When he said that with a faint smile, Balter tidied up his ongoing conversation and took his steps.

It was evident to anyone that he was different from ordinary people just by looking at him. Admiration erupted from all directions as they looked at him.

‘I understand why Lexion, the Count of Lexion, has a brighter complexion these days.’

The Emperor himself, having felt his extraordinary nature when he returned to his family, asked.

“Balter Jacques Lexion. As soon as you appeared, you won the tournament and endlessly elevated Lexion’s honor. I was quite impressed by the Count’s swordsmanship. Did you learn it from your father?”
Like others, the Emperor also seemed subtly curious about my father’s identity. Balter responded succinctly.

“I inherited magic from my mother and learned the sword from a different master.”

“I hope the Count of Lexion will use his power to settle the chaos both domestically and internationally when rumors start to circulate.”

“I will do so.”

Balter bowed his head. The expressions of Count Gerturk and his wife, who were aware of the implications targeted at the aristocracy, strangely stiffened.

When the luxurious brooch made of pure gold and large diamonds adorned his broad chest, the Empress rose from her seat, seemingly upset.

Edit paid no attention, whether the Empress left or stayed, and witnessed him receiving applause and congratulations from the people.

‘Lady Leah would have liked to see him like this.’

Leah always believed in her son. The eyes she cast upon Isaac were filled with boundless trust.

Now, the members of other noble families were also looking at him that way. It was a gaze that was convinced he would lead the family and even the faction.

At this moment, Balter was at the center. With a gaze that seemed untouchable from anyone in the high position, his eyes exuded an expression more thrilling than any other act.

Watching the man who had stolen her heart boast his majestic figure was more thrilling than any other action.

Edit, recalling the experience of secretly watching the stablekeeper among the employees, stared intently at him.

At that moment, the green eyes of the Emperor, who was just finishing his conversation, met hers directly.

“…!”

Seeing his eyes narrowing as if he knew she had been watching him, her cheeks reddened.

“Casius, a moment.”

Edit was thinking of going back to the balcony to cool her face, but Balter grabbed her with a gentle voice.

“If you don’t mind, would you take a stroll for a moment, madam.”

Balter seemed to seek brief permission from those who were waiting for him to talk. He then approached her immediately.

“It was a bit stuffy. There are too many people, so it’s hot indoors.”

Instead of saying it was hot because of watching him, she blamed the crowd and walked ahead. Balter’s light laughter was heard.

“I thought it was because I looked at you so intently that your cheeks turned red.”

“…”

“I wonder how it would have looked if your first love won the brooch from the Emperor in the tournament.”

Balter could only mention once again that he was her first love, driven by anxiety.

However, her unexpected response, spilled in a tense moment, left him satisfied.

“He looked just like a wild horse.”
Captivating the attention of people, and not bending more than necessary even in front of the Emperor, he seemed to move freely in any situation.

However, for some reason, when Balter heard her sincere thoughts, he raised the corners of his mouth as if very satisfied.

“Among the many animals, there must be a reason why it’s a horse.”

“…”

For a moment, Edit couldn’t help but recall the incident when she embarrassed Lady Leah with an innocent question in her childhood.

“Lady Leah, why does a horse have five legs?”

“Well, Edit, that’s…”

Back then, even if Balter heard him wobbling like he does now, he probably wouldn’t have noticed the confidence within.

Whether Balter evolved him into a mischievous person or whether Edit had fallen into the mischievous side due to her imagination of meeting Isaac and falling in love, she couldn’t tell.

“Why is madam suddenly smiling?”

“Just being with you makes me laugh.”

Edit raised her eyebrows and let out a laugh. Looking back, it was the same even in the tedious Portrion mansion. Even in that prison-like place, being with this man eased her breath.

Her eyes narrowed into a crescent shape. Balter looked at the trapped her and slowly knelt before her.

“Edit Lowell.”

“…”

Balter, in a sudden move, gently held her stiff hand. Along the veins, his fingertips moved slowly.

Just like the first time he held her hand, her heart repeated the cycle of relaxation and contraction in a loud manner. She wasn’t nervous in front of the Emperor, but now, she feared she might blurt out nonsense like a fool.

Balter gently kissed the back of her hand and said.

“It’s said that if the winner of the tournament makes a ring from the brooch received from the Emperor and proposes, the couple becomes happy.”

“…”

“Now that I’ve received the brooch, I want to know your ring size.”

Edit swallowed dry saliva. The veins touched by his lips seemed to boil and overflow slowly. The green eyes looking at her clearly revealed that this was a proposal.

“Balter…”

“If you tell me the ring with the craftsmanship that suits you, I’ll give you everything I have.”

The pounding of her heart, like the beating of a drum in her ears, and the fact that he had leaned in were just like the time when she received a proposal with a forget-me-not ring in her childhood.

The warmth of his lips on the back of her hand, now arriving at her face, turned her cheeks crimson.

Even though her heart was beating fast enough to make her dizzy, his kneeling figure was clearer than ever when their eyes met. At that moment, Edit knew that this scene would be etched in her mind forever.

Just like when Isaac first kissed her lips.

“I’ll do that, Balter. From now on, I’ll only say it to you.”

Edit accepted the brooch he offered with a smile.
“I’ve only told you about the ring that fits my finger, Balter.”

“…”

“Even if you lose your memory again, I won’t tell anyone else.”

With a voice trembling slightly with happiness, she accepted his proposal.

However, for some reason, at the absurd assumption of losing her memory again, Balter’s expression momentarily stiffened and then softened.

‘Just now…’

Unable to take her eyes off his face, Edit couldn’t afford to miss that momentary reaction.