Ahmet refused to accept either the liquor or the necklace. Although he held the child tightly and showed no intention of letting go, Isabelle’s impatience drove her to force the valuables into his pocket.

“Take them, just take them. You’ll need them one day. Please, just take the child.”

“Princess, I don’t understand what’s going on…”

“This child is my everything. No, he’s my whole world. He’s as important to my husband as he is to me. Ahmet, consider this my rescue and please take Loui with you.”

With these words, Ahmet’s confusion disappeared. His eyes no longer widened in shock, and his face, once crumpled in despair, now showed clear concern.

In her urgency, Isabelle failed to notice the change in his demeanor.

Ahmet silently placed his hand on Loui’s forehead. The child, showing no signs of shyness, accepted his touch without hesitation.

“Warm.”

Ahmet murmured quietly. He whistled to his workers and soon a man dressed in similar clothes approached and took Loui into his arms.

Speaking in Partaye, Ahmet gave the man a few instructions before turning his attention back to Isabelle.

“He has a fever. The man who just took him has three sons of his own, so he’ll take good care of him.”

“Thank you, truly, thank you. I will repay this kindness, I swear, so please…”

“Princess, you saved my life. No matter how hard I try, it is far from possible to repay the debt I owe you. So please don’t talk about gratitude. That’s a feeling only I should express.”

The accompanying laughter was bitter. It showed more clearly than before, allowing Isabelle to perceive Ahmet’s feelings.

Soon her pale hand clasped his broad, russet one.

“…There is no time. Please return, Princess.”

“Something seems to be bothering you, Ahmet?”

Though Ahmet tried to free his hand at first, her pointed words, aimed directly at his inner thoughts, made him unable to continue the effort.

Isabelle lowered her eyes, trying to meet his as he kept his head down. Only when she succeeded in making him look at her did she continue speaking.

“Crossing the border won’t cause any trouble. He’s not a troublemaker. He’s good-hearted and will learn your trade quickly. Just treat him gently, Ahmet.”

“No, that’s not the point.”

“I will provide you with additional payment. Even though my circumstances are difficult, I can do something. So whatever you need…”

“I’m not asking for anything!”

It was the first time he shouted at her. Unlike Isabelle, who froze at his outburst, the others began to laugh at Ahmet.

The man holding the child even kicked Ahmet playfully in the shin, as if to tease a twelve-year-old boy in love.

But Isabelle didn’t recognize the mood. Her first love had been seventeen-year-old Arnaud, and her husband, impatient even as a child, had never hesitated to show his love openly.

“It’s not that… not at all…”

“Then what’s bothering you?”

He continued to bite his lips. Isabelle refrained from pressing him further, suspecting it was something he couldn’t share, but she didn’t stop him from thinking either.

“Lady Isabelle, it is time for you to return.”

“I understand. But… I need to hear it before I go.”

Unable to stand it any longer, Marie put her hand on Isabelle’s shoulder. But after seeing Ahmet’s hesitant lips, Isabelle couldn’t bring herself to leave so easily.

Marie was well aware of this. At the same time, she urged Isabelle to leave, while casting a sharp glance at Ahmet.

Marie’s strategy proved very effective. Ahmet took a decisive step towards her.

Isabelle, now with her hood removed, looked directly at him as if to show that she was ready to listen to whatever he had to say.

Ahmet, his eyes narrowed as he studied Isabelle, suddenly covered his mouth and turned away before speaking.

“Is this child… Lady Elisabeth’s son?”

It was only after hearing these words that Isabelle understood the look on Ahmet’s face. He had assumed that Loui was her own child.

She waved her hand dismissively, feigning lightheartedness, but she didn’t find Ahmet’s sudden relaxation entirely endearing. He was genuinely sad.

Though not as unexpectedly touching as Laurent’s, she was once again at a loss for words. All Isabelle could do was shake her head in response – or rather, she couldn’t do much more than that.

Despite Marie’s repeated urging to leave quickly, Isabelle lingered, staring at her for a long, long time before finally turning to leave.

So she had to hurry across the garden, but luckily she managed to avoid the guard shift. She also didn’t meet anyone who wasn’t bribed. Even the light-filled corridor and the quail carving escaped detection.

The sculpture was stored in a plain chest, as instructed. It had no patterns or gilded decorations.

This dawn had been filled with happy moments, and Isabelle felt that it was enough for her to let out a sigh as she sat on the edge of the bed.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“No, not especially today. This is usually the time when I’m haunted by dreams.”

Marie carefully folded the clothes that had been removed and placed them in one place. Instead of continuing the conversation, she approached Isabelle and began to untie her hair.

Isabelle silently accepted Marie’s touch as she untied her hair. Her ash-colored strands fell lightly over her shoulders, resembling linen flapping in the breeze.

As Isabelle gently ran her fingers through the waves a few times, a forgotten thought came to her. She turned her eyes to Marie.

“Marie, you…”

“Yes, Lady Isabelle?”

“The rose tea you used to bring me every night before bed…”

Marie’s hands faltered slightly as she combed Isabelle’s hair. Though the hesitation was slight, Isabelle noticed it, and her gaze became even more focused on Marie.

“Why didn’t you bring it today?”

“Ah, well, um, it’s… the rose tea…”

Marie was obviously confused.

The two of them shared a long history and a bond that had grown over time. Isabelle couldn’t miss Marie’s expression and the maid couldn’t stop herself from desperately searching for an excuse.

“Marie.”

“I’m sorry, Madame.”

Isabelle didn’t want to hear any excuses. The disappointment was inevitable.

Isabelle did not want to hear excuses. As her disappointment grew, she lowered her voice and said, “That’s not why I asked.”

Marie immediately put both hands on her stomach. Seeing this, Isabelle gently guided Marie to sit next to her.

“I’m not Madame to you, I’m Isabelle.”

“Yes, Lady Isabelle.”

“So I want you to allow me the same. Just as I’ve made room for you beside me, I hope you’ll share everything with me.”

At the same time, Isabelle gently held Marie’s hands. It was then that Marie finally looked directly at her. Isabelle held her gaze as well, watching her for a moment in silence.

She thought she would hear it if she waited, because she trusted Marie.

But the sound that reached her ears was different.

It came from not far away. It could have been a roar or a wail, but one thing was clear – it did not seem to be human.

“Ugh, aaaah, ah! Aaah! Aaaaaaagh!”

It was the sound of a strong young man being slaughtered. There was no less horrible way to describe it.

“Marie, what are you… what are you talking about?”

“Lady Isabelle.”

“Don’t just call and talk to me, okay? What on earth are you talking about?”

Isabelle couldn’t hold it in any longer and raised her voice.

Though the roar outside was much louder, making her outburst barely audible, she still pressed Marie for answers.

Each time Isabelle shook her, Marie’s lips trembled, and her reaction only increased Isabelle’s anxiety.

At the same time, a sense of foreboding began to overwhelm Isabelle’s mind.

Though unlikely, Oretique was a place capable of such horrors.

“Surely… that sound couldn’t be…”

“Lady Isabelle, I will tell you everything…”

“Then speak! Why don’t you explain, Marie!”

Isabelle couldn’t bring herself to ask if the screams belonged to Arnaud. The moment she did, she feared that Marie would nod in confirmation.

Whether she hesitated, turned away, or paused briefly, in the end she would simply bow her head in acknowledgment.

“Am I right in what I think?”

“The rose tea… and how I always fell into a deep sleep after drinking it… Say something, anything, before I go crazy!”

Her words were filled with emotion. Marie seemed to notice as well, her expression changing to one of desperation.

Her shoulders trembled slightly. It was as if she already knew that Isabelle might rush out at any moment. Marie grabbed Isabelle’s shoulders and met her eyes.

“Promise me you won’t go out. At least until dawn, promise me you’ll stay in your chambers.”

“You’re saying the same thing as Laurent. What exactly are you… what are you trying to hide from me?”

“I know your nature, Lady Isabelle. That’s why you must promise me that you won’t rush out.”

Isabelle was breathing hard now. Her gaze, fixed on Marie, was a mixture of doubt and unease, but in the end she had no choice but to nod.

Isabelle often reacted this way when it came to Arnaud.

As her head bowed, Marie followed her movement, lowering her own chin in acknowledgment, then pulling something from her waistband. Her other hand rested on Isabelle’s shoulder.

“This is a letter from Madame Lotur. A servant thrust it into my hands without warning.”

The letter was sealed.

Isabelle glanced between the letter and Marie before hastily breaking the seal and unfolding the contents. But there were no words on the paper – it was a perfect blank.