“There’s still someone else you need to see. Our princess has been waiting for your return for quite some time. Do you have no intention of holding the wedding this year?”

　　“Your Majesty, you go too far with your jests.”

　　“I am always sincere. Christie is a grown young lady now, so we must respect her opinion. She says she still likes you.”

　　Recalling a ten-year-old girl whose cheeks were still chubby, Dieren shook his head.

　　“Princess Christie is only ten years old…”

　　“Yes, and if she’s lived for ten years, she’s all grown up.”

　　“It would be far more appropriate for Her Highness to meet young nobles her own age.”

　　“The imperial family’s doors are open, but you are too old-fashioned.”

　　The emperor chuckled as he looked at Dieren, then nodded again in admiration. Had the princess been even slightly older, Dieren was such a fine prospective son-in-law that the emperor would have pushed for the marriage immediately without even making such jokes.

　　Dieren brought the conversation to a close, clearly showing it was not worth responding further.

　　“I shall see you at the banquet.”

　　“Make sure to dress nicely.”

　　“…Yes.”

　　Dieren was now the master of the duchy, yet the emperor still treated him like a child. The emperor was better than his uncle, but it was no less unwelcome. He brushed it off. Far from getting worked up over such matters, he was exhausted and only wanted to return to his estate to rest, formal greetings aside. His weary mind was weighing down even his robust physical strength.

　　As Dieren hastened his steps to leave the imperial palace, a cheerful young voice stopped him.

　　“Duke Spear!”

　　Dieren swallowed a sigh and turned around. A young girl who barely reached his waist looked up at him. It was Princess Christie, still sporting her curly golden hair and those round cheeks. Dieren bowed respectfully.

　　“Greetings to Princess Christie, the morning star of the empire.”

　　“Did you just come from seeing His Majesty?”

　　“I did.”

　　“You have time now, right?”

　　Though Dieren did not answer, the princess naturally fell in beside him. He adjusted his pace to match hers. This was why he could not laugh at the emperor’s joke earlier. Princess Christie was far too young.

　　It felt like only yesterday that he had held the baby princess as she came tumbling into his arms before she could even speak, so there was no way he could harbor any romantic feelings for her. He even resolved to keep an eye out at the upcoming banquet for eligible young nobles who might suit her. He could not indulge her child’s whims forever.

　　“Duke Spear, there’s something I want to ask.”

　　At the princess’s call, Dieren stopped in his tracks. When he turned, she was looking up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. A flicker of perplexity crossed Dieren’s rigid face.

　　“Princess.”

　　“Did you really find someone you like?”

　　It was obvious how much the people of the imperial palace had teased the child. The emperor and empress were likely among them as well. Feeling he needed to clear up the misunderstanding, he knelt down in front of her.

　　“No, those are all false rumors. Aren’t there times when one feels like doing something out of character?”

　　“Something out of character… That’s why everyone said it was even stranger…”

　　“Who said that?”

　　“His Majesty… and Her Majesty…”

　　“Princess, since this is about me, do you believe His Majesty more than me?”

　　“That’s… No, but…”

　　Her round chin wrinkled like a walnut shell as she pouted. Dieren offered her a gentle smile.

　　“If I had a younger sister like you, Princess, I would have doted on her terribly. To the point where I’d do anything for her.”

　　“What? I don’t want to be your sister. I want to be the duchess.”

　　He could have brushed off the young princess’s stubborn declaration lightly, but Dieren smiled bitterly as he retreated into his own thoughts. It was because he was reminded of a girl about this size, whom he had once intended to make his future duchess. It pained him that the girl’s image had grown faint in his memory, as though shrouded in fog.

　　To soothe the young princess, Dieren suggested a short walk. Under the clear sky, the imperial palace garden blooming with spring flowers was breathtakingly beautiful.

　　Even as he walked through the garden dyed in vibrant colors, he recalled the neat garden of the small kingdom preserved in his memory. Wishing that the garden holding its breath in the fog remained unchanged, he blinked his eyes several times at the hazy illusion clouding his vision. Someday, it would remain nothing more than a permanently blurred memory.

　　The rumor that he had found the woman of his destiny could have been considered true in a sense. But since he had failed to meet her, it ultimately turned out to be nothing more than empty gossip. Carrying a heart heavy with grief once more, Dieren departed from the imperial palace.

* * *

　　The more Viscountess Baker visited the Burnett residence, the deeper her worries grew. Three months had passed, but far from adjusting, her doubts and anxieties only mounted.

　　With a troubled look, the viscountess gazed down at Myers’s small hand. Words were formed following his slow yet neat movements. He seemed focused, yet his strangely vacant expression made it impossible to fathom what he was thinking.

　　Young Master Myers was an easy student to handle, but that was precisely what worried her. Myers was always subdued and unnaturally quiet for a boy his age.

　　Even when parents were strict, other noble children fidgeted constantly or got into trouble. But Myers behaved far too quietly. Small and slender, he didn’t seem to be receiving any separate instruction in physical training or exercise.

　　It was only natural for parents, especially those of a prominent noble heir, to take a keen interest in their child’s education. Viscountess Baker was far more accustomed to nobles who endlessly pried into and demanded progress. In contrast, Count Burnett showed no interest whatsoever in his children’s education. Ever since she was first hired, she had not seen even a shadow of the Count.

　　There was no one with whom she could discuss Myers. Even the chamberlain treated the viscountess with cold indifference. She speculated that Myers’s demeanor stemmed from an internal matter of the Burnett family that she knew nothing about. Thus, she was pondering whether she should quietly consult her husband regarding this issue.

　　As the lesson was coming to an end, the door opened. It was not a servant. A stranger offered a greeting.

　　“A pleasure to meet you, Viscountess Baker. My name is Jisenberia Burnett. I am Myers’s older sister.”

　　“Ah, the young lady of the Burnett family. It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time.”

　　Viscountess Baker recognized the young woman right away. She had heard a cautious word about her from a maid, who said that Myers had an elder sister who was sickly and recuperating.

　　Her pale, thin appearance suggested that the rumors about her ill health might be true. Yet her sparkling eyes were full of life and composure. She was a charming and beautiful young lady. Myers’s refined looks and calm demeanor closely resembled hers.

　　“I had only heard that you were unwell. I was quite worried, so it is a delight to meet you like this.”

　　“It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Viscountess. Please forgive me for greeting you only now. How is my Myers doing?”

　　This was the first person in the Count’s mansion with whom she could have a proper conversation. As if she had been waiting for this moment, Viscountess Baker immediately brought up Myers.

　　“Young Master Myers is unusually well-behaved for his age. He shows an interest in learning itself, regardless of the subject. I suspect my tutelage may soon reach its limit. Are there plans for him to attend the academy later?”

　　“That is something for the Count and Myers to decide, but… I would love for Myers to do whatever he is capable of. If you could continue to watch over and guide him, Viscountess, it would be an immense help. I leave him in your care.”

　　“The pleasure is entirely mine.”

　　“Viscountess, could you spare a moment to speak with me a bit further?”

　　“Of course.”

　　Sensing that Jisen had something specific to say, the viscountess felt an underlying unease. Seeing Viscountess Baker smile gently despite this, Jisen felt like she was going to cry. The viscountess waited patiently until Jisen was ready to speak.

　　In Jisen’s memory, Viscountess Baker had stopped visiting after arguing with the Count over Myers’s education. Later, upon learning of Jisen’s existence at a banquet, she had been both bewildered and heartbroken.

　　The woman had even approached Jisen, asking if she was faring well in the Count’s mansion and if there was any way she could help. It was Jisen herself who had turned away without answering a single word. She had been terrified that accepting her kindness would deny her entire existence. Looking back now, it had been frustratingly foolish of her to fear something like that more than the Count’s tyranny.

　　But right now, none of those things had happened yet. All she needed to do was reach out to Viscountess Baker first.

　　I just need to take the hand she offered back then, right now.

　　Once she steeled her resolve, the viscountess looked like a golden opportunity. There was no better benefactor. Viscount Baker’s family was well-known for their abundant financial standing and social connections, and Viscountess Baker was someone eager to help others. Her son and daughter were both married and assisting their father in his endeavors.

　　Jisen voiced the words she had rehearsed in her mind countless times.

　　“Could you serve as my sponsor for my social debut at the ball?”

　　Viscountess Baker’s eyes widened. Hearing such a request directly from a young lady’s lips was a scenario she had never even imagined.

　　Sponsorships among acquaintances usually took place through requests between adults. Last year, she had even acted as a sponsor for a provincial relative’s child. But a count’s daughter directly requesting a sponsor herself was something unprecedented, leaving her utterly astonished.

　　“Me? Sponsor you, Miss Jisenberia?”

　　“Yes. As you know, there is no adult woman in our family to look after me. And the Count will likely never allow me into high society.”

　　It was true. In the past, Jisen had never even formally greeted the empress, merely following the Count around like a shadow. Even when attending events, she remained an outsider, unable to do anything but stand quietly.

　　“Miss Jisenberia, how old are you this year?”

　　“Twenty-one.”

　　“Oh, dear…”

　　Why on earth had Count Burnett kept such a fine young lady hidden away? As Viscountess Baker struggled to choose her words, Jisen took the initiative to address the lingering question.

　　“My father is overly protective of me, so he never listens to my requests. And it isn’t just because of my health.”

　　“Ah…”

　　Hearing directly from Jisen what she had vaguely surmised while looking at Myers made her head spin. Though Jisen called it “overly protective,” it sounded more like distrust or obsession toward her daughter. Jisen continued, her voice filled with an earnest plea.

　　“It suffocates me just thinking about it. I might live my whole life trapped in this mansion, doing nothing until I die.”

　　This, too, was the truth. Jisen bit her lip and let go. Her pale lips flushed red before fading back to light.

　　“If I cannot make my debut into high society this time, I will remain shut in my room, slowly withering away to die.”

　　“Jisenberia…”

　　“I need your help. I want to meet people and engage in social activities that will benefit the Burnett family. I want to prove that my father’s worries are misplaced.”

　　As Jisen spoke, Viscountess Baker’s expression darkened. Pity, frustration, and compassion deeply stirred within her heart.

　　“Will you help me?”

　　“Of course.”

　　A blue light.

　　Jisen curled her lips into a faint smile. She had succeeded in instilling both a favorable impression and deep sympathy in Viscountess Baker, a woman of high repute and extensive connections.

　　“There is nothing I can do inside this estate. Will you help me step out into the world?”

　　Viscountess Baker mentally reviewed all the noble ladies she knew. Several who enjoyed hosting casual gatherings immediately came to mind, as a wonderful plan formed in her head. The smile returned to her wrinkled mouth, which had been clouded with worry.

　　“I don’t think that will be difficult.”

　　This opportunity might be of immense help to these children who were virtually imprisoned in the Count’s mansion. Viscountess Baker’s eyes began to shine with an intense sense of duty.

　　Just as the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, Jisen threw cold water on it with an out-of-nowhere concern.

　　“Viscountess, there is something troubling me. I am worried that I might draw disdain for being so plain and unattractive. What should I prepare?”

　　Forgetting her manners, Viscountess Baker stared at Jisen with her mouth agape.

　　“Do you not have a mirror in your room?”