The moment I opened my eyes, I felt scorching hot air.

Whether it was because I felt stuffy in my chest or if it was because the room was hot, it was difficult for me to breathe.

After crawling out of the bed, I opened the window.

My hand slipped several times, unable to pull the latch.

My annoyance surged up

Damn this double locked window.

After becoming emotional, I was annoyed by everything.

Even after opening the window with trembling hands and breathing in the dawn air, the stuffiness didn’t disappear.

My eyes unconsciously scanned the bedside thoroughly.

I had checked that Adel wasn’t here when I dreamed about Zen last time, so I at least knew the fact that the dreams had nothing to do with Adel.

But I secretly wanted to think this was no more than a nightmare brought by Adel.

Although there was no realistic proof at all, the content of the dreams and reality kept overlapping.

Mom lied to me about going on a honeymoon trip, and went to the land of the Bolton family.

And her frequently leaving the capital ever since I was young.

“If her backer is Duke Bolton . . .”

It was also understandable that she, who was at the top of the list as a popular actress, was able to return to the stage after only one year of deadly scandals.

All this time, I had always been curious.

How could she stabilize her position in society that quickly?

Even the Rocke Family, with all their capital, was still being persecuted because they were nouveau riche.

As I began to suspect everything, the points I couldn’t understand burst out as if they exploded.

“My Lady!”

When I turned my head at the urgent call, I saw the face of the surprised maid.

She, who approached me, cried and grabbed my hands.

“Ah.”

There was very faint blood on my bitten nail.

While I was looking down at it absentmindedly, she wrapped my hand with a handkerchief.

“I will trim your nails. You’ll get hurt badly at this rate.”

“Mhm. Sorry. I didn’t know.”

This was Rany’s habit.

As the fussy treatment ended and I went down, I saw my family was already having their breakfast.

When I sat next to Orion, who naturally pulled out the chair, I ended up facing two loving people.

Mom occasionally leaned on one of the Duke’s arms, and spoke with him with a smile on her face.

Come to think of it, her figure when she fell in love was unchanging.

Even though she met various men . . .

She always had the same actions and expressions.

As if she was just playing the role of a woman in love.

* * *

“Is there anything wrong?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Marianne’s gaze didn’t leave the couple today.”

Since the young Jeremy could notice it, I’m sure Orion also noticed.

So that must be the reason he glared at Lord Duke.

“You still cannot believe the Duke’s love? It’s really difficult to get your acknowledgement, Marianne.”

“It’s not that. If I must say, it’s not Lord Duke, but . . .”

I refuted his words but then closed my mouth.

This wasn’t something I could say to Jeremy, who was staring at me.

This was also not something I could honestly let out.

“If it’s not the Duke, then are you doubting the Duchess’s love?”

“. . . No. It’s not like that . . .”

The prince, who saw my hesitation, looked at me and said as if comforting me.

“I think it’s best for you to have an honest talk with the Duchess.”

“. . .”

“If I were the Duchess, I think I would want to hear it. No matter what kind of talk you will have.”

I realized once again that Jeremy has changed as I heard his clumsy yet sincere opinion.

Until a few months ago, he was always watching things unfolding in this mansion with his mouth gaping open, or hesitating and cooping up in his room.

Now he was able to express his opinion.

“I also think it would be good if I can hear Adel’s voice.”

Hmm, so the reason wasn’t me, but that plant.

I was impressed by the impact of growing plants on the emotional development of children.

“I’d like it if she calls me ‘Dad’ with a cute voice.”

Though it seemed like he developed in a weird direction.

At least it had been a long time since the empty eyes, which only waited for death everyday, had disappeared.

Feeling my gaze, Jeremy tilted his head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I think putting someone for you to take care of in your life has affected you more than I thought. It’s nice to see.”

Looking at him smiling, I finally managed to firm up my determination.

* * *

“Eat with the others. I’m going to talk with the professor.”

“About career counseling? You said you would tell the Duke about it.”

That reminded me about it.

I nodded to Rany and then immediately headed to the drill hall.

Around this time, he would more likely be there than in the professor’s office.

Even though I didn’t want to know, I could hear about his every move because he was one of the famous people inside the academy.

There was a dull sound of swords clashing even though it wasn’t class time.

A few diligent students were hitting the dummies.

“Young Lady, you shouldn’t recklessly come to and from this place.”

Someone blocked my way.

He clearly looked at a loss, but the gaze scanning me was blatant.