At first glance, it seemed like a gesture to soothe a tired heart. But that sight was only shown to me.

It was also one of Maria’s favorite appearances.

However.

Maria turned her head. The shoulders holding back a cough trembled unstably.

The faint scent of damp wood burning. The subtle scent of the pipe, which I thought was mild, felt unusually strong today.

Maybe because it’s not an open terrace. But even when Leopold was in his palace with the door closed as if enjoying contraband, he had lit the pipe in front of me several times.

Then, could it be because of the dizzying emotions?
Maria barely suppressed a tickling cough. Then, she looked at Leopold to ask for the pipe.

“Le—”

However, before her charming request could reach him, Leopold quickly flicked off the pipe with a face of realization.

“Open the window.”

Could it be because of the smoke?

Maria looked at Leopold with hopeful eyes. She might not have noticed the suppressed cough. Although Leopold didn’t often indulge in smoking a pipe, he never extinguished it midway.

To that extent, to me…

“Tsk, I didn’t plan to smoke here.”

At that moment, something seemed to crumble inside Maria’s heart, accompanied by a thud.

“Why, why? Why didn’t you plan to smoke here?”

“It smells bad.”

An answer devoid of any hesitation. Simultaneously, Maria’s eyes shook in shock.

He casually smokes a pipe in front of me. Is it merely because he dislikes the smell in this Princess Consort’s residence?

“By the way, Maria.”

“Yes, Leopold.”

Maria barely responded.

Please, I hoped Leopold would acknowledge the blow I received. However, he merely shrugged.

“…This isn’t cute.”

“What?”

Maria’s voice, swallowed down, trembled weakly. Was this a dream? But the groundless voice continued.

“Your maid came, crying, saying that the maids of Tiaze Palace are looking down on you and speaking ill of you.”

“Yes, Leopold, that’s…”

“Why do they disdain you for trying to restore Tiaze Palace?”

The voice that cut through the conversation was chilling. Simultaneously, Maria’s eyes widened in shock.

How could Leopold speak to me like this? Without hugging me, without comforting me.

Maria let out a sorrowful voice.

“I, I decorated the palace for Leopold, but the maids are doing as they please…”

“That’s it.”

The voice that sharply cut through the air was frigid.

“Why did it turn into them looking down on you?”

Maria couldn’t believe it. The affectionate lover like the sunshine.

“What foolish words are these.”

With such a cold voice.

“My Maria. I told you to fulfill your duties as a fiancée for a year. Why are you acting so foolishly?”

…Is he trying to utterly bring me down?

Maria tried to regain her numb mind. Leopold’s handsome face gradually blurred, and her heart ached.

“B-But.”

She needed to pull herself together. Maria uttered a faint, fragile voice. The desperate gaze was solely directed at Leopold.

“…You said Tiaze Palace resembles me.”

Yes, Leopold was always like that.
Olivia was the only thing missing, and she regretted it. She felt sorry for not putting me in a dignified position. While doing so, she spoke.

“When the sunset colors the day, it’s as radiant as my golden hair.”

“Yeah. A day with a colored sunset.”

When the calm voice followed the trembling one as if swallowing it up,

Maria suddenly opened her eyes as if hit on the head.

Sunset.

A small sun.

The dignified prince who would soon rise as the sun of the empire itself.

The missing piece of the puzzle fit snugly. Looking at Maria with a bluish face, Leopold twisted the corner of his lips.

“My Maria. My lovely Maria. Do you understand now?”

While saying the word “lovely,” his gaze was cold. Wiping away Maria’s golden hair lightly, Leopold said sternly.

“Under my protection and affection, will you continue to behave beautifully?”

Tears fell from Maria’s frozen eyes at the cold voice. In response to her pitiful appearance, Leopold hugged Maria with a slight smile.

Although the sweet scent was a bit stifling, today, Maria decided to overlook it generously. Maria, who had stiffened, melted into Leopold’s embrace as he let her go.

Feeling the warm breath on her neck, Leopold gently reminded her of his consideration.

“See how you’ve surpassed the Viscountess Sophrone and the maids.”

“…”

“I hope my Maria will no longer show herself in a shameful state. That’s my wish.”

The voice of the lover I always loved seemed distant, like someone else’s. But Maria instinctively nodded. She wanted Leopold’s hand to stroke her head.

That warm warmth was everything Maria could cling to. Leopold, as if leaving a piece of luck, took off his body. Then, standing up, he ordered.

“Leave the palace as it is. That’s my taste.”

Taste. Leopold’s taste is that. Maria, denying reality in the face of the fact that Leopold, one man, dictated his taste, was left alone.

“And…”

The cold sea-colored eyes turned towards the bed. While Maria flinched at the sharp gaze that seemed never to become familiar, Leopold licked his tongue as Maria trembled.