Killian decided to actively agree with Windler’s concerns for now.

He lowered his head, pretending to be deep in thought while folding his arms.

“…I hadn’t thought of that part, but now that I hear it, it seems you’re right.”

“…..”

“Alright. I’ll make sure to tell Nia when I get the chance.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. I hope you convey it to her sincerely, as you told me.”

Only then did Windler’s serious expression soften, forming a comfortable smile. He handed the newspaper he had been holding to Killian and said,

“And there’s this article in the newspaper.”

“What is it?”

“It’s an article about Princess Espin of the Hisrick Kingdom.”

“…..”

Killian quickly read through the newspaper article. By the time his gaze reached the end of the article, bewilderment was evident on his face.

“Did you not know, Your Excellency?”

“…Not at all.”

“Well, you’ve been very busy with state affairs lately.”

Windler was right. Since the death of the previous emperor, Killian had been spending busy days either buried in paperwork in the annex office or traveling here and there on business trips.

Even when he returned to the duke’s residence, he would only catch a brief nap before leaving again early in the morning, naturally neglecting what was happening at home.

“How much of the story about the youngest princess of the Hisrick Kingdom is true? Is the reason Lady Dowager invited the princess… because of Your Excellency, as the article says?”

“…I don’t know about that either.”

Windler let out a small sigh at Killian’s response. The aide’s heart felt heavy seeing his superior’s contorted face.

‘He had just met a woman he liked, and it seemed he was getting closer to her little by little…’

Who would have thought an unexpected obstacle would be waiting! And not just any obstacle, but a huge one in the form of a princess! Windler swallowed another sigh that was about to burst out as he left the office.

Killian returned to the mansion just before midnight, as usual. Despite the late hour, the Dowager Lady was still awake to greet her son.

“You’re back?”

“You’re still awake, Mother?”

“Let’s have a talk.”

“Yes.”

Killian followed the Dowager Lady to her private reception room.

“You know that the diplomatic delegation from the Hisrick Kingdom arrives tomorrow, right?”

“Yes. I’ve also heard that Princess Espin will be staying at our mansion instead of the imperial palace.”

When Killian spoke in a somewhat cold voice, the Dowager Lady seemed to tense up, straightening her back as she adjusted her sitting position.

“I should have consulted with you first before making the decision. I’m sorry I couldn’t do that.”

“I’ve been so busy after all.”

At the nuance that he wouldn’t make an issue of her unilateral decision to invite guests, the Dowager Lady let out a sigh of relief.

“So, Killian, can you attend the welcoming ceremony for the delegation tomorrow?”

The Dowager Lady asked with sparkling eyes and an expectant expression. But Killian immediately shook his head.

“No. I’m too busy with the coronation preparations and other schedules. I can’t attend the welcoming ceremony.”

“…I see. That’s too bad.”

A dark shadow fell over the Dowager Lady’s wrinkled face. She looked greatly disappointed.

She had thought it would be perfect if Killian could warmly welcome Princess Espin in a place where many people’s attention would be focused, but it seemed that was just a vain dream.

But it was still too early to give up completely. She didn’t let go of the last thread of hope as she asked again.

“Then how about dinner? Why don’t you come home early tomorrow and have dinner together?”

“…..”

Killian avoided an immediate answer and pondered for a moment. Impatient at Killian’s delayed response, the Dowager Lady quickly spoke up.

“It’s her first day of arrival, isn’t it? We can’t let the first day pass without greeting her. That wouldn’t be polite. So even if you can’t attend the welcoming ceremony, shouldn’t you at least exchange formal greetings over dinner?”

“…..”

“Even if your heart isn’t in it, you should maintain basic courtesy.”

The Dowager Lady, who had spoken firmly, stared intently at Killian’s tightly closed lips, waiting for his answer. She kept swallowing dry saliva, her mouth seemingly dry from tension.

Killian’s contemplation continued. In truth, he wanted to refuse outright. It was such a busy time, and his mother’s impure intentions were transparently clear.

If he went along with this once or twice, his mother might develop strange expectations. He had to prevent that at all costs.

‘But I can’t neglect basic courtesy when a guest as important as a princess from another country is coming…’

Killian knew well that he couldn’t treat a guest who had come from afar purely based on emotions. So he reluctantly nodded.

“Alright. I’ll make sure to return in time for dinner tomorrow evening.”

“Is that true? No going back on your word later?”

“Yes.”

The Dowager Lady’s eyes widened as she smiled happily. She was a bit suspicious, but her son was someone who always kept his word once he gave it. So he would surely appear at dinner time tomorrow, no matter what.

“Then have a good night.”

“Good night.”

As Killian bowed his head in greeting and left the room, a deep smile formed on the Dowager Lady’s lips.

“Tomorrow will be quite a busy day.”

The smile, once formed, remained on the Dowager Lady’s lips all night long.

The incredibly busy day was almost over.

“Oh my, I’d better hurry.”

Killian, who had glanced at the wall clock absent-mindedly, immediately stood up. There was no time to waste if he wanted to arrive home in time for dinner.

Although he wasn’t particularly eager, he had to keep his promise to his mother. Moreover, an important guest had arrived.

It was when he was hurrying, stretching his long legs forward. Veronia, the only being who could captivate his attention, appeared.

‘Ah, Lady Veronia!’

Their gazes intertwined intensely in midair.

For a moment, Killian completely forgot that he had been walking quickly, that he had a dinner to attend, and that it was a promise he had made with his mother.

“Ah, I greet Your Excellency the Prime Minister.”

“We greet Your Excellency the Prime Minister.”

As she bowed her head first, the workers nearby all bowed their heads together in greeting.

“Yes. Is the work progressing well?”

In response to Killian’s formal question, Flora, the site manager, answered in a loud voice.

“Of course, Your Excellency. We started the final phase of work this week. You’ll be able to see the completed staircase in two weeks.”

“I look forward to it.”

“All of us here will do our best to meet Your Excellency’s expectations.”

“…Thank you.”

Flora’s resolute voice echoed throughout the annex lobby. At that moment, Veronia approached Killian.

“Your Excellency, I have something to tell you. Do you have time?”

“Of course.”

Veronia and Killian headed towards the back garden of the annex. His heart, which had started beating violently from the moment he laid eyes on her, was still pounding.

The back garden was quiet in the late hours as the sunset was falling. The two sat down at a table placed under a tent.

The sound of water trickling from a nearby small fountain quietly resonated. The garden, dyed in the red sunset, seemed like a completely different world.

“Did you rest well that day? The schedule was so tight, I wonder if you were tired and if your body is alright…”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency. But I couldn’t rest well. I was too embarrassed remembering the mistake I made.”

“…Mistake?”

Killian’s straight eyebrows immediately furrowed. It was an expression as if he had heard something he shouldn’t have.

“Yes. A mistake. That day, that kiss… I regretted it a lot. I made a mistake because my emotions were running high. Maybe it was because I had nearly died.”

“…..”

“It will never happen again. I’m truly sorry.”

Veronia bowed her head deeply in apology. Her expression, seemingly having steeled her resolve, looked even solemn. Killian’s heart quietly sank as he saw her expression. He felt utterly devastated beyond words.

In fact, he had expected this kind of development. Given Veronia’s personality and the situation, it was difficult to expect a different outcome.

‘Still, I hoped that maybe, just maybe, it might be different… But as expected, nothing unexpected happens.’

Despite having fully anticipated this situation, the pain in his heart was unavoidable.

The pain was so intense that he desperately wanted to cry like a child. There was a glimmer of hope that if he knelt before Veronia and sobbed loudly, she might accept him.

But he decided to save that method as a last resort.

And now, he intended to slowly unfold the words he had been repeating in his mind all day yesterday. His mouth, which had been tightly closed all along, slowly opened.

“For me, it wasn’t a mistake. It was a kiss filled with the purest sincerity, without a trace of falsehood. In fact, it was the most truthful moment in recent years.”

“What? That’s…”

Veronia’s eyes shook greatly, startled by his sudden confession, but his low-pitched voice continued.

“I liked you for jumping into the water to save the child without hesitation. But at the same time, I terribly hated the thought of you being in danger.”

“…..”

“I liked you for sobbing as you belatedly thought of your son, and at the same time, I thought I’d like it if you cried for me…”