The evening sky, once pale and hazy, was now studded with twinkling stars, becoming a splendid landscape painting in itself.

Amid the ripening atmosphere, Parnes never left Kasallin’s side throughout the entire engagement banquet.

As a result, Shallen, who had been eagerly preparing to approach Kasallin, couldn’t even manage to say a proper word to her.

And there was another reason why he couldn’t bring himself to approach her.

“Just a moment ago, you all should have seen the future empress performing the Renel Empire’s court dance flawlessly. Such a beautiful presence is something I’ve never seen anywhere before.”

“And that’s not all—I was truly surprised by how His Majesty the Emperor treated Lady Kasallin today. He treated her like she was made of gold and jade. It was really unexpected.”

“I want to properly greet the future empress, but there’s no chance to slip in.”

Her diligence in practicing the difficult court dance without a single flaw.

Unlike the unsettling rumors, her refined and gentle personality upon meeting her in person.

And above all, the way Parnes treated his fiancée as if she were a precious treasure made the nobles, who had secretly looked down on Kasallin, change their minds.

Most of the nobles at the banquet hall were probably thinking the same thing.

No matter how things turned out, it wouldn’t hurt to get on her good side from now on.

“Congratulations on your engagement. Our family has prepared a modest gift, so please accept it.”

“With such a splendid lady set to become the new empress, the Renel Empire will surely prosper even more. Please let me know if there’s anything I can help with.”

With countless nobles rushing to make an impression on Kasallin, there was no chance for a calm conversation with her.

But what truly made Shallen’s heart uneasy was her demeanor and expression.

“Thank you, everyone. Today feels like an overwhelming gift to me.”

Amid bouquets, gift boxes, sweet compliments, and congratulations, Kasallin was smiling more beautifully than ever.

Even the large full moon hanging in the night sky seemed like a mere lump of rock compared to her smile, as she looked happy with her cheeks flushed rosy like flowers.

Having known her for a long time, Shallen could tell.

At this moment, he wasn’t in her thoughts at all.

His mind understood this, but his heart couldn’t accept it.

‘Kasallin, why are you making that expression?’

Hadn’t their eyes met just moments ago?

Wasn’t she surprised to see his response accepting the invitation?

Shouldn’t she be nervously wondering where he was, when he’d approach, and what to say when they met?

So why?

How could she smile so brightly, as if she had completely forgotten Shallen Riche’s existence?

Back in the days when they were excited at the thought of meeting each other every sunrise, Kasallin had indeed smiled just as brightly in front of Shallen.

“I want to know more about Your Highness, as we spend time together.”

Her eyes, drooping with reluctance when it was time to part after a brief meeting.

Her lips, full of innocent curiosity about his favorite color or the places he enjoyed traveling to.

Her clear face, softly curving into a smile even at his silly jokes.

Memories he had grown too accustomed to and forgotten over the past ten years came flooding back into Shallen’s mind one by one.

But at some point, Kasallin stopped smiling in front of him.

He had thought it was because their relationship had gone on too long or because she had changed first, but that wasn’t true.

Looking back calmly now, her smiles began to fade around the time she started growing close to Rose.

“Well, they say you should treat them well while they’re still there, don’t they, friend?”

King Edgar Ramtes approached, precariously holding a glass of wine in one hand, whispering teasingly.

Having interacted a few times during their days as crown princes, they were casual with each other in private settings.

But they weren’t close enough to call each other friends, and Edgar’s overly familiar demeanor was a bit of a problem.

“Look at her over there. She doesn’t seem to have even a moment to think of you.”

“…Stop poking at people’s nerves for no reason and go mind your own business.”

“I always try my best for my wife. I know she’s more than I deserve. But you, you’re too full of pointless pride and self-love. That’s the problem.”

King Edgar, slightly tipsy, rambled on.

“You should’ve thrown away your pride long ago and knelt before Lady Kasallin. Begged on your hands and knees, and if that didn’t work, licked her boots. Do you get what I mean?”

“How can a man stoop so low? I can’t even understand that Emperor Parnes’s attitude right now.”

“Why?”

“Look at him. An emperor, practically worshipping his fiancée like she’s his master. Doesn’t he have any pride as a man?”

Shallen muttered, glancing at Parnes and Kasallin mingling with the guests through the crowded throng.

King Edgar, who had been staring at him with a peculiar look, soon burst into laughter.

It was almost a mocking chuckle.

“What?”

“What do you think? I’m just dumbfounded.”

“What’s so dumbfounded about…”

“You just had a look on your face like, ‘I could treat her like that too.’”

Shallen’s face turned pale.

King Edgar, delighted and amused, realized he’d hit a nerve but didn’t care.

By nature, he couldn’t resist saying what was on his mind, especially in such an entertaining situation—he was never one to hold back.

“There are a lot of eyes watching, friend.”

As Shallen breathed heavily, King Edgar whispered in a barely audible voice.

Then he raised his champagne glass in a greeting toward a noblewoman slowly approaching from the other side.

Shallen’s head turned in that direction.

A middle-aged woman with wavy golden hair tied up, her neck, beginning to show the marks of time, cleverly adorned with luxurious fur.

Beside her was a young lady with a similar air.

King Edgar, who seemed quite familiar with them, greeted them warmly with a light embrace.

“It’s a joy to meet you here! Have you been well, Duchess Rudo?”

“Very well. It seems Your Majesty is enjoying yourself too.”

“Other than when my youngest princess was born recently, I haven’t had a day as delightful as this. I was just having an interesting conversation with my old friend here.”

The gazes of Duchess Rudo and Isabella simultaneously shifted to Edgar’s side.

Shallen had no desire to socialize with anyone at the moment, but duty and propriety left him no choice, so he mustered what little sociability he had left.

“A pleasure to meet you. It seems you’re quite close with King Edgar here.”

“Greetings, Your Majesty, King of the Kan Kingdom. I am Katarina of the Rudo ducal family. This is my daughter, Isabella. She spent some time in the Ram Kingdom when she was young.”

Duchess Rudo spoke as if she had merely studied abroad briefly, rather than admitting she wasn’t of pure Renel Empire blood.

Shallen found it curious but shook hands with her readily.

His gaze then fell on the young lady standing beside her.

“You have a remarkably beautiful daughter. You must have nothing to envy in this world.”

“You flatter me.”

Those words were not mere pleasantries but genuine.

Isabella was a rare beauty, undoubtedly one of the most striking young ladies at the banquet, aside from Kasallin.

On another occasion, Shallen might have struck up a friendlier conversation with her and engaged more deeply.

But right now, neither Isabella nor anything else caught his attention.

The lingering image of Kasallin’s red skirt hem disappearing into the crowded throng kept haunting him.

As Shallen struggled to focus on the conversation, glancing elsewhere, Isabella quietly followed his gaze.

At the end of it was the star of the evening, Lady Kasallin Robepon.

‘Could that rumor be true?’

There had been a vague rumor among the people that the great King Shallen had desperately clung to Lady Kasallin, though it lacked solid evidence.

At the time, Isabella had brushed it off, thinking it couldn’t be true, but seeing the atmosphere now, she wondered if the rumor might hold some truth.

Shallen was restless.

He seemed desperate to catch even a single glance from Kasallin.

Meanwhile, Kasallin, as the bride-to-be of the emperor, appeared to have completely forgotten Shallen’s existence.

No, it was questionable whether she even knew King Shallen was here at all.

‘That’s a bit pitiful. Should I create an opportunity for them?’

From the looks of it, Shallen seemed to have a lot he wanted to say to Kasallin.

What would a spurned king say to his former lover? What thrilling secrets might pass between them? Isabella was dying of curiosity.

“There’s some wine on your dress.”

As Kasallin’s lips began to twitch from the endless barrage of greetings, Isabella approached and spoke.

Following her finger through the bustling crowd, Kasallin noticed a small but noticeable reddish stain on her skirt hem.

“Oh dear. I must have spilled a bit while toasting with the guests earlier.”

“I’ll ask Lady Loren Logia to bring a spare dress. Why don’t we move to the powder room for now?”

“Thank you. Let’s do that.”

Kasallin excused herself to the guests and went upstairs with Isabella.

Entering the empty powder room, she finally felt like she could breathe for a moment.

She was no stranger to large banquets, but she hadn’t expected such a massive crowd.

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Lady Isabella.”

“Don’t mention it. I’ll go tell Lady Logia and then return to my mother.”

After Isabella left the room, Kasallin stood in front of the mirror to check her appearance.

With less than an hour left until the banquet ended, she was psyching herself up to finish strong when—

“Could you spare a moment?”

The powder room door clicked open, and a voice she never expected to hear here carried through the night air.

Kasallin looked behind her through the mirror.

“I finally got a chance to talk to you, Kasallin.”