“Miss, is there anything bothering you?”

At Hana’s cautious words, Olivia took her eyes off the book. Olivia, who lightly shrugged her shoulders, smiled broadly.

“No. Everything unfolds when I speak, so why would I be uncomfortable?”

She was sincere. Every moment of the three days spent at the duke’s residence had been satisfying. Delicious meals, constant snacks, a library full of books, and a cozy bed.

Even the duke, despite being busy, made sure to spend both morning and evening with Olivia. She felt shy but also held his hand whenever he escorted her to the room, dressed in splendid clothes.

“But you keep sighing.”

“Huh?”

“You sigh after reading every page, and earlier, you were sighing while drinking tea.”

“Me?”

Olivia asked. Hana’s face became serious, as if she didn’t know.

“You really are uncomfortable with something, right? Is it the bedding or slippers? Or the texture of the dress? Or the snacks coming out too often?”

Hana started to list them one by one. Her expression darkened. Olivia quickly extended her hand, fearing that Hana might say that everything had been uncomfortable.

“No, it’s not because of that.”

“Then what?”

Thinking quickly, Olivia found the perfect excuse.

“I need a diary. I have a habit of writing one, and I guess that’s why I’m feeling this way.”

Half of it was true. She had always written a diary, and not doing so felt awkward.

“You should have told me sooner. Please wait a little. I’ll buy you the best diary.”

Hana’s face brightened. Olivia, smiling, told her where to buy the diary.

Hana thought everything had been resolved. But the moment Olivia continued to sigh, Hana realized something was still unresolved.

“There’s something else besides the diary, isn’t there?”

Hana asked with a worried face. Olivia finally put down the book and straightened her body out of habit.

“It’s nothing. The day after tomorrow is the last day of the victory banquet.”

“Yes, I knew that His Majesty would attend as a war hero. Why?”

“Just. I don’t like banquets that much.”

She had spoken evasively, but half of it was true. It was hard to like a banquet where she was always alone and where gossip was rife.

But this time, going to the banquet itself was unwelcome.

Everyone from whom she had run away would be at the banquet hall. Her father, Conrad, Jade, and even Leopold.

Her chest tightened just thinking about their names. In an instant, their words seemed to ring in her ears.

“If you don’t like it that much, it would be good not to go.”

Hana stumbled over her words. She even looked at Olivia’s face, knowing that it was impossible.

Olivia chuckled and called Hana, who ran to her, smiling like a child, and patted her head.

“That’s what I’m saying. It would be good not to go.”

She had always thought that she didn’t want to go to the banquets. But she couldn’t say it out loud.

Olivia Madelleine, the Madelleine princess, and the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

The highestranking woman outside of the royal family, soon to become a member of the royal family, could not be absent from the banquet.

Even though she left the duke’s house without a word, even if she could not return to Leopold.

Olivia sighed slowly. Hana looked upset that she sighed again, but she couldn’t help it.

.

.

.

After dinner, the duke lightly held a teacup and spoke.

“Are you keeping the promise you made with me?”

Olivia, who was also drinking tea, widened her eyes. It felt strange for someone to ask about her daily life. She had never been monitored like this before, not even by a tutor.

Olivia smiled faintly and nodded.

“Yes, I’m keeping it well. I’m eating well now, too.”

Olivia playfully shook the glass. The Duke glanced at the untouched cake plate, but that was all.

“The meal seems to be going well, and though I cannot verify it myself, I believe you are sleeping well.”

The Duke trailed off in his words. The third promise came to Olivia’s mind, who was tilting her head as if something was wrong.

Oh no.

She tried to pretend she had forgotten brazenly, but the red eyes she met slowly smiled as if they had quickly noticed.

“The third one?”

“Yes?”

“Miss, you have never ordered me. Isn’t this a complete violation of the third?”

The prolonged words clearly revealed a hint of resentment.

Olivia reflexively bowed her head. And she was a little surprised. It was a childlike behavior she had never exhibited with her father, Conrad, or even Jade.

Olivia looked at the man anew.

I knew I was comfortable with the Duke. But I didn’t expect it to come to this in just three days.

I must be careful with my actions, Olivia thought as she slowly lifted the veil.

“Thankfully, everyone in the Duke’s residence has been so good to me that I had nothing to say.”

“Strange. Really nothing?”

The conversation with Hana came to mind for a moment.

Olivia glanced at Hana, who was looking serious. When their eyes met, Hana smiled mischievously. Hana didn’t say anything, so Olivia shook off her gloom.

“Strange. There should be something.”