Radner Mansion was generally peaceful, but even in its tranquil atmosphere, crises akin to disasters occasionally occurred.

Firstly, there were situations where Edward Radner’s temper flared up like a raging fire, which didn’t need much explanation.

Secondly, there were occasions when Edward Radner returned earlier than expected.

While the first one was self-explanatory, the second required a bit of elucidation.

Usually, Edward’s early arrival at the mansion meant something urgent had cropped up at his workplace.
Edward’s temperament worsened the most when there were work-related issues.

“What? He’s arriving in 10 minutes?”
“Why on earth?”
“This is disastrous.”

However, this time was a bit different.
Ania wanted to throw a surprise party for Edward and the servants were diligently assisting her prepare.

If Edward arrived in 10 minutes, all their efforts would be in vain.

“There’s no way to stop the Viscount!”
“No matter what we say, he won’t stop, will he?”
“Think of something! Will we let Miss Ania’s surprise party go to waste?”
“But… who can stop someone who doesn’t listen to the Emperor?”
“That’s true.”

The servants fell into deep thought.

They knew the culprit behind Edward’s deteriorating temperament over the past two years was his strained relationship with his former wife.

If they could resolve that, they hoped their master would return to being Edward Radner, the gentle scion of the Radner family.

But there was something more worrying than such trivial matters.

“It’s okay. I lost the brooch anyway.”

It was Ania Brontë.

Until recently, she had always had a cheerful expression, but now she wore a gloomy smile, like an old woman counting her days.

“Miss…”
“I’m fine. I’m already grateful for your help.”

Hearing her words, the servants regained their determination.

“Contact Lorendel immediately and ask her to stall!”
“Can Lorendel do that?”
“If she can’t manage this much, she should quit as a secretary.”

The servants rolled up their sleeves once again.

“Let’s do our best within the next 10 minutes!”

Ania looked at them.

She saw the chefs sweating profusely as they prepared the food,
Maids climbing ladders to hang decorations,
Butlers bustling about carrying dishes.

She felt grateful yet also somewhat sorry.

She couldn’t help but wonder if she, who was no longer the daughter of a duke, deserved such treatment.

After gazing at them, Ania clenched her fist and nodded slightly.
Since everyone was gathering to help her, she could not stand by and do nothing.

Ania Brontë was born as the heiress of a duke.
That was an unavoidable fate.
What flowed in her veins was the cold, blue blood.

However, even the mightiest mountain wears away with rain, and a small stream that continues to flow becomes a great river.

If even the grandest powers of nature can change,
There is no law that says she can’t either.

“Yeah. I’m okay.”

Ania said to herself as if making a promise and rolled up her sleeves.

She didn’t want to disappoint Edward.
With her determination, she felt like she could do anything.

***

“Please, just stall for some time! Just about 20 minutes will do!”
“Why?”
“It’s a favor! For Miss Ania!”
“Just a moment, please!”

Lorendel looked at the extinguished crystal ball with a helpless expression.

‘What on earth is happening? Suddenly asking me to stall…’

She slowly turned her head and glanced at Edward’s face, buried in the sheets beside her.

Then Edward suddenly opened his eyes as if sensing something and swiftly turned to look at Lorendel.

“Have we arrived?”
“Oh, no, Viscount. Not yet. Please continue sleeping.”
“Well, we’re almost there.”

As Edward looked out the window and said this, Lorendel’s face turned pale.

“10 minutes left…”

Lorendel shook her head frantically.

She didn’t know what was happening to require stalling time,
But if it were about Miss Ania…

As urgent voices and bustling noises came from beyond the crystal ball, it was undoubtedly a pressing situation.

‘What on earth is happening…? Did they break the Viscount’s treasured vase? Or…’

Various ominous and dreadful scenarios flashed through her mind like sparks, but then,

“My Lord?”

Lorendel called out to Edward.

Edward, eager to see Ania as soon as possible, smiled and asked, “What’s the matter?”

“I forgot to mention, but there’s road construction on the way to the estate! We have to take a detour, so it’ll take about 20 minutes to return…”
“Road construction? I didn’t hear anything about that.”
“I didn’t think it was necessary to bother the Viscount with such matters…”
“Then tell them to put up a bridge that the car can pass within 5 minutes. I’ll pay whatever it takes.”
“Yes… um…”
“Do as I say.”
“Understood.”

Edward looked out the window as if it were no big deal, even whistling.
Lorendel felt cold sweat running down her back.

‘How much is he looking forward to meeting her…’

This person, who until recently would tremble and rage at the mere mention of Ania Brontë’s name, was he really the same person?

Then, as Edward whistled, he took out a silver brooch from his pocket and fiddled with it in his hand.

“I wonder if Ania will like this?”

Seeing the shy smile on Edward’s lips, Lorendel shuddered.

“Yes… of course she will. Especially since it’s a gift from My Lord.”
“I hope she likes both this brooch and the flowers.”
“She will be delighted.”
“Yeah. I can’t wait to get back.”

Lorendel had nothing more to say.
Perhaps even if a dragon attacked the estate, she wouldn’t be able to stop him.

‘I should prepare to apologize to the butler in advance.’

Lorendel couldn’t tell what had occured at the estate, but she imagined Edward’s happy expression would disappear like a mirage.

She closed her eyes while picturing that scene.

‘I don’t know… Whatever happens, happens.’

It was in that moment of contemplating the usual negligence of the butler when the car suddenly sank.

Initially, Lorendel thought it might be an attack aimed at Edward, so she instinctively reached for the dagger in her pocket.
But soon, she realized it wasn’t an attack.

“The wheel… has burst, Milord.”

Edward, who had personally gotten out of the carriage upon hearing the driver’s perplexed voice, frowned as he looked at the deflated tire.

“We’ll have to walk.”
“Yes. That seems necessary.”

Relief escaped from Lorendel’s lips as she spoke as if to say, “Thank goodness.”

***

Meanwhile, the surprise party preparations had concluded successfully.
Considering they started just two hours before Edward’s unexpected return to the mansion, they were remarkably swift and flawless.

Ania looked around the elegantly decorated dining hall, at the delicious food, and listened to the jazz tunes played by the brass band, feeling an inexplicable sensation.

She couldn’t quite grasp her feelings.
It was as if tears were about to fall at any moment, but her vision just blurred momentarily.

“Thank you.”
“What for, Miss Ania? We just did what we wanted to do.”

Ania turned around, wiping away the tears that had welled up, and bowed her head in gratitude. This took the servants by surprise.

“I’m really grateful.”

Although her stolen brooch suited him perfectly, Ania seemed to have gained something else.

Unfathomable emotions.
Unknowable sentiments.

All of this was possible thanks to Edward being by her side.
With him, she learned things she didn’t know before.

She wasn’t the beloved Ania of the Brontë family, but simply Ania.

At that moment, the sound of the distant door opening echoed.
Ania’s head naturally turned towards the outside of the dining hall.

“Go see the Viscount, Ania.”
“Yes.”

Her heart pounded. It truly did.

Ania opened the door of the dining hall and walked through the corridor as if running.
Each step she took towards him couldn’t have been lighter.

It was truly a strange feeling.
Many things that she couldn’t feel when living as Ania Brontë came rushing towards her before Edward.

“Edward!”

Edward appeared in the distance. Ania’s hurried steps suddenly turned into a sprint.
The worry about receiving Edward’s displeasure vanished as soon as she saw his face.

“Ania.”

A slow smile spread across Edward’s expressionless face.
He opened his arms wide.

As if leaping, Ania dove into his embrace.
The scent of long-missed nostalgia, his voice, everything was right before her.

“I missed you.”
“Me too.”

With her face buried in his chest, Ania smiled.

A week has never felt so long.

Author’s Note

Today is bittersweet.

Translator’s Corner

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. This was all I translated while the website was down. I’m about 22 days behind schedule… so I’ll just upload stuff until we catch up.

Another thing, thank Lemur4444 for the chapter.