Edmund was dressed in a tunic as white and radiant as his silver hair, paired with flowing silk trousers.
When the wind swept over him, the outline of his well-toned body became clearly visible.
One side of his hair was neatly pulled back, allowing the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves to cast fleeting glimmers on his exposed forehead—and in his amber-colored eyes. The way the light played on them, like finely cut gemstones, was mesmerizing.
‘Ah, that face should really be preserved in a national museum.’
It was no wonder Lady Antra was so captivated that she could barely eat.
For a brief moment, his gaze landed on me.
Caught in the act of secretly admiring him, I hurriedly lowered my eyes in embarrassment—only to see that his shirt had come undone, revealing his solid physique.
The sight of his strong neckline and smooth skin made me quickly turn my head away.
“…What exactly were you looking at just now?”
His voice trembled slightly as he asked.
“Looking? What do you mean? I wasn’t looking at anything.”
My heart pounded in shock, but I turned back to him with a feigned look of innocence.
…Wait, why is he buttoning up his shirt now? And with that disgusted look in his eyes?
His expression reminded me of when I first saw him on the opera house steps. I wanted to explain that the shirt coming undone was just an accident and that I had merely been looking at his face, but my lips only moved soundlessly.
I couldn’t bring myself to say it. It was just too embarrassing.
As I gave an awkward smile, Edmund furrowed his brows, sensing something amiss.
“You seem more excited than when we left the estate.”
“Well, of course! The sea is beautiful, the weather is perfect, and the breeze is refreshing.”
Grateful for the change in topic, I immediately responded.
Edmund, who had let go of his shirt, blinked slowly.
“That’s not what I meant. It seems like something particularly good has happened to you.”
A chill ran down my spine. How did this man always manage to see through everything?
I hesitated for a moment, and when I didn’t answer right away, a knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
In truth, after arriving at the retreat and heading to the restaurant, I had received a message from Rainbutton via the communication device Lilien had gifted me.
While searching Devon’s office, they had discovered a diary that my late father had used.
His official will contain only legal and business matters, and his portrait had been burned beyond recognition.
In a way, this diary was the only personal trace Count Buell had left behind for me.
However, our trip was too long for me to return and retrieve it, and waiting endlessly felt agonizing. When I informed them of my location, they arranged to send the diary to Mipedian Villa.
That must have been why I seemed more elated than when we departed.
Just as I awkwardly laughed and rubbed my cheek with the back of my hand, the group who had gone to view the cliffs returned.
“Lady Etricia!”
Lilien, looking ecstatic, grabbed both my hands. She eagerly described the breathtaking beauty of the cliffs and suggested I go see them myself.
I smiled, evading the question, and she looked a little disappointed that I had missed out.
Meanwhile, Lady Antra passed by with an irritated expression.
‘Oh dear, she’s quite upset.’
Even as our group boarded the carriage, I could feel her sharp glare aimed at me.
I chuckled at how adorable her jealousy was. She saw me as a competitor, even though I was soon to be divorced. Should I be flattered or advise her not to let personal feelings show so easily?
Soon, Baron Antra pulled the Mipedian siblings aside for a private conversation, leaving me alone with Lady Antra by the carriage.
I quietly fanned myself as she approached, her lips twitching in dissatisfaction.
But the moment our eyes met, she forced a bright smile.
“My lady, I imagine there wasn’t much to see below the cliffs. What did you think of the view?”
Her voice was sweet and coquettish, but the real meaning was clear: ‘What were you doing down there with Edmund?’
She was still young and inexperienced. If you show your hostility first and then act friendly, it only makes people less inclined to talk.
I narrowed my eyes slightly and replied, “Lady Antra, it wouldn’t be right to speak so dismissively of a landmark your father takes great pride in. The dense bushes at the entrance prevent encounters with wild animals, and thanks to the sturdy cliffs, countless tourists have visited safely.”
I spoke in a lecturing tone, as if worried she might make the same mistake elsewhere. Her face turned crimson with embarrassment.
‘I really should have just ignored it.’
But just because I found her adorable didn’t mean I would tolerate an attack.
Sorry, dear, but I’ve survived a burning mansion and a kidnapping. Childish mind games won’t work on me.
Lady Antra bit her lip and glared at me, her eyes burning with fury.
‘She seems like a spoiled child…’
People like her sometimes lashed out when things didn’t go their way.
“Aren’t you embarrassed, my lady? Even if you’re getting divorced, there are plenty of places to stay. You don’t have to impose on the Mipedian estate.”
News of my impending divorce had spread through the imperial newspapers, so of course, she knew.
Predictably, her voice grew louder in frustration.
“Don’t you think it’s shameless?”
“You’re overstepping, my lady.”
“S-Still! Lilien and the duke must find it troublesome but can’t say anything because they’re too polite!”
“I understand your feelings, but don’t demean their kindness out of jealousy. That’s an ugly thing to do.”
As I struck at her pride, Lady Antra’s face flushed hotly. Her eyes flickered with rage before she suddenly shoved me.
Before I could react, I collided with something firm—rather than a wall, it was a body. The crisp fabric of a shirt brushed against my cheek, and when I looked up, I found myself staring at Edmund’s strong jawline.
He was much closer than I had expected.
Neither of us had noticed him approach—Lady Antra had been too worked up, and he had moved without a sound.
As I instinctively shifted, thinking I had lost my balance, a large hand firmly grasped my shoulder.
Then, his golden eyes swept over me, checking my condition, before turning to Lady Antra with a piercing glare.
“What did you just say?”
His voice was sharp, like a judge passing a sentence. The tense air between us suddenly seemed laughable in comparison.
Lady Antra’s face went deathly pale.
“I-I… The Countess insulted me first, so I—”
“So, you threatened a guest of the Mipedian estate?”
At this moment, I was the Mipedian family’s guest, meaning any disrespect toward me could be considered an insult to the duke.
Lady Antra’s face crumpled in humiliation, tears welling up in her eyes.
Edmund let out a deep sigh and rubbed his temples. He probably felt like a bully towering over a trembling rabbit.
I decided to end things before it got worse.
“We just had a misunderstanding.”
Lady Antra looked up at me, stunned.
And Edmund was watching.
“Yes, yes! Y-You’re right! I must have misunderstood!”
Thankfully, she had some sense.
Her eyes kept glancing sideways as if trying to read my thoughts, but whether it was because she realized I held her fate in my hands or simply because she was choked up, she stayed quiet with her shoulders slightly hunched.
Then Edmund’s narrowed eyes turned to me for a moment, as if displeased, and then moved away.
“I see.”
Since I, the one directly involved, had spoken in her favor, it seemed like he decided to let it go peacefully.
Though, I thought I heard a sigh from above my head.
Even as she let out a sigh of relief, Lady Antra didn’t lower her guard.
She must have known—even as young as she was—that Edmund hadn’t been fooled, but had chosen to show her mercy.
Edmund’s hand, which had been resting on my shoulder, moved away.
Instead of feeling relieved, my shoulder suddenly felt a little cold, even empty.
“Lady Etricia!”
“Oh ho, here you are.”
With the late arrival of Lilien and Baron Lupois, the meeting came to a safe end.
As we were leaving, Lady Antra quietly followed her father, glancing at me from time to time.
In her faintly colored eyes, I could see a mix of defeat and confusion.
It was as if she were asking, “Why did you help me?”
I neither smiled nor scolded her with sharp eyes.
I just met her gaze with an emotionless look.
To make her reflect a little.
Maybe, from this, even that young lady would realize that rushing in with only emotions could lead to disaster.
An experience so terrifying it chilled her spine might become a turning point in her life, one that helped her grow beyond just being spoiled.
As I thought about that, my eyes were drawn to the scenery quickly passing by outside the carriage window.
Then, I suddenly felt a gaze on me.
It was Edmund.
