“Wahaha, this is interesting. We look like a couple!”

Duke Hugo burst out in a hearty laugh.

He wore a black shirt under a low-saturation navy jacket. This was very similar to Demian’s outfit, who had even worn a black cravat.

Seemingly pleased with wearing similar clothes to his son-in-law like family, the duke cheerfully patted Demian’s shoulder.

“It’s like I’m matching clothes with my son. I guess this is why some people call their son-in-law another son.”

“If you think of me that way, I’m honored.”

Demian said politely, bowing his head slightly. The duchess smiled fondly and praised him.

“My, Demian even speaks so prettily. I always think, he’s not only handsome but also has such a good personality and manners.”

“The more I see him, I understand why our Arasila suddenly brought him as a groom. My daughter takes after me and has great taste.”

The duke turned his head and winked at his wife, adding:

“Just like I fell for you at first sight, May darling.”

“Oh my, you.”

The duchess blushed and shyly hit her husband’s chest.

Thwack. The sound seemed quite painful, but the duke maintained his expression as if nothing happened.

Arasila calmly watched her parents engage in their usual display of affection. It was such a familiar scene that she felt little emotion now.

After subtly rubbing the spot he was hit, the duke cleared his throat and spoke.

“Anyway, I’m so glad to attend the New Year’s Festival with my daughter and son-in-law. When our Iris gets married too, I’ll have two son-like sons-in-law. Just imagining it… makes me truly happy.”

Contrary to his words, he smiled with an expression that was hard to tell if he was happy or sad. While he was joyful about his family growing, the thought of giving away another daughter broke his heart.

Eventually, clutching his chest, the duke started muttering, “Sob, our daughters who were like rabbits, when did they grow up so…”

“Oh my, ignore this doting father’s words. It’s only good when daughters get married and start families.”

The duchess shook her head helplessly and waved her hand as if she couldn’t handle him. Then she gently took Demian’s hand and said:

“I’m so glad Demian has become part of our family. It’s like having a reliable eldest son, you know? Since Adrian is still young, I can’t feel the dependability that comes from a grown son.”

Just as Demian, who had been listening quietly, slowly opened his mouth to respond,

“Mother. A son-in-law is a son-in-law, not a son. If anything, he’s another family’s precious son.”

Arasila quickly interjected to refute. She judged that her mother was saying something too burdensome to Demian.

The duchess narrowed her eyes and glared at her daughter.

“Right, I knew you’d say that. I wonder who this child takes after, not understanding romance at all.”

“People often say I take after Father in looks and Mother in personality.”

“You sure have a way with words.”

Suddenly, beyond Arasila, people could be seen gradually gathering in the center of the hall. It was almost time for the first dance, so they were taking their positions early.

Confirming that the court orchestra was preparing an elegant piece fitting for a winter night, the duchess pushed her daughter and son-in-law’s backs.

“Go have your first dance with Demian, Arasila. I’ll comfort your father.”

“What? Ah, yes…”

Caught off guard, the two went out to the center of the hall and mixed in with the crowd.

After a moment of awkward hesitation, Arasila and Demian placed their hands on each other’s shoulders and waists.

As soon as they took their positions, the music started. Demian moved his feet to the gentle melody. Following his lead, Arasila glanced sideways.

It had been a while since she danced like this with Demian. Unintentionally, they had mostly attended parties without dancing, so there hadn’t been many opportunities.

While the joined hands and close bodies were distracting, what bothered her most was his thin face, which looked even more so up close.

‘At this point, it’s not just because he’s busy, it seems like he’s under mental stress…’

Suddenly remembering how her parents had been somewhat bothersome to Demian earlier, Arasila felt apologetic.

She felt grateful and embarrassed that he hadn’t shown any sign of discomfort despite surely feeling awkward.

“I’m sorry, Demian. My parents must have made you uncomfortable, right? They shouldn’t have done that to you.”

Arasila offered a small apology. Demian’s eyebrows twitched as he had been dancing with his eyes lowered expressionlessly.

After a long silence, he asked out of the blue as the song passed its midpoint.

“Is it because we’re about to divorce?”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m asking if the reason you’re concerned about your parents’ words and actions is because you’re considering announcing our divorce soon.”

Demian had never once felt uncomfortable with the words or actions of the duke and duchess. He didn’t feel burdened by them either.

Even the duchess’s words that Arasila thought were excessive were fine with him. He was even secretly pleased. It was something that could only be said when thinking of him as family, not an outsider.

Rather, it was more irritating that Arasila had stopped her mother and even apologized like this.

Because unlike her parents, it felt painfully clear that she considered him someone who would leave.

“Absolutely not. I just…”

Arasila, who had truly stepped in for Demian’s sake, vehemently denied it but trailed off. After organizing her thoughts for a moment, she finally spoke again.

“I did ask about the timing of the divorce first, but I have no intention of ending the contract yet. I want to help you as much as possible before I go.”

“Until when?”

“Until you want me to.”

Arasila answered firmly.

As Philip advised, she would end her marriage with Demian. But she had no intention of ending it unilaterally.

Since there would be a succession period until he became the head of the magic tower, she wanted to fulfill the contract as long as he needed her.

That was Arasila’s true feelings that she couldn’t express at the dinner table at the time.

“…Until I want you to.”

A sigh seeped into Demian’s voice as he murmured softly.

Should he like this or not?

The golden eyes looking down at Arasila held a complicated light. Suppressing the selfish words that wanted to spill out in a jumble, Demian asked just one question.

“Is that your sense of responsibility?”

Is it because of that responsible personality that she can’t let go of her relationship with him right away?

Arasila’s shoulders flinched. She was not unaware of the fact that deep in her heart, there existed self-interest.

But she nodded calmly and affirmed.

“Yes, that’s right. I have to take responsibility for what I promised, no matter what.”

“I see. I understand.”

With Demian’s response, the conversation ended.

In a strange psychological state where disappointment and relief coexisted, the two perfectly finished their dance to the end.

On the outside, they looked like a perfectly harmonious and well-matched couple.

The unwelcome greeting struck her ears as she approached the table with champagne glasses to quench her thirst.

“It’s been a while, Arasila.”

When the voice that no longer had any reason to address her familiarly reached her with a sweet resonance, Arasila reflexively frowned and turned her head.

Frederick stood there smiling brightly, his hair pushed back to reveal a smooth forehead.

‘Is he crazy? Why is he acting like he knows me? He should know we’re no longer in that kind of relationship.’

Frederick seemed to have completely forgotten about the severed ties and even added, “I’ve missed you. Have you been well?”

While Arasila was so dumbfounded that she was at a loss for words, he strode over and abruptly closed the distance.

At that moment, Demian, who was standing next to her, stepped forward slightly to block her.

“Thanks to your concern, she’s been well, Your Highness.”

“Ah, yes. Vandermir. I saw you yesterday, and I see you again today.”

An unpleasant gaze swept over him once. However, Demian replied shamelessly without losing his composure at all.

“Yes, I’m grateful that you missed me after just one day.”

Frederick barely held back his desire to frown at the shameless act of completely hijacking the words meant for Arasila.

He quickly put on the mask of a kind crown prince and said:

“It’s so nice to see you this often. I hope we’ll have many more opportunities to meet in the future.”

“No, I couldn’t possibly bother such a busy person unnecessarily.”

“Haha, I didn’t know you were such a considerate person. It’s a shame that not many people seem to know this about you. Don’t you think?”

“It’s fine. The one person I want to recognize me knows.”

Frederick’s expression hardened as he immediately understood who that one person referred to. He didn’t feel very good, as it seemed to imply that their marital relationship was that solid.

As the chilly silence between the two men lingered a bit longer, Arasila spoke up.

“Your Highness. It seems other guests are waiting for your greetings as well, so we’ll take our leave now.”

Unlike Frederick, who was acting friendly like in the past, Arasila strictly maintained her boundaries. It was a clear statement that she had no intention whatsoever of returning to their previous relationship.

Frederick put on a seemingly disappointed expression at her attitude, which was not just polite but even cold.

“Why are you being so stiff, Arasila? Have you forgotten how long we’ve known each other?”

“If you’re finished speaking, we’ll withdraw.”

“I know you well. Even if you’re being cruel now, you with your soft heart are bound to return to my side someday.”

What the hell, this crazy bastard.

Arasila barely swallowed the words that had risen to the tip of her tongue. It was thanks to noticing that some people kept glancing this way.

While she was trying to calm her boiling insides, Demian interjected into the conversation.

“Your Highness, even if my wife has a soft heart, she wisely possesses the discernment to know what’s right and wrong. You need not worry.”

Frederick twisted his lips at the indirect rebuttal that she would never return to him.

He looked straight at Demian and said:

“That’s a relief.”

“I think so too.”

“I hope you and Arasila enjoy this New Year’s Festival.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Frederick reached out and lightly gripped Demian’s shoulder. A bright smile had already appeared on his face.

“Come to think of it, I heard that the young master Vandermir is also attending this year’s New Year’s Festival. I look forward to seeing the brotherly affection between you two.”

One of Demian’s eyebrows rose.

The New Year’s Festival was an event where only those invited from each family could attend. No matter how much it was Oscar, he couldn’t just tag along like a child going on a picnic with his parents…

‘Does this mean Oscar was invited too? On what grounds?’

Demian knew better than anyone how incompetent his half-brother was. He couldn’t handle a sword well, couldn’t use his head properly, and all he was good at was fooling around with women.

So it was utterly incomprehensible that he had been invited to a major royal event after causing a scandal with an illegitimate child with a commoner actress.

Seeing Demian’s brow furrow unconsciously, Frederick pulled the corners of his mouth up even more as if feeling satisfied.

“Well then, I’ll be going now. See you next time, Arasila.”

Frederick waved his hand lightly and turned around leisurely. Arasila and Demian watched his departing figure with sour expressions.

For her, it was very unsettling that there was no change in Frederick’s tone or behavior towards her, while for him, it was very suspicious that the crown prince had deliberately mentioned Oscar.

In contrast to the suddenly complicated thoughts of the two, the music filling the hall was peaceful.

It was still the beginning of a night when the New Year’s Festival hadn’t even started yet.