The atmosphere of the conference hall had turned chilly.

Olivia blinked. Edwin’s whispered words to her before entering here were vivid in her mind.

“I didn’t get to tell you in advance. You might be a little surprised when you go in.”

Without any further explanation and entering the conference hall, Olivia thought Edwin’s words were about his concern for facing Duke Madelreine.

But.

“… We’ll deal with that issue later. Today’s urgency is the marriage between the Duke and Madelreine’s princess.”

When the Emperor explicitly hesitated about Edwin’s attendance at the meeting, and then turned the subject to the marriage issue.

Olivia understood what Edwin meant by ‘you might be surprised.’

For the Emperor to hinder the conference attendance of the one and only Duke of the Empire. It was not only surprising but also unthinkable.

What could be the reason?

The reason the Emperor was openly wary of Edwin’s attendance at the meeting.

Was he worried that power might gather under Edwin, who had become a war hero? Or perhaps.

Olivia’s thoughts were deepening at that moment.

“… I will approve the marriage between Edwin Lowell, Duke Vicander, and Olivia Madelreine’s princess, according to the Duke’s wish.”

The Emperor’s voice reverberated heavily throughout the conference hall. Olivia was taken aback and raised her head.

To grant approval so magnanimously.

Just the other day, the Emperor who did not even accept an official request for a meeting.

“But. We must follow the protocol.”

At that moment, various protocols related to marriage popped into Olivia’s head.

Among them, a protocol that could hinder the marriage…

“A woman who was in a marital relationship with the royal family cannot establish a relationship with another noble for a year. Do you know this protocol, princess?”

“Your Majesty!”

“Yes, I know.”

Confused, Edwin called out to the Emperor, but Olivia answered politely, holding his arm.

Olivia knew best how maliciously the ‘oneyear grace period’ could be used.

“I’m glad the princess knows well. Since I’ve promised to grant it as a royal command, I allow the marriage between the Duke and the princess, but order to strictly adhere to the ‘oneyear grace period.'”

The Emperor spoke unhesitatingly. His initial plan to disgrace the princess and the Duke had already been thwarted.

Today, he decided to be content with quickly getting them out of sight, and the Emperor looked at Duke Madelreine.

The Duke, who had been staring at Olivia with a stern face, seemed to feel the Emperor’s gaze and bowed his head.

If it’s the Duke I know, he will undoubtedly restore the eldest princess to the Crown Prince’s fiancée within a year.

Hoping that this intention would also be conveyed to the Duke, the Emperor suddenly frowned at a voice he heard.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.”

Princess Madelreine was smiling, her arms interlocked with the Duke’s.

A princess known to always be demure was showing affection to her partner in a noble’s meeting.

“I was already thinking about a year or so for the wedding preparations with His Grace the Duke. We will hold the wedding exactly one year later, as you have publicly announced.”

Startled by the sudden interlocking of arms, Edwin looked at Olivia and quickly smiled lazily. Then he pulled Olivia to his side.

The arm that had been lightly resting went deeper, and as their bodies came closer, Edwin’s refreshing body scent wafted to Olivia’s nose. His scent urged Olivia’s rapidly beating heart, strained by tension, to pound even harder.

“It’s unfortunate that I can’t have my lady as a Duke’s wife soon, but what can I do? Thanks to His Majesty’s grace, we have the opportunity to prepare for the marriage even more perfectly.”

Struggling to ignore the pounding heart sound in her ear, Olivia smiled at Edwin.

It was fortunate that Edwin was perceptive. Everyone hoped to pass without mentioning the ‘oneyear grace period’ any further.

“I heard the princess is wellversed in literature…”
It was then. Olivia looked at the nobles, swallowing her breath at the voice that seemed to scold her. The one who came forward, puffing up his chest, was Earl Ethel.

Earl Ethel exaggeratedly bowed to the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, it seems that the princess doesn’t quite understand the ‘oneyear reprieve.’ Will you allow me to step forward so that its significance isn’t lost?”

When the Emperor slowly nodded, the earl inwardly shouted with joy.

The opportunity had rolled into his hands. And the earl was not one to miss the opportunity.

The earl cleared his throat, rising from his seat, and approached Princess Madeleine and Duke Vicander.

The duke exuded a formidable aura, but the princess did not.

The face that stared at me was only the age of my youngest daughter. The earl swallowed his derisive laughter and opened his mouth towards the princess, as if worried.