Actually, until now, even if the Emperor showed occasional excessive favor, she thought it was because of overflowing love for his nephew.

As a way to restrain Ernst of House Ernst, a member of the Empress’s family, who was relentless in pressuring the Emperor due to guilt over his deceased older son.

‘Even that was thought to be just a symbolic gesture, a means to suppress the influence of House Ernst, but…’

Even though the Emperor consistently ignored his eldest son, focusing only on his nephew.

Even as the Empress, driven to madness by jealousy, and House Ernst, the Emperor’s family, relentlessly pressured him.

‘If Valentine does not actively clarify or express a refusal soon, uncontrollable bloodshed will soon erupt in Denburg.’

Suppressing her anxious feelings, she cautiously glanced at him.
‘But Valentine promised to return to Ansgar. Even if the achievement of the ‘contract’ is urgent now, he will not covet the position of Crown Prince….’

However, if Valentine becomes the Crown Prince during this ball.

Then, Valentine would achieve the first contract earlier than planned, and the soul of ‘Duke Ansgar’ would return to its original body.

In that case, Adele would also have to leave Ansgar.

‘Then what about the people of Ansgar’s territory? Who will take care of them?’

Crown Prince Valentine would not be able to leave Prague.

The immediate alternative that came to mind was Oscar, but Herman used to criticize his incompetence.

‘My head is in a mess.’

Nothing was clear. Moreover, there was no solution within her power.

While the complex thoughts were filling Adele’s mind, he, who had been watching her with a thoughtful expression, burst into a short laugh.

“Why such a face?”

Valentine’s gentle laughter sounded different from usual. Adele slowly raised her gaze to meet his.

He was smiling with a slightly chilly smile beneath his beautiful face.

Adele wondered what emotions were hidden beneath Valentine’s beautiful face.

Staring at her silently, he suddenly grabbed her chin. He slowly opened his mouth as he met her gaze leisurely.

“Surely not.”

His elegant eyes narrowed in an instant.

“I’m not worried about the shell I turned inside out, am I?”

…Shell. Adele closed her mouth at the word that felt discomforting.

The sharp blade of the deliberately chosen words scratched her nerves.

His smile became slightly colder as her momentarily blocked words seemed to bother him.

“I’m not concerned about the flipped-out shell even if it’s said to be of a valuable lineage. After all, it’s nothing more than a mere human.”

“What, all of a sudden… Really, such unreasonable words…”

“Adele.”

She felt that he was suppressing tightly tense nerves. Even when he was smiling.

The smile that had barely clung to Valentine’s lips disappeared without a trace.

“I don’t like you paying attention to anything other than me. Even if it’s about the shell I turned inside out, or even if it’s about that little rabbit hole you care so much about.”

“…”

“I’m very greedy.”

Only then did Adele vaguely guess the reason why Valentine had been uncooperative throughout this conversation.

“I hope Adele’s little head is filled only with my thoughts. Nothing else should dare to enter.”

His firm thumb pressed her lips as if looking at something delicate.

Looking at her as if gazing at something very tender, Valentine, who had suppressed tightly tense nerves, finally burst into a fierce laugh.
“Then would hatred be better than affection?”

“…….”

“Hmm? Adele Height.”

He called her name affectionately, urging for an answer.

As she looked at him with a faded expression, his gaze became persistent as if examining every detail.

His gaze slowly moved, scrutinizing his fixed, light-colored irises, delicately trembling eyelids, flushed cheeks and nose, and even his casually pressed lips.

Rather than leisurely, his calmness raised the body temperature. Her heart began to beat hurriedly.

“…….”

His lips, pressed open by his fingers, trembled as if expecting what would come next.