But Maximilian would reconnect with Teresa?

“Once lovers break up, they break up again for the same reason when they meet again.”

“You talk like you know a lot.”

Nathaniel’s voice was subtly lowered.

I blinked at an inexplicable chill.

“Ah, well…… I used to give a lot of relationship advice.”

“It’s the first time I’ve heard that you have so many friends.”

“No, how much do you know about me?”

It seemed like a wrong answer.

His face darkened further.

I desperately thought of another excuse.

“That, I just like romance novels……”

“Novels?”

“Yes…… Shall we say, love learned from books?”

I couldn’t excuse myself that I had quite a few friends in my previous life, so I decided to replace it with something similar.

Fortunately, Nathaniel seemed satisfied with my excuse, and his expression loosened a bit.

“More than that, I find the viscount curious. With his personality, I thought he would cling to it until he got permission.”

Nathaniel was right.

In the original work, Maximilian began to cling to Teresa right after he started to regret.

He even attempted selfharm because she would not accept him.

But for some reason, he was quiet this time.

Was it because the original changed?

Or maybe……

“He must be afraid of rejection.”

“You’re cold, even though he’s your family.”

I didn’t like Maximilian in the original.

His love was extremely selfcentered.

Maximilian refused Teresa’s plea to let go for his sake until the end.

I hated that.

Love without consideration for others is violence.

“People don’t change easily.”

Nathaniel was silent for a moment at my answer.

When I turned my head to look up at him, Nathaniel had a complex expression.

“Why?”

“Sometimes you show me a face I don’t know.”

He reached out calmly to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

The touch on my cheek felt cold.

But his gaze was excessively hot.

“I, I am……”

“Crown Prince, Crown Princess. Nice to see you after a long time.”

Casius suddenly greeted us with his brother.

I barely turned my gaze from Nathaniel and greeted her.

“Welcome.”

“The two of you still get along well.”

“Ha ha, His Highness treats me so well that I can only be thankful.”

We exchanged simple greetings and then moved to another spot with the permission of our partners.

Left alone, I asked about Count Dimitri.

“What’s with the Count? Have you been in touch with Teresa since then?”

“It seems so. When I asked earlier, they said they only exchanged letters.”

“Oh.”

Casius and I watched the two from a distance.

Count Dmitri treated Teresa with respect.

Her smile never left her face.

“They look good together.”

“Don’t they? He may be a bit rough since he’s from a remote region, but he’s more honest than the men in society.”

“Rough?”

I asked, not knowing exactly what he meant, and Casius added an explanation.

“He’s not sophisticated. He doesn’t know how to beat around the bush; he’s very honest.”

I looked at the two of them at Casius’s words.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Dmitri’s face showed that he liked Teresa.

“I think I understand.”

He was the complete opposite of Maximilian, who was familiar with the social circles of the capital.

He wouldn’t hide his heart out of pride.

Perhaps the one who is the exact opposite of Maximilian might be able to heal Teresa’s heart.

After Casius left, Nathaniel and I began to greet people in earnest.

It was important to show the nobles our friendly relationship as much as possible.

The first person I went to greet was, of course, my father.

Finding my father standing among the people was not difficult.

He had been staring at us for some time.

“It’s been a long time. Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness.”

As I approached, his face was full of anger.

Perhaps he was angry because we didn’t come to greet him right away.

“I’m relieved to see you in good health. I thought you might have gone blind on the way here, since you couldn’t find me.”

“There’s no way. Just another, ack!”

I stomped on Nathaniel’s foot to shut him up.

He’s as tactless as Maximilian.

“I wanted to come right away. But on the way here, I saw something amazing.”

I playfully pulled my father toward the terrace, hooking my arm in his.

He still seemed angry and didn’t come easily.

I lifted my heel and whispered in my father’s ear.

“Your brotherinlaw is here.”

“What, what…!”

My father, who almost shouted, quickly covered his mouth with his hand.

It really seemed like he sneaked in without my father knowing.

‘He’s good. How could he get into a party held by the royal family without an invitation?’

I thought we would need to strengthen security after this party, telling Nathaniel.

“Why is that guy here, he says?”

“He says he came to see Menisil’s princess.”

“Ah, sigh…”

My father couldn’t finish his words and sighed heavily.

I patted my father’s hand to soothe him.

“I did manage to send him away. Don’t be too angry, go and comfort him.”

“Yes, I must.”

My father, who also seemed worried about Maximilian, said he should go and left the ballroom.

As I finished the task, my energy drained.

But the work wasn’t over yet.

“Let’s go. Let’s get this over with quickly.”

“Will you be okay? You look tired.”

“I can’t just ignore what I have to do.”

Nathaniel put my arm on his.

“Lean on me a bit as we go. That way, they’ll know we’re close.”

I smiled without realizing it at his unexpected kindness.

“Thank you.”

Nathaniel looked at me silently and then turned his head.

But having been by his side for a few months, I knew he was speechless because he was shy.

“Let’s go!”

We entered the battlefieldlike ballroom, drawing back the curtains.