Noxia accepted Roehl’s advice that Harrison somehow felt suspicious.

She had originally intended to verify once more whether Harrison’s alibi was true, but after considering Roehl’s opinion, she decided to investigate with even greater care.

First, she secretly placed someone near Harrison and discreetly inquired about those who had worked at the mansion during his time as a steward.

She intended not only to confirm whether he had truly maintained a good relationship with Charles, as Harrison claimed, but also to closely examine his whereabouts on the day of the incident.

Thus, after meeting all the servants who had been at the villa on the day Charles died—including Harrison—she found no particularly noticeable evidence.

‘Since I’ve met all the servants who were at the villa that day, I should return to Brellof Mansion and examine everything once again.’

It was no coincidence that this case had remained unsolved for over twenty years.

Though re-investigating after such a long time was not easy, she could not simply give up—she intended to do everything possible.

One thing she regretted, however……

Was that the time to part with Roehl was drawing near.

‘I hated him so much at first, yet now I feel regretful—I can’t believe even I think this is ridiculous.’

Noxia laughed, as if astonished at herself, because she clearly felt her emotions had changed while traveling with Roehl.

It was at that moment, as Noxia sat lost in thought about Roehl, gazing blankly out the carriage window.

Knock, knock. A knock sounded, and she turned her head absentmindedly—to see Roehl, whom she had just been thinking about, standing outside the carriage.

“Oh, what is it?”

“Did I interrupt? Since we’re returning to Brellof Mansion without any significant breakthrough, I thought you might be feeling conflicted.”

Roehl seemed to believe Noxia was upset because she hadn’t uncovered any clues to the true culprit.

Of course, he wasn’t entirely wrong. But now, newly added feelings toward Roehl had become another source of worry.

Unable to honestly reveal those emotions, Noxia replied as if nothing was wrong.

“Y-yes, I suppose so. But do you have something you’d like to tell me?”

Roehl gazed at Noxia for a moment with a worried expression, then gestured for her to step outside the carriage.

“We’ll be parting soon—I thought we might share a meal together.”

“Ah……”

Thump. Even at such an ordinary suggestion from Roehl, Noxia’s heart pounded fiercely.

In truth, she had wanted to ask him first, but feared her feelings might be exposed—so she had held back.

When Noxia hesitated to answer immediately, Roehl seemed to misinterpret it and hurriedly continued.

“Once we return to the capital, we may not know when we’ll meet again. If Lady Noxia dislikes the idea, feel free to refuse……”

“I’d like to. I also wanted to share a meal with Your Highness.”

Since Roehl had mustered the courage to suggest it, Noxia could never refuse.

Surprised by Noxia’s honest reply, Roehl soon smiled warmly and said,

“Come here.”

Noxia followed Roehl outside the carriage.

Again today, there was no nearby village, so they had to camp outdoors.

After traveling for so long, everyone had assigned duties—meals were handled by the Brellof family maids who had accompanied Noxia.

When Noxia and Roehl settled in a quiet spot slightly apart from the others, the maid Laura quickly approached and served them their food.

They weren’t eating anything special—just the same meal everyone else was having, as always.

Noxia accepted the bread and stew, then looked at Laura, who had worked hard preparing the meal, and said,

“Thank you.”

“Not at all. If you’d like more, please let me know. We’re about to reach Brellof Mansion, so we used up all the remaining ingredients.”

“Understood. This is enough for me—please give any extra to those who need it.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Laura smiled brightly, seemingly happy about returning to Brellof Mansion. She bowed respectfully to Roehl and returned to her original place.

Left alone, Roehl began eating first. Noxia took a spoonful of the hot stew before touching the bread.

Midway through the meal, Roehl casually asked,

“What does Lady Noxia think about political marriages?”

Caught off guard, Noxia nearly choked. She swallowed the food in her mouth and replied,

“Political… marriage?”

“Yes. Like you, I’m not exactly free when it comes to marriage either.”

“Well… since most marriages are political, I can’t criticize them. Still, if possible, I’d like to marry someone I love.”

“You’re like me. I feel the same way.”

They sat side by side, not facing each other directly.

Noxia couldn’t see what expression Roehl wore as he asked such a question.

Just as she wondered why he suddenly brought up political marriage,

Roehl continued in a noticeably more serious tone.

“Actually, because of my position as Crown Prince, I’m being pressured to marry. It seems I’ll likely have to welcome a Crown Princess once I return to the Imperial Palace this time.”

“Oh, I see.”

She replied as calmly as possible, but her heart felt like it had plummeted.

Unlike before, news of Roehl’s marriage no longer felt like someone else’s affair.

The man she liked might marry another woman—her mind grew tangled over what to do.

At that moment, Roehl, who had been gazing forward, turned his head toward Noxia. He looked straight at her with earnest eyes and said,

“What if I were to propose to you, Lady Noxia?”

“Pfft! Cough, cough!”

So unexpected was the question that Noxia finally choked on her food.

As Noxia coughed violently, her face flushed crimson, Roehl quickly poured water from a nearby bottle into a cup and handed it to her.

“I suppose that was too abrupt a question. My apologies.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Noxia drank the water Roehl offered and barely managed to stop coughing.

Fortunately—or unfortunately—Roehl seemed to believe her flushed face was due to coughing.

‘How should I answer?’

Noxia tried to calm her racing heart and think rationally.

This wasn’t a formal proposal from Roehl—he was merely asking her opinion.

Of course, his intention behind such a question was obvious.

‘His Highness is considering me as one of the candidates for Crown Princess.’

In the Arwen Empire, the Brellof family was more than qualified for a Crown Princess—it was, in fact, the family the royal house most desired.

Noxia glanced sideways at Roehl’s face.

She saw tension in his expression—he seemed eager to know her answer.

“Well… If I were to accept here, it would be tantamount to accepting a proposal. But this doesn’t seem like the right place for that.”

She didn’t necessarily need a grand proposal—but even so, this was not the place.

They were in the middle of a journey, having a very ordinary—even humble—dinner outdoors.

Moreover, Noxia’s appearance, worn from long travel and not properly groomed, made her reluctant to let this moment become her lifelong memory of a proposal.

Roehl looked at her with a startled expression and said,

“I thought if I made it too formal, Lady Noxia might find it difficult to speak honestly. I see now my thinking was shallow.”

Roehl hadn’t asked lightly—he had thought it over and deliberately arranged this moment with Noxia.

Though the setting wasn’t romantic, his sincerity came through, and a smile escaped Noxia’s lips.

As she sat quietly thinking, Roehl suddenly lifted his head with a surprised look.

“But… does Lady Noxia’s answer mean you wouldn’t entirely dislike my proposal?”

Knowing Noxia’s personality, if she disliked it, she would have refused outright. Saying it was difficult to answer here, upon reflection, was practically acceptance.

Roehl stared at her with disbelief. The emotion clearly visible on his face now was joy.

Seeing this, Noxia wondered if perhaps her feelings weren’t the only ones that had changed during this journey.

Could it be that Roehl, too, had developed affection for her? Perhaps that was why he asked such a question.

Noxia’s face turned reddish.

She didn’t want to rashly reveal her feelings—but once awakened, her heart refused to be easily hidden.

“Your Highness, I……”

Noxia tried to speak, but Roehl cut her off.

“No, it’s fine. I have many things I want to ask, but as Lady Noxia said, this isn’t the right place for such a conversation. I’ll return to the capital and arrange a proper occasion.”

Roehl’s words meant he intended to seriously discuss marriage with her.

It was true that Noxia liked him—but she hadn’t yet seriously considered marriage. Still, she didn’t dislike his initiative.

Her feelings for Roehl seemed greater than she had realized.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Noxia subtly nodded to show she understood—she couldn’t bring herself to speak, afraid her heart might burst.

Quietly, she finished the rest of her meal beside Roehl, unable to taste anything—but feeling more satisfied than any meal before.

Simply because Roehl was right beside her.

Time passed, and Noxia and Roehl arrived before Brellof Mansion.

They could have parted before reaching here, but Roehl insisted on accompanying her all the way.

In truth, Noxia, too, wished to spend even a little more time with him.

Though this change felt unfamiliar, it wasn’t unpleasant. Perhaps she was finally realizing how the relationship between two former enemies had transformed?

Roehl gazed at Noxia with reluctant eyes and said,

“I’ll contact you soon.”

“Yes, I’ll wait.”

Marriage wasn’t a decision Noxia could make alone. She needed to consult with Orland—and inform Tanashia as well.

Upon reaching their destination, their groups naturally separated. But since the two had traveled together in the same carriage for so long, their belongings had become mixed.

Roehl looked at the travel luggage he hadn’t fully packed and spoke.

“I plan to head straight to the palace to meet His Majesty—may I leave the remaining luggage with you for now?”

“Of course. I’ll keep it safe and return it to you when we meet again.”

“Good. Since you’re home after so long, make sure to rest well.”

“Yes, Your Highness too.”

Farewells felt longer than necessary, weighed down by inexplicable regret.

Roehl finally forced his reluctant feet to move and murmured softly,

“Then I’ll be off.”

“Yes, please travel safely.”

Roehl mounted his horse skillfully, turned its head, and departed toward the Imperial Palace with his subordinates.

Noxia stood rooted in place, watching his figure grow smaller and smaller, stirring up clouds of dust.

Parting felt regretful—and even more regretful.

‘If I marry His Highness, will we ever have to part like this again?’

The sudden thought made Noxia realize, for the first time in her life, that she desperately wanted to get married.

Trying to soothe her lingering regret, she turned around. Andrew and the others followed her into Brellof Mansion.

Noxia intended to greet Orland first, but since he was temporarily away, she headed to her own room.

Returning home after so long, she felt as if all the accumulated fatigue had suddenly caught up with her.

The maids at the mansion, while organizing Noxia’s luggage, found male clothing and brought it to her.

“Miss, whose is this? It was mixed in with your belongings.”

She had thought to return it if it belonged to Andrew or the soldiers—but upon closer inspection, the maid was holding Roehl’s jacket.

Unbidden, the image of Roehl, whom she had just parted from, came to mind—and Noxia’s face faintly flushed.

“It’s His Highness’s. Wash it and I’ll deliver it to him later.”

“Oh, understood.”

The maid left the room with the jacket. But soon returned, having noticed something odd.

“Miss, while checking the pockets for washing, I found an undelivered letter. You should probably keep this separately.”

“That was close—thank you.”

Noxia didn’t know what the letter contained, but since it belonged to Roehl, she couldn’t risk damaging it. She intended to keep it safe and return it later.

As Noxia took the letter and prepared to put it in a drawer, she noticed it had been folded without an envelope—so the contents were visible.

She hadn’t intended to read it—but seeing her own name, [Noxia], written there, curiosity got the better of her, and she gently unfolded the letter.

[To Regard.

Lady Noxia is even more insolent and rude than I thought.

Watching her sometimes fills me with uncontrollable rage—but since I may have to enter a political marriage for the sake of the Arwen Empire, I grit my teeth and endure it.

If only I could end this uncomfortable companionship as soon as possible.]

Noxia knew well who Regard was—an old, loyal retainer who had followed Roehl since childhood.

Her hands trembled at the unexpected contents of the letter.

The shock was so great she felt she could barely breathe.

[If by any chance I truly end up marrying Lady Noxia in the future, I’m already terrified to imagine what kind of married life awaits.

If you learn any news regarding Lady Tanashia, inform me immediately.

Roehl, sleepless from rage.]

Noxia felt as if she’d been struck on the head with a blunt object.

She recalled Roehl’s face just moments ago, gazing at her with reluctant, almost tender eyes—yet behind her back, he had written this……

Noxia finally understood what it meant for the world to go dark before one’s eyes.