When she lifted her head, a familiar face came into view. There was only one man in the entire Mateo Empire who could have a face as flawless as this — one that, even when seen from below, showed no trace of humiliation.

“…Delphius.”

“It’s what you usually enjoy, isn’t it?”

Her husband smiled at her as he spoke, and Ilenia managed to nod. In truth, she had never been fond of sweets and rarely ate them, but she knew now was not the time to admit it.

“…Yes.”

“Here. The scones with cream you like.”

With fl*id grace, he moved his hand, filling the space before her with things one by one—black tea sweetened with honey, scones heaped with cream. They were stacked neatly before her, replacing the empty indecision that had once earned her ridicule.

“How did you find me here?”

“I noticed as I stepped out for a cigar.”

He gave a small flick of his index and middle fingers. A faint, smoky scent seemed to linger in the air—it came from him.

“As I’m sure you all know, I treasure my wife above all else. Truth be told, I wished to keep her to myself, but she insisted on attending this gathering, and so here we are.”

Delphius smiled warmly, his eyes fixed solely on Ilenia. Like a man desperately in love, he stroked her cheek without the slightest regard for the eyes watching.

“Since I’m here by my wife’s wish, I hope you’ll be kind to her.”

The ladies exchanged uneasy looks in silence, stricken by what had just happened. Perhaps they were stung by their own behavior.

only minutes ago. When there was no quick reply, Delphius straightened up.

“As for your efforts, I’ll be sure to speak directly with your husbands.”

“O-oh, my lord, there’s no need to trouble yourself…”

“Not at all. Rest assured, I’ll do my utmost so that my wife has nothing to make her uncomfortable.”

Voices rained down from all sides at once. Almost everyone present either had business dealings with Lukehardt or was waiting desperately for loans from his bank. Everyone hurried to speak, their manner almost frantic with fear of losing favor.

Moreover, there was Lukehardt himself, openly moving to shield his wife, offering assistance where she had faltered, and even issuing a warning. Realizing that he cherished her rather than scorned her, many faces lit up with smiles.

“Let’s get along well, Lady Lukehart.”

The hands that had been covering whispering mouths just moments ago were now clutching at Ilenia’s, as though she were a savior.

“Yes, me too, Lady, me too.”

Hurried voices came from all around. Yet even as he shifted the focus of the gathering, Delphius’s gaze remained fixed on Ilenia alone. After brushing her cheek once more, he finally withdrew his hand.

“Enjoy yourself, Ilenia.”

“Don’t worry, go on.”

“In that case, might I beg a favor? Could you ask my husband to drink in moderation? Once he starts, he hardly knows how to stop…”

“I’ll be sure to mention it.”

To the others, a mere nod sufficed for parting. Then Delphius crossed the garden, blending into the circle of men.

At once, a loud outcry broke, followed by waves of laughter.

The ladies stared after him as though spellbound. Delphius might have gone, but the impression he left behind lingered heavily in the air.

“Oh dear, the tea I prepared has gone cold. Allow me to make some fresh—you won’t mind waiting a moment, will you?”

It was Count Pablo’s wife who broke the uneasy silence. Her cheeks were flushed a lovely shade and glowed with warmth as she lifted the mood with graceful ease.

As the eyes fixed on her began to fall away one by one, Ilenia let out the breath she had been holding. Her tense shoulders ached with the release.

Delphius’s words had worked like magic. Even those who had previously looked down on her could only offer stiff, awkward smiles. They dared not sneer or deride her as they had before.

And yet, that was all. Ilenia still had no part in their conversations. She would only nod politely in reply when someone turned to her and asked, ‘Lady Lukehardt, don’t you agree?’

Even then, the gesture felt forced, and the thought would not leave her.

······ ✦ ✧ ✦ ······

At last, the banquet that had seemed endless came to a close. One by one, the guests stepped into their carriages.

“Lady Lukehardt.”

It was none other than Count Pablo’s wife who called out to her as she waited for Delphius.

“Ah, Countess Pablo. I’m truly grateful for your invitation to such a meaningful occasion.”

“You’ve worked hard today. It must have been quite difficult, wasn’t it?”

Ilenia could not bring herself to answer. Instead, she smiled, and the Countess returned the smile, as though she understood its significance.

“Today, you must have felt it keenly—that you need to strengthen yourself.”

“….”

“Lord Lukehardt is so flawless, so without fault, that many will look upon his wife as a blemish to be found, a flaw to be cut down.”

The faces of the women who had criticized her sprang to mind, and her complexion paled.

This gathering had been hosted by someone who was friendly towards Delphius. But what about those who were hostile towards him? Would they leave her alone when she was so easily hurt?

Beneath the curtain of hair falling across her face, her skin turned as white as snow. Countess Pablo, catching sight of this, let out a quiet sigh.

She was well into middle age, and she and her husband had no children. They had tried countless times and sought out every remedy and herb said to help, but the blessing they longed for had always eluded them.

“To bear no heir is a grave sin.”

By the time whispers spread that Countess Pablo was being quietly shunned in society, it was already too late.

Count Pablo had once taken his wife’s hand and said it plainly: they should no longer waste time trying for a child.

As a count, as the head of his house, he knew the weight of such a decision. Though the Countess had tried to dissuade him, he had only shaken his head in refusal.

“Haven’t we both done enough?”

From that day, Count Pablo turned his efforts not toward begetting an heir, but toward his business. Instead of taking a new wife, he adopted a child from a branch family.

And all of it was for one reason alone: to keep his wife from being scorned in society.

It was around then that the Countess herself had come to her senses. She told herself she could not remain idle while her husband struggled both at home and outside it.

What’s more, she now had a son—if not by blood, then by law. To raise him as a flawless heir of the Pablo line, she too would have to make every effort.

And here was the result.

No longer did whispers reach her ears. Those who had once cursed her as barren now held their tongues. Perhaps they still gossiped in hidden corners, but in her presence, every face wore a smile.

That was the Countess’s power, her strength.

It was why she wished so strongly to tell Ilenia. To spare her from the regret she herself had once tasted.

“Strengthen yourself, my lady. It is the only way to ensure that your peace and your life endure.”

The Countess clasped Ilenia’s hands with sincerity. Her seasoned, wise hands enveloped Ilenia’s smooth, white ones.

“Create a life apart from your husband, Ilenia.”

A life apart from Delphius.

It was something she had never once considered. For her, her days had always begun with Delphius. Always revolved around him.

When did it start? When did it become this way?

Ilenia tried to recall what she had once loved: Chatting idly with friends? Cutting out favorite articles and scraps from newspapers and magazines. Gazing blankly at the river’s edge.

And then, unbidden, the sea came to her mind.

What had become of that ticket? The unused passage to Ouk. Was it still in her drawer? Had someone taken it?

Lost in such thoughts, she was startled by a voice.

“Are you all right?”

At the sound of her name, Ilenia startled and lifted her gaze. Delphius was already seated in the carriage, his eyes fixed on her.

“Ah, yes. I’m fine…”

“Ilenia?”

The word she so often spoke—I’m fine—died on her lips. She hesitated, choosing her words with care, before finally speaking again, a little late.

“…I must have caused you trouble today. I’m sorry.”

“That was nothing, Ilenia. It was just a minor incident, not even worth calling a disturbance. If not you, they would have targeted someone else. There’s no need to worry.”

“Still…”

“I didn’t marry you for your place in society. Just your presence there today was more than enough.”

Though his reply was light, almost dismissive, Ilenia could not bring herself to answer. Countess Pablo’s words still buzzed faintly in her ears.

“My lord… Delphius.”

When his golden gaze turned on her, her hands clenched at her skirts where they rested neatly on her lap.

“I’ve been thinking… perhaps I should begin proper lessons in etiquette.”

“…”

“Being there today, I realized how lacking I am. My manners, my words… If I were to receive some training, perhaps I could improve, even just a little.”

“No. There’s no need.”

“…Delphius?”

His voice, cold and sharp, was unlike anything she had ever heard from him. Startled, her eyes flew wide.

“Do nothing, Ilenia.”