Meanwhile, Regalis, who remained in the indoor garden, nervously trampled the flowers in the flower bed. The flowers were completely crushed under his feet. He was angry that Olentia was not moving as he wished.

“Why on earth does she trust Dimidius Belial so much?”

Olentia said with a very firm face that Dimidius would not betray her. When they met at the founding anniversary ball, she did not particularly deny his words that it was a hasty marriage made without sincerity.

Did they build trust in that short time?

However, Daphne’s premonitory dream had never been wrong, so anyone would be afraid. But Olentia didn’t seem to care much.

Why?

Regalis thought something was strange and returned to his room. He used Daphne’s premonitory dream and even did such troublesome things, but how could Olentia be so calm? Even on the way back, he was only boiling with anger.

It seemed like it would take quite a lot of effort to approach Olentia again. First of all, the brown-haired Belial Knight by her side bothered him. If that escort knight noticed that he was meeting her separately and told Dimidius, he would surely not leave him alone.

At the banquet, he also saw Dimidius worrying about Olentia drinking cold water. Of course, he could be pretending to be a good couple for nothing, but his voice sounded completely sincere. Regalis had seen Dimidius since childhood, so he could distinguish that much.

‘This place is full of the Grand Duke’s people. We need to be careful, very careful.’

Even Regalis, who was usually full of confidence, felt like his energy was being drained as he was in the Grand Duke’s territory. Inside the Grand Ducal Castle, a strangely unpleasant atmosphere flowed, and even the cool air felt chilly.

But even so, Regalis vowed not to leave the Grand Ducal Castle until he turned her heart around. It was a problem that she trusted Dimidius more than he thought, but he believed an opportunity would come someday.

That night, Killen was startled to hear what the attendant said.

‘I saw His Imperial Highness and Her Ladyship meeting in the indoor garden on the second floor.’

The attendant kept rolling his eyes anxiously and trembled. He seemed to hope that what he saw was not true.

Killen quietly sent him back and fell into deep thought. Why on earth did Olentia secretly meet Crown Prince Regalis? What did they talk about when they met? Why didn’t she tell Dimidius about it?

Various questions floated in his mind.

‘I hope their relationship isn’t inappropriate?’

It was the most worrisome point. Of course, Killen also knew that Dimidius and Olentia had a contractual relationship. But he thought it would be right to refrain from doing things that could cause bad rumors during the contract period.

Killen immediately reported this fact to Dimidius while watching his reaction. Dimidius, who was leaning against the leather chair, straightened his back and crumpled the papers he was holding in his hand.

Seeing the papers crumpled with a rustle, Killen squeezed his eyes shut.

For a while, only the sound of rough breathing was heard, and the room was hard to breathe in. He had endured the pressure Dimidius exuded well so far, but this time it was a bit difficult.

Killen grabbed his chest and said to Dimidius,

“What will you do, Your Highness?”

Then Dimidius let out a deep sigh.

“Ha…… I’ll wait until the lady tells me. It’s late at night now.”

“Will you talk about it?”

“Well, I don’t know that either. Since it’s just a contractual relationship, she may think there’s no need to talk about her private life.”

Dimidius pretended to be indifferent, but to Killen, he didn’t look okay at all. Dimidius couldn’t look at the papers again for a while and kept getting up and sitting down repeatedly. It felt like he wanted to barge into Olentia’s room right now.

‘I hope it’s nothing serious…….’

Killen was worried that a bloody storm would blow into the Grand Ducal Castle. It seemed that whenever the Empress and the Crown Prince were involved, problems arose like this.

It had already been three days since the Crown Prince and his friends arrived. During that time, they seemed to have gone hunting on their own, and it was extremely rare to run into Olentia. Olentia was also living as carefully as possible, as there were guests.

If she made a mistake and it was revealed that she and Dimidius had only a contractual relationship, it would be troublesome.

Olentia was walking around the fountain with Podion. The cool water spouting from the large fountain felt full of vitality and good. It felt like her chest was opening up.

But then, a maid with her hair braided on both sides appeared in front of Podion. She looked at Podion with lively eyes, then placed a pretty box in his hand and greeted Olentia.

“My Lady, hello! Excuse me.”

The maid covered her face with one hand, perhaps out of embarrassment, and disappeared. It seemed she wanted to give Podion a gift, but greeted Olentia because she was next to him.

‘She must have felt like I was an eyesore! I’m sorry…….’

Olentia looked at the box Podion was holding with curious eyes.

“Aren’t you going to open it? You received a letter before, but what is this?”

At Olentia’s words, he tilted his head, sensing something strange.

“How do you know that I received a letter before?”

“Ah, right!”

Realizing her slip of the tongue, Olentia burst into laughter. Somehow, the situation made her laugh.

“Actually, I was in the greenhouse garden at that time. I didn’t intentionally hide and watch.”

“Why are you telling me this now?”

Podion’s face turned as red as a ripe ruby. He fanned his face with his hand and swallowed, perhaps out of embarrassment.

Olentia urged Podion, who didn’t seem to want to open the box.

“Hurry up and open it. You should check these things right away.”

That way, the maid who left the gift would surely be happy. Olentia thought the maid would be watching Podion somewhere nearby.

“You seem happier than me, My Lady.”

Podion said that and carefully opened the ribbon-tied box. Inside the box were various kinds of cookies. Judging by the slightly crude craftsmanship, it seemed she made them herself.

Olentia clapped her hands.

“Wow! They look delicious. Don’t you think so?”

Then Podion looked at Olentia with a troubled face.

“I really don’t know what to do when I receive gifts like this.”

“What do you mean? You just eat them.”

Olentia pushed the cookie box towards him. She thought she knew why he was popular. While focusing on escorting, Podion always tried to help maids carrying heavy things, and if he couldn’t help, he even asked others to do so.

It was natural to be popular when he looked around so carefully. His serious yet sometimes curving eyes when he smiled were also charming.

Podion ate all the cookies, perhaps thinking of the maid’s sincerity. Seeing him devour them at once, Olentia tapped Podion’s shoulder.

“You ate them all without giving me any.”

Then Podion was startled.

“Oh…… I’m sorry. Since it was like receiving her heart, I ate them all.”

If the maid heard these words, she might be moved to tears. She probably wouldn’t be able to stop liking Podion.

Olentia smiled and went towards the greenhouse garden. Somehow, her feet led her there.

But then Podion suddenly started sweating profusely and said to Olentia,

“Please wait a moment…… I, I think I need to go to the restroom.”

Podion was holding his stomach as if in pain, and his face was pale. He clearly had an upset stomach.

Olentia quickly said to Podion,

“Go quickly!”

“I’m sorry. I will call another knight.”

“What are you talking about? It’s so safe here. Just go and come back comfortably.”

Podion kept looking back at Olentia as he left, perhaps out of worry.

“Who’s the one to worry about now?”

Olentia pondered whether to call a doctor and entered the greenhouse garden. The warm energy was strongly felt and the scent of grass vibrated.

“This place is still the same.”

As Olentia was muttering and taking a walk, she suddenly heard the sound of steady footsteps. Thinking Podion had returned, Olentia hid behind a tree and surprised the person entering the greenhouse garden by shouting “Boo!”

But before her eyes stood Regalis with his eyes wide open.

Surprise was reflected in Regalis’ blue eyes, then he burst into laughter.

“Haha! Grand Duchess. You can play pranks like this too?”

Embarrassed, Olentia scratched the back of her head. If she had known it was Regalis, she wouldn’t have even tried. She felt so embarrassed that her face seemed to be getting hot for nothing.

“I thought it was my escort knight.”

“You seem close with your escort knight. I envy that knight. Getting to be informal with someone like you, Duchess.”

‘What is this, his words sound strangely weird.’

Olentia cleared her throat and looked around at the flowers and plants for no reason.

“It’s because Sir Podion is such a kind and innocent person.”

“Do you like that kind of person?”

“Not just me, but I think anyone would like him.”

Olentia felt uncomfortable being alone with Regalis, but she couldn’t say anything about a chance encounter.

‘Let’s leave the greenhouse garden. Go out and wait for Sir Podion.’

As soon as she had that thought, Olentia moved her steps as if being chased by something. Then Regalis blocked her way and said,

“What’s the rush? Why don’t you look around with me a bit more before leaving?”

“No. I think I need to go out because I feel a bit stuffy.”

The moment Olentia, who lied like that, started walking again.

“Do I bother you?”

Regalis’ angry voice was heard from behind.