“Where’s Grey?”

“He went straight from the workhouse to the harbour. It’s much closer that way.”

“I have to go too. Get me ready to go out – now.”

She had no intention of staying comfortably in the manor and watching someone else’s disaster unfold from a distance.

Regina was the mistress of House Cabil, and what happened in the territory was her responsibility.

Grey probably wouldn’t be happy about her stepping forward like this.

It went against the ‘perfect’ ideal woman he had described – but she had no choice.

After all, she had never been his type in the first place.

***

Even though it was almost early summer, the evening air was cool – perhaps because they were near the sea.

She pulled her shawl tighter against the damp chill.

The clothes Dain had given her were no match for the fierce sea breeze, and it felt as if a layer of frost was forming on her skin.

Still, she couldn’t afford to show any discomfort in front of the fishermen, who sat huddled in misery in their tattered clothes, crying.

“You’re here?”

Barbara, who had been surveying the collapsed streets, acknowledged her.

Her knights were busy clearing away fallen walls and pillars and removing the wreckage of boats that had been swept inland.

Some were helping to carry the wounded.

The devastation was obvious at a glance. Regina bowed her head quickly.

“I’m sorry I’m late, Mother.”

“No need to apologise.”

Barbara brushed back her wind-tossed hair as she replied.

“You are not well – you should have stayed at the estate and rested. Coming alone was pointless.”

“Of course I had to come. This is our territory.”

“Hmph. If that’s the way you feel, that’s fine.”

Although Barbara’s reply was short, her expression had softened.

In the past, Regina might have mistaken her tone for irritation at being late.

But now, the gentle light in her eyes clearly showed pride in her daughter-in-law.

“How’s the damage?”

“It is better than we expected. Eleven fishing boats were destroyed and two sections of the road were completely wiped out. Many people are injured, but fortunately no deaths have been reported – at least not yet. There are about a dozen missing, though, so it could be just a matter of time.”

“I hope I can be of some help.”

Regina turned to the maids she had brought with her. They had scattered quickly to distribute the bread and blankets prepared at the estate to the fishermen. All wore sombre expressions – all but one, who looked clearly annoyed.

‘Dain. When did she come?’

Both of Dain’s parents worked for House Cabil. Unlike the other maids, she had no family or friends left behind in Kapten Port.

Some might think she came out of compassion for the tsunami victims – but Dain was the type who only ever thought of herself. That made her presence here all the more suspicious.

‘Is she just trying to win my favour?’

It was too late to send her back now. Especially not with Barbara watching.

‘This isn’t the time to worry about Dain.’

Coldly putting her thoughts aside, Regina showed Barbara the supplies she had brought.

“We cut up the extra sheets and curtains from the estate to make blankets. I hope I haven’t overstepped.”

“Overstepped? You’re the mistress of the house – what a ridiculous thing to say!”

“Thank you… for saying that.”

Just then Kiers, who had been talking to a footman, approached and reported:

“Sorry to disturb you, madam, but the number of missing persons has gone up by one.”

“Who is it?”

“A noblewoman on holiday at Kapten Port. Lady Nadeira of House Beaufort…”

“What?!”

A rare, loud exclamation escaped Regina’s lips. Barbara, eyes wide, turned sharply to face her.

“Why? Do you know Lady Beaufort?”

“Yes.”

The news of Nadeira’s disappearance sent her mind reeling.

The last time she had seen her, Nadeira had been walking along the Dalsuro pier.

The image of her face – desperately trying to say something – flashed through Regina’s mind.

“I warned you!”

“Just wait – you’ll be swept away by a huge wave!”

As Regina remembered Nadeira’s scream, a wave of goosebumps ran down her arms.

As Regina remembered Nadeira’s scream, a wave of goosebumps ran up her arm.

Was it just coincidence?

But could something be so perfectly timed by chance?

‘If Nadeira had truly known the tsunami was coming, then why had she vanished herself?’

Either way, Regina regretted not listening to her.

Beside her, Barbara sighed deeply.

“This is a mess. I’ve heard that the Marquis of Beaufort is particularly fond of his only daughter.”

There was a chance that House Beaufort might blame House Cabil – or demand compensation.

As if they weren’t already unpopular with the old nobility.

“We need a rescue boat to search for the missing. The waves are too rough for fishing boats, but… Grey has a big yacht. That might work. I should speak to him.”

“I’ll ask him, Mother.”

“Would you?”

Grey wasn’t far away.

After about five minutes of walking, the devastated harbour came into view.

The once pristine white dock was smashed in several places, now covered with driftwood and seaweed.

Beyond, the churning black sea rolled like a living slime – alive and grotesque.

Workers urgently cordoned off the area with bright red tape, as if to prevent the gaping mouth of the sea from swallowing anyone else.

In the middle of it all, Grey was talking to Finley, deep in discussion.

“Grey!”

“Regina?”

The moment Grey saw her, a small crack formed between his eyebrows.

His outstretched arm wasn’t meant to reach for her – but to push her back.

“Why have you come? You should be on the estate.”

His reaction, as if she were an unwelcome intruder, made her freeze, unable to take another step forward.

“Your presence will not change the situation. Please go back and rest.”

‘When will I stop holding my breath every time you look at me?’

Only yesterday they were so close that nothing – not even a piece of paper – could come between them. But now, overnight, the distance has grown so great that it feels unbearable.

How long will it be before she learns to live with it?

“Oh dear, madam! You came all this way?”

Startled by his master’s cold tone, Finley quickly jumped in to ease the tension.

“The dock is still dangerous! Look at those waves – they’re wild! And the wind, my goodness, it’s absolutely freezing! I’m afraid you’ll be swept off your feet in this weather.”

“That’s highly unlikely.”

Thanks to Finley’s light-hearted ramblings, the air became a little less heavy.

Taking a deep breath, Regina managed a smile and summoned what courage she had left.

“Mother and you are both here at the harbour, aren’t you?

With my family here, how could I possibly stay behind on the estate alone?”

Grey’s expression changed subtly.

There was something familiar in the way he looked at her – empty, unreadable eyes fixed quietly on her face.

When was the last time he looked at me like that?

That day… on the polo field.

Just as she remembered the answer, Grey murmured:

“…family.”

With the dark sea behind him, a gentle smile formed on his face, shining like silver.

“Then, Regina. Since you speak in the name of family – as Finley said – this place is dangerous. You’ve shown your face, and that’s enough for the lady of the house. Now get back to the manor.”

In the past, she would have followed without question, too afraid to upset him. But this time, Regina shook her head with quiet determination.

“I’m fine. I won’t go near the shore. And I promise I won’t get in your way.”

True nobility wasn’t just about birth – it was about doing your duty.

For the past three years, she had been consumed by her own grief, barely fulfilling her role as the lord’s wife.

Now, at least, she wanted to be useful.

“Your mother has asked me to deliver a message. Nadeira’s name is on the list of missing persons.”

“That woman?”

A flicker of annoyance crossed Grey’s face, his eyebrows furrowed.

He even seemed to mutter a low curse under his breath.

“Mother’s worried there might be trouble with the Marquis of Beaufort later. She thinks the sooner we start the rescue, the better. She was considering launching the lifeboat – what do you think?”

“No.”

Grey cut her off before she could finish.

“It’s still too dangerous to send out a boat. With waves like these, we’ll just end up with more people missing.”

He was right – and yet something in her heart sank.

She hadn’t liked Nadeira, not really… but she’d never wished her dead.

“Instead of worrying about others, worry about yourself. Your face is turning blue from the cold.”

Lowering his snow-dusted lashes, Grey reached out and brushed her cheek.

It was the lightest touch – barely the size of a fingertip – but it sent a sharp jolt through her entire body.

“You don’t really think I’m the kind of man to give up his cloak, do you?”

“I never expected anything like that”

“Well, there’s nothing more dangerous than a woman who deliberately dresses lightly just to steal a man’s cloak.”