As the prince stood before her, Lucia met his golden gaze head-on. The current atmosphere portrayed a romantic fairy tale between a princess and a prince, but within her dry façade, known only to those who were familiar with her, there was a subtly mocking expression.

The prince, who had never received such disdainful looks from any woman, seemed to find the situation interesting, as a smirk lifted the corners of his mouth.

“I knew we’d look good together. I carefully selected each piece.”

“Over 30 outfits, wasn’t it? Did you have time for that, Your Highness?”

Lucia furrowed her brow, recalling the time she spent in the hellish pink dresses he had chosen for her.

“Ah, here. It wrinkles. Still, it looks beautiful.”

“Stop the pointless chatter and finish quickly. We have a lot of work to do.”

“I know, but without me, you wouldn’t have eaten dinner tonight and would have worked all day. The most urgent thing for you is your dinner, right?”

“……. ”

In any case, talking was something he excelled at. Since coming here, Lucia had become more sensitive and opted for a light diet to quickly resolve missions.

Thus, the only thing rolling in her eyes in response to Irene’s concerned gaze about her sunken cheeks was her pupils.

“Instead, spare some time before dinner. We promised, didn’t we?”
“…….”

Lucia unhesitatingly placed her hand on the one he extended.

Then, those who had paired up gathered around, waiting for the signal.

As Irene’s hand was about to ascend to Lucia’s smooth waist,

“……Mom……!!”

“……?”

Was it a hallucination?

Even with the sudden sound of a small voice, a mother’s instinct turned her head to find the child.

For some reason, a sharp-looking Leon, revealing stiff jaw muscles as he clenched his teeth, and Nia embraced in his arms.

And Mia, who clung to his remaining hand.

Their appearance resembled a husband who, as if carried away by the wind, came looking for his wife, even bringing the child along.

In the front yard of the duke’s residence, Lucia faced the two children standing near the elegant fountain.

And there, a spark ignited in the gaze of the two men standing a little further away.

“Following us to the business trip, how persistent. Seems like the White Knights there have nothing to do?”

“If your persistence is considered diligence, then worry not; everything has been taken care of in advance, Your Highness.”

“Oh? If everything has been taken care of in advance, it seems like there isn’t much to do. Right away, I’ll inform His Majesty and……”

“It’s better not to engage in unnecessary actions. Protecting the child is also a duty under the orders of the Supreme Commander.”
“What? Unnecessary? Ha, I don’t understand how someone who messed up etiquette for nobles could become the epitome of nobility. But you know, sorry, if you came to protect the child, could you hold onto them for a moment? I have a promise with Director Lucia today. It’s about fulfilling the first dance of my life with her.”

Even with Irene’s pouring disdain and pride, Leon laughed brightly, but at the last words, he clenched his teeth again.

The memory of trying to place his hand on her waist a while ago came to mind.

This pink monkey-like prince.

“I’m sorry, but it’s not possible today.”

“What? What are you talking about? It’s not possible? By what authority does Director Leon……!”

Leon didn’t even give him a glance as he raged.

It wasn’t worth the time to look at such a strict person.

“Today, you’re too beautiful.”

As he continued to gaze at her without looking away, a vein popped on Irene’s forehead.

“Hey! I was the one who adorned her! Rather, look at me! It would be better to see me!”

“What on earth are you doing right now?”

The prince grabbed Leon’s cheeks and faced him closely.

They confronted each other with expressions that were quite irritated at the close distance where they could feel each other’s breath.

One trying to escape, the other trying to shield with his face.

To an observer, it looked like a childish fight between the two, who would be misunderstood as having a severe relationship.

Unaware of the chaos, Lucia looked at the children with perplexed eyes.

The children Leon brought.
Looking at the children was a delightful thing, but what was perplexing was the child who refused to let go of Mia’s arms, avoiding her mother.

“Both of you, how did you end up here…?”

In a hurry to leave the banquet hall and having not heard the details from Leon yet, Lucia reached out to the child, but the child didn’t realize that they should fall away from Mia even more.

Clearly, the child was resisting the touch of their mother’s hand.

Lucia seemed quite shocked, and her usually impeccable blue eyes trembled without a place to go.

“Nia, Musheo…”

Then, the small body fell heavily.

Was the child really scared of their mother?

Seeing that sight, it was impossible to approach the child any further.

Observing the mother and child, Mia, who had been watching them, smiled faintly and handed over a piece of paper.