“Such an absurd act. She doesn’t realize she’s nothing but a nominal princess? How foolish…”

“Why? Isn’t she at least better than her mother?”

The story so far was no different from the original. I had thought the original might deviate significantly due to my actions…

‘Nothing has changed at all.’

My choice, being just an extra, seemed to have no effect on Iris, the protagonist’s fate.

I always wanted to stick to the original, but today, I was particularly disappointed.

‘If things remain this way, that incident will happen…’

If that event occurs today, Iris wouldn’t be the only main character.

I quickly looked around and then locked eyes with a man. The person I had been desperately searching for until just now… Casien.

I couldn’t help but furrow my brows, unable to manage my expression.

‘How long has he been watching me?’

Casien’s eyes seemed to suggest that he had been watching me since he entered the banquet hall.

After the wedding, I heard he had stopped visiting the Ibelr Count’s estate.

‘But why…’

Then, a man’s torso entered my view, and Casien disappeared. The owner of the fine clothes was Reus.

“Roel.”

As I looked up, Reus wrapped his large hand under my chin and gently stroked my cheek with his thumb.

His slow touch carried a slight force, conveying an unspoken warning. Reus leaned close to my ear and murmured slowly.

“I hope you haven’t forgotten your duty.”

“…….”
“There was no condition about not being distracted, but on a day like today with so many eyes on us, let’s focus on me.”

I nodded slightly, and the warmth that started from Reus’s thumb gradually receded. It had been a while since his touch had left, but I felt oddly embarrassed and fiddled with my dress, which had no issues.

Then, at that moment, Reus’s aide, Dewin, hurriedly approached us.

“Your Highness, just a moment…”

Reus, who had been silently listening to Dewin, slightly furrowed his brow. But as usual, any emotion that surfaced on his face quickly disappeared.

Reus turned his head and looked straight at me.

“I think I need to step away for a moment…”

There was a pause, as if he had more to say. Somehow, his intense gaze on me felt like he was looking at a child left alone by the water.

‘Is he worried about leaving me alone now, that look in his eyes…?’

It seemed to be because of the brief exchange of glances between Casien and me earlier.

I wanted to explain that there was no lingering attachment in that glance, but it would have required too much additional explanation.

Though I felt somewhat wronged, I had no choice but to remain silent.

As if he had correctly read the distrust in my eyes, Reus ordered Dewin never to leave my side and then disappeared.

I felt like I had become a woman who strayed too soon after marriage… No, like I was being treated similarly to Casien, and it didn’t sit well with me.

‘It’s not about lingering feelings; it’s because of Iris…’

But ultimately, it wasn’t a bad choice.

Whether it was because of Dewin’s presence or the nobles’ gaze, I wasn’t sure, but Casien did not approach me.

‘But why does he keep staring?’

I was already bothered by the fact that the female and male leads hadn’t gotten together yet, but Casien’s persistent gaze wouldn’t leave me.

Feeling too burdened by his stare, I asked Dewin to move us to a less conspicuous place.

It was just when I was stepping towards a small resting area behind a tree.

Swoosh!

Suddenly, a hand holding a glass jutted out, and dark red wine spilled over my dress.