“She mentioned practicing for the dance at the ball. I helped her. Besides, she’s been busy deriving proposals for women’s rights in Upieter. She really doesn’t know how to charm people.”

Kairon was unaware of the fact that she had been practicing for the ball dance. Perhaps Idel didn’t say anything because he was busy with diplomatic duties.

“Moreover, she has been busy deriving proposals for improving women’s rights in Upieter. She really doesn’t know how to charm people.”

He knew Idel’s personality well.

“The more I know, the more I seem to fall for the Duchess. Not only her appearance but also her inner self… A woman so pure and upright is rare.”

Ophelia’s words filled with affection for Idel deepened Kairon’s gaze.

“As a woman myself, I feel this way… What about the hearts of men? It seems like there is more than one person sending passionate glances toward the Duchess even now…”

As Ophelia spoke, Kairon, who had been focusing only on Idel, widened his view to look around. The attendants who had lost their gaze to Idel were now glancing at her as if they wanted to be her next dance partner.

How dare…! As Kairon’s expression hardened and distorted menacingly, Ophelia added with a significant voice.

“By the way… in Lisandro, divorce and remarriage are not such big faults.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

Instead of answering, Ophelia narrowed her eyes. Then, she changed her expression completely, opening her mouth with a smileless face.

“What if the Duchess leaves you?”

…!

“Could you let the Duchess leave you easily?”

At Ophelia’s conjecture, Kairon’s pupils widened, and he shivered slightly. His complexion, already white with tension and anxiety, turned even paler.

‘Idel… leaving my side…’

In reality, it was a future that had already been anticipated. After the three-year contract period, he would part ways with her. However, just thinking about that future… Why did it feel like his breath was being cut off, and his heart was being squeezed?

Kairon, holding onto his thumping chest, exhaled heavily. His troubled blue eyes were fixated on Idel, who was dancing while holding Rainian’s hand.

‘Leaving my side, holding hands with another man…’

While holding Rainian’s hand and gracefully moving through the air, Idel seemed as if she might fly away at any moment.
Even with just the imagination, a tremendous pain surged through his heart as if a large hole had opened up. He relentlessly pursued Idel’s figure with a gaze filled with intense agony.

At that moment, Idel, who was dancing, seemed to feel his intense and passionate gaze, and Kairon turned his head in her direction.

“…!”

Seeing his painfully distorted face, Idel’s complexion instantly stiffened. After whispering something to Moore as if seeking his permission, she let go of Rainian’s hand and urgently walked toward Kairon.

Amidst the brilliant shining chandeliers and the continuous illusion of the dance, the scene inside the ballroom was dizzyingly overwhelming.

“…Idel.”

However, everything around faded away, and only the sight of her approaching him was vividly imprinted in his retinas.

“Kairon…!”

Walking quickly towards him while still in a dance pose, Idel’s flushed cheek looked as if cherry blossoms were blooming.

“Are you… okay?”

Examining his complexion with a face full of concern, her efforts to catch her breath were somewhat endearing.

“Your complexion doesn’t look good. It might be better to go back now.”

As Idel grabbed his hand, the warm, permeating touch penetrated his body, teasing his heart fervently.

“Ophelia, I’m truly sorry. I know this is not proper etiquette… but… I’ll leave first today.”

“Idel! You’ve been preparing so hard for the ball. Wouldn’t it be okay to stay a little longer?”

“I appreciate your help and care, but…”

Apologizing politely to Ophelia, who held her, Idel continued.

“The Duke is the most important to me.”

There was no hint of hesitation in her voice. The vivid emerald eyes filled with sincerity were directed at him.

“Let’s go back, Kairon.”

Exiting the grand hall, the corridor leading to the diplomatic envoy’s residence, the Star Palace, was silent with no one around. Only the faint moonlight illuminated the two figures.

While Kairon watched Idel’s back, who was holding his hand and walking ahead, he suddenly recalled Ophelia’s last question.

Can you easily let the Duchess leave you?

The answer to that question… at this very moment, he realized it distinctly.

Kairon momentarily stopped walking.

“Oops…!”

Due to his sudden halt, Idel, caught in the momentum, seemed to sway backward, but Kairon, gripping her hand, exerted force to turn her around.

Then, he pulled her toward himself, embracing her fully as if melding into one. Their bodies adhered completely as if becoming one entity.

“…!”

As the surprised Idel raised her head to look at him, his warm breath poured over her lips.

The sweet entanglement of their breaths, intertwining and rushing relentlessly, made the surroundings dizzy. Idel, with a startled expression, looked up at him, and in that moment, his warm breath spilled over her lips.

Entwined in each other’s breaths, they embraced each other without hesitation, swept away by the overwhelming sweetness. Idel clutched his broad shoulders tightly, closing her eyes tightly as her vision became hazy.