Reidox’s eyes widened in shock.

“What on earth are you saying? I simply cannot fathom your intentions, Duke. Seo Yeon is suddenly going to disappear?”

Sikar relayed to Reidox everything he had heard from Gillian, without omitting a single detail.

It was inevitably a shock. He had thought of her merely as someone from another world who would remain here indefinitely. Yet now, to hear that she would vanish once she obtained what she desired—this was both incomprehensible and deeply unwelcome.

Reidox’s pupils trembled as if vibrating.

“Why… why on earth…”

Sikar also let out a deep sigh.

“I wish I knew the reason, but unfortunately, I have yet to uncover it. I can only surmise that just as certain conditions brought them here, their departure is triggered when they achieve whatever they deeply wished for. According to Gillian, that ‘something’ is referred to as a ‘point.’ I find myself in agreement with that notion.”

“Then what should we do now?”

“We must prevent them from achieving their goal. Only then can we avert this crisis.”

Reidox’s gaze drifted blankly forward, unfocused and hollow.

Sikar, too, longed to sink into that same numbness—to think of nothing at all.

“To prevent Seo Yeon from disappearing, we must employ any means necessary. Find the method. Discover what she truly desires. I, too, will do whatever it takes to stop Yura from vanishing.”

“Is there truly no other way?”

“At this moment, there is no other option whatsoever.”

Reidox replied with a heavy expression.

“Understood.”

After sending Reidox away, Sikar entered the bedroom and gazed at Yura, fast asleep.

Thanks to the sleep spirits summoned by Vika Lamberst, Yura slumbered deeply, oblivious to the world.

Could I live without you?

He had no confidence.

He had already endured a lifetime of bitter loneliness after losing his family once. He could not bear to lose family again.

Moreover, he could not possibly separate Yura, who felt deeper affection for Kian than for her own birth mother.

Sikar embraced the sleeping Yura, and kissed her forehead, thinking that even if he could not break the curse, he would never, ever let Yura go.

Strangely enough, I fell asleep yesterday without even realizing it.

It felt similar to that time at Gillian’s wedding, when Vika forcibly put me to sleep using sleep spirits—like suddenly blacking out under anesthesia.

Perhaps because I was utterly exhausted from yesterday’s trip to the snowy mountains, or perhaps because I simply slept too much—when I woke up, Sikar was already gone, attending the Council of Nobles.

Vika and Durion had both left for work; only the servants and I remained here.

This quiet, undisturbed hour, with everyone else away, was entirely mine.

It was no different from being a wealthy, idle noble with nothing to do—but even this fortunate situation carried a slight risk: boredom.

Fortunately, since Seo Yeon became my handmaiden, the boredom had lessened. But today was Seo Yeon’s day off, so I was watering the roses Kian had planted when I heard she had arrived—and I immediately dashed out.

“Seo Yeon is here?!”

As I skipped forward a few steps, Andrea frowned as if scandalized by the sight.

“Madam… this is not a duke’s residence but a palace—you mustn’t run about…”

Oops. My bad.

After all, I am Kian’s mother—I really shouldn’t behave like this.

“I made a mistake.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Right. Where is Seo Yeon?”

“I have seated her in the reception room. However, I…”

Andrea paused mid-sentence, casting a worried glance toward the reception room with a grave expression.

“What’s wrong? Why that face?”

“She looked very upset.”

“I see. Understood. Bring the tea later.”

“Yes, Madam.”

What could have happened to make her look so distressed? Did something occur with Lucy?

When I entered the reception room, true to Andrea’s words, Seo Yeon’s eyes were red as if she had been crying.

What on earth happened?

I opened my eyes wide in surprise and sat down before her.

“Seo Yeon. What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

“Duchess. I’m sorry for showing you my tears.”

“Why apologize for that? Tell me, why are you crying like this?”

Seo Yeon, tears streaming down her cheeks without even wiping them, hiccuped childishly as she spoke.

“Sob… the Marquis… sob…”

If she’s crying because of Reidox, did something happen to him?

“D—did something happen to the Marquis?”

Seo Yeon couldn’t even finish her sentence; she shook her head back and forth, struggling to calm herself enough to swallow her tears as she spoke.

“The Marquis said… he won’t marry me…”

“What? What did you say? He said he won’t marry you?”

Seo Yeon wiped her flowing tears and nodded with difficulty.

“Yes. The Marquis declared our marriage void. Of course, I don’t mind not marrying… I really don’t… but it was so sudden… He canceled the wedding abruptly, without any reason or explanation… Hic…”

Her crying didn’t stop—even as she spoke, she seemed too heartbroken to control it.

Was it because of Lucy?

I recalled my conversation with Lucy on the snowy mountain yesterday.

Lucy had said she still felt burdened by the idea of gaining a mother. Perhaps Reidox postponed the marriage because of Lucy.

But if he postponed it, why didn’t he say “postponed”? Why say “canceled”?

Either way, the shock Seo Yeon received seemed quite severe.

While I gently patted her back to calm her, Andrea discreetly brought in tea.

The tea Andrea brought was chamomile—he truly has good sense.

I whispered to Andrea: since Seo Yeon is now at Daisy Palace, go fetch Reidox.

Understanding the situation, Andrea didn’t even reply—he simply nodded calmly and left.

After Andrea left, I handed the tea he brought to Seo Yeon.

“Andrea brought chamomile tea. Seo Yeon, please drink some. It’ll help you calm down.”

Seo Yeon took the cup I offered with trembling hands and sipped the tea—but even that, she managed only a few sips before setting the cup down.

Of course she’s heartbroken. Wouldn’t anyone be? I would be too.

If Sikar suddenly told me he wanted to nullify our marriage, I’d be deeply shocked too.

At least I have Kian, who gives me boundless love—that’s some consolation. But Seo Yeon doesn’t even fully have Lucy on her side yet, so her sorrow must cut even deeper.

Seo Yeon, calming slightly, wiped her tears and spoke.

“I’m not even sure if he canceled it because of the children, or for another reason. But honestly, I never desperately wanted to marry. I told you before—I just wanted to be the children’s mother first. Becoming part of the Marquis’s family mattered more to me.”

“Oh, Seo Yeon…”

While I was comforting her, Andrea suddenly entered the reception room. Because Seo Yeon had been sobbing so bitterly, my nerves were slightly frayed.

“Andrea. What is it?”

“Lady Hersia has arrived.”

“Lady Hersia? Please, invite her in at once.”

“Yes, Madam.”

I couldn’t have been happier to hear Hersia had come. With Seo Yeon crying, having Hersia here was far better than being alone.

Hersia, entering the reception room, also looked startled to see Seo Yeon sobbing uncontrollably.

“Good heavens! Seo Yeon, what on earth happened?!”

After hearing the full story, Hersia let out a deep sigh and spoke as if she understood completely.

“Actually, I broke up with Aron too.”

At Hersia’s words, Seo Yeon’s crying abruptly stopped. I was taken aback, but Seo Yeon looked at Hersia as if she’d found a comrade and asked,

“Why did you, Lady Hersia?”

“My family objected a bit, but I told them I didn’t care if I didn’t get their permission. But Aron insisted he must have their blessing before marrying. I told him I was fine with it—he wouldn’t even listen to me. So I told him we should break up.”

Ah…

Then this wasn’t really a breakup. Lately, I’d noticed Hersia frequently threatened to break up, and Aron knew she said it like a habit—so he didn’t even take it seriously anymore.

So, they’d just had a lovers’ quarrel.

Seo Yeon seemed to think the same; she didn’t take it too seriously. After all, they’d surely reunite soon.

“Lady Hersia, please reconcile with Lord Aron. He’s a good man.”

“That’s true, but he’s too rigid. He doesn’t listen. Do you know what he told me? He wants to have five children! Who does he think he is, royalty? I was really looking forward to wearing that beautiful dress you gifted me this summer…”

“That just means he wants to live happily with you, Lady Hersia.”

Hersia pouted slightly, then glanced at me and asked,

“By the way, Duchess—may I ask you something?”

“Yes, please speak.”

“How many children would you like to have?”

Seo Yeon also stared at me with wide, genuinely curious eyes, making me feel slightly awkward.

“Well… I’ve never really thought about it, but since there’s already a king… h-how about… one? Maybe?”

Hersia nodded in agreement.

“I also want one.”

Seo Yeon nodded similarly.

“Me too.”

“Our perspectives really align, don’t they?”

Thanks to Hersia’s bright laughter and cheerful shift in topic, Seo Yeon soon stopped crying and began to smile.

Hersia tightly held Seo Yeon’s hand to comfort her.

“I don’t know how you’ll take this, Seo Yeon, but I think a wedding ceremony means nothing. So many people have lavish weddings and still end up divorcing or living miserably. Even without a grand wedding, if you live with someone as wonderful as the Marquis, I believe you can have the happiest married life in the world.”

Seizing the moment, I chimed in to support Hersia’s words.

“Yes, I think so too.”

Seo Yeon let out a soft sigh, apparently comforted by those words.

“Whew. That’s truly comforting to hear. Honestly, I never placed great importance on marriage itself. But hearing directly that I won’t be able to marry… it did sting. Still, having both of you on my side, comforting me—it’s truly a great comfort.”

I, too, cannot express how much comfort their visits bring to my dull palace life.

But no matter how much we comfort her, Reidox’s comfort will surely be the greatest solace.

Just as I wondered when Reidox would arrive, Andrea announced that Reidox had come.

Seo Yeon feigned surprise, but her expression subtly betrayed delight.

“Oh, the Marquis has come? For what reason?”

I winked at Andrea as if to say “Go quickly,” then turned to Seo Yeon.

“He must have come because he was worried about you. Go see him.”

Seo Yeon stood up, looking slightly embarrassed.

“T-then, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go now, Duchess.”

“Yes. Go and have a good talk with the Marquis, Seo Yeon.”

“The Marquis is so perceptive—he came straight to find you, Seo Yeon. I’m truly envious.”

Indeed, Hersia looked genuinely envious—even her nose twitched slightly.

Seo Yeon smiled even more shyly as she left.

Once Seo Yeon had completely left the reception room, Hersia sat down with a deflated expression—then suddenly, as if remembering something, she looked at me and asked,

“By the way, Duchess. I heard Gillian has moved to the palace.”

“Ah. Yes. That’s correct…”

“May I visit Gillian once?”

Until now, whenever I’d suggested she meet Gillian, Hersia had refused out of fear.

Why, suddenly, did Hersia want to see Gillian?

Cautiously, I nodded toward Hersia.