Kaidel stepped out into the rain-soaked streets.
He had no particular destination. He simply walked—again and again—wherever his feet led him.
Because if he stopped even for a moment, it felt like his heart would burst.
A violent whirlpool of emotion surged through him, and Kaidel had no idea how to contain it. He could only suppress it, pressing it down with all his might.
It was the first time.
The first time he had ever felt comfort in someone's presence.
The first time that comforting someone had felt like the most important thing in the world.
The first time he had thought of himself as a decent man—someone who could be better.
The first time he had loved someone and thrown himself against the world just to be with her.
Every shining "first" in his life—Kaidel had received them all from Eleanor.
And now, resting in his hands, was another first—one that ached unbearably. His first heartbreak.
I have to accept it.
It was Eleanor's decision.
All he could do was respect her choice—and wish her happiness.
Even if it tore him apart.
Even if his chest turned to ash each time he saw the two of them together.
Then… does that mean I should stop loving her, too?
Kaidel asked himself.
What was he supposed to do with this heart that had nowhere to go?
He wanted an answer.
If I must stop… how does one stop?
Then his eyes caught sight of a familiar building—it was the inn where he was staying.
After wandering aimlessly for so long, he had somehow returned to where he started.
Kaidel came to a halt before the shabby structure—just as his heart always stopped whenever he stood before Eleanor.
At that moment, someone tapped his shoulder.
Kaidel turned—and his eyes widened.
"…Dwight Everett?"
Dwight stood before him, holding an umbrella.
"Arsen is preparing for war. Things are moving faster than expected."
Dwight handed Kaidel a letter from Ismel. Kaidel read through it carefully, line by line. His expression darkened.
It was one blow after another.
He closed his eyes briefly, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over him.
"Arsen… Are you certain?"
Kaidel asked, pulling on a clean shirt after roughly drying his hair and body with a towel.
Dwight nodded grimly.
"Several kingdoms and duchies are aligning around the Arsen Empire. Not long ago, Arsen's fleet clashed with Moezen's ships at sea."
"There's no one more calculating than the Emperor of Arsen," Kaidel murmured calmly. "He's always coveted Moezen's trade ports."
As they discussed the shifting political landscape, Kaidel quietly changed out of his soaked clothes.
Dwight, watching him, narrowed his eyes slightly.
Though Kaidel's voice remained composed, something about him seemed deeply unsettled.
Why won't he look at me?
Kaidel had kept his back turned from the moment Dwight arrived. Even when he turned, his eyes remained fixed on the floor or the wall.
When they'd met outside, Kaidel had bowed his head immediately.
At first Dwight thought it was because of the heavy rain—but now he realized it had been an attempt to avoid eye contact.
"His Majesty said he would explain everything in person," Dwight continued carefully.
As Kaidel picked up the damp clothes from the floor, he asked, "Am I to return to the palace tomorrow?"
"No, Your Grace," Dwight replied, meeting his eyes.
"His Majesty has commanded your immediate return. We must depart at once—the carriage is ready."
Kaidel froze.
The students' entrance exams weren't over yet.
If he left now, he wouldn't be able to embrace Damian after his test.
The whole reason he had come to Deln would vanish.
And Eleanor…
If he left like this, it would feel like running away.
"…Very well," Kaidel said quietly. "We'll depart immediately."
He had no other choice.
As the Duke of Valentine, his duty came first—his loyalty to the crown was absolute.
Kaidel steadied himself and crossed the corridor toward the next room.
He needed to ask Adrian to look after Damian.
But when he stopped in front of Adrian's door, his entire body locked up.
It was as if he'd been trapped inside someone else's skin, unable to move.
He exhaled a short breath and knocked. His heart thudded uneasily.
The door opened soon after.
Adrian stood there, looking mildly surprised. Fortunately, he was alone.
"What's the matter?"
"I've been called back to the capital immediately. Could you look after Damian tomorrow?"
Adrian nodded. "What happened—?"
"I can't say. We'll speak in Bellium."
Kaidel cut him off and ended the conversation. Then, without delay, he packed his things and left the inn.
"Your carriage is ready, sir," Dwight said, opening the door for him.
Kaidel climbed in without hesitation.
The carriage raced out of Deln, across the empty fields under the relentless rain.
Kaidel stared blankly at the bleak landscape outside.
Dwight studied him, concern furrowing his brow.
Something was wrong.
Is he troubled because he couldn't even say goodbye to Ellen?
Dwight spoke gently.
"I'll explain the situation to Ellen on your behalf, Your Grace. She'll surely understand."
"There's no need."
Kaidel's voice emerged hoarse and low, breaking the long silence.
"Don't tell her anything. About today—say nothing."
For the first time, Kaidel looked directly at Dwight.
Their eyes met—and Kaidel's face visibly crumbled.
He turned away quickly, as if ashamed to be seen.
Dwight's eyes widened slightly.
He had never seen the Duke—always so composed and unyielding—look so broken.
"…Understood," Dwight said quietly.
"Thank you."
Those were the last words exchanged between them in the carriage.
"Ah… I see."
At the news that Kaidel had returned to Bellium, Eleanor stood frozen in disbelief.
Her head rang as though someone had struck the back of it.
Adrian explained, "He asked me to look after Damian."
"Did he… say anything else?"
Adrian shook his head. "Only that he had urgent business in the capital."
"I see…"
"It's nothing serious, Ellen. Don't worry too much."
Adrian ruffled her hair lightly. Eleanor managed a small smile.
"They're coming out!"
Someone shouted nearby. Eleanor's gaze darted toward the academy gates.
One by one, the children were emerging from their exams.
Eleanor rose onto her toes, scanning the crowd eagerly.
"There they are," Adrian murmured beside her, pointing.
Following his gesture, Eleanor spotted Lucas, Damian, and Siena walking out side by side.
Relief flooded through her, and her nose tingled with emotion.
"Siena, over here!"
Hestia waved her arms, calling out loudly.
Lucas tapped Siena's shoulder, pointing toward her mother.
The moment Siena saw her, she burst into tears—large beads rolling down her cheeks.
"Teacher!"
The children came running. Eleanor knelt and caught Lucas in her arms as he flung himself into her.
"You did so well, Luke. You worked so hard."
Lucas rubbed his soft cheek against her shoulder, mumbling, "I'm hungry…"
"Then let's go get lunch."
Eleanor gave him another tight hug before turning to Damian, who grinned and stepped into her embrace.
"You too, Damian. You did wonderfully."
Holding him close, she said gently,
"Your brother had to leave for something urgent. He really wanted to come, but he couldn't help it."
Damian nodded quietly.
"Are you upset?" she asked softly.
He shook his head.
"You're so brave," she smiled. "I'll take you back to the Duke's Castle myself, so don't worry. Let's eat before we go."
Both Damian and Lucas looked cheerful—relieved that the exams were finally over.
But Siena was another story.
As Hestia soothed her weeping daughter, she called Eleanor over quietly.
"Eleanor, could you come here for a moment?"
Eleanor hurried over. Siena's tears grew heavier the instant she saw her.
"What's wrong, Siena? Did something happen?"
"Teacher, I ruined the test… I'm sorry…"
Eleanor's heart sank. She knew how hard Siena had studied—how earnestly she had prepared.
But life often involved things beyond control—like luck. Sometimes, even the best students couldn't perform their best on the day.
Eleanor gently wiped Siena's cheeks, keeping her voice calm.
"It's all right, Siena. That happens."
"But… I barely even looked at the history test…"
Eleanor's eyes widened. Missing an entire subject was serious.
"Was another exam too difficult?"
Siena shook her head vehemently.
"My stomach… hic… it hurt so much. It hurt so bad…"
"Your stomach?"
Eleanor's face went pale.
Through her tears, Siena confessed the secret she had kept until now.
"That morning, actually…"
After much searching, Eleanor and Adrian finally tracked down the merchant who had sold Clearheart to Siena.
If he scammed Ena with a fake potion, I won't let it go.
Eleanor was furious.
She strode to the door and knocked hard.
A shuffling sound came from inside, followed by a deep male voice.
"Who is it?"
"Is this Mr. Madison's residence?" Eleanor asked.
"That's right."
"We'd like to have a word, if you don't mind."
Creak.
A burly man with a rough face stepped out, suspicion in his eyes.
"And who might you be?"
"You're the one who sold Clearheart to the examinees on the day of the academy entrance exams, aren't you?"
"I am."
He crossed his arms, towering over her.
Eleanor stepped forward boldly.
"We'd like to see that medicine for ourselves. Would that be possible?"
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