“You’re quite conceited about your face, Your Majesty.”

“It’s a face you like.”

With a sly grin, he rummaged through the pocket of his well-tailored suit.

“I wanted to give this to you for a while now, but I kept missing the timing.”

Out came an object that he had intended to give her last time he visited. It was a rectangular box wrapped in crimson velvet.

“What is this…”

“Open it.”

Hayden placed the box in her hand. She opened it as he suggested, and he just smiled at her slightly uneasy expression.

Inside was a pearl bracelet, neatly arranged in three rows, adorned with a large emerald in the center. It was connected by gold at both ends. A magnificent gem.

Lou’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Your Majesty, this is…”

“You’ve heard the rumors about the celebration following the successful subjugation in the west, haven’t you?”

Lou nodded. It was a sign that the Emperor would continue to dominate politically.

“At that time, you will publicly display the imperial symbols you brought from Katat.”

The Emperor’s hall ‘Dia Tu Marin’ and the staff ‘Luayal Blue’ returning to Perseta was already a massive event.

“And you will have to present them personally.”

It was a place that would perfectly elevate the reputation of the former Governor of Kaleta and now Baroness of Flache.

Understanding immediately, Lou nodded. Only by attending could she somewhat secure her position in Perseta.

“Yes, I should.”

It was an achievement she had worked hard for in the imperial palace of Katat. She had no intention of handing it over to Hayden. She had to hold on to whatever she could.

“Then will you grant me the honor of being your partner at the event?”

Eh? Partner? Lou widened her eyes and after a while, asked,

“…Is that necessary?”

For the partner to be ‘that.’ The man who had even brought a gift to apply for partnership broke into laughter.

“It’s not necessary, but you’ll have to find one at the venue anyway.”

“Do we really need to if it’s not necessary?”
Standing there quietly, it seemed all she had to do was listen to a few words from the Emperor and then gracefully withdraw.

“Do you think those around you will leave you alone? It’s better to find a man of good family, ability, and fine health from the start. Like me, for example.”

Speaking thus, if it indeed came to pass, it was as good as declaring that the Emperor had directly orchestrated the mission to Kaleta.

At the same time, Lu could give the impression that she was carried on his back by appearing alongside the Emperor. Ultimately, the House of Plache had strong ties to the Emperor.

When Lu did not reply for a moment, engrossed in thought, Hayden added a line.

“There is no better partner in Fersecta than me.”

Even if there were, it would be hidden before Lu’s gaze met it.

“Whether you think well or ill of me, partnering with me would be the best for your family’s well-being, whom you worry for the most.”

That too, was true.

“Would you not choose me, who can elevate you more than anyone else, committed to the role of partner?”

Even if she brought any gentleman from Fersecta that Lu was unaware of, he would overwhelmingly outclass them. Lu also knew this well without having to see; she had never encountered a man like Hayden even in the Imperial Knights, where all kinds were gathered.

“……Yes, I will.”

It was a partnership offer laced with clear political aims. Despite no need for Hayden to be so humble, he willingly lowered himself.

“I thought you’d refuse a dozen times more, yet you’ve accepted quite easily.”

“I’m not foolish enough to refuse someone who promises to support my standing.”

Hayden laughed, as if defeated.

“You really separate business and personal matters sharply.”

“Here, all the more one has to.”

Distinguishing places where she shouldn’t look and where she could; discerning trees that could not be climbed from those that must be climbed.

Lu smiled. She had no choice but to smile to resist the hot rush of emotion at the back of her eyes. Seeing her bright smile, Hayden, who was watching her, unknowingly smiled and sighed.

“Yes, I have to understand and accept it, what can I do.”

Though it sounded like a lament that the weak had no options, Lu decided to let it pass. She didn’t need to give meaning to each one; it was just a moment passing by, after all. Only she would hurt if she remembered.

“Try wearing it.”

“But Your Majesty, this was taken from the treasury.”

It was a pearl package that Lu had quickly grabbed, one that had been with the hall and the orbs.

Dangling it roughly around her neck, stretching it to her toes, Lu remembered the emerald embedded within it. And also pearls from the south.

“Surely, this was once an object of Emperor Kaleta?”

It was beautiful, but she honestly didn’t want to wear it because it felt awkward.

“It’s not anymore. I’ve modified it again. Those gems contained its power, after all……”

Hayden took Lu’s left hand and began the incantation.

“It’s fine for now.”

Her eyes widened at his words.

“The left hand will do.”

“No, the right hand. It’s the right hand.”

He wanted to start the spell from the hand that wielded the sword. Lu extended her right hand to him.

“Just a few days ago, you couldn’t even walk properly. Now you want to handicap the hand you primarily use?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s better to get hit quickly, right?”

“A hit, you say.”

Hayden looked awkwardly at the extended right hand, shook his head, and took her left hand.

“This isn’t a ‘hit’; it’s a curse that needs to be cautiously tested and undone. If I could, I’d do it for each finger separately.”

“When would you find the time to……”

“Yes.”

He smiled and fastened a bracelet to her left hand. The buckle clicked into place in an instant.

“Our Highness is a bit impatient.”

And then, Hayden gripped Lu’s wrist quickly.

“Ah!”
She let out a single exclamation, staring at the green curse spreading from her palm to her fingertips. The sound of the shallow curse cracking filled the air. A tingling sensation pulsed at every joint of her fingers. It felt worse than when her feet were cursed.

“Ah…, ugh….”

Now she understood why Hayden chose to curse her left hand rather than her right. The searing pain attacking her hand was incomparable to that in her feet.

“Hands hold the sword and cast spells, making them the most critical part of the body. That’s why the curse is stronger here. You must endure it, Your Grace, because of that cursed bracelet.”

Had it not been for the bracelet, she wouldn’t have dared to curse this area. Hayden was stopping the curse from spreading beyond her wrist. It couldn’t expand further; it had to be confined to her hand.

“Ah….”

With loud cracking noises, as if bones were breaking, the curse binding her fingers shattered. Ludo, who generally tolerated pain well, winced in pain and hunched her shoulders.

“Just a little more, Ludo. Just hold on a bit longer.”

He comforted her, clearly distressed. But comfort didn’t ease the pain. Ludo tried her best to endure it. Seeing this, Hayden extended his arm and held her shoulder.

“Breathe in, breathe out. Don’t hold your breath.”

Following his instruction like a child, she exhaled deeply and inhaled again. The hand stroking her back was big and gentle.

Amidst the agonizing pain, the cracking curse began to fall apart. Hayden started to carefully peel it off. Yet, the stinging sensation remained where the curse had been removed.

“……Are you alright?”

Whispering, Ludo barely managed to nod her head in response.

“No, not yet.”

Muttering, Hayden completely wrapped her left hand.

“Ah…!”

Another moan escaped her lips. Unconsciously, Ludo leaned her forehead against his shoulder, enduring the pain. It felt like her left hand would fall off. Or maybe it would be easier if it did.

Amidst the annoying pain, she felt the warmth touching her left hand again. She faintly opened her tightly closed eyes.

Hayden was silently pressing his lips against her left hand. Wherever his lips touched, the pain lessened bit by bit.