Cloe, who quickly caught his emotions, apologized. It seemed she couldn’t read his innermost thoughts as swiftly.

Kun seemed exhausted to say anything. Instead, he gripped her waist firmly. Under the oddly coercive force, Cloe was involuntarily pushed forward.

“So, did you achieve your goal?”

“Well… to some extent?”

“Then, it worked.”

Kun chuckled softly. This time, it felt like satisfaction.

Conscious of the surrounding glances, they didn’t exchange many words. The two focused on their first dance together.

Amidst the surrounding attention, Cloe’s gaze was somewhat scattered. Nevertheless, it seemed like a rare social gathering, as she was aware of her surroundings but looked somewhat carefree.
However, staying like this might incur the displeasure of the partner. He was someone who hated it to death when Cloe’s attention went elsewhere.

She shifted her gaze. This time, her hand placed gently on the back of Kun’s neck became the target. The ring on her ring finger sparkled several times under the chandelier.

‘You’re Cloe Fried.’

The ring spoke.

Following the ring, Kun’s whispering voice at the time of handing over the ring added.

‘Use me freely under that name. Whether I am bound by you or you are bound by me…’

‘…….’

‘Because I willingly let you use me.’

A man who put the ring on her ring finger while claiming it to be an item that would bind her. A man who, despite the faint traces of an old ring fading, replaced it with a new one. A man who, claiming to bind her, also put the same ring on her finger, displaying a peculiar behavior.

In front of her, Kun Fried, showing an unfamiliar voice rather than the naive and stiff voice.

“How about it, Cloe Fried?”

“……. ”

“The feeling of being newly noticed.”

He pulled Cloe, who was deeply lost in thought. Her thoroughly disheveled mind felt refreshed all at once.

“It’s more or less okay.”

Cloe instinctively assumed a defensive posture. It was a dry response suitable for nobles who needed to be reserved.

In this aspect, she hid her emotions strangely well. It seemed like she didn’t want to admit that she enjoyed and found pleasure in such trivial matters, as if she didn’t want to acknowledge herself as a mischievous person who could be delighted by such things.

“It seems like everyone believes in our relationship so much that worries are unnecessary.”

Whether it was to consider the awkward-looking her or not, Kun didn’t delve into it.

“That’s right.”

Cloe casually looked around.

There were glances envying a wife or a fiancee who had a defined marriage partner, and there were those who envied Cloe.

At least, there was no feeling of suspicion about Cloe and Kun’s relationship.

It might be quite surprising, but her worries about Kun had become inconspicuous.

“In the eyes of people, it seems like I’m a guy who fell in love without any flaws.”

Kun laughed with a low voice, like a cave. Soon, he added his characteristic flowing accent, mixing humor.

“I was also surprised by His Majesty’s outstanding acting.”

“Do you agree with what I said?”

“…Yes?”

“Cloe, do you think there is anyone who would doubt our relationship in your thoughts?”

After a while, Cloe looked around.

While most of the nobles lingering around were giving the same gaze, Calis was different.

Faced with the truth that casts doubt, he seemed confused. However, whether he wanted to believe his own suspicions as the truth or not, he didn’t completely shake off his doubts.

His persistent gaze scrutinized the two people. It was a tenacious determination to find an excuse no matter what.
“Don’t be ridiculous. To think that His Majesty loves you. It’s absurd. Are you concocting some strange plot, just like when you were preparing for the divorce?”

Thoughts of the conversation with Calis came to mind.

“Do you believe the Duke?”

Kun, too, seemed to be aware of the same person and questioned sharply.

“No. It was a suspicious glance.”

“Then that similar woman must be the same.”

“Probably… It seems so.”

“Wasn’t it your desire to deceive them the most?”

While Cloe nodded her head, hiding in the broad chest of the man, the firm chest covered her intentions.

“It’s getting complicated. You should become a lover who is loved by me. You should appear that way in their eyes too.”

It was only a matter of time before they were trusted.

Was rushing to prevent even a simple flaw from arising?

Or is there another purpose?

Cloe couldn’t dare to guess.

She also couldn’t dare to question what the right next move was.

Because she instinctively grasped the meaning of the Emperor’s words.

The song was coming to an end. Cloe, who had been led by her partner throughout the slow dance, for some reason, began to lead Kun.

He willingly complied. Following Cloe’s steps, in sync with the rhythm, he slowly moved his body.

Before she knew it, Cloe’s back touched a pillar. When her real self would be concealed like a shield with the chest that seemed infinitely wide.

Cloe raised her head. Before expressing her opinion to the other party, his head came down.

Looking at the slightly moistened chin, it seemed he understood all her intentions.

Then, his thick arm went up to the pillar. Thus, the side was also blocked.

Instinctively holding her breath, Cloe approached Kun. Now, there was barely an inch of space left between the two.

He demanded a deeper intimacy as if there was no other choice. If either of them came a little closer, their lips might touch.

However, he didn’t intend to engage in a full-fledged performance like this.

Cloe sighed unintentionally. Afraid that she might bump into him if she moved her head, she subtly shifted her gaze.

Kun had been staring at her for a while.

Deep and intense, red eyes.

Although those eyes were more brilliant than jewels, the gaze they held was profoundly vulgar.

Because there was no difference between his lustful gaze on her and the gazes of other nobles who looked at her sensually.