As if it understood, the dog lowered its tail and ears dejectedly.

“Now go back to your master. You know where he is, don’t you?”

Finding the cowed dog cute, Marienne stroked its nape.

“Luna.”

A low, deep voice was heard. The dog that had been rubbing its nose against the hem of her skirt suddenly turned around. The trembling maid also came out from the side and bowed her head to her master.

Only Marienne stared blankly at the man walking towards them.

Nigel Bernac, wearing a navy tunic embroidered with silver thread and belted at the waist, extended his hand towards the hunting dog.

The dog happily jumped towards its master.

“Who is this?”

As his voice echoed, Marienne shuddered as if waking from a dream.

She finally realized that just as she was no longer the young girl from that day, the Duke was also not the boy from her memories.

But to think he would be such a robust man.

The maid gave Marienne a meaningful look with a fake cough.

Only then did Marienne curtsy respectfully.

“Marienne Rose from Rose Shoe Shop, honored to meet you, esteemed Duke of Bernac.”

She couldn’t bring herself to raise her lowered head. Overwhelmed by the presence approaching her.

But he was the one she had longed for even in her dreams. Someone she might never see again!

Marienne gathered her courage and raised her eyes.

I’ve finally met you. Although you probably don’t remember me… I’ve always dreamed of you and missed you.

Feeling like she might cry like a fool, Marienne clutched her skirt.

With each step he took closer, Marienne’s heart beat that much faster.

The toe of his boots came close enough to almost brush against her skirt.

Nigel lowered his face to Marienne’s ear. Then he secretly inhaled her scent.

Marienne involuntarily shuddered at the breath on her nape.

“Marienne Rose.”

The low voice grated on her ear.

Marienne hesitantly turned her head and faced him. With the eyes of a monster hiding its fangs.

“It’s been a while. Are you still busy healing these days?”

Marienne was startled by the unexpected words.

Did he recognize me?

Marienne spoke to the Duke with an overwhelmed voice.

“Your Grace, meeting you like this is an infinite… truly an infinite joy for me.”

“Joy?”

Although his tone was somehow prickly, Marienne didn’t notice. Her mind had gone blank, and it was all she could do to take him in with her eyes.

She couldn’t believe that the prince from her dreams, the lover from her pendant, was right in front of her.

Ah… it feels like my heart might stop.

She felt dizzy because of her tightly fastened bodice. But rather than fainting ungracefully in front of the Duke, she’d rather die.

Marienne placed her hand on her chest and took slow, deep breaths.

Pull yourself together and say something, anything. This might be your only chance, so just one word, even just one moment with him!

In her desperation, Marienne’s eyes fell on the hunting dog wagging its tail excitedly.

“Um… may I make a bold request to Your Grace?”

Marienne’s hands became moist with tension.

“I heard that your beloved dog caused an unfortunate incident a few days ago. For a dog of the Bernac family to harm someone, if rumors spread, it could become troublesome. If you need an experienced trainer, I could help. I don’t need any compensation. If you would call for me even once every ten days, or once a month, I would gladly visit.”

Marienne clasped her hands together awkwardly.

“I can assure you, I’m confident I can teach better than anyone else.”

The Duke’s face remained unchanged. Like he was wearing a mask.

Of course, one that was handsome enough to make one lose their senses.

Marienne guessed her face must have turned embarrassingly red.

“My dog doesn’t need training.”

“But I heard the gardener was badly bitten.”

“That’s because he tried to steal Luna’s purebred puppy. No mother would easily give up her nursing infant. Even beasts have their own circumstances. Sometimes arrogant ones try to solve problems without seeing the whole picture, like you.”

“I… I’m sorry. I spoke out of a desire to help Your Grace. Please forgive me if I was disrespectful.”

“Who asked for your help?”

Marienne closed her mouth, dumbfounded.

There’s no need to speak so coldly.

While she was feeling perplexed and embarrassed, there was a knock.

When a servant suggested moving to the reception room, Nigel withdrew his gaze without hesitation and left the hall.

Marienne, feeling anxious, whispered to the maid.

“Did I make a mistake with His Grace?”

“Shh.”

The maid cut off Marienne’s question as she followed the Duke with quick steps.

Then she glared at Marienne, just as she had always despised women who desperately tried to catch her lord’s eye.

Reading that gaze, Marienne turned her head in shame. It seems she had been too presumptuous. In her excitement, she had gone too far.

What should I do after running my mouth unnecessarily? What if it affects Adam’s shoe shop!

Anxious, Marienne bit the inside of her cheek.

The reception room was splendid with its intricately carved fireplace, tapestries, gold-framed mirrors, and candlesticks, but unlike before, Marienne wasn’t distracted by such things now.

Seeing his sister’s stiff expression, Adam also became tense. An ominous feeling ran down his spine.

Adam paid his respects to the Duke and presented the shoes he had worked on.

A servant removed Nigel’s boots and put on the new shoes.

Adam spoke politely.

“Do they fit well, Your Grace? Please let me know if you’re not satisfied or if they’re uncomfortable.”

“Not bad.”

Only then did color return to Adam’s face.

“I put my heart into them.”

“You brought other items as well, I hear.”

“These are gloves and handkerchiefs embroidered by my mother and sister.”

Gloves and handkerchiefs with luxurious embroidery were laid out on a velvet cloth.

Nigel, who had been looking over them indifferently, asked Marienne.

“Did you work on any of these?”

Marienne carefully picked up a white glove.

“This one, Your Grace.”

Nigel extended his right hand.

His fingers were thick and long, and on the back of his hand, where veins protruded, there was a scar from a sword cut.

Marienne wanted to check for the black mark, but the Duke’s left hand was hidden from view.

But why? The servant who had been helping change the shoes remained motionless.

Sensing the situation, Adam signaled for her to do it herself.

Marienne nervously put the glove on the Duke’s hand. Her fingertips trembled, causing her to fumble a few times, but he didn’t scold her.

Unfortunately, the glove was too small for his hand.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize your hand was so large.”

As Marienne removed the glove, sweating profusely, Adam hurriedly spoke up.

“I’ll make a new one right away. Please give us two days, no, just one day.”

“There’s no need for that.”

“I want to provide you with something you’ll be satisfied with. Please give us a chance.”

“Something I’ll be satisfied with…”

Nigel, muttering softly, signaled for the servants to leave. Then he took a sword from the weapon rack.

With a swish, the blade was drawn from its sheath, gleaming coldly.

“Would you gladly give it? Whatever I want?”

“How could I refuse? Just say the word.”

His gray eyes turned towards Marienne.

“I’ll take that woman.”

Adam suddenly raised his head.

“What do you mean…?”

“Your sister has healing abilities, doesn’t she?”

The moment he heard those words, Adam felt as if he was falling off a cliff. The thing he had feared had finally arrived like a nightmare.

Ever since learning of Marienne’s ability, he had always been anxious about a day like this coming.

In the end, his worries became reality, and his opponent wasn’t even a sick nobleman, but someone more fearsome than the emperor himself. Still, he couldn’t let Marienne be taken away like this.

Adam, breaking out in a cold sweat, protested.

“Healing abilities? My sister is an ordinary woman. She’s just a simple girl who helps her brother’s livelihood by doing embroidery… Aagh!”

Before he could finish speaking, the sharp sword pierced Adam’s shoulder.

“Brother!”

Nigel calmly pulled out the sword. Then he swung it diagonally to shake off the blood.

Marienne opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a word. Nigel commanded her.

“Save him, with your skill.”

“Why… why are you doing this? Is it because of me? Because of what happened earlier?”

“Do I need to explain? To someone like you?”

Marienne stared blankly at Nigel.

This can’t be real.

It must be a witch’s trick or a horrifying nightmare.

Marienne turned her eyes to the bleeding Adam. Only then did tears well up.

“Brother…”

Marienne, her legs giving way, slumped to the floor.

She approached Adam, who was clutching his shoulder, as if leaning on him. Her whole body trembled at the sight of the bloody wound.