“Kasha bit her lip hard. She was at a loss on how to convince Leon.

Odette and Simon’s union surprised her in many ways.

Before the regression, Leon had briefly mentioned his and Odette’s unhappy married life. The beginning of their downfall started when a child was born, not even a few months into their marriage.

Although he did not reveal the details, it seemed clear that the child was not his.

Nevertheless, Odette was brazen. She constantly provoked Leon, who was suffering from uncontrollable lust at the time, and the more she did, the more he rejected her.

Enraged, Odette seemed to have decided that if she couldn’t have him, she would thoroughly ruin him.

She laced a large dose of aphrodisiac into Leon’s dinner when he returned from the Holy War, defeated and battered.

Then she pushed naked men and women of unknown identity into his bedroom, which was in an uncontrollable state, and abruptly locked the door. She probably intended to bring him down with a dirty scandal.

However, it was a very foolish move that touched the fuse of the curse that was already on the verge of running wild.

Leon, intoxicated by the drug, properly unleashed his madness that day. He himself could not remember what happened in the bedroom that night. The next morning, he simply woke up in a blood-soaked room with horribly mutilated corpses.

He was immediately arrested on Odette’s report and dragged to the temple, and the fact that he was gripped by lustful madness was thus revealed to the world.

The once-admired Holy Knight was mocked as a fallen knight and faced the risk of being burned at the stake. He escaped in a state of frenzy and wandered the continent. Finally, he arrived at the abandoned Wanua Temple and encountered the villainess Kasha Lyuschino.

‘But this time, Odette married Simon instead of Leon.’

For Kasha, who did not know that Leon had driven Odette into a desperate situation, it was a situation that was completely difficult to understand.

However, it could only be said that the simultaneous disappearance of the two obstacles, Odette and Simon, was an unexpected fortune after all.

Kasha looked up at Leon intently.

The Leon of this life would at least not be manipulated and ruined by a woman like Odette. Although it was evident that he was hurt by Kasha’s words about ending their contract relationship.

‘I’m trying to protect you, Leon. Because the one Simon Blanche is loyal to, the one who is pushing us into misery and laughing, is…’

Just then, the servants outside the forest began to raise their voices.

“The banquet is starting. Please be seated!”

“…It’s time to go back.”

Kasha said in a subdued voice.

She resolutely turned her back on Leon and began to walk. After a brief interval, the sound of his footsteps following her in silence was heard.

The grand finale of the imperial picnic was an outdoor dinner enjoyed while watching the sunset.

Fruit punch and champagne, various wines, and colorful appetizers were brought out.

There were a total of three long tables set up by the riverside.

At the head of the center table, which had the best view of the sunset, sat the crown prince and his wife. Most of those who took seats around them were either part of the crown prince’s faction or the most powerful and promising nobles in the empire.

What particularly drew attention today was Lady Odette Tyrot’s partner. People exchanged meaningful glances when they saw Simon Blanche boldly taking the seat next to Odette.

Sitting at the head table for the first time, Simon fussed over Odette with an excited attitude, only to finally quiet down after receiving her irritated gaze.

The host of the table on the right was the Duke and Duchess of Vistas. The Duke of Vistas, the brother of Empress Anne who was in a coma, rose again as the prime figure in imperial aristocratic society after the crown prince was invested.

Those who could not sit at the crown prince’s table fought a battle of nerves to at least squeeze into that table.

And the last table was taken by Princess Melissa.

Reflecting her presence in the imperial family, that table remained sparse until the end. Even those who reluctantly took seats at the last minute were mostly inconspicuous types.

Usually at such banquets, it is customary for the host to assign and guide the guests’ seating. However, the crown prince specifically instructed free seating at this banquet, citing his desire to put down formality and enjoy a natural mood.

As it was a banquet inviting only young aristocrats of marriageable age, his instruction was accepted as seemingly natural at first glance.

However, the problem was that Princess Melissa had to endure a somewhat insulting situation as a result.

As an unmarried princess, Melissa kept the empty table alone for a long time. Almost as if she were being punished, in a stiff posture.

Those who sat at her table were in positions that they would not dare to sit with the princess under normal circumstances, so even a few seats to her left and right were left empty. People whispered about the princess’s appearance, which was even shabby.

“I heard it was Her Highness the Crown Princess who suggested free seating to His Highness the Crown Prince…”

“It seems the rumors are true that Her Highness the Crown Princess and Her Highness the Princess do not get along well.”

“I heard the two were seen arguing several times at the palace recently.”

“Princess Melissa is also quite something. What good does it do to offend Her Highness the Crown Princess… Anyway, she’s too aloof like Her Majesty the Empress. Tsk tsk.”

“On top of that, I heard she’s on distant terms with His Highness the Crown Prince as well. No wonder there were even rumors that they are not biological siblings.”

“Oh my, don’t say such useless things. Shh!”

People sent subtle gazes of sympathy and contempt behind Princess Melissa’s back.

The surreal feeling given by the beautiful sunset over the river, the liveliness of the outdoors, and the intoxication created by expensive wine made them even more unrestrained. And in the midst of that, Princess Melissa looked even lonelier.

It was then. Several beautiful men and women approached Princess Melissa’s table naturally while bickering.

“Kasha should sit with us, so please sit at another table, Sir Leon!”

“I am Kasha’s lover. I do not particularly need Viscount’s permission.”

“Ugh, I’m tired of hearing that lover talk!”

“Lord Daril. Why are you so agitated? I’d also like to have a conversation with Sir Leon.”

“That’s not it, Lady Margaret. I’m just worried that our Kasha might be uncomfortable…”

“Kasha. Are you uncomfortable?”

“…No.”

The Grand Duke’s son Leon, Viscount Lyuschino, Kasha Lyuschino, and even Margaret Yonder.

They were figures who attracted the attention of high society, each in different ways.

Needless to say, Holy Knight Leon, whose beauty had become even more dazzling for some reason recently, Daril, the heir of the Lyuschino family, Kasha, who suddenly became the center of attention as an artifact maker.

In addition, Margaret Yonder, who had been in marriage talks with the Marquis of Marr but became the heroine of social gossip as she received the active courtship of Daril Lyuschino at the same time as the Marquis’s death.

Their appearance quickly diverted the gazes of people that had been focused on the crown prince’s table.

Leon, who was not bothered by such attention, approached Princess Melissa first and paid his respects. The princess responded with a faint and elegant smile upon seeing him. Leon, who looked at the princess indifferently, asked.

“Would it be alright for us to sit with Your Highness?”

“Of course. Seeing that all the other tables are full, it seems you are a little late.”

She was implying that there was no need to be courteous, knowing that there were no seats left other than here. Leon, of course, understood that, but expressed his gratitude frankly.

He pulled Kasha’s hand before she could decline, and took a seat to the right of the princess with her by his side.

Seeing this, Daril’s eyes widened, but he could not cause a commotion in front of the princess.

Kasha let out a sigh inwardly. She did not want to be the center of attention with Leon today. But she also knew well that pushing him away now would rather draw more attention.

As she obediently sat next to Leon, Daril had no choice but to escort Margaret and fill the seats to the left of the princess.

In a moment when an awkward atmosphere was circulating, a man appeared in the chilled air. And he walked over without hesitation, paid his respects to the princess, and took a seat that remained next to Kasha.

People exchanged glances of surprise upon seeing him.

“What brings Grand Duke Anthony to a place like this?”

“He’s someone who is hard to see in high society due to his weak constitution…”

“But he looks much better than the rumors, doesn’t he?”

“I know, right? As he gets older, has his constitution changed perhaps? He looks quite healthy.”

Glossy beautiful silver hair. Harmonious features despite the sensitive impression. A refined suit that fit his tall stature and nice physique as if tailored.

It wasn’t just the other nobles who were surprised. Leon looked at his brother, who naturally took the seat next to Kasha, with wonder.

“I didn’t know you were attending.”

“Ah. I saw the invitation. Of course, no one expected my attendance, but my condition wasn’t bad today, so I decided to come.”

Leon nodded without a word after confirming the healthy complexion on the face of his smiling younger brother.

Anthony was an adult now, and had reached the age to show his face in high society. In fact, he was even a bit late, but until now, Leon, who was considerate of his sick brother, tried not to pressure him.

The only thing that bothered him was the fact that even Leon, his brother, found out about his attendance at this occasion. Leon pondered whether this was related to the sense of distance he had recently felt from his younger brother.

Then, Princess Melissa, who had been watching their conversation, spoke up.

“Anthony. Long time no see. You look good.”

“Your Highness has become even more elegant in the time I haven’t seen you.”

“You’re better than Leon, who treats me so formally.”

Pretending to reproach Leon while subtly expressing her disappointment, Princess Melissa was met with Leon’s silent gaze.

They used to hang out together at the palace when Empress Anne was healthy and Leon’s mother Larisa was still alive.

When Leon was summoned to the palace as the crown prince’s playmate, Melissa often joined them. They would innocently play hide-and-seek and run around the palace gardens.

‘Leon. Your hair is so pretty. Can I braid it just once?’

‘Your Highness. I am not a doll.’

‘Leon. If you say that, then what am I, who lets her braid my hair every day?’

Leon, Melissa, and Nigel, who used to chatter like that under the acacia tree in the palace garden. Where have those three innocent children gone now?

As if guessing the thought that had crossed Leon’s mind for a moment, Princess Melissa stopped talking with a bitter smile.

She must also know. That it would only be poison for each other if they flaunted their friendship now.

Leon turned his gaze away from the princess, who had returned to her elegant, imperial expressionlessness, towards Kasha.

She was in the middle of exchanging greetings with Anthony. But the way Anthony looked at her made Leon strangely uncomfortable.

Since Kasha had turned her head to face Anthony, Leon could not see her expression. He silently listened to their conversation.

“I see. We’ve been seeing each other often these days.”

Upon hearing Kasha’s reply, Anthony smiled.

“I hope my sudden appearance doesn’t make you uncomfortable? Like interrupting your intimate time with Leon.”

Was Anthony the kind of child who smiled like that?

Leon suddenly had that thought.

No, the expression ‘child’ no longer suited Anthony.

The slender jawline that had shown signs of youth until a few months ago had sharpened, and his eyes were deep and intense. The curve of his lips that beautifully curved every time he finished a word also left a subtle lingering impression.

Leon felt the gazes of young ladies sticking to Anthony here and there.

Anthony was exhibiting himself to high society as a confident male. If only his brother’s gaze wasn’t so persistently fixed on Kasha, this whole situation would be so welcome.

That wasn’t the only thing that bothered Leon.