“Could you stop the carriage for a moment?” Olivia asked the coachman. It was a point about four blocks away from the Golden Avenue.

“Why would you do that, miss?” Anne asked, and Olivia’s gaze was calm in response to Anne’s question.

Despite knowing it was rude, Olivia couldn’t shake the feeling that going to the Golden Avenue today wasn’t the right thing to do. All her senses were ringing alarm bells.

“Anne, I have a favor to ask.”

Pausing for a moment, as if weighing her words carefully, Olivia parted her lips.

“…It’s a bit difficult for me to go there today. Would you convey that to Anne?”

“Yes.”

Anne was also concerned throughout.

Meeting the Duke unexpectedly would not be a good thing. If such a situation were to occur, the hounds of the aristocracy would rush in like a pack of wolves to tear apart the vulnerable young lady.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Apologize for me.”

Olivia smiled faintly.

“Don’t worry, miss.”

Anne got off.

In the bustling crowd seen through the curtains, Anne occasionally took firm steps.

When Anne completely disappeared from sight, Olivia let go of the curtains and turned her head slightly towards the side window.

“Now, please proceed.”

The carriage began to move to change direction.

Unexpectedly, the visitor who rushed in was Olivia’s maid.

“No, Miss Anne? What’s going on here?”

Gerald asked somewhat surprised.

“The young lady asks you to kindly forgive her for refusing today’s meeting unilaterally.”

“Meeting?”

Edgar interrupted the maid’s words, which were being spilled out haphazardly.

Edgar’s face, which had been full of laughter just moments ago, gradually stiffened. With thin furrows between his brows, he stared at the maid.

The maid blinked her eyes and pursed her lips.

“She couldn’t come.”

“Where.”

“…”

The maid’s face turned paler and paler.

“Here. You…called her here. Sir.”

Edgar’s temples twitched. Seeing that, Anne shivered. Something was wrong. Anne’s instincts were screaming that loudly.

In the sunset-lit study, there was a heavy crimson silence.

“Why were you so sure it was me?”

Slowly sweeping back his perfectly combed hair without any disarray, Edgar murmured softly.

“That… because you sent a letter.”

The maid, turning blue, was on the verge of tears.

“What does it say?”

The chilling gaze sinking into the eyes was eerie. Patience was reaching its limit.

“…I don’t know because you, you haven’t seen it, miss.”

The trembling lips quivered.

Edgar grabbed his tightly tied tie. Slowly turning around, he gripped the windowsill with both hands. He took a deep breath.

“Send someone to Marie. She might have returned.”
Edgar gazed down at Leopold Hotel with a silent look, his mind quietly calculating. Carriages carrying prominent figures of the Ritten social circle were converging on Leopold Hotel, brightly illuminated like a carnival. Carriages carrying beautiful princesses had also arrived near. Camera flashes erupted in the crimson city tinged by the sunset.

Anblin, who had been striking a graceful pose in front of the photojournalists, turned her body. Pausing on the red-carpeted stairs, her dizzying legs stood still.

“Princess Anblin! Please look here once!”

Anblin turned her head slowly. Once again, silver flashes sparkled from all directions.

Anblin’s smile, gazing at the Lanslot Hotel, was like a vivid red rose in the intense sunset.

Prince Brett’s tedious speech continued. However, the ladies, who were looking at Johan like a statue, had no time to be bored.

“Oh my.”

Admiration flowed behind the fans in succession.

The prince, who concluded his speech by urging for a bridge role between the two countries and contribution to Britain’s economic development, received enthusiastic applause and passed the seat to Johan.

Johan, who bowed his head graciously, stood at the lectern with a dignified posture. The ladies of Britain, who saw him in person, let out exclamations from various places.

Johan expressed gratitude to Britain briefly and concluded a brief speech thanking the guests. Maurice’s forced smile was nowhere to be found.

For the commemorative photo shoot, with Prince’s consort, Johan, Princess Krantz, and other key figures at the center, photographers went behind the curtain.

Bang! Smoke spread in a white cloud.

Johan popped the champagne. The golden liquid flowed down from the top of the champagne glass tower. Applause and cheers erupted.

It was the moment the party began.

“Amazing.”

Amidst the towering ceilings, magnificent wood panels, gold-leafed friezes, and classical yet elegant columns, the ladies wandered around the interior decorations of the banquet hall, not sparing their admiration.

“You are still beautiful today, Your Highness.”

Under the brilliant chandelier lights, gentlemen showered Anblin, wearing a subtle gold dress, with praise.

Anblin responded with a charming smile to the mesmerized gentlemen.

Yet, her gaze was searching for Edgar between the shoulders of the gentlemen.

“Your Highness.”