Episode 3

The weeks passed with a discipline that few would have expected from the silent Sienna Gray.

Every dawn, before the sun fully illuminated the gardens of the Gray mansion, she was already awake. The cold morning air was her constant companion as she ran along the back paths, away from the main windows.

At first, her breathing was clumsy, and her legs refused to obey her.

But Sienna's mind did not know the word "surrender."

In her previous life, she had trained in rain, cold, exhaustion, and fear. Compared to that, the pain of a body that was just beginning to strengthen was only a temporary discomfort.

First, she ran short distances.

Then longer ones.

She practiced balancing on the stone edges of the garden.

She strengthened her arms and abdomen with exercises that would seem strange to any noble.

Sometimes she even practiced self-defense moves behind the tall bushes in the garden, making sure no one could see her.

And Sienna's body responded surprisingly well.

Her back straightened.

Her steps became firmer.

Her breathing more controlled.

Even her gaze began to change.

The servants only thought that the young lady from the countryside was recovering from the carriage accident.

But in reality, Sienna was rebuilding herself.

When she felt that she had regained at least part of her former physical condition, she decided it was time to take the next step.

To meet the man she was supposedly going to marry.

Duke Julian Bridge.

But she couldn't do it directly.

If Sarco Gray or his wife suspected that Sienna was interested in the duke ahead of time, they would begin to watch her more closely.

So she chose a simple method.

Going out to town.

The first time she asked permission, Lady Gray barely looked up from her embroidery.

"You want to visit the market?"

Sienna nodded gently.

"Yes, aunt. It's been a while since I've been out."

Lady Gray seemed to think about it for only a second.

Then she shrugged.

"Take a maid with you and don't be too long."

That was all.

No warnings.

No interest.

Not even Sarco Gray commented on it.

To them, Sienna was not someone worth watching.

That made her invisible.

And for someone accustomed to covert missions... invisibility was an advantage.

Her situation within the mansion also made her position clear.

Although she wore elegant clothes, Sienna knew perfectly well that nothing she wore had been bought for her.

The dresses that arrived in her room were always the ones Sage had already worn before.

Some only once.

Others several seasons ago.

The jewels were the same.

Small earrings that Sage no longer considered interesting.

Necklaces that had gone out of style.

Even the shoes.

Always a little tight or slightly worn.

But Sienna did not complain.

In fact, it suited her.

If she seemed unimportant, no one would worry too much about her movements.

The town near the capital was lively.

The streets were filled with merchants, wooden carts, children running, and vendors shouting their offers.

The smell of freshly baked bread mingled with that of fruits, leather, and chimney smoke.

Sienna walked slowly, observing everything.

Listening.

Asking small questions as if she were just a curious young noble.

"Does the Bridge house have many properties around here?" she asked a baker one day while buying a small cake.

The man nodded respectfully.

"Oh, yes, miss. Duke Julian Bridge is one of the most powerful men in the kingdom."

Another time, while buying ribbons in a shop, she asked casually.

"Does the duke usually visit the town?"

The merchant lowered her voice.

"Sometimes."

"Sometimes?"

"Yes. Especially on the third day of the week. He has meetings with local administrators and representatives."

Sienna feigned surprise.

"How diligent."

But inside, she had recorded the information precisely.

Third day of the week.

She waited patiently.

She was in no hurry.

When that day arrived, she returned to town with the same maid as always.

She walked through the streets like any other visitor.

She bought a few things.

She observed the market.

And finally, she approached the central square where the duke's administrative building was located.

There was more movement than usual.

Guards.

Officials.

Messengers.

And then... she saw him.

Duke Julian Bridge had just left the building.

Sienna stopped without realizing it.

The man was tall.

Taller than she expected.

Probably close to thirty years old.

He had dark hair, slightly disheveled by the wind.

His eyes were also dark, deep, with an intensity that made few people dare to hold his gaze.

A short beard covered his jaw, giving him a rougher appearance than one would expect from a noble.

He was dressed completely in black.

A long coat with an elegant cut.

Dark gloves.

High boots.

But what caught Sienna's attention the most was something small.

A short scar on his eyebrow.

And the way he moved.

He did not walk like an aristocrat accustomed to salons and balls.

He walked like someone who knew danger.

With firm steps.

With attention to the environment.

With the posture of someone ready to react.

Sienna watched him carefully as he spoke to a group of men.

Interesting.

Because if someone had seen her without context, they probably would have thought the same thing she was thinking at that moment.

That man did not seem like one of the most important dukes in the kingdom of Bernicia.

He seemed... a veteran mercenary.

Or even a fugitive.

His presence was intense.

Dangerous.

And completely different from the nobles Sienna had seen in the Gray mansion.

As she watched him from across the square, the duke raised his head slightly.

His eyes scanned the crowd.

For an instant.

Just an instant.

His gaze passed over Sienna.

She lowered her eyes immediately, like any shy young noble.

But her mind was already working.

So this is the man they want me to marry.

When she looked up again, the duke was already getting into his carriage.

The black vehicle departed amidst the noise of horses and wheels on the stone.

Sienna remained motionless for a few more seconds.

Analyzing.

Comparing.

And finally, she murmured in a very low voice.

"You are definitely... not a normal noble."

At that moment, she understood something.

If she wanted to discover the truth about the duke's two dead wives... she would have to get much closer to him.

And that meant something dangerous.

Because Julian Bridge's gaze... was the gaze of a man who was also used to hunting secrets.

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