Grand banquets were held day after day.

With news of the visit from Count Godwin, the Emperor’s confidant, nobles from nearby flocked in, and the castle became bustling.

While guests and even Louer’s servants enjoyed the rare banquet, only Marienne in the westernmost room was sunk in gloom.

With sunken eyes, she stared blankly out the window.

Though told she could send letters, she had passed them to the maid three times, but no reply came back.

Rahta approached Marienne, who was curled up in a corner of the bed.

“You’ll fall ill like this.”

After meeting Nigel, Marienne had changed. She would often sit listlessly by the window or on the bed after giving her letter to the maid. No amount of coaxing helped.

“At least go for a walk. Get some sunlight.”

“……”

“How foolish, you’ll only hurt yourself if you fall ill like this.”

“Rahta.”

Glad that she had finally spoken after a long time, Rahta scurried over to Marienne.

“If my brother or mother had read my letter, they wouldn’t have not replied. That means something must have happened to them. Either they’ve fallen ill worrying about me, or……”

“Or?”

“They might have been stripped of the shop and banished from the territory.”

“Oh, come on. Nigel wouldn’t be that vile.”

“I wonder.”

Marienne, who had been muttering expressionlessly, stood up as if she had made a decision.

“I need to go out.”

“Where to?”

Marienne opened the wardrobe and took out the plainest dress among those brought by the maid.

“Marienne, what are you planning?”

“The entire castle is full of guests. Today is the last day of the banquet. I overheard that even soldiers and servants will be given food and drink. Tonight is our chance.”

“This is madness! If they discover you’re missing tomorrow morning, your family will truly be in trouble.”

“I’ll be back before then.”

“How frustrating! They wouldn’t harm your family anyway because they need your healing ability, so why are you taking such a risk?”

“Because I’m anxious! I feel like I’m going crazy with fear!”

Marienne cried out as if wailing.

“Marienne…, what are you so afraid of?”

Marienne swallowed her words and changed her clothes.

“I’ll definitely return before dawn.”

“How?”

“Somehow. The house isn’t far from the castle.”

“Don’t do this, just stay put.”

“I’m not trying to escape. I know that if I do, harm will come to my mother or brother. I just… want to see them, even from afar.”

Marienne skillfully twisted her hair up and secured it with pins. Then she examined her reflection in the mirror.

Her gaunt appearance made her look like a tired maid.

Marienne hesitated for a moment with her hand on the doorknob, but then steeled her resolve and left the room.

Rahta paced between the bed, biting her nails.

Outside the window, a bright moon hung, ready to illuminate any fugitive.

“Oh…! Lady Ariel, what should I do? How can I help your son?”

Rahta scratched her bald head vigorously before rushing out.

Marienne, with her cloak hood pulled up, came out through the back door where servants were coming and going.

The fountain at the entrance of the central garden was crowded with nobles, and jesters were performing in between.

Even the guards couldn’t take their eyes off the show of fire-breathing and juggling.

Marienne walked quickly, stealing glances at the banquet hall with its open terrace doors.

The colorful skirts spreading out in circles to the music were beautiful. As were the smiles of those facing each other.

She suddenly realized.

That she didn’t belong anywhere in this splendid place, or with any of these magnificent people.

The old workshop of Rose Shoe Shop, the elm tree in the backyard, the roof where she used to gaze at the night sky leaning against the chimney, with her mother and brother – that was truly her place of rest.

Marienne went to the stables where carriages were parked, with a determined expression.

There, employees from various households were gathered, chatting or snacking to pass the time.

She pondered how to get out while looking for an opportunity.

She could cut through the forest, but it would take quite some time to go around.

As Marienne was deliberating, a middle-aged lady rushed past her, out of breath.

“Ruford! Prepare the horse! I need to bring the young miss’s new dress!”

As the lady opened the carriage door, panting, Marienne quickly jumped in.

“Are you leaving now? If it’s alright, could you give me a ride?”

The lady, about to get into the carriage, looked Marienne up and down suspiciously.

With a troubled expression, Marienne gave a detailed explanation.

“I need to go to Rose Shoe Shop to buy shoes for the banquet. The young miss’s shoes were damaged while dancing, and she doesn’t like any of the spare shoes prepared in the castle. But I can’t find the coachman anywhere. He must be drunk somewhere.”

The lady sighed seemingly understanding. Then she readily offered the seat next to her in the carriage.

“These days, the dances are too wild. It wasn’t like this a few years ago. All sense of dignity is disappearing. But what if there aren’t suitable shoes at the shoe shop? Which household are you from? If it’s close, I could drop you off nearby.”

“Thank you for your offer, but I can’t disclose that. Since you have similar foot size, we should be able to find a solution at the shoe shop. But why are you leaving in such a hurry, ma’am?”

Marienne tried to divert her curiosity by engaging in chatter. It was a method she used to soothe Mrs. Rose.

“Don’t even ask.”

The lady’s story continued for quite some time after that.

Half-listening, Marienne calmed her racing heart as she watched the familiar hill road through the carriage window.

Eventually, the carriage stopped in the Louer town area, and Marienne got off with words of gratitude.

Perhaps due to the late hour, the streets were quiet.

Her cautious footsteps quickened as the shoe shop came into view.

The light was on in the workshop.

“Brother…”

Marienne quietly approached the window. She could see Adam’s back as he worked with leather.

She placed her fingers on the rusty window bars and softly said, “Brother, I’m here.”

Did he hear her greeting?

Adam lowered his hands from the workbench and stared blankly to his right. There stood an empty workbench with a sewing frame.

Marienne covered her mouth with the back of her hand and leaned against the wall. A lump in her throat ached, threatening tears.

“Marienne?”

Turning at the call, Marienne was surprised to see Mrs. Rose standing there.

The tears she had been holding back streamed down. She wanted to throw herself into her mother’s arms and cry like a child.

She hoped to be scolded severely, with words like “Why did you come only now?” and “My heart has been burning black with worry because of you.”

“What brings you here at this hour? Did you get permission from the Duke?”

Mrs. Rose approached and asked quietly.

Then, worried that Adam might hear, she grabbed Marienne’s wrist and led her to a spot far from the shoe shop.

When they reached a secluded alley, Mrs. Rose let go of Marienne’s hand.

An awkward and heavy silence fell between them.

“You look fine.”

Marienne’s heart tightened with an ominous feeling.

Mrs. Rose’s face was tense, and her gaze was directed elsewhere.

“Have you been well?”

“Of course.”

“You haven’t been ill?”

“Why would I be? Thanks to you catching the Duke’s eye, Adam’s gotten his wings. Child, we have nothing to worry about.”

“Did you receive the letters I sent?”

“I did. But I didn’t show them to Adam. As you know, that boy worries too much.”

“…I see.”

“Marienne, if this is your destiny, I don’t think it’s bad. The Duke of Bernac… could there be a better life for someone in your situation? For an orphan like you to enter Louer Castle, we should be grateful for God’s grace.”

Mrs. Rose paused for a moment before adding,