The servants of the Mansion of Light were busy all afternoon preparing for the arrival of the Grand Duchess.

However, amid their busyness, they constantly glanced at one place.

That place was where Cedric, their master, stood, observing the situation as if monitoring it.

Only after the final dish prepared for today’s dinner was placed on the table, Cedric, with an impatient look, finally commanded the servants.

“Everyone, go out.”

“Yes…”

“Oh, and during the Grand Duchess’s dinner, make sure no one comes near here.”

It was already the umpteenth repeated request, but the servants just politely nodded and left the reception room.

Finally left alone, Cedric couldn’t hide his anxious demeanor.

He paced around the table, checking over and over again if anything was lacking.

Beautifully decorated luxurious dishes, premium wine, and candles brightly lit in various places.

Everything was perfectly prepared, and the atmosphere was exceptionally romantic.

‘Perfect.’

Cedric concluded it for himself.

Even so, shortly afterward, he carefully scanned the reception room again.

‘Did Rebecca like this kind of atmosphere? No, it might be better to decorate it even more splendidly before Rebecca arrives…’

Chin in hand, he seriously contemplated for a while.

Suddenly realizing his serious appearance, Cedric sighed with a mix of self-pity.

‘To be tense in a way that doesn’t suit me.’

In order to relax, he walked slowly towards the window.

Leaning against it, taking a deep breath for a moment.

At that moment, outside the window, he saw Rebecca standing in front of the Mansion of Light’s main gate.

The smile on Cedric’s lips faded slowly as he caught sight of her.

‘She finally came.’

However, that smile gradually faded away shortly after.

It was after he belatedly noticed that the one escorting her was Adrian.

They stopped for a moment in front of the main gate, engaged in conversation.

It used to be a scene he wouldn’t even spare a glance to.

However, the current Cedric was curious about what kind of conversation they were having.

It was extremely frustrating to watch them have a private conversation at a distance where he couldn’t hear.

Beyond the feeling of being upset, there was even a sense of resentment.

Yet, he couldn’t take his eyes off that scene… because the one standing there was… the woman who had always captivated his gaze.

The two men and women, unaware of Cedric’s gaze, continued to look at each other, engaging in a conversation for a long time.

When Adrian’s lips, which had been talking for a while, touched Rebecca’s hand, Cedric exhaled a breath of hot jealousy.

In his ears, Vincent, his reckless cousin, left words that were played back in succession.

‘Not realizing the preciousness of what’s by your side, leaving it alone… these guys like us will covet and snatch it all away.’

At the same time, his heart blazed up like a burning lump.
To feel such emotions towards an unfamiliar person.

Cedric was both surprised and fearful of this fact.

‘I might go crazy for Rebecca from that day if I’m imprinted for real.’

Cedric barely suppressed his raging jealousy and turned away from the window.

‘Time has already passed like this. I should head to the Mansion of Light soon…’

It was around the time when he finally finished dressing up and set out for the Grand Duchess’s reception.

Far away, Adrian, leaning against the corridor window, came into view.

He was staring outside, seemingly lost in thought.

“Adrian.”

At my call, Adrian, who suddenly turned his head, had a faint smile on his lips.

“Lady Vee, you’ve come out.”

“Yeah, but… what’s going on here?”

“I heard the news. You’re going to have dinner with the Grand Duke at the Mansion of Light.”

He said it with a gentle smile.

“I’ve come to escort you to the Mansion of Light.”

“Oh, there’s no need for that…”

“No, it’s my duty.”

A slight bow accompanied his words, and a wry smile played on my lips.

Although it was Adrian’s responsibility to escort me, knowing his feelings made it difficult for me to ask him to escort me to the Mansion of Light.

So, I was going to go alone…

“Lady Vee, you look exceptionally beautiful today as well.”

“…”

“As always.”

Adrian slowly approached my side, extending one arm.

In his usual manner, he wore a gentle smile.

“…Thank you.”

I thought it was fortunate, and I took the hand he offered.

As per my request to the maids, the incident involving Marquis Bold was kept a secret from Adrian.

Knowing his personality, if he found out about yesterday’s events, he would surely blame himself severely.

Throughout the journey to the Mansion of Light, I tried to engage in everyday conversation with him.

However, the more I tried, the more I felt an awkward atmosphere.

‘To receive an escort from the person who confessed to me yesterday and go to dinner with my ex-husband…’

Honestly… it’s too strange.

When I slightly frowned, Adrian seemed to notice my inner thoughts and tried to suppress a smile.