With each step the Duke took, a faint, tinkling sound echoed between the musical notes.

This was it.

“…What’s that sound? Could there be a cat here, of all places.”

A cat? It sounded like there was a tinkling sound somewhere.

Unlike the nobles who didn’t understand what he was saying, Olivia flinched for a moment. However, without stopping, Leopold spat out abruptly.

“For someone of the duke’s status, what he’s doing is quite trivial. Is it the right ankle or the left ankle?”

His face, which had distorted for a moment, smirked beautifully as he mocked the Duke.
Finally, a small disturbance spread among the nobles. Unlike Olivia, who blinked her eyes, the Duke looked at Leopold without any change in expression.

There was no sign of confusion. His indifferent demeanor further wounded Leopold’s lofty pride.

How dare he, after taking my woman, look at me so brazenly, even disregarding the Emperor, my father’s, command?

“Are you trying to be cute like a bell-wearing cat? Ridiculous.”

Referring to the Duke as a cat, Leopold’s mocking voice, filled with a condescending tone, triggered laughter and mockery among the nobles.

Once again, the atmosphere leaned towards Leopold. Taking Maria, who was hanging on his arm, Leopold walked towards Olivia and the Duke.

The nobles’ eyes twinkled with anticipation, as if expecting the prince’s move. This was more interesting than the repeated concepts of the summer receptions.

Even the provocative lead actors in this stimulating drama were the little prince and the war hero Duke.

When the two figures, unreachable by anyone else, approached, the nobles forgot to breathe, fixated on the prince and the Duke.

However, instead of meeting their expectations, Leopold slowly gazed at Olivia and the Duke. As he got closer, a warm and dizzying fragrance wafted up to the tip of his nose.

Leopold, familiar with that scent, bit down on it once again. The fragrance that grew stronger as he approached must have been meant for him.

Olivia’s green eyes, looking at him, had to shine again rather than tremble anxiously. So, Leopold chuckled lowly, just enough to be heard between the Duke and Olivia.

“…Just like a bellwether.”

And then, he rose as if nothing had happened, showing a faint smile.

However, the result was not as he had hoped. The Duke, who should have blushed with humiliation, was unharmed, and only Olivia’s face turned deathly pale.

“…Just like a bellwether.”

The moment Leopold’s words poured out between Edwin and me, Olivia felt a sudden drop in her heart.

It was unbelievably vile for a prince to say such a thing. However, even disregarding that, Olivia’s fingertips felt chilling.

I never thought that the charm I made for her would become a tool attacking Edwin.

The humiliation towards me was familiar, but it shouldn’t have spread to Edwin. She wanted to point out the prince’s exceeding insult, but she couldn’t even do that.

Should have made it more robust from the beginning. Or put more wax in the bell.

Her mind turned white at the unforeseen situation. She couldn’t dare to look at Edwin, wondering what expression he might be wearing.

“…I shook my tail to receive your compliments.”

With a gentle voice that supported her firmly held hand, Edwin’s exposed shoulder was lightly brushed. Olivia looked at Edwin with a tender gaze, loosening up the tension.
“How is it that even my lady hasn’t noticed, but Your Grace is the first to know? Olivia?”

As if he hadn’t received any blow. No, rather, Edwin’s red eyes sparkled with joy. Confirming Olivia’s gradual relaxation, his gaze, which had been watching her tenaciously, turned back to the prince.

“And.”

Edwin raised the corner of his mouth slightly.

“I never thought there would be anyone in this hall who couldn’t even distinguish between a bellwether and a cat or a tiger.”

A chilling pressure poured out over the spreading voice. As if mocking the distorted face of the prince, the Duke shrugged his shoulders with a pitying tongue and glanced around, as if he regretted the situation. Then, meeting the prince’s eyes, he grinned.

“…I seem to have overestimated this place. Your Highness.”

The seductive eyes that had gone up folded back in no time.

After that, he nodded his head and two knights appeared above his uniform, adorned with the pattern of Bicandell.

“…What?!”

“Let me tell you one more thing. Thanks to Your Highness, I now know a new fact. Believe it or not, there are bellwethers wearing bells on their ankles in this hall.”

With that word, the nobles immediately understood what the prince had said when he leaned his body. However, the Duke, without giving them a chance to grumble, added.

“I’ve always heard since I was young that I only roam the battlefield and am naive and ignorant of the world.”

A lie.

For a moment, the nobles stared blankly at the Duke. The Duke, who was dangerously and fascinatingly opposed to the word ‘naive’, took control of the atmosphere again in an instant.

“So, as soon as my honored lady arrived at the Duchy, she took charge of various significant matters, all thanks to Your Highness.”

The slowly spreading voice reminded the nobles of the rumors that had infiltrated the social circles.

Olivia Madelaine, who was struggling to tidy up the disorderly Bicandell’s red-light district.

The knights of the proud Bicandell, who never swore allegiance to any lady, dedicated their honor to Olivia Madelaine.

Cheers erupted like mountains leaving whenever she went out. The story was that Olivia Madelaine was loved by everyone in Bicandell.

At the same time, the nobles recalled another strange rumor that followed behind these incredible rumors.

The princess who had left for Bicandell didn’t just return to Bicandell…

Eyes met subtly. Meanwhile, Edwin looked at the prince. His face, as if hearing it for the first time, was truly worth watching.

“It seems that rumors are a bit slow, Your Highness. Well, since I didn’t know, I guess I acted so troublesome.”

With just a word, the eyes that quickly squinted were amusing. The prince, who didn’t know much. Even the most shining precious jewel couldn’t recognize it, a fool.

Edwin drew out nonexistent mercy and smiled brightly. And just like the prince and Maria Etel, he bowed his body.
Despite the sweet smell that made his head ache, Edwin wrinkled his forehead and whispered only enough for the two of them to hear.

“So, sending annoying letters to my busy and respected lady. No more of that. Aren’t you naive, Your Highness?”

“Duke!”

“What’s this commotion!”

Above Leopold’s voice, a rumbling noise spread. Only then did the nobles panic and bow their heads without knowing what to do.

“His Imperial Majesty and Her Imperial Majesty!”

The belated cry of the baffled servant made the situation even more absurd.

The joyful atmosphere of the banquet was shattered in an instant.

Only one person, Edwin Lowell Bicandell. Only the Duke calmly looked at the emperor with a beautiful face.

“That’s right. What is this at a banquet I was invited to…”

A light voice that tongue-lashed the situation echoed through the banquet hall. Laughter passed over the Duke’s red eyes.