Walter’s eye twitched briefly. This kid, who hadn’t shed a drop of blood, was demanding a knighthood with an innocent face.

As Patricia rested her hand on his shoulder, Claude spoke as if squeezing out his words.

“If he swears allegiance to the Imperial Prince first and then becomes my knight, I would be pleased. Showing loyalty to the master and trying to interfere and suppress me was clear in his intentions.”

‘Whether it’s a favor or poison, did he think I would simply accept the proposal if he dropped it?’
However, the remedy for those making such proposals was not giving them any room for consideration.

“I apologize, but I have already sworn allegiance to someone else. No matter how much memory I’ve lost, one who wields a sword should not swear loyalty to multiple people simultaneously.”

Hwangbi felt uncomfortable with the tone that sounded as if she were educating an ignorant child rather than someone who would become the emperor someday. However, Claude, who heard the response, genuinely asked in confusion.

“May I ask to whom you have sworn allegiance, Duke?”

This time, Walter easily responded since it seemed the shadow of Hwangbi wasn’t cast on the little kid’s own question.

“I was ignorant of unfamiliar emotions and, not knowing if it was rational liking, swore allegiance to the person over there. It’s embarrassing.”

Upon discovering Edith had returned by his side, Walter lost words for a moment after his statement.

‘Walter, a knight sworn to me.’

Of course, Helen had temporarily assigned him as a guard, but it wasn’t as grandiose as he was saying.

Edith knew that he was shamelessly lying in front of Hwangbi and the Imperial Prince.

However, people, especially women, were swallowing their saliva, watching him confess his feelings calmly and modestly. Watching that scene somehow made her feel bitter.

“Well… If you have already sworn allegiance to someone, there’s nothing we can do. Claude will be disappointed.”

Hwangbi scrutinized Edith, then made an excuse about the dance beginning and returned to her place.

It couldn’t be helped because it was widely known that a knight couldn’t serve two masters.

“Edith, the dance has started.”

As soon as the perfect blockade of Hwangbi heard a few words, Edith’s heart tightened.

Upon hearing him call her name, Edith approached him, using the excuse of the just-started dance. His hand, firmly supporting her back, felt like it was touching her bare skin.

As they moved their feet following his lead, Edith pouted slightly.

“Using lies as an adroit political move is just like a player.”

At that moment, Walter let out a skillful laugh.

“Lies? I kneeled for you a few times, Edith.”

“…”

“I’ve knelt for your joy several times, Edith. Is there any difference from being knighted?”

As their bodies drew closer with the rhythm, every time they were near, Walter lowered his voice and murmured softly.

With a playful laugh and the peculiar refreshing scent wafting from him, it seemed that night, the low voice she used to hear while pressing her shoulder to his leg came back.

“If someone hears, what will happen…”

Thinking of the heat and exhilaration that spread that night, Edith, feeling pricked for no reason, subtly avoided his gaze.
Walter, captivated by her cute reactions, found himself thinking unknowingly. Even if it meant seeing such a sight again, he thought he should kneel once more in front of her, this time with a splendid ring.

As the ball was about to unfold, Walter, in preparation for his role as the Duke, mingled among the people with a glass of wine in hand.

“Sigh…”

Edith went to the balcony to cool her flushed face. If she continued recalling his face and voice like this, the reason for giving Cassius a heads up and moving to the secluded balcony would fly out of her mind.

However, as soon as Elizabeth revealed herself on the balcony, she could calm her pounding chest, which was beating like a drum.

“Long time no see, Elizabeth.”

In fact, her approach was intentional. Elizabeth, noticing that she was being watched, deliberately moved to a less crowded place.

Similarly, Edith, who had something to say to Elizabeth, was soon greeted.

“You look well, Edith. Seems like you’re being treated well in Lexion.”

“Well, it’s…”

“Having the Duke’s child but not receiving proper treatment, isn’t that strange?”

!

Elizabeth revealed her cards before Edith could relax. The subtle change in Edith’s expression was clearly visible in the moonlight.

She offered one of the two wine glasses she was holding to Edith. If she claimed to have stumbled, Edith would probably drink this high-alcohol wine.

“…How should I take it when she offers wine while talking about pregnancy?”

Edith accepted the glass she offered while making a comment that sounded like she was acknowledging her pregnancy.

As Elizabeth, secretly rejoicing, gazed at her belly, Edith could calm her pounding chest.

“When offering wine while talking about pregnancy, how should one react?”
“As you investigated, I do have a child, Elizabeth. However, your child, adopted by the Viscount and Viscountess Göturk, will soon be sold to Lord Humphrey, a pedophile. It’s all to secure favors from the Göturk Viscount and Viscountess, even resorting to mines.”

“What on earth…”

Before Elizabeth could fully comprehend the situation, Edith extended the wine she had offered to me to Elizabeth, saying, “In my opinion, you, who engaged in spying without knowing that your daughter was being sold, seem even more pitiful than me, who is pregnant and must hide it. So, please, go ahead and drink my wine, Elizabeth.”