Just as Bien predicted, Rainien was fully aware of her thoughts and feelings, to the point of his chest aching.

“You, Lady Idel… you have deep feelings for His Grace, don’t you?”

“Ah… Well, yes. As His Consort, it’s only natural. Moreover…”

Idel’s eyes deepened and became more distinct as she responded to Rainien’s words.

“His Grace has showered me with excessive affection. I also want to return that affection.”

The woman firming up her resolve was adorable and lovely. That made watching her even more painful. Rainien pressed lightly on his chest, the heartache not subsiding.

He knew well that Idel, who was upright and careful, would not easily waver in her feelings.

He was so envious of the Duke, who received that unwavering affection. For the first time in his life, he felt greedy for something. Rainien clenched his fist tightly over his chest.

“I’m glad I found a gift that I’m pleased with. Thank you for sparing your time.”

Her bright smile was incredibly tantalizing.

“I’m relieved. If Lady Idel is happy.”

The longing to have her was rushing in, along with the emptiness of not being able to… But Rainien smiled as broadly as he could at her. His happiness for her was genuine.

For some time, Rainien did not unclench his fist, as if to keep his feelings from leaking out.

“Goodbye. We’ll meet again.”

After wrapping up the gift, Idel, Rainien, and Bien left the tailored shop, led out by Filmond.

Upon exiting the shop, Idel checked the clock tower in the middle of the square and suggested the next agenda to Rainien.

“It’s a good time for afternoon tea… would you like me to serve some tea? Consider it a thank you for helping me choose a gift.”

“Sounds good. I was just feeling thirsty.”
In reality, the thirst he felt was not in his throat but in his chest. However, Raneon wanted to spend even a little time with Idel, so he followed her steps.

(This is a time divider.)

Finally, Gregory, who had been holding out, subtly stood up from his seat. When he took a seat again at a spot away from the front of the Duke’s office desk, he felt a bit relieved.

Gregory let out a small sigh of relief and looked toward Caeron. He was still staring at the wall clock above the console at the front of the office desk with piercing eyes.

The Duke seemed to be anxiously waiting for something, checking the time whenever he could. Each time, his intense gaze made Gregory involuntarily flinch as he sat at the crossroads of that gaze.

‘He must be waiting for Her Highness to return.’

Today, Caeron declared he would work from home without any outside appointments, as if even the time to return home was too precious to waste. He did not forget to check the clock every hour even while engrossed in his work.

As time passed, the wrinkles between the Duke’s brows deepened. His long fingers tapped the desk. The increasingly rapid, anxious rhythm seemed to reveal his state of mind.

As the afternoon sun began to tilt, his patience ran out. Eventually, the Duke’s voice, holding back his emotions, flowed out.

“Is the Duchess not back yet?”

“There has been no specific contact from the escort side. She will be back soon. Don’t worry too much, Your Grace.”

“Contact the escort side. Tell them to confirm the time of the Duchess’s return.”

“Understood. I will contact them right away.”

It was the best policy not to disturb the obviously lowspirited superior. Gregory, a wise aide, quickly responded and abruptly stood up from his seat.

Gregory scurried toward where the phone was, and Caeron’s gaze was left staring out the window. His deep blue eyes seemed to burn as he stared at the slowly setting red sun.

He had sent off Bien, the maid, and the escort, but… surely, that Emperor must be with her. When the scene where Idel and Raneon stood together at the last royal banquet came to mind, Caeron gritted his teeth.

‘I shouldn’t have let her go.’

If only those eyes pleading to trust her hadn’t been there, if only those lips whispering that she’d come to his room tonight hadn’t been there…

He wouldn’t have accepted such a heartwrenching situation.

Moreover, his keen senses were unusually sharp today. It was not just because of the presence of the Emperor by her side.

It was unfamiliar and unsettling. The sentiment of waiting for her return for the first time was.

‘Come back soon.’

Caeron fidgeted with the ring on his left ring finger and slowly lowered his gaze. In the engagement ring engraved with the Duke’s family crest, the green diamond resembling Idel’s eyes sparkled as it caught the setting