So many voices arose that it seemed her ears were ringing, and then they faded away.

The most distinct among them was Gillian’s voice.

‘Wife’

His voice promising to do anything for her, calling her with a sweet, loving voice, followed by a more stern laugh.

It shook her heart, not her head.

Bianca squeezed her tears as if wringing them out and closed her eyes tightly.

The swirling feeling seemed ready to jump out of her throat at any moment.

It’s hot and sweet, yet tingling.

“Gillian.”

Bianca, struggling to contain her rising emotions, stopped speaking and held her breath.

She knew that his golden eyes would cling to her persistently with every word she uttered, every blink of her eye.

So……

So.

“I think, I can give you an answer after your return.”

“After the return.”

Gillian sighed lightly.

The swelling heart seemed to pop, visibly wilting, but Bianca pretended not to notice.

“Gillian’s desired answer, after the return.”

“Desired.”

A sparkle returned to his dimming eyes,

“I’ll tell you after a safe return.”

“After the return.”

A smile spread across his rigid face.

Bianca knew she was acting cunningly.

She had dangled the answer he wanted like bait.

But Bianca had no choice.

In a helpless situation where she could only wish for his safe return and couldn’t take up the sword in his place, this was her greatest rebellion.

“After a safe return.”

“I promise.”

“Then, I must also promise to return safely.”

Facing Gillian, who was promising his return, Bianca’s stiff cheek moved to form what was, at best, a smile.

“I believe you’ll keep your promise.”

“Please.”

Her damp cheek was still moist.

That day, Gillian could not take Bianca to her bedroom.

A guest who had found his nature arrived just as the feast was ending.

He was the lord of the castle, seeking the Duke at this late hour; the reason was obvious even without asking.

Bianca didn’t show that she was disappointed not to spend more time together.

He had promised to wait.

So it was a good way home.

Since they had never slept together after the wedding, she was used to sleeping alone.

But thinking that Gillian would soon leave the place, the spacious bed seemed all the more empty.

“Should I have answered without delay……”

Muttering nonsense, Bianca curled up her body, hugged her knees, and closed her eyes.

Drowsiness poured out, hard to resist, after crying several times.

Bianca relaxed her body, enjoying the faintly fading sensations.

‘I’ll wait.’

A dizzy feeling resonated in my head along with a familiar voice.

A dream…?

The voice that spoke of waiting wasn’t mine, but Gillian’s.

Upon seeing Gillian’s face, grasping my hand and tearing up, Bianca smiled bitterly even in her dream.

It seemed today’s events had lingered in her mind.

To sketch a picture of leaving Gillian safe in the castle while she departed.

He was holding my hand, crying that he would wait.

His beautiful eyebrows were distorted, and his golden eyes were soaked in water, shining like jewels.

‘I’ll wait.’

‘Yes.’

In the dream, I was smiling at a crying Gillian.

The news came faithfully.

The preparations were progressing smoothly, but Izar didn’t like sitting and just waiting.

The hangover from a few days ago had completely worn off, and now he was energetic.

“Mother.”

Izar went straight to find Queen Mother Pasetra.

Pasetra had abdicated the throne to Izar in the year he came of age.

It was a neat and swift transfer.

But that didn’t mean she had completely severed ties with her followers.

The ones who greeted Izar were a group of nobles.

“Chekaram.”

“Your Highness Izar.”

Izar let out a forced laugh at the appearance of the minister and continued to walk.

“Did you expect to see you in the eastern garden?”

“I’ve come to convey greetings from an old friend.”

Somehow, Pasetra hesitated at the minister’s brash words.

However, in a fleeting moment, Izar saw the documents hidden inside the minister’s sleeve.

Next year’s territory planning document.

A document that hadn’t yet come to him was being shown to Pasetra, a situation that was familiar but never ceasing to infuriate.

But showing that anger would have been foolish.

Izar narrowed his eyes and smiled at Pasetra.

“I hope I’m not interrupting your time together.”

“Not at all. Chekaram was just about to leave.”

“Don’t drive him away just because I’ve come to say hello before riding, Mother.”

Izar pulled the corners of his mouth into a captivating smile.

A smile reminiscent of the one inherited from his mother Pasetra.

A smile that wins favor and eases guard.

Chekaram’s bent shoulders seemed to soften a bit.

Izar lightly pressed the stillstanding Queen Mother’s shoulders.

“I’m leaving. Later, how about dinner together?”

“It might rain today, so don’t go too far. You understand?”

As if cautioning a child, her tender words were met with a childlike smile from Izar, who then made his promise.

However, the face he turned as he left was more terrifying than ever before.

Still.

They still only see me as a child.

Silent anger tore through him mercilessly.

“Salbar.”

“Yes, Your Highness Izar.”

“Find the ambassador from Termina. I will treat him with distinction.”

“Why the ambassador all of a sudden?”

Because I cannot be sure how true Mother’s words are, whether they are really for ‘me.’

“He’s been said to have specially cared for and even imprisoned the Princess. Don’t I have to meet and see him?”

His words were light, but Izar was not smiling.