That day, after the party ended, the attendees did not return to their homes but dispersed to the east and north of the imperial palace. This was because it was a rule for all participants to stay in the imperial palace during the New Year’s Festival.

Domestic guests stayed in the eastern palace, while foreign guests stayed in the northern palace.

Accordingly, Arasila and Demian were also assigned rooms on the third floor of the eastern palace. Unfortunately, it was on the same floor as the Vandermir ducal family, but fortunately, their rooms were not directly adjacent.

Their rooms were towards the end of the corridor. Three rooms away from the two of them.

Since they used the same passageway, the probability of running into each other was high, but if they were careful, they could avoid it.

They hadn’t met on the way here.

Of course, this was largely due to the fact that the ducal family did not attend today’s welcoming party for the delegation.

And very regrettably, Duke and Duchess Hugo were assigned to the second floor. It would have been much more convenient and better if they were on the same floor.

“It’s fine.”

Arasila gave a brief review after looking around the interior of the room, which was antique yet neat. Demian nodded in agreement, indicating it wasn’t bad.

The imperial side naturally gave the married couple one room. Not wanting to argue with tired bodies, they quickly agreed to sleep separately on the bed and sofa.

“Demian, if the sofa is uncomfortable, just tell me anytime. I’ll switch with you for the bed.”

“I’m used to sleeping on sofas, so that probably won’t happen.”

After saying that, Demian immediately loosened his cravat and took off his formal jacket, then lay down on the sofa, covering his eyes with his arm. He seemed about to sleep right away.

He must have accumulated a lot of fatigue from taking charge of guard management today as well. Understanding this, Arasila turned around without saying anything more.

She had a lot to clean up, from her makeup to her dress, and quietly moved to the bathroom with Audrey, who had followed to assist.

When Arasila came out after quite some time, having changed clothes inside, Demian was already asleep in comfortable clothes.

“I’ll be going now. Good night, my lady.”

“Sleep well, Audrey. See you tomorrow.”

Arasila closed the door silently after seeing Audrey out. Then she tiptoed towards the bed. This was to avoid disturbing Demian’s sleep.

Lying on the moderately soft bed, she blinked while looking at the ceiling. Perhaps because her sleeping place had changed, she felt wide awake.

Tossing and turning, Arasila lay on her side and looked towards the sofa. Moonlight seeping through the curtains illuminated Demian, who was sleeping quietly like a princess from a fairy tale.

‘He looks quite beautiful when sleeping.’

Smiling at the frivolous thought, she suddenly recalled the conversation they had while dancing. They had concluded to postpone the divorce until Demian wanted it.

‘I wonder how long you will need me.’

Judging from their previous conversations, in fact, Arasila might already be a being who had exhausted her usefulness to Demian.

Since he now had a way to inherit the duke’s position without maintaining their marriage.

‘When will we end this contract?’

Arasila turned to face forward. Work is more important than love. That value hadn’t changed, so she decided to kill her feelings for Demian.

But she couldn’t help trying to increase the time spent with him without realizing it, or feeling disappointed when Demian drew a line.

Very contradictorily, she wanted to part with him but didn’t want to leave him.

She felt that way even while knowing it would be better to sort out their fake marriage relationship as soon as possible.

‘It would be nice if I could completely get rid of these feelings through this New Year’s Festival.’

Arasila sincerely wished. There’s nothing more miserable than being the only real one in a false relationship. So please, let the festival be the end of these feelings.

Let them not deepen any further from here.

As she made such wishes, Arasila’s eyelids gradually grew heavy. The drowsiness that seemed like it would never come soon overtook her.

When the rustling sounds stopped and only steady breathing filled the air, Demian slowly opened his eyes.

“Ha……”

The quiet sigh he let out contained even more confusion, anguish, earnestness, and yearning than Arasila’s.

The New Year’s Festival period lasted a total of four days.

On the first day, they lightly attended a court music concert, on the second day they held an equestrian competition, on the third day was the main banquet, and on the last day a feast was held.

However, for the feast, only specially invited people could attend, and the rest of the guests finished their schedule after enjoying a formal dinner on that day.

And today, finally, the New Year’s Festival officially began.

“Are we going to match our clothes?”

Demian asked Arasila as she headed to the dressing room to get ready for the court music concert.

Arasila stopped in her tracks and made a contemplative expression.

“Well, what do you think we should do?”

“Let’s match. Considering the crown prince’s condition yesterday, it seems we need to flaunt our relationship as a couple.”

“That’s true.”

Arasila frowned as she recalled Frederick, who had been trying to act overly friendly. She hadn’t known his uniquely gentle tone of voice could feel so dreadful.

The two matched their dress code in green. Although they hadn’t discussed it beforehand, many of the clothes they brought had a similar atmosphere.

The court music concert was held in the concert hall located in the western part of the imperial palace. Arasila and Demian arrived a little earlier than the scheduled time.

Diligent nobles were already gathered in the hall, engaged in conversation.

“Arasila, Demian! Come over here.”

Among them, Duke and Duchess Hugo waved with welcoming faces. Several noble couples were sitting around them, still affectionately arm in arm today.

As the two approached, those sitting to the right of the ducal couple deliberately stood up and gave up their seats.

“Ah, thank you.”

“No need. Isn’t it better to see happily married couples sitting together?”

A middle-aged noblewoman said with a chuckle.

Arasila was a bit surprised that they weren’t accommodating for parents and children to sit together. Do she and Demian look as close as her parents?

Her mood became somewhat strange, as her parents were the most harmonious and ideal couple she knew.

“How long have you two been married?”

“A little over half a year.”

“Oh my, oh my. It’s the best time! Are you enjoying your newlywed life?”

Perhaps because it was a gathering of people around the same age as the ducal couple, attention was fully focused on the young couple.

“I can’t believe how well they match. They’re the most beautiful couple I’ve seen in my lifetime in high society.”

“I know. There aren’t many couples that fit together so perfectly without any shortcomings. You two really found good matches.”

“Duchess, you must be happy. Your daughter found a good husband like you did and is living happily.”

“Oh my, I won’t deny it.”

The duchess’s brazen response elicited a burst of laughter.

“I’m known for having good intuition, and I get the strong feeling that the Vandermir couple will live happily ever after.”

“They say people who are compatible usually live blessed lives. Just looking at them, these two seem very compatible.”

“Still, don’t let your guard down, and remember that communication is always important in a marriage. Of course, you might end up fighting all the time like us.”

Arasila and Demian listened attentively to the adults’ conversation, which continued without giving them a chance to interject.

Although they had come intending to appear as a loving couple, when the praise poured out more than expected, their hearts started to feel slightly uncomfortable.

Arasila awkwardly tapped her fingers together on her lap.

“But I feel like the Vandermir couple will do well on their own without being told.”

“What do you think, Duchess? How do you see the Vandermir couple?”

This time, people’s gazes turned to the duchess. The duchess straightened her back, smiled, and began to speak.

“What is there to say? We don’t need to worry about our children. Even if fierce winds blow, they hold each other’s hands tightly and overcome it together.”

“A married couple should live with the mindset that there’s nothing they can’t do together, and in that respect, it’s really fortunate.”

Even Duke Hugo, who had been quietly listening to the chatter while looking at his wife with affectionate eyes, chimed in.

At this, Arasila’s heart went beyond uncomfortable to heavy.

It’s true that the two of them had faced many hardships together and overcome them, but aren’t they going to divorce anyway?

‘Ah… I’ve done something unforgivable to Mom and Dad.’

A sudden realization dawned on her.

In fact, until now, Arasila hadn’t given much thought to her parents’ reaction after the divorce.

Of course, they would worry, and maybe even scold her. Why did you make such a hasty decision in the first place?

But isn’t that bearable compared to the pain of parting forever from the person you love?

Above all, her parents were kind people, so in the end, they would focus more on comforting Arasila’s heart when she was struggling after the divorce.

‘I’ve been living comfortably with such thoughts…’

She hadn’t deeply considered the part about betraying and disappointing her beloved parents’ trust.

To make excuses, at first, she was so desperate to save Iris that she didn’t think about it, and lately, she’s been too overwhelmed dealing with her feelings for Demian.

Realizing the mistake she had been unaware of, Arasila became even more restless.

“My, what a true example of a couple that everyone can look up to.”

Fortunately for her, the relay of excessive praise ended with a noblewoman’s words.

This was because the emperor entered the concert hall.

As the imperial family members entered and sat down in order, the concert soon began. Everyone sat up straight and watched the performance.

Arasila also looked at the performers on stage with an upright posture, but her focus was somewhat blurred. This was because her mind was fiercely occupied with other thoughts.

‘Should I start dropping hints to Mom and Dad that things aren’t going well with Demian?’

Desperately searching for a solution, Arasila unknowingly let out a small sigh. It was so quiet that it wouldn’t have been heard over the loud music.

However, Demian, who somehow heard that sigh, glanced at her. Unlike her expressionless face, he could see Arasila’s eyes wavering.

Seeming to roughly understand why she was like this, he quietly grasped his wife’s hand that was resting on the armrest.

‘When should I start hinting? Starting from today…’

Lost in deep thought, Arasila was startled by the sudden warm touch.

She rolled her eyes and slightly turned her head to look at the seat next to her. She couldn’t speak out loud for fear her parents might hear.

Demian gently opened Arasila’s clenched fist and slowly wrote letters on her palm with his finger.

Arasila’s gaze dropped down, focusing intently on reading those movements.

‘No… loo…king.’

No looking?

Arasila immediately looked at Demian with bewildered eyes.

He was the one who suddenly held her hand, after all. But Demian stubbornly stared ahead while moving his hand.

Although Arasila found it vexing, she watched curiously to see what he would write.

This time it was very short.

No thinking.

And once more.

No worrying.

Arasila’s eyes widened. How did he know she was caught up in thoughts and worries?

Having conveyed all he wanted to say, Demian silently interlocked his fingers with hers again. The warmth from his overwhelmingly large hand was reassuring.

Arasila felt her mind becoming surprisingly clear and her heart growing calm. As he said, both her thoughts and worries were emptied.

There’s nothing that can be solved by worrying right now anyway. She decided to just enjoy the concert for now.

Arasila adjusted her posture comfortably and listened to the beautiful harmonies.

Demian, who confirmed through sidelong glances that she was now fully immersed in the concert, let out a faint smile. Soon, he too watched the court orchestra’s performance with a much more relaxed expression.

This day was the most peaceful day the two spent during the New Year’s Festival.

Perhaps, the only one.