As she arrived in front of him, wearing velvet boots with embroidery, Dimidius extended his hand and said, “You look beautiful as always, Lady.”

Nowadays, Dimidius seemed to compliment easily, which wasn’t a bad thing. Who doesn’t like receiving compliments?

Olentia, who had been in a particularly good mood lately, smiled immediately. “Really? Your Grace looks splendid as well.”

Black seemed to suit Dimidius exceptionally well. Perhaps it was because of the white Bauta mask he wore. She had seen his face in her dreams, and his red eyes were quite captivating. Currently, his mask concealed most of his features. She wondered if there would ever be a day when she saw his face without the mask.

Although they had lived together in the Duke’s mansion, she had never seen Dimidius without his mask. As someone who took pride in her husband’s appearance, it was unimaginable for her. Besides, it would probably be uncomfortable for him. She wondered if it would be okay.

After Olentia held out her hand, Dimidius helped her into the carriage. She had lived in Geranium’s Duke’s mansion for the National Founding Anniversary Ball, but for some reason, she felt strange about attending it tonight as Dimidius’s wife.

Olentia somewhat clasped her hands together in the carriage and said to Dimidius, “Aren’t you nervous at all? Considering it’s the National Founding Anniversary Ball, most nobles will be in attendance.”

Dimidius shrugged. “Well, I’m not the type to get nervous.”

“Is it true that you haven’t seen the Emperor in years?”

“It’s been almost three years.”

The National Founding Anniversary Ball was attended only by adults, and this was Olentia’s third time going. Unfortunately, she hadn’t crossed paths with Dimidius during the previous ones. However, their meeting tonight felt like destiny.

“We’ve had quite a few chance encounters. Is it the third or fourth time? I guess we can consider it fate.”
Suddenly, Dimidius recalled a conversation he had at the Odor Mansion’s garden.

Olentia chuckled softly and playfully fanned her face with her hand, for no apparent reason.

In response, Dimidius asked her, “What’s so amusing?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just remembered something from the past.”

From that moment on, Dimidius and Olentia exchanged no further words. Olentia couldn’t tell if it was because she was in a good mood, but Dimidius didn’t seem uncomfortable like before. They had become accustomed to silence, perhaps without even realizing it.

From Green Park to the Imperial Palace wasn’t too far.

After passing through a checkpoint, the carriage of the Duke’s residence stopped a short while later.

They had finally arrived.

Olentia took Dimidius’s arm and descended onto solid ground, facing a long staircase that led to the grand ballroom, now wide open. In the darkness of the night, it seemed like only the grand ballroom area was sparkling with light.

Hand in hand, Olentia and Dimidius slowly climbed the stairs. The crinoline made her movements somewhat cumbersome, but she could still endure it. Looking beautiful came with unavoidable choices.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the grand ballroom, a herald announced loudly, “Duke Dimidius Valial and Duchess Olentia Valial!”

As they entered the grand ballroom, they were greeted by chandeliers, pillars, and decorations, all in shades of gold. It was truly magnificent and splendid.

Olentia swallowed her dry throat and entered the grand ballroom for the first time in a year. Numerous nobles’ gazes were directed at her, and murmurs could be heard.

“Oh my! His Grace has arrived. It seems even after marriage, he has no intention of removing his mask.”

“That’s right. It’s been almost three years, hasn’t it?”

“It seems so. I can’t believe they got married.”

Well, at least they weren’t openly speaking ill of them. With Dimidius present, they wouldn’t dare gossip.

Olentia released Dimidius’s arm and continued to walk. People automatically made way for them, and Dimidius seemed to be walking, gazing only at the Emperor and Empress.

A little while later, they arrived in front of the Emperor and Empress, seated on a magnificent stage. The Emperor was stroking his white beard, and the Empress was looking elsewhere until she spotted Dimidius and startled slightly. It wasn’t much of a reaction.

In the midst of it all, Dimidius bowed respectfully and spoke, “We greet Your Majesties for the first time as a married couple.”

Olentia, too, withdrew her hand from Dimidius’s arm and offered a polite greeting. Although she had seen the Emperor and Empress before, for some reason, her heart was pounding. Perhaps it was because it was a gathering of Dimidius’s family, but she felt that the atmosphere was a bit different.

The Emperor spoke after a moment, “Indeed, we heard the news of your sudden marriage.”

Dimidius politely gathered his hands and replied, “Yes, I apologize for not informing you in advance.”

“No need. You must have had your reasons.”

But the Empress remained silent. She was glaring at Dimidius with an intensity that Olentia couldn’t help but swallow hard. She was already nervous, and her throat and shoulders felt even more tense.

The Emperor seemed to maintain his composure, but it was clear that they weren’t being welcomed warmly.

That’s when it happened.

Prince Regalis, dressed in a dazzling white suit, appeared at the place where the Emperor and Empress were seated.

The prince, with his blue eyes sparkling, said to Dimidius, “Well, well, who do we have here? Isn’t it my cousin?”

It was a friendly gesture that anyone could see, but Dimidius didn’t respond. He turned his head in the opposite direction. It was a clear rejection.

Unknowingly, Olentia felt flustered and spoke to Regalis.
“Your Highness, it’s been a while since we’ve seen you,” Olentia said.

Upon hearing this, Regalis displayed a clean and wide smile as if a refreshing waterfall was pouring down.

“Yes, it has been a while, Cousin. Lady Armeniaca. No, it’s not an exaggeration to say that you are now practically a part of our family. Please show your face often in the future.”

Awkwardly, Olentia smiled and nodded. She couldn’t stand the chilly atmosphere coming from Dimidius.

With that, Olentia distanced herself from the Emperor and Empress and let out a sigh.

“Sigh… Is it really this suffocating?”

In response to Olentia’s question, Dimidius, with his arms crossed, looked down at her.

“So, you approached the prince with such a smile and conversation?”

Olentia raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“Why not? He seemed friendly, so I initiated the conversation. Is there something wrong between you and him?”

“We’re not on good terms. Her Majesty, the Empress… No, never mind.”

“No, why stop talking now? What about Her Majesty, the Empress?”

“It’s nothing.”

Olentia felt increasingly frustrated. Dimidius, with so many secrets and reservations, was undoubtedly an uncomfortable man. It hadn’t felt so awkward inside the carriage on the way to the palace, but now Dimidius was making her uncomfortable again. She had heard the words “It’s nothing” countless times until now.