Listening to his words, I laughed brightly, as if a clown had flinched.

“His words aren’t wrong. It seems like you should know the facts in advance.”

“Yeah. Luckily, it seems you understand what I’m saying.”

“But I’ve already heard the story.”

“What?”

Evan, the Duke, seemed either confused or surprised at my words.

“Well, of course, I didn’t know the fact that Rian had been looking for her until recently. But is it because he loves her? Rian, did you search for her because you love her?”
“Whether it’s Beatrice or Duke Evan, they are the same people. Trying to crush me in some way. I wonder if they’re really not siblings; they’re so alike in some strange way.

But I wasn’t the kind of person to be easily daunted by that.

“Huh?”

“You can tell me. Did you really search for her because you love her? Even if it’s the truth, I don’t mind.”

“Even if it’s the truth, you don’t mind. Yeon-ae, it seems like you want to defend yourself like that…”

“No, I don’t. Anyway, now Rian loves me. And even if he doesn’t love, he can make himself love me. I am a person who can make that happen.”

His expression hardened at my words. However, Duke Evan quickly loosened his expression.

“Confident?”

“Yes. Rian has already made himself love me. So making him love me more is not difficult.”

Listening to our conversation, Rian, who had been silent, smirked and placed his hand on my waist.

“That’s right. I love Bella more than anyone now.”

“…Weren’t you in love with Beatrice?”

“I was planning to talk about it separately, but since you keep talking, I have no choice. It’s not because I searched for her out of love.”

“Then why weren’t you able to talk about it?”

Evan’s face stiffened mercilessly.

“Because I didn’t want to mention another woman’s name on the day of the wedding when Isabella had to be blessed. So I haven’t talked about it.”

“Heh. Really… it seems like a great love.”

“Yes, it is a great love. Enough to erase the female hatred that happened because of Beatrice.”

“…”

“And I’m quite curious about the reason I found her.”

“Yeah. Didn’t you ask me quite desperately?”

Whether it’s my brother or sister trying to attack me, it’s quite ridiculous. But now that Rian has found her, it doesn’t affect me at all. I’m just curious about the reason.

“Yeah. Because she’s Rodello’s mother. So I found her. I wanted to ask why she didn’t appear herself and just sent the child. Don’t misunderstand; it’s not because I love her or have any other intentions.”

“Absurd. You really don’t love her?”

“Yeah. So stop it. I’ve endured enough. Duke Evan, even if you’re a close friend, there’s a line. And you’ve crossed it excessively now. But since today we’re trying to pass it over, stop it. If you can’t genuinely congratulate us, you can leave first today.”

At his words, Evan bit his lip tightly. With an expression full of what seemed like anger. Seeing that, Rian pulled me strongly towards him.

“You should have understood well what I said. Let’s go. Bella.”

“Yes, ah!”

Turning to follow Rian, I turned back to look at Duke Evan once again. With my sudden actions, Rian chuckled as he glanced at me.

“Duke Evan.”

“…”
As I called him with disdain, his expression hardened more than before. Evan’s face showed annoyance as he had not yet fully recovered from the blow he received from Rian.

“It seems like you don’t know much. First of all, I am not someone you can disdain.”

“…What is that supposed to mean?”

“I have become the Empress of the Empire, and Duke Evan is just a faithful subject of the Empire. So, I hope you don’t disrespect me without reason.”

“Hah, right now, to me…”

“Again, again! Let’s leave it at that for now. Since you’re Rian’s close friend, let’s consider it a warning. I hope you speak properly from next time. At least, if you are a duke of the Empire.”

Pausing for a moment after saying something, Rian, who had been looking at us, chuckled at my words. While doing so, he led me to the other side.

Duke Evan remained standing there. And as we were left alone, he pulled me in front of him. Thanks to that, I ended up facing Rian.

“Bella, you’re truly amazing.”

“Did I go a bit… overboard?”

“No, on the contrary, it was good. A confident appearance in front of others. Even though Evan acted too excessively today, you didn’t say anything about it. I was worried that you might be upset because of the name Beatrice. So, I just wanted to get away quickly… Bella, you really did well in handling it.”

“Is it a good thing?”

“Yes, it’s a very good thing. That’s why I can’t help but fall in love with you.”