CHAPTER 28
Banze, who had been rubbing his forehead, spoke with an apologetic expression.
“I didn’t realize it was your father’s death anniversary and asked to meet today.”
“No.”
“……”
“Thanks to you, I gained the courage I really needed.”
Meyna hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should say one more thing, then closed her mouth.
She had almost told Banze about her dinner plans with Caliph but decided against it.
The main reason she hadn’t turned down his invitation was because today was May 22nd.
May 22nd.
The death anniversary of Tunnel Winslet and the birthday of Meyna Winslet.
A sad birthday she hadn’t celebrated loudly even once since her father died.
That morning, when Caliph suggested dinner, Meyna had felt a small spark of warmth.
For some reason, she wanted to spend the evening outside with someone.
She knew Caliph wouldn’t congratulate her on her birthday.
Still.
***
After dinner, Meyna told Caliph that she would quit her job and stayed overnight at a hotel in Gillingham Square.
And at 8 a.m. today.
She arrived at Lennox Castle at the time Banze had told her.
Before Banze came, she quietly made her way toward Caliph’s room in the inner quarters.
“Assistant!”
Magia, who met her in the hallway, opened her arms wide as soon as she saw her.
“Shh…”
Meyna whispered and pulled her into a hug.
It had only been one night since they last saw each other.
“Where were you yesterday! I was worried!”
“I’m sorry, Magia. Something came up.”
She spoke quietly and gestured toward Caliph’s tightly shut door.
Magia shut her eyes tight.
She shook her head firmly.
That small gesture alone told enough about what must have happened the previous night.
“I just heard things breaking and shattering for a long time, I was too scared to go in.”
“You’ve had a hard time.”
“Something happened, didn’t it? You wouldn’t stay out for no reason.”
“……”
“……Should I stop asking?”
Magia asked carefully, her eyes full of concern.
“I’ll explain soon. Please wait a little, Magia.”
Meyna smiled kindly with an apologetic look.
She could see Caliph’s door, firmly closed.
She wanted to open it and go in right away, but she didn’t.
It was time to meet Banze in the parlor.
She decided to focus on what she had to do.
“Even if I can’t, I have to.”
Just like she’d said before.
When she arrived at the parlor at the appointed time, Banze was already sitting at the table.
“You’re here, Madam. I should’ve been here first. I’m sorry.”
“Did you sleep well?”
Banze asked heartily.
The white carriage that picked up Meyna yesterday, the two attendants, and the most luxurious hotel in Gillingham Square—
All of it had been arranged by Banze.
“It was more than I deserved.”
“I’m glad.”
Banze smiled broadly and nodded toward the seat across from her.
Even in a place that wasn’t her home, she carried the air of its master.
“What did he say when you told him you were quitting?”
“He didn’t seem able to accept it.”
“And the household?”
“……Not fine.”
When Meyna smiled weakly, Banze asked,
“And your heart, Lady?”
“……”
Meyna lowered her head silently.
“It’s alright, be honest.”
“To be honest… I’m shaken, Madam.”
Meyna hesitated, then spoke heavily.
“It’s only been one night, but I already want to run to him and take it back—to say he should forget I ever said I’d quit.”
“I like that honesty.”
For some reason, Banze smiled in satisfaction.
“It’s a natural feeling. It would be strange if you could end seven years in a single day.”
“……”
“If you’d said you were fine, I would’ve been more worried.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“Let’s do this.”
Banze took a long sip of coffee before speaking.
“We’ll use a trick.”
“A trick…?”
“I’ll tell Sir Lennox that you’ve already been reassigned to another knight.”
“……”
“Well, it’s not really a lie. That’s bound to happen soon anyway.”
‘Except we haven’t recruited the prince yet…’
Meyna looked uneasy.
“But we’ll say there’s a two-week grace period until the next aide is ready.”
“A grace period?”
“As a pretext for transition.”
‘A two-week grace period.’
While Meyna pondered, Banze added,
“During that time, he’ll be desperate to win you back—angry, frantic, logical, emotional.”
“……”
“He might even use pity as a weapon.”
“Do you think so? I actually thought Sir Lennox would find another aide right away.”
“Pfft.”
Banze laughed.
Meyna blinked, puzzled.
“You’re too naive, Lady.”
“……I am?”
Finding it amusing, Banze quietly chuckled for a while.
“Um, Madam.”
Meyna waited patiently, then asked softly,
“Then what should I do during those two weeks?”
“Focus on bringing in Prince Biterion.”
“Yes.”
“And let yourself be swayed by Caliph Lennox as much as you need to.”
“……”
“Don’t suppress your feelings anymore.”
“……”
“Be shaken. Fully.”
Meyna gripped her coffee cup.
Behind Banze, sunlight poured in through the window.
“Regret telling him you’d quit. Regret that I found your resignation letter. Regret accepting my offer. Regret everything.”
“……”
“Waver all day long. Think you were right to leave, then think maybe you should go back. Go back and forth until you cry if you have to.”
“……”
“Say what you never could before. Shout, curse him out. Throw your resignation in his face if you want, or invite handsome men of the Empire into your bedroom. Do whatever you like.”
“Madam…! Madam…”
Calling her name like a sigh, Meyna asked in a trembling voice,
“What if I really change my mind? What if I decide my place is still beside Sir Lennox, that Prince Biterion means nothing? What then?”
“Well.”
Banze’s lips curved into a sharp smile.
“I’m sure that won’t happen.”
***
Finally, back to the present.
“Where is Meyna?”
Caliph asked, regaining his focus.
“She went out for a bit.”
“Why?”
“She said the weather was nice and wanted to walk in the garden.”
A carefree walk?
“Before everything’s settled, there’ll be a two-week grace period.”
Banze repeated the same reason she’d told Meyna earlier.
“She’ll stay at Lennox Castle during that time, but she won’t be managing your every move like before.”
Caliph took a deep breath.
He could hear his pulse pounding in his ears. His chest felt like it might burst.
“Also, I’ll be going out tonight for an external meeting.”
“For what.”
His anger cut his words short, one by one.
But Banze, the duchess born of common blood, didn’t flinch at his rough tone.
“A meeting with a new knight.”
Her reply was simple and direct.
‘Is it a man?’
Caliph almost blurted out the question but stopped himself with the last of his restraint.
Banze, seeing him freeze at the words “new knight,” had to hold back a smirk.
She hadn’t actually secured one yet, but it wasn’t exactly a lie either.
The situation almost made her laugh.
“At night?”
“The knight prefers to operate after dark, apparently.”
Caliph shut his eyes tight, then opened them again.
His head throbbed.
He wanted to tear his hair out or burn something down.
“Who is it. That bastard.”
“It’s confidential for now. Don’t ask the Lady either.”
“Understood.”
Banze was no easy opponent. If he charged at her like a beast, he’d only get hurt.
The words “two-week grace period” felt like a faint beam of light.
Within that time, he would win Meyna back.
By any means necessary.
Just then, the door opened, and Meyna walked in.
