The approval documents fell from my hand.

The engagement knight of Lady Phiocelle came into view in the distance.

“Are you alright?”

The voice of the administrative staff member buzzed in my ears.

Although I knew I had to pull myself together to avoid getting caught up in unnecessary words, my body wouldn’t move as I wished.

I managed to stand up, though stumbling, but fortunately I was able to take steps.

I couldn’t even remember what the return journey was like.

I barely made it back to my seat and gulped down water.

So much that I couldn’t even catch my breath.

Even though it was something I already knew, why was I so surprised?

What on earth was I expecting?

With a cooled head, my vague thoughts about that man quickly began to organize themselves.

“Who on earth is publishing such articles?”

The newspaper fragments scattered as an extra edition earlier were placed in front of Cassian.

The bold newspaper companies that kept spreading unconfirmed articles boldly published the news of the engagement between the two families on the main page.

Reports with no substance, lacking even dates or the name of the officiating minister, were plastered everywhere as if they were established facts.

As if they were uncomfortable publishing confirmed reports without Blanchet’s permission, they fully utilized the shield of anonymous tips.

Thud―

Cassian put down the newspaper as if throwing it.

“It’s obvious.”

“If it’s obvious, the person you’re thinking of couldn’t possibly be…”

Tiobe continued his halted words with a greatly surprised expression.

“Could it possibly be Lady Phiocelle?”

Cassian’s lack of reaction served as an answer.

That behind the report were the Perriot family and Lady Phiocelle.

“Well, no matter how bold a newspaper company is, they wouldn’t publish news about Blanchet like this without backing.”

“…”

“Still, isn’t it fortunate? It seems Lady Phiocelle still likes you, young master.”

Tiobe found Lady Phiocelle’s actions a bit strange.

To be so obsessed with a lord who showed so little interest.

Even if she had ambitions to become the Duchess of Blanchet, any normal lady would find it unbearable to her pride.

In other words, there was no reason to marry into the Blanchet family that wouldn’t even meet her, bowing down in front of the young master.

Yet why would she go so far as to leak such a report?

Tiobe couldn’t quite understand Lady Phiocelle’s decision to take such a risky action.

But well, anyway, there probably wouldn’t be a union of families as well-matched in status as these two, so from the young master’s perspective, it should be a fortunate thing.

That clear and expressive, yet somehow emotionless ‘person’ would now disappear from the young master’s life.

If that happens, the young master might lose the light he wore for the first time in his life, but he will lead Blanchet as a stable heir to the family.

That was his destiny and an undeniable duty, so settling here was the most rational course of action.

Surely, the rational young master would definitely make such a choice…

However…

The young master’s face bore a different light than usual.

It resembled the vibrant bloom of a flower.

Tiobe swallowed hard at that light that arose at this very moment.

In an instant, a knight urgently sought him out.

At Cassian’s nod, Tiobe disappeared outside, only to return shortly after with a grave face and stand before him.

“Lady Phiocelle has come to visit. What should we do?”

An air too cold to believe it was between people about to be engaged circled the room.

The tea placed between the two quickly cooled.

Phiocelle, holding a coffee cup, took a sip and quietly looked at Cassian.

As always, his features were neat and perfectly sculpted, but there was one flaw.

The fact that she wasn’t reflected in those characteristic red eyes.

Before, she had thought he was just that kind of person, but…

Since learning it was because of that woman, the feeling of becoming quite dirty made the aftertaste of the coffee bitter.

Clatter―

Phiocelle put down her cup with a sound and raised her eyes to meet Cassian’s emotionless face.

It was Phiocelle who first broke the silence.

“It’s even more delightful to see you after so long, isn’t it?”

Usually when one says such things, the other would at least give empty words about being glad, but her counterpart didn’t even do that much.

He merely answered with a light bow in lieu of a response.

Though clearly a formal and polite movement, it strangely contained an emotionless disregard for the other person.

In the pictures she had received from people she had sent to watch that woman, he didn’t have such an expression.

He was a man who smiled so well when looking at that woman.

Phiocelle upheld her crumbling interior and bloomed a graceful smile.

Anyway, no matter what, the position of duchess, and the place beside that man, would become hers.

“Have you been well?”

Looking at Cassian sipping his tea with a nonchalant expression, Phiocelle continued her monologue as if talking to herself.

“It’s a season that’s just right to be deceived by the atmosphere and feel fluttery, isn’t it?”

The man sipping his tea was flawless and beautiful even in his dryness.

Looking at the men she had met so far, those with outstanding appearances were either of low status or not gentle in nature. Even if their looks were outstanding, they tended not to have sturdy builds from growing up only in greenhouses, but he was different.

Well-settled muscles, a manly yet refined appearance, and an aristocratic air…

Phiocelle was certain once again that her eye for men had not been wrong.

Indeed, he was a man worth having.

The only problem was that such a man was embracing another woman.

“It’s perfect weather for dating too.”

At her words laced with hidden meaning, a crooked smile spread across Cassian’s lips.

At his leisurely smile, Phiocelle flinched.

“So what is it you want to say.”

Cassian’s cool voice contained not a hint of emotion.

As if he were going through one of his tedious daily routines.

Phiocelle’s eyes crinkled slightly for a moment.

But she soon regained her composure.

It was the result of remembering that the engagement ceremony had not yet taken place.

Indeed, she had no grounds to constrain the man yet.

Even if she could constrain him, men tend to run away more when you do so.

This man who had said she could do whatever she wanted to him was even more likely to do so.

In fact, he hadn’t met her even once since then.

Phiocelle had sent people here several times, and even visited in person, but it was all in vain.

It would be a lie to say her pride wasn’t hurt by such clear signs of rejection.

She couldn’t even define whether this was how the man originally was, which made it all the more so.

Because the man met and went around well enough with that wench.

Yes. At first, she thought of her as just a simple plaything, but that wasn’t the case.

That different gaze he had when looking at that wench.

The man who even volunteered to be that wench’s patron.

Ha. At first, she didn’t believe it.

Because it was such a ridiculous thing.

That such a rational and cold man would passionately embrace someone.

And that the object of his affection would be that mere commoner wench, how ridiculous.

But now even Phiocelle had to be certain.

That this man before her eyes was in love with that wench.

All the more so, Phiocelle smiled brightly and answered his question.

“You must have seen the reports. There’s a lot of talk about us in society.”

Cassian’s face twisted subtly.

Watching this, Phiocelle inwardly smiled leisurely.

That’s right. No matter what, in the end this man’s choice would clearly be her.

Because the woman suitable to be beside the Blanchet heir was not some one-night stand, but Phiocelle Perriot.

Even the slight uneasiness she had felt seemed to dissipate upon seeing the man’s face.

“When do you plan to conclude the engagement matter?”

Clatter, Phiocelle put down her teacup with a sound and placed a blooming smile on her lips, hiding her true feelings.

That smile shone with a charm just like the color of roses.

Seeing that sight, Cassian thought of Yuriel.

It was because he was suddenly reminded of that woman who had been trembling like a pure white magnolia in front of a rose full of thorns.

If it were that woman… she would have…

Come to think of it, it was an undeniable fact that he had been quite a coward.

If I were to say now that I’m abandoning everything and choosing you, how would you react?

Just because of one ridiculous question like this, I’m once again opening the last door.

“Let’s conclude it today.”

A momentary bewildered look flashed across Phiocelle’s face before subsiding.

From the moment he agreed to today’s meeting, she had vaguely guessed that the engagement talk would come up, but she didn’t expect him to suggest wrapping it up right away.

Of course, she had brought it up first, but still, given this man’s behavior in the past, it was an unexpected answer.

‘Is he under pressure from the family?’

She thought that for a moment, but Phiocelle decided it was nonsense.

The man was the only heir capable of acting as the de facto head within Blanchet.

No, even if that wasn’t the case, who would dare pressure a man like this?

It’s just that no matter who this man is, he ultimately couldn’t escape the ways of the world.

It was strange in itself for the Blanchet heir to be with such a woman.

The thought that she would be preparing to become a duchess, leaving the Perriot family sooner than expected, brought a smile to Phiocelle’s lips.

But…

“I’d like to consider the engagement talks between the Perriot family and Blanchet as if they never happened, starting today.”