Blair involuntarily tightly gripped Haldin’s firm arm, which was clenched in a fist. His hand was subtly trembling.

Involved in the accident where her daughter almost died, facing the mother who tried to erase even the memories by kidnapping her daughter—what kind of expression should Blair have on her face?

Before Blair could answer that question, she faced Katrina.

“Congratulations on the engagement, both of you.”

Haldin casually extended his congratulations towards Ivan and Roen.

If she wasn’t going to reveal the details of the incident from ten years ago right here and now, she had to pretend as if nothing happened.

However, when Blair faced Katrina, who smiled as if nothing had happened, pretending that there was no such kidnapping incident, she couldn’t bring herself to say a word.

Blair managed to open her mouth and repeated what Haldin had said.

“Congratulations on the engagement, sincerely.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you for your congratulations, madam.”

Ivan and Roen, smiling as they received congratulations, were observed by Katrina, who was standing beside them.

“Come here, Blair.”

Unlike Blair, who was uncertain about her emotions, Katrina approached with a reflective expression and embraced her daughter.

However, Blair, just like her mother, was well aware that the attention of everyone in the banquet hall was focused on the two of them.

The strong scent of the pungent perfume and the unfamiliar warmth of her mother made Blair’s stomach churn throughout.

She bit her lips hard to endure it.

“It’s so hard to see your face unless it’s an official podium like this. By treating me like this, won’t dirty rumors spread between us?”

“Mother is right. Even though you’re married, you’re still part of our family.”

Ivan agreed with Katrina’s words.

Even though he knew the rumors were true, and Katrina was somehow involved in the fire incident ten years ago.

“Now that a new family is about to be formed, it would be nice to stop by occasionally and spend time with Mother and Roen.”

“I’m always welcome if the Duchess calls me. Even though you are married, you seem more knowledgeable about the palace situation than I am. If there is anything I lack, please let me know without hesitation. I will humbly listen.”

Roen, too, smiled as she responded to Ivan’s words.

How much does she know about the incident this time? Is it a sincere word to me who knows nothing, or is it a mockery knowing everything?

Trying to gauge that, Blair felt her mind growing distant, and she took a deep breath.

To them, she was no longer family. And it wasn’t any different for her.

She was now an enemy. She couldn’t show any weaknesses.

Feeling nauseated at this newly realized fact, she just wanted to quickly leave this place.

“Congratulations on the engagement, both of you.”
Seizing the opportunity while reading the atmosphere of the royal family’s conversation, nobles, one by one, interjected with congratulations.

“Now that the Emperor and the Duchess have welcomed a perfect match, the Empress Dowager must feel relieved.”

“With the imperial family being blessed, wouldn’t this bring joy to the entire empire? It seems that the day when the laughter of precious princesses will be heard in the imperial palace is not far off.”

As nobles gathered to convey their congratulations, Blair and Haldin naturally drifted away from the center of attention.

However, once her unsettled feelings began, Blair couldn’t calm down easily.

Unable to endure any longer, Blair gently released Haldin’s arm, which she had been holding. When she did, Haldin’s gaze, which was appropriately accepting the greetings of the approaching nobles, turned back to her.

“Haldin, I’ll take a short breath of fresh air.”

“Shall I come with you?”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll be back soon.”

Blair dissuaded Haldin from accompanying her and turned, leaving the banquet hall.

As she hurriedly moved away, just when Haldin’s gaze, observing her from behind, narrowed, Ivan’s voice came from behind.

“Have you thought about what we talked about back then?”

When Haldin turned around, Ivan handed him one of the two glasses he was holding. Nobles had gathered around Katrina and Roen by now.

“What I said about finding evidence that I could understand. Have you found it?”

Haldin accepted the offered glass and replied, “Perhaps there’s nothing to worry about that the Empress Dowager is concerned about.”

Blair’s pregnancy symptoms had not yet become clear.

In the current situation, it was better to act like she was being manipulated by Ivan. Let him lower his guard.

However, Ivan was more meticulous than Haldin expected.

“Bring the evidence to me when you find it. I’ll personally review and judge it.”

Haldin’s lips twisted at Ivan’s words.

Although he outwardly said he would judge based on evidence, considering their previous conversation, the meaning of those words was clear.

It meant erasing the evidence with his own hands before the situation was overturned.

“I will accept the order.”

Of course, he had no intention of moving as Ivan wished.

“Sigh…”