I waited for Klaus in front of the carriage. It didn’t take long before he appeared, accompanied by the escort knights and the court musician.

I bent my body lightly toward him.

“Preparations for departure are complete, Your Highness.”

“The clothes suit you well, Muzel.”

Klaus spoke briefly and got into the carriage. After confirming that he was completely seated, I quickly climbed in as well.

The knights escorted the carriage from outside, leaving only Klaus and me inside. As we headed towards the Marquess of Mecklinger’s residence, Klaus, sitting across from me, looked at me with a sly gaze.

“Is this the joy of giving someone clothes?”

“I was actually a bit surprised. The tailor didn’t even take measurements, but it fits perfectly.”

Klaus chuckled. “I informed the tailor of the measurements. I have a rough idea just by hugging you.”

“…!” My face suddenly became hot, and my head instinctively lowered.

There was no need to check the mirror. I must have turned red for sure.

“Muzel.”

Somehow, he had moved to the seat next to me and called me gently. I reluctantly lifted my head.

“…Yes.”

His violet eyes mischievously curved. “Your face is red. Is something hurting somewhere?”

“Oh, no.” When he reached out, his relatively cool fingers lightly touched my cheek.

“Don’t worry. No one will peek inside here.”

My mind went blank. I froze in place, unable to move because of the man who had come so close to me.

My heart pounded violently, even causing dizziness.

“I’ll take care of the return gift for the present.”

Return gift?

At the moment I was puzzled.

“…!” His hand firmly grabbed the back of my head. At the same time, his face approached mine.

Without any hesitation, Klaus engulfed my lips.

Being held by him, I couldn’t even turn my head. He didn’t let me go.

My breathing became rough, and my whole body tingled.

No, stop.

No more.

“…!” A strange sensation surged through my veins, reaching the tips of my fingers. A faint moan escaped my throat. My eyelids trembled.

Only then did my lips slowly part. The blocked breath burst out all at once. His cool fingers gently brushed my wet lips.

“I found it. A way to hear your original voice.”

The second time. It was already the second kiss.

The secrets kept increasing. It shouldn’t be adding more to hide.

Eventually, everything would burst and spill out.

“I wanted to hear it. From the beginning.”

Why was my entire body trembling?

I love him, and I just kissed the person I love.

Why does my chest ache so painfully?

“Muz, it’s okay.”

His voice seemed to come from a distant place. Perhaps that’s why I didn’t even realize he used an affectionate nickname.

Like a fool, I blinked and finally turned my gaze to the man in front of me.

“Nothing will happen. Trust me.”

Trust?
His voice seemed to come from a distant place. Perhaps that’s why I didn’t even realize he used an affectionate nickname.

I blinked like a fool, finally turning my gaze to the man in front of me.

“Nothing will happen. Trust me.”

Trust? Trust what?

“Now, it feels like I can breathe. Like I’m alive.”

His lips drew a beautiful curve, an incredibly satisfying smile.

“…!” In that moment, a realization struck me like lightning.

Ah, I see. He undoubtedly urgently suppressed the desire that suddenly arose before attending the banquet.

To the optimal target who wouldn’t worry about scandals and wouldn’t even reject him.

“Ah…”

My pounding heart gradually found composure.

When I learned the reason for this unexpected event, the trembling subsided as if it were a lie.

I could finally speak.

“Are you… okay?”

The handsome man, like a piece of art, collected his laughter and replied with serious eyes.

“For now.”

That meant if his desire reached a dangerous level again, he might demand my lips once more.

While the increasing secrets were fearsome, I was pleased to the point my heart tingled at the thought that he needed me.

Klaus slowly leaned back.

“We’re almost there.”

As if hearing his words from outside, the carriage’s speed gradually slowed down.

We arrived at the Marquess of Mecklinger’s residence.

As I already knew, Klaus was Lumie’s partner. The reason for arriving slightly earlier than the party was because of that.

The Marquess of Mecklinger personally greeted Klaus and me.

“Your Highness, please come in.”

I followed the two from a couple of steps behind.

My mind was hazy.

“…….”

The deep kiss inside the carriage and the firm touch that strongly held me, as if vowing not to let go, felt like a blurry dream.

Was my subconscious trying not to remember the kiss with Klaus? Did it want to eliminate any possibility of the ‘secret’ leaking out by erasing it from my mind?

It was fortunate that the sensations weren’t vivid, but at the same time, it felt disappointing.

An intensely contradictory emotion.

So, it was confusing.

Regardless of my emotions, the Marquess of Mecklinger and Klaus continued their conversation.

“Was there a reason to hold the banquet so suddenly?”

“Elfreda’s will was strong. As her father, I had no reason to stop her.”