Outside the still-parted curtain, Letier could see people talking, others hurrying off the carriages or moving around busily.
What’s going on all of a sudden?
“Huh?”
And soon, the door to the largest carriage—the one Letier was riding in—swung open.
Standing just outside was Lucy, looking flustered and caught in an awkward pose.
“Lucy, what’s going on? Why did the carriage stop?”
“My lady, it’s just that… His Highness the Prince…”
“May I come in for a moment?”
Behind Lucy, Dante suddenly peeked his head in.
“Your Highness?”
“It’ll only take a minute.”
“Ah, sure… please come in.”
Letier, a bit surprised, nodded without thinking. Dante stepped up into the carriage in one swift motion, his long legs making it easy.
He shut the door behind him and sank into the seat across from her.
What’s going on? I already said goodbye properly yesterday…
Letier blinked at the unexpected visitor, not knowing what to say.
“Sorry for the sudden visit.”
“No, it’s okay. But… why are you here so early in the morning?”
“I didn’t expect you to leave at dawn.”
“Wait, did we wake you up? Were we too noisy?”
“No, it’s not that. I was just getting ready to sleep when I saw the carriage outside—your family’s crest caught my eye. That’s why I came out.”
Dante brushed a few strands of hair off his forehead as he spoke.
He stayed up all night?
Now that she looked closely, his slightly furrowed brow did make him seem tired—maybe even a little on edge.
Letier didn’t push him. She simply waited quietly.
Eventually, Dante looked at her and spoke.
“I’ve been thinking all night.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t want to let you go just like this.”
Letier quietly drew in a breath.
Why was the prince saying this all of a sudden?
“Back in the Forest of Memories… and even now… I may seem like a prince who just asks you for help all the time. Maybe I come off as pathetic.”
He gave a small, crooked smile.
“I’ll soon be leaving for the Kingdom of Yustian. Officially, it’s to discuss changes to the alliance agreement.”
“‘Officially’?”
“Yeah. That’s just an excuse. The real reason is to investigate the Empress. She’s originally from Yustian.”
Letier gave a small nod, glancing toward the closed door.
“You know she’s skilled with poisons, right? We’re going to investigate what her life was like before she came to the Trillante Empire. Where she learned all of that, who taught her, and most importantly—why.”
“I see…”
“And I’d like you to help me.”
Letier stared at the prince, surprised by how direct he was.
“Since the Empress is watching you, I can’t officially ask you to come. For now, return to your estate. But when the time comes, meet me at the southern border of Trillante…”
“Is it just because I’m knowledgeable about raw ingredients?”
“What?”
“Is it just because I’m smart, serious about my work, and responsible?”
Dante stared at her, trying to read between the lines of her calm voice.
Letier met his gaze and asked again.
“Is it that you just couldn’t find anyone else to help you?”
“……”
Dante couldn’t answer.
He knew the answer in his heart—but he couldn’t say it out loud.
He also remembered Reuters scoffing and calling it nothing more than a scandal.
Letier, watching the prince struggle to respond, let out a soft sigh and looked away.
“If that’s the case, I’d recommend Simon. He runs a raw materials business in the capital. He’s much more experienced than I am.”
“……”
“If he doesn’t seem right, I know of other suppliers too. Just let me know.”
As she spoke, Letier felt a strange sadness settle over her.
While her own heart was a whirlwind of emotions, the prince seemed focused only on his mission to face the Empress.
She felt a little tired—and a strong desire to just leave the palace quickly.
“Well… Lucy did say we should hurry today.”
“Letier.”
“I think we should go before it gets any later. You should get some sleep too, Your Highness. You look really tired.”
“It’s because it’s you.”
Letier turned back toward him.
Dante was looking at her with a seriousness she hadn’t seen before.
He didn’t look away as he continued.
“The reason I stopped your carriage and rudely climbed in, even though you were about to leave…”
“……”
“The reason I’m asking for this favor even though I know it’s shameless…”
“……”
“It’s because it’s you, Letier. No one else—you.”
Silence filled the carriage.
Neither Dante nor Letier could speak right away.
Letier took a quiet breath, not even sure how to begin processing what she’d just heard.
Sunlight had just started to pour through the carriage window, casting a soft glow on Dante’s face.
His deep, steady gaze remained fixed on her.
After what felt like a long moment, Dante, seeing how flustered she looked, finally spoke again.
“I’ve taken up enough of your time.”
Letier realized then that she had been holding her breath without even noticing.
“What I said still stands. If you ever want to visit Yustian, or feel like helping me, I’ll send you a letter. Please meet me at the place and time I mention.”
He finished calmly, then slowly rose from his seat.
Opening the tightly shut carriage door, Dante stepped down.
Before walking away, he turned and looked back at her one last time.
“If you feel even the slightest hesitation, or if it’s too hard, don’t come. I know I don’t have much to offer right now. So I won’t be hurt.”
“Ah…”
Letier stood up awkwardly, wanting to say goodbye at least.
But Dante, having said what he needed to say, didn’t look back. He walked between the quietly waiting servants and knights and disappeared.
“Uh…”
Letier stared blankly at the now-empty space beyond the carriage door.
What just happened?
What was that?
“My lady! Are you alright?”
Lucy rushed over to check on her.
“Huh? Oh… yeah…”
Letier nodded, and Lucy—quick to pick up on the mood—didn’t ask anything more.
She simply looked at Letier with concern, then closed the carriage door and went back to preparing for departure.
Alone again inside, Letier stared blankly at the seat across from her—where Dante had just been sitting.
“Because it’s you.”
“No one else but you, Letier.”
His calm, low voice echoed in her ears, making them feel warmer and warmer.
Letier reached up to gently touch her flushed cheeks, her face filled with confusion.
Why… why does my heart feel like this?
****
“Letier…!”
“Father.”
“Letieeer…!!”
“Ah, please don’t run! You’ll trip!”
Letier reached out her hand, trying to stop the Duke of Lenever, who was running straight toward her.
But it was no use—the Duke was nearly barefoot as he dashed over, clearly too excited to be stopped.
When he finally reached her, he grabbed her face with trembling hands, breathing hard from the rush, and looked her over anxiously.
“My Letier! My proud child, are you hurt anywhere? Why does your face look so thin?!”
“I’m fine. I ate so much delicious food at the palace, I probably gained weight.”
“How badly did those royals treat you? They must’ve made things so difficult for you!”
“No, not at all. Everyone was kind. They even gave me lots of gifts to thank me before I left.”
Still held by the face, Letier pointed toward the last carriage trailing behind them.
Inside were all sorts of treasures—gold, silver, paintings, rare ingredients—all gifted from the palace in appreciation.
But it seemed the Duke couldn’t hear or see any of that.
His teary eyes were only filled with Letier, and he gently led her into the castle.
“Come in, come in! I’ve had all sorts of delicious food prepared for you!”
“Okay.”
As Letier passed through the gates and entered the main hall, she was greeted by the gathered servants who had been waiting to welcome her home.
They were all looking toward the entrance, and the moment they saw Letier, they broke into cheerful shouts.
“My lady!”
“You’ve worked so hard…!”
“Welcome back! Please tell us all about the capital when you have time!”
The servants all smiled warmly and spoke kind words to her.
Letier returned each of their gazes, smiling back as she greeted them one by one.
Unlike the grand and solemn feeling of the imperial palace, the Duke’s castle felt cozy and full of warmth—and it finally hit her that she was truly home.
“I brought back gifts for everyone. They’re in the carriage behind us, so make sure to each take one.”
“Wow!”
“You’re the best, my lady!”
Smiling at the excited servants, Letier made her way upstairs to her room.
She was just about to go up the stairs without hesitation when the Duke called to her from behind.
“Letier, just change clothes quickly and come down to the dining hall. The head chef prepared a special meal just for you.”
“Yes, Father.”
It did seem like a good idea to change into something more comfortable and roomy.
After all, the Lenever estate’s head chef was famous for being very generous with portions.
