Why did he suddenly say that? I was only talking about my real brother.
That twisted tone—what even was that?
While I hesitated, Milan opened his mouth.
“But too bad. That generous brother of yours doesn’t exist once you wake up.”
The sarcasm in his dry voice vanished, replaced by a stern expression.
“Don’t make ridiculous excuses. Just explain it properly. How did you know the key was there? Where’d you learn such a rotten habit—”
“Wait a minute.”
I quickly raised both hands. Milan was forgetting something important.
“You’re looking at me like a thief right now, but shouldn’t my dear brother be the one standing tall?”
He seemed too focused on the fact that I opened the safe, as if he’d done nothing wrong.
“Think about what he hid in there. Do you really think I came to steal his valuables?”
We both had something to hide, so there was no need to shrink back. I widened my eyes and stepped out from behind the cabinet.
“Why did you hide my stuff? You said you never picked it up.”
Milan stared at me in silence.
“I was suspicious, but you denied it, so I came to check. How did you even know it was there?”
“I saw you sneaking around the garden. You were being so secretive, I followed you to see what it was about.”
“Did you know what it was when you hid it?”
“No. Not yet. Since we’re on the subject, let me ask. What did you bury there?”
I couldn’t tell the truth. Hadn’t I already boldly claimed that the First Prince’s suspicions were gone?
And I doubted Milan would take my side just because I explained.
“Just give it back.”
“Doesn’t seem like you’re going to talk. Since you haven’t taken it yet, I won’t give it back until you do.”
Of course he wasn’t going to make this easy. I clenched my fists without thinking—and felt the cold touch of the key.
“Right. I still have this.”
He had the mana stone, but I had the key to the safe.
“I have the safe key.”
I held the key up for him to see.
“You can’t open the safe without this, right? I’ll give it to you—so let’s make a trade.”
“A trade?”
Milan scoffed, clearly amused. Instead of responding, he grabbed me by both shoulders.
Then he pushed me toward the door.
“That’s enough. Get out.”
“What?”
“I’m partly to blame, so I’ll let it go this time. But if you pull something like this again, I won’t let it slide.”
“Wait a second. At least give me back my—!”
Before I knew it, he had shoved me out to the hallway. I tried to grab the doorframe, but I couldn’t overcome his strength.
“I can open it even without that key. Now leave.”
“Brother!”
The door slammed shut in front of me.
____________.𖥔 ݁ ˖𓆰♕𓆪 ֶָ֢._________
I thought Milan would go straight to Father and report what I’d done. But Father didn’t say a word.
From the unchanged look in his eyes, it seemed Milan hadn’t said anything at all.
I was lucky. I didn’t want many people knowing about the mana stone.
Realizing just how tough Milan was, I sent a letter to my informant.
I don’t think I’ll make it on the planned day. I’ll contact you again.
I couldn’t show something I didn’t have.
“How am I supposed to get it back…”
A day passed in anxious thought.
The next morning, before lunchtime, a man arrived at the estate carrying a square toolbox. I saw him in the hallway and watched him head into Milan’s room.
“Who is that?”
I asked the butler who had guided him.
“The Count is having a new key made for the safe.”
“A key?”
So that’s what he meant by not needing mine. All that effort to keep the key had been for nothing.
A while later, the man exited Milan’s room. I immediately went to confront Milan.
“That key of yours won’t work anymore. I had the keyhole changed entirely.”
He spoke as if he’d been expecting me. Dressed in clothes for going out.
“Looking for this?”
When I stared at the locked safe, Milan held up the mana stone.
“Give it back.”
“I already told you. Not until you tell me what it is.”
He tucked it into his coat and stepped out.
Was he leaving? My eyes followed him.
“Where are you going? Why are you taking that with you?”
He didn’t answer.
“What are you going to do with it?”
I muttered as I watched him disappear down the corridor.
‘He’s not planning to get it appraised, is he?’
What if he took it to the magic tower or the imperial palace…
‘No!’
If he did that, the First Prince might connect the mana stone to me.
I claimed I lost it. If it’s discovered like that, I’m done for.
“What are you trying to pull…”
I had to stop whatever he was planning. Quietly, I decided to follow him.
I rushed to my room, threw on a shawl, and left the estate. As I stepped outside, one of the guards spotted me and hurried over.
“Where are you going, my lady?”
“My brother went to catch a carriage, didn’t he?”
“Yes…”
“Follow me, Sir Hans.”
I could explain on the way. Urging him on, Sir Hans followed without hesitation.
I left the estate and headed to the main road. A hired carriage was my only option.
No way would the family coachman help me chase after my brother.
I hailed a hired carriage just before reaching the main street. As I climbed in, I saw our family’s carriage passing by.
I couldn’t see inside, but it had to be Milan.
“To the carriage ahead. Follow it.”
“Pardon?”
“Hurry!”
Startled, the coachman began driving.
“My lady,”
Sir Hans spoke cautiously, seated beside me.
“Are we… following the Count’s carriage?”
“Sharp as always.”
“You’re trying to follow him in secret…”
“Correct again.”
His concerned gaze weighed on me.
“There’s a good reason for this.”
He didn’t look convinced, but I left it at that.
Milan’s carriage headed into the city. When it finally stopped, so did ours. I saw Milan step out and begin walking.
‘What’s he doing here?’
I was lost in thought when I noticed Sir Hans still looked worried.
“I’ll take responsibility. Don’t worry too much.”
Hadn’t Milan followed me once before? I was simply returning the favor.
To avoid being noticed, I kept my distance. The streets were bustling, but all I could see was him.
“Maybe he’s meeting someone?”
Sir Hans suggested.
“If so, great.”
If it was just a social call, then this chase would have been pointless—and I’d gladly accept that.
Milan suddenly stopped.
Right in front of the central fountain. Was he waiting for someone?
He checked his pocket watch. Then he looked up.
He began scanning the area.
‘Crap!’
Panicking, I ducked into the shade of a nearby restaurant’s awning.
Thankfully, it didn’t look like he saw me. But just as I let out a sigh of relief, a familiar face appeared.
“The Second Prince…?”
It was Andreas, stepping out of the shop. He looked just as surprised.
“Lady Burkell?”
Standing by the door, his eyes widened as he recognized me. So did his companion, Count Thompson.
Were they dining here?
‘Of all people… why now?’
Another version of me had followed him around too much. That made this even more awkward.
“I greet Your Highness, Second Prince.”
I tried to keep my composure and bowed, then looked back at Milan. The prince followed my gaze.
Then he looked back at me.
“Didn’t expect to see you here, Lady Burkell.”
“A coincidence. Though I doubt you’ll believe me.”
My attention stayed fixed on Milan. He had started moving again.
As I gave Sir Hans a signal, the prince spoke up.
“Whether it’s a coincidence or not doesn’t matter. I actually wanted to speak with you.”
I blinked, turning to the Second Prince.
“You wanted to speak with me…?”
What did he want to say? My nerves tensed—this probably wasn’t going to be pleasant.
“That day by the lake. When I accused you.”
“Oh…”
He must be talking about when he’d wrongly blamed me and ended up humiliated. But now wasn’t the time for this.
“My fiancée defended you. But I couldn’t trust your words because of personal bias.”
“Yes…”
I couldn’t focus. I was still glancing at Milan. This wasn’t the time for a deep conversation.
“Your Highness, I appreciate the apology. Truly.”
Milan was on the move again. I had to follow him quickly.
“I really should—”
“I thought of visiting to apologize but lacked the courage. I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. You had your reasons. Well then—”
“I didn’t know how to say it, but I’m glad we met like this.”
“Your Highness?”
I tried to wrap up, but he didn’t seem ready to let me go.
Not now…
‘He’s getting away!’
“Your Highness, I understand how you feel, and thank you. But I really—”
Milan was getting farther away. Just as I was about to move, he stopped me again.
“This isn’t the right place for this. Shall we talk somewhere more private?”
“No, that’s alright.”
“I insist. I feel terrible about it.”
“You don’t have to. You have your own company—shouldn’t you return to them?”
