“Don’t let your guard down just because there are only a few steps left. Be careful not to fall. Sir Muzel.”

“Haha, I got it.”

Klaus unintentionally hid beside the entrance and slyly extended his head toward the direction of the voices.

“…!”

Muzel and the guard knight, Roots, who seemed to have received a blow to the head as if hit with a heavy hammer. He woke up from the illusion dyed with romance and vigor.

Would Muzel accept the confession? What if she had already given her heart to another man who was not capricious and even reliable?

“Ah….”

A sigh, almost like a groan, escaped faintly. He was at a loss.

Klaus felt like his vision was darkening. What should he do now?

“…!”

At that moment, footsteps approached. It seemed like Muzel was coming through this entrance.

Klaus hid his body in the dark shadow. Even though he hadn’t committed any wrongdoing, he couldn’t even make a sound, and with tense eyes, he followed Muzel.

“…”

Muzel was walking weakly. It was an uneasy gait, as if afraid of stumbling.

In this way, Muzel entered the room.

Even after seeing Muzel closing the door, Klaus couldn’t move easily.

All the strength drained from his body. He had ventured boldly to confess to Muzel, but before he could even attempt it, his spirit was broken.

It was not until a considerable time had passed that he somehow managed to turn his body. He couldn’t recall how he had reached his bedroom.

He almost collapsed onto the bed. His head felt so fuzzy that he couldn’t think of anything.

“…”

His chest was unbearably tight.

The despair was so overwhelming that he became almost completely powerless, unable to move a finger.
When it was too painful, it was a common practice to force oneself to sleep.

“…….”

Klaus, as if fainting, relaxed his mind.

After a sigh and waking up, he felt much better.

Klaus ordered the chamberlain to summon Muzel early in the morning.

The courage to confess had completely disappeared.

Nevertheless, he felt the need to apologize for yesterday’s anger, so he squeezed out the remaining courage.

When Muzel, who arrived quietly, apologized in similar words, Klaus’s tongue seemed stiff. He barely opened his mouth.

“If you are worried about yesterday’s incident, there is no need. I have formally expressed my refusal to Lady Ferner. Once again, please forgive me for not understanding your intentions.”

Klaus seemed to have a rigid tongue. He could barely speak.

“That social gathering didn’t mean you shouldn’t attend. I just…”

It was a bit amusing to justify that he didn’t mean to prevent her from attending as someone’s partner at Lady Ferner’s partner.

Still, Klaus had to convey clearly that his anger was not about Muzel attending the party.

Only then could he bring up the next topic.

“You will also attend the Marquis Mecklinger’s social gathering. However, not as someone’s partner, but as my aide-de-camp.”

Those words were not what Klaus truly wanted to say.

The real part came next.

“Um… last night…”

But words just wouldn’t come out. It was the first time he felt so awkward.

‘Was I with Roots last night? What kind of relationship do we have?’

The question he wanted to ask was clear. But he couldn’t bring himself to say it, fearing what kind of answer he might get.

However, his beautiful and wise aide, who had become the love of his life, urged him without knowing his inner thoughts.

Even the enchanting original voice that hadn’t come out easily.

“Your Highness, there is no reason for you to hesitate. Don’t you know everything about me?”

Klaus thought bitterly.

At first, I thought I knew everything, but now I don’t know anything.

How should I convey my true feelings to you, feeling lost and fearful?

In the end, Klaus couldn’t ask Muzel anything.

“Go to the office first. I’ll be there soon.”

Muzel’s face stiffened slightly. Still, he didn’t inquire further and obediently left.

As soon as he disappeared, Klaus sighed.

“Ha…!”

His chest felt so tight that he only did a dry wash. He didn’t want to disappoint Muzel, but he didn’t have the confidence to do anything.

He recalled Muzel, who laughed out loud in the middle of the night.

How inadequate I am compared to Roots.

All I can do is pour out my immature emotions to Muzel, unable to control anything.

Even now, he couldn’t tell Muzel his true feelings as she wished.

“Your Highness, may I come in?”

At that moment, the chamberlain’s voice was heard. Klaus answered, his head wrapped in his hands.

“Come in.”