In one corner of the Duke of Baldwin’s office stood a bookshelf crammed full of notebooks.
Heinrich walked straight up to it and, without a moment of hesitation, picked one out.
It was a very old notebook. The leather cover was worn and frayed—a sign of how diligently it had been used.
As he flipped open a page, the name Rivenia Baldwin was written in elegant cursive.
Heinrich lightly ran his fingertips across the name, afraid the letters might smudge, even though they had been written more than ten years ago.
Turning more pages, he saw detailed maps that Rivenia had drawn, filling the notebook edge to edge. They were ore vein maps, created using magical mining tools.
Among them was the very vein from which Nadia had recently extracted magic stones.
“Rivenia knew too. That there were magic stones in that land.”
It could be just a coincidence.
Just as Rivenia discovered the location of those stones, maybe Nadia had also figured it out by some means.
But still—wasn’t it too much of a coincidence?
The Hesse territory had barely survived on coal mining for years, living in poverty. So how had the Baroness of Hesse suddenly discovered magic stones right after falling ill?
Maybe Nadia knew something—something connected to Rivenia.
It was a slim chance, but Heinrich couldn’t let it go.
That was why he asked his mother, the Grand Duchess of Baldwin, to host a social party.
If he could meet Nadia again at that party, maybe he could get a clue.
Heinrich gently placed the notebook back on the shelf with care.
No matter what happened, he had to attend that party and meet Nadia.
The day of the party at Duke Baldwin’s estate came quickly.
From the crack of dawn, Vivian was in a frenzy, waking Nadia and insisting on doing her hair. She tied up half of it, then braided the remaining locks into thin strands that wrapped around from the sides to the back. Even without accessories, it looked lovely.
“Miss, your hair curls so easily—it looks prettier when it’s tied up. Otherwise, it gets messy so fast.”
“You’re quite skilled.”
“I enjoy doing things like this!”
At first, Nadia had wondered if the maid sent to her was actually an assassin, but Vivian turned out to be a useful person—clever with her hands and well-informed about social matters. She talked a bit much, but a maid’s role often included being a conversational companion, so it wasn’t entirely bad.
Nadia’s dress had been altered by the best seamstress in Hesse.
The old, worn lace had been replaced, outdated jewels removed and new ones added, and the stiff sleeves cut off, transforming the dress into something cool yet refined.
Some might still dismiss it as a cheap dress, but Nadia was pleased with it—especially because everyone in Hesse had helped bring it together.
Thanks to all those efforts, she didn’t look too shabby when she arrived at the Baldwin estate.
Vivian kept staring at her and finally couldn’t hold back.
“Miss, you’re going to make a lot of money, right?”
“Hm? Well, I hope so. I want to help the Hesse territory.”
“Then you’ll buy some gorgeous dresses?”
“Isn’t this one already nice?”
“It’s not bad, but I mean the latest capital fashion! Modern styles!”
“Well, I’ll have to, if I want to make it in the capital.”
Nadia had no real interest in dresses. She’d worn plenty of fine ones during her time as Duchess of Baldwin and felt no attachment to them now. As long as her clothes suited the occasion, she didn’t care what she wore.
Vivian, clearly more invested, clenched her fists in frustration at Nadia’s indifference.
“You’re so beautiful—it’s a shame you don’t spend money on fashion! Someday, I’ll choose a dress for you, okay? If I ask my boss to send some, they’ll prepare the very best! What a waste!”
Vivian stamped her feet in disappointment like it pained her more than Nadia.
Nadia simply tapped her fan on Vivian’s head and chuckled softly.
“Alright. Let’s do that next time. For now, just behave and let me wear this.”
“Yes, miss!”
Not long after, a maid from the Baldwin household appeared to escort them to the garden.
Nadia tried to keep her eyes forward, but she couldn’t help glancing around.
She had lived here for eight years. Though she hadn’t fully escaped the nightmares from that time, she’d at least been able to forget many things here.
It had also been a time when, for the first time, she received something in return for her efforts—and grew as a person.
Above all… it was the first time she had loved someone with all her heart.
Not a romantic love—but still a love so pure and heartfelt, given to that child as one human to another.
“Lady Hesse, please enter this way. I hope you enjoy the event.”
The maid bowed politely to signal the end of her guidance.
Nadia stepped gracefully into the garden.
And standing before the central fountain… was a man so beautiful she could never forget him.
The man Nadia—and Rivenia—had loved most in their lives:
Heinrich Baldwin.
The moment she saw him, a wave of emotion crashed over her.
In her memories, Heinrich had been tall and mature, but still had the softness of youth.
But now he was 26—a strong, well-built young man.
His features had always been sharp, but now he looked almost like a sculpture carved by an artist, his lines bold and striking.
His swept-back black hair revealed a clean forehead, and his polished formal wear highlighted his tall frame and broad shoulders.
Nadia found herself staring at him—until their eyes met.
His eyes, a pure ruby red without a speck of impurity, seemed like they could swallow her whole.
Startled, Nadia quickly bowed her head and turned away.
“Miss, you need to greet the Grand Duchess.”
“She looks busy. Let’s wait. I’m the lowest-ranking guest here anyway—there’s no rush.”
“Then I’ll keep an eye out for a good moment.”
“Thanks. You’re reliable.”
“Of course!”
Vivian offered her a piece of cheese, and Nadia bit into it.
There were finely chopped walnuts inside.
Walnuts? That’s strange… Heinrich is allergic to walnuts. They’ve never been allowed into the Baldwin estate.
Her mind was overwhelmed with thoughts of Heinrich.
She had come to this party partly to make connections—but more importantly, to confirm something about Heinrich.
If he was truly avoiding marriage because of his past with her—with Rivenia—then she couldn’t let that happen.
Nadia held a champagne glass, not taking a sip, and spun it slowly in her fingers, deep in thought.
How can I approach Heinrich? I can’t just walk up casually. If I want to bring up marriage, we’ll need a deeper conversation…
“…Miss, Miss!”
Vivian gently shook her arm.
Nadia, jolted from her thoughts, looked up to scold the overly excited maid—
Only to freeze when she saw Heinrich standing right in front of her.
“We meet again, Lady Hesse.”
“Ah…”
He was standing so close, she could smell his cologne. It wasn’t the soft scent she remembered from the boy in her memories.
It snapped her back to her senses.
She gathered her skirt and greeted him with proper form.
“Nadia of the Baron House of Hesse greets Duke Baldwin.”
“This is a social gathering for northern unity. No need to be so formal.”
Why had Heinrich come to her?
As she had said to Vivian, she was the lowest-ranking guest here.
Heinrich had no reason to be interested in her. She had been thinking up ways to approach him, and now here he was—approaching her?
Still, an opportunity was an opportunity.
Nadia smiled warmly and tried to keep the conversation going.
“The garden is beautiful. Do you enjoy gardening, Your Grace?”
“Unfortunately, I have no such talent. My mother is the one who loves the garden.”
“Oh, I see. It’s impressive that the Grand Duchess maintains such a vast space on her own. If you had a duchess, she could help lighten the burden.”
At that, Heinrich’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
“Of course, as someone who serves the Empire, I understand why Your Grace is cautious about marriage.”
Nadia spoke respectfully, but she didn’t shift the topic.
However, Heinrich only gave a short, flat answer.
“Yes.”
That was all.
Nadia gave a strained smile and spun her champagne glass again.
Seeing their conversation wasn’t going well, Vivian approached with a tray of food.
Nadia seized the chance to speak again.
“Ah, the food is wonderful. I’m once again impressed by the Grand Duchess’s impeccable taste.”
Her eyes flicked toward the cheese on the tray.
The same cheese from earlier—with walnuts.
Nadia grew tense.
What if Heinrich eats that and has an allergic reaction?
She decided she should eat it herself before he could.
But then, a large hand reached toward the tray.
Heinrich picked up a piece of cheese.
“W-Walnuts…”
Without thinking, Nadia grabbed Heinrich’s wrist.
