Rhonda thought to herself.

She wanted to comfort Mercedes’ sad face, but at the same time, she was glad that her pitiful and lovely mistress had finally revealed her emotions to this extent.

It was truly a contradictory thought.

Unlike her desire to immediately ask what was wrong, hug her, and comfort her, Rhonda did not reveal that she had noticed Mercedes’ sadness.

Knowing Mercedes’ personality, it was obvious that if asked directly, she would immediately return to her usual expressionless demeanor.

So instead of asking, she gently embraced Mercedes’ arm and led her to sit on the balcony where the sunlight streamed in.

“The sunshine is nice today. Ah, and did you hear? A new bakery opened in the capital’s square recently−.”

And while engaging in all the small talk she could muster, she signaled Patricia with her eyes to prepare some refreshments.

Fortunately, Mercedes’ expression slowly subsided.

She really wanted to ask what was wrong, but Rhonda held back. Sadness was also an emotion, and one had to express it to become accustomed to it.

* * *

The image of Carlos, crumpled and asleep with Skylar, did not easily leave her mind.

Still, Mercedes tried to pull herself together. Yes, it must have happened while working. His Majesty said he loved only me, but… it’s not like I perfectly believed that in the first place, right?

All sorts of thoughts swirled in her head.

As she had to meet Carlos every day for dinner and sometimes even lunch, it became more and more complicated, and her heart ached at times.

Carlos, who had already heard from Franz that Mercedes had discovered the two of them asleep that morning, only observed her.

He deliberately did not say anything to clear up the misunderstanding.

Since Mercedes had been in this state ever since then, it seemed she had taken a blow from the incident. If emotions were stirred up here, they would grow a bit more.

Some emotions tended to grow as they got hurt. Although it was unintentional on Carlos’ part, it could be an opportunity.

Wasn’t it said that things like jealousy always got mixed into love? This incident could become an impetus for Mercedes to give him more of her heart.

So he left her alone.

He did feel pangs of conscience. Mercedes, who couldn’t eat well and had blank eyes. Those green eyes that hurriedly avoided him whenever they encountered each other.

“You seem tense because you have to attend the banquet soon after the Empress announcement is made. Mercedes.”

Carlos deliberately spoke of other things more affectionately. Mercedes was startled by his words for a moment, then slowly nodded her head.

That’s right. On the day she discovered him sleeping with Skylar, Carlos announced as planned that he would give Mercedes the position of Empress.

It was natural for noble society to be turned upside down. Although Carlos did not explicitly tell her, judging by the atmosphere, it seemed petitions were being submitted.

“That’s… right. I’m nervous.”

Mercedes was surprised to realize that she had not even paid attention to that matter and tried to regain her senses. And she managed to muster a smile.

Seeing that face with a forced smile, Carlos thought he didn’t want to see it. However, he did not avert his eyes or change his behavior.

He acted as usual.

‘Worrying about Skylar.’

A close friend who was often mistaken for a man. If she was concerned about someone like that to this extent…

Carlos didn’t know much about love, but he had picked up a lot from the battlefield and romance novels, so he roughly guessed.

Perhaps this was a pretty good sign. So he had to keep pushing.

−Separate from the discomfort in his heart.

* * *

If one were to pick the most glamorous and debaucherous amusement in the social season, it would be the banquet at the Marquis of Marshall’s residence.

The Marchioness had a very hearty disposition, and the Marquis was also a pleasant fellow who did not spare any money for entertainment.

Originally, Mercedes would have been very nervous as this was the first banquet she attended after the announcement of the Empress, but the past few days of being distracted by banquet preparations were rather welcome.

It allowed her to reduce her thoughts about Skylar and Carlos.

“It’s more unique than I thought.”

Unlike the bright banquets so far, the lighting in the banquet hall of the Marquis of Marshall’s residence was a little dim.

Everything was visible, but… there was a strange feeling of blurred vision.

Moreover, the red and black silk satin hanging from the ceiling flowed down here and there, creating a fatal impression and concealing and revealing each other’s appearance alternately, forming a subtle atmosphere.

Sticky dance tunes flowed endlessly, and dancers moved to the rhythm. Strong liquor, which was not usually brought to banquets, was placed, and there were also tables for card games here and there.

“The banquet is still filthily debaucherous. It’s dangerous for unmarried women, even if married people are fine.”

“Hmm. Indeed, it is.”

Doors leading to the garden, concealed by cloth here and there, could also be seen. If one accidentally drifted into the garden and an unmarried man and woman encountered each other in such darkness outside, an incident might occur, or rumors might spread.

“It’s like a banquet made for secret meetings.”

“This banquet has always been like that. But it used to be limited to married people… Today, the degree of encouragement seems excessive. They brought out rare and strong liquor that doesn’t usually appear at banquets, and they overdid the cloth decorations so that people’s appearances are not easily seen. They cleared a path to easily guide people towards the dark garden… Small differences, but perfect for triggering gossip.”

Carlos muttered, twisting his lips.

“Since they’re minor differences, everyone won’t notice, and even if something happens, there will be no blemish on the Marquis of Marshall’s honor. They used their head. We need to be careful, Mercedes. Stay as close to me as possible.”

“…Yes. I will do that.”

If she had to be careful, she would have to stay by Carlos’ side constantly.

‘I don’t like that, though.’

She didn’t know what she felt, but being next to him, which she had always found reassuring and comfortable, felt uncomfortable and anxious.

This was even more so because today’s Carlos was excessively dashing.

That appearance of wearing only a shirt with two buttons undone, without a tie or cravat, in a three-piece suit with a reddish tint, was somehow ascetic yet constantly drawing her gaze.

“Since you will be constantly by my side, I should be grateful to the Marquis of Marshall.”

He said kindly, pulling up the corners of his refreshing lips.

Is that sincere? He has many people. Although he said he and Skylar were not in that kind of relationship, there might or might not be another person who shared a past with him and was as outstanding as her.

How many of his people, women, that she didn’t know about could there be?

The time she and Carlos had was far too short. Because he was so affectionate and acted as if he only looked at her, she hadn’t realized it.

Her starting line was far behind his.

Her chest felt stuffy.

It was like that even though she had never worn a corset until the moment she put on her dress, except when she went to meet the adjutants after arriving in the room.

‘What on earth is this feeling…?’

Even though she could vaguely guess, she wanted to turn away from her own emotions. Because she was afraid of things like trust and love.

“I was worried about you today anyway. Today, you−. Hmm.”

Carlos tried to continue speaking, whether he knew Mercedes’ heart or not.

But he hesitated for a moment.

Words that would have flowed out like water under normal circumstances… Was it because his heart was getting heavier these days as he deceived her and left her alone?

Or was it really because she was too beautiful today?

“Today, you are excessively captivating. It worries me.”

It was a little difficult to open his mouth.

So after uttering those seductive words, he abruptly turned his head away.

Damn it, Carlos muttered inwardly.

Why did it feel like his insides were hotter than usual? He always had a lot of heat, so it must be that. That’s all.

“…Me?”

Mercedes was wearing a blue satin dress with an excessively wide and deep neckline.

Due to the airiness of the satin dress, her beautiful neckline and slender yet somewhat voluptuous figure were revealed.

To the point where Carlos thought he had nowhere to rest his eyes.

However, compared to the dresses of others, it was modest, and the fabric itself gave a pure impression, so rather than captivating, it was beautiful and noble.

“Yes.”

“I’m not sure about that.”

“You don’t know your own beauty.”

“The one who is captivating is… rather Your Majesty. I think you are the one who doesn’t realize it.”

Mercedes unknowingly blurted out her dissatisfaction.

Her words were sharp when she hadn’t even properly sorted out her emotions.

Far from noticing Mercedes’ jealousy-like words, Carlos was rather baffled. In his eyes, only Mercedes’ beauty was visible right now.

Wasn’t he covering his entire body with a suit? There was absolutely no captivating part of him to the extent that Mercedes would say such a thing.

The two became sensitive to the gazes of those around them that kept being drawn in this direction, without understanding each other’s concerns.

‘Why do you keep looking at my partner?’

They were looking at both of them, but each was only worried about the other.

“Hmm, my throat is dry. I’ll have them bring some champagne. I’ll be right back. Wait here for a moment.”

He seemed to have become a bit sensitive due to his guilty conscience. Instead of sticking with her, he got up from his seat with the idea of clearing his head.

Mercedes was also very glad that he was leaving his seat.

But then he stood looking at her for a moment instead of leaving. When she looked up at him with puzzled eyes, Carlos took off his jacket.

Then, his thick waist tightened by the vest and his muscular arms, even though covered by the shirt, were revealed.

‘He became even more captivating.’

While Mercedes was stunned, Carlos put his jacket, which was twice as large as her, on her.

“Stay like that for a bit.”

Carlos sighed and left the seat. Mercedes looked at him. Even from behind, his perfect inverted triangle back and long legs were flawless.

‘Who on earth is worried about whom…?’

Mercedes rested her chin on her hand and let out a sigh.

Her heart kept feeling stuffy. As she stared in the direction he disappeared, Mercedes even became melancholic.

She felt like throwing away her usual self and just playing around. Today’s banquet had enough of that atmosphere.

‘Unmarried women should be careful, but…’

As she smiled bitterly, a voice suddenly rang out.

“Umm… Lady Mercedes?”

When she raised her head, a very cute-looking young lady was standing there.