Anyway, Irenea never forgot the kindness shown to her. She broke up the power of the “Swamp of Silence” and rescued an alchemist who had been exploited by them. She handed him over to Sellen, who took care of him.
Thanks to Irenea’s support, the alchemist was now happily doing the research he had always dreamed of.
“Kallio is probably planning to make the lady drink that potion so he can force her to marry someone he wants,” Sellen said.
“Yeah, that’s the only option he has left now,” Irenea agreed.
If Kallio could control the Marquess, he’d gain a lot of power in the household. He could easily replace the chief butler and the head maid. He could even poison Irenea’s food.
“That was a close call.”
“Yeah. Good thing the only alchemist Kallio could contact was our Wood.”
Sellen grinned proudly.
Sellen always took pride in her people as if their achievements were her own. Irenea just shook her head instead of pointing it out.
“So what kind of potion did Wood make for my uncle?”
“A nutritional drink. But still, avoid drinking it if you can. If nothing happens after taking it, it’ll hurt Wood’s reputation.”
“Wait, Wood cares about his reputation?”
“No. He’s just terrified that even one strand of your hair might be harmed.”
The seemingly endless dance finally came to an end. Irenea and her partner stepped away from each other and exchanged bows. Sellen approached, grinning as she played with Irenea’s bonnet ribbon.
Irenea batted Sellen’s hand away, remembering Wood’s clear smile and feeling a bit guilty.
“Poor Wood, having to deal with someone like my uncle.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. We didn’t expose our precious alchemist to someone like him. We had a seasoned pro handle it instead.”
Sellen winked mischievously, making Irenea wonder just how that “hospitality” had been delivered.
That this woman used to be a cold, heartless person is hard to believe.
Shaking her head, Irenea led Sellen to the edge of the ballroom. With a whiskey glass in hand, she stood by the wall. Immediately, her guild members rushed to the center to dance.
Their movements weren’t exactly dance-like, more like wild gestures, but everyone looked like they were having fun. Irenea couldn’t help but smile.
Her smile was mostly hidden by the bonnet ribbon, but Sellen, without even looking, popped a chocolate into her mouth and smiled in return.
“You really are an interesting young lady.”
“What?”
Irenea’s eyes pierced through her bonnet as if accusing Sellen of teasing her again.
Sellen sighed dramatically. “When did I become so untrustworthy?”
“Let’s talk business. Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Oh, right! What happened to all your big talk? The ball is only two weeks away, you know.”
“Don’t you trust me, Lady?”
“I do, so stop stalling. Where’s my man?”
She said “my man” with zero hesitation.
If anyone else had heard her, they would’ve assumed he was her lover.
Sellen had thought so too—at first. But after a full investigation, she found no real connection between Irenea and Leonard Elpheus.
They only met once… and even then, barely.
And yet, Irenea had boldly declared him her future husband. Sellen had gathered every bit of information available, and was sure she missed nothing.
The only confirmed connection? They debuted in high society on the same day. But both left after greeting the emperor. They hadn’t even spoken.
A passing glance might have been possible, and Leonard was undeniably handsome… but could Irenea really have chosen a husband based on looks alone?
“Okay, maybe I should’ve asked this earlier…”
“What?”
Sellen quickly raised her hands in surrender, seeing Irenea’s death-glare through the bonnet.
“I just meant—are you sure you gave me the right name to investigate?”
“Do I look like someone who would mix up something that important?”
“Of course not.”
There was only one logical conclusion: somewhere, at some moment, Irenea and Leonard had truly met—just in a way that escaped even the most thorough investigation.
“…Ugh. It’s frustrating.”
“Stop dodging the question. Can you or can’t you arrange a meeting with Leonard Elpheus?”
Why would someone as powerful as the Marquess of Blair need help from the head of an intelligence guild?
Simple. After only a year in society, Leonard returned to his estate and disappeared from public life. He hadn’t responded to any letters, cards, or invitations since.
‘I’ll invite him to the ball and introduce him as my future husband. Can you make that happen?’
Sellen’s pride wouldn’t let her say no.
It wasn’t just because Leonard had once helped everyone in the underworld. Sellen also wanted Irenea—who never stopped running forward—to have a chance at happiness.
And if that happiness was a date with her future husband? Even better.
Smiling like a proud parent bringing home beef for dinner, Sellen said, “Of course I can.”
“When and how?”
“Right now.”
“What?”
Irenea blinked in shock as Sellen checked her pocket watch.
“Just go outside and wait a bit. My people will bring him to you.”
“Wait… Seriously? If I go outside right now, I’ll see him?”
Irenea’s dazed voice said it all.
Sellen nodded firmly. Irenea grabbed her dress and rushed outside.
Sellen wondered how those two had met in the past—and what their reunion would be like. But she didn’t want to interfere.
She truly wished Irenea happiness.
Outside…
‘I can really meet him? Right now? Just like that?’
Irenea stood outside, breathing heavily. There were three paths between the shadowy alleys. She wished she’d asked which direction he’d come from.
‘So he was in the capital after all.’
She recalled Leonard’s history. Around this time, he had lost his title due to an incident and returned to being a mercenary. He quickly became a famous leader.
She knew why he lost everything. He had told her.
She didn’t want him to lose more. She had to meet him. More than that—she wanted to.
Footsteps.
Heavy, quick footsteps came from behind.
Her heart pounded as she turned around.
And there he was.
Just as she remembered from her dreams. Even younger than she had expected.
‘Ah…’
Irenea bit her lip, staring at him.
Golden hair, a bit messy in the wind. Red eyes—once fierce in battle, now calm like a campfire.
His eyes widened as if recognizing her. Just for a moment, she let herself believe he remembered her too.
‘Lynn.’
But no kind voice followed.
His eyes held no warmth. He just looked her up and down like she was a stranger.
She wasn’t hurt. She was too captivated by how healthy and alive he looked.
He looks so different now…
Back then, his face was always shadowed with exhaustion. The trauma and loss had carved deep into him.
But now…
Maybe they could start fresh, as if meeting for the first time.
“I think he’s that way!”
A voice called out behind Leonard, making him flinch.
The cold, iron-blooded knight flinching? That alone made Irenea tear up—and laugh.
‘To think I’d see you again like this…’
She was thankful her bonnet hid her face. If Leonard could see her expression, he’d probably be creeped out by how she stared at a stranger.
‘Yes, this is our real first meeting.’
So what if he didn’t remember?
It was better this way. No need for pity or painful memories—they could write a new story.
The old Irenea had died. The old Leonard, too—especially after he broke his only promise not to die before her.
Now, with her heart about to burst, she stepped toward him.
Leonard raised an eyebrow, clearly confused.
Afraid he might run, Irenea took the last step quickly.
As soon as her hand touched his arm, she smiled brightly under her bonnet.
