermint leaves at first glance, but it was less refreshing and occasionally had deep, bitter notes.

He seems to have been drinking this tea for some time now….. But exactly when did it start?

It seemed to have been after returning from Stefain, but not being certain, Florencia blamed herself for not being more attentive.

“I want to try it too.”

When she reached out to take it, he lifted the cup high to avoid her, causing a surge of disappointment.

“That’s too much, Father. Just how good are these tea leaves that you won’t give me even a sip?”

“This tea would be too bitter for you to drink.”

“That’s fine, I still want to try it.”

“Laura, this is not a tea for ladies to consume.”

He answered calmly in a low tone.

“……huh……? There’s such a thing?”

Though she thought it made no sense that there could be tea only men could drink, Florencia, who had made a habit of believing everything he said, wavered easily. Ludwig smiled, gently lifting the corners of his mouth.

Of course, this is for contraception after all.

He quietly stretched out his arm and pulled Florencia’s hand that had stopped in mid-air. Slowly bringing it to his lips, he calmly kissed each of her fingers one by one. That elegant movement contained the reverence of a prayer and countless emotions that couldn’t be expressed in words……

She felt a soft touch on her fingertips and his breath flowing like a low sigh. A warm tingling sensation spread through her, incomparable to when she had drunk the apple cinnamon tea with plenty of honey.

“You have your own in front of you, so don’t be greedy for my tea.”

After that sweet moment when the whole world seemed to stop, Florencia blankly watched him lift his teacup again. It felt like she almost understood something, yet couldn’t grasp it at all, leaving her with a persistent sense of regret.

* * *

“Cassian.”

Cassian, heading to the garden after finishing class, turned around at the familiar voice calling him.

“……Oscar, Leon.”

“What’s keeping you so busy these days? We contacted your residence, but they said you weren’t home.”

“Is even the great Marquis Esteban worried about graduation exams and studying hard?”

A golden-haired boy with a playful smile and a large man who looked more like a young adult approached.

“It’s been a while, Leon. I heard you joined the imperial knights? And Oscar, I heard you’re getting married.”

“I hope you’ll attend my wedding, Cassian.”

“Of course I will. But what brings you here? You both graduated from the Academy a long time ago.”

“We heard you returned from your territory, but you never met with us, so we came looking for you. Figured you’d be attending the Academy.”

They were close friends who had known his circumstances since childhood. They casually put their arms around Cassian’s shoulders.

“I’m sorry. I was planning to contact you guys.”

After returning to the capital following a period away managing his territory, Cassian deliberately avoided people. It was because of those trying to curry favor with the marquis family and ladies approaching with marriage in mind, but it seemed he had inadvertently upset his old friends as well.

“Cassian, graduation is coming soon. Aren’t you getting married? If you want a sufficient engagement period, you should hurry.”

“I have no interest in such things.”

“Why not? As the handsome young head of the Esteban family, ladies must be lining up for you.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to meet someone while still at the Academy? It would be easier to tell people too.”

Oscar subtly suggested, agreeing with Leon’s words.

“Cassian, if you don’t have a lady in mind yet, how about being introduced to Lady Runella? She’s also a friend of my fiancée Yvonne and will graduate from the Academy with you this year. I saw her at parties a few times, and her face was quite pretty, wasn’t it?”