They were completely opposite expressions. But why? Somehow, those two expressions seemed to overlap.

As if the underlying emotion was the same then and now.

“…….”

“…….”

Evelia unknowingly held her breath and brought her hand to her chest.

She felt a foolish hope that the balloon inside her, which she thought had already burst, was stupidly inflating again.

Perhaps his words about trying to love her might be sincere.

“Are you going to keep looking like that, even though I have prepared this token?”

“Ah…….”

Evelia, who had been lost in thought, spat out a short exclamation at the soft voice that permeated. She quickly rolled her eyes around, not knowing what to do.

What should she do? After a moment of pondering, she looked at Pailin.

“Pailin.”

“Yes, yes. Yes, Your Highness!”

“This, please.”

Evelia, no less surprised than herself, hastily approached Liurian and reached for the necklace.

But Liurian quickly stepped back and shook his head firmly.

“No.”

“…….”

“If you permit, I would like to put it on myself.”

Liurian’s eyes, saying this, were full of warmth. The only thing reflected in them was her face, undergoing rapid emotional changes.

The gaze of the man waiting for her permission pierced through her heart.

Evelia could not respond. Her stomach churned, and sudden dizziness made her eyes spin.

When she regained her senses, Liurian was standing right behind her.

A metallic chill seeped into her empty neck. His fingers brushed her skin as they moved to fasten the necklace.

Her body quivered involuntarily. She kept doubting whether this was really happening or if she was dreaming.

His touch was too warm to believe otherwise.

“Every noble attending the party will have to see you, whether they want to or not.”

Evelia suddenly jerked to his voice near her ear and raised her head. She felt the hand that had grabbed her shoulder.

Led by his strength, she turned and saw her reflection in the mirror. The already dazzling dress was further enhanced by the brilliant diamond necklace.
He was right. If I were to attend the party like this, it seemed that no one would be able to take their eyes off me.

“Beautiful, Evelia.”

Hot breath poured over her head. Instead of looking back, she raised her gaze slightly.

Liurian’s face was visible through the mirror.

He looked contentedly at the necklace hung on her slender neck, soon fixing his gaze on her reflection in the mirror.

“It is said to be the only necklace in the empire, and it seems that its value is now truly revealed. It has found its real owner at last.”

At the unfamiliar praise, Evelia looked again at her neck reflected in the mirror.

The only necklace in the empire.

She recalled a conversation she had had with Relia and her friends at a tea party she once attended.

Among the necklaces on display at the jewelry store run by the Count of Montrol, there was one that was not sold like a family heirloom, and it was adorned entirely with diamonds, the only necklace in the empire.

Relia’s expression, sparkling with vanity as she shared that story, came vividly to mind. Yet, the object she had so wanted was now around her neck. That too, by Liurian.

Evelia drew a sharp breath. She struggled to compose herself, but her already scattered senses did not easily return.

Then, she felt strength return to Liurian’s fingertips on her shoulder. Despite her will, her body turned round and round.

The moment their eyes met, he spoke to her with a more serious face than ever before.

“I ask you formally.”

“…….”

“Evelia, will you attend the party as my partner in a little while?”

His refreshing green eyes widened. Her heart pounded uncontrollably. She could not believe she felt so foolish.

Despite being wounded countless times and suffering immensely, despite vowing hundreds, thousands of times not to believe or hope again.

But in the end, she was back where she started.

“……Yes