While handling state affairs, Camileo heard an intriguing piece of news.It was said that news about his friend Yezar had made the front page of the newspaper.

Since his friend was known for his integrity, Camileo opened the newspaper, wondering if Yezar had been wrongly entangled in something unsavory, only to be taken aback.

“A secret date? Do the empire’s newspapers now cover such private matters?”

He knew that many in high society, including himself, were curious about the stories surrounding Duke and Duchess Ferhaem, but seeing such matters plastered in the newspaper didn’t sit well with him.

Even if Yezar was currently keeping his distance from him and Bertisha, years of friendship didn’t just vanish easily.

Camileo was concerned about Yezar’s situation, with such private matters being shared with the public. At that moment, the minister handling documents responded to his question.

“Hasn’t high society been abuzz with talk of Duke and Duchess Ferhaem lately? The sudden marriage of Duke Ferhaem, and to a young lady known as the Thorned Flower of Orbetian who rarely appeared in public, has drawn much attention. With unprecedented peace, bored nobles find this an exciting topic.”

“But even so, I doubt Duke Ferhaem would appreciate this.”

Considering Yezar’s temperament, it was clear he wouldn’t want to stand out like this. He was always the type to quietly handle matters behind the scenes.

“If he disliked it, wouldn’t Duke Ferhaem have already collected all the newspapers? He’s not without the power to do so.”

The minister’s words didn’t seem entirely wrong either. Yezar had a resolute personality, even bold enough to bluntly tell Camileo, then the crown prince, when he was wrong.

If he truly disliked it, he would have acted already. But leaving the rumors to spread unchecked suggested he wanted the fact of his date to be known.

“It seems Bertisha was worrying unnecessarily. Yezar must genuinely care for his wife, enough to want to show her off.”

Of course, it stung that Yezar never once introduced the woman he was seeing when they were together… but that only meant he cherished her deeply, making Camileo want to support him even more.

Though he had told Bertisha he’d bring Yezar by imperial decree, he didn’t want to wield authority over a friend. That would be the start of cracking their friendship.

For whatever reason, even if Yezar was avoiding him and Bertisha for now, Camileo believed he would eventually reach out. Until then, Camileo was willing to wait.

With these thoughts, Camileo, who had been handling state affairs, noticed Bertisha’s face looking utterly dejected.

In her hand was today’s imperial newspaper.

“Camileo, when will you keep your promise?”

At Bertisha’s sudden question, Camileo tried to recall what promise he had made.

“Bertisha, I’m not sure which promise you’re talking about.”

“You said you’d bring Yezar by imperial decree, along with the Orbetian young lady. Did you forget?”

“I didn’t forget, Bertisha…”

“Is my request not important to Your Majesty?”

The formal address and the title “Your Majesty” made Camileo stiffen. Normally, when alone, she spoke casually, calling him Camileo.

Her formal tone and use of “Your Majesty” meant Bertisha was upset.

“How could I forget your request? You know you’re the most precious thing to me, Bertisha.”

“Then why aren’t you keeping the promise you made to me?”

Her doe-like eyes looked ready to spill tears at any moment. Camileo pulled Bertisha into his arms, comforting her.

But he couldn’t understand why Bertisha was so fixated on meeting Yezar. Of course, he too had worried if Yezar was involved with someone unsuitable, but today’s news had dispelled those concerns.

“But you saw the newspaper today, didn’t you? Unlike your worries, Yezar has married a woman he truly loves, Bertisha.”

Then, the small figure in his arms trembled slightly. Assuming it was just her trying to hold back tears, Camileo continued.

“So you don’t need to worry that she’s someone strange. If Yezar is avoiding us, well, he probably just needs some time. As his friends, we should wait for him.”

Bertisha gripped his collar tightly, then nodded.

“I’m sorry, Camileo. I must have felt hurt, thinking you forgot my request or didn’t think it was important.”

Her voice was as soft and sweet as always. Bertisha smiled gently at him, the devoted partner who would follow his every word.

“It’s okay. It happens.”

As he gently stroked his beloved’s back, he buried his face in her snow-white silver hair. Bertisha giggled, saying it tickled. Seeing her smile brightly, as if she’d never been upset, Camileo felt relieved.

While playfully bantering to relieve his fatigue, Bertisha whispered softly in his ear.

“Hey, Camileo.”

“What is it, Bertisha?”

“I’m thinking of attending Marchioness Yekert’s tea party.”

Camileo’s eyes narrowed as he recalled the Yekert family name.

“That doesn’t sound like a great idea. Is there a particular reason you want to attend Marchioness Yekert’s tea party?”

Marchioness Yekert had unknowingly crossed Cortina, the faceless painter under imperial protection.

She had also crossed Marchioness Stemun, who was said to have the hands of a god and was deeply cherished by Camileo’s father. There was no benefit in the Empress getting close to her.

“Well, she’s a major figure in high society. Even if my humble family background can’t support you, I want to do my best as Empress. Can’t I go, Camileo?”

At her plaintive question, Camileo couldn’t bring himself to tell her not to go. What did her humble background matter when she was trying so hard? Her effort was endearing to him.

“What can’t you do as Empress? Just don’t forget to keep some distance.”

“That sounds like you’re telling me not to get close to Marchioness Yekert. Is it just my imagination?”

It wasn’t her imagination, but he couldn’t tell her the real reason. Though Bertisha was now part of the imperial family, there was a promise he had made with his father.

So Camileo smiled lightly and kissed her cheek.

“No way. I’m just worried that delicate you might get hurt among those viper-like noblewomen.”

“Camileo, with you by my side, how could I get hurt?”

Whispering sweet, melting words in his ear, Bertisha blinked her eyes.

The guest list for Marchioness Yekert’s tea party, which Bertisha had received before Camileo arrived, included Julietta Ferhaem’s name. She had burned it immediately, leaving no trace, but Bertisha repeated that name to herself several times.

“Yawn. So relaxing.”

Stretching widely, Julietta enjoyed a rare moment of leisure. Of course, tomorrow would be anything but leisurely, with Marchioness Yekert’s tea party to attend. So she planned to laze around today.

But an unwelcome letter arrived. The sender was Weaslet Orbetian, her older brother.

“Does Weaslet have nothing better to do? He keeps sending letters.”

Recalling the last letter that teased her mercilessly, she considered tearing it to shreds. But today, feeling generous as a kind younger sibling, she opened it graciously.

— Julietta… Sigh. The whole world seems to know not just your nighttime affairs but your daytime ones too. I get that you want to brag about your husband, but have you no thought for the barrage of questions and attention this brother has to endure? Even when I try to enjoy a peaceful date with Aneta, people keep pestering me with questions about you.

Who was Aneta? Oh, right, her sister-in-law’s name. Her brother always called her things like “my lark,” “honey,” or “baby,” so her actual name had slipped Julietta’s mind.

— If this keeps up and I end up breaking up with Aneta…

The thought must have been so dreadful that he scribbled out the line and started anew.

— That would never happen. Anyway, I know you’re enjoying a smooth married life, but please don’t let it interfere with this brother’s dates.

His handwriting was so sloppy, it seemed he was quite exasperated. Or maybe it was just Weaslet’s usual terrible penmanship.

— P.S. I’ll visit the Ferhaem ducal estate sometime, so don’t turn me away at the door, dear Julietta.

“‘Dear’ my foot.”

It gave Julietta goosebumps. Still, if he said he’d visit, he probably meant it, so she checked her schedule briefly.

Since Weaslet knew she and Yezar hadn’t dated, there was no need to put on a tiresome act, but she worried he might pick a fight with Yezar. Despite his gruff words, he was a doting brother.

Even if he spoke brusquely, he was likely happy that she was enjoying dates with her husband and living happily, which was why he wrote and planned to visit.

“He’s so dishonest. Still, better than the rest of the family who don’t even bother to write.”

A bittersweet smile tugged at her lips, but she forced the corners of her mouth upward.