But she wished he would abandon everything and rush to her. How nice would it be if he said he didn’t need an archduchess or a princess, he just wanted to be with her?

Ariadne, who had thought this far, gave a hollow laugh.

How selfish it was to want his assurance, while she herself was not choosing Alfonso, giving up everything, and greedily darting her eyes around looking for a safety zone.

Even more so, Alfonso had much more to lose than her. Ariadne decided to shake off her hurt feelings. It was, in fact, what she was best at. Forgetting resentment for the uncertain future.

Sancha, who was with her tidying up things in Ariadne’s study, approached and asked.

“Miss, what’s the matter? Your expression isn’t good.”

Instead of explaining, Ariadne handed the letter she was holding to Sancha. Sancha, having read Prince Alfonso’s letter, looked at Ariadne with a regretful expression.

“What will our lady do… you were hoping for so much.”

Ariadne never said that she had expectations, or that she really wanted to go, but Sancha, who was always at her side taking care of everything for Ariadne, knew.

Ever since the arrival of Prince Alfonso’s letter proposing a meeting at the masquerade, Ariadne had brought in Mrs. Marini to discuss what to wear to the masquerade for much longer than usual, pondered all day about which mask to wear, increased the time she spent on skin care, and brushed her hair twice a day.

“No, it’s nothing. I should have considered that Archduchess Lariesa would be coming.”

With a bashful smile, Sancha tilted her head at her.

“Archduchess Lariesa? Who is she? How do you know whether she is coming or not?”

Sancha looked at Prince Alfonso’s letter, but there was not a single word about Archduchess Lariesa.

A surge of desire to spill everything to Sancha welled up in Ariadne.

‘Actually, I’ve regressed. I know the future.’

Having a secret that only she knew was a lonely thing. Especially when her actions were altered due to the secret only she knew and she had to convince those around her of the fact.

But regression was still an unknown area, with no idea why it happened. Ariadne decided to be cautious, very cautious, until she knew for sure.

In the end, it was a secret to Sancha as well. Feeling the loneliness that seemed about to burst at any moment, Ariadne bit her lip.

“Just, there’s such a person.”

Ariadne cut off her words, hesitated for a moment, and then linked the next words.

“It’s purely my feeling, but that person is not the prince’s companion. So, Sancha, it will be okay. I don’t mind.”

Sancha thought she saw a strange heat flickering in her lady’s eyes. It was the kind of look that people who have a conviction that others can’t understand have, like the eyes of a fanatic of a heterodox religion or a political activist.

Ordinary people might have hesitated, but Sancha had already risked everything for her young mistress. Even if Ariadne had gone to commit murder, Sancha could have stood by her side.

For Sancha, Ariadne was her highest priority and the very purpose of her life.

“Even if you don’t understand, Miss, I will support you to the end!”

Sancha clenched her fists tightly.

Unaware of Sancha’s peculiar feelings, Ariadne continued to think about Princess Larissa and Prince Alfonso. It was alright.

‘When ‘that incident’ happens, the marriage proposal with the Kingdom of Galico will automatically break off, and one of Cardinal de Mare’s daughters will become a princess.’

Moreover, Isabella’s achievements in this life were not as outstanding as in her previous life.

Considering the various foolish acts committed by Isabella and her damaged reputation, the suspicions about Cardinal de Mare’s eldest daughter, and the reputation and somewhat friendly relationship Ariadne built with Queen Margaret, above all, considering the good feelings Ariadne had with Prince Alfonso, there was a high probability that Ariadne would be chosen as Prince Alfonso’s bride among Cardinal de Mare’s daughters.

She could bear Princess Larissa for a moment. Time was on her side. She just had to wait. That’s all she had to do.

“Huh.”

After thinking that far, Ariadne let out a small sigh. She looked relieved.

She had calculated the probability of marrying Prince Alfonso and felt relieved, but it was not clear whether this relief was because she could escape from the de Mare family and be safe, or because she thought she could have Alfonso.

The Golden Rule, who had been watching Ariadne and Sancha from a distance, snickered.

Can she really do that?

Every day, the residence of the Cardinal de Mare received gifts from Count Cesare. It was to such an extent that Isabella, irritated, would retreat to her room as soon as the postman arrived.

It was obvious what the servant had brought.

After receiving a saddle once, Count Cesare had continuously poured out endless gifts. The residence of Cardinal de Mare was now filled with red roses, like a greenhouse.