As usual, a letter arrived from my uncle in the afternoon after breakfast.
He wrote that he had heard about my divorce and inheritance matters through the news and expressed his deep condolences and sorrow over my past marriage. Other relatives also heard the news and sighed in distress.
Since I had no children after my marriage, my uncle had always treated me like a daughter. Even when my father passed away, he patted my back, telling me to rely on him whenever I needed.
To think that he still cared for me despite my silence after marriage… That alone showed how warm-hearted they were.
With a softened heart, I wrote a reply to my uncle.
It was a request for a face-to-face meeting, hoping to meet with the senior management at the estate I would visit in two days.
In reality, the Buell family’s business was the estate itself.
The livelihood of the estate’s residents depended more on mining than agriculture, with most of them working as miners. Since Lebron was traded at ten times the price of ordinary magic stones, the estate was more developed than its neighbors, and the residents had a relatively high economic standard.
Managing the estate and overseeing the business was no easy task. Entrusting the management to my uncle, who had extensive business knowledge, was the most practical solution.
Though my uncle was neither greedy nor ambitious and preferred a simple life, he had shared a close bond with my father and even co-sponsored nonprofit organizations. He would willingly take on the management role.
I set aside the letter to my uncle and then read the correspondence from the senior executives who were most involved in running the estate.
They had enthusiastically celebrated the news of my divorce. They hated Devon’s chaotic management style and were deeply attached to tradition and hereditary systems.
I wrote to them as well.
The letter requested that they compile a report on the current business status, clients, and quarterly revenue in preparation for my upcoming visit and meeting with my uncle.
With both letters in hand, I went to Rail to have them delivered.
“Understood.”
Rail accepted the letters with a bright smile.
I then crossed my arms and leaned against the railing, watching the direction he headed.
‘Could it still be passing through Edmund’s hands?’
I had my doubts.
There was nothing in the letters that Edmund couldn’t see.
But that was separate from the issue of being monitored.
Fortunately, Rail was heading in another direction.
‘He really isn’t monitoring anymore.’
In truth, Edmund was the type to keep his word even without the Binding Stone. He was upright and honest.
Still, confirming it with my own eyes gave me a sense of satisfaction.
A relationship built on trust, not vigilance.
For some reason, a faint smile formed on my lips at the unexpected relief.
I tapped the railing lightly and headed toward the garden, where Lilien would be.
Lilien and I sat side by side at the tea table in the garden, enjoying tea together. It was my favorite time of the day.
“I’m planning to go down to the estate for a few days.”
“What?”
Lilien lifted her head abruptly.
“When? For how long…?”
She looked sad, her eyes slightly downcast. Finding her expression endearing, I smiled and placed an almond cookie on her plate, hoping something sweet would lift her mood.
“In two days, for about two or three days? I have a lot to do—meeting with the executives, visiting my uncle, and so on.”
Actually, it was more than just ‘a lot.’
Adjusting the royal trade prices, delegating management to my uncle, resuming nonprofit sponsorships, managing the accessory subsidiary…
Ah, it felt suffocating.
I shut my eyes tightly for a moment. When I reopened them, Lilien tilted her head, studying my expression. I met her gaze and smiled.
“Anyway, I’ll be staying at the estate for a few days.”
“That’s disappointing. I can’t come with you, can I?”
“I’d love to show you around the estate, but I probably won’t have the time.”
The thought had crossed my mind. But once I arrived, I knew I’d be too busy to properly look after her.
As I furrowed my brows with a troubled expression, Lilien quickly waved her hands.
“Oh, no! Don’t worry about it. I was just being childish.”
“Alright, then. I’ll invite you on a nice day so we can go together.”
Lilien’s cheeks flushed slightly as she smiled brightly.
“I’ll look forward to it. Please take care and come back safely.”
Ah, how adorable.
I chuckled warmly, tempted to pinch her soft cheeks, but treating a noble lady like a child would be impolite.
“Then, while I’m gone, you’ll eat well and sleep properly, right?”
“Of course!”
“And if someone forcefully asks to see you, don’t meet them. Also, be careful about offers involving money.”
“Ah.”
My last remark must have struck a nerve, as Lilien widened her eyes in surprise.
She averted her gaze, hastily sipping her tea with a slurping sound. Then, she sneaked a glance at me, lowering her teacup slightly.
“I-I was just so angry when I saw him… And I was worried he might approach you again…”
“So, if he comes again, will you meet him?”
“N-No! Never!”
Lilien shook her head vigorously.
“Good. That’s all that matters.”
Satisfied, I smiled and took a sip of tea.
At the time, I had appreciated her support and firm stance, but I never wanted her to meet Verita again.
Well, now that Verita had been firmly rejected, he probably wouldn’t return.
But why did I still feel uneasy? Maybe it was the memory of Verita’s pitiful last appearance at the café, slumped over in despair.
It wasn’t as if she had the means or power to do anything.
“Etricia?”
I suddenly met Lilien’s round eyes.
“It’s nothing.”
Shaking off my stray thoughts, I stood up and returned to the mansion. Then, I asked Rail about Edmund’s return time.
He replied that Edmund would be arriving soon, though his face bore a hint of curiosity.
“I need to visit the Buell estate soon. I’ll be away for a while, so I should inform the master of the house.”
“I see. He will likely be disappointed.”
“Who? Lilien?”
“Haha, who knows?”
Rail chuckled ambiguously, adjusting his monocle. The chain clinked against his shirt collar.
Now that I thought about it, Rail often fixed his monocle when bowing or pouring water for me.
Wasn’t it uncomfortable?
“Rail, do you wear a monocle because it’s comfortable?”
He gave a polite smile and replied,
“No, it’s to maintain a dignified appearance as a butler.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
It didn’t look dignified at all. He resembled a child wearing something too mature for him. Suppressing a grin, I nodded and passed the time in my room until a commotion outside drew me to the terrace.
Edmund had just stepped out of a carriage, issuing instructions to Rail with a cold gaze and firmly set lips.
He looked so distant.
Edmund dealt with the servants with a blank expression, looking unrealistically beautiful, as if he had not a single flaw.
It felt strange to think that such a man had once knelt and made a vow to me.
What kind of expression did he have back then?
I was pretty sure it wasn’t the same face he had now.
Just then, Edmund noticed me.
His cold eyes, which had swept over the terrace, slightly widened and were soon filled with warmth.
“What are you doing there?”
Seeing that expression surprised me a little.
Since when did he look at me like that?
For a moment, it felt like I had crossed the line between being a stranger and someone important to him.
“Ah, little bro—”
I almost called him that but bit my lip slightly when I realized there were servants around him.
“I was waiting because I have something to tell the Duke of Mipedian.”
“I see. I’ll come up right away.”
Not long after he said that, Edmund arrived on the terrace.
Maybe because his height was different from others, he moved so fast.
As I leaned on the railing, I smiled brightly, lost in a random thought.
“Did you visit the estate again today? Managing a territory must be really hard, right?”
“Well…”
Edmund nodded lightly, then met my eyes.
“Is that what you were waiting to talk about?”
“No, do you remember what I said before going on vacation? About managing the estate and the new business?”
“I remember.”
“That’s good. So about that, for a while—”
Just then, the wind blew in the opposite direction.
It was a damp and strong breeze, unusual for early summer.
Maybe it was because the rainy season was near.
My hair lifted and scattered from the wind, so I gathered it together, annoyed.
As I did, the loose strands tickled my cheeks and nose.
‘Ah, it’s itchy.’
I rubbed my cheek and nose with the back of my hand and tried to gather my hair again.
Even though Edmund was standing across from me, waiting, all my focus was on the hair that kept slipping from my hands. I was just starting to feel awkward when—
Whoosh.
A familiar scent came over me.
When I opened my eyes, Edmund’s chest was suddenly right in front of me.
Without hesitation, he reached behind my neck and gently brushed up my falling hair.
At the same time, his cold fingertips slowly touched the back of my neck.
A strange mix of chills and tickles ran down my spine, sending shivers up to my scalp.
“……”
Edmund, with his shoulders slightly tense, looked down at me with a questioning gaze, then tucked the stray strands of hair between his fingers.
“Is that better?”
His pleasant voice rang in my ears, bringing me back to my senses in an instant.
“Ah, thank you.”
My voice, unfortunately, trembled a little.
Edmund slowly blinked in response, then stepped back.
I tightly tied my hair as if not wanting to leave a single strand loose, then turned my body toward the railing.
