As Reneb blinked silently, the young Duke of Velkain added awkwardly:

“I did not mean to burden you.”

“I have a question.”

Reneb decided to make her decision based on the young Duke of Velkain’s answer.

“Yes, please speak.”

“What do you mean by the partner request?”

“If we must put a meaning to it, as you know, both His Majesty and I are like foreigners here.”

Listening to the calm voice of the young Duke of Velkain, Reneb nodded her head.

“The basic principle for attending the ball is a pair of man and woman.”

‘Ah, is it different in Paradium?’ She added, and Reneb softly smiled.

“Paradium is the same.”

“It seems that the participation of a man and woman is a common practice in all countries.”

The young Duke of Velkain smiled innocently. His face was so harmless that there seemed to be no hidden agenda.

Just like Kael, the son she used to hold in her arms.

Reneb looked at the young Duke of Velkain’s face for a moment, and his cheek turned slightly red.

Her white, milky cheek surrounded by a large hand, and at that moment Reneb was drawn back from the past.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

Reneb shook her head lightly.

“So, you mean that we don’t have partners, and we can’t find any, right?”

“Well, not exactly that, but… to some extent, yes.”

The young Duke of Velkain, who seemed to be making excuses, quickly agreed with Reneb’s words.

It was not a bad proposal.

Although Icar had already proposed to be her partner for the ball, he is the emperor of this country, and the young Duke of Velkain is in a similar situation to Reneb.

Besides, there was no need to arouse unnecessary suspicion at her first encounter with the Bashuker aristocrats.

Unmarried, young, and handsome, the emperor’s side will be sought after by plenty of young women in Bashuker.

Logically, it made sense to accept the young Duke of Velkain’s proposal.

But if he had a romantic interest in her, it would be right to refuse.

Had he proposed to her as a partner, leaving Rachel, who also had no partner?

After hearing his reasoning, Reneb decided to make her decision.

“Uh….”

Just as Reneb was about to ask a question, a familiar low voice descended above her head.

“Were you lonely by yourself?”

Reneb turned her head in the direction of the voice.

Close enough to reach, no, closer than that, Icar was standing there.

Stubbornly closed lips, eyes that looked somewhat cold, stared at Reneb.
“Your Imperial Majesty.”

Though slightly surprised at his appearance, Reneb quickly curtsied in greeting.

“Your Imperial Majesty.”

The Viscount of Velkain also bowed his waist.

As if he were something impure, Icar, who had been indifferently gazing at the Viscount of Velkain, lightly flicked his head.

“You seem quite pleased.”

“Viscount Velkain also volunteered to Bashuker.”

Reneb added a brief explanation about the conversation she had with him earlier.

Glancing at the Viscount of Velkain with only her eyes, Icar asked,

“So, did you feel a sense of camaraderie?”

“It’s not like I can live alone. It’s nice if those in similar situations can rely on each other.”

At Reneb’s answer, Icar’s eyes narrowed.

“You like being able to rely on? It sounds as if you’re relying on Viscount Velkain?”

“Both the Duke of Siren’s Grace and I volunteered, so we were able to communicate well.”

Viscount Velkain spoke with his innocent face, looking at Reneb. His eyes seemed to be seeking Reneb’s agreement.

While Reneb was choosing what to answer,

“Viscount, I don’t think I have ever granted you the right to speak.”

Icar growled in a lowered voice.

A dangerous aura wafted from Icar.

The pressure was enough to make Reneb’s body tense, and she swallowed dryly, glancing at Viscount Velkain.

There were two reactions he could show here.

He could be cowed by Icar’s momentum and lower his tail, or be offended and flare up.

However, Viscount Velkain simply brushed off Reneb’s expectations with his reaction.

“I have committed a breach of etiquette. I apologize for interrupting you.”

Viscount Velkain quickly apologized with a seeming smile, very politely and freshly.

If he had shown resentment towards Icar in anger, Icar would have had a chance to make sure of the hierarchy between the two men.

Conversely, if he had cowered and bowed his waist, he would have bruised his pride in front of Reneb.

‘Oh…….’

Reneb silently admired Viscount Velkain’s proper response, and Icar’s eyes narrowed.

“I apologize again.”

Viscount Velkain smiled brightly and apologized once more, and a look of displeasure deepened on Icar’s face.

As if he would spit on that smiling face.

Before the atmosphere could become harsh, Reneb opened her mouth to change the mood.

“The weather is quite good today. Has Your Majesty also come out for a garden walk?”

“A walk?”

Icar’s eyebrows slanted suspiciously. Worried about unnecessary sparks, Reneb opened her mouth again.

“……Or perhaps you were on your way somewhere?”

“That’s right. I was just taking a break and came out to get some fresh air. Will you accompany me, Your Grace?”

The relief that Icar’s brow had smoothed was fortunate, but Reneb’s feet were a little sore after walking the garden with Viscount Velkain and being tormented by new shoes.

Reneb wanted to return to the garden as much as a chimney.

But it was also difficult to refuse the Emperor’s proposal.