“You should rest for a bit.”

Liurian seated Evelia in the seat prepared for the crown princess, sending her a worried glance.

Evelia responded quickly, with a gesture of refusal.

“No. I can stay with His Highness.”

“Isn’t it your shoes that are causing your feet discomfort?”

Liurian asked, narrowing his brow. It was an unexpected and sharp observation.

Evelia was unable to say anything in response.

It was true. Her feet had been uncomfortable for quite some time. The shoes she wore to match her dress were the problem.

The stiff leather of the new shoes had scraped off her tender skin.

But she had tried not to show it in her own way.

“How did you know?”

Evelia asked, her face pale. Her surprised face looked just like a rabbit’s. It was quite cute, and Liurian couldn’t help but smile.

“You kept clutching my arm tightly. That must have been when your feet were hurting.”

Evelia blinked her eyes quickly and silently. She couldn’t remember doing that. Even if she had, it was still surprising.

That he had noticed her discomfort from her gripping his arm was an impressive observation.

“Rest for a while. I’ve already met with most of the important people I wanted you to meet, so I can handle things on my own now.”

“But still…”

“Do I have to see myself getting fidgety every time you clutch my arm?”

Liurian said, his firm refusal couched in affectionate terms. Because of that, Evelia could not argue any further.

“Then I’ll rest for a little while. It’s okay to go to His Highness after I’m feeling better, right?”

“Of course. But it has to be after you’re really feeling better.”

Evelia nodded her head, and only then did Liurian turn away, his face visibly more relaxed.

He stopped a short distance away and looked around the ballroom. His stride was confident as he resumed walking, apparently having decided on his destination.

Evelia couldn’t take her eyes off his retreating figure. The way he walked confidently towards the empire’s leaders looked magnificent.

She still couldn’t believe that he had been by her side just moments before. It felt like a dream. That’s why she couldn’t smile wholeheartedly.

“Your Highness.”

Evelia raised her head at the sudden voice and was so startled she had to widen her eyes.

“Father!”

Approaching was Edwick Caroline, her father.

“I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to greet Your Highness until the party was over.”

Edwick’s face bloomed with a polite and affectionate smile as he sincerely welcomed his daughter, whom he hadn’t seen in a while. But Evelia was not so pleased. Her heart was heavy at the thought that she had forgotten her father.

“I’m sorry, Father. I should have known you would be attending such an important party, but I was thoughtless and didn’t greet you first.”

“No, no. We’ve met now, and that’s all that matters.”

Edwick gently took his daughter’s hand, as if to say it didn’t matter. Only then could Evelia smile with him.

“But what happened in the meantime?”

“What do you mean?”

“You were late in entering, and then you appeared with the crown prince. I was quite surprised.”

Evelia’s eyes wandered for a moment at Edwick’s words.

She couldn’t figure out what to say in response. Wasn’t she herself unexpectedly put in that situation? After a moment’s thought, she licked her lips.

“…I still don’t quite know myself.”

“You’re not in a situation that your father should worry about, are you?”

“That’s absolutely not the case, so please don’t worry.”

Evelia hurriedly bowed her head to her worried father. Her father had not had a moment’s peace since her marriage.

She couldn’t guarantee what direction her conversation with Liurian would take later, but regardless, she didn’t want to worry her father any further.
“If it’s just an old man’s delusion, it’s a relief. Since His Majesty himself said that he’s fine, today seems to be the brightest day since he came into the palace.”

Fortunately, Edwick’s concern quickly vanished in front of his daughter’s sincere laughter.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my father, how could I not be happy? Although I don’t know what you are worrying about, Father, sometimes visit the Crown Princess’s palace too.”

“……I worry that my longing for my child might become a bother to His Majesty.”

Edwick conveyed his desperate feelings. Evelia had known about such a father’s feelings for a long time. That’s why she could only feel more upset.

She wanted to make him feel at ease even just a little, but she couldn’t understand why it was so difficult.

Evelia’s complexion began to darken slightly. Sensing this, Edwick awkwardly raised his voice a tone to speak to Evelia.

“There is a young lady I wanted to introduce to His Majesty anyway. I’m sure she can soothe His Majesty’s loneliness on behalf of her father.”

“A young lady who can soothe loneliness… You want to make a close friend for me?”

Evelia’s eyes widened. It was a story she had never imagined.

“It’s the daughter of Count Nolton. Apparently, she’s very interested in His Majesty. She even requested a seat with His Majesty through Count Nolton.”