“Stop.”

Interrupting Count Holland’s words with a sharp cut was Edward, the Crown Prince—Ruth, who had been silently listening all along. His low voice now carried a completely different weight than before. From him emanated an overwhelming authority that subdued everyone present. Not only Count Holland, but everyone in the room fell silent.

Eva, who had until now kept her eyes closed, slowly opened her eyelids.

“You don’t need to answer, Eva. I’m not that curious.”

Edward stopped her with a lowered, steady gaze. Perhaps he disliked having something that had been a rather decent moment stained with filth. Or perhaps he simply did not wish to see the downfall of his former fiancée. Either way, he intended to end the situation with the weight of his words.

“No, Your Highness.”

From Eva’s lips came the honorific acknowledging him as the Crown Prince. Meeting Edward’s eyes, she gave a sorrowful smile.

Hearing his voice, her clouded thoughts settled and became clear. If she did not answer as he said, the situation would end right here. Perhaps that would be better for her. For a brief moment, she even wavered at the thought of leaving it like that.

However, leaving things unresolved would mean living under a lingering shadow of discomfort for the rest of her life. She did not want to be remembered by Edward as a deceitful woman. Nor did she want to end things while being trampled like this.

“I will confess everything. Please listen.”

“Then speak.”

A brief flash of displeasure crossed Edward’s face, but he soon respected her decision and supported her. As her attitude changed, the others around them also held their breath in tension.

Since she had made up her mind, she would begin. Without shame, without hesitation.

Exhaling deeply to steady her breathing, Eva lowered her gaze and began.

“While I have lived here, I hated my miserable circumstances and dull countryside life. Then I heard that Count Holland and his friend were visiting Bale Castle, and I decided to try to seduce the Count. I thought that if it worked, I might be able to go to the capital and live a glamorous life.”

As Eva calmly confessed her wrongdoing, she lifted her eyelids. Her face no longer showed anger or sorrow. It was calm and still, as if she had transcended everything. That expression, in turn, left a strong impression on those watching her.

“I instructed the coachman, Paul, to track Count Holland’s walking route. I learned that he rested by that riverside, so I took Pamela and waited for the two of them there. Isn’t that right, Pamela?”

“Huh? Y-yes. That’s right, Eva.”

Startled at being called, Pamela stammered.

Of course she would be confused. Eva was confessing too easily, and even seeking Pamela’s confirmation. Naturally, nothing about this situation would seem normal.

As expected, everyone looked confused. For a woman supposedly plotting something so cunning, Eva’s sudden honesty felt too extreme.

Eva’s gaze moved across the people before stopping at Pamela. The corners of her lips subtly curved upward.

Listen carefully—this is your story. Hear it, doubt it, fear it. After this confession, everything fabricated will be stripped away, and only the truth will remain.

“To gain your attention, I deliberately fell into the water, and as planned, Count Holland’s friend rescued me. Everything afterward is as you all know.”

Eva’s confession continued without pause. There was only one thought in her mind: persuade just one person—Edward.

Viscount Beattie and his wife would likely believe Pamela’s lies. Even if they didn’t know the truth, Pamela’s words were the only truth to them.

Count Holland would judge based on what he saw and heard, so convincing him was impossible now. But if Edward learned the truth, then Holland would know everything as well. Therefore, only Edward needed to understand the truth.

“Is everything you just said true?”

Once she finished speaking, Edward asked in a cold voice. His eyes held both faint disappointment and lingering suspicion. Given how smoothly she spoke under sudden pressure, it was likely true—but a trace of trust in her made him search for another explanation behind her confession.

“Yes, Your Highness. Everything I have said is true…”

Feeling grateful even for that, Eva met his gaze directly.

“I swear it upon the kiss Your Highness mentioned earlier.”

A sorrowful smile spread across her face.

A kiss that had no form, like a passing wind. A promise that could not be kept. A false oath. By swearing on it, she hoped he would realize that her words were not lies—that she was innocent.

As soon as she finished speaking, heavy silence fell. It felt like the prelude to a storm or the aftermath of devastation. Either way, it was a cruel and shocking moment for everyone present—and perhaps even for Edward.

“H-how could you…!”

Viscount Beattie’s wife staggered as if dizzy and collapsed onto the sofa. The viscount trembled violently, pipe still in hand, mouth agape. Count Holland stood frozen like a statue, looking back and forth between Eva and Edward.

But the most striking was Pamela. Her face had turned completely pale. At the word “kiss,” her lips and jaw trembled as she glared at Eva. She should have been satisfied that Eva had taken all the blame as she wished—but now she looked like she wanted to grab Eva by the hair and shake her.

Eva met Pamela’s gaze and gave a faint smile. It felt refreshingly liberating, as if a weight had been lifted from her chest. She had achieved what she wanted; this was enough.

“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. I did not mean that the Crown Prince and I kissed. I was referring metaphorically to something else.”

“….”

Her slow clarification made everyone’s expressions worsen. The air felt like it had been compressed to its limit and then burst. They looked exhausted, as though they were being toyed with by Eva’s manipulation of tension.

Eva turned her head toward Pamela. Even after clarifying that there had been no kiss with the Crown Prince, her face remained stiff. A perceptive girl—she must have realized that something between Eva and Edward had indeed happened. That realization must be maddening for her.

“Your Highness, I apologize.”

Eva lowered her head in apology. She regretted dragging Edward into this situation, embarrassing him, and bringing up the kiss in a way that complicated his position.

Without saying a word, Edward stepped closer. He looked entirely unaffected by her apology or her sudden confession. Even as the atmosphere shifted rapidly, he remained calm and composed.

“Eva, I will ask you one last time.”

“Yes. Please ask.”

“Do you still think it is better to simply watch the flowers bloom?”

“….”

Ah…

At that question, Eva lost her voice. She realized he understood her metaphor and had grasped the situation. That alone was enough to be grateful for—but even now, he was asking for her will with respect.

“Yes. Please allow it.”

Eva smiled faintly with gratitude. This was enough help from him. As he said, this fleeting connection was sufficient. He was leaving tomorrow, and she did not want to hinder his path.

“It’s late, Your Highness. You should return now.”

Count Holland spoke, trying to end things.

“Viscount Beattie.”

Edward ignored him and called the viscount instead. His eyes carried a winter storm.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“I will pretend this never happened. Do not speak of it again.”

“I understand, Your Highness.”

“And I will occasionally send people to inquire about her well-being, so take good care of Miss Maysis.”

As compensation for not being able to help Eva directly, Edward issued a warning to them. Though he would leave, he ensured they could no longer harm her.

“Of course, Your Highness.”

The viscount bowed deeply, almost pitifully.

Edward then looked at the viscountess and Pamela one last time before turning away. When he looked at Eva again, his gaze carried the weight of farewell.

“Take care, Eva.”

A calm voice devoid of emotion.

“It was an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

Eva replied politely, curtsying with composure.

As Edward and Count Holland left, the space felt empty and hollow. Everything seemed like a dream that had ended too quickly.

Edward Kane Butterfield, the Crown Prince.

Eva had now fully parted ways with her former fiancé.

Later…

Cecile slept peacefully, her breathing even.

Eva knelt by the bed, burying her face in the sheet. She had come longing for Cecile’s comfort, and even holding the blanket brought her relief.

Soon, her shoulders began to tremble slightly. Quiet sobs escaped her lips.

“Ugh… I didn’t want this…”

Inside her heart, she called out to Cecile, unable to speak aloud. She desperately longed for her nurse’s warmth.

Then—

A gentle movement. A warm hand stroked her head.

“And why is our little one crying like this?”

It was Cecile’s voice.

Startled, Eva looked up—and Cecile was smiling softly at her. That smile wrapped around her wounded heart like warmth.

And perhaps because of that—

“Nur…se… The Crown Prince… he left…”