Before long, Rail followed Edmund into the office, pulling out the vibrating communicator with a slight frown. He glanced at Edmund, who was heading straight for his desk.
“Tale sent a telegram. He said that everything you instructed, including Devon, has been completed. But…”
Seated at his desk, Edmund raised an eyebrow and looked up.
Rail swallowed once and then spoke.
“He’s asking what to do about Lady Etricia. It seems he’s concerned because Lady Lilien might have been hurt by her previous slip of the tongue.”
Rail was secretly nervous as he asked the question. At first, he had also kept a sharp eye on Etricia, treating her as a threat.
After all, he had almost died because of her misdeeds. No matter how he tried, he couldn’t see her in a positive light.
However, after learning about her unfortunate and complicated past and witnessing her defiance against her husband’s family, his resentment shifted toward them instead.
Not only him but also the servants felt the same. On the day Devon trespassed, they wiped their tears with handkerchiefs and wished for her happiness.
But their master was different.
He showed no mercy to enemies or even to allies who betrayed their loyalty. Though he occasionally displayed a humane side to his people, it was always temporary. Before long, he would raise an icy wall bristling with thorns—enough to make even his allies shudder.
Rail cautiously turned his gaze, watching his master’s expressionless face.
His sharp demeanor had softened a little, and he had shown a subtle change earlier… but still.
As Rail licked his lips anxiously, waiting for an answer that wasn’t coming—
“Tell them to withdraw the surveillance and assign her a guard instead.”
Rail’s eyes brightened at the dry voice that struck his ears. He gripped the communicator tightly.
“Understood. I’ll relay the message.”
With that, Rail quickly left the office with a lighter step. As the door closed, a chill breeze swept in.
Edmund leaned back in his chair, letting out a languid sigh as the wind brushed against his cheek.
Tap. Tap.
Lost in thought, he rhythmically tapped the table with his fingers.
Lilien, the victim of the incident, had forgiven Etricia.
Moreover, it was determined that she was not a threat to his sister or to the Mipedian ducal house.
In that case, it wasn’t strange for him to lower his guard as well. The problem, however, was that the sequence of events was backward.
Ha.
A faint, crooked smile appeared on Edmund’s lips.
Pity. That emotion had led him to forgive her before he even realized it. He had even gone so far as to explain her circumstances to his sister and urge her to forgive her.
Edmund rubbed his furrowed brow.
When had it started? Was it when she was slapped by Devon? Or when she comforted the young version of himself? Or perhaps during the kidnapping?
Looking back, it wasn’t strange for him to feel sympathy. Anyone who knew her circumstances, even the most heartless person, would have pitied her at least once.
Yes, that was all it was.
She was simply his pitiful sister’s friend now.
Edmund rationalized his actions with that thought and convinced himself.
Then, as if he had never been lost in thought, he refocused on his work with a neutral expression.
Though he occasionally furrowed his brow, unsettled by a lingering sense of unease, he had no intention of dwelling on it. The confusion had already been resolved.
Yet, strangely, that day, he found it difficult to concentrate.
It was the day of the promised summer retreat with Lilien.
Having finished my preparations early, I waited in the garden with a parasol, anticipating Lilien and Edmund’s arrival. I felt like an excited child unable to sleep before a trip.
Turning my head, I watched the front gate. The servants bustled about, loading luggage onto the carriage and checking the horses while glancing at me.
‘Maybe I came out too early. I feel bad.’
I let out a bitter chuckle and lifted my head.
The lace on the edge of my parasol fluttered.
The blazing sun in the clear blue sky, the fresh greenery, and the damp breeze all signaled early summer.
‘Ah, it’s the perfect day for a retreat.’
Despite the stinging sunlight, I couldn’t help but smile.
My excitement wasn’t just about the trip itself. Only today, as we left for the summer retreat, did it truly sink in—I was finally free from my husband’s family.
Early in the morning, a petition from Viscount Dien arrived. Amusingly, his household was even more chaotic than I had expected.
The plea wasn’t about his son, Devon. Instead, he begged to keep his position as a local administrator.
I stopped reading halfway and tore up the letter. While he hadn’t directly harmed me, he had neglected me for his own benefit over the past four years.
More than anything—
‘He unleashed the creature called Devon upon society.’
That was his greatest crime.
Ah, how refreshing.
Of course, I couldn’t be completely at ease yet. The divorce hadn’t been finalized. Since I filed the request alone while Devon was incapacitated, a one-month deliberation period was imposed.
But at least during this retreat, I could forget about it and enjoy myself.
“Lady Etricia!”
Hearing Lilien’s voice, I beamed and turned my head. She was running towards me, holding onto her sun hat.
Her ivory dress, embroidered with sunflowers, and her tightly pressed hat made her look absolutely radiant.
‘Ah, how adorable.’
Not long ago, Lilien had been upset with me. But after helping with the flower beds, she had completely softened. More than that—she now followed me around like a loyal puppy.
As I thought about it, Lilien finally reached me, slightly breathless.
“I’m sorry! Did you wait long? I took a bit of time packing…”
With her flushed cheeks and bright smile, she was clearly excited about the retreat.
“No, not at all. I came out early because I was excited.”
Lilien smiled, her dark brown eyes gleaming. As the wind played with her hair, I noticed a familiar figure beyond her.
Edmund was stepping out of the mansion, being seen off by the servants. Unlike his usual attire, he was dressed more casually for the trip.
He was giving instructions to Rail as he approached us.
I smiled playfully. “Shall we go?”
With that, I took a step forward, feeling an oddly piercing gaze on the back of my head.
The sound of cool waves hitting the ears—this place was the eastern coast of the Empire.
A wide open sky and an emerald-colored sea.
The horizon looked like a streak of navy paint, as beautiful as an oil painting.
Near the beach stood a villa owned by the Duke of Mipedian
A single white cloud, pushed by the sea breeze, sat on the edge of a cliff surrounded by a fence.
The hill, full of wildflowers and grass, was a famous spot for proposals.
I didn’t like the salty taste of the sea and disliked going into the water even more,
but I did enjoy the sea breeze touching my cheeks and the feeling of sand melting in my hand
—
So this place was a satisfying summer getaway for me.
It wasn’t even peak season, so no crowds came, which was perfect for someone like me who hated busy places…
Still, I stared at the person across from me with a sour face.
