As soon as dawn broke, Lorendel drove her car towards the central post office of the Capital.

The Capital’s post office was massive, and despite the early hours, it was bustling with people.

Short distances could be communicated through magic crystal devices, even though it had been two years since the invention of the telephone…

Still, due to the unwavering authority of the postal service,
Most nobles and believers in magic scorned the telephone.

This was because telephones were considered less secure, while letters sealed with magic could only be opened with the individual’s mana-infused touch.

“I understand, but…”

Before becoming the secretary of Viscount Edward, she had been a servant of the Radner family, so she somewhat understood.

Still, she also thought that this was partly why noble families were crumbling one by one.

Anyway, the post office was bustling with imperial citizens wanting to send letters and postal workers.

“Please stop here.”
“I shall wait for you.”

Because of the crowd, Lorendel got off at a nearby street before walking to the post office.

She entered the entrance of the post office, tightly clutching a letter sealed with magic in her hand.

‘Why would My Lord write a letter for the postmaster…’

Since the post office was friendly to magic but hostile to technology, the postmaster was very hostile to emerging entrepreneurs who relied on new technologies.

Edward was also included among those.

His dishonor, brought about by Johann, was also a significant reason.

Therefore, when Edward instructed her to deliver a letter to the postmaster, Lorendel nodded, but she was wary.

‘There must be a reason.’

Since Edward did not act without reason, Lorendel decided to let it go.

She slowly stepped into the post office.

On the first floor, there was a vast hall where postal affairs were generally handled, and if you climbed the semicircular stairs on either side, you would find the post office offices.

As Lorendel was about to climb the stairs, the knights blocked her.

“What is your business here?”
“I have come on behalf of Viscount Edward of the Edward Company. I have a personal letter to deliver to the postmaster.”
“Please wait a moment.”

One of the knights, clad in armor, ascended the stairs with a clank, and Lorendel sat on a nearby small chair and waited.

As she watched the bustling people and glanced at the knight standing beside her, she pondered what the contents of the letter sent by the Earl might be.
Looking down at her wristwatch, she realized more than 30 minutes had passed.

Waiting for 10 or 20 minutes was understandable, but it shouldn’t have taken 30 minutes to confirm.

“How much longer do I have to wait?”

Lorendel asked, but the knight did not respond.

“Excuse me. I asked a question.”
“Just wait quietly.”
“What did you say?”
“I said if you’re told to wait quietly, then wait quietly.”

The knight growled menacingly, then chuckled.

“Or perhaps you’re the secretary of a businessman, and patience isn’t your strong suit.”
“This person…!”

Startled by the rude remark, Lorendel momentarily shouted but regained her composure.

Since she had come on behalf of the Viscount, there was no need to cause a scene for no reason.

She took a deep breath and spoke calmly and firmly.

“… I, Lorendel Riveren, am the representative of the Viscount. Even if I acknowledge that your rude remark is directed at the Viscount, it wouldn’t matter. I will report this to him and ask for an apology.”

The knight’s laughter stopped.

“Identify yourself.”

He looked at Lorendel with a stern expression, then made a clicking sound and ascended the stairs.

“I’ll come back after assessing the situation. Wait here.”

About three minutes later, the two knights who had gone upstairs returned.

“Just go up and go to the room at the far left.”
“It would have been better if you had done this sooner.”
“Just go and stop chatting.”

Lorendel rolled her eyes as she passed the sneering knights.

As she climbed the stairs and walked down the hallway, she saw a door made of fine wood at the far left.

She knocked on the door, and a middle-aged man’s voice said, “Come in!”

She opened the door and entered, lightly bowing.

“I am Lorendel Riveren from Edward Company.”
“Edward…?”

The white-haired man, vigorously writing something on his desk, quickly raised his head.

“Viscount Edward Radner?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“What business does he have with me?”

Although his expression clearly showed hostility, Lorendel approached him slowly.

“I have received an order to deliver this letter.”
“Hmm.”

He accepted the letter.

As the letter responded to the postmaster’s magic, it automatically unfolded, revealing the letter inside.

“Wait a moment.”

He took out the letter and made a subtle expression.

Then he furrowed his brow, bit his lower lip, sighed heavily, and pressed his temples with his thumb.

After reading the enclosed letter, his face turned pale, and he broke out in a cold sweat.

“Hey! Is there anyone outside?”

As the postmaster shouted, people who seemed to hold high positions hurriedly ran in.

“Did you call?”
“Immediately, have the staff search for the letter sent by Lady Bronte! Use whatever means necessary!”

The calm expression of the postmaster suddenly turned red.

As the employees hurriedly ran off with tense expressions, he quickly pulled out a pen from the table and hastily wrote a letter, handing it to Lorendel.

“Lorendel Riveren, please make sure to deliver this letter to Viscount Edward.”

As Lorendel bowed her head to leave, the postmaster urgently called her back.

He pulled something out from under the desk and hastily placed it in Lorendel’s hands.

“And this… It’s a specialty in the northern region: Expensive tea! Please deliver it to Lady Ania!”
“Yes. I will do so…”

With a puzzled mind, Lorendel left the post office.

Why would the arrogant postmaster have such an attitude just because of the contents of the letter?

But Lorendel didn’t need to know the details.

***

The reply from the postmaster arrived the very next day.

Taking the carefully sealed letter, I leisurely infused it with magic to open it.

Expecting a satisfactory response to the threatening letter alleging bribery and embezzlement of postal funds…

I was surprised to find a disappointing reply.

“I did not send the letter at the request of Duke Bronte, and I do not know its contents…”

I lit a fire and burned the letter.

That was a satisfactory response.

I hadn’t expected them to keep or remember a letter from two years ago in the first place.

However, despite the satisfaction, a strange sense of guilt crept into my heart.

‘Please believe me.’

When Ania begged and cried, I spoke harshly to her.

For the sake of the Bronte family, I accused her of approaching me to target my wealth.

I sneered at her, saying she was an unlovable woman, and asked if she was happy to marry other men.

“You crazy bastard…”

I lightly touched the slightly healed scar.

It hurt.

But it didn’t hurt as much as the emotional pain that gnawed at my heart.

This scar is a burden I must bear.
A reminder of my mistakes.

To Ania, who begged desperately, believing it wasn’t her fault…
And yet, I spoke so harshly to her…

Not only did I push her heart to the edge of a cliff, but I also made her suffer to the point where she wanted to end her own life.

The warm light of spring poured in through the open window.

I looked out at the mansion’s garden and bustling streets beyond.

What was once desolate two years ago is now a vibrant neighborhood comparable to the Imperial Capital.

Looking back, it was a long time.

What kind of life did Ania Bronte live during all those years?

‘Because I am a lady of the Bronte family.’

When she abandoned her title, what was she feeling?

When she gave up everything and clung to me,
When I callously pushed her away,
How deep was her despair?

I took out a cigarette from the table and lit it.

The unlit end of the cigarette was left untouched as the room slowly grew a thick haze.

“Am I really… worthy of being by Ania’s side?”

The full-length mirror in the room reflected my current appearance.

Holding a cigarette, a man with tired eyes and dark circles from the grueling duties stared back at me.

Is that man really… the Edward Radner that Ania Bronte once loved?

The always noble and upright knight Edward, filled with ambition, had become a businessman driven by greed,
And Edward, who never missed a day of swordsmanship training, had now become someone who couldn’t survive an hour without a cigarette.

The Edward from two years ago and the present me are vastly different people.

To keep Ania Bronte by my side… I’m too broken to hope for eternity with her.

‘Let’s get married. Again.’

Ania’s voice echoed in my ears.

If we were to marry again, could we make it work?

Would I start doubting her again, and would she grow tired of my change and leave?

I crushed the unlit cigarette on the ashtray and lit another one.

“Edward?”

And then, her voice came from beyond the door.

Ania Bronte.

How much are we at odds with each other?
How much time and effort will it take to resolve our differences?
Can we ever find happiness?

As the door opened, I saw Ania holding a tray.

She was beautiful.

But still, the thought crossed my mind that maybe I didn’t deserve her.