At that moment, Derick, who had been looking only at the outside scenery, turned his head. As a result, Elisia, who had been thoroughly examining his profile, made direct eye contact with him.

‘Ah, how startling!’

Elisia’s shoulders visibly flinched in surprise.

“I thought you would return to Minotas.”

“That’s… a place I don’t remember.”

“I see.”

The atmosphere became awkwardly strained. Elisia tried to break this atmosphere by playfully adjusting her voice.

“Why? Are you disappointed thinking you won’t see me anymore?”

“Are you crazy?”

“Then why do you have such a regretful expression?”

Elisia, who had been chuckling as she joked, suddenly looked at her hand that was now held in his.

‘When did he grab it?’

They had only been pressing their palms together before.

Now that she noticed, she became completely conscious of it.

His hand, which firmly grasped her white hand, was very masculine, with a size that was extraordinary from the start.

Perhaps because he applied just the right amount of pressure, it pressed more closely with every movement. Was it because his warmth was transmitted directly? Her face felt hot.

Just as she felt the desire to be even closer to him.

“Of course.”

But there came words that seemed to mock her feelings as a misunderstanding.

“I’m only disappointed that I won’t be able to get this convenient calming effect.”

“Ah. Of course.”

Elisia immediately agreed. That makes sense, she thought. She hadn’t expected much anyway. After all, he was a man who had spoken of “usefulness” even regarding Chloe.

“When the Harmony Festival is held this time, I’ll get you some twin fruit.”

The twin fruit that was said to be difficult to obtain. Not only were there only a few dozen trees, but the fruit could only be harvested once every 50 years, making it difficult to obtain even for Derick, a Grand Duke.

Of course, Lilith’s castle would have plenty hidden away.

“Are you trying to buy my interest with that?”

“You’re still like this. I told you I don’t have any feelings anymore.”

She narrowed her eyes as if saying “you still don’t believe me?” Derick then chuckled. It wasn’t his usual sneer, but a genuine laugh.

‘What? This man, he knows how to laugh like this too?’

It was somewhat pleasant to see. He was originally a man who knew how to smile like this, but Elisia had ruined that.

“Anyway.”

Perhaps because they had been holding hands for too long, her palm seemed to be sweating. Above all, it was becoming difficult to pretend not to know the fluctuating emotions.

In the end, Elisia was the first to withdraw her hand.

Because she turned her head away, she didn’t see Derick’s regretful expression.

“Please ask Chloe directly about attending the Unity Festival, Your Grace.”

“Why should I?”

“Well…”

‘Because I don’t want to ask.’

Rather than her indecisive self asking, Derick, who could cut things off cleanly, was the right person for the job.

Elisia, who was about to leave, turned her body. Derick still remained seated, showing no intention of getting up.

Elisia, who had been looking at him with his indifferent expression in dismay, continued her words.

“You’re the one who told me not to approach Chloe, Your Grace.”

“Ah.”

“Please ask her and let me know. I need to know whether she’ll attend.”

Derick nodded as if he understood. Elisia hesitated for a moment, her lips quivering, before lightly bowing her head and heading toward the mansion.

Left alone, Derick watched her retreating figure until her light yellow dress was no longer visible.

“So she really intends to divorce.”

He clenched his fist, recalling the warm hand he had been holding until just now.

Suddenly, he remembered Elisia before she fell into the lake.

“Just once would be enough.”

Consumed by anguish, she had been crying desperately. Her eyes were red, suggesting she had been crying for quite some time.

But even such a face was familiar to him, so he looked down at the woman with an expressionless face.

“Just hold me one last time. Just! A light embrace would be enough. Please!”

She clung to him as if it were her lifelong wish. Yet when Derick remained unmoved like a solid rock, Elisia cried out with a face distorted in pain.

“You cruel person. You will never see me again!”

And 30 minutes later, he received an urgent report that she had fallen into the lake.

After that, Elisia woke up about 3 days later.

“Where… is this? Who are you?”

The woman who had been smiling cunningly with sparkling golden eyes was nowhere to be found. Only a woman who blinked innocently and looked at him like a stranger remained.

Somehow, he had been spending more time thinking about Elisia lately.

The woman who had begged and clung to him, saying she loved only him, craving even a moment of Derick’s attention.

That woman now spoke of divorce.

‘Divorce?’

She had disposed of most of her cherished jewelry and dresses, and even sold one of her villas. She was preparing to leave his side.

“Leaving this convenient sedative behind?”

He muttered quietly. The warmth of her hand that remained on his palm kept binding him. Sticky emotions infiltrated Derick.

Suddenly, he recalled Elisia who had been drenched in wine a week ago.

***

Chloe carefully wandered around the mansion.

‘What a truly spacious and beautiful mansion.’

As befitting the Elphias family with its long history, the mansion also contained that many years. Yet it was elegant, graceful, and beautiful without any dilapidated areas.

Elisia’s extravagance was evident throughout, but that rather added to the mansion’s charm.

Suddenly, she recalled the Count’s residence. Though outwardly the Count’s family appeared prosperous, it was now gradually declining.

‘I don’t want to go back there.’

Remembering the Adelheit family mansion, Chloe shuddered and shook her head.

“I want to stay here forever…”

Startled by her unconsciously uttered wish, she quickly looked around. Fortunately, there was no one nearby.

“Phew.”

Finding no eavesdroppers, Chloe swallowed a sigh of relief.

She had barely managed to stay at the Grand Duke’s residence. Not wanting to ruin this opportunity, Chloe was careful about everything.

True to the rumors about losing her memory, Elisia didn’t torment her. Rather, she never encountered her, as if she didn’t know her. Even the servants’ attitudes had somehow completely changed.

Chloe’s cheeks flushed.

‘This is my opportunity.’

As she was looking around the mansion, Chloe stopped near the first-floor reception room. Recently, guests summoned by Elisia had been frequently coming and going.

At first, she had asked a maid who these guests were, but they all looked troubled and didn’t answer. It seemed Elisia had silenced them.

Just then, as if a guest had arrived, unfamiliar voices could be heard whispering. Chloe hid to eavesdrop on the conversation.

***

Madame Octavia, the most famous fashion designer in the empire who served the Elphias family, had tears in her eyes.

“My lady. Surely, surely you’re not severing ties with us? Are you?”

“No. It’s just that I won’t wear them anymore and it seems wasteful.”

“Sob… I, I was really shocked when I received the call. I thought my heart would drop.”

Madame Octavia’s family had exclusively handled all clothing for the Grand Duke’s Elphias household for generations. It was both a badge of honor and glory for her family.

After all, she had the exclusive right to serve the empire’s foremost Grand Duke’s family.

But when she heard recently that the Grand Duchess had disposed of her clothing, she had cried day and night, thinking, “She must be looking for a new dressmaker.”

“Then I will show you new dresses that would please you, my lady.”

“Ah, no. That’s fine.”

“My lady…”

The Madame’s eyes welled up with tears again. This woman, who appeared to be in her early fifties, certainly had many tears.

At that moment, Madame Octavia gazed at Elisia with tear-moistened eyes.

“By the way… my lady, your atmosphere has changed a bit. I see the rumors are true.”

“Rumors?”

“They said you had lost your memory.”

“Was such a rumor going around?”

“Yes. It spread throughout high society.”

It was difficult to confirm or deny. Elisia simply responded with a bright smile and let her silence serve as an answer.

“Then please show me one or two new dresses. I need to attend the Harmony Festival soon.”

“That’s right. You will be the most beautiful there too, my lady. I’ll show you the best dresses to make you stand out.”

Madame Octavia excitedly showed several dresses.

Being someone far removed from shopping, Elisia wanted to choose anything. But Madame Octavia’s passion wouldn’t leave her alone.

In the end, only after doing her best to select two new dresses could she send Madame Octavia away.

“My lady. You must call for me again next time, alright?”

“Of course.”

Madame Octavia didn’t let go of Elisia’s hand until she left the reception room.

“My lady, you’ve really changed in atmosphere.”