Under the densely growing trees, on a light beige broad seat, the Duke and the Miss looked beautiful, like a painting.

Their faces never stopped smiling, possibly enjoying a pleasant conversation.

Over the sight of the Duke occasionally placing juice and fruit in front of the Miss, the voice of Councilor Brandon was overlaid.

“Please travel slowly on the way. As you know, the Miss is so patient that she probably won’t say anything even if she’s feeling unwell.”

“Another point of caution?”

“She should get plenty of sunlight. She’s such a sedentary person that she hardly ever gets any sun. It’s not something I can prescribe.”

The Duke, who had been listening intently, remembered his fine smile on those red lips.

“I’m glad. I’ve already prepared for that.”

Howard, who had known Edwin’s plan from the time he had ordered hundreds of sandwiches from Maso, nodded his head, saying,

“……Well. The weather is nice.”

The apprentice knight still looked puzzled but soon smiled brightly, as if admitting that a good thing was good.

(This is a time divider.)

Sunlight poured through the dense greenery. When hit by sunlight, the dark green leaves sparkled silver. It was fun to watch the slender branches shake with every gust of wind.

Her hair fluttered in the breeze, tickling her nape, but Olivia didn’t bother to tidy it.

Everything was perfect. The distant voices of the knights, watching the grass lying and rising in the wind, and the dazzling sunlight penetrating between.

“Aren’t you cold? Even in late spring, the wind blows.”

And Edwin, who handed me a blanket.

Meeting his smiling red eyes, Olivia’s lips curved up.

This moment, like a painting. This leisure.

Olivia thought it was time to speak.

“I have a request, Edwin.”

Edwin’s eyes widened, as if amused. Olivia exhaled softly and continued.

“When we get to Vicander, will you wait for me to confirm whether the people there welcome me or not?”

.

.

.

“……All of Vicander is ready to serve the Miss with all sincerity.”

A few days before leaving the Duke’s residence, Sobel’s answer to Olivia’s question was wise. But Olivia spoke softly again.

“I asked about loyalty, not thoughtful service.”

Always calm but clever in his responses, Sobel couldn’t easily open his mouth. Watching him, Olivia thought it was only natural.
The first thing I felt upon coming to the Duke’s residence was that I could sense hostility towards the Emperor and the imperial family from everyone here. They used the most neutral expressions possible when speaking with me, but subtly used negative terms regarding the Emperor.

Even Edwin did so. It was the first time I had seen a nobleman not add “Your Majesty” when referring to the Emperor.

Whenever that happened, Olivia thought of the information I had on Duke Vicander without showing any emotion.

The story spread throughout the Empire was ‘there was a power struggle between the Emperor and the former Duke, but the former Duke lost, and as compensation, after the former Duke who had gone to war died, the current Duke Edwin roamed the battlefield like the Emperor’s lackey and gained power.’

From that perspective, I could understand the hostility that the Duke’s family showed towards the Emperor.

So, I couldn’t help but think more about it.

I was ready to look at everyone in the Vicander territory. But they were not.

And while looking at Sobel, who couldn’t open his mouth, Olivia found that answer.

So I wanted to talk to Edwin even more.

Please watch over me.

…

…

…

“Will you wait for me to see if the people in Vicander territory will welcome me or not?”

Even after speaking, Olivia observed Edwin’s expression.

I felt strangely thirsty.

I was worried that my words might have unjustly stereotyped the people of Vicander territory for a moment.

“I will.”

Edwin nodded casually as if it was no big deal. I hadn’t thought of this. Olivia was rather startled at Edwin’s appearance, agreeing with my words so easily.

At that, Edwin’s eyes narrowed and a mischievous look surfaced.

“Why? Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“No, it’s not that. I just didn’t expect you to agree so easily.”

“I listen to Olivia well. And Olivia has already made Winster on Olivia’s side without doing anything.”

“Yes?”

Olivia tilted her head. Winster was always a smiling person. I didn’t understand what he meant.

“Even though Winster smiles a lot, he’s better at understanding people than you think. The fact that a guy who is so selective about people stood by Olivia’s side means Olivia has power. The power to open people’s hearts.”

At the calm voice, Olivia bowed her head. The feet beneath her dress didn’t know what to do and bumped into each other. Her fingers kept getting tangled.

From below her belly, this tickling sensation was both awkward and nice.

“You will do well in Vicander territory. Why should I worry? If you don’t play with me, I should worry about myself.”

Edwin’s eyes were full of trust in Olivia, playful.

Without knowing it, Olivia’s lips curled into a smile.

It felt so sweet, touching my heart. Olivia’s expectations had grown an inch more since then.

(This is a time separator.)

“Impossible! The lady chosen by His Highness is a princess from the Madelleine family!”

In the reception room of Duke Vicander’s residence,

Bang— the sound of violently hitting the table made Bethany’s eyes cold. Realizing those eyes, the redhaired knight with brown eyes quickly regretted his behavior.

“I apologize, Bethany, but it’s still unacceptable. How could he be with an imperial princess from the Emperor’s side! Even if she was once engaged to the Crown Prince!”

“What’s the big deal? She’s the lady His Highness vowed to. Why are you making a fuss? Moreover, her eyes are even said to be green.”

Bethany casually narrowed her wrinkled eyes. As expected, the words ‘green eyes’ startled the redhaired knight, Dian Stellin. Trying to hide it, Dian exaggerated even more.

“……Even so! She’s an imperial princess of the Madelleine family! Who knows what schemes she may have. I also hate the rumors going around. His Highness deserves a perfect lady, ah.”

Dian, who was flaming with anger, suddenly closed his eyes. His left eye seemed to hurt as he frowned. At that, Bethany abandoned her cold attitude and clucked her tongue.
“Take out the lens then. In Vicander’s command, the lens is hardly necessary,” he said. “I’d rather cast a spell for you.”

“Thank you, but this is comfortable for me. And sorry, but can I go back to that room?”

At Dian’s words, Besony nodded her head. As Dian, who politely bowed his head, left the reception room, Besony clicked her tongue.

“He’s kind.”

Besony, who looked at Dian as if looking at a wary little puppy, turned around. Her eyes moistened as she looked at the portrait covered by a banner.

.

.

.

In front of the bathroom.

Dian looked at the mirror, resting his hand on the sink and taking deep breaths.

“He’s gone.”

Dian’s voice, bitter, echoed in the bathroom. Dian looked at the mirror with a face that seemed wounded somewhere. The lens that made his eyes look brown, and beneath them, his green pupils were visible.