Ariella’s delicate brow furrowed.

“The charm of a garden… isn’t it all the same?”

Ilenia quietly shook her head.

She recalled one of her mother’s many pastimes: the kitchen garden. At times it yielded vegetables for their table, at others, flowers to be sold at market. With each new seed, the way of tending shifted, and as far as Ilenia knew, even blossoms of the same kind could not always be raised in the same way.

The shape a plant took bore the mark of its keeper. Every branch that reached outward carried the imprint of the affection that had nurtured it.

“Naturally, each region has its favored flowers, and fashions dictate how gardens are arranged. But when it comes to raising something living, no two are ever truly alike, Lady Calante. If you take a look around, I believe you’ll see it for yourself.”

She knew well that sarcasm would never pierce her. Even so, Ariella could only draw a sharp breath, half in vexation. Was such unshakable composure the nature of women from the countryside?

At this rate, she would find herself swept up by Ilenia’s calm poise, dragged into touring a greenhouse she had no wish to see. Ariella pressed her hand against her pale cheek, swallowing her irritation.

“My body is too delicate… unlike Lady Lukehardt, who can stand tall for hours, I cannot remain on my feet so long.”

“If you are unwell, perhaps you might rest in the lounge for a while?”

Her wide eyes shone with nothing but earnest concern. It was as though she would leap forward and steady Ariella herself if she were allowed to.

Of course, the lounge was located beyond the greenhouse. Suggesting she rest there was, in truth, not much different from telling her to leave altogether if she felt unwell.

‘For a mere Hildebalt woman to carry herself as though she were of Lukehardt blood was unthinkable.’

Calante was the only one who could stand beside Lukehardt. No one else could claim to be his match. And yet here was Hildebalt, this insignificant woman, pretending to be something she was not and slipping into a place that was not suited to her.

“Never mind. I didn’t mean I was about to collapse this instant.”

And so, it was decided that a seat would be brought for the Lady of Calante. Or rather—it seemed as though the matter was settled.

“Ilenia, you must look after her. Wasn’t it your presence that convinced her to come in the first place?”

Ilenia had tried her best to keep some distance from Lady Calante, but now her mother, Lady Hildebalt, clutched at her skirts, refusing to relent.

“Among all here, you alone are acquainted with her. Who else could possibly attend to the Marquis’s daughter? No one but you!”

And so, urged forward against her own will, Ilenia found herself seated across from Lady Calante, forcing down her unease as she lifted her head.

Ariella gave a mocking laugh at the sight. Those tense shoulders, that stiff posture—perhaps a slight improvement from before, yet still unbearably awkward to her eyes.

‘Why had Delphius chosen such a woman?’

Her lineage, her beauty, every quality she possessed paled beside Ariella’s own. And yet, he had brought this woman to his side, granting her the place that should have been hers. Ariella could not fathom it.

She had asked him once, but Delphius had evaded every question, while his brothers claimed to know nothing.

Even after they had married, he had never introduced Ilenia to his family. Instead of taking her back to the castle, he chose to stay in his residence in the capital.

Ariella remembered it vividly: the day, only weeks ago, when she had stormed unannounced into his office.

“…What are you doing here?”

The office was empty. Though Ariella had claimed the seat as though it were hers, Delphius did not so much as bat an eye.

“Let’s talk.”

“Regrettably, I don’t believe we have anything to discuss. I’m busy, so if you’ll excuse me?”

“Marriage! I’m talking about your marriage!”

She had been sitting in his office for what felt like an eternity, repeatedly picking up and putting down the cold teacup he had left behind. Finally, her patience snapped.

“Why did you do it? And while I was away recovering, no less!”

“Lady Calante, could you say anything more foolish?”

“Was it because the Duke of Lukehardt changed the succession conditions?”

“You know it well.”

“Then why not tell me?”

“Ariella.”

His cold gaze struck her like a lash.

“Are you asking me to become the kind of man who steals his brother’s fiancée?”

“You could, if you wanted to. Since when have you ever cared for family with such tenderness?”

Delphius’s fine brow had drawn tight, yet Ariella pressed forward, unwilling to relent. No matter how she turned it over, she could not comprehend.

The thing he despised above all else was family. Second only to that, those who wasted their own wealth and power. That deep-seated distrust and loathing had clung to him since childhood, both wound and fuel alike.

And now, was he truly sparing his family’s feelings? Impossible. This was Delphius. He was not the sort of man who could ever bend in such a way.

“Is this because of my father? Because the Marquis of Calante would not accept you?”

“That’s enough.”

“Enough? Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”

She could no longer suppress the flood of emotions welling up inside her. Given her fragile health, even the slightest agitation overwhelmed her, and she was already being assailed by waves of coughing and dizziness.

Her father, the Marquis of Calante, had once tried to mould her through strict discipline, insisting that if she could carry herself like a true noblewoman, she would learn to control her feelings.

However, a child’s temperament was stronger than any lesson. Her training lasted only a day. The moment it ended, she collapsed, burning with fever, and was delirious for three nights — and with that, her education was abandoned.

“Delphi. You must never forget that you owe me your life. You belong to me. You must never slip out of my hands—never. You are, and always have been, mine…”

“Calm yourself. Your breathing is too strained.”

She only realized that something was wrong once she was already in Delphius’s arms. Leaning against him, she caught the faint scent of cigars mingled with woody spice. His steady, familiar hand patted her shoulder — the same hand that had comforted her since childhood. Perhaps that was why her breathing gradually slowed and she grew calm once more.

“…I can’t understand. Why did you marry her? You had other choices.”

“And every one of them you turned away.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Delphi. If you had truly wanted it, my interference would have meant nothing.”

No—could it be? Ariella lifted her head sharply from where she leaned against his chest.

“…Don’t tell me you love her?”

“I only thought it was the right opportunity. There’s no deeper sentiment.”

“Then after you inherit the dukedom, will you divorce her?”

“…”

For once, Delphius — who had parried every word so easily until now — fell silent.

Her rising agitation burst out again, her voice edged with desperation.

“Why won’t you answer me!”

“I will never divorce her. I have no intention of it.”

“Then what about me—”

“It’s time you went home. The moment I realized you were here, I sent word. Someone from Calante should be arriving soon.”

The memory of Delphius refusing to give her the answer she wanted brought a fresh wave of irritation. How had the boy who had once been so easily swayed by her words grown into such a defiant man?

Her searching gaze turned towards Ilenia. Perhaps the reason lay with the woman before her.

“How is Delphi faring?”

“He is well, Lady Calante.”

“How curious. By now, I thought his fickleness would have run its course.”

A woman who had appeared out of nowhere—met, of all times, while Ariella had been away at a villa recovering. The timing was too perfect to be mere coincidence.

“Delphius must find it difficult. To think, the wife he’s taken cannot even manage a single estate, and finds the simplest invitations too burdensome to face, choosing instead to hide.”

“I apologize for showing such shortcomings.”

“Do you imagine an apology to me changes anything? In the end, it is Delphi who bears the weight of it all.”

Ariella’s lips curled in a sharp, crooked smile.

“And yet I cannot fathom it. What possible benefit do you hold, that he keeps you at his side?”

Ilenia could barely bear her scornful gaze and the sweetness of her voice, which veiled a sharp barb. The fragile pride she had painstakingly rebuilt trembled, threatening to crumble.

For a moment, her chin dipped, but she caught herself, gripping the fabric of her skirt tightly.

‘No, not before this woman. Not until every word has been spoken will I allow my head to bow.’

Summoning her composure, Ilenia curved her lips into a smile.

“I appreciate your concern, but our affairs are for us to resolve.”

“What did you say?”

“I mean that my husband’s matters are mine to manage, Lady Calante.”

‘Do not concern yourself with another household’s private life.’

The blunt words struck home. Ariella’s face flushed crimson at once.

“Lady Lukehardt. I was only offering you counsel. Do not burden Delphius any further. He has lived his whole life wearied by his physical limits.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“…Ah.”

It was only the briefest flicker of doubt, but Ariella seized the opening at once. Her eyes rounded, gleaming with ridicule as her lips curled.

“He never told you? Truly?”

Her gaze flaunted its triumph, reveling in the advantage she now held.

“So you’ve only ever been husband and wife in name? In that case, I needn’t trouble myself further. You’ll find your own way to ruin.”

Wearing a smile of satisfaction, she rose to her feet. There was no reason to waste another moment here.

“Well then, I’ll be on my way. It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Lukehardt.”