That can’t be true.

Even when I last saw Olivia at the Tiaze Palace, her face was trembling as she spoke to me.

It’s vividly remembered, those words revealing jealousy, even though she had called for the Duke at the Tiaze Palace without hesitation and then left me behind.

But to ask not to use endearments?

While understanding this situation, Leopold felt as if Olivia in front of him was like a mirage. If it wasn’t a mirage, it was unbelievable.

The bright dress that he had always considered mismatched was now dazzlingly beautiful. More radiant than countless jewels.

And those eyes looking at him were so indifferent.

Leopold raised the corner of his lips deliberately. With a slow shrug of his shoulders, he responded casually, “Well, that’s not possible.”

Olivia looked up at him with an unreadable expression. The unfamiliarity of both affection and indifference made his heart strangely fluctuate.

It was unexpected. To not be able to see her looking at him with affection, sparkling in her eyes as if seeking love.

However, despite all this, Leopold judged that the current situation wasn’t a significant issue.

Eleven long years.

The time Olivia Madelaine loved him.

So, if she knew about his efforts to return to the Tiaze Palace to pamper her again, Olivia would easily come to him.

It would be good if he could hear it directly from the Baroness Sophron. With that thought, Leopold chuckled lightly.

“Even if I temporarily leave the seat, the owner of the seat next to me won’t change, right? The Prince Consort’s Palace is waiting just like it did when it was empty.”

At the melodious voice, Olivia unintentionally recalled the Tiaze Palace. The palace she thought was hers. The palace that wasn’t hers.

She had obsessively decorated the palace when she had nothing. But now, she no longer needed to do that. The palace wasn’t hers, and now she had so much more.

Olivia recalled what she had. In the meantime, beyond her sight, a familiar face glaring at her became noticeable.

“Princess Eitel seems to be waiting for a message.”

Even with all this effort, Olivia’s calm appearance wasn’t the reaction Leopold expected.

Leopold didn’t know that what he said would make Olivia think of the Vykland. With a click of his tongue, Leopold, annoyed, reflexively looked at where Olivia’s gaze was directed. Instead of the pink dress, Maria, with a much redder face than usual, was looking in this direction.

As soon as their eyes met, Maria’s sharp eyes softened like a cat. It was the expression she made whenever she wanted to weaken his heart.

But at this moment, Leopold couldn’t afford to lose Olivia.

Strangely, he felt agitated. His mouth was dry, and his head was spinning. It was time to open his lips again, just as Olivia, who had been sharply cutting him before, looked towards him once more.
The unheard murmur of the nobles reached their ears.

“What’s going on? Has the prince consort been rejected by the duchess?”

“Baroness Ethel, please stand aside. Is it true that the duchess will become the princess consort again after a year of grace?”

“Oh, come on. Is the duchess wearing a ring right now? Just like His Grace?”

Among the belatedly noticed voices that caught Leopold’s attention, his face stiffened.

A ring.

As Olivia and the Duke hurriedly looked, a red jewel identical to the one in the Duke’s hand sparkled. The moment he saw the ring, it felt as if he had swallowed acrid smoke, and he was on the verge of retching.

His anger swelled as if the surroundings were about to blur into shades of red.

A red gemstone ring.

It was undoubtedly the engagement between the duchess and him. However, Olivia, who had never worn a ring even once, had a ring! The fury mixed with a sharp energy. Maria quickly approached Leopold amidst the voices that worried about the prince. Even amid her appearance of concern for the prince, the nobles gave Maria a brief glance.

But even under Leopold’s concerned gaze, Maria couldn’t erase the thick sense of humiliation, as if mud were smeared on her face.

Olivia Madelaine, calling that detestable nickname, and saying that your seat is waiting for Olivia. How can you say such a thing when I’m standing here right now?

However, the embarrassment that made her fingers tremble would be relieved a little later. If she could settle this atmosphere now, she could restore her ludicrous appearance.

“Leopold, calm down. After all, it’s not as if you’re going to keep calling her that nickname. You were just provoking the duke, weren’t you?”

Maria’s whisper was mixed with earnestness. But Leopold’s entire focus was on Olivia and the duke, who were trying to perfectly retreat in this gap.

I don’t want to see that face full of arrogance, shaking hands with my fiancée in arrogance.

As he watched their backs, when he turned his head and met Olivia’s cold face, one part of his heart throbbed.

This isn’t right.

Leopold bit down on the rising shame. He had to somehow repay this disgrace.

But this time, the arrow wasn’t aimed at Olivia, who had always been the target. It was when he noticed Edwin’s slow steps.