My eyes narrowed as I stared at the letter.
There was no doubt—it was the same as the letter from the bookshelf. Or rather, it wasn’t exactly the one that had been in the bookshelf.
If I wasn’t mistaken, this was the same type of letter that Eloise had exchanged with her friend a year ago.
As proof, the letter’s material matched the stack of unnamed letters I’d found in the bookshelf. However, this one was pristine, without a single faded spot, and neatly folded.
My gaze lingered on the plain teal sealing wax, devoid of any design.
‘Wait… the fact that this is here means….’
The next moment, a chill ran down my spine, and I rubbed my shoulders instinctively.
‘Someone managed to get in here?’
Few people had access to the heavily secured ducal residence, especially at such an early hour.
Standing frozen in place, my eyes darted around the room as the image of Hayden Roger, with his polished face, came to mind from yesterday’s celebration.
“Could it be…?”
Had he left it during the birthday celebration?
The event had taken place in the annex’s banquet hall and the outdoor garden in front of the main building. However, if he’d been determined, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to come up here.
Even so, the thought sent shivers down my spine.
‘So that’s why he insisted on attending the celebration….’
I was nearly certain Hayden Roger was responsible, but the situation was full of oddities.
A year ago, when he and Eloise were exchanging letters, he had gone to great lengths to conceal his identity.
Why was he now so eager to reveal himself to me?
‘No, wait… from our first meeting, he acted like he knew me far too well.’
I replayed the moments in my mind—Hayden Roger’s overly familiar demeanor, his repeated emphasis on the word “friend,” and how he treated me as if we’d known each other for ages, despite having met only a few times.
‘He intended to reveal himself from the start. Otherwise….’
But that raised another question:
‘Why now?’
A year ago, Hayden Roger seemed to want to help Eloise escape somewhere.
Eloise had trusted him and attempted to carry out some unknown plan.
If my suspicions were correct, whatever she had done had caused our bodies to switch.
In other words, whatever Hayden Roger had intended had gone completely off course.
“……”
I stared at the letter on the desk before picking it up between my fingers.
Inside the envelope was a small map and a single line of neat handwriting.
“I’ll be waiting. From your friend.”
“…Good grief.”
At this point, the word “friend” was enough to give me a headache.
The map pointed to an area on the outskirts of the capital, not far from the ducal residence.
Studying the map carefully, I quickly realized the location marked was the Olson Count’s estate.
“So, that’s how it is….”
It seemed he wasn’t even trying to hide anymore.
I furrowed my brow slightly.
But for the location to be the Olson Count’s estate…
‘Could the countess be involved in this?’
I mulled it over briefly before shaking my head.
From what I observed yesterday, the countess didn’t seem to know anything.
“I suppose I have no choice but to go….”
I set the letter down and rummaged through the drawer, pulling out a ruby ring.
This time, I intended to call for Kyle instead of Vivi.
Sliding the ring onto my finger, I lightly rubbed it. Within exactly three seconds, Kyle appeared, arms full of thick tomes as if he’d just been buried in the ducal library.
“Your Grace? Is there something you need?”
“We’re going to the Olson Count’s estate. Prepare yourself; I may need you.”
“Pardon?”
Kyle stared at me in disbelief, clearly caught off guard by my abrupt instructions.
“Look, I know love is overflowing between you two these days, but must you emulate the Duke in this way? Even I have my limits. Managing two high-handed superiors is too much, even for me.”
“Tough luck.”
“Ah! Even your tone is like his!”
Ignoring Kyle’s exaggerated groans, I turned to leave the office but added as an afterthought:
“Oh, and don’t tell the Duke.”
❖ ❖ ❖
The Olson Count’s estate was far more splendid than it had been during my last visit a few months ago.
Back then, the grounds had been barren, with only a few withering trees left standing. Now, a proper garden stretched out on both sides of my view.
The once-dull building seemed to have been freshly painted, its somber gray replaced by a soft, pale green.
“It’s changed a lot.”
Had it not been for such an invitation, I might have actually been somewhat pleased.
After stepping out of the carriage, I headed straight toward the main building with a stiff expression. Behind me, Kyle trailed closely, peeking over my shoulder curiously.
“Your Grace, is there something for me to do here? As far as I know, this is a friend of the madam’s residence, is it not?”
“I thought you’d be the quickest to protect me in case of an emergency.”
“…What?”
“Well, it’s just in case. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Kyle scratched his head, looking bewildered at my dry response. I heard him mutter under his breath, ‘Are you sure you haven’t swapped bodies with the Duke?’ but I chose to ignore it.
When we reached the main building, a butler who had been waiting for us greeted us politely.
“Welcome, Your Grace. I’ll show you the way.”
“Lead on.”
We followed the butler down the corridor toward the drawing room where I had first met Countess Olson.
When we reached the door, I gestured with a nod for him to open it, but the butler hesitated, glancing between me and Kyle.
“Well, uh…”
“Are escorts not allowed?”
“It’s customary for only the invited guest to enter the drawing room for distinguished visitors.”
Of course it is.
Sighing inwardly, I turned and placed a hand on Kyle’s shoulder.
“Your Grace…?”
“Kyle, I trust you.”
“What?”
“If something happens to me, just think about what Ian—your lord—will do to you. That should keep you sharp.”
Kyle’s face went pale within seconds as he processed my calm statement.
“There you go.”
I gave him a thumbs-up before turning to the butler, who finally opened the door, albeit cautiously.
And what greeted me inside was…
“Why are you the only one here?”
In the drawing room, where sunlight poured through the windows, only Duke Roger sat upright, instead of Countess Olson.
“Ah, you’ve arrived.”
He stood up with a bright smile and bowed courteously when he saw me.
“You came sooner than I expected.”
“I believe I asked why you’re the only one here.”
He ignored my question entirely, maintaining his relaxed smile.
“And since when has the Olson estate been yours?”
At my sharp remark, he finally let out a small ah before responding.
“Her Grace stepped out for a while. She suggested hosting a tea party with Your Grace, but she had urgent matters in her domain just an hour ago. So, I sent the letter on her behalf, and here we are.”
His innocent face was almost convincing enough to fool anyone who didn’t know better.
But I wasn’t one of them.
I frowned instinctively at his words.
“How convenient.”
“Indeed, isn’t it?”
Two things became clear to me.
First, Countess Olson was entirely uninvolved in the events between “Eloise” and Duke Roger.
Second, for some reason, this man had gone as far as deceiving the poor countess.
It was clear that his invitation to me and the countess’s “urgent absence” were all his doing.
“You said it yourself, Your Grace. Being seen together with me wouldn’t look good. I thought the same about you entering the ducal estate alone, so I took the liberty of arranging things for privacy.”
“…….”
“Are you displeased?”
His sweet smile and his act of “consideration” felt jarring, especially after he had already orchestrated the entire situation to his liking.
I could feel a headache coming on.
Calm down.
I reminded myself that I came here to talk to him, and that hadn’t changed.
Ignoring him, I took a seat in the chair prepared for me.
For someone who had supposedly left abruptly, Countess Olson’s table was suspiciously set for two, complete with tea and desserts.
As if someone had predicted this exact outcome.
Duke Roger took the seat across from me, his gentle smile softening his features.
But when he spoke, his voice was low and detached, a stark contrast to his expression.
“What made you change your mind?”
• • •
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