“His Highness the Prince is coming.”

At the urgent voice of the maid, Viscountess Sophron hurriedly went out of the bedroom. Following her, the maids were briskly preparing to welcome the prince.

The sound of carriage wheels outside the window approached. Maria subtly raised her body.

Without saying a word, the maid approached and adjusted the pillow for her comfort. Maria noticed the hesitation in the maid’s actions, who was carefully watching her every move.

This was it.

Maria twisted the corners of her lips.

This overwhelming ecstasy in her chest.

Father’s words that one should be uncompromisingly humble to those beneath but yielded nothing had shown such a clear result. I was foolish to think leniently of my people.

“The maid outside. She says to compose yourself in a place not visible.”

“Yes.”

The maid who bowed her head went out of the bedroom. The maid no longer called her ‘Your Highness.’

Everything went perfectly. Even the stiff-faced Viscountess Sophron nodded at me. The bedroom of this ‘princess consort,’ which was previously off-limits.

“That, even Lady Madeleine couldn’t enter,”

Suddenly, I remembered asking for this room a little while ago. At the same time, I recalled the bewildered voice of the maid.

“…Yes. I will guide you right away.”

Even though she was reluctant, Viscountess Sophron guided me into the bedroom without military courtesy, her rigid face.

Now, if only Leopold found out about this situation, my task would be done.

Unnoticed, the sunlight pouring through the window dyed the roofs of Tiaze Palace. It was a beautiful scene, sparkling like my golden hair.

That was when the bedroom door opened without a knock.

There was only one person who would do this. My lover, whom I love so much that my heart trembles.

“Leopold!”

Upon Maria’s beautiful face, a mixture of joy, sorrow, and petulance crossed. I hoped Leopold would come quickly and console me.

However, when Maria turned toward Leopold, she unintentionally hesitated. Leopold’s face was unusual.

It was the first time he looked at me with such a terrifying expression…

Inadvertently, Maria, who was thinking, clenched her fist.

No, once.

Just once, I had seen it.

In the reception room of this palace. At that time, when I heard uncertain reports about the Duke and Olivia attending the summer party…

“If there’s no justification, we’ll create one.”

Unbelievably, Leopold treated me so coldly that it felt suffocating. A bluish terror swept over my delicate face that seemed about to break at any moment. But instead of paying attention to my beloved’s anxiety, Leopold lightly exhaled.

It was brilliant. This bedroom…

The arrogant eyes carefully scanned the room. Leopold raised his hand and pressed his temple with his fingers.

In the midst of the deafening silence, the maids watching the prince’s movements tensed.
If the intense momentum, like a stormy eve, was due to the lover’s injury, then the disappearance of one maid from Tiaze Palace today was nothing at all.

“…Except for the viscount, everyone step back.”

At the low voice of the prince, the maids following swiftly went outside. After confirming the door was closed, Leopold approached.

Maria instinctively lowered her eyelids.

“I, I’m in pain, Leopold.”

A charming atmosphere emanated from her lovely face. Leopold, a beat slow, spoke in a tone that hinted at an indifferent mood.

Still, he is my lover.

“…Did you get hurt badly?”

Only then did Maria look at Leopold again. Her arm was a bit numb. Unconsciously, there was tension in the arm holding the wet towel.

“Yes, it’s a burn.”

The raised eyebrows, which had been fierce, seemed to soften a bit. Maria tried to calm her anxious heart.

It was clear that I had seen it wrong. An annoying look from Leopold looking at me.

Yes, I must have looked at him like that because I was worried about myself being hurt. The words to myself circled like a spell. If that wasn’t the case, there was no explanation. Maria loved Leopold more than anyone, and Leopold loved her in return.

Leopold approached, lightly touching Maria’s arm. But there was no sign of any injuries on the slender arm where she unconsciously pressed the wet towel.

Worried that Leopold’s gaze might disappear, Maria quickly removed the wet towel. The arm, stained pale due to the coldness of the towel, was revealed.

This should be enough to deceive Leopold’s worries.

“You seem fine.”

Maria blinked. It was strange. This was too much.

The person in front of her was indifferent, if not cold.

Leopold, my lover, wouldn’t be like this.

A person who worries about catching a cold from a single drop of rain. A loving lover who considers my pain as his own and promises to hurt instead. It couldn’t be like this.

A small, delicate hand trembled towards Leopold. But instead of comforting the anxious lover, Leopold turned away and said.

“My pipe.”

Viscount Hastings quickly brought the pipe and lit a match. After the pipe smoke was sucked in and exhaled lazily, it looked excessively decadent for the imperial prince.