The Marquis and Marchioness Periot settled into their seats and began to make formal comments about the beauty of the mansion.

The Duke and Duchess Blanchet merely went along with it to some extent, neither overdoing nor underdoing their responses.

The Marchioness Periot was inwardly dissatisfied with this, but she knew better than anyone that she was in no position to show it.

This engagement was a fairly balanced deal, but it was clear that Periot would benefit more from it.

Considering the gains to be made by marrying off an unremarkable second daughter, it was certainly a profitable transaction.

The Marchioness was well aware of why the Blanchet family had chosen them.

Eligible young ladies of suitable rank who were not yet engaged were rare.

Moreover, there had been occasional unsavory rumors circulating about the young master Blanchet.

The reasons were that it was suspicious how he had postponed the engagement until now and had not shown himself in the capital for so long.

However, the Marquis and Marchioness Periot, with their quick grasp of reality, were not the type to let this opportunity slip by.

It was clear that having the Blanchet ducal family as in-laws would not only guarantee their son’s smooth entry into central politics, but also greatly elevate Periot’s prestige by using them as a strong shield.

Just thinking about it made the Marchioness Periot feel her dissatisfaction melt away.

With a smile spread across her face, the Marchioness filled the table with appropriate conversation.

Beside the two of them sat today’s protagonist, Lady Fiocelle Periot.

She had been observing Cassian for some time now.

His indifferent expression as he cut his steak without even glancing at her once was an unbelievable sight for an engaged couple.

It was none of her business anyway.

Or more precisely, it shouldn’t have been.

In fact, Fiocelle hadn’t placed much importance on the engagement until she came here.

It was foolish to attach great meaning to a political marriage, and she had no expectations of her fiancé to begin with.

As a child, Fiocelle had once seen Cassian, who was called the young master of Blanchet, while attending a party.

Located at the western end, Fiocelle rarely had the chance to attend social gatherings of central nobles, so she considered this a possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and tried to properly observe the central nobles.

Every single one of them.

Among them was, of course, Cassian de Blanchet.

To her young eyes, he was remembered as nothing more than an arrogant and conceited man.

Moreover, until recently, he had apparently been recuperating from some illness at an unnamed place.

Even so, as he was to be her fiancé, she did some background research, but what she found only lowered her opinion of him further.

Nevertheless, Fiocelle accepted the engagement for one reason.

If she could produce an heir, she would have the title of Duchess attached to her name.

And if her sickly husband were to die early, all of Blanchet’s wealth would be hers.

This was enough compensation for marrying a partner she had little interest in.

Isn’t that the beauty of a political marriage?

Fiocelle’s lips curled up involuntarily at the thought of becoming the Duchess Blanchet and a central noblewoman.

Of course, the process wouldn’t be too arduous either.

She would just continue living as she always had, keeping numerous men within the folds of her dress.

There were plenty of men willing to kiss her, warm her body, and grovel at her feet.

Even more so once she gained the status of Duchess Blanchet.

How many noble couples were truly faithful behind closed doors anyway?

She would simply enjoy what she wanted and take what she desired.

That’s what she had firmly believed.

Cassian de Blanchet.

Until she saw him again.

Cassian far exceeded the range of men Fiocelle had expected.

Suddenly, her eyes were filled with a man boasting exquisite features as if carved from sculpture.

As if to put an end to the disrespectful rumors about some problem he had, his face was flushed with vitality, and his well-defined nose bridge exuded a decadent air at first glance.

The red eyes hidden beneath his long eyelashes occasionally reflected the sunlight, making Fiocelle’s heart skip a beat.

They were eyes that would surely bring a thrill if she could make them focus on her.

His tall stature and broad shoulders emitted an overwhelming presence around him.

Even though he hadn’t uttered a single word.

Fiocelle liked even that about him.

If she were by his side, she too would fully possess such an aura, and no one would dare to treat her carelessly.

Above all, she could flatten the nose of her sister who had thrown insults at her and pushed this marriage onto her just this morning.

Fiocelle now wanted to peek inside him, certain that his body would be firm even without touching.

As the meal was coming to an end, she said with a coy look in her eyes.

“The Blanchet mansion is so beautiful, may I take a look around just once?”

Elise, perceiving Fiocelle’s intention, immediately supported her.

“Of course. Cassian, it would be nice if you could guide her.”

Cassian nodded slightly and rose from his seat.

The Marquis and Marchioness Periot looked at Fiocelle with somewhat appreciative gazes.

A formal smile was etched on Cassian’s face as he stood up.

However, no one could dare interpret the emotions of one so skilled at concealing his expressions.

Moreover, he acted with perfect manners.

“Shall we go?”

Fiocelle felt a bit hurt by his dry voice, but she swallowed it firmly and naturally took his arm.

After leaving the grand hall, Fiocelle began to tour the Blanchet mansion with Cassian.

Usually in such situations, it was common for the host to explain about the mansion, but Cassian remained silent.

As a result, only Fiocelle’s voice praising the exterior of the mansion filled the void.

“Nothing has changed here. Even when I visited for a party with my father long ago, this garden and these bushes were just as beautiful.”

“……”

“Everything in Blanchet seems to be beautiful. Just like you.”

For a moment, Cassian’s brow furrowed noticeably.

Having reached the center of the garden, Cassian lowered Fiocelle’s arm.

Fiocelle looked at him as if to ask what he meant.

Looking at her, Cassian spoke in a cold voice.

“Let’s stop the act here.”

Cassian’s chilly profile entered Fiocelle’s view.

“What do you mean by… act?”

“I thought we had the same desires, but perhaps not?”

Looking at the dumbfounded Fiocelle, Cassian continued in an utterly dry voice.

“You’re not some naive young lady who came expecting love in a political marriage, are you?”

Cassian recalled the information about Fiocelle frequently visiting establishments.

“You can continue to live as you have been, my lady. Just as you’ve always done.”

“……”

“As a political marriage without any expectations of each other.”

“……”

“If that’s not what you want, let’s break off this engagement now.”

Fiocelle quietly looked at Cassian’s face.

Beneath his golden hair swaying in the breeze, his red eyes shimmered vividly.

Those eyes were looking at her, but she wasn’t reflected in them.

Fiocelle felt a subtle sense of competitiveness at that sight. For the first time, she found something she wanted to possess.

Her heart, tinged with desire, turned black. Fiocelle curved her lips suggestively.

“No. This is interesting. But you do know that the heir must be born from my womb, right?”

Fiocelle’s hand slowly traced Cassian’s face and then sensually ran down his body.

Cassian didn’t show even the slightest reaction to her touch.

“As long as that’s upheld, I’ll take care of the rest.”

“……”

“Whether I seduce you, or fail in the attempt.”

“……”

“So don’t force that part, at least.”

The news of the meeting between the Blanchet ducal family and the Periot marquis family instantly became the talk of the capital.

It was all Fiocelle’s doing.

Yuriel, who had come to retrieve the administrative documents she had submitted earlier, stopped abruptly.

Familiar words like engagement and Blanchet family buzzed in her ears.

It took only a moment for these words to combine and form a proper fact.

Apparently, the young master was going to be engaged to some young lady…

Plop, the bundle of documents fell from Yuriel’s grasp.

‘Engagement… you say?’

Of course, she had known.

He was the heir to a ducal family, so whenever he returned, he would hold an engagement ceremony.

So there was nothing new about this issue.

Nevertheless, for some reason, Yuriel felt a bitterness on the tip of her tongue.

There was no other reason. It was just that… if it happened, everything would become difficult.

Asking for medicine, taking medicine, everything involved with him from start to finish might all go awry.

No, without going awry, he might enjoy tormenting her until the very end.

That in itself… Ha. A long sigh escaped.

She had hoped it would be delayed just a little longer.

She had hoped this state would continue for just one more year, but it seemed that was just her wishful thinking.

On the way out of the main building, she walked without knowing where she was heading.

At some point, rain began to fall steadily under the darkened sky.

All the while walking along that path, Yuriel didn’t even think to shield herself from the rain.

The eyes of the palace people naturally turned to the slender woman getting soaked.

Yuriel came to her senses when she noticed a hand offering an umbrella.

“What are you doing here like this?”

At the familiar voice, Yuriel slowly turned her head.

There stood Hael with kind eyes.