The stormy days had passed, and the inn’s grounds were bathed in sunlight, with dewdrops glistening on the trees.
The conspiracy by Shinomiya had been barely thwarted thanks to the efforts of Hina and Keiichiro.
But it had been far from easy.
Especially for Keiichiro, whose body bore the lingering aftermath.
Hina noticed something was wrong during a quiet afternoon moment.
“Lord Saotome, I’ve brought your medicine.”
Only silence answered her.
Puzzled by the lack of response, she gently slid open the shoji door to find Keiichiro slumped in an armchair by the window, his head bowed.
“Lord Saotome…?!”
Rushing closer, she saw beads of cold sweat on his forehead. His complexion was alarmingly pale.
“…I’m fine.”
Yet his voice was terribly hoarse.
“You must rest immediately—let me help you to bed!”
Hastily rearranging the room, Hina supported him as he lay down on the futon.
Closing the shoji behind her, Hina retrieved a jar of medicinal herbs, mixing them with hot water to brew a slow infusion.
As the herbal aroma spread with the steam, a faint calm returned to Keiichiro’s expression.
“Have you… been pushing yourself too hard all this time?”
She murmured softly, pressing a damp cloth to his forehead.
He had originally come to this inn to recuperate.
The price of overexertion had mercilessly taken its toll on him.
Perhaps the medicine was taking effect—Keiichiro’s eyes fluttered open slightly.
“I didn’t mean to overdo it. Just… a bit tired.”
Even Hina, who had merely stood by his side during the press conference, had found it exhausting.
Perhaps dealing with Keito hadn’t helped either.
Seeing the two of them playing together like father and son had made her happy—maybe she had indulged in that warmth too much.
“Please rest now. I’ll stay right here with you.”
At her words, Keiichiro’s eyes wavered slightly.
Meeting her gaze directly, he gave a small nod.
“Thank you, Hina. Truly… I’m glad you’re here.”
Outside the veranda, only the occasional sound of dripping water from the rain-soaked garden broke the silence.
The sound seemed to gently wash away the lingering tension between them.
That night, as Hina prepared his medicine by his bedside time and again, she quietly steeled her resolve.
Staying by his side was no longer just a matter of gratitude.
But what it had become, she couldn’t yet put into words.
(…If only Lord Keiichiro could stay here forever…)
The wish dissolved into the quiet of the early summer night, slowly enveloped by moonlight.
The previous day’s sunshine had been fleeting—overcast skies typical of the rainy season had returned.
As humid air clung to the eaves, a dark green carriage came to a stop before Yunoya Inn.
The door opened, and black-clad attendants stepped out first.
Two stiff-backed men took their positions, soon extending a courteous hand.
Then, gathering the hem of her soft silk dress, a young woman emerged.
Her refined features were framed by gently curled hair. A lightweight coat draped her slender figure, lace gloves completing the ensemble.
Her bearing made it immediately clear she was from high society.
“Pardon my intrusion. I am Satoko Katsuragi. I’ve come to visit my fiancé, who I understand is staying here.”
Her crisp voice echoed quietly across the entranceway’s wooden floor.
At the name, both the innkeeper and Hina instinctively exchanged glances.
It seemed the recent media frenzy had led her here.
Hina’s chest tightened sharply.
(So this is… Lord Keiichiro’s fiancée.)
Satoko standing before them was as beautiful as rumored. Her posture was impeccably straight, her speech refined, her attire flawless.
Unconsciously, Hina glanced down at her own slightly soiled work robe and shrank back a little.
(She’s wonderful… Of course, someone like her would be…)
Something in her mind turned cold.
Suppressing her feelings, Hina bowed deeply.
“My apologies. Lord Saotome is currently unwell and resting. We must ask you to refrain from visiting.”
“My, but I’m his fiancée. Shouldn’t that mean I visit him especially when he’s unwell? Which room is his?”
Without hesitation, Satoko removed her shoes and strode confidently into the inn.
“P-Please wait, Lady Katsuragi…!”
Hina’s flustered attempt to stop her was effortlessly brushed aside. Satoko began ascending the stairs without pause—clearly accustomed to such inns. The way she unerringly headed for the second-floor guest rooms, as if it were obvious, made Hina bite her lip.
“…Very well, Lady Katsuragi. Please wait a moment. I’ll inform Lord Saotome of your arrival.”
Even as his fiancée, she couldn’t simply escort her to his room without his permission.
Certain courtesies had to be observed, regardless of the visitor’s status.
Standing before the shoji of the Camellia Room, Hina took a deep breath.
“Lord Saotome, it’s Hina. Your fiancée, Lady Katsuragi, has arrived… May I open the door?”
But there was no reply.
The silence felt heavier than before, stirring unease in Hina’s chest. A bad premonition took hold.
“…Forgive me.”
Without waiting further, she slid the door open—and gasped.
Keiichiro lay twisted on the futon, his face contorted in agony. Sweat glistened on his brow as he took shallow, ragged breaths. None of his usual composed demeanor remained. This was no ordinary fatigue—
“Kei—Lord Saotome!”
She nearly cried out his name, instinctively moving toward him.
Then—another set of footsteps rushed in from behind.
“Lord Keiichiro!”
It was Satoko. Her face tense, she dropped to her knees beside the futon without hesitation.
As if it were her unquestionable right.
Hina froze at the sight.
Watching her call Keiichiro’s name more naturally than anyone, reach for him from closer than anyone—it felt like her heart might tear apart.
“…Oh, he’s suffering! Maid, can’t you do something?!”
The words snapped Hina back to reality.
There was no time to be lost in emotion.
“I’ll prepare medicine at once!”
Turning on her heel, Hina ran.