The next day, I desperately pretended to be nonchalant.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

The reason I ‘officially’ visited Klaus’s room last night was to discuss official matters. Therefore, there was no need to unnecessarily greet the next morning.

Whether Klaus noticed my intention or not, he sat on the sofa as usual, sipping his morning tea.

“Chamberlain, Muse, have a seat, and I’ll have another cup.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

A teacup was placed in front of me. It was an indirect order from Klaus for me to sit across from him. I closed my lips tightly and sat opposite Klaus. The chamberlain, who had poured the tea, respectfully withdrew.

While I assisted Klaus with official duties, the chamberlain served as another aide, managing the prince’s private life. Of course, these roles weren’t strictly divided, and sometimes I shared information with the chamberlain in this manner.

The chamberlain turned his face towards me.

“This afternoon, Lady Elfriede is scheduled to visit Her Majesty the Empress. After that, Your Highness, you are also expected to meet with her.”

“I see. Is there a special reason?”

“She wishes to express gratitude for your assistance at the last gathering. Originally, such gratitude is conveyed immediately after the event, but due to the hurried nature of the last gathering, the preparations for expressing gratitude were also delayed.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I diligently made notes in my notebook. Lady Elfriede is scheduled to visit. The purpose is to convey gratitude for the last gathering.

“…….”

Klaus silently sipped his tea. His highly composed expression made it difficult to read anything from his face.

By the way, Lumi is meeting Klaus again. After being rejected by Klaus and remaining quiet for a while, it seems he has started moving actively again since the gathering.

It’s somewhat strange that he used to make various requests and try to win me over, but now there’s no sign of that at all.

Even during the gathering, he didn’t say a word about it. He just sent a note asking if we would stay still when the heroine was moving.

Has Lumi’s feelings changed again? Honestly, it’s not unusual for that child, as he has always been emotionally unstable.

However, what’s more peculiar is that in the past, he would have made various requests to me and tried to flatter me, but now there’s no such sign.

During the gathering, he didn’t say anything about it. That made me somewhat uncomfortable.

If it becomes known that I kissed and hugged Klaus, my life would truly be at risk from Lumi. It’s not a joke or an exaggeration; it’s real.

“Muse, can we talk for a moment?”

“Oh, yes.”

I quickly finished my notes at Klaus’s voice and looked at him.
The chamberlain had tidied up the documents on the table and left the study. Now, only Klaus and I remained in the room.

“…….”

“…….”

A brief awkward silence lingered. The strange atmosphere between us from the previous night still persisted.

Klaus’s voice resonated solemnly.

“Muse.”

It shortened again.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I replied stubbornly.

Klaus stared at me without a trace of a smile.

“What I’m about to say is not impulsive. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time.”

I wondered what he was going to say that made him tear off the seal so frighteningly.

It felt like my breath was being constricted.

And then.

“Be in an official relationship with me, Muse.”

“….!”

I raised my head abruptly. I couldn’t even tell what expression I had right now.

Klaus still didn’t smile.

“I’m telling you again; this is something I’ve thought about for a long time. You are a very special person to me.”

I couldn’t say anything.

I was so happy that tears could burst.

At the same time, it was sad. I couldn’t pretend to ignore the hardships that lay ahead of us in the excitement of the moment.

The hardships I had anticipated and prepared for were about facing enemies together as comrades, not about Klaus and me becoming lovers.

I feared unexpected variables. Eliminating as many variables as possible is the surest way to reach the original goal.

There was no need to ponder over this for a long time.

The conclusion was already there. I needed to make him aware of the cold reality.

Even if it means we can never touch each other again.

I clenched my trembling hands.

“You’ve been thinking for a long time.”

“Yes.”

Klaus’s face was also tense.

I slowly poured out cold words for him and me.

“Then, how long have you been thinking?”

“What…?”

The end of his perplexed voice became pitifully unclear.

I closed my eyes tightly.

Be resolute, Muse. This isn’t a simple novel world.

As long as I live as Muse, it’s an absolute reality.

“If Your Highness fell in love with me at first sight, the first time you met me was around the beginning of this winter, isn’t it? At most, it’s been only three months, right? You may say you’ve been thinking for a long time, but in reality, it hasn’t been that long.”

“Muse!”

Klaus’s gaze became fiercely menacing.

I angered him again.