Chapter 43
“Rikai, had you ever met your foster father while your parents were still alive?”
“No, miss. I first met him after the Duke passed away. The Duke had gotten in contact with someone who claimed to know his younger brother, and he died in an accident on his way to meet that person.”
“Then with your parents gone, how did anyone know that your foster father was my father’s brother?”
“I heard he had documents to prove it. But I was just a mere servant—I wasn’t allowed to check those papers myself.”
“Who verified those documents?”
“I’m not sure. Likely one of the noblemen.”
It couldn’t have been just any noble. It must’ve been someone both close to her father and respected enough among the other nobles to verify such claims.
She realized that once they returned to the capital, the first thing she had to do was investigate which noble families had been close to her parents. It wouldn’t be easy to dig up connections that had faded nearly ten years ago.
Tirzen had been silently listening to the conversation between her and Rikai. As usual, his face was unreadable, making it seem like he didn’t care in the slightest.
This was a personal matter, and she didn’t expect him to involve himself anyway.
But when her gaze flickered to his hand, she noticed his fingers clenched into a fist—so tight the knuckles had gone white.
After saying their goodbyes, they stepped outside. A pleasant breeze was blowing off the sea. Walking just ahead of her, his back looked broad and reassuring.
“Thank you for walking me back.”
He stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. He didn’t move again until she came to stand beside him.
They hadn’t exchanged many words on the walk back to the villa, but his silent presence had given her a deep sense of comfort.
Ever since the social gathering where she’d met Gustao, Leticia had been walking on air every day.
She opened her wardrobe and pulled out the dress she’d set aside in preparation.
Today, she and Gustao were going on a picnic to the lake outside the capital. It wasn’t just the two of them, but since he had invited her, it felt like a date nonetheless.
As she held the dress up to herself in front of the mirror, she sighed.
“If only Elysia were still around, I could’ve used her to get a new dress and shoes.”
Leticia often relied on Elysia as her personal ATM, using her to buy anything she wanted.
Left with no better option, she picked the best dress she already owned and left the Marais ducal estate.
When she arrived at the meeting spot, Gustao was already surrounded by several women, as were the rest of the partygoers. Leticia boldly approached him, wedging herself through the crowd.
“You’re here early, Gustao. When are we leaving? Are the carriages not here yet?”
“They’re right over there. We’ve only got ten people—two carriages are enough.”
He gestured toward two commercial-use carriages parked nearby. Five couples in total, but only two carriages?
“Oh dear, it looks like Lady Beck was hoping for a private carriage. Planning to spend some alone time inside?” one woman sniped.
Leticia flushed, clearly caught off guard.
“I just meant the carriages seemed a little cramped, that’s all.”
“We’re seating five per carriage. What’s cramped about that?”
Leticia wanted nothing more than to scratch that woman’s face with her nails—but not in front of Gustao. She forced herself to stay calm, smugly thinking that jealousy was only natural when you had such a great man at your side.
Leticia and four other women climbed into one of the carriages.
Not wanting to sit in the middle, Leticia chose a spot near the door.
“The first person in should sit inside,” said one of the other women, pushing her toward the middle seat.
“Why are you pushing me? You sit in the middle.”
“You’re not even paying for the ride. Lord Berato covered your fare—if you don’t like it, get off.”
Hearing that Gustao hadn’t even bothered to pay for her fare himself, Leticia let herself be shoved into the uncomfortable middle seat. With no armrest to hold onto, she clung to the edge of the seat with both hands, but the carriage rocked so much she kept lurching side to side, unable to stay upright.
By the time they reached the lake, her dress was wrinkled and her carefully styled hair was a mess.
“Good thing I brought a hand mirror,” she muttered.
Leticia checked her reflection and began adjusting her appearance.
While Tirzen had his servants load the last of the luggage, Elysia stepped outside with Merbel. Though their stay had been short, she’d grown fond of the place—and felt reluctant to leave.
“I wonder if we’ll ever come back here.”
“…One day, probably,” Elysia said with a nod.
If she married Tirzen, they would return someday. Their marriage was one of mutual need—a contract marriage—but not a temporary one.
“His Highness’s carriage never fails to impress me.”
As the coachman brought it around, Merbel stared in awe, gently stroking the polished exterior.
“If only you had a carriage like this, miss.”
“What I’ve got now is more than enough.”
“You really should learn to want more, miss.”
“If you need a carriage, I’ll provide one,” a voice said behind them.
“Eek!”
Merbel, who had been grumbling quietly, quickly shut her mouth as Tirzen spoke.
“I—I’ll go double-check that we haven’t forgotten anything.”
She scurried away, leaving the awkwardness to Elysia.
“Don’t mind her. She was just talking nonsense.”
“Just remember—you’re allowed to ask me for anything you need. Our agreement includes many things.”
She knew he meant it, but still shook her head. Their relationship wasn’t public or official enough for her to feel comfortable making such requests.
“Maybe once I’ve earned that right.”
“As you wish,” Tirzen replied coolly.
Kais, having loaded the last of the luggage, clapped his hands and smiled.
“All set.”
“I’m ready, too.”
When Elysia offered her hand to board the carriage, Tirzen stepped forward and helped her up.
“We’ll see you in the capital, Lady Marais.”
“Aren’t you coming with us?”
“I have things to attend to. But I’ll help you aboard first.”
She didn’t need his help, but saw no reason to refuse the gesture—until Tirzen abruptly pulled her hand away from Kais’s outstretched one.
“Thanks for your help. You’re dismissed.”
He spoke with the curt finality of someone swatting away a nuisance. Kais lowered his hand, awkward and a bit stunned.
Elysia felt bad for him, even if he was just Tirzen’s aide. It felt unnecessarily rude.
Trying to lighten the mood, she gave Kais a bright smile.
“Take care, Kais.”
“You too, Lady Marais. I hope your journey is pleasant.”
With a sly smile, Kais winked.
Puzzled by his expression, Elysia tilted her head—only for Tirzen to tug her firmly into the carriage.
“That’s enough of a goodbye.”
His stiff expression told her not to argue, so she quietly obeyed.
‘He was fine during breakfast. What’s got him all wound up now?’
Ever since the boating accident, Tirzen had become more attentive and considerate toward her. But every so often, without warning, he’d act like this—short-tempered and hard to read.
“Lighten up, Your Grace,” Kais muttered.
Mounted on his horse, he glanced back at Tirzen and chuckled.
His suspicions were growing more certain. Whatever feelings Tirzen had for Elysia, they were clearly changing—and Kais saw that as a good thing.
“Quit your nonsense and go finish the task I gave you.”
“No one’s comforted by a scowl, you know. Try not to be so uptight, Your Grace.”
Kais laughed to himself as Tirzen’s scowl deepened.
It looked like he’d have plenty more opportunities to tease him in the future.
After sending Kais off, Tirzen boarded the carriage.
Elysia, seeing him enter, awkwardly turned her head to look out the window.
Silence fell between them—an uncomfortable one.
Thankfully, Roena and Merbel began chatting now and then, filling the space with enough noise to ease the tension.
Tirzen, though pretending to be uninterested, kept stealing glances at Elysia. She, on the other hand, made no attempt to hide her discomfort.
“Brother, can we stop by Lake Flor on the way?” Roena asked just as Tirzen glanced at Elysia.
Elysia’s gaze stayed on the scenery outside, but her ears perked up. Tirzen noticed immediately. Even if she didn’t turn her head, he could tell she was waiting for his answer.
“There’s time. Do as you like.”
Elysia’s lips curled into a faint smile.
Tirzen chuckled quietly. She must like water as much as Roena did.
But by the time she turned to look at him, his face had returned to its usual blank expression.
The large, beautiful lake just outside the capital was exactly as she remembered it from childhood.
Flor Lake was a place her family used to visit often when her parents were alive. But once her foster parents took over, she’d had to suppress even those happy memories.
As they neared the lake, golden wildflowers spread across the fields. Families sat on the grass, enjoying picnics. The sight filled her with nostalgia.
Well-dressed couples strolled by the lakeside. It was clearly a spot for lovers.
‘I never got to come somewhere like this for a date—not even once before I got married.’
Her marriage to Gustao had been dry and transactional from the beginning. There wasn’t a single good memory worth cherishing.
And the way it ended was so humiliating, it had only left behind resentment.
As she gazed out the window, she caught sight of a dress fluttering behind a large tree. As their carriage passed the tree, she realized—the woman wasn’t alone.
