As the doctor had said, my injured ankle improved after a few days, allowing me to walk without difficulty.

Thus, Ascan, the Royal Guard, myself, and the Brellof family entourage diligently traveled across the border of the Calua Empire and entered its capital.

The atmosphere of the Calua Empire was vastly different from that of the Arwen Empire.

Whereas the Arwen Empire exuded a spring-like warmth with flowers and trees planted everywhere, the Calua Empire was barren of vegetation, its buildings all monochrome, creating a winter-like desolation.

I was gazing out the carriage window, admiring the capital’s streets, when—

“Halt! Is the noble lady of House Brellof riding in this carriage?”

At the sound of the booming voice, our procession came to a stop.

Curious, I leaned out and saw a group clad in knightly attire blocking our path.

I wasn’t sure why they’d come, but judging from their mention of my name moments ago, they seemed to be looking for me.

Ascan, not wearing his mask, rode forward to the front and spoke.

“What is the matter?”

Upon recognizing the person blocking the road, Ascan’s eyes unexpectedly gleamed with surprise.

A middle-aged man stood at the forefront of the group. Even from afar, his large, burly frame was unmistakable. Above all, his sharply slanted eyes were fiercely intimidating.

“By order of His Imperial Majesty: the noble lady of House Brellof is to be escorted to the imperial palace to have her poison treated, after which His Majesty will see her personally.”

The man spoke unilaterally, then bypassed Ascan and approached the carriage I was in.

Creeeak. He opened the carriage door himself and bowed respectfully toward me.

“I am Carter, Commander of the First Knight Order of the Calua Empire. From now on, you will come with me.”

I glanced past Carter to catch a glimpse of Ascan’s face.

Ascan’s expression was blank, giving no hint of his thoughts. But one thing was certain—he didn’t seem inclined to stop me if I chose to follow Carter.

‘So this is how you’re going to play it, huh?’

When I left the laboratory, I had set a condition for Ascan.

—On the condition that you accompany me to the Calua Empire.

—…What condition?

—I’ll stay at the residence where you live once we arrive in the Calua Empire.

My primary reason for coming to the Calua Empire in the first place was Ascan.

No matter how honored a guest I might be treated as, I had no intention of going to the imperial palace.

“Commander Carter, I apologize for being blunt on our first meeting, but I’ve already decided to stay at the residence of the Royal Guard Commander. Please schedule an appointment with His Majesty, and I’ll arrange my visit accordingly.”

At my words, Carter’s expression twisted. It was immediately clear he was displeased.

“Lady Brellof, it seems you didn’t hear me earlier—this is a direct order from His Imperial Majesty.”

“I appreciate the generous offer, but I’ll decide where I stay.”

“I am here under direct orders from His Majesty. Come with me now, and you may speak with His Majesty directly afterward.”

“You mean I should wait for several days in the imperial palace until His Majesty is available?”

“Naturally, you must—”

“I assumed I was being invited as a guest to the Calua Imperial Palace. Surely you don’t mean this is a coercive command I must obey?”

I had come to the Calua Empire as a guest. But if Helsion chose to treat me forcibly, the situation would change entirely.

Carter, apparently understanding my implication, momentarily fell silent. But judging by his gaze, he didn’t seem ready to back down.

Just as Carter and I locked eyes in a silent standoff—

Ascan, who had been watching from a step away, stepped forward and spoke.

“I will report to His Majesty myself. Lady Brellof will be escorted to my residence.”

Grrr. I heard Carter grit his teeth at those words.

I didn’t know why, but Carter’s eyes were brimming with resentment as he stared at Ascan.

“Count Atreus, do you take His Majesty’s orders so lightly? Persuading Lady Brellof should be your priority, yet your behavior now appears exceedingly arrogant.”

The atmosphere instantly turned hostile, as if others agreed with Carter’s words.

The First Knight Order members accompanying Carter placed their hands on their sword hilts—a threatening gesture, as if ready to draw their blades at any moment.

In response, our Royal Guard members’ eyes sharpened as well.

Tension thickened, as if swords might clash at any second.

Ascan stared directly at Carter with eyes as deep as an abyss.

“In my view, it is you, Sir Carter, who arrogantly hides behind His Majesty’s orders. I will speak to His Majesty personally—step aside now. If you continue to obstruct me…”

Ascan’s gaze darkened in an instant. Though the change was subtle, a chilling, murderous aura emanated from him as if by illusion.

“I will settle matters with you here, Sir Carter, and report everything—including this incident—to His Majesty.”

Settle?

Though Ascan phrased it indirectly, no one misunderstood the implication.

He meant to kill Carter and all members of the First Knight Order present here, then report even that to Helsion.

I was inwardly startled by Ascan’s unexpected declaration.

I had no intention of yielding to Carter’s forceful demands, but Ascan’s response was far harsher than I had anticipated.

Carter trembled slightly with rage. But he clearly wasn’t foolish enough to misjudge the situation.

Since I had already declared I would follow Ascan, Carter lacked justification. Moreover, fighting here stood no chance of defeating Ascan.

Carter spoke through clenched teeth.

“Count Atreus, I shall repay you for this humiliation another day.”

He then turned and ordered his First Knight Order members.

“…Let’s go.”

“Yes, Commander!”

With Carter and his knights stepping aside, my carriage and entourage resumed moving.

I turned to look back at Carter, now already far behind. Then, quietly, I spoke toward Ascan, visible through the window.

“Were you serious about what you said just now?”

Ascan, who had been gazing indifferently ahead, turned his eyes toward me.

“What do you mean?”

“About settling matters right there.”

“Did you think I was lying?”

Ascan answered casually, but had a battle truly broken out with the First Knight Order, it wouldn’t have ended easily.

“Did I cause you trouble because of me?”

Honestly, I held no strong feelings about meeting Helsion—it wouldn’t have mattered either way.

But his attempt to forcibly escort me to the palace had triggered my resistance. Still, I didn’t want Ascan to suffer repercussions because of this.

Perhaps sensing my concern, Ascan replied in a low voice.

“I wouldn’t be troubled by something so trivial. Our relationship has never been good—I expected we’d clash eventually. Perhaps this was simply the right opportunity.”

Now that I thought about it, Carter’s gaze toward Ascan had been hostile from the very beginning.

“I didn’t expect such trouble at your residence.”

“I anticipated this the moment you set that condition. Don’t worry about it.”

“Yet you didn’t seem like you’d stop me even if I chose to go to the palace?”

“It wouldn’t have mattered to me either way. But to take you with me, I needed some justification, didn’t I?”

Hearing that, I realized—Ascan’s initial inaction had been deliberate.

He waited until I declared I would go to his residence first. Only then did he gain justification to defy the imperial order and take me with him.

Truly, he lived up to his reputation as the hidden mastermind of the novel.

I looked at Ascan with an admiring expression. Though I didn’t know the details, even his confrontation with Carter earlier must have been part of a meticulous calculation.

Ascan glanced sideways at me and spoke.

“…I don’t know why you want to stay at my residence, but don’t expect much—there’s nothing particularly impressive to see.”

After a long journey, we arrived at Ascan’s residence in the capital.

Having fulfilled their purpose, the Royal Guard accompanying us dispersed, while I and the Brellof household members entered the mansion.

The residence was neither large nor small—moderate in size, perhaps comparable to a typical townhouse.

For some inexplicable reason, I spent a long while examining the mansion’s exterior.

The thought that Ascan had lived here stirred complex emotions—regret for not finding him sooner, curiosity, and an inexplicable tangle of feelings.

Few servants seemed to work here; only an elderly butler and a couple of maids came out to greet us.

“You’ve arrived, Master.”

The white-haired butler bowed, and Ascan replied quietly.

“She is my guest. Arrange a room for her.”

“Understood. Any specific instructions…?”

“None.”

Ascan entrusted me and my party to the butler and disappeared somewhere.

The mansion’s servants began unloading luggage from the carriages and arranging accommodations for the others, while the butler approached me directly to guide me.

“This way, Miss.”

I nodded and followed the butler up the mansion’s staircase. I found myself glancing around curiously, and the butler, with a kindly smile, struck up conversation.

“In all my time working at this residence, this is the first time Master has ever brought a lady here.”

“Really?”

It was so unbelievable I wondered if he said that to every guest.

Given Ascan’s looks and status, he surely must have been popular—perhaps his masked identity had simply kept him unknown until now.

“Do you have a preferred room type, Miss? For example, one with abundant sunlight, or a quiet room? The mansion has many vacant rooms—you may choose whichever you like.”

“Can I really pick whichever room I want?”

“Yes. Just say the word, and—”

“Then give me the room closest to Ascan—no, Count Atreus.”

The butler looked quite surprised, evidently not expecting such a request. But he soon smiled gently and replied.

“Actually, that room is the finest one available.”

Thus, following the butler, I was shown to a cozy room on the third floor.

A brief inspection revealed it was fully equipped—a bedroom, dressing room, and powder room, lacking nothing.

Without even being asked, the butler volunteered additional information.

“The room next door is Master’s, and directly across is his private study.”

“So close I could practically fall into his room.”

“Yes. If you need anything, please call for me anytime. My name is Bishop.”

“Understood, Bishop.”

Bishop left the room with a faint smile.

Soon after, Jerin and the maids entered, busily unpacking jewelry and dresses from the luggage, and time flew by.

Before I knew it, it was time for dinner, so I went down to the dining hall. But Ascan never appeared throughout the meal.

‘Skipping dinner again? What are you doing?’

I’d assumed that once we arrived at Ascan’s residence, we’d have more opportunities to talk than during our journey—but I was mistaken.

At least while traveling in the carriage, I could see his face. Now, he’d vanished without a trace.

After finishing my lonely dinner and returning to my room, I suddenly caught a familiar scent.

“This is…”

Herb fragrance.

I recognized it because I used to enjoy drinking herbal tea. I hadn’t tasted it once since Ascan disappeared.

Without thinking, I followed the familiar scent.

Not far away, I spotted Bishop carrying a tea set, walking toward somewhere.

He soon noticed me too, his eyes brightening as he approached.

“Did you enjoy your dinner, Miss?”

“Oh, yes. But Count Atreus wasn’t in the dining hall…”

“He said he’d skip dinner today. I was just about to bring him tea—would you like to take it to him, Miss?”

“Sure. Is this herbal tea?”

“Yes. Master enjoys it greatly—I bring it to him several times a day.”

“Herbal… tea?”

In the past, it was I—not Ascan—who enjoyed herbal tea.

Puzzled, I was about to ask more when the butler added another comment.

“Master says the scent of herbs calms his mind.”

I had a sudden thought.

Even if he’d lost his memories… could Ascan have unconsciously longed for me?

I couldn’t know the answer, but my heart fluttered strangely. Seeing me stand frozen, Bishop called to me with a questioning look.

“Miss?”

“Oh—where should I take this tea?”

“To the study. I’ll leave it in your capable hands, Miss.”

I nodded, took the tea set Bishop had intended to carry, and headed toward Ascan’s study.

Since it was directly across from my room, I couldn’t possibly get lost.

Creeeak. As I opened the study door, the herbal scent wafted strongly. Inside, the room overflowed with herb plants—lavender, mint, rosemary, and more.

Ascan himself was nowhere to be seen. But gazing at the densely packed herbs—almost as numerous as his books—I felt tears unexpectedly spill down my cheeks.

Somehow, I felt I’d glimpsed Ascan’s longing for me.

Perhaps… you’ve been missing me all this time too?

Though I told myself it was too soon to draw such conclusions, my heart swelled with emotion.

My eyes rapidly grew hot, overwhelmed by surging feelings.

Afraid of encountering Ascan in this state, I hurriedly placed the tea set on his desk and turned to leave.

That’s when an unexpected, low voice reached me.

“Are you… crying right now?”

How frustrating—he vanished completely when I longed to see him, yet appeared like a ghost precisely when I wished to avoid him.

It was Ascan.