“I… ”

As Idel, filled with contemplation, slowly opened her mouth, Rainian held his breath.

It was a moment when she eagerly awaited Idel’s acceptance of the proposal to go together to the Lysandro Empire.

“Whoever wants.”

A sharp voice cut through the conversation of the two like a cold wind.

Startled, Idel turned her head toward the entrance of the dining room. The face she had been waiting for was there.

“Your Highness…!”

Seeing him, Idel rose from her seat with joy.

The Grand Duke walked into the dining room through the open door as if he had come straight from his arrival. His coat unbuttoned and a cane in hand suggested he had come directly to the dining room upon arrival.

“Who’s suggesting to take the Grand Duchess to the Lysandro Empire?”

Approaching the table, Kaeron, with a chilling gaze, stared at Rainian and inquired. Unpleasantness couldn’t be concealed between the delicately furrowed brows.

Rainian, also with a firm expression, met Kaeron’s gaze squarely.

“Your Highness, it seems there might be a slight misunderstanding.”

Feeling the uncomfortable atmosphere between Kaeron and Rainian, Idel, putting aside the joy of their reunion, stepped in to mediate.

Perhaps Kaeron, who had just arrived, hadn’t heard the previous conversation and only caught the last words from Rainian.

She didn’t want the relationship between Kaeron and Rainian to become awkward like it did during the previous imperial reception.

“Rainian-nim has suggested the invitation to the Lysandro Empire due to a favor I asked for.”

“A favor…?”

“Yes, I’ll explain. Please sit here for now.”

Encouraging Kaeron to sit in the empty seat beside her, Idel intended to calm the seemingly agitated Kaeron. Reluctantly, Kaeron sat in the chair at her urging.

Kaeron had just returned to the Grand Duchy after concluding all the proceedings related to the recent kidnapping trial.

Although he had been receiving daily reports on Idel’s condition, he hurriedly came to see her recovery in person.

Especially after hearing the news from the attendant who had come out to meet him at the train station that Rainian had suddenly visited the Grand Duchy, he rushed to the mansion with all his might.

He wanted to immediately drive away the unwelcome guest, but allowing Rainian into the Grand Duchy was the maximum consideration he could show.

It wasn’t because Rainian was the Prince of the neighboring empire.

“In fact, there is an expert in the field I’m interested in in the Lysandro Empire. Rainian-nim kindly extended the invitation due to his goodwill as a friend.”

A friend. It was because of the relationship she defined.

It was because of Idel’s earnest plea for trust.

The unpleasant sensation coiled in her stomach like tangled threads still remained, but Kaeron tried to control his sharp mood, recalling his past conversation with her.

“…What Idel-nim says is correct. In that field, the Lysandro Empire has developed more than our Uptarian Empire. If you come to Lysandro, it will undoubtedly be a great help to Idel-nim.”

“What field are you talking about?”

“The field that Idel-nim is interested in is women’s rights.”

“Women’s rights…?”

“Yes, actually, seeing the girls who suffered from the recent incident, I became interested in the field of women’s rights. I want to explore that field further.”

“…I see.”

She was considering women’s rights right after recovering her strength… It was quite like her. With a small sigh, Kaeron let out a slow breath.

Although the trauma from the kidnapping incident wasn’t significant, he had worried if there might be lingering emotional scars. Seeing her burning with enthusiasm, those concerns vanished, but…

“I actively want to help Idel-nim get advice in the field she’s interested in from the expert in the Lysandro Empire. It’s Idel-nim’s will.”
Rainian’s intention to emphasize Idel’s desires was clear. Kaeron’s eyes, under the clear pressure, also regained their sharpness.

“Perhaps due to the conservative culture, there has never been a formal visit by Uptarian noblewomen to our Lysandro… However, the Grand Duke surely hopes that you, Grand Duchess, will broaden your perspectives.”

Just like Prince Jasen, Kaeron, on the surface, appeared different. Mentioning the conservative culture of Uptaria was undoubtedly intentional.

If the Grand Duchess opposed the visit of the Grand Duke’s wife, it was no different from adhering to Uptaria’s conservative culture.

This was entirely different from Idel’s pursuit of women’s rights, and it would undoubtedly disappoint her.

‘She’s not someone to be taken lightly.’

Kaeron’s lips curved slightly. Unlike the smiling expression on his lips, his gaze on Rainian had no hint of a smile.

“Of course. I will actively support whatever the Grand Duchess wishes.”

“…I’m relieved.”

At Kaeron’s unexpectedly refreshing response, Rainian couldn’t help but show a subtle surprise. Idel, too, had a similar reaction.