Vivian looked back and forth between the two dresses and said:

“I’m not sure. It’s too close to call.”

“Pardon?”

The faces of those who had been eagerly anticipating were clearly filled with disappointment. To be fair, it would have been a difficult choice for anyone.

“My lady, didn’t you have many conversations with Her Majesty Teresa while dancing at the Bellis banquet?”

Vivian immediately returned to a serious expression.

“Yes, I did.”

“Hmm, I think the answer might lie in Her Majesty’s words?”

Lea suddenly felt her mind becoming complicated.

What did Empress Teresa say to me again? All she could remember were skeptical remarks.

Still, she had to recall.

‘She said love has an expiration date and men will change, so don’t give your whole heart.’

At the time, it seemed like she only viewed her relationship with Terran skeptically, which didn’t make her feel very good. But now, to think there might be an answer in her words.

Suddenly, something clicked in Lea’s mind.

‘Empress Teresa is a pessimist. About love…’

If that’s the case, the answer was already there. Of course, the problem was that it was an extremely personal view, so it lacked credibility.

“Just do your best.”

Vivian’s advice wasn’t particularly special either.

‘What if I do my best and Rivette gets chosen?’

The mere thought was horrifying. She could already imagine Allen’s reaction if her younger sister became the Crown Princess.

Really, she didn’t want to see that unpleasant sight.

“This dress is similar to Teresa’s wedding dress. If so, let’s recreate it perfectly,” Vivian said meaningfully, looking at the lace dress made by Chainer.

“Perfectly?”

For just a moment, Vivian’s expression was very ambiguous.

Realistically, if either of them is chosen, it would be advantageous for Lea’s business. The problem lies in what comes after.

“Your Majesty, is it possible to see a picture of Empress Teresa’s wedding?”

“I don’t have one. I only remember it.”

Vivian described the situation at Teresa’s wedding verbally.

She explained it in such detail that it was as if the wedding scene was unfolding before their eyes.

Lea listened to Vivian’s words to the end before finally making a decision.

‘Let’s leave it to fate.’

If Rivette is destined to become the Crown Princess even if Lea doesn’t do her best because she doesn’t want Rivette to be chosen, she will be selected.

Fate would make even a maid scooping ashes from the fireplace be chosen. But Vivian’s words bothered her.

‘You’re telling me to recreate it perfectly?’

For some reason, she wanted to bet on those words. Lea decided not to worry anymore.

* * *

Terran was very pleased to hear that Allen had been finally selected for the Bertan railway project. After all, he had been pushing for it quite a bit from the side.

As he had hoped, he was able to secure the import rights for silk and porcelain.

Terran said that although Allen had interfered until the end in his securing of the import rights, negotiations with the Bertan imperial family went well.

“The MacDowell company side says they will proceed with the railway project immediately.”

“It will cost an astronomical amount of money.”

“Our side has agreed to import large quantities of porcelain and silk.”

Unlike the agonizing Terran, the executives were busy reporting the results.

Terran was actively engaged in the meeting at first, but gradually his mind became fuzzy.

His reason became blurred as he recalled the night of love with Grace. Her soft touch and seductive moans, himself floundering in pleasure.

The more he recalled the memory, the more his body actually heated up.

He wished she would return to the duke’s residence soon from the imperial palace, and his desire to make love to her welled up.

He had loved Grace before, but now he realized he had fallen for her even more.

‘I miss her.’

He missed her even though they had only been apart for a few hours. Even though he knew full well that she would return home safely in a few hours, he felt impatient.

His mind was filled with lewd imaginings of spending all day in bed with her, meetings be damned.

“My Lord?”

When Terran continued to be unresponsive, one of the executives called out to him.

“Hm? What did you say?”

“We were talking about the political situation in Bertan.”

“Ah… right. So how is it there?”

“There are no particular signs yet.”

“Marquis Martin Polo said the imperial authority would be in danger before long.”

The executives nodded at Terran’s words. While Bertan was a country with great potential, it also came with just as much risk.

“The wealth gap in Bertan is widening.”

“That will soon become a cause for revolution.”

“Moreover, there are many people opposing the railway project.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s probably a cultural difference. Many people consider laying rails on the ground to be ominous.”

That wasn’t his concern. Still, once the railway is built and trains start running, they’ll surely be amazed by its convenience.

Of course, the key was whether the railway could be laid safely.

“President MacDowell has jumped in very aggressively.”

“Hmm, let’s keep an eye on it for now.”

From the beginning, Terran hadn’t started business in Bertan to make money. His goal was to ruin Allen.

Even now, that will remains unchanged. Then Terran thought of Grace again.

Just imagining her made him feel as if her scent was lingering at the tip of his nose. He instinctively turned his ear towards the window.

Wondering if she might return right away, hoping to hear the sound of the carriage she had left in.

“The silk samples sent from Bertan should arrive tomorrow.”

“Is that so?”

Grace would be so happy if he gave it to her as a gift. Terran smiled contentedly as he associated everything with her.

“If the silk is good, we’ll import it in large quantities.”

After importing, Grace would take care of it anyway. Whether she makes and sells clothes or makes curtains, it doesn’t matter.

It’s to see her happy face.

Just then, the sound of a carriage was heard. Terran jumped up from his seat and walked to the window to check.

‘She’s back.’

Seeing her getting out of the carriage, his heart pounded like a drum on a battlefield.

“We’ll end today’s meeting here.”

“Pardon? Understood.”

Terran immediately headed to the lobby to greet her. He never knew the joy of waiting for and meeting a missed person could be this sweet.

“You’re back?”

“Terran.”

As expected, she called his name with a bright smile.

Terran didn’t care whether people saw or not. He urgently grabbed Lea’s hand and headed upstairs.

“Why? Did something happen?”

Lea was the one who was bewildered. It was strange that Terran suddenly came down to the lobby and grabbed her hand without a word.

Even as Lea asked for the reason, Terran just kept walking.

Bang―! As soon as the bedroom door closed, Terran cornered Grace against the wall and kissed her hungrily.

Lea, who had been bewildered, soon became intoxicated by his passion and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Even though they hadn’t seen each other for just a few hours, Terran kept lingering in her mind. Thinking about going to him after finishing work made her heart swell.

“I want to make love.”

Terran whispered in a hungry voice after finishing the kiss, and before Lea could answer, they were already lying on the bed.

“Am I being barbaric?”

Terran asked, looking down at Lea after thoroughly disheveling her. He asked if his actions, having lost his reason, were unpleasant.

“I like it when you’re barbaric. Be rough with me.”

Lea’s lowered voice subtly stimulated his instincts.

“I’m gone now. Only the beast remains.”

He twisted up the corners of his mouth, loosened his tie, and unbuttoned his shirt.

Lea swallowed hard at the sight.

Terran fixed Lea in place with his firmly built thighs.

Lea blankly watched as Terran took off his clothes one by one.

Already, goosebumps were rising all over her body, turning into shivers. Soon, as his robust upper body was revealed, her hands caressed it indulgently.

“I like the beast.”

Her red tongue peeked out between her lips, which had swollen plumply from kissing, tempting him.

* * *

Chainer had her ear pressed against the door of Terran’s bedroom.

“Tch! I hate elder sister and uncle.”

Chainer was jealous of the two who had grown particularly close lately. They kept disappearing secretly at the drop of a hat.

Her grumbling didn’t last long before Pauline inevitably grabbed Chainer by the scruff of her neck.

“How rude!”

“I think Grace unni and uncle are making a baby. I should listen carefully.”

“That’s bad behavior, Chainer.”

“It’s not bad. They’re just playing by themselves and not including me.”

Pauline sighed at Chainer’s insistence.

It seemed it was time to give Chainer some adult education. She also needed to share the happy news that had just come in.

“Chainer, Luke is back.”

“Really?”

Chainer’s eyes widened, and she ran clattering towards the stairs as if she had never been eavesdropping on someone’s room.

Pauline shook her head and followed after Chainer.

“Elder brother Luke!”

She shouted at Luke standing in the lobby before even going down the stairs.

“Chainer.”

Luke wasn’t using crutches, but he still had a splint on his leg.

He looked at Chainer, who was running down the stairs calling him in a tearful voice.

Just then, Louis was greeting Luke and about to go up the stairs.

“Elder brother Luke! Ah…!”

It was the moment Chainer, running down recklessly, misstepped and was about to fall forward.

As Chainer’s scream rang out, Louis caught her body.

Chainer was startled.

Her feet had clearly left the stairs and were flying towards empty space, but strong arms and a chest caught her easily.

Before she knew it, Chainer was in Louis’s arms.

“Oh? Mr. Louis Ballerina.”

“Are you alright, young lady?”

Louis asked in a flushed voice, as if he was more surprised than Chainer. Meanwhile, Chainer just blinked her wide eyes looking at Louis.

It was as if time had stopped around the two of them. On the other hand, Luke was overwhelmed by a strange emotion.

‘Thank goodness.’

He was relieved that Chainer wasn’t hurt, but somehow he felt odd.