The object that had been drawing her attention for a while now was indeed what Layla had accurately identified – it was a passage permit proving one’s status to freely travel across any country on the Dumburton continent.

It was also known as the continental identification card.

Dumburton had not yet achieved continental unification, and instead, there were still countries vying for power against each other, such as Harkin and Fitzroy.

As a result, even if they were grouped into one continent, the sense of a continental community was not strong. In fact, even with Harkin and Fitzroy dividing their forces, quite a few countries were using their own separate currency units.

However, with the leaders’ dramatic compromise leading to a treaty being written a few decades ago, this continental passage permit was created.

But with a very limited number issued and holding such high value equivalent to the annual operating expenses of a small country, it was an expensive passage permit.

Naturally, the people who could possess this were also extremely limited.

Layla, unable to believe the existence of the passage permit presented before her, unintentionally asked.

“…Is it a forgery?”

She couldn’t help but react this way.

This was a very precious item that even some royal families did not possess.

However, as if finding such a reaction amusing, Millay gave a slight smile.

“I can tell what kind of impression the princess has of me.”

“I did not mean to insult you. It’s just so unexpected…”

“I know. But it’s not a forgery either. Surely you don’t think this too is a lie of mine?”

Layla blushed, feeling like her heart doubting him had been blatantly exposed. Seeing her ears turning red, Millay gestured to a nearby attendant to pour tea into Layla’s cup.

As she sipped the steaming tea, Layla once again harbored suspicions about the identity of the man in front of her eyes.

‘How does he have this…?’

Layla inwardly confirmed that the process of him receiving the viscount title, which he had previously told her, must have been an absolute lie.

This continental passage permit was not something that a mere viscount, who started as a country baron, could obtain.

“But if this is not false, your identity is becoming more and more curious to me. …When will you tell me?”

Layla finally took her eyes off the passage permit. As soon as she finished speaking and made eye contact with him, Millay readily gave an answer.

“The day the princess leaves Filmer territory.”

“I see…”

Even though he said she would leave in 7 days, judging by him even handing over the passage permit, Millay must have a plan to send Layla back to Wessex much sooner.

When was he planning it for? Tomorrow? The day after?

While such questions arose, Layla realized that Millay was trying to do more for her than she had thought.

He had put up a smokescreen with the excuse that the annulment was just something he was doing in passing while taking care of his own business, but sending Layla back to Wessex was a different story.

Layla was not someone who saw the world as simply beautiful to the extent of thinking that a passerby would show this level of goodwill without any reason.

As she contemplated what all his actions could possibly mean, Millay, who had brought the teacup to his lips and set it down, offered an interpretation of Layla’s expression.

“You seem to look quite regretful.”

This time, Layla shook her head.

“But I think I also know the reason why you’re giving me such an important item.”

“What do you think it means?”

A clear probing question.

Layla did not avoid Millay’s subtle provocation. Looking straight at him, Layla accurately recited the message Millay was conveying to her through his actions.

“It means you will come find me again. Probably in the near future. Am I wrong?”

A brief silence, like a barrier, intervened between the two.

Millay, leaning against the sofa with his body relaxed, intently gazed at Layla’s ocean-colored eyes that were directed straight at him.

“That’s right. It’s such an important item, after all.”

He was readily placing that important item in Layla’s hands, in the hands of a foreign princess who had no prior connection to him until now.

If Millay gave this, Layla could escape to somewhere other than Wessex if she set her mind to it.

He was not someone naive enough to not anticipate such a possibility.

Layla finally blurted out the question she had tried to ask twice before but stopped, unable to hold back the momentary impulse.

“Do you like me, Your Excellency?”

She might regret it after hearing the answer.

But she was too curious.

What on earth was the basis for his boundless goodwill…

In light of Layla’s common sense, Millay’s actions were neither reasonable nor logical. So something beyond rationality was needed.

Layla thought the answer was affection. In other words, love. Only that fever that still often pained her heart even after more than 10 years could be the answer.

Suddenly, Layla felt a twinge in her chest.

Was she, who couldn’t forget Adrian yet and felt such emotions towards Millay, a bad person after all?

Upon receiving the question, Millay looked around at those on standby and asked Layla in advance.

“May I dismiss the people for a bit?”

“…Yes.”

She thought it was an abrupt question. Last night, they had already been alone in the office and even danced there.

With permission granted, Millay ordered everyone, including Lilburn who had followed, to go outside.

As the reception room emptied, Millay lowered his head as if choosing an answer, avoiding Layla’s gaze. Clasping his hands together with a contemplative expression, he slowly opened his mouth as the door closed.

“Princess of Wessex.”

At his call, Layla felt a sense of tension rush over her for some reason. She regretted asking such a question, thinking she had needlessly brought it up.

Millay raised his gaze again. His blue eyes, devoid of any hint of a smile, looked quite sharp.

“If I said I liked you.”

Layla focused on his moving lips, not knowing how he would continue.

Upon doing so, she noticed a point. She had thought his complexion was strangely poor for a while, and his lips were really pale as if the color had faded.

Could he be very sick?

He had said he had an incurable disease…

It was around the time she was having such thoughts. Layla was startled by the words that made her doubt her ears.

“…Would you accept my marriage proposal?”

“What?”

It was truly an unexpected remark, so Layla blinked and repeated what she had heard.

‘Marriage proposal.’

Marriage proposal…?

It wasn’t a difficult word, but her mind couldn’t comprehend it and kept bouncing it off.

As Layla stared blankly at Millay, unable to give a response, he covered his face with a wry smile.

Hearing a deep sigh escaping from him, Layla cautiously opened her mouth.

“Millay, Your Excellency?”

Millay removed his hand from his face. Although she couldn’t see for long, his face, which she had always thought was full of composure, was slightly flushed.

“It’s not a slip of the tongue. I’m sincere.”

“…”

“But saying this to someone who just had their engagement broken off must make me look quite despicable.”

Layla couldn’t give any answer.

She couldn’t tell him it was okay when he was reflecting on himself after confessing. That would leave too much room for misinterpretation.

But she couldn’t take her eyes off Millay either. As if feeling burdened by Layla’s intense gaze, Millay lowered his head again and continued his confession.

“But from the moment I first saw you, I thought I wanted to protect you.”

“Is it because you pity me?”

At Layla’s words, which she barely managed to utter, Millay calmly shook his head.

“No, because your eyes are beautiful.”

Layla flinched. Millay’s words instantly evoked the memory of someone from the past.

〈Don’t hide them with tears. Your eyes are the most beautiful in the world.〉

‘Don’t recall it.’

Layla shouted inwardly. Was it because their names were the same? Every time she looked at Millay, she was reminded of him.

Even while sleeping in this mansion, the memory of the day she first met him chased her into her dreams.

At this point, she was confused.

Was she possibly projecting Adrian Raines, whom she still couldn’t forget, onto this man…?

Was the reason her heart fluttered at his every action actually because of old memories?

If so, it would be a terrible thing. Both for Millay and for herself.

However, as Layla was unable to give an answer due to the turmoil of her emotions, Millay seemed to interpret her reaction in a certain way and once again ran his hand over his face.

Having seemingly regained his composure, Millay asked in a slightly more subdued voice than before.

“Was that a sufficient answer to what you asked?”