The following day.

A decisive verdict came from my impatient father.

“Allow the marriage.”

My father, who had been digging into Melson’s background all day, had detected his foul smell.

Initially, he started investigating the medicine prescribed to Lian and me, then he started doubting the medical records that were claimed to be the Duke’s.

Of course, they couldn’t be real.

“I was foolish.”

For a long time, my father blamed his own ignorance.

“It’s my fault for trusting that man without thorough investigation. It’s all my mistake.”

I approached my father, whose face had turned pale overnight. His shoulders, which felt as though they carried a heavy burden, were slumped today.

“The person who deceived is at fault, not the person who was deceived.”

The greatest victim was my father, who was betrayed by his deep trust.

The only mistake my father made was his overwhelming love for his child.

The desire to save his child was so strong that he grasped at straws.

“I would have done the same.”

It was more of a mistake than a wrongdoing. A mistake anyone could make.

It’s my father’s first life too.

So it was my part to ensure that my father’s vision does not blur. That’s what I thought.

“Marry the Duke. No, it doesn’t matter who you marry. Do as you wish. I’ll respect whatever choice you make now.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

It had come.

“I didn’t expect to see Your Highness here.”

I saw Serdis in Luanna’s costume room. He was there when I came after hearing that Hertian had reserved my wedding dress. As always, he looked perfect.

“Did Your Highness come to give a gift to the Empress?”

A servant held a box full of gifts next to Serdis, surrounded by a few nobles. Amidst this, he wore a clear smile.

“No, not for my mother.”

“Oh my. Then who is the woman? We don’t sell men’s clothes here.”

The woman who would become the Prince’s wife. The ladies’ curiosity reached its peak.

“I have someone else in mind.”

As he lowered his long eyelashes and smiled as if thinking about someone, the ladies excitedly squealed.

“Who would be the one to receive His Highness’s abundant love? I’m jealous.”

“You’ll find out soon.”

“Could it be that your recent visit to Tier was to propose to her?”

“Yes.”

He was completely engrossed in a romance of his own.

Standing at the entrance of the costume room, watching him, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Betty, watching with me, asked anxiously.

“Miss, shall we come back later?”

After a short contemplation, I shook my head.

“No, we have to face him sooner or later.”

I had received permission for marriage from my parents, and Hertian had promised not to break the contract, there was nothing to avoid anymore.

“Let’s go.”

I took a deep breath and walked into the costume room with confidence. Luanna, the owner of the costume room, spotted me first and welcomed me warmly.

“Miss Leangberia, thank you for coming.”

“Nice to see you, Madam.”

As my name was mentioned, Serdis turned his head. Our eyes met, and color returned to his face. I approached him with an unfazed expression and greeted him properly.

“Nice to see you, Your Highness.”

“Anette, it’s been a while.”

He greeted me warmly.

I pretended to have forgotten, but it seemed Serdis truly had forgotten. Our last meeting.

“I was upset not being able to see you.”

Despite chasing me around, he greeted me with feigned delight. I barely held back a scowl.

“You two seem close.”

“Yes.”

At his enthusiastic response, the ladies whispered to each other. Although I disliked Serdis, the situation itself wasn’t bad. The gossiploving ladies and the costume room, the base of rumors. Plus, Serdis.

‘This is a good opportunity.’

With that thought, a smile naturally found its way to my lips.

“I heard often that Your Highness had been looking for me. I apologize. I’ve been quite busy recently.”

At the sound of my softened voice, he smiled happily.

“What’s there to apologize for between us? It’s good enough we got to meet like this. I had something for you anyway, Anette.”
He was rummaging through his white uniform. It seemed that he had the same idea as me, intending to propose publicly in a place full of people.

“But what kind of relationship do we have?”

Was the connection of having merely eaten a macaron together deep enough for a proposal? Edward, who was passing by, would laugh.

I didn’t even want to give a chance to a wimp who couldn’t properly confess.

“Your Highness, before that, I had something I wanted to give you.”

“To me?”

When I shyly nodded my head, he stopped his rummaging hand. The others in the costume room also held their breaths to eavesdrop on our conversation. The timing was impeccable.

“Just a moment.”

I opened my bag and took out a prepared envelope. An expression of curiosity appeared on Serdis’s face as he received the pure white letter envelope.

“Did you write a letter to me?”

Why waste ink writing a letter. Just speak it out.

“Open it.”

“Can I open it here? It’s embarrassing.”